Following the tsunami disaster a group of wine lovers, who meet regularly to test their blind-tasting skills, have donated an exceptional range of fine wines from their own wine cellars for a fund-raising dinner, writes Christopher Tew.
The dinner will take place at Shampers Wine Bar and Restaurant, where the group has been meeting since 1985, and whose cuisine they thoroughly recommend. Thanks to the generosity of the owner, Simon Pearson, who is willing to provide the food and the services of his staff for the evening free of charge, all the money raised will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee which is co-ordinating relief for tsunami victims.
Place: Shampers Wine Bar and Restaurant,
4 Kingly Street, London W1 [between Regent Street and Carnaby Street, my favourite watering hole when I was first writing about wine on Wine & Spirit magazine nearby, JR]
Date: Tuesday 08 feb.
Aperitif: Champagne reception at 7.00pm, featuring Larmandier-Bernier in magnum.
Dinner: 7.30pm
Wines will include:
Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles 1997 Vincent Girardin
Two brilliant Chablis premier crus from the great 2000 vintage donated by the authors of the leading book on Chablis
Ch Beauregard 1997 Pomerol
Ch Palmer 1982 Margaux
Ch Lafon Rochet 1982 St Estephe
A top 1998 Nuits-Saint-Georges premier cru from Henri Gouges, donated by Howard Ripley Ltd, Specialist Burgundy Merchant of the Year, International Wine Challenge 2004
Dessert wines from the Loire/Sauternes
1977 Warre vintage port
Members of the group will act as sommeliers for the evening, an opportunity to taste really fine wines that have been perfectly cellared and are now at their peak, as well as benefiting this most worthy cause.
Places for the dinner cost £200 each, and must be booked in advance. Payment is by cheque, made out directly to the Disasters Emergency Committee.
For further information and to reserve places for this unique event please contact Christopher Tew on tew@testdata.co.uk or phone 020 8673 4682 after 6pm. As places are limited, early booking is recommended.