Wine Tasting and Lunch

On 13th  March 2015 Manchester Branch held a tasting of wines from Languedoc Rousillon followed by a buffet lunch. 37 members and guests attended at Worsley Golf Club. Arrangements were made by Ron Cowley, our chair-man, a golf club member. The 10 bottle tasting was given by Bob Lloyd, a member of Manchester Committee. A few notes on the wines follow:-

Domaine la Grangette Picpoul de Pinet 2013. Picpoul grape is particular to a small appellation on the coast in the Languedoc. Pale straw in colour. Loads of citrus fruit flavour and well balanced fruit and acidity. Good as an aperitif and with fish or seafood.

Bosc 24 Domaine du Bosc Grenache Blanc 2013. Pale lemon in colour, pear drops on the nose, citrusy notes with grapefruit on the finish.

Domaine L‟Aigle Limoux Chardonnay. Resembles a good quality oaked Burgundy. White fruit and lemon flavours, hints of flowers, hazelnut and almond. Nice long finish. Serve lightly chilled with fish, roasted poultry, soft goat and sheep cheeses.

Paul Mas Estate Marsanne „La Forge‟ vineyard 2013 100% Marsanne grape. Elegant white flowers and hazelnut aromas with pear and honey flavours following. Perfectly suited for fish dishes, delicate to full flavoured.

Domaine L‟Aigle Pinot Noir 2012. A distinctive Pinot Noir nose of wild strawberries with some cinnamon aroma. The light fruit is backed up by tight and bracing tannins leading to a long mineral finish. Serve with duck breast or rare lamb.

Chateau de Pennautier Cabardes 2013. Rustic aromas of raspberries. mulberries, intensely ruby in colour. A firm tannic palate of spice and dark fruits leads to a layered, dry finish. Ideal with casseroles and red meat dishes

Chateau la Dourmie St Chinian 2012. Made with 50 year old Grenache vines. This wine has a lovely expressive nose of black cherry and prunes. The palate shows freshness of fruit with dark berry flavours and spiciness. A great match for shish kebabs or minted lamb.

Domaine de Fabreques2012 A mixture of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault grapes. A rich spicy wine in the classic Languedoc style with an intense jammy blackberry and Morello cherry backbone followed by subtle tannins. Quite peppery. Drink with full flavoured casseroles.

Chateau Cailhol Minervois 2013. This Minervois vineyard is from the foot of the Black Mountains. It has 30 year old vines and this is a blend of Syrah, Carignan and Grenache. It is deep red in colour with purple edges and a bouquet of spicy red fruit. Nice long finish and great with steak.

Clos de Mures Paul Mas. From a specific plot on the Mas Estate. A blend of Syrah 85%, Grenache 10% and mMourvedre 5%. Clos, as indicated, means it is a walled vineyard. For me the best wine of the day. A dense red, its complex nose is spicy, black fruit with violet aromas. Well balanced and very long on the finish. Serve with red meat, duck breast and game.

The tasting was well received by all apparently, so that was pleasing.

Bob Lloyd

And so to lunch - ARISE SIR LOIN OF BEEF

The lunch started with a classic speciality of the Lyon region in France. Quenelle of salmon with a light dill and tomato sauce. Melba toast, created by Escoffier for Nellie Melba, was a perfect choice.

The main course served from a carvery was Roast Sirloin of Beef with the lightest of light Yorkshire Puddings served with accompaniments of horseradish sauce, English mustard and a rich brown roast gravy. Roast potatoes, fine green beans and buttered carrots with a generous sprinkling of parsley was the right choice of vegetables. There was also Roast Gammon with a mustard and honey glaze, very tempting and most appealing.

Dessert was a Green Tea Pannacotta, an explosion of flavours, followed by a selection of Artisan cheeses. Coffee and sweetmeats followed.

Patrick Trodden