Show off time

A spot of celebration last week, the menu for which follows.

Pol Roger to fizz. Not usually that keen on fizzy, but I have had this brand a couple of times in the distant past and liked it. And it proved OK on this occasion.

Crab salad. The idea is to use fresh white crab meat flaked into chopped endive - with that being all one has to do. Not an e-number, condiment or spice in sight. On this occasion we had to make do with tinned white crab chunks from Vietnam and chopped lettuce, of the leafy rather than iceberg variety. Still spiced up a little with most of the green parts of a spring onion, thinly sliced crosswise. Not bad, but tinned crab not as good as I remember from childhood. But Vietnam was all that there was to be had from Waitrose and Sainsbury's did not sell the stuff at all, so have John West and his friends pulled out of this particular market?

Chassange-Montrachet, Morgeot, Louis Jadot, 2015 vintage. We have had white wine involving the word 'Montrachet' a couple of times before, references 1 and 2, and were very pleased with it on both occasions, as we were this time. Also, as it happens, our very first grocery order to be clicked and delivered to our door - together with a free bottle of something sugary - which the gas man clearly liked well enough, as he took what he did not drink on the spot away with him.

Cottage pie. Made with beef mince and not to be confused with shepherds' pie which is made with lamb or mutton mince. Served with boiled green cabbage.

Château La Marzell, Saint Emilion Grand Cru, 2004 vintage. The oldest wine we have drunk for a very long time. According to the people at reference 3, whoever they might be: 'a magnificent wine at its peak'. Very good it was too.

Chocolate cake, with trimmings and candles. Assembled the day before, but in fine condition.

Summer berries.

Gubbeen and biscuits. Gubbeen bought on the occasion noticed at reference 5. It turned out to be very good and has now been named. Holes clearly a reliable indicator of quality. From the Emerald Isle.

Chocolates from Tesco, in the form of 2cm squares about a quarter of an inch thick. Very good they were too.

With a drop of Riesling by way of digestif, the one bought at Tunbridge Wells a few days ago and noticed at reference 4. Louis Guntrum, Oppenheim Sackträger, Riesling Trocken, 2014 vintage. No idea what all this is about, but it tasted well enough. Just a slight fizz.

PS: with more than a touch of the 'tasting menu' about the provision of booze. My more usual style is to choose one wine and stick with it.

Reference 1: http://psmv3.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/casual-dining.html.

Reference 2: http://psmv3.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/one-that-got-away.html.

Reference 3: https://www.upperwine.com/.

Reference 4: http://psmv3.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/tunbridge-tipple.html.

Reference 5: http://psmv3.blogspot.co.uk/2018/05/cheese-hunt.html.

Reference 6: http://www.gubbeen.com/.