Those who follow Yapp Brothers on Social Media may have seen various team members not looking exactly as they should recently. December is always a busy time for any reputable wine merchant so it's all hands to the pump at Yapp HQ – it's only when we close the cellar doors on Christmas Eve that we really start thinking about our Christmas Party.
Last Friday we decamped to the Roth Bar and Grill in Bruton to regroup and start the year in style. As we always do, we started off with some Yapp champagne – while the house DJ ("DJ Lionel Richtea" nonetheless) eased us in to the evening with some spot-on Bowie and we collected at our table.
We had sharing plates throughout that really showcased the creativity of the kitchen. Roast pheasant, chicory, dandelion, pomegranate, balsamic, then plates of Octopus, chorizo and white beans were followed by my personal favourite of the night - sticky pork, celeriac, fennel & apple coleslaw.
It's always good being able to bring your own wine along on a staff party – so we accompanied the above plates with Collines Rhodaniennes: Domaine Georges Vernay 'Le Pied de Samson' 2014, Beaune 1er Cru 'Les Teurons' 2010 and some marvellous Bandol: Mas de la Rouvière Rouge 2012.
Frangipani and pans cotta
We rounded off the proceedings by matching our Muscat du Cap Corse: Domaine Pieretti 2013 with the Roth Bar's Vanilla panna cotta & seasonal fruit, and then putting the Crozes Hermitage Rouge: Alain Graillot 2013 with the Westcombe cheddar.
Carriages were at midnight, and we all headed back home suitably sated. If you get the chance, do pay them a vist (http://www.hauserwirthsomerset.com/roth-bar-grill) - I doubt you'd be disappointed!
