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The Algarve Wine Society holds Its AGM and Gala Dinner On Saturday evening, February 20, The Algarve Wine Society held its Annual General Meeting, followed by a reception and a black tie gala dinner dance, at Vila Vita Park. There was a most joyful and festive party atmosphere inside that provided a perfect counterpoint to the dreadful weather outside. The AGM, which was attended by almost 100 members, was conducted with competence and aplomb by the Acting President of the Assembleia Geral, Michael Savage, and featured reports from the President , Secretário and Tesoureiro of the Direcção, Erla Walther, Larry Hampton, and David Grindley respectively, and the President of the Conselho Fiscale, Edwin Bisset. The gist of the meeting was clearly that the Society is in very good health and going from strength to strength. At the end of the last membership year 26 new members were admitted to replace the 23 who did not renew (a normal drop out rate of 10%). Currently membership stands at 215 and there is a waiting list. Following the AGM a reception was held for members and their guests, after which the assemblage settled in for a long and absolutely delicious 5 course gala dinner, featuring Mediterranean salad with pan fried prawns and grilled young vegetables with a tomato and basil coulis, a truffled cream of potato and leek soup with chervil and croutons, rack of Alentejo lamb in an olive and pine nut crust with lavender jus, broad beans, tomato confit and rissolees potatoes, a selection of cheeses and, finally a grand cru chocolate chiboust with basil-raspberry sherbert and old balsamic – and, of course, some superb wines and port. As the last vestiges of dessert were being spooned up, Ilze van Zanten, a wonderfully talented and most entertaining Dutch singer, provided live music for the members still feeling up to it to dance their way into the wee hours of the morning. It was indeed a most memorable evening and a great start to the Society’s spring calendar. The Algarve Wine Society has a full and exciting program of events in the next several months, including an Italian evening March 26, a gourmet dinner in April, a 5 day trip to Galicia in early May, a tasting of Bairrada sparkling wines accompanied by the region’s famous leitão in late May and the traditional summer party in late June. Although the Society’s membership is full and a waiting list is in effect, those interested in having more information about The Algarve Wine Society should contact the Secretary Larry Hampton, via e-mail at hampton@mail.telepac.pt.
Edition: 1051 |
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