Restaurant Review: dinner with a difference

For this month’s restaurant review we really do have something different for you. SBT teamed up with Brian Lockie from Top Shelf Wine Services to bring you a true dinner with a difference. Brian works closely with Bouquet Ltd who were not only the suppliers from whom Brian chose the wines for the event, but were also the sponsors of the “Wines of the month” in our last edition.

As a regular dinner party host, as well as trying to impress guests with an eclectic menu I am always looking for new ways to create an enjoyable atmosphere and fun evening. With a young family myself, it is often difficult to get babysitters and go out for dinner. Therefore, when Brian mentioned to me his new concept of an inhouse wine tasting for me and my guests I jumped at the chance.

There were 8 of us eating in total and I had sent Brian my menu earlier in the week on request so he could look to pair the wines to our dishes.
Brain arrived a little after 7pm, which was perfect timing as the kids had just gone down and it was just prior to my guests arriving. He got set up and had brought a variety of wines, from English Sparkling, white, red, rose as well a dessert wine and all glasses required for our wine tasting.

As my guests arrived and I was still cooking, we kicked off the evening with an English Sparking wine from Wiston Estate. Brian filled our glasses and began to talk us through the wine.
Wiston Estate – Brut NV.

This is an excellently balanced wine, made up of the three classic varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in equal parts. A refreshing, elegant and complete sparkling wine, with a fine complex finish that combines youthful purity of fruit with more mature characters from long lees-aging, this wine is an excellent way to begin a journey with Wiston.

It was clear from our aperitif and the start of the night that Brian’s knowledge was second to none. He engaged with all our guests, asking for feedback and what flavours and aromas we got from the wine.

After this delightful start I then served our starters. This was a selection of Greek Cypriot Meze consisting of Koubebia (Stuffed vine leaves), Homemade meatballs, Fried halloumi with mint and roasted nuts, Loukanika (Greek Cypriot sausage) in red wine, homemade Tzatzki and Greek style bread.

I didn’t give Brian an easy task as there were many different flavours in the starter. To accompany these Brian had chosen two different wines, a white wine from Spain and a Pinot noir from chile. The white Alabrino was not only mine but a few of my guests favourite and complimented the starters perfectly.

White Wine: Don Pedro –
Albarino – Spain:

A wine from Galicia in Northern Spain with elegant aromas of fresh aromatic herbs and white flowers as well as nuances of white stone fruit, green apple, citrus and pear. The Palate is rounded and full-bodied with a light petillance. (hint of bubbles)
The pinot noir which since watching the film sideways many years ago has become one of my favourite grape varieties was also delicious.

Red Wine: Vina Ventisquero
Heru – Pinot Noir – Chile:

A deep Ruby red colour more commonly associated with a Burgundy Pinot Noir, the nose on this wine initially reveals aromas of red fruits combining the sweeter flavours of strawberries and raspberries with the slightly tart expectancy of red currents. On the palate, juicy flavours and soft rounded tannins are framed by a distinctive yet delicate back drop of French Oak. Consequently, this wine has the refined aromas and flavours displayed and expected by a quality Pinot Noir.

Prior to serving main course Brian continued to inform our guests about different wines, their history as well as advising with hints and tips for tasting, which my guests and I found fascinating.

After a short break I then served main course, a Lamb Kleftico that I had been slow cooking for about 4 and half hours. This was served with a Greek salad and potatoes.

For this we had a big powerful, full bodied red, a primitivo which for me was a perfect match for the lamb. However before sampling this Brian had chosen a rosé, which I myself am not usually a fan, but this was certainly different from most rosés I have tried in the past. It was quite a bit lighter than a usual rosé and absolutely sublime.

Rose Wine:Estadon St. Louis de Provence – Rosé 2017 – France

Among top 10% of all wines in region. Pale salmon with copper hues in colour with a touch of effervescence. Look for a subtle nose of raspberry, peony and apricot with hints of honeydew melon, wet stone and rhubarb. Dry, medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol. Candied watermelon, peach and orange peel play out on the mid-length palate. This is certainly, a serious rose with a lovely complexity that’s marked by the gentle fruit and delicate floral accents. The structure demands summer patio hors-d’oeuvre.

Terre Avare – Primitivo 2016 – Italy

This wine benefits from growing in this dry sunny region producing a fruit centred style of wine with dominant red fruit flavours. Deep ruby in colour with a palate that is considered full rich and rounded.

We had now tasted 5 wines from around the globe, each of which had been a perfect partner for my dishes. To finish off we had a selection of sweet Greek desserts, baklava, layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup, as well as my homemade Galaktoboureko (Greek custard pie with syrup). Followed by of course a cheese board.

Brian had chosen a dessert wine that he explained could accompany almost any dessert but was also a perfect partner for cheese.

Dessert Wine: Manoir Savonniere Coteaux Du Layon -Dessert Wine-France

This wine is a Bronze medal winner at the 2015 Paris Wine and produce show and has every right to lay claim to excellence. Full of sweet juicy tropical fruit flavours but with a clean feel on the palate this wine shares a luscious balance between sweetness and welcome yet well balanced acidity. A wine which will accompany almost any desserts, but it also provides a stunningly good contrast when served with cheese.

This truly was a fabulous evening from start to finish. Brian was informative, engaging and extremely charming which immediately puts everyone at ease and is able to relax and enjoy the evening. His choices of wine, despite a difficult menu were perfect. At the end of the evening all guests have the opportunity to either purchase some of the bottles that they tried, alternatively Brian leaves order forms with you to purchase at a later date (which me and my guests have done).

The whole concept for the evening is fantastic and one that I am sure will not only appeal to people with young families but anyone looking for alternative ways to host a dinner party. Also if unlike me you don’t like to cook, or fancy a night off, Top Shelf wines have packages that include a chef attending and cooking for you. Brian is a fantastic, knowlegable host and I urge our readers to get in contact and give this ago, you will not be disappointed.

Info:

Top Shelf Wine Service, Brian Lockie,
Email: BLMGS@hotmail.com,
Tel: 07787 553262

Bouquet Ltd
bouquet.winesltd@gmail.com
07528 550574