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This year’s Christmas Dinner was held at the Wellington Club, a special location for our Christmas dinner.
We had 38 attendees, who enjoyed the superb venue and the manner in which we were accommodated in our own dining space.
The meal, service and the wines for the occasion ensured and added to a splendid evening for Club members.
This was a special evening, especially for Club members who had not been to the Wellington Club previously, and some people expressed that it was as good as our evening at Bellamys in previous years.
Thanks to your committee members for all the organising for our final event for 2023.
This was a superb evening featuring worldwide bubbles.
The special food matched some of the wines and was well thought out and tasty. It is always interesting to see what change the food makes to the wine you drink.
This has left everyone with some thoughtfully selected wines to source for Christmas celebrations.
As a reminder of what to put on your shopping list, the wines we tasted were:
De Bortolli Family Selection Sparkling Brut NV – Australia
Graham Norton Prosecco D.O.C. – Italy
Perelada Brut Reserva Spanish Cava – Spain
Pongracz Sparkling Brut – South Africa
Hunter MiruMiru Marlborough Methode Traditionelle Brut – New Zealand
Aimery Grande Cuvee 1531 Cremant De Limouix Rose NV – France
The Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz NV – Australia
Pegasus Bay Encore Noble Riesling 2007 AND 2017 – New Zealand
It was an interesting and fun evening for everyone, thanks to Wayne, Murray, Terry Gayl, and everyone else who helped with the food on the evening.
Wednesday 14th December is your Cellar Club’s Christmas dinner Being held at Istana Malaysia Restaurant Arrival at 7 pm for seating at 7.30 pm 1-5 Allen Street, Wellington – Directions
Thank you to everyone who let Wayne know whether they would be attending or not. It certainly makes the organising easier, and it is exciting to see that 43 people will attend our final event of the year. This year, as we have shared dishes, there are no meal choices to decide upon. But so there is no confusion on the night, we will still be allocating people to set tables and letting you know your table number before the dinner.
Given there are some members attending the dinner for the first time, it is perhaps an opportune time to mention how our dinners operate.
You are asked to arrive as close to 7 pm as practical. Please don’t turn up early, as it can cause confusion at the venue.
When you arrive, you will be greeted with a complimentary glass of bubbles.
The meal is BYO wine, and your prepaid cost includes corkage. During the evening, it is customary to share the bottle of wine you have brought with your neighbours.
We expect to finish sometime between 9.30 pm and 10 pm, but this is a guideline only, in case you arrange transport home. Please try and stay as flexible as possible.
This is the 30th year of operation for Istana Malaysia, with Danny, the owner/chef, still on board. Everything is prepared fresh in the kitchen daily, guaranteeing quality and enjoyment.
If some members are a little weary about the spiciness of the food, please be assured that everything will be catered to milder tastes for the dishes with extra chillies and tofu on the table for people who want to add it to their plate.
A Reminder: We have planned no dessert for the evening, but please bring your favourite dessert wine, as this will complement both the food and finish the evening off nicely.
This will be an evening to remember: Club bubbles on arrival, shared meal dishes – some new/some old favourites, b.y.o. wines to share – perhaps try and match your bottle with Malaysian food – Gertz, Riesling, a Rose’, Pinot Noir or a Cabernet Sauvignon.
This is the 30th year of operation for Istana Malaysia, with Danny, the owner/chef, still on board. Everything is prepared fresh in the kitchen daily, guaranteeing quality and enjoyment.
We have planned no dessert for the evening, but please bring your favourite dessert wine, as this will complement both the food and finish the evening off nicely.
PLEASE NOTE: This will be on our usual Wednesday night, 14th December -not on a Saturday, arriving at 7 pm for a 7:30 pm start. The cost is $50 per head incl. GST and corkage.
January – The Club BBQ
A great way to kick the 2023 tasting year off. Details to follow.
Please remember those people overseas, especially in the UK, who still have lorry driver shortages – and supply shortages! By the way, this has led to goods being moved by train [back to the future!]
Compact Swivel Cheese & Tapas BoardWho knew drinks trolleys have made a comebackPerhaps the perfect welcome matWine Glass Holder for bath & shower
Saturday 11th December is your Cellar Club’s Christmas dinner at Juniper Gin Bar & Restaurant, 142 Featherston Street, Wellington.
Arrive at 7 pm for seating at 7.30 pm.
Thank you for returning your meal choices to Wayne. He is planning to email all dinner attendees with their meal choices to check that he has your choices correct. This will also give you a chance to pick out a wine to bring with you to match your food choices. His email will also be providing details of your table seating and the Covid requirements for the venue under the new traffic light system.
Juniper Gin Bar & Restaurant
Given there are some members attending the dinner for the first time, it is perhaps an opportune time to mention how our dinners operate.
You are asked to arrive as close to 7 pm as practical. Please don’t turn up early as it can cause confusion at the venue.
When you arrive, you will be greeted with a complimentary glass of bubbles.
The meal is BYO wine, and your prepaid cost includes corkage. During the evening, it is customary to share your wine with your neighbours.
We are expecting to finish sometime between 9.30 pm and 10 pm, but this is a guideline only, in case you are arranging transport home. Please try and stay as flexible as possible.
We discussed this with members a little earlier in the year and have made the decision to opt for a Saturday for the December Dinner this year.
We believe that this will be convenient for most members. So we are off to Juniper, corner Featherston and Johnston Streets in the CBD for this year’s dinner.
We are working on final details for the menu and pricing. Wayne will supply members with a combined “payment advice’ form before the November tasting. So forget about second Wednesday of the month this time and put 8 December into your diaries.
We are sure it will be a great event. As I say, more detail from Wayne shortly.
Wednesday 13 December 2017, 7.00pm start for 7.30pm sit down
By now you will studied the menu and indicated to Wayne with regard to your dinner choices. There really isn’t much more to say. Looks like a great turnout and we are looking forward to the event. Unfortunately, or from our point of view perhaps, fortunately, we have the maximum number committing to attend and we are unable to accept any last minute requests to attend if people’s circumstances have changed. For those who are coming can we please ask you not to arrive before seven. Your committee will generally be arriving from work and will have some arrangements to sort. We would appreciate a bit of time to get things set up and members could help us by turning up from 7 pm, not earlier.
Wine for the December Xmas Dinner
2017 has been good for the club with great support from our presenters regarding the costs of their presentations etc. So for the December Dinner, we have decided to return the favour by purchasing some bubbles that are a little more expensive than normal. The wine we have chosen for you to enjoy won Gold at this year’s Air NZ wine awards and then went on to receive the Trophy for the best Sparkling White on show. So when you arrive at the dinner venue, you will receive a glass of chilled Aotea, a non-vintage Methode Traditionnelle sparkling wine from the Seifried family in Nelson,
There is an interesting backstory to this wine and we have included a quote from Anna Seifried. Anna is understandably stoked with this win. Enjoy the evening and the wine treat.
