Each couple brings a course and a wine pairing to match. This format is awesome as you always get to experience lots of new foods and wines.
The first course for the evening was mine and I went with Hummos + Pita with a Tomato + Feta salad. This was laid out and ready to go as everyone arrived. This way everyone could build a plate and a glass of wine and we could all sit around and get caught up. I served a chilled D’Arenberg “Hermit Crab” Viognier as the wine pairing. I did not take any pictures as I have covered this combination before.
http://zippysauce.blogspot.com/2008/01/saturday-night-pats-packers-pinot-and.html
The second course of the evening was Mick’s responsibility and he chose to prepare Satay Shrimp and Satay Chicken Skewers with a Peanut Garlic Sauce on a bed of Forbidden rice. Mick has made this shrimp recipe for us before in the past, but as both Zdenka and Steve are not big seafood fans, Mick did the chicken as well. Mick did an awesome job grilling both the chicken and the shrimp.
"Chicken vs. Shrimp"
He also decided to try two new German Rieslings with this dish; a Dr. Pauly Bergweiler Bernkasterler alte Badstube am Doctorberg 2006 Riesling Kabinett and a Dr. Pauly Bergweiler Bernkasterler Badstube 2006 Riesling Kabinett.
I think I just developed Carpal tunnel syndrome from typing in those names. Both bottles look almost identical so much so that when Mick bought these from the LCBO the cashier thought something was wrong when they came up as different price points. To simplify things I’m going to refer to the two Rieslings as the “Doctorberg” and the “non-Doctorberg”.
"Can you see the difference?"
The Doctorberg Riesling I found way too sweet. The non-Doctorberg Riesling was still sweeter than I would have liked but had a nice citrus-like bite to it that helped offset the sweetness. This worked out great as Zdenka, who was sitting beside me, loved the sweeter one so we did a “swap” so I got more of the one I liked and she got more of the sweeter one.
LCBO Information - DR. PAULY-BERGWEILER RIESLING KABINETT 2006
(Doctorberg)
VINTAGES 33407
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 21.80
8.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : 6 <-- Wow! No wonder I found this too sweet!
Made in: Moselle, Germany
By: Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler
Release Date: Jan 19, 2008
Description - Bernkasteler Badstube is considered one of the finest terroirs in the whole of the Mosel region. According to Jancis Robinson's The Oxford Companion to Wine (2005), Bernkastel Rieslings are known for their aromas and flavours of orchard fruit, vanilla, nut oils and a characteristic note of black cherry. Enjoy this delicious wine with spiced prawn dishes or a flavourful fish dish.Tasting Note - Rich and dense, this is a hefty kabinett, yet remains within the boundaries. The peach and tropical fruit notes grace a body with ample flesh, but it's lightweight, and mineral emerges on the finish. Drink now through 2010.
LCBO Information - DR. PAULY-BERGWEILER RIESLING KABINETT 2006
VINTAGES 912220
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 24.75
9.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : M
Made in: Moselle, Germany
By: Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler
Release Date: Sep 29, 2007
Description - A dense, rich yet delicate wine filled with apricot, orange and nectarine aromas and flavours. It is medium in sweetness with a long, concentrated finish that is ably balanced by a streak of acidity. Try it with spiced seafood dishes or vindaloo chicken.
"Damn, this was tasty!"
For the third course, Alex stepped up to the plate and knocked his course over the wall. He prepared Braised Short Ribs served with baby carrots and pearl onions. The meat was tender and flavorful and the au jus, carrots and onions made this dish a huge winner.
"Big, bold and lots of pepper!"
He served this with a 2004 Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cab was very good with the beef but had a peppery element to it that reminded me more of an Australian Shiraz.
LCBO Information - CLOS DU BOIS RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2004
VINTAGES 54080
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 29.70
Wine, Still Table Wine, Red Still Table Wine
13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : 1
Made in: California, United States
By: Clos du Bois
Release Date: Dec 8, 2007
Description - Clos du Bois, located in Geyserville, released its first wines in 1974. Erik Olsen, who drew high scores and lots of attention for his work at Chateau Ste. Michelle, took over as winemaker in 2003. This is proto-typical Alexander Valley Cab Sauv: rich, ripe and powerful, packed with fruit and spice. It won a Double Gold at the 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
"Mmmmm!"
"Couldn't decide which picture was better!" The dessert course for the evening was ably handled by Melanie who did a Chocolate Cheesecake recipe she found on Epicurious.com. I did a search and am 90% sure this is the recipe that she used –
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/reviews/4484
I’m not usually a big dessert fan but the Cheesecake really had a nice rich flavor to it that made it had to pass on. Melanie brought a couple of wines to go with this – A 2005 Leaping Horse Merlot, and a Vidal Icewine.
The Merlot wasn’t a bad pairing but was a bit light versus the richness of the chocolate. A heavier Merlot from Rutherford Hill or Joseph Phelps or even stepping up to a Cabernet Sauvignon would have been a better match. The Icewine was quite good with it which was interesting as I tend to serve Icewine with fruit-based desserts rather than chocolate ones.
LCBO Information - LEAPING HORSE MERLOT
LCBO 613265
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 12.00
13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: California, United States
By: Ironstone Vineyards
Tasting Note - Medium purple hue with fresh berry, herb and cherry aromas and flavours.
Serving Suggestion - A pleasant, easy drinking wine ideal for lighter fare or warm spring sunset sipping.
For a $12 bottle of Merlot, it is quite a good value and I will have to pick up a couple bottles for the rack.
LCBO Information - JACKSON-TRIGGS PROPRIETORS' RESERVE VIDAL ICEWINE
VINTAGES 594010
375 mL bottle
Price: $ 45.60
9.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : S
This is a VQA wine
Made in: Ontario, Canada
By: East-West Wines
Release Date: Feb 2, 2008
Description - This Icewine stands out with its tropical fruit flavours, as well as some wonderful peach, apricot, marmalade and vanilla notes. Sweet, with a silky smooth finish. Rich enough to stand up to pâté or match with custard tarts.
Serving Suggestion - fresh fruit, foie gras or liver pâté.
This Icewine was quite good but I’d suggest the 2007 Henry of Pelham Botrytis Affected Riesling (Vintages # 534628) for $ 27.90 instead as a better value for money. Of course, this just could be my bias against sweeter wines coming through.
I'd like to thank Amy for being the official photographer for the evening and to blame her for no pictures of the Icewine – as soon as Melanie served up her Cheesecake; Amy got a glazed look in her eye and upon eating the cheesecake was making almost sexual noises and all thoughts of taking pictures had quickly disappeared!
Cheers!
Mark
1 comment:
Interesting fact.
2006 was apparantly very affected by botrytis in northern Germany. This made hte Kabinett much sweeter than it normally should be. This explains why the supposedly dry riesling was sweeter than expected.
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