I was very pleased to be invited to join the T&B wine committee for their annual luncheon today. The Company wine committee is comprised of a dedicated group of Liverymen wine connoisseurs who work tirelessly to make sure that the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers consistently provides the best quality wines, champagnes, port and other fine drinks at all of our functions. It is due to their enthusiasm and expertise that the Company has such a good reputation in the City for the superb quality of the wines we serve at our luncheons and dinners.

This year the luncheon was held at the wonderful Tappit Hen Wine Bar and Restaurant, which takes its name from the traditional 2.1 litre Port bottle, and there are references to the building’s rich wine history throughout. We were joined by Francis Flavin, Head of Wholesale at Davey's who helped guide us through the excellent wines offered today. It was a double celebration for Francis today - his birthday and the recent arrival of a new baby daughter, for which hearty congratulations were given by the committee.

The theme for today's luncheon was the 2009 vintage and we were treated to some excellent quality wines that had been sourced by the wine committee members. Examples of the fine wines included a rich Cote Rotie Michel and Stephane Ogier, Rhone Valley, a crisp Sancerre Blanc Francois Cotat and an elegant and pungent Valserrano Gran Reserva Blanco, Rioja. As would be expected, the wines complemented the delicious food perfectly and everyone had a delightful afternoon. I was very grateful to the wine committee members, and especially the chairman, Past Master Philip Parris, for inviting me to share in this great tradition.