Following upon the success of our first Zoom dinner in November 2020, thirty six Commanders and partners gathered together for our second Zoom dinner. Our dinner followed the same format as the first one. Namely three wines were delivered on behalf of the Commanderie to each household to be drunk alongside the splendid meals that had been prepared.
Preparations complete!
After all meeting up together on screen and after exchanging fond greetings we then went into virtual dining rooms consisting of six households each.
With our starters, with smoked salmon proving a popular choice, we drank Chateau Bel Air Perponcher Blanc 2019. This wine from the Entre-Deux-Mers region is made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle grapes and it is a firm favourite of the Commanderie. The 2019 vintage did not disappoint and met with universal approval.
For the main course our members enjoyed a range of dishes including venison and pheasant. With our main courses we drank Hortevie 2009. This is a small estate in St. Julien which was bought in 2005 by Bruno Borie of Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou. There was a consensus in our breakout group, and indeed generally, that the wine was extremely enjoyable and that we were drinking it at its peak.
With our third course, which for some consisted of blue cheese and for others dessert, we drank a half bottle of 2017 Sauternes from Sichel. This is a de-classified classed growth made from a blend of 70% Semillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc grapes. It proved a triumph and was a testament to how good wines from negociants can be. I will certainly be buying some the next time I place an order with the Wine Society.
The photographer was too slow!
Whilst enjoying all three wine and our food, our breakout group engaged in lively and wide ranging conversation. We even had cameo appearances from delightful children and an adorable cocker spaniel dog. Such appearances were a joy and proved that wine tasters, unlike actors, can successfully work with children and animals.
Blitz being intronised!
Alastair was beaten to the table!
After the conclusion of our meals we all met up in a group session and members of each of the six breakout groups commented upon the wines. Rather unusually, all of the comments were positive and in some cases even effusive and the dreaded words “bottle variation” were not mentioned. Congratulations and thanks are due, yet again, to Commander Chapman for his choice of wines.
In conclusion, the event was a great success and it was a delight to see so many friendly and happy faces on screen. I am greatly looking forward to our next event and regardless of whether it is in person or by means of another zoom dinner.
