Events

Situated 40kms south of Bordeaux, the region of Sauternes and its neighbours produce the finest sweet and luscious white wines of the world, crowned by the amazing Château d’Yquem.
These wines are produced mainly from the Semillon grape which attracts the famous noble rot that gives the wine a unique multi- dimensional flavour and are in a class of their own.
The tasting will be led by Jeffrey Benson author of “The Great Wines of Sauternes” which is one of the definitive works on Sauternes. Jeffrey has selected a stunning range from his own private cellar dating back to the 1930's including 1960 Château d’Yquem.
Château d'Yquem is a Premier Cru Supérieur. In the Official Bordeaux Wine Classification of 1855, Château d'Yquem was the only Sauternes given this rating, indicating its perceived superiority over all other wines of its type.
Wines from Château d'Yquem are characterised by their complexity, concentration and sweetness. Another characteristic of Château d'Yquem wines is their longevity. With proper care, a bottle will keep for a century or more.
Our 8 wines tonight are:
circa 1930's La Flora Blanche Sauternes
circa 1940's Barsac
1970 Château Bouvran
1947 Château de Myrat
1942 Château Camperos
1955 Château Rieussec
1986 Château Rieussec
1960 Château d’Yquem
The tasting will be accompanied by paté de foie gras (no pork content), blue cheese and French bread and mini-toasts, the perfectaccompaniment to Sauternes and Barsac wines.                       
As we expect this tasting to be very popular, please note that Members and Joint Members will be given priority and only if room will places be allocated to guests and prospective members.

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• Tucked away beside the River Thames at Richmond, The Bingham is one of the most unusual boutique hotels – a ’restaurant with rooms’!   Originally built as two Georgian houses in 1740, the Bingham has been the home of nobility and poets.  Lady Ann Bingham, whose sister Lady Lavinia married the first Earl of Spencer, rented the property in 1821 and added the room which is currently the Bingham Bar that links the properties.

Later inhabitants included poets Katherine Bradley and Edith Cooper (who wrote together as Michael Field) and who entertained amongst others, W.B.Yeats. During the 20th Century the property fell into disrepair and was bought by the current owners in 1984 undergoing extensive refurbishment from 2006-8. The airy dining room on the ground floor is chic neutrals and art deco mirrors inside, with a decked terrace outside that looks out over the gardens and riverside. Time Out London describes it as “a quality boutique hotel destination under Shay Cooper’s award-winning supervision… the Bingham makes excellent use of its riverside location by Richmond Bridge.                                          
The Michelin Star Chef Shay Cooper and his team expertly create Modern British Cuisine using the finest locally sourced ingredients, and Shay has personally planned this very special menu for us.
Amuse Bouche
2010 E’Arte Vendemmia , Puglia, Italy

White Onion Risotto, Bellota Ham, Aged Parmesan
with Parsley Oil
2011 Adobe Gewürtztraminer Reserva, Rapel Valley, Chile

Salt Marsh Lamb, Glazed Medijool Date, Spiced Lamb Faggot, Braised Onion, Curry & Apple
1988 Château Cissac, Grand Bourgeois Exceptionnel, Bordeaux

Dark Chocolate Marquis, Poached Pineapple, Coconut Sorbet
2010 Elysium Black Muscat, California

Tea, Coffee and Herbal Infusions
Petits Fours

Please advise the organiser if you have any specific dietary requirements.

Notice is hereby given that the thirtieth Annual General Meeting of the London Branch of the International Wine and Food Society shall be held at The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 2 Bridge Place, Victoria, SW1V 1QA at 6.45 for 7.00pm for the following business:

1.         Apologies for Absence
2.         Minutes of the Last Meeting
3.         Matters Arising
4.         Chairman’s Report
5.         To receive and consider the audited accounts for the period 1st July 2011 to 30th June 2012.
6.         To elect Branch Officers and Committee Members*
7.         Membership Matters
8.         Open Discussion and Any Other Business

Copies of the relevant papers will be available before the Meeting.
*          In accordance with Para. 5.1 of The Branch Constitution, all nominations for the Committee must be submitted in writing to The Meeting Secretary** at least thirty days in advance of the Meeting. The candidate should be nominated by two London Branch members and must signify in writing her/his willingness to stand.
**          Please send any nominations or items for discussion to:
Stephanie Shepherd, 59 Lime Avenue, Camberley, Surrey, GU15   2BH
A welcoming glass of something fizzy will greet you on arrival!
So that we are aware of numbers, please book for this event if you will be attending.   Attendance is free for members.