Events

Dear IWFS Members,

 

We are so excited to share the details of our dessert wine tasting event which is one not to be missed.  Not only will we enjoy our usual Canapé and Champagne reception followed by an outstanding selection of First Growth Premier Cru dessert wines, but we will also be tasting the one and only Premier Cru Supérieur: Chateau D’Yquem.

 

The majority of these beautifully aged wines are from the 2001 vintage, and the Chateau D’Yquem is from the 1997 vintage.  This event presents a rare opportunity to taste some of the world’s best sweet wines with some considerable cellar aging.  Each wine will also be accompanied by a delicious selection of petit fours.

 

Date: Thursday, October 3^rd,2024

Time: Champagne reception and Canapés at 7pm with the tasting to start at 7:30pm

Where: Aria, Grand Harbour

Price: CI$145

Dress Code: Smart-Casual

 

 The wines:

 

Chateau Guiraud, 2001

Prized for its elegance and finesse, Premier Cru Classé Château Giraud is one of Sauternes’ most sought after wines. It is also one of the region’s only certified organic estates.  Several critics, including Parker and Martin, note the tremendously long finish on this wine and the perfectly balanced palate of this wine.

 

Chateau Rabaud-Promis, 2001

This will be drinking well now with 20+ years of age on it.  Tawny orange in colour with an incredibly complex and rich palate.  Notes of orange, honeysuckle and white peach. 

 

Chateau Suduiraut, 2001

Château Suduiraut is located in the commune of Preignac and its vineyards famously border those of the coveted Chateau D`Yquem.  This wine has a well-defined bouquet of marmalade, honeysuckle and pine.  The grapes for this wine are grown on some of the finest terroir in the region and its richness and power illuminate this.

 

Chateau Rieussec, 2001

Chateau Rieussec was acquired by Chateau Lafite-Rothschild in 1984 and since then, the wine making techniques here have improved considerably including a much finer selection for the blending of this wine, their grand vin.  This is one of the largest properties in Sauternes and Barsac, and is one of Sauternes’ greatest names.  The wines are complex, sweet and superbly balanced and the immense investment in the wine making since the 80s are reflected in this superb wine.

 

Chateau Coutet, 2001

Described as one of the most outstanding Coutets ever produced, this rich, luscious and opulent wine is at the peak of its maturity and will be drinking wonderfully.  Noted as having an ‘ethereal’ palate – this is sure to be a stunning wine! 

 

Chateau D’Yquem, 1997

With only around 10,000 cases made of this wine, we are going to be some of the lucky people to get to taste this wine.  The only sweet wine awarded the Premier Cru Supérieur status in the 1855 classification, Chateau D’Yquem has stood the test of time to become a dessert wine icon.  This wine is, perhaps unsurprisingly, rated highly amongst critics with Robert Parker writing that the 1997 vintage of D’Yquem is “sensational”.

 

This is sure to be an incredible event!

 

Preference will be given on a first-come basis to members. Should you wish to invite a guest, please let me know their name and I will place them on the wait list. Once your place is confirmed via return email from me, you can remit your payment online to CNB by selecting us in the drop down payee list or make a domestic online payment to Cayman National Bank, CI$ account: 011-10174 and include your name in the details. Cash or cheque will also be accepted on the evening of the event. Please do not pay until your space has been confirmed via return email from me.

 

We look forward to hopefully seeing you there! 

Dear IWFS Members,

 

We are excited to formally invite you to our annual French dinner. 

 

Although our October French dinner at Steak Social had become an annual event for the IWFS, with Steak Social’s closure earlier this year the IWFS board has decided to retain the October event, but relocate it to the Wharf with Chef Christian Reiter. Chef Christian, whilst hailing from Austria, is a 30-year veteran of award-winning kitchens, apprenticing under the strict supervision of French-trained chefs.  He has designed us a menu showcasing this French influence. Please see the curated menu and wine pairings below.

 

The details for this event are as follows:

 

Price: CI$240 per person

Date: Wednesday, 15 October 2023

Time: 6:30 PM

Where: The Wharf, 7 Mile Beach

Dress Code: Smart Casual

 

Menu and Wine Pairings:

 

Canapés

Chicken Liver Mousse on Croute

Mini Lobster Cocktail

 

Orpale blanc de blancs grand cru 2008

A 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay from a grower co-operative with a serious reputation for quality,

which also provides juice for the biggest, most illustrious names in Champagne including Dom Perignon and Taittinger.

 

*Menu*

 

Salmon Terrine

dill-caviar cream, pumpkin seed crumble, baby greens

 

Latour Martillac Blanc Grand Cru Classe de Graves, Pesaac-Leognan, 2020

A dry white Bordeaux wine is (at long last and rightly) returning to popularity.  This is as a blend of 63% sauvignon blanc and 32% semillon with all the typical characteristics of white nectarine, passion fruit and pear, and a fresh, minerally finish.  Rated 93-95 by top critic Neal Martin.

 

*****

 

“Two Ducks”

duck croquette and smoked duck breast, celeriac puree, cherry compote, grilled onions

 

Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges “Les Chaignots” 2009

Drinking perfectly now, this medium to full bodied wine has an attractive combination of freshness and verve whilst also showing the ripeness and fleshiness of the vintage. A classic pairing of pinot noir and duck.

 

*****

 

Roast Lamb Loin

grape tomato-olive confit, potato gratin, sauteed spinach, balsamic mushrooms

 

Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2005

A full bodied, complex St Julian from a very good year. These wines last a long, long time, especially from good vintages, but this one is drinking well at its relatively young age.

It has attracted increasingly better ratings as it matures. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot, 6% petit verdot.

 

****

 

Selection of International Cheeses

crackers, jams, fruits, nuts

 

The Lemon Dessert

White Chocolate, lemon gel and lemon custard, wrapped in Lemon crust

 

Wine TBD