Saint Clare Wine Tasting – Chester Abode
When you get invited to a wine tasting at the Abode Chester, you know it’s going to be good….
We arrived at 7pm on a cold and wet Tuesday night in February when, let’s be honest, staying in is usually the best option. But the five-course menu was right up our street and the matching wines were some of our firm favourites, so off we went.
Our venue for the evening, the Abode Chester, is a contemporary hotel in the heart of Chester boasting unmatched views of England’s oldest working racecourse and is part of the AA Hotel Group of the Year 2017-18.
The Saint Clair family provided the wine for the event. They’ve been producing fine wines in Marlborough, New Zealand, since 1994. With several award-winning wines and a brand that’s growing throughout the world, the Saint Clair family’s mission is to create world-class wines that exceed their customers’ every expectation.
The first wine of theirs we tried was Pioneer Block 1 ‘Foundation Block’ Sauvignon Blanc. An aromatic white currant, capsicum and fragrant tropical fruit with a hint of thyme. A perfect wine to start with.
Now it was time for some (quite a lot of) food to go with the wine. The first course was smoked salmon, lemon, capers and shallots served with Pioneer Block 3 ‘43 Degrees’ which complemented the dish so well.
Next up was the braised ham hock pressed &piccalilli, accompanied by the most delightful Chardonnay ‘Omaka Reserve’. This wine had a spicy taste and a hint of coconut, which we just loved. 
So far, so good then. The rain was pelting against the window – have we mentioned the views? – so luckily the next course was AMAZING and took our minds off the weather. Lamb cutlets, shepherd’s pie and braised red cabbage, with a Noir called Pioneer Block 14 ‘Doctor’s Creek’.
We could’ve drunk this on its own, with its red and black cherry, ripe plums, and subtle floral nuances, but the fine-grained finishing texture with spiced cinnamon and lightly roasted coffee, matched perfectly with the lamb. Delicious. 
A little rest before the next course and Laura, our host representing Saint Clair Wines, told us why she loved what she does (who wouldn’t?) and what makes a good wine.
Then came cheese and biscuits served with a Merlot – Pioneer Block 17 ‘Plateau Block’. Dense aromas of wild blackberry, ripe plums and hints of dark chocolate combine with new leather, espresso coffee and a hint of spice. Yum yum. 
Every good meal deserves a good send off and the pud was right up there with the best crumbles I’ve had. (The Abode Chester is a go-to for puddings, by the way – the crème brulee is the BEST ever.)
The wine was excellent too. Served with sugar in a glass, the Noble Reisling ‘Godfrey’s Creek’was a delightful end to a perfect evening.
At £49 per head for an excellent 5 course meal with paired wines, the wine tasting events at The Abode Chester are not to be missed.
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