French Wine Pairing Event

An Evening of French Flavour at The Lansdowne Hotel

This post is a recap of our French Wine Pairing Dinner, held on 18th July at The Lansdowne Hotel. It is not an event announcement or ticket page, but simply a look back at a wonderful evening that celebrated French wine, food, and shared experience.

Over 40 guests gathered to enjoy a relaxed and sociable night built around carefully selected French wines and a menu inspired by classic regional dishes. The event also marked a special moment for Pop n Pour, as it was Melissa’s first evening since taking the helm, with the wine list influenced by her recent tour of France in June.

Each wine was chosen to reflect the character of a French region, with pairings designed to complement the flavours of the food and offer guests something both enjoyable and informative.

Aperitif: Champagne and Canapés

The evening began with a celebratory welcome glass of Champagne Yveline Prat, an elegant and crisp Champagne that set the tone perfectly.

This was paired with two canapés: Goat’s Cheese and Red Pepper, and Smoked Salmon with Dill. The Champagne worked beautifully alongside both, cutting through the creaminess of the cheese and balancing the richness of the salmon. It was a light and refined start that immediately created a sense of occasion.

Starter: Provence on the Plate

For the first course, guests were served Cuvée Minette Côtes de Provence Rosé, paired with Grilled King Prawns Provençal with Mediterranean vegetables. A vegan grilled cheese alternative was also available.

The rosé brought freshness and delicate red fruit character, which lifted the herbal, sun-soaked flavours of the dish. It felt like a true nod to the South of France and demonstrated how well Provence rosé works with food rather than just as a summer aperitif.

Main Course: Burgundy in Focus

The main course centred around Burgundy with Bourgogne Rouge 2023 ‘Escargot’ by Damien Martin, a light, expressive Pinot Noir showing red berry fruit and gentle spice.

This was paired with a classic Coq au Vin, served with pomme purée. The wine and dish worked effortlessly together, with the acidity and freshness of the Pinot Noir cutting through the richness of the sauce.

The vegan alternative featured French green lentils, offering the same comforting, hearty style while still matching the wine well. Both versions highlighted how versatile Burgundy Pinot Noir can be at the table.

Dessert: A Sweet Loire Finish

For dessert, guests enjoyed AOP Coteaux de l’Aubance, Château Princé 2024, a luscious sweet Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley.

This wine was paired with a golden Tarte Tatin, and the combination proved to be a real highlight. The honeyed fruit, fresh acidity and subtle minerality of the wine balanced the richness of the dessert beautifully, creating a finish that felt indulgent without being heavy.

Final Touch: Chocolate and Coffee

As the evening came to a close, tea and coffee were served alongside a Marc de Champagne white chocolate truffle, supplied by the local chocolatiers at Deliciously Sweet.

It was a delicate, luxurious bite that added a final layer of indulgence and brought the evening to a relaxed and satisfying close.

Reflections and Fundraising

This French Wine Pairing Dinner recap would not be complete without mentioning the atmosphere on the night. The room was full of conversation, with guests sharing tasting notes, discussing the wines, and enjoying the stories behind each bottle.

We were also proud to raise £210 for The Children’s Respite Trust through the evening’s raffle. Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped support such an important local cause.

A special thank you goes to the team at The Lansdowne Hotel for their flawless hosting and to their kitchen team for delivering a beautifully executed menu that matched the wines so thoughtfully.