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La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester 30th Fête d’Anniversaire This iconic hotel and its great entertaining spaces were well used by Commandeurs, and our guests from France (despite significant travel disruption) and across the United Kingdom.
and (somewhat later) where David and Victoria Beckham had their first date and described by some as a “20th century Palace”. We at least had the privilege of the High Sheriff rather than Royalty!
The party gathered a little earlier than normal to take advantage of the interesting tasting of kindly donated wines from our friends in the Cru Bourgeois and some very good quality St. Emilion wines from the Jurade. The charming wood panelled room enabled members of the Commanderie and their guests to meet and discuss the merits of the wide range of wines on offer. with David and Di both looking so well! A small procession of the Maîtres then led to welcomes and hearty congratulations on our increasing maturity within the growing family of Commaderie chapters.
The food and the wines lived up to the importance of the occasion with each course and wine having the opportunity to star; with even the lime and basil sorbet worthy of a mention. Clos Marsalette Blanc 2012, A.O.C. Pessac-Léognan to get the meal off to an excellent start.
provided a fitting and high-quality end to the meal with the acidic bite of the raspberry desert.
as we made our way home after a very enjoyable evening, despite the traditional rain that accompanied us!
Bistro Evening at The Great John Street Hotel, Manchester on Friday 26th January 2018 The Commanderie had an excellent evening at the Great John Street Hotel in late January. The reception was as good as ever, in an intimate atmosphere and with a lovely view of the Terrace Garden. Importantly, the Heidsieck Monopole also went down well! We were also able to welcome Mark Nolan to an exciting intronization held in a new venue.
The first course of seared scallops, celeriac and truffle puree,
The Organic cheese selection, including some Leagram soft organic Lancashire was well presented and the Château Lacoste-Borie 2009, A.O.C. Pauillac, although a very pleasant wine, it was found that the fruit took some time to develop in the glass.
The dessert of passion fruit and mango delight, coconut whip, and chocolate biscuits was enjoyed (even by non-coconut fans) and the Château Raymond-Lafon, A.O.C Sauternes went very well with it and had a bouquet of honey, melon and lemon which followed through on the palate with good acidity in the finish.
The petite fours were also very well liked with the coffee and we were able to thank the chef and the serving staff in the normal manner by the Maître for providing excellent food and service.
Opera and Supper at the Royal Northern College of Music - Thursday 14th December 2017
Those that didn’t attend the excellent supper and opera at the Royal Northern College of Music missed a treat. Not only were we treated to delicious wine and food but we were also privileged to attend opera of a very high standard that was both entertaining and very entertaining! ... not only that, but you also missed roller-skating nuns/elves with Christmas lights in their hair (and no your author had not been overindulging in the excellent wines!)
Champagne was the perfect pick me up for those that had fought their way from work through inclement weather and difficult traffic to get to the college. We were looked after by an enthusiastic, hihgly competent and cheerful staff and educated on the excellent work of the college at a national and international level. The starter was accompanied by a new world style of bordeaux entre-deux-mers (intriguing called the “forgotten one”) with some crisp lemony flavours of its own.
The Chateau Pontet-Cannet 2004 Pauillac was a very enjoyable accompaniment to this and set us up well for the first 2 acts of the Opera. During the interval we had a selection of enjoyable deserts with the ever reliable and unctuous Chateau de Malle from 2010. Suitably fortified, we then returned to our excellent seats for the final denouement, with Prince Charming and “Cinders” suitably reunited and happiness restored. - book early for next year to avoid disappointment! The Midland Hotel, Manchester Friday 17th November 2017 The Commanderie fought its way through the shoppers at the Christmas markets to attend the ever popular Midland Hotel. There was a healthy turnout and the champagne flowed freely as we gathered.
We then sat down to witness the intronisation of two new Commandeurs to the Manchester chapter.
Karen Hammond and Adrian Bennett were deemed to be very fitting addition to our numbers and they were duly anointed.
After Grace we then tucked into a confit pork shoulder and wild mushroom terrine, which was accompanied by confit of bramley apple and celeriac remoulade, with toasted sourdough. This went well with the tasty and fresh Sauvignon dominated Château Bel Air Perponcher Réserve, 2015.
Next we had a generous and well-cooked course of roast rump of lamb with sticky braised puy lentils, spinach, baby carrots and lamb jus. This was accompanied by the Château Fontenil, Fronsac of 2000. This was a very tasty and fruity wine that still had a lot of life and went very well with the lamb.
The Fronsac contrasted with the more tanic 2006, 3ème Cru Classé Haut-Médoc from Château La Lagune, but which was complemented by the ever-reliableMrs Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese.
After toasting the Queen and the Commanderie we thanked our host in our normal style and headed back out into the winter night, having had a very pleasant evening.
La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester Our biennial treat of a weekend in the Lakes at Commandeur Norman Stoller lovely Lindeth Howe www.lindeth-howe.co.uk; lived up to its top billing.
Not everyone could make all the exciting activities from an informal supper on Friday, walks and wine tasting on the Saturday and fine dining on Saturday evening but there was something for everyone in this beautiful location and with glorious sunshine too on Sunday morning!
After a tussle with amuse booche, the Clos des Lunes “Lune d’Argent” (2012 AOC Bordeaux) showed its flexibly and worked well with both the Parma ham, sage and goats cheese arancini, rocket Caesar and the Smoked trout rillettes compressed watermelon and pickled cucumber salad. A palate cleansing sorbet heralded a tasty locally sourced fillet of beef (cooked in the modern style - sus vide). Thus was accompanied by the trusty Château Haut-Batailley, 2006, 5ème Cru, A.O.C. Pauillac, which did not disappoint.
Wine Tasting and Supper at The Innside Hotel, Manchester Friday 22nd September 2017 The modern plain interiors of the Innside https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/manchester/innside-manchester/index.html; were a buzz with excited guests and the Commanderie were looked after by professional staff at an exceedingly enjoyable evening at the Innside. With over 20 wines to sample, there was something for everyone and we tasted an enjoyable Crémant de Bordeaux, a variety of dry white wines and reds from Cru Bourgeois and many appellations, including Fronsac, Blaye, Meocl, the Pomerols and Saint Emilions (including a Grand Cru Classé) and one tasty desert wine from Sauternes. We then had a delicious Beoef Bordelaise (a renamed and very tasty version of Beef Bourguignon) and ended with a selection of cheeses. We then closed with toasts to the Queen and to the Commanderie and thanked our excellent hosts from the Innside Hotel and look forward to returning.
Sunday 23rd July 2017
Despite the best attempts of HSBC’s UK City Ride to close off half of Manchester and the British summer’s traditional hide and seek games a very happy afternoon was spent by the Commanderie at the King Street Town house.
We enjoyed a full house for our meal and despite the doors open to the elements, we managed to generate a steady chortle of conversation throughout. The meal stared with some beautifully cooked seared scallops with a lovely combination of celeriac purée, watercress and hazelnut oil. These were accompanied by a straw coloured, Semillon rich Chateaux Thieuley 2015, A.C. Bordeaux Blanc, which accompanied it beautifully. Whilst the description of corn fed chicken, with wild mushroom and tarragon sauce, accompanied by sweet potato purée, baby leeks and Lyonnaise potatoes, may not set the heart racing; the execution of the cooking and the flavours were delicious. Though could not match the superb Château Langoa-Barton 2007, 3ème Cru Classé A.C. St-Julien. This wine is drinking exceedingly well and Commandeurs experienced and new understood what a treat they had had.
Following the Langoa-Barton was never going to be easy but the more mature Château Lagrange 2003, 3ème Cru Classé A.C. St-Julien did its best and as it spent more time in the glass it too began to show its class and went well with an imaginative cheese selection; from which some kept back their blue cheese to try with the desert wine the Château de Malle 2010, 2ème Cru Classé A.C. Sauternes. This was lighter than some but had some nice honey tastes without being at all cloying. It therefore made a great accompaniment to both the blue cheese and the tasty trifle cheesecake with berries and Chantilly cream.
In no time at all it seemed to be time for the traditional toasts to the Queen and the Commanderie de Bordeaux and time to thank our hosts at front of house and in the kitchen for some very convivial four hours of pleasure.
This event also marked the first event for our new Maître Echanson and he has set himself a very high benchmark to keep up to! The author has also had fantastic complements from guests on what an “interesting and eclectic” group we are, that are so “welcoming and inclusive” – a group one can be proud to be a member of (unlike Groucho Marx)!
La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester The Commanderie made its annual pilgrimage to the Alderley Edge Hotel for its AGM and dinner and enjoyed their first opportunity for some to go into summer plumage with their white dinner jackets and summer frocks (even though the weather hardly justified it!). We gathered with a good turnout in the bar and sampled a very tasty Chateau Lamothe-Vincent AC Bordeaux 2014 before moving into the Laurent-Perrier Conference Room for the AGM and dinner.
The AGM business was passed quickly (aided by a pleasant glass of champagne with reports from the Vinothécaire, the maître, some adjustments to the constitution and some key changes to the conseil. The accounts and auditor were also agreed. Particular thanks were noted from the membership for the hard work and quality of the support provided by Margaret Joscelyne and Derek Fletcher to the conseil as the outgoing Maître en Chanson and the Argentier respectively. The presence of Paul Chedgey as the Grand Maître Territoriale for Grande Bretagne was also welcomed.
The meal itself was a delight and accompanied by well matched, high quality and tasty wines. We started with a Wellington of Loch Duart salmon, with scorched leek and dill ketchup and both this and the Château Bel Air Perponcher Réserve 2014, We then had a superb cannon of lamb, with English asparagus and rosemary which was accompanied by the excellent Château Haut-Batailley 2004, 5ème Cru Classé A.C. Pauillac. It was noted that this was even better than the last time we had tasted it at a summer lunch and was thought to still have some life in it. One of the Commandeurs, who had had a particularly demanding day (and leading to his late arrival) described the wine as by far the best part of his day and led to his rapid rehabilitation. There was then a generous and tasty selection of British farmhouse cheeses and these were accompanied by the Château Giscours 1996, 3ème Cru Classé A.C. Margaux. For some this was the wine of the night and had repaid the modest investment to become an excellent example of a Margaux; thought it may have now reached a plateau in its flavours.
We ended the meal with a broken lemon meringue pie, that had textures of blackberry and sherbet. This was a delicious desert that was accompanied by the lovely Château de Malle 2009, 2ème Cru Classé A.C. Sauternes, that provided sweetness and hone without being at all cloying.
The Commanderie then presented Commandeur Meritant certificates to Commandeurs Joscelyne and Fletcher for their invaluable work and thanked their hosts and departed for their homes with business complete and having enjoyed fine dining and excellent wines – just what the Commanderie is for! Commanderie de Bordeaux & Jurade de Saint-Emilion DINNER AT THE MERCHANT TAYLORS' HALL, YORK Saturday 1st April 2017 Trio of East Coast Fish Loin of Yorkshire Venison with Rosemary and Port Sauce English Cheese Board Creme Brulée with Fruit Coffee
La Commanderie de Bordeaux à ManchesterLa Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester 29th Fête d’Anniversaire Dinner at The Hilton Hotel, Manchester Friday 24th March 2017 A 29th birthday party is not normally something for a big “do”, but none the less one for celebration and considered anticipation! However, it was duly commemorated and with 62 participants and the extra benefit of attendance from Francis Boutemy from the Grand Conseil in Bordeaux.
The evening was a fine gathering of Commandeurs, guests and potential members, who gathered at the Hilton on a lovely spring evening for a night of great company and with some delicious wines.
There was lots of space to meet and mingle with and no rushing and the Champagne Prevoteau-Perrier Brut N.V. slipped down very easily and enabled guests and colleagues to mix freely. We also enjoyed some tasty and interesting canapés. The party went into one of the cavernous Hilton dining rooms (which are a boon to those with tinnitus, with their sound absorbing properties). To be looked after exceeding well by a well-trained and charming set of wine and food waiters.
The first wine was a young and sprightly Bordeaux Blanc from the very reliable Sichel family. The 2016 Château Argadens Blanc, Bordeaux AOC was nicely balanced and light and fresh and bodes well for the other 2016 whites. This lovely aperitif style drinking wine was paired with a very tasty pressing of duck and brunoise vegetables, fig chutney, air dried ham, petit salad and truffle honey and subsequently a little overwhelmed by a rather mustard heavy grilled fillet of mackerel, broad bean purée, potato and grain mustard ecrasée, and cauliflower.
Our meal centred around our two well-chosen, different and tasty reds both from 2001 but with very different styles and pedigrees and both defying the earlier low expectations of the year. We started with a superb 2001 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2nd Cru AOC St-Julien, this everything you might expect from a first-class Cabernet Sauvignon dominated St Julien and got better the longer it was out of the bottle and we think could still give a number more years of drinking pleasure. This was accompanied by a generous portion of Fillet of beef, feather blade bon bon, parmentier potato, carrot purée, wilted spinach, tenderstem broccoli with its very tasty jus.
The second wine was a Cru Bourgeois and was one of those wines that explains why this Cru is getting an increasingly good reputation for well-made affordable clarets. We felt this 2001 Château Sociando-Mallet Cru Bourgeois AOC Haut-Médoc was probably at the peak of its drinking and could drink well on its own but was very good with the brie cheese with it was paired
The “Greg Wallace Tendency” will have been delighted with the delightful desert of apple tart with Chantilly cream and an excellent 2008 Château Raymond-Lafon AOC Sauternes. The two worked excellently together both having a lovely balanced sweetness and the wine having lovely complex flavours and a long and satisfying finish. With our hosts to thank, the toasts to be given and some nice coffee and macaroons to round off the evening, we headed for our “carriages” after an interesting and tasty birthday party.
La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester Bistro evening was held at the boutique hotel, The Great John Street Hotel, Manchester City Centre. The main course was Rump of lamb served pink and with Pea & mint purée, roasted carrot, red wine jus, Lyonnaise potatoes. This course was accompanied by two red wines. Both reds worked very well with the lamb. The Chateau Rauzan Segla 2004 was the clear favourite. It was beautifully perfumed with rich velvet black fruit which complimented the lamb very well. The Chateau Gruard Larose 2003 had a dark crimson colour, classic claret nose but lacked fruit on the mid palate.
Supper and Opera - “La Vie Parisienne” by Offenbach The Royal Northern College of Music Friday 9th December 2016
Supper was held before the opera and was much enjoyed:
The following wines were served with the supper:
Canapé desserts were served on the mezzanine during the interval with Château de Myrat 2010 Grand Cru Classé A.C. Sauternes
Dinner at the Midland Hotel#Friday 25 November 2016 The Commanderie gathered on a chilly autumnal evening at Midland Hotel for what has become a regular pre-Christmas at in the Midland Hotel. We gathered in the very cosy Wyvern Room with some very acceptable champagne before going into the elegant Trafford Suite for a well-attended event.
The Citrus cured fillet of salmon, with its petit cress salad, with lemon creme fraiche, rye toast and a dill gel was very tasty. It went well with the very familiar Chateau Lamothe-Vincent A.C. Bordeaux 2014, which was fruity and definitely improved when paired with the food.
The main course of Rib Eye steak with peppercorn sauce, Portabello mushroom, slow roast plum tomato, crushed peas, rosemary roast new potatoes was particularly tasty though some had better cuts of this than others.
The arrival of the cheese course also enabled a good opportunity to have a side by side tasting of two 5ème Cru A.C. Pauillac wines (Chateau Croizet-Bages 2000 and Chateau Batailley 2007) with many Commandeurs favourably impressed with the younger wine from the weaker year and it got better overall rating with the 2000 perhaps bringing to show a bit too much age? In between the courses a small interlude was allowed for a fashion show with Regent Appleby modelling the latest Commanderie de Bordeaux a Manchester bow tie. Readers will be pleased to note that there are no plans to have a branded swim suit!
After the toasts coffee or tea and petits fours were served there was an unexpected discovery of a member of the Atlanta Commanderie called Matt Felis, who as staying with his wife at the Midland to attend a concert and of course this offered a chance to offer them a glass or two and toast the health of Bordeaux once more! All in all, a very pleasurable evening was spent by everyone and we enjoyed good food, excellent company and some fine and interesting wines.
COMMANDERIE DE BORDEAUX À MANCHESTER TASTING
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CHÂTEAUX |
RÉGIONS |
YEAR |
Crémant |
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Belles de Lisennes |
Crémant de Bordeaux A.C. |
NV |
Dry White |
||
Ch Gaury Balette |
Entre-Deux-Mers A.C. |
2014 |
Ch Chantegrive |
Graves A.C. |
2014 |
Red |
||
Ch Preuillac |
Médoc A.C. |
2011 |
Ch Reysson |
Haut- Médoc A.C. |
2011 |
Ch l'Argilus du Roi |
Saint-Estèphe |
2011 |
Ch de Puisseguin Curat |
Puisseguin St-Émilion |
2011 |
Caronne Ste-Gemme |
Haut-Médoc |
2009 |
Ch Fonréaud |
Listrac |
2009 |
Ch Pontet Fumet |
St-Émilion Grand Cru |
2010 |
Ch Dalem |
Fronsac |
2011 |
Ch. Clos du Roi |
Fronsac |
2010 |
Ch Lagrange |
St Julien A.C. 3ème Cru |
2003 |
Sweet White |
||
Dom. Peytoupin |
Loupiac |
2010 |
COMMANDERIE DE BORDEAUX à MANCHESTER TASTING
http://www.manchestercommanderie.org/about.htm
Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester
Friday 7 & Saturday 8 October 2016
Members of the conseil and their colleagues provided a selection of wines from the Commanderie de Bordeaux and the Crus Bourgeois to enthusiasts of Manchester at a new venue of the Whitworth Art Gallery. Despite worries about the location in terms of parking and if it would attract enough visitors the event was well attended and a higher percentage of the guests appeared to be more knowledgeable about their wines.
Particular new experiences for people this year seemed to be the Crémant and the Sauternes. The Pomerols of 2011 also seemed to go down well too!
Thanks go to all who helped out, particularly Le Secrétaire Colin (“Mssr. Logsitics”) Smith, Le Vinothècaire David and the generous donations of our friends from France! The wines on offer were:
STYLE |
CHATEAUX |
REGIONS and SUB-REGIONS |
YEAR |
White Sparkling |
BULLES DE LISENNES |
de Bordeaux |
N.V |
Dry White |
RECOUGNE |
Bordeaux |
2015 |
Dry White |
HAUT-BAJAC |
Côtes de Bourg |
2015 |
Dry White |
HAUT CANTELOUP |
Blaye - Côtes de Bordeaux |
2015 |
Dry White |
CHANTEGRIVE |
Graves |
2012 |
Red |
MAZERIS |
Canon Fronsac |
2013 |
Red |
PICHON BELLEVUE |
Graves de Vayres |
2013 |
Red |
HAUT GAYAT, Cuvée Quintessence |
Graves de Vayres |
2011 |
Red |
DES ARRAS |
Bordeaux Supérieur |
2011 |
Red |
DU COURLAT, Cuvée Jean-Baptiste |
Lussac-St-Emilion |
2011 |
Red |
MONTAIGUT |
Côtes de Bourg |
2011 |
Red |
HAUT-FERRAND |
Pomerol |
2011 |
Red |
GRANGE NEUVE |
Pomerol |
2011 |
Red |
BALLAN LARQUETTE |
Bordeaux |
2014 |
Red |
DES TOURTES |
Blaye - Côtes de Bordeaux |
2014 |
Red |
GRAND ORMEAU |
Lalande de Pomerol |
2012 |
Red |
VIEUX CHEVROL |
Lalande de Pomerol |
2012 |
Red |
DE PRESSAC |
Saint-Emilion, Grand Cru |
2007 |
Red |
PONTET FUMET |
Saint-Emilion, Grand Cru |
2010 |
Red |
FONRÉAUD, Cru Bourgeois |
Listrac, Médoc |
2009 |
Red |
DALEM |
Fronsac |
2011 |
Sweet White |
MYRAT |
Sauternes |
2010 |
Dinner at The Innside Hotel, Manchester
https://www1.melia.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/manchester/innside-manchester/restaurants.html;
Friday 30th September 2016
This was the Commanderie’s first visit to the new Innside Hotel which is next to Home - the replacement for the old Corner House Cinema. The hotel, which is part of the Melia hotel chain – one of Spain’s largest, allowed us take over the main dining room on the ground floor for both the drinks reception and the dinner itself.
For the reception, the 70 assembled Commanders, partners and guests enjoyed a glass or two of L’Extra from Chateau Langlois, a lovely soft Crémant de Loire which was very well received.
We moved through to our seven tables in the main restaurant where the first course was quickly served. The truffle oil gave the Tartare of beef and shaved parmesan a piquancy which contrasted well with the freshness of the Château Argadens 2015, A.C. Bordeaux Blanc that accompanied it.
The Canon of Lamb with broccoli variations was matched to Château Haut-Marbuzet 2007, A.C. St-Estèphe. Most people felt that the lamb could have been served warmer but that the wine and meat were a very good combination. In talking about the wine, one of our guests Tim Hartley, the Chancellor of La Jurade de Saint-Emilion in the North of England, appreciated the high merlot content of the wine served.
A ‘Duo of English’ Cheeses was accompanied by the standout wine for the evening - Château Léoville-Poyferré 2001, 2ème Cru Classé, A.C. St. Julian. This wine was very full bodied and was at its peak for drinking.
To round off the meal we enjoyed a glass of Château de Rayne Vigneau 2005, 1èr Cru Classé A.C. Sauternes with the Lemon and Lime Possett. The citrus tanginess of the dessert contrasted beautifully with the peachy ripeness of the wine.
As always, the evening was rounded off with toasts to the Queen and the Commanderie de Bordeaux and then our thanks to the staff at this new venture in Manchester where we will shortly be returning to enjoy a wine tasting evening and supper (on 3 Nov – book now to save disappointment!).
Also note the modelling of the must have Christmas present for 2017 – the Commanderie Bow Tie!
La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester
Summer Lunch at
The King Street Townhouse, Manchester
www.eclectichotels.co.uk/king-street-townhouse:
Sunday 17th July 2016
The conseil are to be congratulated again in organising some unseasonably nice summer weather for this year’s summer lunch at the King Street Town House that is to the unwary not on King Street, but on Booth Street. It was however worth a minor amount of geographical confusion and the navigation of the road works in city centre Manchester to enjoy a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon with some delicious food and wines and friendly service. The occasion was also blessed with a good attendance including a number of guests.
We gathered a glass sided balcony to enjoy some pleasant fizz from the Cotes do Limoux to counter any vertigo and soak up the sunshine and fine view over the rooftops of the town hall towards Beetham Tower.
The starter of white crabmeat tian with pickled fennel and saffron coulis was very tasty and was topped up with some very fresh asparagus. The white wine of Château Saint-Jean-des-Graves 2015, A.C. Graves was on first tasting a little sharp but with the food was an excellent accompaniment to this flavourful starter and more than justified the break from our normal favourite Bordeaux white wines.
The acting Vinothicaire had had to do some quick and late substituting of the order and type of red wines to be served. Judging from his success he will be a contender for the vacant England football manager’s post, as not only was the Château Lagrange 2003, 3ème Cru Classé A.C. St-Julien a “cracker” but it perfectly complemented the Guinea fowl supreme with basil and coriander stuffing. This was tasty, moist and full of flavour and accompanied by Savoy cabbage and bacon, and a delicious sweet potato purée and gravy. This delightful Cabernet Sauvignon rich cru Classé from the left bank was in danger of stealing the show.
However not to be out done the Merlot rich Château Feytit-Clinet 2003, A.C. Pomerol pulled out all of its stops and showed that a humble Pomerol that is well made can also provide excellent drinking and went particularly well with the tasty Godminster vintage organic Cheddar.
It is very difficult to be disappointed by a vanilla crème brulée with raspberries and we certainly weren’t! Nor did the Château Raymond-Lafon 2008, A.C. Sauternes let the side down!! This also drank very well and had a light citrusy flavour rather than the full vintage marmalade of some richer years and more august vineyards. However, this seemed in its way to be more appropriate for a glorious summer’s day (and we can keep the richer flavours for the dark evenings of winter).
The end of the meal came all to quickly and after thanking our hosts in the customary manner we were whisked away by our carriages to digest and reflect on an excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
The Manchester Commanderie thanks the team at the King Street Townhouse for their help with this lunch.
Annual General
Meeting of 2016 of La Commanderie de Bordeaux
à Manchester was held at
The Alderley Edge Hotel
Thursday 9th June 2016
and followed by a delightful dinner accompanied by wines as below:
DINNER
Canapés
Potted brown shrimp fritter, charred avocado,
langoustine espuma
Château Reynon 2013, A.C. Bordeaux Sauvignon
Cumbrian spring lamb,
citrus crushed Jersey royals, beetroot
Château Cos-Labory 2005, 5ème Cru Classé A.C. St-Estèphe
A selection of British farmhouse cheeses,
homemade chutney
Château Langoa-Barton 2007, 3ème Cru Classé A.C. St-Julien
Alderley’s strawberries and cream,
Iranian pistachio, crumble biscuit
Château Rieussec 2003, 1èr Cru A.C. Sauternes
Château Coutet 2005, 1èr Cru Classé A.C. Barsac
Freshly ground coffee and petit fours
The meal ended with toasts to:
the Queen and La Commanderie de Bordeaux
The Manchester Commanderie thanks the Alderley Edge Hotel team for their help and co-operation in the organisation of this dinner.
La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester
Tasting and Supper
The Albert Square Chop House, Manchester Wednesday 13th April 2016
Wines
Starter
Château Puisseguin Curat 2011
A.C. Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion
Château La Rose Perrière 2013
A.C. Lussac-Saint-Emilion 2013
Main Course
Château Moulin Galhaud 2011
A.C. Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Ch Fleur Cravignac 2010
A.C. Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Château Grand-Pontet 2009.
A.C. Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé
***Jardins de Soutard 2004,
A.C. Saint-Emilion
Cheese
Château Grand Corbin-Despagne 2010
A.C. Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Grand Corbin-Despagne 1998,
A.C. Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé
***
Jardins de Soutard 2004 was originally intended to be the first wine of Ch. Soutard in 2004.
However because the owner missed the tasting deadline for being classified as Grand Cru, he could not sell his wine as Grand Cru Classé
Aperitif
Piper-Heidsieck N.V. Champagne
Dinner
Wilson’s Farm ham hock,
parsley and potato terrine with home-made
piccalilli and wholemeal toast
Blade of Mill Close Farm beef braised in beer
with horseradish potatoes, Savoy cabbage,
crispy bacon and rich gravy
British cheeses served with home-made chutney,
grapes, celery and biscuits
Coffee or Tea
Guests
The Manchester Commanderie welcomed the following members of La Jurade de Saint-Emilion:
- Tim Hartley, The Chancellor of La Jurade de Saint-Emilion in the North of England and his wife Jacquie Hartley
- Florence de la Filolie, Ch. Laniote, A.C. Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé
Pierrick Lavau, Ch. Bernateau, A.C. Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
- Johan Roskam, Ch. Cantenac, A.C. Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Brigitte Destouet, Ch. Guibeau and Ch. Guibot la Fourvieille, A.C. Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion
- Paul Arthur Bardet, Ch. Pontet-Fumet, Ch. Val d'Or and Ch. Franc le Maine, A.C. Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Max Silvestrini and Sabine Silvestrini, Ch. Chereau, A.C. Lussac-Saint-Emilion
28th Fete d’Anniversaire
at Hotel Football Manchester
Friday 18th March 2016
For our 28th Fete d’Anniversaire we made a welcome return to Hotel Football adjacent to the Manchester United Old Trafford Stadium.
The reception was held on the top floor where the mini football pitch had been cunningly adapted by low lighting and assorted furniture into a very effective reception area overlooking the stadium. Champagne (Nicholas Feuillatte Brut NV) and canapes were served.
We then moved to the dining suite where our first course was Potted Salmon, watercress mouse, and caviar cream accompanied by our dry white Bordeaux for the evening Chateau Bel Air Perponcher Reserve 2014. This proved a good match for the food and having the ripeness and fresh acidity of the good 2014 vintage was universally enjoyed. Some felt that the addition of a slice of lemon or some green leaves would have better balanced the richness of the Potted Salmon.
The main course was Beer fed Dexter beef, crispy short rib, celeriac gratin and salsify. Our accompanying wine was Chateau Gruaud-Larose 2006 a 2nd Growth from St Julien. The wine and food complemented each other and although there was some bottle variation, the general opinion was that the Gruaud- Larose was ready for drinking but would cellar longer if required. The wine was excellent and enjoyed by all.
The cheese course with chef’s Knackebrot biscuits was accompanied by a Pomerol, Chateau Feytit-Clinet 2003. The wine was surprisingly fresh from an extremely hot vintage in Bordeaux and was generally enjoyed.
We finished with the Sweet course, Chocolate Delice, Mandarin, and Hazelnut. The Sauternes to accompany was Chateau de Malle 2009, a 2nd Cru with a beautiful chateau which some members had been lucky enough to visit. The wine was considered to be excellent but sadly did not appreciate the chocolate. However, this did not detract from the enjoyment of both the food and the wine.
Bistro Evening
at
The Great John Street Hotel, Manchester
(http://www.eclectichotels.co.uk/great-john-street/)
Thursday 21st January 2016
36 members and their guests returned to the delightful surroundings of the top floor of The Great Peter Street Hotel in the ever changing Spinningfield area of Manchester for this event.
The evening commenced with a champagne reception (Heidsieck Monopole) and was followed by an excellent 4 course meal. This consisted of:
Game terrine with beetroot chutney,
toasted brioche, micro herb salad
Château Bauduc Rosé 2013, A.C. Bordeaux
Lamb Loin with a mustard and herb crust, roasted carrot, parsnip,
honey, rosemary and celeriac purée
Château Cantemerle 2000, 5ème Cru Classé
A.C. Haut-Médoc
Cheese and biscuits
Château Patache d’Aux 2005, Cru Bourgeois
A.C. Médoc
Sticky gingerbread pudding,
butterscotch toffee fudge ice cream
Château Bauduc Sauternes 2011, A.C. Sauternes
Each of the wines was commented upon by Commanders in an erudite and knowledgeable manner with additional contributions from some of the guests.
The food itself was of a high quality and well-presented save perhaps for the bread rolls which were more suitable for use as projectiles than for consumption!
The Conseil would like to thank those Commanders who brought guests to this annual event and remind others that this is an ideal opportunity to invite friends who might be interested in joining the Commanderie to come along and enjoy a convivial evening.
Dinner atThe Midland Hotel, Manchester
http://www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/the-midland-manchester/food-drink/;
Friday 20th November 2015
A full-on, high quality evening of high emotion was held on 20th of November when members of the Commanderie gathered at The Midland in Manchester. Very pleasant pink champagne was served as we gathered just off the magnificent Midland foyer and with the city about to come alive as other hotel guests added to the buzz, of what was to become a memorable evening.
The setting for the main event could not have been better and the octagon room lent itself perfectly for the numbers that we had, the ceremonies to be performed and for an evening of fine dining and high quality wines.
However, first we had the pleasure of intronising Commandeurs Philip Lowe and Tim Edwards into the Commanderie. Having heard of their virtues and having declared their allegiance to the fine wines of Bordeaux they were unanimously welcomed and toasted with “Bordeaux Toujours Bordeaux”.
Maître Peter Russell’s then led us in recalling to very different but recent sad events. He articulated our sympathy with the people of France after the large loss of life from the attacks by extremists in Paris. Closer to home we mourned the loss of Nicholas Hargreaves who had given many valuable years of service to the Commanderie (most recently as the Le Grand Argentier). Our thoughts were with those who had so recently suffered losses.
Our first course was of Arbroath smoked haddock & leek quiche with a kedgeree dressing. This was a lovely way to start the evening and was a fish dish with plenty of flavour and interest. This required a white wine with some guts. Luckily this our old favourite the Château Bauduc “Les Trois Hectares” 2014, A.C. Bordeaux is not backward with regards to its own flavour and perfectly matched the starter.
Our main course was a generous and well-cooked roasted lamb rump, with smoked aubergine, roast potatoes, spinach and roasted parsnips. However delightful the food was it was well matched to but eclipsed by the outstanding Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte 2003, Cru Classé A.C. Pessac-Léognan. For once the château’s own description of “concentrated, well balanced and focused, and beautifully elegant” was an understatement. This was felt by many to be the sort of wine that the Commanderie was all about!
Our cheese course followed and was accompanied by another fine wine this time the Réserve de la Comtesse 2001, A.C. Pauillac. This was also a very fine wine but needed the accompaniment of the cheese to bring out its full flavour and may have tasted better against weaker competition than was offered by the previous wine.
The discussion of the comparative virtues of these two wines and their merits in accompanying the different courses, entertained some of the guests for many an hour!
The meal was rounded off with a delicious lemon tart, accompanied by fresh raspberries and raspberry sorbet. This was accompanied by the dark, rich and heavy Château Rieussec 2003, 1er Cru Classé A.C. Sauternes to round off an excellent evening of great wines and lovely food.
All that remained to complete a perfect night was to give our loyal toasts and thank our hosts at the Midland, who had provider such a wonderful venue, great food and excellent service. We look forward to coming back and hope again to be able to use this lovely room. This also made a great event for the new Maître’s first dinner “flying solo”!
Lakes Weekend 16-18 October 2015
The Commanderie enjoyed a memorable and high class weekend of walking, tasting and dining at the
Lindeth Howe Hotel http://www.lindeth-howe.co.uk/;
We were grateful for Commandeur Norman Stoller and his staff for the excellent facilities and food that we enjoyed
The Menues for the event were:
DINNER on Friday 16 October:
Amuse Bouche
Cartmel Valley oak smoked salmon, fennel and radish salad, salmon bon-bon,homemade rye bread
Château Lamothe-Bouscaut 2011,A.C. Pessac-Léognan
Lindeth Howe refreshing sorbet
Braised blade of Cumbrian beef,creamed potato, carrot purée,tender stem broccoli, red wine jus
Château Dalem 2011, A.C. Fronsac
Lindeth Howe sticky toffee puddingtoffee sauce, banana ice cream
Château Suduiraut 2003, 1èr Cru A.C. Sauternes
Tea or Coffee, Petit Fours
Tasting Menu for Saturday 17th October:
Amuse Bouche
Breast of Holker partridge, pearl barley and beet risotto
Château Thieuley 2014, A.C. Bordeaux
Pan seared king scallop, cauliflower purée, black pudding bon-bon
Château Thieuley 2014, A.C. Bordeaux
Lindeth Howe refreshing sorbet
Rump of Cumbria lamb, Dauphinoise potatoes, celeriac purée, wild mushroom pancetta and thyme jus
Château Beychevelle 4ème Cru A.C. St-Julien 2001
Lindeth Howe cheese and biscuits
Château Poujeaux 2000, Cru Bourgeois A.C. Moulis (Magnums)
Blackberry mousse, blackberry jelly, vanilla bean ice cream, almond tuille
H. Sichel Selection Sauternes 2010, A.C. Sauternes
Coffee or Tea, Petits Fours
Dinner to celebrate the Installation of our new Maître Peter Russell
The Hilton Hotel, Deansgate Manchester http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/hilton-manchester-deansgate-MANDGHI/index.html;
Friday 25th September 2015
….. and what a glamorous and glittering occasion it was! The ermine collars and red robes caused quite a stir! At least one guest at the Hilton thought he had arrived at very strange convention for Harry Potter when trying to enter a lift with 12 robed Conseil members already there!
The Hilton laid on a spectacular event the lived up to its billing and extensive guest lists of fellow Commandeurs and guests from other chapters from the UK and further afield with our guest of honour Francis Boutemy. It was also a fine occasion to say a heartfelt thank you to Maître Don Hammond as he stands down after an inspirational 8 years at the helm and the installation of Maître Peter Russell to lead us into a bright future.
Manchester did a great job of shedding is rainy image with stunning views from Cloud 23 high in the Manchester skyline and some lovely Heidsieck champagne and tasty canapés to enable commandeurs and friends to gather and welcome our guests from France, Edinburgh, London and Bristol.
The be-robed guests and Conseil members then processed into the dining room for the formal thanking of Don Hammond and the installation of Peter Russell. Due recognition was given for Don’s past achievements and the support of his wife Carol; and whilst the pedigree of Peter was never in doubt, it was fully endorsed by the Vice-Grand Maître Grande Conseil de Vin de Bordeaux. Francis delivered his words immaculately in English with plenty of Gallic flair and good humour, despite having forsaken the vendage currently underway (in what is hoped to be a great vintage) in Bordeaux.
The meal then got underway and the Hilton team did not let us down with the starter of grilled sea bass, with onion soubise, crispy leeks and a red wine reduction. These delicate flavours were very well matched to the Château Thieuley 2014, A.C. Bordeaux with its very tasty blend of 50% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sauvignon Gris.
Our palates were then cleansed with a refreshing champagne sorbet and we waited in anticipation for the corn fed chicken breast, confit leg and potato croquette, wild mushrooms, french beans, braised shallot in jus. This was accompanied by the enjoyable left bank 2ème Cru Classé wine from Château Rauzan-Ségla 2004, from A.C. Margaux. Most enjoyed this wine enormously but some felt it lacked a bit in the finnish.
No trip to Manchester should miss the chance to show off its lancashire cheese, and this was served with quince jelly and another 2ème Cru Classé, this time from Château Gruaud-Larose 2003 in St-Julien. The food and the wine made great partners in a very tasty commination.
The lovely treat to end the meal was a novel and unctious Crème brulée with some tasty fig shortbread. This and the Château Suduiraut 2003, 1èr Cru Classé, A.C. Sauternes made a fitting end to a very enoyable meal.
Proceedings then closed with the approariate toast to the heads of state and to Bordeaux wines and due thanks and recognition for the Hilton staff.
The Big Indie Wine Fest (http://foodanddrinkfestival.com/event/big-indie-wine-fest-2015/); on 11-12 September 2015 at the Manchester City Hall
and afterwards on Friday 11 September 2015 a Crus Bourgeois du Médoc Tasting & Supper at the Albert Square Chop House (http://albertsquarechophouse.com/;)
One of the key events of Manchester’s much-vaunted Food and Drink Festival, the Big Indie Wine Fest, which is billed as a wine event for ‘enthusiasts, connoisseurs and novices alike’, took place this year in Manchester Town Hall’s Great Hall on 11 and 12 September. Once again the Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester hosted a table for the three tasting sessions that took place in this extravagantly decorated venue. Once again it offered some exciting wines from around the globe, from some of the world’s best vineyards, presented by the region’s finest independent wine merchants. Over 500 guests attended and a great time was had by all!
This year merchants attending the event represented Tour de Belfort – a family vineyard in South West France, Pacta Connect - presenting artisan Croatian wines, an interesting selection of wines from the Alps (including a Swiss Gamay!); as well as local support from the friendly faces of Hanging ditch, Bakerie and Spirited Wines. This year also had a chance to book the wine course that you may have always secretly wanted to take – complete with smelling samples of all the nose flavours you could wish (and not wish) for.
Bordeaux had a again provide a generous variety of interesting wines from the region including crémant, dry whites, a rosé, mix of red wines (with old and new world styles and alcoholic levels and one (delicious) Barsac 2005 from Nairac. Most of the reds were from the Right Bank with a strong showing from the Cotes de Bourg, Castillion - Cotes de Bordeaux and St Emilion and its satellites.
This selection of wines worked very well, as the star of the show was a great show from the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc who had their own table (hosted by us for 2 of the 3 sessions) and offered 5 excellent wines from 2011 from Listrac-Medoc, Moulis, Margaux and St-Estèphe.
It was great fun for those of us presenting the wines to see an awakening in many of those that visited our tables into a world of wine that moved away from single varieties and new world styles. The future of wine drinking in Manchester is moving up and the Commanderie are leading the way! I would commend the event to Commandeurs and their families and also suggest that they may enjoy sharing their knowledge with future generations at subsequent events.
After the Friday evening tasting the Cru Bourgeois team provided some more exciting wines for Commandeurs and their guests to try at the Chop House. There was an excellent and generous selection of wines from 2011, 2009 and 2008 that went with each course and over 30 wines in all. No surprisingly there were some very well filled “doggy bags” that went home.
The Lawrence Hallows and his team were most cooperative and professionally served their traditional, tasty and well-presented menu that complemented the wines really well:
- Chris Sandham’s Lancashire cow’s curd salad with beetroot, apple & a cider dressing or Wilson’s Farm ham hock, parsley & potato terrine with home-made piccalilli & wholemeal toast for the 2011s.
- Blade of Mill Close Farm beef braised in beer with horseradish potatoes, Savoy cabbage, crispy bacon & rich gravy or Homity Pie, Lancashire cheese, potato & caramelised onion pie with cauliflower, lemon & marjoram salad for the 2009.
- British cheeses served with home-made chutney, grapes, celery & biscuits for 2008.
This was an excellent evening that those that did not attend missed a treat!!
The meal ended with encouraging words from hosts and guests and in addition to our usual toasts a new one to be added Cru Bourgeois – Always!
The Summer Lunch at the Wild Boar Hotel at Beeston (www.wildboarhotel.com)
Held on Sunday 19th July 2015
The Commandeurs and their guests arrived in their “summer plumage” for another delightful summer lunch courtesy of Suzanne Cloake and her team at the Wild Boar.
Whist the weather was not as warm as in 2014 the welcome more than made up for it!
At our gathering we were fed with a tasty selection of “nibbles” and some specially selected and delivered champagne from Regent Appleby.
This refreshing start had us all in a jolly frame of mind for the dinner that was held in a marquee.
The starter was delightfully presented and the tasty poached flaked salmon, roasted ruby and candy pickled beetroot with horseradish crème fraiche, starflower and shizo might have struggled with a conventional white wine. However the careful selection of the “gutsy and fruity” Les Arums de Lagrange 2012, A.C. Bordeaux was up to the task and they made a fine pairing.
The lamb dish of braised lamb shoulder wrapped in Parma ham, roasted rump with château potato, parmesan creamed leeks and redcurrant jus and was nicely presented and cooked (for those who like their lamb rare). This was well accompanied by the gentle tannins of the classy Château Branaire-Ducru 2001, from St Julien.
Such was the quality of this St Julien and the Cru Bourgeois Château Phélan-Ségur 2003 from St-Estèphe that accompanied the selection of cheeses that it was felt that the either wine would have gone well with either of these courses |
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The feasting ended with a strawberry Frangipane tart with clotted cream and macerated strawberries and delightfully washed down with the youthful but tasty Château Bauduc Sauternes 2011, A.C. Sauternes
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Coffee or tea and Petit Fours all seemed to come too quickly and four very happy hours had already been spend in fine company. It just remained for the toasts and our thanks to be given to our hard working and kindly hosts, who had prepared cooked and served up such a fine lunchtime feast.
Annual General Meeting
2015
Alderley Edge Hotel www.alderleyedgehotel.com;
4 June 2014
The 2015 event was held on a early summer evening at the Alderley Edge Hotel.
The Commanderie gathered with one of its favourite wines in the form of a Chateaux Baudac white wines and some tasty canapés.
At the AGM apologies were noted and the past minutes were agreed, with matters arising dealt with.
The accounts were then presented by Le Grand Argentièr and passed. The Vinothicaire’s report was also passed.
Le Maître then gave his report :
Maître’s Report 2014-2015
This report largely covers the Commanderie financial year from the 1 April 2014 until the 31 March 2015.
Dinners during the year:
- The AGM was held on 5 June 2014 at the Alderley Edge Hotel as has become traditional. The meeting itself was brief, and we were joined by Paul Chedgy the UK Regional Grand Maître. The sophisticated food and the wine at the dinner worked well, and the service was professional and efficient.
- The Summer Luncheon was held for the first time at the Wild Boar at Beeston on 20 July 2014 where we were looked after by Suzanne Cloake and her team. The weather was kind, the food was good, the service friendly, the location seasonal and the event was liked by all who attended. It was enjoyed so much, that we will be returning this year.
- On the 3 October 2014 we returned to the Midland Hotel for a dinner. There was a good turnout, the menu and the wines complemented each other, and the front of house staff was particularly efficient.
- Our dinner on 28 November was at the Portland Thistle Hotel where as usual the food was of a high standard, and the service well organised.
- The January Bistro event was the subject of a little last-minute confusion as Room, our traditional venue closed unexpectedly. The Great John Street Hotel stepped into the breach at very short notice and provided appropriate hospitality and food for which we are most grateful.
- Our final dinner for the year was held on 20 March at the Hotel Football, which again is a new venue to us and to Manchester. It was very positively received by our members, the young service team worked well, and the food was excellent, matching the wines.
Wine tastings:
- Last year the Manchester Commanderie again supported the large public tasting held in Manchester at the end of September. The venue was the Co-op Hall, which was not ideal for access. I am very grateful for the help given by commandeurs in manning the stand. We received supplies of wine from Bordeaux which was shown in 3 sessions to numerous enthusiastic wine drinkers.
- A further wine tasting for members of the Commanderie and guests was held at the Portland Hotel at the end of October which showed both wines from the Commanderie stock, and some of the wines provided by Bordeaux for the public tasting. We thank Ian Corner and his team for their cooperation.
- Le Secrétaire coordinated an educational wine tasting seminar for members of the staff of venues which we use for the dinners - the Hilton, the Portland and the Midland. This involved sampling wine together with a presentation and discussion of the wines involved. This training opportunity was intended to give something to the Hotels which we use as venues for our events and was very successful as a new initiative maintaining the reputation for innovation of the Manchester Commanderie.
- During the last year the Commanderie has invested in both the production of “Manchester Commanderie Tasting Boards” and a further banner for publicity purposes, showing the Bordeaux wine regions. The tasting boards have been very well received and they have been distributed at Commanderie wine tastings.
Accounts
- At the last AGM Régent Derek Fletcher took over from Commandeur Nick Hargreaves as our Grand Argentièr. We report a modest surplus, and propose an increase in the subscription for the coming financial year (2016) and to have a token increase in the joining fee. Once again we are grateful to Commandeur Robert Watson for providing a constructive audit and overview of the accounts.
Website & Technology.
- We continue to develop the Commanderie website www.Commanderie.org.uk; or www.ManchesterCommanderie.org; which provides information both to existing and potential members. Details of our dinners and events can be found on the site.
- We also have an active Flickr account which provides additional photographs of events https://www.flickr.com/photos/manchester-commanderie/sets/;
Bordeaux Visit 2014.
- In 2014 we had our Bordeaux trip. All those who attended owe their thanks to Commandeur Meritant David Chapman and his wife Jane for all their hard work in organising the trip. It was a splendid opportunity to taste wine, meet producers and generally get a better understanding of the diversity, complexity and wonders of the wines of Bordeaux.
- The group was convivial and enthusiastic, our drivers were highly cooperative and the coach was comfortable; the Hotel Majestic is well located and has been refurbished and our now traditional gifts of Lancashire cheese were well received by our hosts. The trip as a whole was generally regarded as “the best ever”.
- The properties we visited included: Château Lagrange for a tasting and lunch, Château Sociando-Mallet, Château Beychevelle for a tasting and dinner, Château la Pointe, Château Laroze for a tasting and lunch (the owner, Guy Meslin came to our 25th anniversary), Château Cantenac, Château de la Rivière for a tasting, a visit to the 20 km of cellars and dinner, Château Grand Corbin Despagne, Château Ambe Tour Pourret for a tasting and lunch with wines from some of the owner’s other properties, Château Cheval Blanc, Château Le Teyssier, Château La Serre for a tasting and dinner, Château Larrivet-Haut-Brion, Château Haut Bailly for a tasting and exceptional lunch and finally Château Raymond Lafon.
Looking Forward.
- We have a number of things to look forward to in the coming months. Our traditional dining events, the Lake District weekend (16-18 October - if you have not already booked, please do so ASAP), the Big Independent Wine Festival (the big public tasting at the Manchester Town Hall) linked to an informal dinner and wines with some of Cru Bourgeois producers on Friday 11 September.
Lakes weekend
- On the first weekend of October, members and their partners visited Lindeth Howe Hotel in the Lake District for a weekend break.
- On the Friday night there was an informal dinner, on Saturday there was an opportunity to walk and explore in the area before returning for a wine tasting in the extensive gardens and a more formal Commanderie Dinner. Feedback was entirely positive, and we thank Commandeurs Meritant Norman Stoller and Keith McCann, and Commandeur Scowcroft for their support, and the hotel team under Stephen Broughton at Lindeth Howe for their cooperation.
Thanks
- The Commanderie only functions through the support of members and the hard work of members of the Conseil, who ensure the smooth functioning of the organisation. They have my heartfelt thanks.
- I have had the privilege of leading the Commanderie for some years, and it is time to step down. Subject to the ratification of the AGM and Bordeaux, the Conseil unanimously recommends that Peter Russell assumes the role of Maître. There will be a suitable transitional ceremony at a dinner attended by a member of the Grand Conseil, which we expect to be in the latter part of the year. I have no doubt that the Commanderie of Bordeaux under the leadership of Maître Peter Russell will continue to evolve moving from strength to strength. Good luck Peter and thank you all
- Commandeurs then ratified the Conseil recommendation concerning the Maître Elect, agreed the election of David Chapman as Régent and elected Commandeur Robert Watson as the auditor.
- Commandeur Emeritus Sir Netar Mallick expressed the thanks of all for the excellent work done by the Maître and commandeurs were able to enjoy a glass of champagne before the meal was served.
The Dinner
There then followed an excellent dinner of Cured and smoked Loch Duart salmon with Jersey Royal Espuma and textures of leek this was accompanied by the usually reliable Château Reynon 2013, A.C. Bordeaux Sauvignon. However the wine has a mixed response and a suspicion of (real or imagined) ‘bottle variation’ once again reared its head!
The truffle crusted Sirloin of veal with sautéed wild mushrooms, lemon and thyme was a delight and went well with the Château Clinet 2003, A.C. Pomerol, with the wine felt to be at its best for drinking now.
A selection of British cheeses were then served with orchard apple chutney and wheat biscuits and here the Château Poujeaux 2000, Cru Bourgeois A.C. Moulis was served and it was felt that the wine was much added to by the petit verdot that was the ‘cavalry’ that came to its rescue .
The desert was a delightful strawberry and champagne delice with elderflower gel. This went well with the ‘star wine’ of the evening the toffee and marmalade flavoured Château Rieussec 2005, 1er Cru A.C. Sauternes.
The evening ended with Coffee and Petit Fours and Toasts to the Queen, Le President and the Commanderie de Bordeaux.
The Manchester Commanderie thanks Ahmet Kurcer, Joanne Plant and the Alderley Edge Hotel team for their help and co-operation in the organisation of this dinner and looks forward to future visits.
27th Fête d’Anniversaire
Dinner at Hotel Football, Manchester
http://www.hotelfootball.com/;
Friday 20th March 2015
The Regent Echanson may have some worries over her brave decision to choose a new hotel and a new venue for the Commanderie. If she had any concerns she didn't show them and she needn't have worried. We had a great evening! The food was excellent, nicely served and matched by tasty wines.
The Commanderie gathered and enjoyed their customary refreshment of a very passable champagne served by the polite and enthusiastic young staff. We then moved upstairs to the dining area where we had the ceremony to intronise as new Commandeurs Messers Ralph Manners Wood and Ken Sheerer and we sat down to see what the new hotel team could produce.
The starter set a great standard and we were treated to a well presented, extremely fresh and the generous shellfish cocktail that was elegantly dressed. Some described it as the nicest starter they had had with the Commanderie. It also matched perfectly our old favourite Château Baudoc that took the sharpness of the food in its stride.
This treat was followed by a beautifully cooked and tasty Beef Wellington, which was carved generously in full view of the diners. This was complemented by an earthy offering from 2006 from Château la Tour de By in the Medoc. The wine had a good balance between its fruit and tannins and wins praise from both Hugh Johnson and Oz Clark. However it was a little understated, either due to is coolness, late opening or age. However it was just the sort of wine to complement your Sunday roast.
The cheeses were tasty and were a good foil for the millennium vintage St. Emilion from Château Fonplégade with over 90% Merlot. This wine is probably having its last hurrah but we enjoyed it none the less!
The sticky toffee was the perfect end to the meal for those that like their sweet puds. This was matched by the understated and youthful "unnamed" semillion heavy Sauternes from Sichel.
A delightful evening ended with the loyal toasts and one for Bordeaux too.
The new team from Hotel Football were charming, produced lovely food and were well organised. They did more than enough to earn another visit that had even those who don't support United.
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BISTRO EVENING
THE GREAT JOHN STREET HOTEL,
15TH JANUARY 2015
This event had been scheduled to return to Room Restaurant but in a last minute drama, that establishment went into sudden administration. With just a few days’ notice our officers (assisted particularly by Cmdr. Ian Corner), ripped up the menu cards and rearranged the event at one of Manchester’s most popular boutique hotels. The Commanderie have been to Great John Street Hotel but it was about eight years ago.
In an intimate atmosphere, we tucked into the champagne, a young and very drinkable treat which alledgedly was made by a young man whose uncle worked at Lanson.
Our first course was an utter delight, black pearl scallops, black pudding and ham; with an aromatic 2012 Chateau Lamothe Vincent. Some members weren’t sure about the apple puree underneath this compilation, but for others it worked very well.
The loin of lamb that followed melted in the mouth and the accompaniment of a small portion of haggis cake gave the dish a lovely balance. Our Chateau Labadie 2005 appeared to have the inevitable bottle variation; some glasses were quite fruity, others not so, but it was a good choice for the course (which ever bottle you got!).
The Chateau Haut Badon St Emilion 2005 that followed was delicious, a wine absolutely in its prime, and served with a neat little cheeseboard.
Finally we indulged with Sticky Toffee Pudding and a 2008 Chateau Raymond Lafon 2008 Sauternes, a perfect finish. Apparently this vineyard is a bit shabby chic, but then it is right next to Chateau Yquem!
Regent Peter Russell was in acting Maître and he praised the various people who had assisted with the rapid venue change, and the young chef at Great St. John Street, Rafael Artela, who had produced such a lovely meal. He was also pleased to see several guests. We had excellent service all evening and this was a memorable event for both its drama and its food and drink.
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Dinner at the Portland Thistle Hotel Manchester:
http://www.thistle.com/en/hotels/united_kingdom/manchester/thistle_manchester_city_centre/index.html;
Friday 28th November 2014
The Commanderie, partners and guests were drawn together for the final dinner of 2014 on a rather mild November evening in Manchester. We were greeted in the Windermere Suite at the Portland Thistle Hotel with some very quaffable champagne. This was served with a delightful array of canapés to whet our appetites for the meal to come whilst we chatted with friends, old and new.
Our starter of potted shrimp and smoked halibut with crispbread and beetroot salsa arrived with a flourish. Comments made were that the level of smoke on the haddock was pitched just right and although the ‘pot’ was nowhere to be seen and the ingredients somewhat different to the traditional recipe, the potted shrimp was very flavoursome. The colour of the beetroot contributed to the look of the dish. The Vieux Chateau Gaubert 2010 was also thought to have good colour, as well as having just the right level of vanilla sweetness from the oak to balance the smoke. It was crisp, had body and was a fine accompaniment to the opening course.
Chateau Bauduc Rose 2013 was the second vinus offering which, when first approached garnered mixed views; indeed some of the comments from this author’s tablemates were none too complimentary. That said… the butterbean and honey roast parsnip veloute did go some way toward rescuing this somewhat maligned wine as it was felt that the match worked.
Ultimately though, we felt that this was not a wine that many of us would rush to buy for personal consumption.
The main course arrived, silver cloches were removed with a flourish and plates revealed, thus ending the speculation for some as to whether the beef fillet and venison pie was indeed a pie of beef fillet and venison - it was not: oh, the vagaries of the English language. The beef fillet was succulent and pink and along with the venison pie and pink peppercorn sauce provided an excellent complement to the Chateau Lagrange 2003. We found this wine fruity with balanced tannins and smooth with a long finish. Very drinkable!
The tasty Lancashire cheese we were promised was a no show… replaced, we felt at the last minute, by caws eryri (Snowdonian cheese) that went rather well with the Chateau Clinet 2003. This was by far our favoured red wine, mature with gamey nuances and really rather delicious. The pear frangipane was a wonderful sweet treat, some thought it a little too robust for the Chateau Coutet 2005 at this stage of its development – infanticide was the term mooted - but most felt that the combination worked.
The evening drew to a close with thanks to the Portland’s team who as always provided excellent service, toasts to Her Majesty Queen and to the Commanderie.
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La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester
Dinner at the Midland Hotel,
http://www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/the-midland-manchester/;
Manchester on Friday 3rd October 2014
The Commanderie gathered on a pleasant autumnal evening with a good turnout for our return to the Midland Hotel and enjoyed generous helpings of a very enjoyable champagne. Once the guests were seated the Conseil were led in their cloaks by the Maître to get ready for the Intronisation of Commandeur Nicola McLoughlin. Regent Appleby spoke in praise of her excellent qualities as a person, as a solicitor and as an appreciator of the wines of Bordeaux and she was duly intronised and toasted with a rousing “Bordeaux Toujours Bordeaux”.
After grace we sat down to an exceedingly pleasant meal accompanied by some fine wines.
The first course was Pressing of sole, salmon and smoked salmon with watercress dressing that was enjoyed by all and was well complemented by the Château Lamothe-Bouscaut 2011, A.C. Pessac-Lèognan with the grapefruit and even some peaches appreciated by some (even though it was not the 2001 that was misprinted on part of the programme).
The main course of Pan roasted breast of duck, rösti potatoes, red cabbage, forest mushrooms, pancetta, with Madeira sauce rose well to the challenge of providing this for over 100 guests and still provide a warm pink and moist and tasty dish that went very well with the ever popular Château Langoa-Barton 2002, 3ème Cru Classé A.C. St-Julien and its easy drinking qualities matched it very nicely to the duck.
Mrs Kirkham did not disappoint with her very tasty Lancashire cheese the Château Branaire-Ducru 2004, 4ème Cru Classé A.C. St-Julien was felt to go better with this than would have the Lagoa-Barton. There was a feeling that both of the wines could do with a little more age but that both were excellent wines that are great accompaniments to good conversation!!
Finally and for those with a sweeter tooth the highlight of the evening were the rhubarb cheesecake, crumble granola and custard ice cream. The lovely Château Rayne-Vigneau 2005, 1er Cru A.C. Sauternes demonstrated its fine peachy flavour and it was a very elegant wine that suited the desert admirably.
During the meal there was also the opportunity to raise two commandeurs to the elevated status of Commandeurs Meritants. These were in thanks to two stalwarts of the Commanderie who had both made outstanding contributions; Nicholas Hargreaves for his excellent work with the accounts and Ian Corner with his leadership at the Portland Hotel and great support for many fine events.
After coffee and petit fours and the loyal toasts the conversation continued.
All present also had good cause and showed their appreciation with small tokens of their appreciation to the chef and the front of house teams and look forward to their next visit to the Midland.
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Summer Lunch at the Wild Boar Hotel at Beeston Sunday 20th July 2104 There was a very festive welcome in the reception area, where we were keenly watched by the eponymous Wild Boar (a stuffed mask on the wall and not a description of one of the members of the conseil after a row over a 1ere Crus). We then had some very drinkable champagne and some small “bitings” to tempt our taste buds, the most exciting of which included refreshing watermelon with goat’s cheese.
Annual General Meeting Audeley Edge Hotel www.alderleyedgehotel.com; 5 June 2014 The 2014 was held on a warm early summer evening at the Alderley Edge Hotel. The Commaderie gathered with an interesting and refreshing selection of Bordeaux white wines and gathered in the dining room for the meeting. The accounts were presented and passed, Commandeur Fletcher replaced Commandeur Hargreaves as Le Grad Argentièr agenda and Commandeur Wedderspoon being appointed to the Conseil as Régent.
Maître’s Report 2013-2014
Dinners during the year:
Wine tastings:
Accounts.
Commandeurs were then rewarded for their patience of under 10 minutes and rewarded with a glass of champagne.
The Dinner There then followed an excellent dinner of Organic Salmon Tartare with Morecambe Bay shrimp, seared hand dived scallops, smoked oyster emulsion, which was complemented by the delightful Vieux Château Gaubert 2010, A.C. Graves. The entrée wasCheshire reared lamb two ways, heritage tomato, grilled spring onion, basil whjch was beautifully cooked and the Château Cos-Labory 2005, 5ème Cru Classé A.C. St-Estèphe was a great success. We were then presented with a delightful selection of Artisan cheese with Alderley garden rhubarb chutney and wheat biscuits and enjoyed this enormously with the accompanyment of Domaine de Chevalier 1997, Cru Classé A.C. Pessac-Léognan. We then concluded with set elderflower cream, champagne bubbles, and strawberries and ate this with this author’s staff of the show the Château Doisy-Daëne 2006, 2ème Cru Classé A.C. Barsac. The evening ended with Coffee and Petits Fours and Toasts to the Queen and the Commanderie de Bordeaux. The Manchester Commanderie thanks Ahmet Kurcer and his Alderley Edge Hotel team for their help and co-operation in the organisation of this dinner and looks forward to future visits. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
26th Fete d' Anniversaire Dinner Friday 20th March 2014 Hilton Hotel Manchester Report by Commandeur Paul Findlow
Fortified by several welcoming glasses of champagne, accompanied by canapés, we proceeded into the cathedral–like high ceilinged windowless dining room, commenting on the absence of any adornment to those clinical walls.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ COMMANDERIE DE BORDEAUX A MANCHESTER Wine tasting Wednesday 29 January 2014 A wine tasting and supper was held at the Portland Thistle. Wines from the Commanderie cellar were tasted and there was be an informal supper the Commandeurs, partners and guests particularly enjoyed the informality, the quality of the wines and the opportunity to get to know other members better. Particular thanks go to Cmdr Ian Corner and his team at the Portland.
Some 46 members and guests of the Commanderie de Bordeaux in Manchester assembled at the Portland Hotel in Manchester to enjoy tasting some of the wines from the Commanderie cellar. The wines in question were: WHITE
RED
SWEET WHITE
This tasting highlighted the depth of the Commanderie cellars. The red wines alone have a the market price in excess of £45 a bottle on average and it is a pleasure to be able to taste wines of this quality to compare and contrast in an informal tasting midweek. Following the tasting, we enjoyed some additional orphan bottles with our meals and the balance of the wines from the event. Biju, the head chef, gave us a tasty meal starting with a veloute of tomato and basil, followed by a corn fed chicken breast with a confit drumstick with some mushroom cream sauce and vegetables, finished with sticky toffee pudding and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The front of house team with Marcus and Tracey looked after us well.
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Thursday 16th January 2014 La Commanderie de Bordeaux It has become a tradition to hold the annual Bistro Evening at Room. Based on our experience in 2014, there will be no need to make a change. This is an opportunity for Commandeurs to introduce new members Bistro Evening
Bistro Evening in the Rose Room at Room Thursday 16th January 2014
As we arrived our appetites were whetted by a glass or two of Crémant de Bordeaux accompanied by delicious canapés. The Ham Hock Terrine was attractively presented and met widespread approval. It was light in texture and was well matched by the Château Dubois-Challon white wine.
The triumph of the evening for many was the main course. The cooking of the fillet steak was just right; the miniature Steak and Ale pudding was wonderful. Members were heard to remark that they could have eaten two of them. Both red wines were widely appreciated and complemented their respective courses. Having enjoyed the 1999 Château Langoa-Barton at the summer lunch last year, members were looking forward to tasting the 2002 vintage. They were not disappointed.
Perhaps the most memorable feature of the desert course was the luscious 2005 Château Suduiraut 2005, Première Cru Sauternes.
Coffee and Petit Fours rounded off what had been a most convivial evening.
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