BS&B Welcomes Vin Thomas

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Thursday evening, May 28, the Stonetown Beefsteak and Burgundy (BS&B club #227) met at the Red Mill Farm (a special occasion venue, AirBnB and retreat just north of town) for an evening dinner by Huron Shores Catering (of nearby Granton).

We are a men's club. However, this was a special event with partners, wives and guests gathered for a 3-course dinner with approximately 40 attending. Dress was casual (in fact Claire had suggested jeans and plaid). Of course, my sweet Baboo came with me. The special guest this evening was Dr. Vin Thomas, the General Secretary of the Beefsteak and Burgundy Club Inc., who was visiting with us from Dernancourt, South Australia. Vin and his wife Lindel stayed overnight on site. 

Claire Sherwin, our president, hosted the evening and introduced speakers. Wines for the evening were selected by our wine steward Jere Bukich with the help of Bob Latham (founding member), Fred Jewson (founding member), Mark Oliver, Tom Bishop and Braden Furtney. Jere, Mark and Tom served wines. Those who had selected wines spoke to us about them:

• First round sparkler served with cheese and crackers: Tawse Spark Limestone Ridge Organic Brut Sparkling Riesling, LCBO #370361)
• Flight of four, Tasting Sample:
• Volta Amphora Chardonnay (2025), LCBO #48951
• KEW Vineyards Marsanne Viognier (2023), LCBO #485334
• Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Pinot Noir (2023). LCBO #33894
• Ridgepoint Cabernet Merlot Ripasso (2022) only at winery
• Dinner Wine: Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Old Vine (2025), LCBO #459966

The cheese and crackers were local selections made by Chris and May Woolf. There was a good half hour or more of schmoozing with the wine and cheese appetizer (in Australia they call the appetizer the "entrée" , what we would call the "entrée" they call the "main"). Don't ask about fannie packs.

The wines this evening were all from Ontario. In part, to showcase our wine industry. Most of these wines are well outside my pricepoint. However, I was most impressed with the Baco Noir — it has a reputation as a tanic aggressive wine that needs years long aging. This version was very smooth, I suspect it will not age, but look how young it is! It's been in the bottle barely long enough to wet the cork! The other wines were well worth trying. I found the Chardonnay a bit thin but others loved it. To each their own.

The dinner buffet service was a Carved Stuffed Pork loin, served with mashed potatoes, honey glazed carrots, several salads and assorted pickles; with a selection of desserts (cheese and carrot cakes, lemon and pecan pies) served with tea and coffee. Kate, she doesn't eat meat, was served a nice sturdy white fish — perhaps cod or halibut. 

Throughout the even our guests Vin and Lindel met with many members and guests. I talked with Vin earlier and gave him a Canadian flag pin for his jacket lapel. Members, past and present, were centered out. Guests, partners and wives were introduced by members. I am a past president, I can't recall when I joined but it would have been around 20 years ago. Bob Latham introduced me to the club back then.

Vin had visited with the BS&B club #193 in Sudbury earlier in the week. There are only two BS&B clubs in Canada. At the end of the evening Vin gave us some history of the club, spoke to the importance of maintaining a history, brought a copy of our founding application (1992), and spoke to the variety of clubs and the format of meetings he has visited around the world. He also spoke to the problem of keeping clubs alive — clubs sometimes fold as members age out. It's important to recruit new and young members to every club.

Unfortunately, Pierre Chateauvert (founding member and past president) was unable to attend. Pierre started the club after a sabbatical visit to Australia where he bumped into a BS&B club that had welcomed him. Vin spoke to the welcome one would receive when visiting clubs in Australia and around the world. Kate and I have visited several clubs and made good friends on our visits to Australia over the years.

Fred Jewson, one of our founding members in attendance, presented Vin with some keep sake souvenirs of his visit to St Marys. I will be forwarding some photos from the event to be included in forthcoming BS&B newsletters.

Another fun evening with the BS&B club. I was on my best behaviour and, while I enjoyed my wines, I did not overdrink ... this time.