Our first mixed luncheon of the year saw our Foodmaster Nick Reynolds in the kitchen preparing food for some 50 members and guests. Were also joined by a good number of members from the Sydney Ladies Wine & Food Society. Nick was assisted by Steve Liebeskind and Gary Linnane.

Canapés. Nick provided us with two canapés, the first being a mini French tart with caramelised onion, olive and anchovy. The caramelised onion had a wonderful sweet character that perfectly matched the saltiness of the anchovy. This is followed by smoked salmon on blinis with a horseradish cream.

Aperitif wine. The main aperitif wine selected for us by Paul Ferman was Cherbino Riesling 2011 from Great Sothern. However, given the numbers and the enthusiastic networking that went on before the lunch we had such wines such as the Tyrrell’s Vat 47 2004, Craggy Range Riesling 2011, La Cana Albarino 2012 and of course the faithful Lustra Fino sherry.

Main course. Nick, of course, is not our Foodmaster for nothing. He is a dab hand in the kitchen. His lamb tenderloin with bok choy, red-miso braised green beans, shiitake, edamame and pickled vegetables not only presented well but tasted fantastic. The contrast of the various ingredients and the high-quality of the lamb did him proud.

The wines. Given the numbers there was some variation around the tables in terms of the wine offered in the following list covers most of them:

• Chrismont La Zona Barbera 2010 (screwcap, 11.5%)
• Pallister Pinot Noir 2009 (screwcap,14.5%)
• Handorf Hill Blaufrankisch 2009 (screwcap, 14.5%)
• Tintilla Estate Justine Merlot 2015 (screwcap, 13.8%)
• Tintilla Estate Saphira Sangiovese 2014 (screwcap, 14%)
• Glandore TPR Tempranillo 2011 (screwcap)

The Chrismont La Zona was a wine that had been previously enjoyed at lunches and this time was no different. Not in Piedmont style but nonetheless the fruit had richness and real character. The Pinot Noir was a good southern hemisphere version lacking the complexity and the elegance of its historical birthplace. Both the Tintilla wines were apparently well liked, judging by the comments and the Tempranillo had matured into a fine drinking wine.

Cheese and coffee. James Healey served a most unusual cheese this week which is described as an extremely good example of artisanal workmanship. It was a Gouda from the Netherlands, which been age for some 24 months and could only be described as deep golden yellow. Refer to the photograph below. It was probably just beyond semi-hard and was a little polarising amongst those at the lunch. Those who loved it, loved it. It was not crumbly but rather flaky with a beautiful creamy texture. For the record, it was Reypenaer Kass Proeflokaal. Say that quickly ten times!

To accompany the cheese, Nick served us perfectly ripe figs with goat curd and Adelaide Hills honey.

Spencer in absentia served a Guatemalan coffee from the El Volcan Estate. A strong and heavier style it was perfect in the way we like our coffee.

In the absence of the President, the VP, Peter Kelso, closed the lunch noting that there are three more mixed functions this year and they will need to be good to beat the food and atmosphere at today’s lunch.