IT WAS an evening of sunshine, laughs and, of course, wine at the second Matthew Jukes tasting dinner at the Loch Lomond Arms Hotel.

Hosted by the Clan Colquhoun the event, which took place on Thursday, June 9, celebrated good food, good company and indeed good wine – all of which had been chosen based on both value and quality.

Once again guests were invited on a gastronomic journey, sampling the plush hotel’s finest food offerings paired with the perfect tipple.

The partnership between head chef Allan McLaughlin and Matthew showcased the very best of Scotland’s larder in a six-course tasting menu.

Not ones to miss out on an adventure, Advertiser news editor Gillian McGee and features editor Maxine McCreadie headed to the picturesque village of Luss to check out the latest offering.

January’s event is one that, despite the amount of wine flowing, I’ll never forget so I was very much looking forward to the summer offering, writes Maxine.

In contrast to January’s inaugural tasting, warm and cosy red wines were replaced with bright and breezy whites, with a rosé thrown in for good measure.

The pairing of the dishes and the wine were a match made in heaven and Gill and I were left wanting more after each course.

Invited to stay at the hotel’s quaint cottages – ideal for weekends away with the family or your nearest and dearest – the evening was a stark contrast to our Thursday nights of old, lurking around student bars.

The front-of-house staff at the hotel, including general manger Iain Hamilton, played their part in creating a truly warm and inviting atmosphere – matching the temperatures of the warm summer’s evening outside.

It really was yet another truly inspiring evening with wonderful company – and we can’t wait until the next.

Notes by Matthew Jukes

Champagne Reception – NV A. Fourtin, Brut, Champagne, France (£42 bottle, £8.50 glass)

With a classy, open, floral nose and a smooth, effervescent palate, this is an elite-level house champagne made from tiptop grapes sourced from the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Bars.

STARTER

Smoked tomato jelly with native lobster salad and 2014 Sancerre, Domaine Nicolas Girard, Loire, France (£44 bottle)

Wine note: This is one of the most laid-back and relaxed wines on the list. Made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape and coming from its spiritual home in the Loire Valley, Nicolas Girard is one of the youngest talents in the region.

Pairing: This was a classic ‘Allan dish’ – unique, inspired, delicate and original. The flinty notes on the wine worked with the subtle smoked jelly and the lobster and tomato loved the citrus freshness of the palate.

Intermediate

Tartlet of Scottish asparagus and soft herbs, and 2015 Vesevo, Beneventano Falanghina, Campania, Italy (£29 bottle)

Wine note: Ten out of ten for packaging coupled with ten out of ten for flavour – these are scores that I find irresistible. This is the wine that tycoons sip on their super-yachts off the Amalfi Coast. It’s also the wine that we can sip in our equally esteemed surroundings.

Pairing: A heavenly tart, rustic and yet sophisticated – how does he do it? The match was one of the most impressive of the evening and this brand new find for the summer wine list is a complete star.

The match was brilliant

Fish

Confit Seatrout with marinated radishes and fennel, and 2015 Château Beaulieu, Cuvée Alexandre Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, France (£34 bottle)

Wine note: Provence is the capital of the rosé universe and this will not change for a lifetime. The wines are pale coral in hue, but they pack a punch on the palate.

Pairing: Pink wine and pink seatrout. The delicate flesh was so succulent and smooth and the careful addition of vegetables also managed to highlight the wild herb nuance in the wine – another perfect match.

Meat

Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, spiedini of kidney and liver, crackling and butter-poached rump, and 2012 Sondraia, Poggio al Tesoro, Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy (£68 bottle)

Wine note: You may have heard of the super-Tuscan wines Sassicaia and Ornellaia, well Sondraia is the new kid on the block and it is a very impressive wine indeed. Owned by the Allegrini family this is a Bordeaux blend with massive power and intensity.

Pairing: Allan’s main courses are heroic and packed with flavour, and this wine was its match. Big, brooding and noble.

Cheese

Highland brie baked in honey and malt brioche and 2014 Giant Steps, Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia (£50 bottle)

Wine note: Giant Steps’s head winemaker Steve Flamsteed is one of the nicest blokes in the Australian wine trade. He is also one of the most sensitive when it comes to fashioning exquisite Chardonnay. This honeysuckle-scented wine is silky, profound and mesmerising. It is also half the price of its French counterpart.

Pairing: This was a gamble, but white wine with cheese is a great combo and the addition of a little honey to this incredible mini-loaf with the cheese in its centre was inspired. The wine adored this opportunity to show off its own faint honey notes coming from the stunning, fully ripe Chardonnay fruit and the judicious amount of toasty oak used to season this wine! An unlikely, but awesome match.

Dessert

Strawberry and Champagne trifle, and 2011 Château Laville, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France (£39 half bottle)

Wine note: From the same property as our Mahon-Laville red comes the epic sweet wine on which they made their reputation.Silky, gently honeyed and tropical this is a discreet, genteel sweetie with mild orange blossom tones.

Pairing: Another Allan classic – with a layered, traffic-light-style trifle that loved the fruity, elegant sweet wine.

A doddle to match a wine to and a great way to finish.