The Relais Henley, the historic hotel nestled by the River Thames in Henley-on-Thames, launched its new season of food experiences with a ‘Wine & Dine’ tasting evening and wine pairing event last Friday.

The hotel’s chefs created a delicious and tempting menu with wines carefully chosen by the knowledgeable and delightful sommelier Charmain Madrell from LWC, who selects the wine for The Relais Hotel.

A Pommery Brut Royal was the first of the perfect pairings with its notes of citrus to partner freshly shucked Colchester oysters, served either ‘naked’ or with a shallot vinaigrette.

A cheeky little lobster dish with crab (pictured top) started the menu proper with a gorgeous Domaine Dupré, Chablis, followed by a slow cooked duck egg wobbling on top of seasonal English asparagus and little crispy bonbons of confit duck. The partner for the duck & egg was Crazy Creatures Gruner Veltliner, the flagship grape from Austria, an elegant wine that is quickly gathering pace appearing on wine lists, and we understand why.

Go big or go home is the saying, and The Relais went big with the Filet of Hereford Beef, and punchy flavours of highly prized morels, a rich red wine jus and bone marrow. And did the filet cut like slicing through butter? Yes, is the answer, it did.

With the big flavours of the beef dish, came the big guns of a bridal wine match with a Chateau Paveil de Luze Margaux from Bordeaux. A big taste on the palate but delicate, fruity, soft and silky. A big winner!

Sauternes Château Les Mingets was the perfect bedfellow with it’s luscious, rounded, caramelised pear and almond flavours for the light, delicate and zingy dessert of English rhubarb, honey crémeux and pistachio parfait. Just what was needed after the heavyweight flavours of the beef dish.

No decent meal comes to an end without cheese, and pairing Oxford Blue with walnut loaf was just the ticket. Most would choose a heavy red or a port to match the cheese, however they are more and more being shifted sideways to make room for sweet wines, as they really are excellent with cheese and the South African Boschendal Vin D`Or from Stellenbosch confirmed just that.

It was a lively, fun and informal evening with exceedingly generous wine servings! We’re looking forward to more of what’s to come. Bravo The Relais.

The Relais Henley accepts the Experience Henley Card. Use your card to access a 10% discount on your food bill anywhere in the hotel 7 days a week. Click image below for more information.