Commandeurs, At this time each year your Council reflects on the events of the past year, and sets the event calendar for the New Year. We have an exciting line-up of events for 2011!
Indeed, the first event has already taken place. On Wednesday, March 9th, 24 eager Commandeurs attended a Lynch-Bages vertical tasting at Piq Niq. Truthfully, a mix-up with the waitstaff had the third (reserve) tasting bottle of each vintage opened so the event turned into something of an embarrassment of riches! Regent Satwant Lota also brought, of his own volition and with great generosity, two bottles of Ch. De Fargues Sauternes. Thanks go out to Regent Lota for the gift, and Regent Ian Young for organizing the venue.

Upcoming Events for 2011:

Saturday, May 28, 2011  Joint Commanderie de Bordeaux & Chevaliers du Tastevin Dinner at La Chaumiere. The second joint dinner with our comrades from the Calgary Chapter of the Burgundy Society is set to take place once again at La Chaumiere. The format will be similar to two years ago, when each attendee brings a bottle of exceptional Bordeaux or Burgundy from their cellar. A captain is appointed from each table of eight to coordinate the wines for that table so that an appropriate line-up of whites and reds are available to match the wonderful courses which Joseph and his staff will be preparing. It was a memorable event last time, and I’m sure it will be every bit as good on May 28th. Save the date! An event specific invitation for this special evening will be issued shortly.
Sunday, July 24, 2011  Bordeaux Wine Meets Shakespeare Company, Garden Luncheon and Performance. Catherine Barrett and Regent Ian Young open up their beautiful back yard on the Elbow River once again for what has become an annual pilgrimage to Shakespeare and Bordeaux. Regents, as in past years, will serve up a country style French luncheon combined with delicious quaffers from Bordeaux to slake your mid-day thirst. Note this is a noon until 5:00pm event.

Sunday, August 21, 2011  Approachable Sauternes Chez Maître – Tasting and Garden Luncheon. Sauternes is – even amongst Commandeurs – not well understood. This introductory event into the glories of Sauternes will be followed up at a later date by a formal, comprehensive Sauternes tasting. So look at this event as a convivial primer for those interested in learning more about Sauternes! For those of us who are already Sauternes hogs, well, this can be simply another joyous event to attend… Starting at noon, this will be a limited-attendance event held on Pam Fortier and the Maître’s back yard terrace, surrounded by columnar aspens, flower pots and, we promise, sunshine.

Saturday, October 29, 2011  Induction Dinner at The Ranchmen’s Club. Our annual Induction Dinner returns to one of our favourite venues. Chef Titcombe will provide a fine meal as we gather to welcome new Commandeurs into our Order.

Saturday, December 17, 2011  Christmas Party Catered by the Regent Council. Whilst the venue has not been settled, you can count on the tradition of camaraderie, great food and a dizzying array of Bordeaux wines to continue this year. Save the date!

OTHER NEWS:  Attached to this communication is the Annual Dues invoice of $150.00. While dues are never exactly welcome, they are necessary for our organization; allow me to briefly explain where your money goes:

1. Our first objective is, at all times, to maintain and improve the calibre of the cellar. While Bordeaux continues to climb in price, especially for top wines with international followings, your Regent’s Council have been able to buy at fortuitous prices over these past several years.
Wines at events are essentially billed out AT COST, so the replacement cost is always significantly higher. Nevertheless, our buying strategy has allowed us to maintain the status quo – for now – with dues remaining at $150. With our cellar approaching 800 bottles, this is overwhelmingly our largest use of dues.
2. Insurance costs, to insure the wines as well as required for the Directors (or Regents) is our next largest cost. This year we will be adding additional event related insurance.
3. Wine coolers, an investment of approximately $4000, have now been fully paid for. Our many hundreds of bottles are being carefully nurtured in optimal conditions of temperature and humidity.
4. Regalia from the Grand Conseil de Vin de Bordeaux – Ribbons, Medals, Induction Certificates.

In closing, some news about our Regent’s Board. Our sincere thanks goes out to retiring Secretaire, Derrick Rozdeba, who has very capably handled this position for many years. The mantle of communications to Commandeurs now passes to Satwant Lota, who becomes Secretaire. Derrick has tirelessly served our group and I know I speak for all in thanking him most sincerely for his many contributions. Derrick remains a Commandeur and is looking forward to attending future events.
Our Regent’s Board is made up as follows:

Satwant Lota, Secretaire

Stanley Waterman, Cellier

Howard Bell, Vinotechaire

Mesh Dayal, Argentier

Ian Young, Regent

Greg Stebbe, Maître

Please send in your Dues payment as soon as possible to our

Argentier: La Commanderie de Bordeaux á Calgary PO Box 788, Station M, Calgary, AB. T2P 2J6

Bordeaux, toujours Bordeaux!

Greg Stebbe, Maître

Commandeurs,

It is my pleasure to join with Larry Fan, Senechal of La Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, to invite you to a very special evening and provide the details of what was originally announced in the Maitre’s annual letter last month.  This truly extraordinary event was first held two years ago, and we re-visit La Chaumiere Restaurant for this biennial extravaganza.  The essential details:

When: Saturday, May 28, 7:00PM for Champagne Apéritif

Where: La Chaumiere Restaurant, 139 – 17th Avenue SW

Dress Code:  Black Tie with Ribbons

Cost: $160 each per Commandeur and Companion, $185 per additional Guest*

Wine: Each attendee will bring an outstanding bottle of Bordeaux or Burgundy.  Tables of eight will be arranged (please provide specifics at time of booking if you have put a table or partial table together) and a wine captain will be selected/volunteer who will work with their table to insure the proper balance of whites and reds as the menu would dictate.

Wine Guidance:  It is anticipated that Bordeaux will be of a First Growth or Super Second quality, or equivalent, and would include Sauternes if desired.  Burgundy would be of Grand Cru quality, single vineyards, or equivalent.  At the last Joint Dinner, enthusiasts dug deep into their cellars for exceptional bottles and vintages.

Menu

Pate de Fois Gras
Seared Halibut Filet with Hotchkiss Chard & Saffron Beurre Blanc
Duck Breast with Black Olive Tapenade
Roasted Alberta Bison Tenderloin with Organic Vegetables and Wild Rice Croquette
Selection of Fine Cheeses
Pineapple Carpaccio
Coffee or Tea

RSVP by Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Don’t forget to forward your cheque a week before the event to:
La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Calgary
PO Box 788, Station M, Calgary T2P 2J6

Visit our website to check out future events:

www.commanderiedebordeaux.com

Don’t Drink & Drive

Bordeaux, toujours Bordeaux!

Greg Stebbe, Maitre

*Our policy is to refund the cost differential towards regalia costs should the Guest be Inducted into our Commanderie during the same calendar year

© Commanderie de Bordeaux á Calgary 2002 – 2011

Bistro PiqNiq

811 – 1^st Street S.W., Calgary

Wednesday, March 9^th, 2011

Time: 7:00 pm sharp for the Lynch Bages tasting.

Banquet to follow.

Price:  $140 for Commandeurs and first Guest.

$165 for additional guests, with $25 going towards 2011 Fall Induction if they so choose.

Attire:  Business Casual with Ribbons

La Commanderie’s first event of 2011 starts off with a tasting of exceptional pedigree.  Châteaux Lynch Bages is a 5th Growth in the 1855 Classification but is widely regarded as performing better than its 1855 classification, especially since coming under the direction of Jean-Michel Cazes.  Our Vinotechaire, Howard Bell, will be leading us through more background and history of this property, along with a tasting of three vintages, including 1995, 1997 and 1998.  A generous tasting pour of at least two ounces of each vintage will insure an in-depth examination of this superb Pauillac.

Following the tasting, we will enjoy Fine French Bistro food prepared by Chef Rob Young. Dinner will feature two excellent vintages of Ch. Lynch Moussas, a vineyard once owned by the same Irishman John Lynch, though not located adjacent to the Lynch Bages vineyard.

Initially this event will be limited to 24 attendees due to the availability of tasting wines, but should we reach an additional 12 (assigned to a waiting list) the total maximum for this exceptional event will be 36.  Please do not delay in sending your RSVP today.

RSVP by Monday, Feb. 28, 2011

Don’t forget to forward your cheque a week before the event to:
La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Calgary
PO Box 788, Station M, Calgary T2P 2J6
]]> http://commanderiedebordeaux.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/ch-lynch-bages-tasting-and-banquet-at-piqniq/feed/ 0 satwantlota http://commanderiedebordeaux.wordpress.com/2010/12/19/holiday-celebrations-2010/ http://commanderiedebordeaux.wordpress.com/2010/12/19/holiday-celebrations-2010/#comments Sun, 19 Dec 2010 18:14:12 +0000 drozdeba http://commanderiedebordeaux.wordpress.com/?p=172 ]]> This year’s holiday party was a great success with over 36 members and friends enjoying a wonderful selection of Saint Julien and Margaux wines. The Council prepared a number of hors d’œuvre and a wonderful main course of Classic Boeuf Stroganoff . Again, Pam Fortier of Decadence Desserts provided a rich Callebaut chocolate Christmas log to finish the evening.

Thanks to Howard & Mona Bell for hosting this event in their newly renovative home.  We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a very prosperous New Year. Stay tune for our 2011 Calendar of Events.

MENU

First Course

Oyster & Sausage Gratinee

2004 Chateau Fieuzal Blanc, Graves

Entree

Local Duck Breast with Mushroom & Sauce Bordelaise

1995 Chateau Calon-Segur, St.-Estephe

Cheese

A trio of Canadian fine cheeses

2000 Chateau Maucaillou, Moulis-Listrac

Dessert

A trio of brown butter crème brulee, Chocolate pate with poached pear and Macaroons

Lillet Blanc l’Apéritif de Bordeaux

Saturday, October 23^rd, 2010

• Aperitif  6:30 PM
• Induction: 7:00 PM
• Dinner to follow

Bistro Twenty Two Ten
2210 4 St. SW Calgary

• Member & escort: $ 150 per person
• Guests: $ 160 per person

RSVP By Oct. 15, 2010

RSVP Now.

Don’t forget to forward your cheque to:
La Commanderie de Bordeaux a Calgary
PO Box 788, Station M, Calgary T2P 2J6

Please join the Commanderie de Bordeaux and The Shakespeare Company for a fun and casual Bordeaux tasting including a decidedly French country luncheon, followed by a wonderful afternoon performance of Love’s Labours Lost. This romantic comedy will tickle the delights of Commandeurs.

Thank you to our regent, Ian Young, and his wife, Catherine Barrett, have generously agreed to open up their backyard along the Elbow river for this exceptional event.

RSVP ASAP – first come – first served

Sunday, July 25th, 2010 at the home of Regent Ian Young & Catherine Barrett’s

Time:

• 12:00 pm reception
• 12:30 pm stand-up lunch and wine-tasting
• 14:30–16:30 Love’s Labours Lost, performed by The Shakespeare Company

Price: $100 p.p. for Commandeurs and Guests ($50 payable to The Shakespeare Company with full tax receipt issued)

Attire: Summer Casual 

RSVP Now

Please forward two cheques, one week prior to the event:

• $50 pp to “La Commanderie de Bordeaux”
• $50 pp to “The Shakespeare Company” (A full tax receipt will be provided)

Mail cheques to:

La Commanderie de Bordeaux a Calgary PO Box 788, Station M, Calgary T2P 2J6

Please note: The wine tasting will occur rain or shine. Should the performance have to be cancelled due to rain, your performance cheque will be refunded.

Please join us for a casual, fun, and most unusual event for our group.  We will be taking over the wonderful presentation kitchen space at The Cookbook Company for a combined cooking course and wine tasting. 

Under the expert guidance of well known Calgary Chef Judy Woods, we will be enjoying a multi-course Bordeaux-inspired bistro dinner, with Judy frequently taking time out to explain the ingredients, preparation techniques, and fielding any questions you may have.  Judy has spent much time in France, including a year at a prestigious cooking school in Paris.  Indeed, Judy has spent so much time in France that she is fully fluent in French!

Menu

Frites & Aioli

Salad Nicoise

White Bean Soup with Duck Confit

Roast Pork with Spring Vegetables

Vacherin with Raspberries

We will be interspersing the cooking class with a wine tasting.  Two casual white, rose and red wines will be tasted that are currently available at wine merchants, with an emphasis on quality and great value.  Coming into the summer months, we hope to add the ‘toujours Bordeaux’ to the everyday table wine choice of all our Commandeurs.

Friday, April 30^th, 2010 

The Cookbook Company  722 11 Avenue SW

6:30 p.m.
Price:  $100 p.p. for Commandeurs and first Guest.

             $125 for additional guests, with $25 going towards 2010 Fall Induction if they so choose.

Attire:  Business Casual

Don’t forget to forward your cheque to:
La Commanderie de Bordeaux a Calgary
PO Box 788, Station M, Calgary T2P 2J6

Following the tasting, the inimitable Sam, proprietor of Thai Sa-On, will execute a whirlwind of Thai cuisine, offering three Bordeaux wines –  blanc, rosé, et rouge – to pair with and try as you will throughout the banquet.

Initially this event will be limited to 24 attendees due to the availability of tasting wines, but should we reach an additional 12 (assigned to a waiting list) the total maximum for this exceptional event will be 36.  Please do not delay in sending your RSVP Now.    

Thursday, March 4, 2010
6:45 PM

7:00 pm (sharp) for the Pichon Baron tasting  and banquet to follow

Member & escort: $ 125 per person
Guests: $ 150 per person
Attire: Business causal with ribbon

Don’t forget to forward your cheque to:
La Commanderie de Bordeaux a Calgary
PO Box 788, Station M, Calgary T2P 2J6

Arguably our most important event of the year is the Induction Dinner, last year held at the Bow Valley Club.  For those present that October 30^th evening, you will recall the stunning lineup of Lady Commandeurs inducted – including Laura Haynes, Carolina Wells, Greta Raymond and Jessica Davies.  Gallantly holding up the gentlemen’s side were John Selby and Tim Logel – whom had shaved very closely that night to receive the Maîtres traditional smooch!  No one attending could possibly say this event was dull in any respect! 

We capped the year off with the above mentioned December Christmas event that combined culinary skill with a dedication to La Commanderie that your Régents never fail to deliver upon.

All events were, and are, priced to break even with the wine at original inventory cost, and the cost of food, service and tax without mark-up.  We believe our events represent some of the best value available to wine and food lovers in the city.

Please join fellow Commandeurs to discover  how a huge Bordeaux red wine enhances a red coconut-milk curry beef dish and how a crisp Bordeaux white wine work well with pan-fried garlic and pepper chicken.

Thai Sa-On Restaurant

351 – 10th Avenue SW

Thursday, March 4^th, 2010 at 6:30 PM

Further details to follow

RSVP Now