Many of the members of IWFS Victoria just love to cook so we try to have a cook up every couple of years. It’s also an opportunity to hold an event in the home of one of our member’s, as well as to have a wine tasting in advance of lunch. This year we held our cook up at the home of Beverley Sutherland Smith who is a cooking instructor, has great kitchen facilities and a large dining space, and also has an incredibly beautiful garden.
Cooks this year included Peter Millington, Charles and Janet Harper, Doug Crittenden, Beverley Sutherland Smith, Ian Westcott, Janet Barton, Elizabeth Peddey and Faye Bowyer, with Erik Lehnacker and Graeme Edwards on cheese.
I’m not sure how much better these cook ups can get, this one was very special. With Neil Harrison and Ian Westcott keeping the cooks in order, and Peter Millington and Beverley Sutherland Smith overseeing the menu, we were served a meal that vied for our meal of the year as the cooks brought out some of their personal favourites. We would do more of this if the energy required was a little less substantial, even with so many helpers.
On the wines, the 2008 base (NV) Inflorescence Champagne from the newish grower producer Cedric Bouchard, who is doing marvellous things in Celles-sur-Ource, proved to be a testament to his great skill and the promise of 2008 in Champagne. The 2007 Victorian Chardonnay, Chestnut Hill, outclassed the 2005 White Burgundy (the premox blight unfortunately strikes again). On the day, the 2008 Valli Bannockburn Pinot from Central Otago NZ outclassed Armand Rousseau’s 2001 Clos de la Roche which came across as a little tired. On cheese, we found that the Chidaine Chenin Blanc was a great match. But the most excitement came from a number of aged Bordeaux from the late 70s and early 80s that long standing member Bill Rudd had generously donated. It was a wonderful selection including Pontet Canet, Lafite-Rothschild, Palmer, Beycheville and Mouton Baron-Philippe, with the 85 Chateau Palmer being the absolute highlight. What frenzy there was at the tasting table. Thank you Bill!
The pre-luncheon tasting also produced some major highlights. Provided by member John Hocking, the 1991 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet was a standout and seemed to be in a perfect drinking window, while the 2002 Carillon Perrieres from Puligny and the 2003 Jean Noel Gagnard Batard Montrachet (despite the warmer year) were also drinking superbly. This really was a ‘great fun’ but highly polished event, no doubt contributed to by the involvement of so many members in making it happen.