This deviated from the conventional DDT experience. Cheese. Wine. Crackers. Antipasto plates. Gourmet breads. Olives. But it was our destination for the July DDT because our CEO, being considerate of those who expressed interest in participating but feared sugar high, picked this romantic and convenient city location with a well-stocked cellar and a broad selection of cheeses from all over the world. And of course, cheese is often served as after dinner treats, so they somewhat fall into the "desserts" category.
Yes we will stretch it as far as we can to make this cheesy night qualify for a dessert experience.
It was easier to go with the tasting sets: The cheese and wine flights - three cheeses, each with a matching wine (or vice versa, depending on how you view it), or cheese tasting boards with two to three cheeses with some combination of crackers, breads, muscatels, quince paste, or individual cheeses not covered in the tasting boards. In the end we had European Classic tasting boards (Camembert, cheddar, gorgonzola with cracker and quince paste), red wine flight (gruyere, cheddar, roquefort with red wine to match), white wine flight (same cheeses as the European classic but with wine to match), an individual gorgonzola blue cheese, and side dishes of mixed olives, red pepper relish, caramelised onion jam, and a tasting plate of cured meats (salami, prosciutto, ham, and bread). MB ordered for the group a McLaren Vale Shiraz (2001) which very soon had me enter the happy relaxed but blushing state. I will now admit my weakness that I am no cheese and wine connoisseur and I could only say "great cheeses". Particular mention to the Camembert, which is popular because it has flavour most people can enjoy. The same could not be said about blue cheeses - though I did enjoy the gorgonzola, an acquired taste which comes with the ability to overcome the idea of "eating mould". I also had a go at having roquefort - the cheese part was creamy and rich in flavour, but the mouldy part is yet to grow on me (it had a very strong, somewhat metallic flavour to me, and the palate stayed with me for quite some time).
Now the ambience: Interior of the Cheese and Wine Room was cozy and romantic ("mood lighting"). It is a place designed to make its patrons feel like connoisseurs - classy. However it was surprising that the room was very noisy when it was at close to full capacity - I suppose guests could get a tad too cheerful after a few too many glasses of wine. The tables felt quite cramped after the cheese boards arrived though it could be that greedy DDDs over-ordered (there was consensus of over-indulgence). Then again, this is me being nit-picky as a "critique" would.
Note to participants of this DDT: Those of you who ordered the "flights" please supply a tasting note for the cheese+wine combination. Those who are more qualified to comment on wine please also send me a tasting note on the wine(s) on the night. Much appreciated.
CS
PS apologies for the photos - must remember to bring tripod next time!!
KT: Doubt anyone will submit further notations as nobody ever thought we could get so stuffed on cheese & drunk on multiple glasses of fermented grape juice - ie short term memory! SH & I ended up having EasyWay hot grass jelly soup & mango flavoured tofu pudding... told you I'm hardcore :P
Yes we will stretch it as far as we can to make this cheesy night qualify for a dessert experience.
It was easier to go with the tasting sets: The cheese and wine flights - three cheeses, each with a matching wine (or vice versa, depending on how you view it), or cheese tasting boards with two to three cheeses with some combination of crackers, breads, muscatels, quince paste, or individual cheeses not covered in the tasting boards. In the end we had European Classic tasting boards (Camembert, cheddar, gorgonzola with cracker and quince paste), red wine flight (gruyere, cheddar, roquefort with red wine to match), white wine flight (same cheeses as the European classic but with wine to match), an individual gorgonzola blue cheese, and side dishes of mixed olives, red pepper relish, caramelised onion jam, and a tasting plate of cured meats (salami, prosciutto, ham, and bread). MB ordered for the group a McLaren Vale Shiraz (2001) which very soon had me enter the happy relaxed but blushing state. I will now admit my weakness that I am no cheese and wine connoisseur and I could only say "great cheeses". Particular mention to the Camembert, which is popular because it has flavour most people can enjoy. The same could not be said about blue cheeses - though I did enjoy the gorgonzola, an acquired taste which comes with the ability to overcome the idea of "eating mould". I also had a go at having roquefort - the cheese part was creamy and rich in flavour, but the mouldy part is yet to grow on me (it had a very strong, somewhat metallic flavour to me, and the palate stayed with me for quite some time).
Now the ambience: Interior of the Cheese and Wine Room was cozy and romantic ("mood lighting"). It is a place designed to make its patrons feel like connoisseurs - classy. However it was surprising that the room was very noisy when it was at close to full capacity - I suppose guests could get a tad too cheerful after a few too many glasses of wine. The tables felt quite cramped after the cheese boards arrived though it could be that greedy DDDs over-ordered (there was consensus of over-indulgence). Then again, this is me being nit-picky as a "critique" would.
Note to participants of this DDT: Those of you who ordered the "flights" please supply a tasting note for the cheese+wine combination. Those who are more qualified to comment on wine please also send me a tasting note on the wine(s) on the night. Much appreciated.
CS
PS apologies for the photos - must remember to bring tripod next time!!
KT: Doubt anyone will submit further notations as nobody ever thought we could get so stuffed on cheese & drunk on multiple glasses of fermented grape juice - ie short term memory! SH & I ended up having EasyWay hot grass jelly soup & mango flavoured tofu pudding... told you I'm hardcore :P
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