Vinoculation

The Swiss chef came down the stairs after some bated anticipation, boldly stating that all dinner attendees must assist in the kitchen before enjoying their meals. Fool. Who was he kidding? I doubt one Swissman would stand a chance against a couple of dozen starving Cellarmasters members with a craving for (blood) red wine.

 I had the Salmon, Beef, then Crepes for dessert. I was entirely satisfied; the food was superb. The wines? A very hazy recollection. I remember a very good La Strada Chardonnay, a somewhat contrasting Gunn Estate Skeetfield Chardonnay, a wonderful Akarua Pinot Noir and of course the Sacred Hill Brokenstone Merlot. The Dows Tawny Port to finish was seriously slurpable, by the way. Bring on the fortifieds I say!

Food and wine is one of the best matches out there, but I would hasten to advocate the soothing pleasure of the jazz and wine match. Listening to jazz records tonight, on an extremely high quality sound system (you know, with speakers that get better with age…) and a glass of red was pure bliss. What was I drinking? Started out with a 2003 Domaine Paul Blanck Riesling (lush and delightful), then a 2003 Howard Park Leston Cab Sauv (polished, fine tannins with a late fruit kick - exquisite) and a 2003 Noon Eclipse to finish (hugely textural mouthfeel, oodles of fruit and alcohol wonderfully in check; sensational). What was I listening to? Miles Davis, Ahmad Jamal, Paul Desmond, Art Pepper and lots more, courtesy of GN.