Branch 65th Anniversary

MANCHESTER BRANCH -65^th ANNIVERSARY LUNCH

On 15^th May 2016 Manchester Branch held their 65^th Anniversary at the Great John Street Hotel  in the City of Manchester.  The event  was held 65 years to the day that Joy Fontes started the Branch on 15^th May 1951.

50 people  attended the event and we were pleased to welcome friends from Merseyside & Mid Cheshire Branch and a few non members of IW&FS.

It was a glorious sunny day and people could avail themselves of the hotel’s outside terrace for the aperifif and to chat.  This they did and the aperitif wine Decoree Laurent Brebane Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine from Limoux was enjoyed by all.  A pleasant wine with a little peachey and pear aroma, and fairly small on the finish.  At the same time, a selection of canapés was served prior to our sitting down at 1.00 for the lunch.

The starter was Roasted Scallops, watercress and mint cream, and vegetable crisps. An excellent combination beautifully cooked,  tasty and delicious.  On our table everybody remarked how well   the mint cream went with  the scallops – a nice surprise.  We drank a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc called Giddy Goose from the Marlborough area of South Island.  It complemented the scallops admirably with its gooseberry nose, and minerally flavour, and was also quite steely with a good finish.

The main course was Lamb Loin with Mustard Herb Crust, roasted carrots, parsnips, honey rosemary and celeriac puree.  Unfortunately some of  the  lamb  was a little overcooked, but, in the main, most people had perfectly cooked lamb – however, it is not easy to cook for 50 people.  The vegetables were fine.  To complement the dish, we had Chateau Labadie 2009 a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois from the Medoc.  It was delicious and there were many nice compliments about it.  Cepage:-  50% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc – a very acceptable combination.

Next came a selection of cheese served individually . There was far too much cheese for each person and it would have been better to serve a couple of plates on each table.  We all needed ‘doggy bags’!  The Labadie  was well received with the cheese.

The dessert was sticky gingerbread pudding, butterscotch and coffee fudge ice cream.  I didn’t partake of the dessert, but people  said it was delicious, and I could see from the smiles on their faces they were right.  The wine served with the dessert was Beaumes de Venise,Domaine Durban,S. France which is a lovely sweet wine with overtones of butterscotch and honey.

We finished with Coffee and Petit  Fours – an excellent celebration, in an exquisite hotel.  The service was top class, and the staff made us very welcome.

Patrick Trodden made a good job of organising the event and Bob Lloyd provided all the wines

We look forward to the next  65 years………..

Bob Lloyd – Committee Member.