One of the regular onboard events of a Regent Cruise that I look forward to is the Connoisseur Wine Lunch. I was not sure if I was going to be able to get a seat at this lunch as it was booked out on DAY ONE! Luckily for me they decided to move it to Compass Rose so they could include more people.
The Connoisseur Wine Lunch is hosted by the Head Sommelier, which was Alan on this cruise. The menu is crafted by one of the Restaurant Exec Chefs. Both the Chef and Alan ensure that the wines and food are well matched.
First Course
NV Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut, Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay. Reims, Champagne, France
| Appearance: | Light pale straw, persistent tight bead |
| Nose: | Pleasant mix of brioche, apple and pear aromas |
| Palate: | Refreshing, balanced |
| Finish: | Medium length |
| Oz’s Rating: | 3 out of 5 Reliable as always |
Beef Tartar
Avocado, lime, cilantro coffee oil, creme fraiche, Siberian caviar, lime zest
Not bad, needs a bit wasabi for me to make it pop a bit more.
Paired nicely with the Veuve
Second Course
2019 Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia ‘Poggio alle Gazze’, Sauvignon Blanc, Tuscany Italy
| Appearance: | Bright Straw |
| Nose: | Enjoyable combo of citrus, lanolin and floral aromas |
| Palate: | Viscous mouthfeel |
| Finish: | Medium length |
| Oz’s Rating: | 3 out of 5 Needs food. |
Goat cheese cream, truffle honey, pistachio dust, mixed berries
Great dish
The truffle honey and goat cheese works well
Pairs well with the wine, subtle contrast
Third Course
2022 Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Martinborough New Zealand
| Appearance: | Youthful light garnet |
| Nose: | Enjoyable nose of black pepper, cedar, forest floor and dark cherry aromas |
| Palate: | Balanced, light dry tannins |
| Finish: | Medium length |
| Oz’s Rating: | 3.5 out of 5 Best wine so far |
Foie Gras Espuma
Caramelized pecans, truffles shaving
Yum!
Great combo of textures and flavours, the pecans give it a nice crunch. The Pinot compliments the foie gras
Sorbet
Strawberry and cardamon sorbet.
Definitely refreshed the palate.
Fourth Course
2018 Bealieu Vineyards BV Tapestry, 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, plus Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc. Napa Valley, California, USA
| Appearance: | Medium deep crimson, with decent legs |
| Nose: | Full bodied nose of blackcurrant, white pepper and earthy aromas |
| Palate: | Savoury tannins, medium-full body |
| Finish: | Medium to long finish, with a slight bit of heat on the tail |
| Oz’s Rating: | 3 out 5 3.5 out 5 with the lamb |
Dried olive-crusted lamb loin
Mint chocolate jus, parsnip cream, brussels sprouts
The olive crust stands out, though did not over power the perfectly cooked lamb.
Very tasty, the best lamb I have had had on the ship
Blind Tasting
A nice addition to the Wine Connoisseurs Lunch as a blind tasting, the winner received a bottle of the wine. It wasn’t me, I only got two of the questions right. Might have been more fun if they had used the Len Evans Wine Options Game rules.
2023 Septina Emblema Malbec. Mendoza, Argentina
| Appearance: | Deep crimson, lots of legs |
| Nose: | Enjoyable mix of cedar, spice and dark fruit aromas |
| Palate: | Dry, structured tannins |
| Finish: | Medium length |
| Oz’s Rating: | 3.5 out 5 Pretty good wine |
Fifth Course
2018 Gerard Bertrand Banyuls Vin Doux Naturel, Grenache. Banyuls, France
| Appearance: | Medium deep tawny, lots of legs |
| Nose: | Reserved jammy nose of dark fruit and raisin aromas |
| Palate: | Great mouthfeel, smooth, lush tannins |
| Finish: | Long finish with a bit of heat on the tail |
| Oz’s Rating: | 3.5 out 5 Enjoyable! |
Chocolate Mousse Sampler
Passion-fruit, berries, almond crisp
Milk, white and dark chocolate
Nice presentation, tastes great
Loved the layers of the different types of chocolate
Connoisseurs Wine Lunch
This was an enjoyable Connoisseurs Wine Lunch, though not as good as others I have participated in on previous cruises. That being said I would still be signing up for another of these on another cruise as they are always interesting.
The food was excellent and out did the wines this time.
Favourite Wine
2022 Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyards. This was the wine that was great by itself and the pairing with the Foie Gras Espuma was excellent. The best pairing of the Connoisseurs Wine Lunch.
Favourite Dish
The “Dried olive-crusted lamb loin” was my favourite. A great lamb dish, edged out the Foie Gras Espuma which was also excellent.
If you are interested, below are links to my previous Connoisseurs Wine Lunches on Regent Cruises:
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Fantastic review, I’m a fan of BV.
Thanks Tom, definitely a decent drop.. We should arrange a more scientific approach to confirming how good it is, say a dinner on the high seas with a vertical??