Raymond Blanc Seasons Winter 2008/9

RAYMOND BLANC’s SEASONS WINE & LIQUEURS
An embarrassment
of riches
Olly Smith discusses with Raymond Blanc some very special and very affordable wines that
complement the winter menus. BY OLLY SMITH
I
’ve just eaten one of the best meals of my life. and leadership in business mark him out as an The menu matches
I’m staying in ‘Lace’, a remarkably luxurious icon for my generation of up and coming ﬂavour Canapés (see page 14)
and elegant room at Le Manoir Aux Quat’ fanatics. And tomorrow, if I can get any sleep, There’s a world of beautiful ﬂavours here from
Saisons... and I can’t sleep a wink. It’s not the we will taste wine together. Now I really can’t the crab claws to Garden Vegetables Tempura to
bed. I’m lying on the best bed in Britain. No, sleep. I’m way too excited! Chicken Liver Parfait with Spiced Pear Chutney.
this is far more serious. It’s Raymond’s book, Next morning, after a mere forty winks, For a drink to accompany, keep it light simple
A Taste of My Life. It’s brilliant. I can’t stop Raymond and I bound into the bar at Le Manoir. and fresh, traditionally this could be a top quality
reading it. And it’s keeping me up all night. And The wines are ready, Raymond is brimming with Champagne or you might consider an English
not just any night, the night before I’m due to energy and I’m racing through the wines. Tasting ﬁzz made with the same grape varieties in the
meet Raymond himself to taste wines to match with Raymond is a revitalising experience. He’s same method as Champagne, some of which
with his exquisite winter and Christmas menus. full of questions, remarks and curiosity. The are excellent, good value and reduce your
It’s gone 3am and I’m absorbed by Raymond’s guests pass by us and Raymond is careful to carbon footprint a tad. Ridgeview Cuvée Merret
passion for the diversity of the Great British greet each and every one of them. In fact at one 2005 (£18.99, Waitrose) is an award-winner and
apple, deep concern over GM technology and moment, I’m tasting a sweet wine and turn to offers a crisp zesty start to any meal.
treasured moments together with his sons— ask Raymond’s opinion to ﬁnd he’s addressing a If you prefer a still wine, from our tasting,
ﬁshing. This man is my new hero. gaggle of enthusiastic guests on the importance Raymond and I both thought that Les Quatres
His vision, passion for the food chain and of organic and sustainable farming. The man is Clochers 2005 from lovely Limoux (£7.35,
impeccable sense of balance in his cooking a legend! Onward, to the grub! Tesco) offers stunning value and although it’s
www.raymondblanc.com RAYMOND BLANC’s SEASONS 51
RBS7_wine&liquers.rky.vp.indd 51 1/12/08 10:10:35 am
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