Food and Wine Dinner with Michelle Richardson at The Bull
The Bull in Highgate has recently been relaunched by Dan Fox, previously of The White Horse in Parson’s Green. It’s very welcoming and spacious for diners and drinkers alike.
From the kitchen comes seasonal British ingredients, and from its own micro brewery comes its own IPA, bitter or seasonal brew under the ‘London Brewing Co‘ name.
I was a The Bull attending their first wine and food evening event, with Michelle Richardson’s wines being showcased.
Michelle Richardson has been in the wine business for the last 20 years. Her wines come from Central Otago in New Zealand’s south island. On paper Otago doesn’t seem to be the best place to grow wines, but its cold nights mixed with hot summer days work well.
A unique thing which sets Michelle’s wines apart are the natural occruing yeasts she uses, which adds an uncertainty to the winemaking process, but also an extra texture to the wines.
The night began with the 2010 Pinot Gris. Tasting more like an arneis grape, it is a wine that fits in between a sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio with its fruity bouquet and taste. A wine that is certainly very drinkable on its own.
As a further taste of New Zealand, perfectly tender spiced New-Zealand Lamb was served as a canapé. These were gorgeously infused with rosemary sticks skewered through them.
Next came the delicious pan-seared scallops with an apple and cauliflower purée was paired with the equally delicious 2009 sauvignon blanc.
Slow roasted pork belly with wild mushroom and truffle stuffing followed, paired with the 2010 Michelle Richardson Chardonnay. With the chardonnay’s nutty bouquet, and fruity aftertaste, it cut through the pork fattiness and freshened the palate.
Being a huge fan of the pino noir grape variety, the 2008 Michelle Richardson Pinot Noir did not disappoint. Served with British cheeses including a British Brie and cheddar.
Genesis wines distributes Michelle’s wines in the UK.
Tel: 020 7963 9060
www.genesiswines.com
The Bull
thebullhighgate.co.uk/
13 North Road,
Highgate,
London N6 4AB
I was invited by The Bull to review this event