This week in the kitchen we were fed by Paul Thorne assisted on the canapés by Paul Panichi. This followed the Society’s Annual General Meeting with a total of some 52 members sitting down to a meal.

Canapés. Paul and Paul started of us off with a couple of canapés, the first being Paul Thorne’s homemade chicken liver on freshly cooked puff pastry rounds in the other being bocconcini on sliced tomato with a touch of a herbal paste on top. Despite the substantial number of guests Paul had made sure that there was plenty to go around and the chicken liver seemed to be the firm favourite.

Aperitif wine. Paul Ferman started us off with La Cana Albarino 2012. Most thought it was an interesting wine with quite a deep colour and development. Others thought it may have been passed its peak. It was however excellent drinking. Given the large number at lunch. Paul also pulled out odd bottles of Vat 47, Stoney Rise Riesling, Giesen Sauvignon Blanc and even a somewhat aged Tyrrell’s Rose which will make an excellent cooking wine.

Main course. Our Chef of the Day managed to feed the hordes with his chicken and leek dish. The tender chicken was served atop some mash which could be best described as a Paris mash given the richness of cream and butter. No wonder he suggested a Lipitor with the meal. A dish of beautiful and intense flavour that did not overpower the wines.

The wines.

• Soumah Chardonnay 2013 (screwcap, 12.7%)
• Metrat Beaujolais (Cote Rotie) Chiroubles 2012 (cork, 12.5%)
• Mt Langi Cliff Edge Shiraz 2002 (cork, 14%)
• Tyrrells Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 2002 (cork, 14.5%)

The 2013 Soumah was a rich Australian style Chardonnay, but in a nice way. There was sufficient acid to cut through the generous fruit. It was a good entry-level effort by Soumah. The Beaujolais was drinking beautifully and was probably at its peak. Confusingly enough the label called itself Cote Rotie as a descriptor rather than having any relationship with the famous northern Rhône wine.

The next pair of reds were more of your typical richer Australian style, both from the 2002 vintage. The Cliff Edge was a sturdy solid Heathcote style that seem to come from the Cambrian soil common in the area. It was not overly sweet and for their entry-level wine at some 15 years of age, it was very good. The Rufus Stone exhibited bottle variation and was generally not well liked although it had its fans. Poorer bottles had volatile acidity backed up by a stewed/hot fruit character.

Cheese and coffee. Our Cheesemaster this week provided us with Saint Agur a wonderful blue fromage from Auvergne. A pasteurised cow milk cheese it was sweet, buttery and very moreish. A much loved cheese. It was a favourite of the previous Cheesemaster, Ross McDonald.

Spencer Ferrier served us Kenya Karogoto AA beans. A profound sweetness in the cup, it performed well from the plunger.