A warm breeze, Spanish cuisine and fabulous wine!
Last week we held our second wine dinner of 2009. The first dinner sold out in less than 2 hours and this one just as quickly. Chef Sarah and I decided to do something a little more casual this time- but no less exciting: revolving around a progressive-dining and Tapas theme, we started in the Tasting Room with our Jose Rose.
It was all spicy and addictive (food, wine and conversation). With the Rose, the Empanadas shone brightest- pork and Manchego cheese are about as Spanish as you can get… bullseye! We then enjoyed ‘06 Viognier and ‘07 Skipper’s Cuvee Pinot Noir. We all agreed that the goat cheese with leeks worked best with the Viognier. The camp was split about the red: it seems that about half liked it with the gourmet charcuterie and half preferred it with the marinated mushrooms. Me? As long as Patricia and the members are happy- then I’m happy!
We then moseyed over to the barrel room for salad and the main course. Our ‘07 Pinot Gris was good with the salad, but I don’t think either got the attention it deserved, because the whole time we had salad and gris, we could see and smell the main course…
Chef Sarah produced a bright copper pan that was nearly 3 feet across. It was stacked with shrimp, sausage, mussels, clams, onion and a brilliant saffron-scented rice. Yes, we had Paella for dinner.
For this exotic, hedonistic dish we had an exotic, hedonistic wine: the 2005 Cuvee Noir (soon to be called Patricia’s Cuvee). Magic together- ‘nuff said!
We drew some barrel samples of port from barrel, told some stories, told some lies, and then came back to the tasting room for dessert. Thank goodness it was a tray of imported cheeses- anything richer and we would have exploded. The top of the night was 2004 Late Harvest Viognier- the sugar and acid remain perfectly balanced and even I’m not sure how long this wine can last: 5 more years? 10? Of course you’d need the willpower…
We’ll do another dinner in a month or so. They are limited to 12 seats- period! The seats go to the first people to respond to the email invitations. That is another good reason to check your email often.
I’m off to look at more vineyards for 2009 and beyond… drink well- I hope to see you all soon!
Comment by: Jerry Hooten on June 24th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Looks like fun! I really miss Southern Oregon. My son-in-law and I used to take week-end trips to tour the vineyards. I hope to get out for a visit sometime.
BTW, nice blog!
Jerry
Comment by: joedobbes on July 9th, 2009 at 9:34 am
It’s beautiful down there! I try to visit the vineyards as much as possible.