HMWS Spring Lunch 2015

The 2015 HMWS Spring Lunch was held on Sunday 29 March, hosted by Peter & Helen McNamara at their elegant home in Knaresborough. 28 HMWS members and two guests attended the event.

Wine List:

2012 Vergelegen Schaapenberg Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, South africa
2013 Iona Chardonnay, South Africa
2013 Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay, Errazuriz, Chile
2012 Chamonix Reserve Pinot Noir, Franschhoek, South Africa
2004 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904, Spain
2014 Hunter’s Hukapapa Dessert Riesling Marlborough, New Zealand
Ceylon Arrack

Menu:

Selection of canapés
Honey and orange glazed ham with Cumberland sauce
Roast fillet of beef with béarnaise sauce
Home cured gravlax with dill sauce
King prawns with chive and lobster butter sauce
A selection of salads
Trifle
A selection of cheese, celery, grapes and nuts
Coffee, tea and chocolates

COMMENTS:

“Thank you for organising the splendid event on Sunday with, with your usual intriguing selection of wines – we hope it will be repeated in future years! Thanks, of course, to Helen and Peter who opened up their home to all of us and who were gracious and thoughtful hosts.” – Gail Bent & John Armstrong, 31 March
“What a super lunch. Many thanks to you for the wines, and especially to Helen and Peter for welcoming us to their home, and for the superb food.” – Jane Trewhella, Otley, 31 March
“Renna and I would just like to say how much we enjoyed yesterday’s lunch. Please pass our thanks and appreciation to our hosts, Helen and Peter, who truly excelled our expectations with a a superb lunch. We were, in particular, impressed by the roast beef and trifle, but all elements were worthy of note.
You, as always, provided wines that impressed and delighted our senses as well as enhancing the superb food. Here we particularly enjoyed the Iona Chardonnay and the La Rioja, but the greatest surprise was the sweet Riesling – a truly stunning wine and excellent find.I am writing this from our hotel room in Spijkinesse at the end of our first successful day’s walking, no doubt in many ways due to the excellent fuelling we had yesterday.” – Tony Lee, On the Camino, 30 March
“What a splendid occasion yesterday! The food was wonderful and the wines were excellent. We loved the South African examples and also the Rioja. Everything complimented the menu and we owe a very big thank you to our hosts who so generously opened up their home to us to enjoy a very convivial get-together. Thank you also for (as always) your meticulous planning in making sure all members who attended had a memorable day.” Best wishes, – Pat and David Morris, Harrogate, 30 March
“Great day yesterday, that was clearly enjoyed by all.” – Prof. Charles, Joslin, Harrogate, 30 March
“What a great time we all had at the Knaresborough Spring Lunch today, Despite March weather at the start which later cleared to a fine spring afternoon we enjoyed great starting wines, a superb meal and great mixing time with old friends. Peter & Helen are ideal hosts, the meal was seamless, the food really outstanding and the set up ideal. We must hope they soon find a new home but will all remember the two great lunch events along Ripley Road. The wines were very good and show the steady march by the young south African winemakers towards the classical old world wines they admire. Ann and I hope another venue will emerge for a similar event next year. Finally the many longstanding members who attended are to be congratulated for their support, ties, colourful dresses but especially their great company.” – Dr. Stephen Cameron, Pick Hill, 29 March