MAY GUILD EVENT

Jack: If they want to drink Merlot, we’re drinking Merlot.

Miles Raymond: No, if anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any fucking Merlot!

- Sideways, 2004

It’s time for another Sommelier Guild event. This one’s at Paul’s in Peachtree Hills, and it will feature Merlots of the World... Miles Raymond’s opinion notwithstanding.

I’m hoping to see Denny there, although Houston Steve will, alas, be unable to attend. It promises to be a tasty affair indeed - here’s the menu:

Speaker’s Wine
Beringer California White Merlot 2008

First Flight
Sant’ Venezia Giulia 2003
Banfi “Mandrielle” Tuscany 2005
Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Colchagua “Apalta” 2007

Vegetable stuffed tortelloni, sage pecan brown butter, pecorino cheese

Second Flight
Aux Trois Frères Côtes de Castillon 2005**
Château Taillefer Pomerol 2005
Château LaFleur Morange “Mathilde” Saint-Emilion 2006

Blackened Atlantic salmon, Ellijay apple salad, sugar snap peas, balsamic reduction

Third Flight
Woodward Canyon Columbia River 2001
Kenefick Ranch Napa 2005*
Stephanie (by Hestan) Napa 2006**

Char-grilled lamb chop, forest mushrooms, eggplant zucchini tart, rosemary rosette potatoes, caramelized garlic au jus

Dessert
Trentadue Chocolate Amore NV**

Chocolate pecan bread pudding, caramel sauce

I won’t insult my Esteemed Readers by pretending to be suffering through this meal. No: I will enjoy every bite, and (hopefully) every sip.

Update: My favorites noted with asterisks. White Merlot? Like the ugly sister of (already unlovely) white Zinfandel... feh.

APRIL GUILD EVENT

Alas, I will not be attending the April Guild event, AKA the Big Fat Greek Wine Tasting at Kyma this evening. Not that I don’t enjoy Greek food and wine - I most certainly do. A gyros sandwich makes my head spin, I love a nice slab of lamb, and I even will drink retsina, the often-despised turpentine-flavored Greek vino that derives its peculiar pong from the addition of pine resin.

Denny will have to handle this one on his own. Perhaps Houston Steve will be there to exchange politically charged bons mots with him as they get their collective Greek Freak on.

What’s on the menu? Let’s take a look:

Speaker’s Wine:
Domaine Spiropoulos Brut Moschofilero “Ode Panos” NV

First Flight:
Domaine Spiropoulos Mantinia Moschofilero 2008
Dalamara Malagousia 2007
Domaine Sigalas Santrini Assyrtiko 2008

Grilled octopus with pickled red onion salad, red wine vinaigrette. Seared tuna herb crusted ahi tuna, quinoa salad, preserved lemons, pine nuts, tomato, mint

Second Flight:
Popova Kula Tikves Vranec 2005
Boutari Naoussa Xinomavro 2007
Gaia Nemea Agiorghitiko “Notios” 2008

“Tiropitakia”: cheese pie with blend of four Greek cheeses, baked in country phyllo. Three-boned pork rib, coriander yogurt

Third Flight:
Pape Johanea Nemea Agiorghitko (Old Vine) 1999
Paivou Nemea Agiorghitiko (Reserve) Vintage TBD
Domaine Skouras Nemea Agiorghitiko “Grande Cuvee” 2006

Single cut marinated lamb chop. Braised Acadian redfish, onions, carrots, celery, potato, garlic, tomato “plaki”

Dessert:
Achaia Clauss Patras Mavrodaphne NV

Baklava “boureki” (rolled baklava), candied pistachios

It will all be delectable, I’m sure. Opa!

MARCH GUILD EVENT

Tonight’s Guild event - “Wines of the Great Northwest” - will be held at Rosebud, in the Morningside neighborhood just north of Virginia-Highlands. It promises to be a most pleasant evening.

I‘m hoping Denny will be able to make it this time so I can hear him tell the harrowing tale of his ill-fated ski trip in person. Alas, we won’t get to hear the fireworks as he discusses Obamacare and other political third-rails with Houston Steve, as Steve will be away on business. No matter. Politics does not whet my appetite; good wine, however, does so admirably.

Here’s the menu, perfect stimulus for your Envy-Glands:

Speaker’s wine:
Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut “Luxe” 2003*

First Flight:
Maryhill Viognier 2007**
Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen Riesling “Eroica” 2008***
L’Ecole No. 41 Semillon 2007

Seared George’s Bank scallop with pineapple chow chow and black pepper-vanilla sabayon

Second Flight:
Tagaris “Boar Doe” 2006
Woodward Canyon Merlot 2006
Northstar Merlot 2006**

Seared quail breast, Riverview Farms grits, early Vidalia onion chutney and Mexican coke BBQ

Third Flight:
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon “Indian Wells” 2006
Buty “Columbia Rediviva” (Phinny Hill) 2006*
K-Vintners Syrah “Milbrandt” 2007**

Riverview Farms beef shortrib meatloaf, foie gras whipped sweet potatoes, local oyster mushrooms and bone marrow gravy

Dessert
Three Rivers Late Harvest Gewurztraminer “Biscuit Ridge” 2006***

Strawberry shortcake, cinnamon sugar biscuit & vanilla-balsamic syrup

Per my usual practice, I’ll note my favorites in a postprandial post update.

Update

Lagniappe
Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon IV 1998***

FEBRUARY GUILD EVENT

This month’s Guild event will be held this evening at Pura Vida, an upscale tapas joint in the Poncey Highlands section of Atlanta. As you might expect from the choice of restaurant, we’ll be drinking a variety of Spanish wines.

I’m hoping Denny will be able to make it. Houston Steve, alas, will not be there, having been called away for business on the Left Coast.

Here da menu:

Speaker’s Wine:
Segura Viudas Brut Reserva “Heredad” Cava NV

First Flight:
Burgans Albariño 2008**
Valdelainos Verdejo 2008*** [surprising grapefruit flavor notes]
Vina Godeval Godello 2008

Bacalao Pavias: Salt cod fritters with saffron, lemon aioli

Second Flight:
Bodegas Faustino “Faustino I” Gran Reserva 1996
Mas Garrian “Mas del Camperol” 2000***
Bodegas Muga “Muga Reserva” 2005

Slow roasted local Berkshire pork belly, aluvias negras (black beans) and slow cooked egg

Third Flight:
Telmo Rodriguez “Dehesa Gago” Tempranillo 2007
Bodegas Nekeas “El Chaparral De Vega Sindoa” Garnacha 2008
Juan Gil Monastrell 2006

Asado de Tira: Flash grilled boneless beef rib, wild mushrooms & papitas (Columbian gold potatoes), beef jus

Dessert:
Jorge Ordonez & Co. Special Selection Muscat 2006***

Helado de Turrón: Honey almond ice cream terrine, Marcona almond butter and Marcona almonds, candied blood orange zest & segments

[Quite possibly the best ice cream I have ever tasted, a perfect match for the Muscat dessert wine.]

Since I missed the January Guild event, I’m really looking forward to this one. Viva España!

Update: My favorites noted with asterisks, comments in brackets.

DECEMBER GUILD EVENT

Tonight brings the annual Champagne Dinner, courtesy of the fine folks at the Sommelier Guild of Atlanta.

I’m expecting the Grouchy Old Cripple to show up at this event. Houston Steve, alas, will be absent, having chosen to attend an author’s lecture and book signing event at our synagogue. SWMBO will be there at the synagogue as well - she generally chooses not to go to the Guild events - so she will have a chance to listen to Mitch Albom speak about his latest magnum opus, Have a Little Faith.

I’ve already read the book, which, as of this writing, still leads the New York Times bestseller list for nonfiction. It’s of especial interest to us because about half the book is about Rabbi Albert Lewis, late of Cherry Hill, New Jersey... our rabbi’s father.

But since I’m all about the Food and Drink, I’ll be at Lola instead. And here’s what I’ll be having...

Speaker’s wine:
Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay 2006

First Flight:
Ferrari Carano Tre Terre Chardonnay 2007 2006
Domaine Chandon Pinot Meunier 2005*
Robert Sinskey Pinot Noir 2007

Chicken Piccata with white wine, lemon, parsley, & capers

Second Flight:
Mumm "Cordon Rouge" Brut NV*
Taittinger “La Française” Brut NV*
Bollinger “Special Cuvée” Brut NV

Grouper with fingerling potatoes, artichokes and basil

Third flight:
Mumm Napa “D.V.X.” Brut 1999 2000
Roederer Estate “L’Ermitage” Brut 2002 1998
Schramsberg “J. Schram” Brut 1999 2000*

Grilled pork tenderloin with Chilean plums and onion

Dessert:
Mumm Napa “Cuvée M” NV

Lemon curry gelato

I could whine about how much I’m gonna suffer, but nobody will be fooled by a display of Crocodile Tears. No: I’m expecting a swell feed and plenty of fine wines. Eat yer hearts out.

Update: A few last-minute vintage changes are noted above. My particular favorites (all the wines were good this evening) are marked with an asterisk.

SPORTS POKER AND WINE

Lately, our Poker Night has taken on the trappings of a Sommelier Guild event.

Generally, whoever is hosting our weekly game sets out a few Grownup Libations. Fine bourbons, single malt Scotches, premium vodka, and the like. Nothing adds to the joy of winning a big pot... or mitigates the agony of a rotten hand... like a fine tipple.

But now one of our number, a gentleman who is possessed of a fine cellar, has decided to share a few of his dust-caked old bottles with us. And they are mighty interesting bottles.

Last week, for instance, we had a Beringer cabernet sauvignon from 1980. After twenty-nine years, it still was packed with fruit... a real treat.

Last night, we enjoyed a 1970 Château Nenin Pomerol, a bottle that had been purchased sometime in the early 1970’s for the princely sum of $7.03 and that would set you back something on the order of $175 today. [That, by the bye, works out to an annualized return on investment of just over 9%... not too shabby.] Think of it: This was wine from my freshman year in college... wine from the year the Beatles broke up! A little past its prime, perhaps, but still eminently drinkable, with the mellowness that comes only with long cellaring.

Next week? There’s a 1970 Chateau Monlot Capet Saint-Émilion that has our collective names on it... and it oughta be a doozy.

OCTOBER GUILD EVENT

Come all without, come all within
You’ll not taste nothing like the Mighty Zin
Come all without, come all within
You’ll not taste nothing like the Mighty Zin

Everybody’s here with their hats and coats
Some are opening bottles, others write tasting notes
Everybody’s thirsty, every girl and boy
But when the Zinfandel gets here
Everybody’s gonna jump for joy

Come all without, come all within
You’ll not drink nothing like the Mighty Zin

[Apologies to Bob Dylan]

Ahhh, me.

Time for another Sommelier Guild event. This one’s at Violette Restaurant tonight, and it will feature Zinfandel. California red Zinfandel, that is, with each flight focused on a specific subregion.

I expect Denny will be there, as will Houston Steve. Alas, I will not.

The dishes, all of which use wine in their preparation, look like they were carefully selected to pair up well with the Mighty Zin. Mighty appetizing, that’s for sure. Here da menu:

Speaker’s Wine
(TBD)

First Flight
Norman “Monster Zin” Paso Robles 2006
Ridge “Dusi” Paso Robles 2007
Turley “Dusi” Paso Robles 2007

Coq au Vin: Dark chicken meat cooked in red wine sauce

Second Flight
Rosenblum “Planchon” Contra Costa 2005
Cline “Big Break” Contra Costa 2007
Turley “Duarte” Contra Costa 2007

Boeuf Bourguignon: Tender beef marinated in burgundy wine

Third Flight
Klinker Brick Old Vine Lodi 2006
Mettler “Epicenter” Old Vine Lodi 2006
Turley “Dogtown” Lodi 2006

Steak Forestière: New York strip served with mushrooms and port wine sauce

Usually, this is where I insert a bit of Winey Whining, but I’ll spare you the faux misery and griping over what “torture” it is to attend these events. This time I’ll just whine because I’m not gonna be there. Crap.

SEPTEMBER GUILD EVENT

A buncha big bottles. Magnums! [Click to embiggen.]

Tonight’s Guild event will be held at Paul’s, and it promises to be extra-special: Our Fearless Leader will be providing all of the wines, and many of them will be from large bottles.

Houston Steve plans to be there, and I expect that the Grouchy Old Gourmet will join us too. Based on my last experience with Paul’s, it should be a fine evening from a food standpoint... and the wines at these affairs are almost always exceptional.

Here’s what’s on the Food- and Wine-Docket:

Reception
Ferrari Carano Fumé Blanc 2008

Jumbo lump crab Louis in a tart shell, vegetable spring rolls with sweet chili sauce

First Course: Wines in Magnums
Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1984***
Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1986***
Groth Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994****

Thyme-roasted quail salad, mixed greens, cranberry vinaigrette

Second Course: Wines in 750’s
Stag’s Leap Winery Napa Valley Petite Syrah 1996***
Stag’s Leap Winery Napa Valley Petite Syrah 1997****
Stag’s Leap Winery Napa Valley Syrah 1996**

Grilled lamb medallion, rosemary potato cake, sweet garlic jus

Third Course: Wines in Magnums (pictured above)
Château Pavillon Rouge Margaux 1999****
Château Quinault “L’Enclos” Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 1999****
Château Sénéjac Haut-Médoc 2000****

Baked filet mignon Wellington, sweet peas, glacéed onions

Dessert

Pistachio ice cream profiterole, chocolate soup

I won’t pretend to be suffering as I run off to stuff myself with this fancy-pants fodder, all sluiced down with high-class vintage Juice of the Grape. It should be a gas.

Update: The food was all excellent, and I’ve noted my preferences with asterisks.

A few extras:
Villa Fidelia Rosso 1999***, a Meritage-style blend of 70% Merlot, the balance Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Château Karolus 2000***.
Château Latour 1972. This last wine was characterized by Houston Steve thusly: “It is what it is, but it is not what it was.” And Fearless Leader Pat described it as “the top of the bottom of the barrel.” A fine château, but an unexceptional year and a wine well past its prime. Alas.

AUGUST GUILD EVENT

Tonight’s Guild event, to be held at Lola on Peachtree, will focus on the white wines of Northern California.

I’m not much of a white wine hound, but the Guild tastings almost always show me a few excellent bottles that I didn’t know about. Plus, I get to hear Denny and Houston Steve have their fun-filled political discourses... always entertaining.

(Update: Alas, no Houston Steve tonight.)

Here da menu:

Speaker’s Wine
Spann “Betsy’s Backacher” Semillon 2007

Assorted hors d’oeuvres, amuse-bouches

First Flight
Selene Sauvignon Blanc “Hyde” 2003
Grgich Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Seared diver scallop, celery root potato puree, fresh herbs

Second Flight
Handley Pinot Gris 2007
Trefethen Dry Riesling 2007
Handley Dry Gewurztraminer 2008

Salmon oreganatta with fresh housemade pasta

Third Flight
Jarvis Chardonnay 2006
Paul Hobbs Chardonnay 2007
Lewis Chardonnay 2007

Roasted bone-in chicken breast with late harvest vegetables and truffle jus

Dessert
Robert Mondavi Muscato de Oro 2006

Chef’s sampling of sweets: tiramisu, almond cake, panna cotta, cheesecake, and fresh berries

Hey, this sounds like it’s worth going to, even if I have to put up with all those white wines just to get to the food.

Update: Excellent food in gorgeous surroundings. As for the wine, it ranged from reasonably good to very good, despite the fact that it was all white wine - not my favorite. The one exception was the Selene Sauvignon Blanc “Hyde” 2003, which was so vile the waiters removed the glasses it had been poured into... after we had dumped the wine out!

Lest you think of this group as a bunch of stuck-up wine snobs, here’s the money quote of the evening: “Best fucking dessert evah!”

JULY GUILD EVENT

Tonight’s Guild event at Petite Auberge is the annual BYOB night at which memberships are renewed and the new year’s slate of officers is elected.

The Grouchy One will not be there, alas - he’s in the process of returning from this year’s Blownstar Blodgemeet. But I expect that Houston Steve will attend.

I'm planning on bringing a nice Saint-Émilion, a Château Troplong Mondot 1998. I’ll post the other offerings - everyone is supposed to bring a bottle to share - after I get back.

Update: I did indeed bring the Troplong Mondot, and it was superb. Three asterisks, at least, as befits a wine that received a 93 rating from Wine Spectator. Here are the other wines we had:

White
Stony Hill Napa Valley Gewurztraminer 2006
Walter Hansel Russian River Valley Cahill Lane Vineyard Chardonnay 2004
Bodega y Viñedos François Qurton Mendoza 2008**

Rosé
Château Guiot Costières de Nîmes 2008

Red
Bacio Divino Napa Valley 1995 (66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Sangiovese, 12% Petite Syrah)
Domaine Piquemal Revesultes Ambré 1988
Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz-Viognier 2005
Luca Malbec 2007***
David Family Vineyards Russian River Valley Syrah 2003
Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Merlot 2003
Château Taillefer Pomerol 2005**
Courbissac Minervois 2004
Hacienda Monastero Ribera del Duero 2004
Mount Eden Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Shafer Napa Valley Firebreak 1997
Seppelt Dorrien Vineyards Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1996
Sterling Vineyards Sterling Reserve Red Table Wine 1986
Artaldi Viñas de Gain Rioja 2005

Dessert
R L. Buller & Son Victoria Fine Tokay***

Oh, there was food, too. What had been advertised as hors d’oeuvres turned out to be a nice cheese selection, accompanied by chicken, salmon, and filet mignon... enough to help sop up all that alcohol. Yummy!

MAY GUILD EVENT

Originally, the May Guild Event was to have been our Annual Banquet... but plans changed, as they have a way of doing. (We don’t say “Men tracht und Gott lacht” for nothing.) And thus, the Banquet will be rescheduled for June, and with any luck, it will be for a Sunday evening when I am actually in town.

As for May, this evening’s event will consist of a tasting of American Pinot Noirs at Petite Auberge. Living in Georgia as I do, how can I complain about that? It’s the local favorite. Peanut Noir.

(((groannn)))

Houston Steve, alas, will not be able to attend, but perhaps Denny will... because who’d want to miss out on this?

Speaker’s Wine
Toad Hollow “Eye of the Toad” Rosé 2007**

Hors d’Oeuvres

First Flight
Van Duzer Willamette Valley 2007
Sineann 2007
Carabella Chehalem Mountains 2005***

Sautéed Salmon Piccata: Fresh sautéed salmon with braised leek and a lemon caper sauce

Second Flight
Kenneth-Crawford “Babcock” 2007***
Paige 23 Arroyo Grande 2005***
Talley “Rincon” 2003****

Chicken Chasseur: Roasted chicken breast on a grilled Portobello mushroom with asparagus spears and a cognac cream sauce

Third Flight
Robert Sinskey Los Carneros 2006****
Kistler Sonoma County “Kistler” 2005****
Dehlinger Russian River Vally 2003****

Tournedo Choron: Beef tenderloin served with Strasbourg potatoes, sauce bordelaise, and sauce choron in artichoke

Damn, this sounds good. Better start fasting now to make room...

Update: As usual, I’ve starred the wines I liked the most.

APRIL GUILD EVENT

The April Sommelier Guild event will be held this evening at Grace 17.20 in Norcross. Alas, the Grouchy One will be unable to attend, thanks to the difficulty of getting to their second-floor dining room. There’s no elevator - just a winding staircase with hard marble treads that is decidedly not Cripple-Friendly. But Houston Steve will be there with me to enjoy the evening’s wine assortment, all of which will be from Portugal.

Say, anyone remember Lancer’s? Or Mateus Rosé?

Speaker’s Wine
Famega Vinho Verde 2007***

First Flight
Monteiro de Matos “Terras de Paul” Tinto de Ribatejo 2005
Quinta DeRoriz "Prazo de Roriz" Tinto de Douro 2004**
Roboredo Madeira “Carm” Tinto de Douro 2006**

Pan Seared Halibut Fillet, Warm Mussel & Tomato Salad Bruschetta, Smoked Gouda Stuffed Okra

Second Flight
Quinta De Portal Grande Reserva Tinto de Douro 2000
J.R. Moreira “Poeira” Tinto de Douro 2001***
Roboredo Madeira “Carm” Grande Reserva Tinto de Douro 2005**

Chile Dusted Lamb Loin, Braised Kale, Caramelized Onion & Chorizo Sausage Gnocchi

Dessert
Blandy’s Malmsey Madeira “10 year old” (NV)*****
Kopke Colheita Porto 1983****
Warres Vintage Porto 1994****

Butter Toffee Bread Pudding, Vanilla Bean Pastry Crême, and Spiced Caramel Sauce

Sounds calorific! I guess I’ll have to spend an evening pounding all of this down... and taking notes, so you’ll know what was good... and what was really good.

MARCH GUILD EVENT

This month’s Guild event will be this evening at Antica Posta, a fine Tuscan restaurant right in the throbbing heart of Buckhead. Appropriately enough, the theme is the food and wines of Tuscany.

Hopefully, Grouchy Old Denny will be there to join Houston Steve and me in yet another Top-Drawer Blowout. And you, too, can be there... vicariously, by reading the menu:

Speaker’s wine
Ruffino Chardonnay “Libaio” 2007

First Flight
Banfi Pinot Grigio "San Angelo" 2007*
Mormoraia Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2006**

Carpaccio tricolore con salmone, branzino e pesto al prezzemolo (Salmon and sea bass carpaccio with parsley pesto)

Second Flight
La Mozza Morellino Di Scansano “I Perazzi” 2005**
Frescobaldi Nipozzano Riserva Chianti Rufina 2005
Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2005***

Ravioli al ragù toscano (Swiss chard and ricotta cheese ravioli with traditional Tuscan meat sauce)

Third flight
Terrabianca "Campaccio" 1999
I Greppi "Greppicaia" Bolgheri Superiore 2004***
Frescobaldi Castel Giocondo Brunello di Montalcino 1997 1999****

Wild boar osso buco with oven roasted potatoes
Filetto di manzo all’aceto balsamico con patate al forno (Prime beef filet mignon sautéed in a balsamic vinegar reduction with oven roasted potatoes)

Dessert
Cacchiano Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 1999

Cantuccini di Prato (Housemade Tuscan Biscotti)

Lagniappe
Capitel de’Roari Amarone 2003

Ahhh, what Mr. Debonair must suffer for the sake of his Esteemed Readers, that he may convey to them the pleasures of life in order that they may sup upon them via Proxy Electronica. But to complain would be... nekulturny. And insincere as hell, to boot.

Update: Houston Steve was not there, alas... and Stefan could not make it due to a last-minute business conflict. But since he will be traveling to Tuscany later this week, he can make up for some of what he missed.

FEBRUARY GUILD EVENT

The February Guild event will be held this evening at Paul’s Restaurant in Buckhead.

Some of the Guild tastings cover a wide range of wines - different grapes, different countries. Not this one. It will be sharply focused, featuring only California wines made from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape... vintage 1997.

Houston Steve and I will be there... and, we hope, the Grouchy One as well. As for what’s on the menu, here’s the Foody and Winey Agenda:

[All wines are Cabernet Sauvignon unless otherwise noted.]

Speaker’s wine
Sauvignon Blanc, to be determined

First flight
1997 Benziger Family Sonoma County***
1997 Beringer Knight’s Valley Sonoma County
1997 Franciscan Napa Valley**

Baked pork tenderloin in brioche pastry, buttered spinach leaves, truffled cabernet jus

Second flight
1997 Cakebread Napa Valley***
1997 Joseph Phelps Napa Valley***
1997 Santa Cruz Mtns. Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains

Smoked duck breast, lentil butter-bean ragout, tangerine sauce

Third flight
1997 Caymus Estate Napa Valley
1997 Paradigm Napa Valley***
1997 Silver Oak Alexander Valley**

Braised veal hanger steak, mascarpone fregola glazed onions and mushrooms, carrots, haricots verts, braising au jus

Dessert
Chocolate molten cake, chocolate soup, crème fraîche ice cream

Postscript: Was it good? It was superb. That veal hanger steak was indescribable... the soft, tender flesh of cow-babies prepared perfectly. And the wines were excellent - not a single sour note among ’em. My favorites are noted with asterisks.

DECEMBER GUILD EVENT

This evening, there will be a lot of Drinky Business at the Club Room at 1010 Midtown. Yes - it’s the December Guild Event!

Traditionally (not that I am in any way an expert on Guild tradition), the December event is a Champagne tasting. This one will be light on the food - mostly a bunch of fancy-pants hors d’oeuvres - so as not to detract and distract us from the Fizzy Wines.

Will Denny be there? Anybody’s guess, but my money is on “Yes”...and both Houston Steve and I will (space permitting) be joined by our Spousal Units, a first!

Here’s the Wine List:

Speaker’s wine
Domaine Carneros Brut 2004

1st Flight
Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blancs 2004
Kluge SP Blanc de Blanc Brut 2004
Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc Brut 2005***

2nd Flight
Lanson Rosé Brut NV
Ruinart Rosé Brut NV
Moët & Chandon Rosé Nectar Imperial NV

3rd Flight
Bollinger “Vintage” 2003***
Moët & Chandon “Dom Perignon” 2000****
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin “La Grand Dame” 1998****

Dessert
Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto d’Acqui 2007***

There will be food as well, an assortment of lah-di-dah Hors d’Oeuvres, to wit:

• Smoked salmon on hickory ham flavored crostini with Meyer lemon and tarragon yogurt
  
  
• Caviar on crisp fingerling potatoes with crême fraiche and wild chive
  
  
• Brie with toasted almonds on Sardinian flat bread
  
  
• Hand-cut smoked duck ravioli with sage brown butter and Parmesan
  
  
• Seared diver scallops with curry cream sauce

Oh, boy!

[Update: My favorites are highlighted with *asterisks.]

Hey, not to mess with the Highly Cultured Tone around here, but anyone know what you call a Fizzy French Wine Enema?

A Champagne in the Ass!

OCTOBER GUILD EVENT

Tonight, after a weekend of debauchery at the Straight White Compound, my liver will be subjected to a renewed assault at the October Sommelier Guild event.

It will be at Le Giverny Bistro, over at the Emory Inn. I’ve never dined there before, so I’m looking forward to adding yet another restaurant to my “Been There, Done That” list. The wines were all gold medal winners in last month’s Vino Challenge, which means (in theory, anyway) that they should all be Tasty Good. Over seven hundred wines competed for a relative handful of top slots at the Vino Challenge...which, coincidentally, was held at Le Giverny.

Denny will be there – so he tells me – and I expect Houston Steve will be joining us as well. Here’s what we’ll have to suffer though:

Speaker’s wine
Dante Robino Extra Brut NV

First Flight
Henri Bourgeois Sancerre “Etienne Henri” 2003***
Vins Auvigue Pouilly Fuissé “Les Craye” 2005***
Jarvis Chardonnay Reserve 2006 2004

Sautéed rainbow trout Grenobloise

Second Flight
Maryhill Sangiovese Rosé 2007***
Viu Manent Malbec “Secreto” 2007
Consul Chileno Carmenere Reserve 2005

Suprême de poulet aux capres

Third Flight
Maryhill Zinfandel 2005
Maryhill Cabernet Sauvignon 2005***
Jarvis Cabernet Franc 2003

Bistro steak with three-cheese sauce

Dessert
Quady Black Muscat “Elysium” 2007 2006***
Campagnola Recioto della Valpolicella 2005*** (Best of Show)

Choice of desserts

Lagniappe
Valduero Reserva Premium 2001***

Gee...maybe they’ll have candy corn by way of observing Hallowe’en. Gaah.

Update: My wine preferences indicated by asterisks. And the food was excellent - worth the trip to Le Giverny for a personal outing with the Missus and friends.

AUGUST GUILD EVENT

Tonight’s Guild event will be a little different: a blind tasting of 2005 and 2006 Chardonnays at The Tasting Room in Sandy Springs.

It’s the first blind tasting I’ll have attended since joining the Guild. Should be interesting.

The menu? Knew you’d ask. Here ’tis:

Speaker’s wine
Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc Brut

First Flight
3 Chardonnays tasted blind
Peekytoe crab cake with grapefruit beurre blanc and micro pea shoots

Second Flight
3 more Chardonnays tasted blind
Pan roasted branzino (Mediterranean sea bass) with fava beans and Silver Queen corn, lemon oil and hazelnut crème

Third Flight
Yet 3 more Chardonnays tasted blind
Rosemary roasted Ashley Farms organic chicken with foie gras gastrique

I’m hoping to see Denny there - he missed the event two months ago and I missed last month’s Annual Meeting, so we have some catching up to do. I’m also hoping Houston Steve will make it.

And I won’t annoy you with the mocking pretense of having to suffer through these Guild events. The food is almost always excellent; the wine superb; the conversation sparkling. No: there’s no whining when the Guild is dining!

JUNE GUILD EVENT

Tonight, the Sommelier Guild of Atlanta will hold its monthly Wine Tasting event. This one’s at Paul’s Restaurant in Peachtree Hills and will be a tribute to the late, great Robert Mondavi, one of those individuals whose life work put California on the Vintners’ List of Respectability and brought worldwide recognition to Napa Valley wines. Among other things, Mondavi championed varietal labeling of California wines; this has now become the industry standard.

Rather than adopt my usual fake-whiny “Oh, how we’ll have to suffer through this excruciating experience” tone, I’ll just say it straight out: The Guild’s dinners and tastings are ridiculously enjoyable. What’s not to love about fine wine, especially when complemented by excellent food and fascinating conversation? [Until I get going, whereupon the Vile Doggerel appears, sending everyone running for the hills.]

Here’s tonight’s menu and wine offerings. Houston Steve should be there to enjoy ’em with me; with any luck, Denny will be there too.

Speaker’s wine
A surprise wine, a light white with a strong connection to Robert Mondavi’s career

First flight
Stag’s Leap District Sauvignon Blanc 2003
To Kalon Vineyard Fumé Blanc Reserve 2005
Chardonnay Reserve 2005

Coriander crusted sea scallop, pecorino risotto cake, lobster emulsion

Second flight
Merlot 1997
Cabernet Sauvignon 1994
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1994
Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2005

Forest mushroom tarte, sweet garlic cream, mâche lettuce

Third flight
Seña 2000
Luce 2001
Opus One 2000

Bistro filet mignon, Lump crab Imperial,
Yukon Gold potato confit, summer squash ragout

Dessert
Moscato d’Oro 2006

White & dark chocolate mousse, red berries, passion fruit syrup

It all sounds wonderful. I’m especially excited about the chance to enjoy the Opus One, one of the most desirable California wines, produced under the auspices of a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baroness Philippine de Rothschild.

We’ll let you know how it all turns out.

Update: No Denny, alas...but an excellent tasting. Not a dud in the lot. Even the “surprise” speaker’s wine - a 2007 Woodbridge sauvignon blanc, $6.99 retail - wasn’t half bad.

MAY GUILD EVENT

Agggh. Time for us long-suffering Sommelier Guild members to choke down yet another Winey Dinner.

This month’s event is the Guild’s Annual Banquet to be held this evening at Eno. I missed the banquet last May as the Missus and I were just returning from our Mini Family Reunion weekend in Washington, D.C. But this year, I just can’t seem to dodge this particular bullet.

Yeah, I know. Shed some crocodile tears for me.

Anyway, here’s the menu, with my favorite wines highlighted in red:

Speaker’s Wines/Appetizers

Schramsberg “J Schram” 1999
Domaine Carneros “Le Reve” 2000
Perrier-Jouet “Belle Epoque” 1999
Veuve Cliquot “La Grande Dame” 1996

Pâté canapé
Local greens, Skatadakis Farms yogurt mousse
Georgia shrimp, asparagus

First Flight

Walter Hansel Estate Chardonnay 2005
Antinori della Sala 2005
Domaine William Fevre Chablis Grand Cru “Les Preuses” 2002

Garganelli with lobster, English peas, Benton Farms ham, lemon

Second Flight

Fort Ross Pinot Noir “Fort Ross” 2004
Fred. Magnier Morey St. Denis “Clos Baulet” Cuvée Unique 1999
Mommessin Gevrey-Chambertin “Grande Exception” 2002

Duck breast, Vidalia onions, harissa jus

Third Flight

Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 1995
Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Shafer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Domaine de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan 2000

Spinella steak, carrot pinçage purée, pickled celery

Dessert

La Tour Blanche Premier Cru Sauternes 1990

Panna cotta, balsamic syrup

Lagniappe

Shafer Napa Valley Merlot 2001
Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Les Combottes
Sichel Sauternes 2002

Ah, the things Denny and I endure on account of our Bloggy Art...

Update: I noted a minor change to the wine menu, as well as highlighting my favorites of the evening. In December, the Veuve Clicquot “La Grande Dame” edged out the Perrier-Jouet “Belle Epoque,” but this time the Cliquot was dull while the Perrier-Jouet sparkled. The Caymus, a last-minute addition, was the overwhelming star of the evening...but the Sauternes was excellent as well. The food was excellent, except for an indifferent first course...but slow service was an issue.

A splendid (and semi-rowdy) time was had by all. Except for Denny, who was a no-show. Oh, well: more for me.

GUILD EVENT: NOW WITH PICS!

For those who care about such things, I’ve updated yesterday’s Guild Event post with photographs.

Check it out. It’s your opportunity to see Denny with something other than a bottle of Shiner Bock in his hand.