For centuries Irish men and women have left their native shore and made their name producing great wine in countries all around the globe. Raymond Blake joins us to pay tribute to these “wine geese” by showcasing a selection of their wines. Guest chef Ricardo Reis, an up and coming young chef from Porto, has tailored the evening’s menu to suit the selected wines perfectly.
Bought by Lochlann and Brenda Quinn in 2001 and now managed by their son, Daragh, Fieuzal hardly needs any introduction – though not everybody is aware that the delicious white wine is equally worthy of renown, alongside the better known red.
Delicate ravioli filled with carabineiro prawns, bathed in a rich prawn jus, complemented by smoked lemon butter and a crisp, spiced tuile.
Two Chardonnays served side-by-side. Both have garnered worldwide reputations, thanks to their consistent quality and unswerving pursuit of excellence:
From the Hemel-en-Aarde valley in South Africa.
From Margaret River in Western Australia.
Succulent Iberian pork plumas, expertly grilled, resting on a bed of rustic cornbread, delivering a subtle smoky finish.
The château – in Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux – was bought last year by the late Eddie O’Connor, whose family are now managing the property, with a new carbon-neutral winery to be built next year
Tender beef cheeks, slow-braised in red wine, served atop a velvety sweet potato purée infused with orange essence.
With the main course we will enjoy another pair of celebrated wines:
From Saint-Julien, Bordeaux and the most famed of all the ‘Irish’ châteaux, now run by Lilian Barton and her children, Mélanie and Damien.
Chile is renowned for giving shelter to Bernardo O’Higgins’ famed freedom fighters – no prizes for guessing where the O’Higgins family hailed from!
To celebrate the 300th birthday of Richard Hennessy – born at Ballymacmoy House, Killavullen on the River Blackwater in Co Cork in 1724 – we conclude with a Hennessy XO Cognac cocktail or a straight measure of XO, your choice.
Raymond has been involved in numerous events with us and has always been a big hit with our guests – his knowledge is virtually boundless, yet he wears it lightly and shares it in such a witty manner that we keep asking him back.
He is a very busy man, writing for The World of Fine Wine as well as being responsible for the Burgundy section of Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Guide, one of the best-selling wine books in the world.
He is due to publish his fourth wine book next year and yet still finds time to lead tours to wine regions as well as speaking at many public engagements.
We had a great night the last time Raymond joined us!
This dinner is over.
