Euan McKay Wine Merchant

Last night I hosted the annual Burgundy Dinner at Bistro Vue. The evening began very eloquently with a delightful Cremant cocktail laced with a mandarin liqueur as we enjoyed beautifully prepared jambon persillé. Dinners were seated in the fabulously old-world back room at ‘Bistro’ which was at capacity and were presented with some superb Snails in garlic, tomato fondue and herb crust magically set off by Pierre Morey’s divinely taut and textural 2009 Bourgogne blanc.
With gastric juices flowing, the noise level growing, anticipation of Marron bourguignon was realised as the exquisite tails of little cray landed and the sublime aromas of hazel, lime and crackle from Michelot’s 2009 Meursault ‘Clos St Felix’ filled the olfactory. Comments of wonderful poise, balance and flavour were offered from the floor, a brilliant wine indeed which worked perfectly with Marron and the savory and salty flavors in the dish.
The plat principal, the Braised rabbit in mustard sauce was fantastic, albeit a generous serving, perfectly cooked, meaty for rabbit finely judged sauce and green garden peas were a great touch. The 2008 Frédéric Esmonin Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru ‘Lavaux St. Jacques’ was drinking beautifully. Ripe and complex, very inviting and elegant with mineral detail and terrific mid-palate punch. Sommelier Jonathon was flat out pouring extra glasses of the ‘Lavaux’!
The final dish was a triumph, a Chaource soufflé, fennel sorbet and tomato coulis was perfectly light in weight yet packed with complex savoury flavors and worked a treat with another of Burgundy’s top Domaines, the Tollot-Beaut 2008 Savigny-Champ-Chevrey 1er Cru which was fleshy and cherry and gorgeous silky texture, beautifully plush for the vintage.
The home-made soft nougat was a delightful way to finish such a wonderful evening. Bravo Bistro Vue!