Domaine Serene Wine Dinner at Restaurant Medure.
October 27, 2013
(Short notice on this one…)
What
Restaurant Medure Presents their Domaine Serene Wine Dinner
$135 per person (not inclusive of tax and gratuity)
Reception
Smoked Trout Mousse, Potato & Caviar
Chilled Pacific Mussel, Tomato Caviar, Radish Greens
House Cured Duck Ham, Raspberry Caviar
Domaine Serene, Rose, Oregon NV
First Course
Maine Diver Scallops, Shaved House Cured Prosciutto, Chanterelle Mushrooms
Domaine Serene, Evenstad Reserve Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2011
Second Course
Dr. Pepper Glazed Pork Belly, Luxardo Black Cherries, Watercress Salad
Domaine Serene, Yamhill Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2010
Entree Course
Bacon Wrapped Rabbit Tenderloin, Braised Rabbit Cassoulet, Roast Turnips and Carrots, Pea Puree
Domaine Serene, Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2010
Dessert Course
Chocolate Chip and English Toffee Cookie, Vanilla Ice Cream, Fig Bourbon Glaze
Rock Block, Syrah, Oregon NV
Where
Restaurant Medure 818 N A1A, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. 32082
904-543-3797
When
November 5th 2013, reception to begin @ 6:30pm, dinner to follow @ 7pm.
Posted in Events | Tagged Jacksonville, Resturant Medure | Leave a comment //Mumm Napa Brut Rose Paired with Oven Baked Ribs and Sweet Potato Casserole.
October 27, 2013
Apart from garnishing the plate with dried leaves and a squirrel, I can’t imagine how this recipe could be anymore Autumnal. [There’s a word I don’t use very often: Autumnal.] Any-who, this pairing combines two things I just don’t consume enough of; namely, ribs and bubbly…and even more-so on the same dinner table!
I’ve never been a fan of sticking to “food and wine pairing rules,” but I’d never go so far as to say that you should COMPLETELY disregard “the rules.” To me, a little-bit of knowledge and a lot of experimentation is key! When you look-up recipes for ribs, 9 times out of 10 the pairing suggestion will usually be Zinfandel, Syrah/Shiraz or some other high-octane red. I personally think that’s more than most palates can handle. All that flavor, all that spice, and then you throw 15+% percent alcohol and an arse-ton (that’s metric) of oak into the mix, and I wonder if the authors of these “pairings” have ever actually tasted the sum of these two parts!
Brut Rose has always been my favorite sparkling wine, so any excuse to pop open a bottle is a good day. The excuse this time? It was a Thursday.
I’ve seen California make huge strides in the quality of their bubbles over the last 5 years…but the overall quality still doesn’t impress me too much, especially on the under $15 bottles. No, in my ever-so-humble-opinion, if I’m going to pick-up a few bottles of El Cheapo bubbles, I’ll usually reach for Spanish Cava, French Fizz or Italian Prosecco.
For that reason, I think we’ve got a long way to go before we start hearing French Champagne producers cry: “Sacre bleu!! Zees Andre Spumante est tres bon!!” throw down their pruning shears and go home in a sulk. With that said, Mumm Napa and maybe 4 other California producers are a few wineries who’re coming close to producing real-quality bubbles, on a budget.
The Mumm Napa Brut Rose will pull the usual trick of deceiving you into thinking it’s a lot sweeter than it actually is, based solely on the electric-pink color. There is a little sweetness in there, but it only serves to off-set the spiciness of the ribs and compliment the cornucopia of ingredients in the sweet potato casserole. The expected strawberry, red cherry and blood orange. Medium on the finish, thirst-quenching and elegant. Give it a try.
Posted in Pairings | Tagged Chardonnay, Mumm Napa Brut Rose, Napa, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine | Leave a comment //Red, White & Blues – A Food and Wine Tasting
October 18, 2013
St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival
October 16, 2013
What
St. Augustine’s Second Annual Spanish Wine Festival – Click here for more info
Where
All over St. Augustine, by the looks of it! Click here to see what I mean.
When
October 21st – 26th
Posted in Events | Tagged St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival | Leave a comment //Grape Expectations – Eight Wines that Pair With Summer and Fall.
October 14, 2013Ok, first-things-first, I didn’t write the title for this article. “Grape Expectations” is way beyond my reaches of my creativity. Secondly; I wrote this article a couple of months ago for the Jacksonville Magazine “Taste” Edition…and I know we’re out of Summer now….but I think it still has relevance…since the weather here is Florida is so bloody-warm well into November!
4 Summer Wines
Taltarni “Tache,” Brut Sparkling, Australia
Description
The term Tache (meaning “stained” in French) refers to the lightly salmon color of this alluring sparkling wine. Made from a traditional “Champagne blend” of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, a dash of red Pinot Noir juice is added just after fermentation to give the wine its color. Taltarni “Tache,” is the number 1 selling sparkling rosé in Australia within its price range; and let’s face it, the Aussies know a thing-or-two about drinking in the summer sun!
Price
$19.99
Available From
Riverside Liquors
Batasiolo, Gavi, Piedmont, Italy
Description
For the Pinot Grigio drinker who’s looking to “drink outside the box.” A well-made Gavi serves as a perfect summer alternative to the plethora of generic, non-descript and flavorless Pinot Grigio on the market. Like most other Gavi’s, the Batasiolo is meant to be consumed in its youth. Pear, tangerine, lemon sorbet and sherbet all serve as the perfect way to cool-off during the summer months.
Price
$11.99
Available From
Royal Palm Village Wine & Tapas
Tess, “Red & White Blend” Napa, California
Description
Don’t be put off by this unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Zinfandel, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Peju Winery wouldn’t put their name on anything less than exceptional! Tess is intended to be chilled and served as a summer sipper, without too much deep contemplation.
Price
$19.99
Available From
Royal Palm Village Wine & Tapas
Altes, Garnatxa (Grenache), Terra Alta, Spain
Description
Although captured in a number of Pablo Picasso paintings, the region of Terra Alta remains one of the best kept secrets of Spanish wine. Contrary to the Spanish tradition of barrel aging their reds, there’s no oak in sight on the Altes, making it a perfect compromise for drinking a red whilst sat in the sun. In-fact, don’t be afraid to chill the wine for 10 minutes before serving, if you’re really looking to soften-up the rich dark raspberry and juicy red fruit flavors.
Price
$12.99
Available From
Riverside Liquors
4 Fall Wines
Amity Vineyards, Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Description
Evolved from Pinot Noir vines, Pinot Blanc presents itself as a way to slowly ease you out of the fruit-forward citrusy summer whites and into something a little more “robust.” Whilst not quite as full-bodied as a Chardonnay, the Amity Pinot Blanc shows pear, peach, a hint of tropical fruit and subtle minerality throughout.
Price
$21.99
Available From
Royal Palm Village Wine & Tapas
Yangarra, Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia
Description
Following the concept of “seasonal drinking,” the Yangarra Shiraz offers the weight and texture needed to weather the cooler months. The Yangarra Shiraz more than over-delivers for the price. Rich and juicy blackberry and solid streak of spice and dark chocolate are all within easy reach, via the convenient screw-cap closure.
Price
$19.99
Available From
Riverside Liquors
Bouchaine, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Carneros, California
Description
Made from some of their original estate vineyard plantings (dating back to 1981), Bochaine prove that Chardonnay can hail from Napa and remain restrained at the same time. The oak in the wine is available, but none-too aggressive; instead leaving room for crisp green apple, lemon and a hint of cinnamon, nutmeg and green herbs.
Price
$29.99
Available From
Royal Palm Village Wine & Tapas
Ferrari Carano “Reserve” Cabernet, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California
Description
Whilst there’s no legal definition on the term “Reserve” on a bottle of Californian wine, Ferrari Carano use the term to define wine made from their prestige mountain estate vineyards. This Reserve packs full-frontal fruit that would give most Napa Cabs a run for their money. Ripe blackberry, plum, black tea, tobacco, vanilla and anise are guaranteed to warm you up on those chilly autumn nights!
Price
$46.99
Available From
Riverside Liquors
A Toast to Wine – Uncorking the Numbers Behind America’s Love of Vino.
October 14, 2013
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