Following on from three successful cook offs we were treated to a pork experience from the in-control and relaxed Roger Straiton with finishing assistance from Paul Thorne. The stress of the AGM and its associated crowning of new President Keith Steele was missed by our chef who was immersed with his pig pieces in the kitchen.

To begin, Roger presented some seared prawns prepared in garlic dominated marinate. So popular were they that some did not see them pass by. We also had very tasty puff pastry rolls incorporating parmesan, fetta and spinach. Wonderful flavour. As we started imbibing early due the early finish of the AGM we had a cornucopian selection of wines including the 2010 Chardonnays from both Denmar Estate and Belgravia, Kilikanoon Clare Valley Riesling 2008, Lindemans HV Semillon and odd bottles of Provence rose, local rose and Denmar Estate Merlot. There may have been others in this one hour feast of pre-lunch wines. The ever reliable Lustau stable provided us with both Fino and Amontillado sherry.

The porchetta came to the table in excellent condition, just underdone in the centre and accompanied by well crisped potatoes and baby carrots with an interesting if slightly too liquid sauce. Interesting because Roger declared that three bottles of port were sacrificed to soak the cranberries that made up the base of the sauce. He bought four bottles but soaked up the other himself. The pork loin had an inviting stuffing of onion, fennel, sage, cranberries, pine nuts and tasty mortadella. Well liked and commented upon. We had man sized portions and none went hungry.

Cellarmaster Ferman selected as an accompaniment an interesting comparison involving Nicolas Reau Anjou Pompois Cabernet Franc 2010 from Loire and Chateau Belloy Canon-Fronsac 2010, the former 100% Cabernet Franc and the latter 40% with the remainder Merlot. The crowd favourite varied from table to table. The Pompois was savoury, fresh and Chuggable (apparently) whilst the Belloy was supple with a Bordeaux structure having medium tannins but suitable for current drinking. Both much enjoyed.

Cheesemaster Ross McDonald, in his swan song in the role, excelled with the presentation of the fabulous Holy Goat La Luna from our own Castlemaine district and possibly Australia’s most expensive cheese. The French can only weep and our new Cheesemaster, James Healey, can only weep for the budget impact. Creamy, full bodied with such depth of flavour, it was much enjoyed. It was accompanied a delicious fruit log of Spanish walnuts and dates sourced by Roger. We enjoyed this with Giradin Bourgogne Pinot Noir Cuvée Saint-Vincent 2012 and Epsilon Shiraz 2006 from the Barossa. These provided a real contrast in styles with the Giradin a fine but straightforward Burgundy with elegance up against to a smooth and fruity Barossa Epsilon, enjoyable but lacking a little structure. Most seemed to prefer the Barossa match given the full bodied La Luna demanded presence from a wine.

The coffee was donated by Graham Bell and was bought back from a visit to Vietnam. In fact it was kopi luwak or “bobby britton coffee”, an Arabica bean which is part-digested coffee cherries eaten and tastefully defecated by the Asian palm civet. In a trend for this lunch it is claimed as the world’s most expensive coffee. Sweet, vanilla and an inky black it bears no hallmarks of its pipeline to the cup. We enjoyed the coffee with the birthday wine from Leigh Hall, a Baileys Vintage Port from the 80’s.

Our new President asked Colin Cook to close the lunch. He did so with a fine quote from Horace circa 20BC.