The French dinner, advertised to the Club by Murray, who couldn’t attend, was hosted by Mission wines. As a follow up the Mission evening in March, a few of us went along to enjoy Mission’s Jewelstone brand of premier wines, matched with each of the five courses.
We opened with a tasting of Blue Cheese Mousse, Caramelised Pear on Toasted Brioche, which was delightfully smooth in the mouth. This was paired with Mission’s Fete Brut Cuvee NV. We were looking forward to the next course!
The next course was Salmon, Sashimi, Soya Jelly, Ginger Syrup, Wakame Salad, Washabi Mayo & Sesame Seeds – a tribute to the chef’s days at the original Hummingbird restaurant in Courtenay Place, when this was a stable on the menu. This was paired with Mission’s Jewelstone Rosé 2023. The Rose was pinky gold in colour and was amazing with the dish.
Our third dish was Goat Cheese Cannelloni, Cramed Leek, Walnut Cream and Caramelised Walnut. Paired with Jewelstone Chardonnay 2022.
The mix in this course went down very well, with the caramelised walnuts a
really lovely addition to the smoothness of the rest of the meal.
It was a beautiful evening, with a starlit sky outside and as the air began to cool the braziers were lit. It all added such an atmosphere to the evening.
Next, we moved to the red of the evening, Jewstone Antione, Cabernet Sauvignon 2020. This wine is from their Gilmett Gravels vineyards, and is small-batch, barrel
fermented. It paired excellently with the Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks Bourguignon, Parsnip Puree, Roasted Baby Carrots. Rich, creamy and so tasty.
To round the evening off we were served Lemon Curd, Pannacotta, Braised Pineapple & Passion Fruit Coulis, paired with Mission Estate Late Harvest 2024.
Tammy from Mission came around during the meal to check how things were going at tables, as well as giving us commentary on the different wines were sampling and titillating us with the story behind the wines, such as the Jewelstone Antoine.
A plus, we were able to order Mission wines if we wished to, after the meal. It’s great Tammy is in Johnsonville, as she is delivering any orders received on the night.