COMMANDERIE DE BORDEAUX SUMMER LUNCH SUNDAY 17TH JULY 2022

AT THE KING STREET TOWN HOUSE, BOOTH STREET, MANCHESTER

It may have been the hottest ticket in town but the dining room on the top floor of the K S T H was a splendidly cool room for our Summer Party and ideally suited for the 53 Commanders and guests who attended (down from 58 due principally to Covid).

The event started with a reception when a quantity of excellent Castelnau Brut Champagne was consumed.

There followed the intronization of two of our younger members Helen Pennington and Christopher McNall.

The meal that followed was of a high standard and if the service was at times a little slow (I was sitting on table 6 of 6) the replenishment of the glasses was very attentive.

The meal commenced with Seared Scallops Romasco with fennel and apple accompanied by Clos des Lunes, ‘Lune d’Argent’ 2017 A.O.C. Bordeaux Sec. The remarks on this wine were favourable although some would have preferred it to have more fruit.

The fillet steak and Shin bonbon served with shallot puree, tomato and Hen of the Woods mushroom with thyme jus was pink enough for most and some were pleasantly surprised by the mushrooms. The fillet was accompanied by Domaine de Chevalier 2012 Grand Cru Classe de Graves, A.O.C. Pessac-Leognan and for many was felt to be the ‘wine of the day’.

We were then treated to a selection of cheeses complimented by Chateau Mondorion 2014 A.O.C. St-Emilion Grand Cru a wine not well known to some but still well received. It certainly improved in the glass for those who allowed it to remain there that long!

The final food of the day was a hazelnut praline sticky toffee pudding, salted caramel and vanilla ice cream with toasted hazelnuts. This was well matched with the Chateau Rayne-Vigneau, 2009 Premiere Cru, A.O.C. Sauternes which would have been a treat with any rich dessert.

Overall, the KSTH did us proud and a good time was had by all those who I had the pleasure of speaking to during the course of the afternoon.

John Appleby (Regent)