Hot August Night..........

I suspect I maybe extremely gullible in that quite easily I can be convinced to believe my own publicity but I think it fair to say that the Wine Tasting evening was a great success and hugely enjoyed by all those 89 members and friends who attended.

The tasting competition was fiercely contested with a sudden death needed (which was not so sudden) to decide second place but the winners and clearly wine connoisseurs were Barry & Robyn Fletcher, Tony & Annette McKeogh, Struan & Terry Cain, Rex Price, Simon Fraser & Stephanie Winter. The result may well have been different but for Paul "Special" Needs developing his own "special" variation of the scoring system (questions must be asked as to who put him in charge).

For the record the wines tasted were; a Black Estate Riesling (Waipara), a Lone Stone Chardonnay (Hawkes Bay), a Terrace Heights Estate Pinot Noir (Marlborough) and a Craggy Range Te Kahu a Bordeaux blend (Gimbletts Gravel). The wines were complimented by a Roasted Red Pepper and Basil soup as an entree with either Lamb Shanks or a Brie & Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast as a main and cheese & sweet bites to follow for dessert with coffee or tea. On arrival there was a glass (or more) of bubbly and a range of finger foods to whet the appetite. Hopefully everyone enjoyed the occasion, the wine, and the food as much as those gathered at our table.

Many thanks to the Hosts of the Evening - Graham Watson & Bruce Todd and especially to Rex Ormandy from Vino Fino. Thanks also to the organising committee of Richard Peate, Jan North & Janet Christie-Anderson as well as Amanda & Andrew Vincent for all their hard work in putting together the menu.

This was the first "social event" sponsored by the Club in a number of years and given the atmosphere and enthusiasm shown by the participants its likely we will attempt to tempt you with another extravaganza in the not too distant future. If you have any suggestions please feel free to speak either with myself or someone on the organising committee.