Friday 11th June saw a new departure for the Manchester Commanderie with the AGM held over Zoom. Careful pre-planning ensured that the Agenda was fully covered in the allocated time with Commandeurs free to enjoy a glass of The Wine Society’s Champagne NV by Alfred Gratien during the meeting.

During the meeting partners and friends (hopefully also with a glass of Champagne) were finalising arrangements for the Zoom dinner that followed. At the end of the meeting Commandeurs were allocated to their tables (breakout rooms) and partners and friends joined the proceedings.

On our table we had been asked to comment on the dry white wine selected for our first course. This was Drapeau de Clos Floridene 2017 AOC Graves. It seemed everybody enjoyed this wine, the second wine of Clos Floridene, however some Commandeurs had a substitute Pessac Leognan including Château Malartic La Graviere, and Chateau Latour Martillac which they much enjoyed.

The choice of dishes seemed to follow Commanderie favourites and recommendations and judging from pictures the table settings were equally impressive.

Our main course wine choice was Château Batailley Cru Classé Pauillac 2010 a property we hope to revisit on our next trip to Bordeaux and a favourite of Commandeurs. As expected this wine from one the best recent Bordeaux Vintages was much appreciated and some considered that it still had not reached its peak drinking window and would last many years.

On this occasion a Sauternes was not supplied but some Commandeurs reached into their own cellars for a bottle to accompany their sweet.

Thanks are due particularly to Regent Patrick Waterhouse and Grand Argentier John Lambie for arranging the Zoom and ensuring it all went smoothly. Thanks also to our Vinothécaire David Chapman for selecting and arranging delivery of the wines. Let us hope that our next event, the Summer Lunch, can go ahead in person!

Richard Martindale