BIN ENDS WINE-TASTING GROUP
Matching Wine with Curry
Tuesday, 27th September 2011
“Bengal Delight” restaurant, Hagley Road, Birmingham

There’s a view that you can match a wine to virtually any foodstuff, but some are certainly more tricky than others. The heat in a curry makes it, at face value, a challenging match and the conventional wisdom is that lager works best.

For me, that’s not the case. Young and fruity reds, Rosés and whites all work well, and can often enhance the spiciness and layers of flavour in a curry. Actually, it’s more a case of what to avoid and, certainly, I’d steer clear of wines with high tannins or strong oak. Bordeaux and Rioja instantly spring to mind as no-nos.

The five wines selected to accompany our chosen menu were as follows:

1. The Society’s Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi doc 2010 (Wine Society £5.95)
Minerally, structured, lime-fruited white.

2. Domaine Luch de la Cessane 2009 Marsanne-Viognier Vin de Pays d’Oc (Berry Bros £7.65)
Full-bodied, melony, rich and spicy.

3. Chateau Villerambert-Julien 2010 Minervois Rosé (Tanners £9.95)
Minerally, red-fruited rosé, with a squeeze of lemon

4. Chateau Lacarelle 2009 Beaujolais Villages (Wine Society £6.95)
Light-bodied, juicy, jammy, raspberry-fruited red

5. Notre Dame de Cousignac 2010 Luberon (Wine Society £5.95)
Full-bodied, soft, spicy and fruity red.

The Curry Menu
Pappadums and accompaniments
Shobzi Platter – an assorted vegetarian starter
Whole Tandoori Chicken
Sizzler Maska Special Thawa Chicken
Vegetable Jalfrezi
Kurzi Whole leg of lamb
Pilau Rice and Naans

All the wines were appreciated, with the most popular vote going to the Beaujolais, with the Luberon a close second. The best wine-and-curry match was the Beaujolais with the lamb.

With around 25 members present, the evening was a great success. It would certainly be fun to repeat the exercise, possibly with a different cuisine, at a future date.

Many thanks again to Ali and his team at “Bengal Delight” for putting on such a great evening for us.

COMING UP ....

Tuesday, 25th October 2011
“The Bluffers Guide to White Burgundy”
Without question, Burgundy produces the world’s finest expression of Chardonnay,
And tonight’s tasting will reveal where to find value, finishing with two wines of
Exceptional quality.  Our most expensive tasting this year and an event not to be missed! 
Only £15.00 per head

Tuesday, 29th November 2011
A selection of wines from Portugal.

A hand-picked range of some great value reds and whites from Portugal’s two
Most reliable regions – the Douro and Alentejo.
There will be some cracking wines on show, to rival the best of the Old and New Worlds.
£15.00 per head

Tuesday, 20th December 2011
Fortified Wines
I will be bringing along a selection of sweet fortified wines, including Sherry,
Port, Madeira, as well as some New World look-alikes.  All to be served with Mince Pies,
So please bring along a contribution.
This will be a festive and fun evening,  £15.00 per head

Saturday,  14th  January 2012
Bin Ends Annual Dinner
To be held at Opus Restaurant, Birmingham City Centre
£65.00 per head (regrettably)
Details of ticket sales available shortly