The Ides of March means it's Judy's birthday - and this year it's a big one! To mark this milestone Jennie and Wayne hosted an amazing lunch at Murrumbateman for all of us - all Judy's favourite foods were on the menu - and all (well most of) her favourite people were invited too!
It was a HUGE weekend for this family because Sophie was celebrating her 21st birthday too (on 14th March!)
Jennie had the 6 course menu (for 12 people) under control in her busy country kitchen. Three different entrees, scallops and pork belly, duck breast and pickled beurre bosc pears from the garden, beef fillet and stir fried mushrooms ............
I don't know how Jennie and Wayne do all this - they are superlative, utterly generous amazing hosts!
In amongst all this spoiling there was a degree of (nervous) hilarity about the social distancing policies we've been "ordered" to follow in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic. No kissing or hugs allowed at this party!
Of course the wines for each course were perfectly matched - including the 2004 Penfold's GRANGE we were privileged to enjoy with that buttery rich, unctuous beef fillet and mushroom dish!
Fifth course (Jennie's delicious raspberry and chocolate mousse cake) was heralded by a great deal of stuffing around getting birthday sparklers lit!
Which was a bit less than successful in the end despite our best efforts.......
but, no matter our favourite birthday girl appreciated the effort made .......
Happy Birthday dear Judy!!
That Clos Jean 2003 Loupiac was wonderful with the cake and icecream, and even better with the final cheese course. One of the many things I admire about Jurgen is his great wine buying skill and his ability to keep track of his considerable collection.
He bought this wine way back in 2005 when the family was living in SW France (near Bordeaux) for a time. It was a lovely moment sharing this wine as we all remembered this beautiful part of France and the times we'd shared there visiting the L family back in 2005.
Flashback: Us in 2005 - (another) picnic lunch on the banks of La Dordogne in SW France .......
However Murrumbateman was looking distinctly Australian by late afternoon yesterday - but in a good way after the recent drought breaking (?) rain. Jennie and Wayne had moved their sheep into the home paddock to "mow" the grass - before being released into the gradually greening paddocks after months of hand feeding.
The sheep were a great distraction over lunch for the Sydneysiders......
and provided an interesting challenge when we had to leave the property .....
... but in the end this mob proved to be very well behaved at gate opening time!
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