Wednesday 20th April 2011 was a special date in Anglo-Australian relations. We had been expecting trouble with the arrival of Bob Berton, CEO of Berton Vineyards in Australia as the memory of The Ashes is still burning in the Aussie psyche.

Fortunately, we were all big enough to ignore the cricket and get down to the serious business of food and wine!

Our six course dinner, which was designed by Brett Stephens of The Fabulous Wine Company and James Duckett, chef/proprietor of The Old Custom House in Barnstaple showed some wonderful pairings of food and wine, the highlight being James's delicious Morrocan Fish Stew which we enjoyed with Bob's intense White Viognier.

Bob Berton gave us some fascinating insight about his history in the wine trade and talked about each on each of the six wines that were served whilst fielding some interesting questions form the diners.

Just to make your mouth water , the full tasting dinner is listed below and don't forget that we are offering a 10% discount on all Berton Vineyard wines until the end of April 2011.

Appetizers on arrival

Lundy crab with mascarpone and green apple on rye lavash

Fig roll with Serrano ham

Foundstone Shiraz Rosé, Berton Vineyards, 2010

*****

Orange and Beetroot Cured Salmon

With walnuts and herbs

Foundstone Unoaked Chardonnay, Berton Vineyards, 2010

*****

Morrocan Fish Stew

The White Viognier, Berton Vineyards, 2009

*****

Rare Roasted Venison Loin

With rocket purée, roasted beetroot and a prune sauce

Berton Reserve Barossa Shiraz, 2007

*****

Selection of West Country Cheeses

With toasted cherry paste and home baked digestive

Berton Reserve Coonawara Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008

*****

White Chocolate and Passion Fruit Custard

With mango filled doughnuts

Berton Reserve Botrytis Semillon, 2009