La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Calgary

Induction dinner was a sold-out event

drozdeba — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:58 +0000

Over 48 Bordeaux enthuses attended the 2009 Commanderie de Bordeaux induction dinner at the Bow Valley Club. Executive Chef Kurt Warner and staff impressed the crowd with an exceptional meal and the Bordeaux wines from the Margaux region was a wonderful complement. However, the highlight of the evening was the induction of six new commandeurs: Laura Haynes, Carolina Walls, Greta Raymond, John Selby, Tim Logel and Jessica Davies.

The 2009 Induction Dinner

drozdeba — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 03:49:14 +0000

Please join fellow Commandeurs at the most auspicious occasion – the grand induction dinner. This is an evening of historic rituals, great food and wonderful wine.

Bow Valley Club in Bow Valley Square

Friday, October 30^th, 2009

Aperitif 6:30 PM
Induction: 7:00 PM (Dinner to follow)

Free parking with validated ticket after 4:30 PM, in the Bow Valley Square Parkade, entrance off 5^th Avenue between 2^nd & 3^rd Street SW

Member & escort: $ 135 per person
Guests: $ 150 per person

MENU

First course

Poached Atlantic lobster medallions perched atop savoury blini with maple citrus relish and muscat scented beurre blanc.

2006 Chateau G of Giraud

This balanced, floral and thoroughly delicious wonder from the Sauternes vineyard of Chateau Giraud is vinified dry.

Entree

Herb crusted rack of New Zealand lamb draped with truffle chutney gastrique and pinenut studded morel gremolata. Served with organic Agria potato and celeriac duchesse potato and market fresh vegetables.

1996 Pavillon Rouge, 2^nd wine of Chateau Margaux, 1ere Cru Classè

This wine of famous lineage is perfectly ready to enjoy and is from a very good vintage.

Cheese

A trio of Chat d’Or Brie, Chjevre Noir and Chaumes accompanied by ginger green tea jelly, assorted tree nuts and west coast rainforest crisps.

1998 Brane Cantenac, 2eme Cru Classè

Continuing with our theme of Margaux wines, this is the best vintage of the late ‘90’s and will be stellar with cheeses.

Dessert

Flambee of fresh strawberries and blackberries Romanoff with vanilla bean gelato, drizzled with aged balsamic syrup and finished with cracked black pepper brittle.

2003 Chateau de Fargues, Sauternes

Those not yet familiar with this stunning Sauternes need only know that the vineyard is owned by Count Alexandre de Lur Saluces of dY’Quem. Get ready for a wonderful finish to an exemplary Bordeaux lineup!

RSVP By Oct. 23, 2009

RSVP Now.

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

An evening of Tapas & Bordeaux in exquisite Calgary garden

drozdeba — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:13:13 +0000

Please join fellow Commandeurs and Bordeaux lovers at our final summer fete, coming hard on the heels of the best afternoon in memory at Regent Ian Young’s home combining a white/rose tasting and luncheon with a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Our garden event will begin Saturday evening on the 29th August at 6:30pm, sipping some fine white Bordeaux amid one of Calgary’s finest gardens. Stroll the paths amid mature trees, fountains and a collection of plants, shrubs and trees that exceeds 1100 species. This ample yet intimate southwest garden will be our backdrop to enjoy a host of Spanish tapas pared with carefully selected mature Bordeaux, exclusively from our cellar.

Included on the menu will be gazpacho shots, anchovy and sage wafers, patatas bravas, cod fritters, fideo (think paella with noodles), chorizo and lamb kebobs, gambas and much more.

This event will go forward rain or shine (if the evening is inclement or cool we will move into the greenhouse) and due to the mentioned limitations our numbers will be limited. If you wish to attend please respond as soon as possible as this event will certainly fill up quickly.

Saturday, August 29, 2009
6:30 PM

Member & escort: $ 75 per person
Guests: $ 85 per person
Attire: Summer Causal with ribbon

RSVP ASAP

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

Shakespeare event was a stunning performance

drozdeba — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:01:31 +0000

The Commanderie de Bordeaux and The Shakespeare Company event was a great success. The performance of A Midsummer Nights Dream was wonderful and the wine was fabulous. See the photographs below taken by our vinithecaire Satwant Lota.

At the event many people had enquired about the availability and prices of the wines that were tasted. Here are the details of the wine:

Roses

Pink Cricket Rose – $21.84
Mouton Cadet Rose – $11.39
Domaine Du Bourdieu Rose – $18.04 (A crowd favorite)

Whites

Sirius Bordeaux Blanc – $18.52
Domaine Du Bourdieu Blanc – $17.57
Grand Enclos Graves Blanc – $27.07 (A crowd favorite)
Doisy Daene Blanc – $28.49 (A crowd favorite)

Sauternes

Ch. Rayne Vigneau 2004 – $60.99
These prices were discounted (5%) and do not include deposit & GST.

Midsummer Afternoon Affair

drozdeba — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:01:17 +0000

Please join the Commanderie de Bordeaux and The Shakespeare Company for a fun and casual white and rosé tasting of recently released Bordeaux, including a decidedly French country luncheon, followed by a wonderful afternoon performance of A Midsummer Nights Dream.

Our recently appointed Regent, Ian Young, and his wife, Catherine Barrett, have generously agreed to open up their back yard along the Elbow river on Sunday, July 26^th for this exceptional event.

Sunday, July 26, 2009
Wine Tasting & Luncheon 12 Noon – 2:30 PM
A Midsummer Nights Dream Performance 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Member, escort & guest cost:

Tasting & Luncheon $ 50 per person
Shakespeare Performance $ 50 per person

Attire: Summer causal with ribbons

Limited to 25 – First come basis 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

5 Tips for hosting Bordeaux Night

drozdeba — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:00:02 +0000

Bordeaux is one of the largest wine producing regions in the world and the home of some of the most famous wines in the world including the “Grand Cru” wines. But that’s not the whole story. Many Bordeaux wines are inexpensive, easy to drink, accessible, generally lower in alcohol than typical California wines, and pair well with food.

Even if you’re not planning a trip overseas, host a “Bordeaux Night” so you and your friends can taste and discover some new wines to enjoy.

1. Find a bargain.

You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a luxury of Bordeaux wines. In fact, approximately 80% of Bordeaux wines are priced quite reasonably (under $30) and are perfect for enjoying tonight (you don’t have to age them!). A few simple tips can help you navigate the wine aisle for a successful night with Bordeaux.

2. Red = Merlot and Cabernet and White = Sauvignon Blanc.

Let’s face it. All those French names and pictures of castles on the labels can be intimidating. Not to worry. If the bottle says “Bordeaux ” and it’s a red wine, you’re can be pretty sure it’s a Merlot and Cabernet. If it’s a white, you’ll find it’s mostly Sauvignon Blanc.

3. Expert advice at your finger tips:

Each year the Bordeaux Wine Council asks experts in the field of wine and hospitality to select 100 wines priced between $8 and $30 available. Check www.bordeauxwinebureau.org for the latest selection.

4. Simplicity brings out the complexity:

You don’t have to work hard to create a great food pairing for Bordeaux wines. A simply grilled steak, fish or even a big portabella mushroom or roasted chicken will match up nicely with the layers of flavors in the wines. Garnish with a little salt, pepper and olive oil and you’re there.

5. Take a deep breath:

You’ve heard this before. Open up that red a little before your guests arrive. It helps the flavors get reacquainted with the air and really develop those alluring aromas. Decanting the wine into a larger vessel can also pump up the enjoyment.

Trivia Night:

Did you know that Bordeaux means “Bordering the water?” Did you know that Irish emigrants are responsible for names like Chateau Lynch Bages and Barton and Guestier? How about, did you know the Medoc region where the famous Chateaux are located used to be a swamp and was drained by those clever Dutch? Browse www.bordeaux.com for pieces of trivia and more helpful hints. Create a fun trivia card for your dinner guests they can play while you’re putting the finishing touches on dinner. Winner has immunity from doing the dishes.

Source: http://blogs.glam.com/glamdish/2008/09/05/5-tips-for-hosting-bordeaux-night/

Bordeaux meets Burgundy at La Chaumière Restaurant

drozdeba — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:25:44 +0000

Friday, March 20, 2009
7:00 p.m. Reception 7:45 p.m. Dinner
Member & escort: $ 150 per person
Attire: Black tie with ribbons

La Chaumière Restaurant
139 – 17^th Avenue SW

The Commanderie de Bordeaux and the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin have joined forces to create an evening to remember of fine Bordeaux and Burgundy wines.

The Confrêrie des Chevaliers du Tastevin was established in 1934, in Burgundy, France, for people to share appreciation of good food and fine Burgundian wines – not dissimilar to the objectives of the Commanderie de Bordeaux.

La Chaumière will be preparing an elaborate five-course dinner of classic French cuisine to help show-case our wines. The reception will include hors d’oeuvres and aperitif Bordeaux and Burgundy wines from the Commanderie and Confrêrie cellars.

Each table will be a combination of members from the Commanderie and Confrêrie. Commandeur & Escort will be responsible for bringing two “best bottles” from your cellar. You are not limited in that you may bring wine from either Burgundy or Bordeaux to this event. A table captain will be appointed and will work cooperatively with the three other Confreres/Commandeurs prior to the event to coordinate the wine selection with the dinner. It is anticipated that the wines brought will be 1ere Cru or 2eme Cru from Bordeaux, or alternately, Grand Cru or better from Burgundy. This will be a very special opportunity to share truly magnificent bottles with other passionate wine lovers.

The tariff of $150 per person covers all event costs including meal, aperitif wine, corkage, tip & GST.

RSVP by March 14, 2009
Please reply by email.

Please advise us when you RSVP, if you have any dietary requirements concerning the meal.

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