As the Champagne Ambassador for G.H.Mumm and Perrier-Jouët 2012 has been a fantastic year for Gourmet Dinners, with the sold out Perrier- Jouët Dinner at Rockliffe Hall on Monday  a testament to this.  Rockliffe Hall’s chef Kenny Atkinson (pictured left), who appeared on The Great British Menu, is doing a brilliant job at and having worked with Kenny before I was looking forward to matching our champagnes with his dishes. From my perspective it is also a really good opportunity to enthuse to a full house about quality champagnes and food matching and how this can work throughout a menu with Monday night proving the point. After Perrier- Jouët Grand Brut NV for the aperitif, the starter of Goosnargh Chicken, a lovely terrine with mushroom ketchup, celeriac and truffle matched with the delicious Belle Epoque Blanc 2004, served at 8 degrees plus bringing the Chardonnay character to the fore. The main course was Whixley Grange Farm Pork Belly originally combined with hand dived scallop, glazed apple and smoked bacon (pictured right) matched with Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut 1998, which brought the right intensity and complexity to match with the dish.The dessert of Michel Cluizel dark chocolate terrine, strawberries, candied rose petals and strawberry ash meringue (pictured below) balanced perfectly the freshness, wild strawberry, raspberry fruit flavours and hints of rose petal with the Perrier- Jouët Blason Rose NV. A fantastic combination in which to finish an evening with an enthusiastic and appreciated audience.

Next time I visit Rockcliffe Hall I will be staying for longer because this is a quality, relaxing hotel in beautiful grounds with really helpful staff, spacious rooms, a golf course and more importantly than holding a  three wood for me a spa!. So very soon Louise and The Wine Tipster will be making their way to Darlington, then taking a short taxi ride to Rockliffe Hall.