After Wal’s 100^th last week we were delighted to acknowledge Ray Kidd’s 90^th birthday with an all Lindemans wine luncheon.

In the kitchen we had long-term member Kham Signavong former owner of Arun Thai in Potts Point and now Arun Thai in Hong Kong. It was pleasure to have him cook for us. James Hill was assisting.

Canapés. We enjoyed two canapés from Kham. Firstly, we had betel leaves with roasted peanuts, pieces of lime, shallot and ginger a speciality of his. This was followed by grilled pork fillet on skewers served with semi-spicy sauce. Both much enjoyed.

Aperitif wine. The main aperitif wine was the Lindemans Bin 1150 Semillon 2011. A wine in great condition (under screwcap) and some time to go. Given the numbers were above the normal wine luncheon numbers a few bin ends (Lindemans of course) were also served.

Entrée. Kham also provided us with an entrée using oysters delivered fresh on the morning and using them for individual servings of oyster omelette.

Main course. Goat curry was Kham’s choice and a very good choice it was. Often goat is all bone and no meat. His dish had a good portion of slow cooked goat meat in a curry sauce with minimal heat to cover all tastes. He picked his audience well.

The wines (main and cheese). All Lindemans:

• Bin 9655 HV Semillon 2000
• Bin 8850 HV Semillon 1996
• Bin 1100 HV Shiraz 2011
• Stevens Vineyard Shiraz 2005
• Pyrus (Cabernet blend) 1998
• Bin 9625 HV Shiraz 1998

A wonderful collection of Lindemans wines with some bottle variation, as expected, in the whites but little in the reds. The favourite varied with personal choice but the Pyrus had much support.

Cheese and coffee. James Healey selected what may be a first with Perenzin Formajo Ciock ak Vino Rosso from the Veneto region in Italy. If you spotted the vino reference it’s because the cheese is immersed for 10 days in red grape must and some grape skins remain on the skin of the finished product. Semi-hard with a smooth texture.

Spencer Ferrier provided us with arguably the best commercial (and possibly most expensive) coffee with Illy. Always sweet and flavoursome.

To finish Ray Kidd gave us a short presentation on his years in the wine industry and the Society. If you missed this article on Ray from the luncheon notice you can see it here https://www.bestwinesunder20.com.au/ray-kidd-visionary-ceo-lindemans/