SANDALS Royal Plantation played host Saturday last to 50 members and guests of the local chapter of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Led by the inimitable Peter Fraser, Maître Hotelier, General Manager; Ashley Outlaw, Food and Beverage Manager; Peter Hamil, Executive Chef; and Adrian Tomlinson, Executive Sous-Chef, the team executed an impressive dinner under the theme “An Evening of Plantation Revelry and Rich Repast”.

The appetiser was a Pig Foot Terrine with Lobster and Sweet Bread, Molasses-Sorrel Gastrique and Banana Chutney which was served with a Tio Pepe, Fino Sherry. This dry, pale golden sherry is made from 100 per cent Palomino grapes from the Jerez district in Spain and fortified with grape brandy to 15.5 per cent alc/vol. The perfectly balanced palate is full and round, displaying mixed nuts and attractive flor yeast character, with its very dry, crisp, clean finish lingering long in the mouth.

A Softer Gentler Mannish Water

Our soup, Pot au Feu Mannish Broth with a Festival Sugar Cane Swizzle Stick — a softer, gentler mannish water — was paired with a red wine that was light to medium body with soft tannins — the 2009 Domaine Magellan, Le Fruit Défendu. This rather interesting wine is made in the Languedoc region with 90 per cent Cinsault 10 per cent Grenache on vines that are over 40 years old.

Jackfruit is one of those local fruits that people either love or hate. When the menu listed the salad as a Stewed Jackfruit Filled with Snapper Ceviche, Micro Green, Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette, there were a few who had concerns. However, GM Peter Fraser explained that his team prepared the jackfruit so it would show the positive attributes and soften its wilder side. This was confirmed on the palate and paired brilliantly with a 2010 Holmes Point Sauvignon Blanc — from the home of great Sauvignon Blanc — New Zealand, it was a refreshing wine with notes of citrus and gooseberry — simple and very easy to drink.

Pièce de résistance

After an Intermezzo of Soursop and Naseberry Granita followed by a short break, it was time for the much- anticipated main course of Braised Beef Short Rib And Fine Herbs, Seared Duck, Root Vegetables Croquette, Organic Baby Vegetables And Rustic Passion Fruit Glaze. This dish was superb; the duck was lean and tender, the short rib was very flavourful; people wanted more! We enjoyed this dish with another wine from the Languedoc region — the 2009 Chateau Puech-Haut Prestige. This bio-dynamically farmed estate is located near to the village of Saint-Drézéry, a short distance northeast of Montpellier. The style of this wine seemed to be a nice balance between old and new world character. This property has employed some of the top consulting oenologists beginning with Michel Rolland, Claude Gros and now Philippe Cambie. So it might not be a surprise that world-renowned wine critic Robert Parker hailed this wine as one of the greatest values in the world and gave it 93 Points. He went on to say, “this 2009 is a blend of 55 per cent Grenache (from 60-75-year-old vines) and 45 per cent Syrah (from

40-year-old vines), all planted in limestone soils, and aged completely in concrete tanks. This remarkable offering is a naked expression of the vivid terroir and excellent fruit found in this region. The incredible aromatics consist of forest floor, spring flowers, sweet black currants, raspberries, licorice, and incense. With a pure, velvety, seamless, full-bodied texture and a finish that lasts 30-odd seconds, this wine possesses a stunning integration of acidity, tannin, and alcohol, suggesting this 2009 will age nicely for 3-5 years, possibly as long as a decade. However, it will be hard to resist given its current performance. Bravo!”

The evening ended with a premium selection of sweet temptations from a well-stocked dessert station. Another crowd pleaser was served with this course; a delicious 2009 Vigne Regali Brachetto d’Acqui Rosa Regle accompanied the desserts. Aromatic with a hint of rose petals and raspberries, Rosa Regale is delightfully vivacious and festive. This rare Brachetto, a semi-dry, red sparkling wine cherished by the courts of Europe over two centuries ago, owes its reincarnation to Banfi.

Today is the much-anticipated Jamaica OBSERVER CELEBRATES FASHION’S NIGHT OUT and it’s islandwide. Do your part to give the economy a boost!

Chris Reckord — Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. He and his wife Kerri-Anne are part-owners of Jamaica’s only Wine Bar — Bin26 Wine Bar in Devon House, Kingston. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter.com/DeVineWines