38. Vintners’ Dinner, 25 October 2018

The Mistress and I attended the annual ‘middle livery’ dinner hosted by the Worshipful Company of Vintners’ at their magnificent Hall on Upper Thames Street. It was a wonderful white-tie evening overseen by their current Master (and Honorary Freeman of our Company) Sir Andrew Parmley and it was a delight to be there.

Assembling for a pre-dinner Reception, the Mistress and I had the opportunity to meet some of the new Masters and their Consorts – many Companies change over in October – and share with them the wonderful surroundings. The Vintners’ Hall is one of the oldest and most spectacular Livery Halls much of it dating back to 1671 after the Great Fire. As one of the Great Twelve, the Vintners’ represented the wine trade and so it is entirely fitting that their wine cellar is one of the best in London! We soon had a chance to experience some of the very fine wines they have in stock.

Called to dinner by the Beadle we, together with over 100 other guests, filled the main Livery Hall. Before we commenced dinner, Master of Wine Phillip Tuck explained the various wines about to be offered to us and described the various food parings – we were not disappointed! Dinner was then served.

After the usual Loyal Toasts and the Loving Cup ceremony, a musical interlude followed which featured Sarah Freestone on violin and a certain former Lord Mayor on the piano – what a combination! It was a truly excellent performance and Sir Andrew’s playing was quite sublime. Both performances were very much appreciated by the guests.

Our Principle Guest Lady Tessa Brewer OBE, Master of the Worshipful Company of Musicians gave a very interesting speech linking the world of music and wine – always a heady combination! In response, the Master gave another of his humorous and incisive speeches and welcomed all the various guests, including the Mistress and I – very humbling.

A Stirrup Cup followed and there was a chance to discuss some of the wines with the very knowledgably members of the Vintners’ Company – they sure do know their stuff.

Thank you to Sir Andrew and his team for a wonderful night and we are now much more knowledgeable about that most fascinating of subjects – the world of wine!

Pictures show the Livery Hall, part of the wine cellar and the Master and Mistress Water Conservator!