Last thursday, 24 guests (and myself) were treated to a very special evening of food and wine in the Private Dining Room of Vinoteca St John St. The occasion was one of our regular Wine Dinners, but I must say there was nothing at all ‘regular’ about this event! The evening was hosted by a special guest and winemaker, Mark Haisma, a delightful chap who makes exceedingly delightful wines in Burgundy.
Mark & Brett doing some serious tasting before the guests arrive
Mark began making wine in Australia, where after years of developing a taste for exceptional wine he decided to pursue a career in winemaking. This led him to the Yarra Valley, where, with only a little experience, he convinced one of the most esteemed Winemakers of the Yarra Valley, Dr Bailey Carrodus of Yarra Yerring Estate, to take him on. Mark worked first in the vineyard but quickly progressed to the cellar and eventually became Winemaker and Dr Carrodus’ right hand man. During this time Mark also began producing some great Pinot’s under his own lable, Ridgeline. After 10 years at Yarra Yerring Mark decided to make the move to Burgundy and since 1997 he has been making an ever expanding range of very classy wines (just ask Jancis Robinson).
The evening featured a delicious 4 course meal crafted by Vinoteca Chef’s John Murray and Matt McaDonald to match a range of Mark’s wines. The evening kicked off a glass of lovely fizz – Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc Saint Apolline from Leclaire – a Champagne that Mark is so passionate about he now imports to the UK exclusively.
Next up it was time for some Pan-fried snails & confit new season’s garlic which matched pefectly to Marks lovely 2009 Bourgone Blanc.
This was followed by Slow-cooked Charolais beef with grellot onions, smoked bacon and morels – it was as delicious as it sounds and made only better for having been matched with two more of Mark’s wines – 2009 Les Bonnes Mares Grand Cru & 2008 Morey Saint Denis Premier Cru ‘La Riotte’ – these wines we the stars of the evening!
Tucking in to the delicious beef!
It was then time for the cheese course, a lovely Kirkhams Lancashire. We enjoyed our cheese with two more wines from Mark’s porfolio, 2007 & 2009 Gevrey Chambertin – a great comparison of two different vintages.
To finish we enjoyed a fresh and tastyApricot and Almond Tart paried with the 2007 Vat 5 Botrytis Semillon by De Bortoli (Australia) – Mark doesn’t make any sweet wines just yet.
Mark explains Burgundy
After that lot I think its safe to say we were all feeling pretty full but very contented. It was a great chance to try a remarkable range of wines and to hear it from such an engaging and talented Winemaker. For those of you who haven’t had the chance to try any of Mark’s wines you can sample his Gevrey Chambertin at any time in the Wine Bar at Vinoteca (or purchase it from the shop to try at home). His range can also be purchased at a number of excellent independent wine merchants throughout the UK or you can order direct from Mark – details can be found on his website.
We will be holding another wine dinner on the evening of 20th July, this time we head to Portugual – keep an eye on our website, details will be finalised very shortly!
Louise
