Function Report - AGM & De Bortoli Function

Wednesday 13th July 2011

Annual General Meeting Report.

Gateway on Monash Boutique Hotel.

On arrival at 6.30pm, Members and Guests were served a glass of Rococo Blanc de Blancs (Yarra Valley) 100% Chardonnay along with canapés before the commencement of the meeting at 7.00pm.

47 Member and Guests attended the AGM meeting including our Guest Speaker Leanne De Bortoli, Manager & Director, De Bortoli Wines Pty Ltd.

After the formalities of the AGM meeting were addressed, Bob Bailey declared all positions vacant and called upon Don Parncutt to take the chair. Don called for nominations for election of office bearers for the
2011-2012 Executive and Committee. 

Seeking re-election were all of the past Committee, and all were duly elected to their past positions. A nomination was received from the floor for Graham Gallop to join the Committee.  Welcome Graham.

The new incoming Committee for 2011-2012 is:

President: Bob Bailey, Vice President: Terry Coles (Administration), Vice President: John Gillies (Marketing), Geoff Dennehy: (Treasurer.) Dianne Lofts (Secretary), Brian Fogarty (Cellar Master) and Committee Hilton Ludekens, Graeme Lofts, Brian Storey, Graeme Hall and Graham Gallop.

Meeting closed at 7.20pm.

De Bortoli Function Report.

Wednesday 13^th July 2011.

7.30pm President Bob Bailey introduced Leanne De Bortoli to the Members and Guests. Leanne explained the first two white wines of the evening. Their new Bella Riva Pinot Grigio Vermentino (Yarra Valley) and the La Boheme Act 3 – Pinot Gris and friends (Yarra Valley.)

Two distinctive wines made from the one variety. A great opportunity to compare a Grigio style versus a Gris style. Both wines went very well with the Chilli Prawns with spinach & Steamed rice, and the Verona classic Caesar salad with parmesan crisps, pancetta, anchovies, baby cos lettuce topped with a soft poached egg.

Leanne returned to speak about the next two red wines and a short history of De Bortoli.

Bella Riva Sangiovese Merlot, (King Valley) and Melba Mimi, (Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Nebbiolo from Yarra Valley)

Once again a perfect match with following two main dishes. Victorian lamb rump with sweet potato & thyme rosti, sugar snaps & seeded mustard jus.

Char-grilled Gippsland grain fed beef served with seared potatoes & seasoned buttered greens.

The wines were exceptional, with both receiving warm appraisals. The Sangiovese Merlot was an excellent choice with the lamb. This is a very good buy to drink now.  The superb Melba Mimi Cabernet Sauvignon and Nebbiolo was fantastic with the beef.

An excellent exercise of the winemaker’s ability to create a really good blend with the touch of Nebbiolo.

Most thought another 6 years + would see this wine drinking towards it’s best.

The renowned De Bortoli 2008 Noble one (Riverina) was a lovely conclusion to the evening with the Apple pie, individual cheese platters, and tea & coffee served with chocolates.

President Bob Bailey thanked Leanne De Bortoli for her presentation to the evening and wished her and De Bortoli continued success with the new range. Bob thanked hotel manager, Olga Nowosad and her staff for a wonderful evening. Secretary, Dianne Lofts presented Leanne with a lovely bunch of flowers.

The evening closed at 10.00pm.

Report by Bob Bailey.

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