Safari Two

The Taste of Christmas Safari Lunch on day two started at Iberica, who served a spicy octopus dish. Also check out Iberica for tapas and a fine selection of wines and sherries.
We motored on with my black cab tasting, Waitrose Palo Cortado Sherry, Spain, Waitrose, £8.19, a delicious nutty, well priced sherry made my Lustau, which was a real hit with the other cab riders. Our main course at Gauthier Soho, was one of the dishes of the year. Truffle risotto with veal jus and parmigiana crisps, well matched with a Gamay of the year,

Henry Fessy’s Brouilly, Beaujolais, 2009, France, Waitrose, £9.99, full of ripe fruit, rounded, soft tannins and a great example of what Gamay can achieve.
More beautiful presentation and flavours were produced at Benares, with their finely balanced Roasted Roe Deer Fillet, Venison Biriyani and Stuffed Courgette. The red wine match of Barone di Valforte Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo DOC 2009, Italy, Colasanti, £11.70, packed with high quality cherry and damson fruit flavours, balanced by gentle tannins, heightened the freshness of this Montepuciano.
For a sweet red wine with a non-cloying finish try, Château d’Anglès Oorain Victoria 2006, France, Hawkshead Wines, Hanging Ditch Wines, £19.99.This is Eric Fabre’s conjunction with Olivier Orain, made with Syrah, Grenache and maple syrup. Medium bodied, figs, chocolates and subtle maple syrup. Bring on the Christmas pudding!