Want to try something new, and not already a member? Come on your own, grab a friend, workmate or partner and join us for our next tasting. Take a look and see who's presenting.
We have had some excellent feedback from members about this venue and the quality of the food.
However, while good, there were a few issues with one of the larger tables of 13 with not enough food and how the meat was distributed. It appears that the plating re the number of people per table was an issue for some tables.
This concept was a new dining concept for the club, and perhaps next time we need to explain in the lead-up newsletter how the meal will be served and how the dinner will work. There are always things to learn.
BBQ
The Club BBQ was another good day with close to 40 members and friends attending. The weather was OK but with a coolish breeze (Pat says I use the word breeze far too frequently when describing the Wellington climate).
As ever there was plenty of covered space at Derek’s and weather conditions seldom detract from the enjoyment of the event. The food was up to the normal high standard and particularly pleasing was the quality and variety of desserts provided. A great turn out.
As ever, I find this a time to reflect on what the year has offered. We had a great day for the BBQ in January. Always a pleasant afternoon for those attending. February saw a tasting with Roberta Montero presenting for the Artisan Winegrowers of Central Otago. An interesting and somewhat different approach to winemaking from this group. March was a very successful tasting of Argentinian wines presented by Josefina Telleria from South2South. In April we had Edward Donaldson presenting for Pegasus Bay. The AGM in May passed quickly and members enjoyed some wines from the Club’s cellar before we moved on to June where Foxes Island and held centre stage. This was a very professional presentation.
Things really got rolling in July with the mid-year dinner at Logan Brown. Some issues around service but otherwise an excellent evening. August was time for Keith Tibble to present an Australian evening, mainly Elderton from the Barossa Valley but included offerings from McLaren Vale and Clare Valley. September was with Gavin Yortt and Squawking Magpie from Hawkes Bay. October was a highlight with Jane Hunter presenting from Marlborough. It was great to get an icon of the NZ wine industry for this event. November completed a somewhat international year with Cangrande doing Italian wines for our festive tasting. Dinner at Muse this month completes our year.
Your committee have been very pleased with the programme and hope everyone found something to enjoy. Have a great Christmas and then we will look to developing 2017 events to match those of the past year.
I was a bit nonplussed to pick up my Dompost the other day and see that Muse was “In Liquidation”. I quickly reassured myself that this was obviously applied to Muse on Allen however and that the Muse Eatery and Bar are going strong. They are also preparing to give us a great dining experience in December so make sure you get it into your calendar now. The proposed menu is included below. See payment advice for Nov 2016 which includes the December Dinner.
Pity, I can’t be there, but a Pacific Cruise awaits god dammit.
Menu:
TO START
Selection of cured meats, hams and cheeses, etc.
A selection of cured meats, hams, cheeses, pickles, chicken liver pate, house piccalilli, short rib croquettes, mustards, beef tartar, warmed sourdough.
CARVERY AT THE TABLE
Pure Angus rump cap, served with a selection of sauces and truffled roasties
Grilled salmon with caper and lemon butter, served with baby roquette and pear salad
Milk braised free-range pork shoulder, crackling, apple sauce and roasted carrots
DESSERTS (TO SHARE)
Chocolate profiteroles
Mini Christmas cake
Chocolate truffles
Iced Baileys milkshakes
We can cater for any dietary or allergy requirements.
Holy smoke, did I just see November 2016 at the top of this newsletter? Seems you only have to blink and a month has gone by. Where does the time go? The only thing that seems to be dragging on is the American Presidential election. The Lord forbid our club elections should ever be as lively as that election is proving to be. Quite a bit happening right now with a number of items to address.
Condolences
The Cellar Club Presidents at The Cellar Club’s 25th birthday dinner, The James Cook Hotel, Feb 2006. From left to right Derek Thomson, Ron Thompson, Alan Evans, Wayne Kennedy, Graeme Fountain, Francesca Menzies and John Browning.
It is with deep sadness that we wish to report the passing of one of our Life Members , Ron Thomson.
Ron’s participation in the club dates back to our early beginnings when he was the editor of our newsletters until he relinquished that role to take over as our second President in 1986.
Ron became a life member in 2009 and whilst he has not attended tastings since he moved to Waikanae, he and his late wife Barbara, continued to attend our dinners until more recently when health issues began to intercede. Ron continued to provide occasional pieces on New Zealand wine history which ran in this newsletter a little time ago. Our condolences go out to his many friends in the Cellar Club.
And before anyone points out the issue of spelling I am aware that the “p” has slipped. It is Ron Thomson and Derek Thompson, I just couldn’t change it in the jpeg.
Good Value at the Wine Club
A committee member was interested to hear one of our new member’s comment recently about the ‘good value’ you get from our wine club, and we thoroughly agree. Just look at the Hunters meeting, all those good wines for less than $15 per bottle. You won’t get that in a Supermarket.
Attachments
Allan Scott was involved in the first planting of vines in the Marlborough wine region in 1973.
There are several attachments to this newsletter; firstly the payment advice for Nov 2016 which includes the December Dinner; and secondly the menu for Muse in December. There is a third attachment which honours the achievement of one of the Clubs very early members. Sharyn Evans was a member of this club way back in the formative years. She has recently retired after 47 years as a violinist with the NZSO. I attach an item from the Orchestra’s programme notes a couple of weeks back. Just emphasises what a talented membership we have had and still have.
Allan Scott
Members may have read the weekend magazine from the Dompost, which featured an article on Allan Scott. It mentioned he’d be giving a talk about his new book ‘Marlborough Man’ at Unity Books at 12 pm on November 11. Just in case anyone is interested. The item was too long to include in the newsletter.
