An evening with François Audouze
When François arrived at the Club back in April this year with a bottle of 1937 Château Chalon “to try for lunch” it was instantly clear that the dinner he was going to host for us that evening was going to be something very special. We were not disappointed… 1959 Dom Pérignon, 1961 Château Cheval Blanc & 1984 Echézeaux Heri Jayer to name but a few…
François began collecting seriously in 1976 and has garnered a singular reputation for sourcing very old wines, and his collection of pre-20th Century wines is unrivalled. He never buys reconditioned bottles, preferring “ugly but genuine” originals and assiduously avoids anything that might not be the genuine article. François’ approach to tasting is hedonistic, not professional and he believes the most important thing about collecting old wines is to open them and share them in appreciative company.
Famous not only for his cellar, but also his particular method of opening and preparing wine, extensive experience has convinced François that slow oxygenation restructures the wine. He believes that opening bottles four or five hours before drinking will reinforce the liquid, whereas decanting (which he avoids) disturbs it. “Of the 2100 bottles served on 197 dinners that I have opened in this manner; the bad ones have not exceeded 1.5 per cent”.
We are delighted that François is returning to these shores in December for a series of three amazing dinners, taking place in the Club on 9th December, 13th December & 14th December.
9th December
1952 Champagne Brut Imperial
Moët & Chandon
1969 Champagne Krug
1993 Corton Charlemagne
Eugène Ellia
2001 Corton Charlemagne J.F. Coche Dury
1961 Château Haut Brion
1928 Château Haut-Brion
1973 Côte Rôtie La Mouline Guigal
1936 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Vino Fino
1960 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ribeira del Duero
1942 Château d’Yquem
1893 Château Guiraud