Juan Gil Wine Dinner in Lenox, MA

I received an email from Spirited Wines about a paired wine dinner at Alta Restaurant & Wine Bar in Lenox, MA on Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 from 6:00-8:30pm.

Here's the lineup:

Bacalao Croquetas

Honey Aioli

Lagar de Condesa Albarino 2013

Second

Wild Boar Terrine

Pistachio, Apricot, Quine, Spinach

Cellars Can Blau Tinto 2012 

Third

Rabbit & Merguez Stew

Peas, Mushrooms, Roasted Peppers, Rice

Clio Jumilla 2012

Fourth

San Simon Cheese

Fig Jam

Juan Gil Monastrell 2012 

Dessert

Crème Catalane

Almond Brittle, Grapefruits Granita

Juan Gil Moscatel 2013

$65 per person, plus tax & gratuity

Limited Seating. Call Alta Restaurant directly for reservations: 413-637-0003.

Thoughts

As a founding member of the #JuanGilFanClub (that to date exists only as a hashtag, but really does deserve its own following) I had to pass this event notice along.

Especially at the really fair price of $65. Dinners like this usually go for $100+.

Many of the wines and dishes being served line up well with my favorites from a trip to Spain a couple years ago. Juan Gil Monastrell is an amazing value, and Clio takes it to the next level. The other wines are part of the Gil Family Estates offerings - given the quality of the Gil Family wines I've tried I'd be very interested in exploring the others.

If you can battle your way through the snow (that seems to come every few days this winter in Massachusetts) this sounds like a great event.

Rabbit paella in Jumilla, Spain

Question of the Day: Has anyone been to Alta Restaurant & Wine Bar in Lenox? Good place?

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Coming Soon: Cliff Lede Wine Dinner at Del Frisco's Boston

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House in Boston is offering a paired wine dinner featuring the wines of Cliff Lede Vineyards.

Related Reading:

• First Look: Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House Boston
• Visiting Cliff Lede Vineyards

Cliff Lede Vineyards’ finest wines perfectly paired with delicious seasonal dishes in five course dinner

WHAT: Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, one of Boston’s premiere steakhouse destinations know for it’s juicy, prime steaks, exquisite wines and exceptional service, invites guest to explore the bold and flavorful wines of Napa Valley winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards. Cliff Lede General Manager, Lee Abraham will be onsite to meet with guests.

Guests will enjoy a five-course seasonal dinner perfectly paired with a selection of the vineyard’s finest wines.

To make a reservation, please call (617) 951-1368. For more information, please
visit www.delfriscos.com.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 17th - 6:30 p.m.

COST: $195 per person + tax and gratuity

WHERE: Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, 250 Northern Avenue, Boston

2014 Cliff Lede Wine Dinner 

Passed Appetizers

2013 FEL Pinot Gris

Beer Battered Alaskan King Crab Bites

Sam Adam Noble Pils Beer Batter, Blood Orange Remoulade

Oysters on The Half Shell

Melon Gastrique

Second Course

Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc

Cirtus Poached Sea Bass

Sea Bass poached in a citrus broth, White Peach Salsa

Third Course

Cliff Lede Pinot Noir

Three Season Lamb Lollipops

Black Cherry Compote, Wild Mushroom and Thyme Demi, Pomegranate Cola Syrup 

Dinner Course

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon

Bone-in Filet

Bone Marrow and Foie Gras Reduction, Smashed Potatoes, Glazed Baby Brussel Sprouts

Finale

Moondance Dream Cabernet Sauvignon

Chocolate Tasting

Truffles, mousse, mini chocolate pastries

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The Capital Grille Generous Pour 2014

I was in and around Boston a ton yesterday and was reminded once again what a great city we live near. When the Red Sox are playing at home it sets the tempo for the entire city and it's a joy to be a part of.

They were playing the Yankees yesterday which always takes things to the next level - even though the Red Sox have thrown in the towel on the season by trading away their pitching staff.

I wanted to meet up with a friend to exchange wines we'd purchased with each other over the past few months and The Capital Grille's Boylston Street location provided an appealing central location. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the country.

See: 10 Places to Wine & Dine in Boston

What started off as "drinks and appetizers" evolved into quite a feast thanks in part to their awesome service and The Generous Pour event which runs through August 31st. For $25 with dinner you can enjoy 7 different wines, this year from California and Oregon.

Pro Tip: Valet parking is just $16 even on game day and you can easily walk to Fenway from the restauarant.

We started off a with a bottle of 2012 Juan Gil Monastrell, which was easy to discover with their new iPad-based wine list. No more massive wine list to scan. I just tapped "Region" then "Spain"and voila - there was the Juan Gil. It was my first time tasting the 2012 and it seemed a little less fruit forward than prior vintages for better or worse. I'll have to buy some for closer analysis on my home court but for $40-some dollars on their list (and available south of $15 at retail) I think it's a great buy.

See also: Value Wine Discovered...at a Steakhouse!

We started off with some Chilled Seared Sushi Grade Tuna and Lollipop Lamb Chops paired with a taste of the 2011 Arrowood "Catchwire" Sonoma Bordeaux Blend. I don't know if it was the power of suggestion of the word on the label or what but it definitely was reminiscent of Bordeaux - a bit green and quite tannic but otherwise a pleasant red wine. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot.

Pro Tip: Sit in the bar area and ask for the Bar Menu

From there we switched things up a bit with a taste of Alaskan King Crab Legs paired with the 2012 Atalon Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. What a terrific pairing! The interplay of the crab legs and drawn butter with the crisp Atalon with soft edges was tremendous. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks but sees a bit of time in neutral oak barrels to give it kiss of sunshine. Really well done. I've been enjoying quite a bit of California Sauvignon Blanc this summer and this wine is an example of why I like it.

See also: Lifetime White Wine QPR Achievement Award goes to...

Next was a taste of New York Strip Steak, simply prepared medium rare with a trio of sauces on the side: Bernaise, Au Poivre, and the Shallot Butter their famous Kona preparation is paired with. Terrific stuff obviously.

And don't forget the sides: Lobster Mac & Cheese (always a table-favorite), Au Gratin Potatoes, Creamed Corn with Smoked Bacon, and Truffle Fries. It's amazing how well they do sides. Everything really.

This was paired with the 2012 La Crema Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. La Crema has been making terrific California Pinot Noir for years. This is their first forray into Oregon and it comes together nicely. It tastes pretty much exactly like what I'd think a La Crema Pinot produced in Oregon would taste like: Appealing soft red fruit aromatics, tea, a hint of Oregon twang in the background. It carried itself just fine with the steak. Nice wine.

Finally for dessert we had their amazing Coconut Cream Pie and Flourless Espresso cake. This was paired with a 2007 Kendall Jackson Late Harvest Chardonnay.

This year's Generous Pour lineup includes a few other wines we didn't taste: a Byron Charonnay, a Freemark Abbey Merlot, and a Caramel Road Riesling.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The Capital Grille's Generous Pour event continues to be one of the best steakhouse wine experiences you'll find. This year's wines are more domestic than ever before, but there are some curve balls: Riesling from Caramel Road rather than Pinot Noir. La Crema from Oregon rather than California for example.

Especially when your server customizes the service of the wine to go with the food you're tasting it can be a really special experience. Definitely check out their Boylston Street location in Boston if you're ever in the area. Especially if you can catch it before, during, or after a Red Sox game. It's a fantastic way to get a feel for the great city of Boston.

Go here for more information about their Generous Pour Event.

Check 'em out:
The Capital Grill

Locations around the country

On Twitter: @CapitalGrille

And Facebook: http://facebook.com/thecapitalgrille

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Patz & Hall Wine Dinner at Legal Harborside

Legal Seafoods is hosting a four-plus-course paired wine dinner featuring Patz & Hall co-founder Donald Patz at their flagship Legal Harborside restaurant in Boston.

I've come to know Patz & Hall's Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir bottling as one of the most reliably outstanding mid-priced California Pinot Noirs. It's fully of vibrant flavor, balanced and elegant, and for my palate always delicious. It retails for $46 but if you can find it south of $35 I'd highly recommend it as a value play. This dinner provides an opportunity to go deeper into Patz & Hall's single vineyard bottlings and explore some wines with age as well.

See also: Jorge Ordoñez Wine Dinner at Legal Sea Foods Framingham, MA

WHAT: On June 24, Legal Harborside will team up with Donald Patz, Co-Founder & National Sales Director of Patz & Hall, for an exclusive four-plus-course dinner. Founded in 1988, this California winery has a celebrated portfolio of single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. Patz & Hall uses the very best small, family-owned Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards in California with the talented winegrowers who farm these world-class sites. Built on a shared commitment to quality, these partnerships have led to the rich diversity of the wine portfolio, contributing to acclaimed cuvées and sought-after single-vineyard wines.

The menu will be presented as follows on Legal Harborside’s scenic second level overlooking the Boston Harbor:

HORS D’OEUVRES

Fried Green Tomato, King Crab Salad, Smoked Tomato

Compressed Watermelon, Soy and Yuzu Marinated Tuna, Shiso

Black Bass Crudo, Tear Drop Tomato, Shishito Peppers, Lemon Thyme

Yakitori-style Grilled Octopus, House-made Ponzu, Asian Pear

Patz & Hall Sparkling Wine 2010 

FIRST COURSE

Chilled Corn Soup

Roasted Summer Squash, Lobster Medallion, Opal Basil

Patz & Hall, Dutton Ranch 2012 – Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Patz & Hall, Alder Springs Vineyards 2003 – Mendocino Chardonnay

SECOND COURSE

Skate Wing with Gnocchi al Nero

Tomato Confit, Grilled Calamari, Spicy Brodo di Mare

Patz & Hall, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2012

THIRD COURSE

Roasted Lamb Loin

Braised Lamb Belly, Baby Artichokes, Graffiti Eggplant, Summer Beans

Patz & Hall, Jenkins Ranch 2012 – Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Patz & Hall, Hyde Vineyard 2000 – Carneros Pinot Noir

DESSERT COURSE

Maine Blueberry Tart

Sweet Corn Ice Cream

Patz & Hall, Late Harvest Wine 2011 – California

WHERE: Legal Harborside at Liberty Wharf
270 Northern Avenue, Boston

WHEN: Tuesday, June 24 at 6:30pm

COST: $135 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)

MORE INFO: Reservation required by calling 617.530.9470 or visiting www.legalseafoods.com.

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Jorge Ordoñez Wine Dinner at Legal Sea Foods Framingham, MA

Spanish wine legend Jorge Ordóñez will be on hand for an upcoming paired wine dinner at Legal Sea Foods' Framingham, MA location.

Ordóñez is the creative force behind an amazing number of Spanish wines enjoy here in the US. He's part of the group that brought us Alto Moncayo. He helped form El Nido. And most recently he gave us Triga. Tremendous values each of them and at this wine dinner priced at $75 a head (plus gratuity) he is associated with another nice value.

Legal Sea Foods is also offering a Kistler wine dinner at their Legal Harborside location in Boston.

To the press release...

WHAT: On June 4, Legal Sea Foods in Framingham will host a wine dinner with Fine Estates from Spain. Importer and merchant, Jorge Ordoñez, imports Spain's largest wine portfolio to America and provides a balanced spectrum of what he believes to be the best Spanish wines available in America. Ordóñez takes great pride in discovering, reintroducing and developing a wide array of varietals. Legal Sea Foods will team up with Ordóñez to host an exclusive four-plus-course dinner featuring signature cuisine paired with his selections from the Fine Estates from Spain vine.

The menu will be presented as follows:

HORS D’OEUVRES

Scallop Ceviche

Apple, Pomegranate Seeds, Sweet Basil

La Cana Albariño, Rias Baixas, 2012

FIRST COURSE

Sole & Lobster Mousse

Baby Pea Shoots, Saffron-Vanilla Vinaigrette

Nisia “Old Vines” Verdejo, Rueda, 2012

Avancia “Cuvée de O” Godello, Valdeorras, 2012

SECOND COURSE

Grilled Swordfish

Dried Chorizo, Wild Mushrooms, Pine Nuts,

Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette

Borsao “Tres Picos” Garnacha, Campo de Borja, 2012

Volver “Single Vineyard” Tempranillo, La Mancha, 2011

THIRD COURSE

Pepper Crusted Salmon

Grilled Clams, Ibérico Ham, Spinach,

Garlic-Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce

Zerran, Montsant, 2011

Muga Reserva, Rioja, 2009

DESSERT COURSE

Baked Citrus Custard

Salted Almond Praline, Orange-Mint Glaze

Jorge Ordóñez “Victoria No. 2,” Málaga

WHERE: Legal Sea Foods
50 Worcester Road, Framingham

WHEN: Wednesday, June 4, at 6:30pm

COST: $75 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)

MORE INFO: Reservation required by calling 617.530.9397 or visiting www.legalseafoods.com.

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Coming Soon: Jorge Ordoñez Wine Dinner at Blue Ginger

Fresh on the heels of the 100 point rating his Alto Moncayo wines received, Spanish wine super importer Jorge Ordoñez and Chef Ming Tsai are teaming up to conceive and present a dinner pairing wines from the Ordoñez portfolio with Chef Tsai's cuisine.

Ordoñez is the importer responsible for for bringing in an impressive list of Spanish wines to the US market. If you turn a bottle of Spanish wine around and look to see who the importer is, especially if it's a good one, I'd say there's a 70+% chance it'll bear his name.

The pattern I've seen is value at every price point. From entry level wines like Bodegas Borsao (labeled as Borsao Tinto, Monte Oton, and Tres Picos), Wrongo Dongo, and Bodegas Volver - to higher priced wines like Alto Moncayo - the entry level wines draw you in and make you wonder:

If $6 tastes this good, what happens when I spend $35 in this category? Then the $35 wine blows you away.

Though he's no longer involved at Spain's Gil Family Estates (one of my favorite producers from this trip to Spain to say the least) Ordoñez was responsible for bringing Bodegas Juan Gil to the US market and helped form the team behind Bodegas El Nido whose wines set the bar for what wines from Jumilla can be, selling for $45 to $140. If you like Alto Moncayo, you'll love El Nido Clio.

Ordoñez' success, I think, has come from identifying outstanding vineyards in Spain, working with producers on vinification standards, styling the wines for the American market, and developing brands and labels American consumers can relate to. That they can recognize and get excited about buying again and again.

And perhaps most importantly, his wines are styled in a way that blend the old world with the new to form a flavor profile that's very appealing to an American wine consumer like myself who enjoys the style of wines from California but who is looking to branch out into new regions - especially those more affordable than Napa.

Looking at the wines slated to poured, this dinner provides a window into his latest discoveries. Based on what I've tried in the past I have every reason to believe these wines will continue a tradition of incredible quality and value...

Jorge Ordoñez Wine Dinner

November 18, 2013

Togarashi Spiced Salmon Tataki

Orange-Roasted Fennel Salad

2012 Jorge Ordonez & Co "Botani" Dry Muscat (Sierras de Malaga)

~~~

Lemon-Butter Poached Sablefish

Parsnip-Quince Puree and Grilled Shallot Chutney

2012 Bodegas Avanthia "Avancia" Godello (Valdeorras)

~~~

Szechwan Spiced Duck Breast with Soy-Tangerine Confit

Foie Gras Sauce

2009 Sierra Cantabria "Reserva Unica" Rioja (Rioja)

~~~

Turmeric-Fennel Crusted Oven Roasted Sirloin

Spicy Grilled Eggplant, Clove-Spinach Puree and Yellow Rice

**2011 Bodegas Volver "Triga" Old Vine Monastrell (Alicante)**

~~~

Wasik's Cheese Course

2011 Bodegas Breca "Breca" Garnacha (Calatayud)

~~~

Blue Ginger Dessert

2012 Jorge Ordonez & Co "Victoria" Sweet Muscat (Malaga)

$125.00 Per Person, Inclusive of Tax and Gratuity

For reservations call 781-283-5790 x18

Reservations required 

Credit card is required to hold a reservation. 

Charge will be incurred on the day of the event. 

No penalty for cancellations made prior to 48 hours in advance.

**USA premiere release**

For more information, visit Blue Ginger's website:

http://www.ming.com/blue-ginger/upcoming-events/november-2013-jorge-ordonez-wine-dinner.htm

Further Reading:

Event Report: Gary Farrell Wine Dinner at Blue Ginger

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Ends Sunday: $25 Wagyu Burger and Belle Glos or Silver Oak at The Capital Grille

As I was driving down to the Massachusetts State House to testify in favor of allowing the direct shipment of wine to Massachusetts Tuesday I thought to myself: Should I stop in at The Capital Grille for lunch? Of course I should!

I'm not too familiar with restaurants around the State House so rather than struggle with uncertainty I stopped in at The Capital Grille on Boylston Street for a quick bite to eat. I'm glad I did because I didn't realize they were still running their Wagyu & Wine offer which includes:

• A Wagyu Burger topped with Havarti and a "perfectly prepared" egg
• Truffle Fries
• Your choice of a glass of Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon -or-
• A glass of Belle Glos Pinot Noir

All for $25.

This is quite a deal because Silver Oak Alexander Valley carries a retail release price of $70 and Belle Glos single vineyard wines retail for $44. Say what you will about steakhouse markups, and I'm unsure what a bottle of Silver Oak goes for on their list, but if they sell it for $150 and you get 4 or 5 glasses per bottle that would be like a $33 glass of wine. They're basically paying you $8 to take the burger! ;)

And the burger is terrific.

I couldn't decide which wine to taste so I tried both.

At this location they're pouring the 2012 Belle Glos Dairyman Vineyard Pinot Noir (Wine-Searcher). This is the second vintage Dairyman has been in the Belle Glos portfolio and the first time I've tried it. I always pause a bit when choosing wine by the glass in a restaurant especially if I see it's been opened for an indeterminate amount of time. Especially at 11:30 am when the bottle was likely opened the night before.

But the wine was absolutely delicious. If you've tasted Belle Glos Pinots before you know it's a bit of a Cab drinker's Pinot - rich and full bodied. For my palate, they never cross the line into raisins and prunes and they skilfully retain brilliance despite their ripeness. The Dairyman continues this winning streak.  My favorite bottling has long been the Las Alturas Vineyard, but I'd put the Dairyman right up there alongside Las Alturas. I'd like to track down a bottle or two of the Dairyman to see how the two compare side by side. Highly recommended.

The 2009 Silver Oak Alexander Valley (Wine-Searcher) was very nice as well, and even though both paired nicely with the Wagyu Burger, I preferred the Pinot Noir. Either I've gone so far off the deep end in favor of the core flavor profile of California Pinot Noir I can't discern a good Cab from a good Pinot OR this wasn't the greatest glass of Silver Oak I've had. I'm usually a fan too. It wasn't bad - it just wasn't great for me.

However the Wagyu Burger was terrific. The egg yolk provides a perfect sauce of sorts for what's probably best enjoyed with a knife and fork. The Truffle Fries are good but like I've said before not my favorite side on their otherwise terrific menu.

All things considered you can't go wrong with this offer. A second glass of wine, if you'd like, will set you back $20. Check it out before the offer ends this Sunday November 17th, 2013:

https://www.thecapitalgrille.com/pages/wagyu-and-wine/

This offer is valid at most but not all Capital Grille locations.

Check 'em out:
The Capital Grille Boston
900 Boylston Street
617-262-8900
http://www.thecapitalgrille.com

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Ridge Vineyards Wine Dinner at Legal Sea Foods Park Square Boston

Legal Sea Foods is hosting a paired wine dinner at their Park Square Boston, MA location featuring wines from Ridge Vineyards.

Ridge is one of those vineyards that never goes out of style. A great wine to choose at a business dinner when you want something everyone's sure to enjoy without breaking the bank. And a great wine to choose for your dinner table every night. Unless you pop a bottle of Monte Bello - you might want to have a special occasion to justify that one.

More info from the press release:

WHAT: On June 19th, Legal Sea Foods in Park Square will host a wine dinner with Ridge Vineyards. Ridge Vineyards respects the natural process that transforms fresh grapes into wine and the 19th century model of guiding that process with minimal intervention, producing high-quality grapes of distinct, individual character. Legal Sea Foods will team up with Ridge Vineyards’ winemaker, Eric Baugher, to host a four-plus-course dinner featuring signature cuisine paired with Baugher’s choices from their vine.

The menu will be presented as follows in Park Square’s 10,000 bottle wine cellar:

HORS D’OEUVRES

Mini Crab Cake, Mustard Sauce

Marinated Calamari Salad, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis

Shrimp Escabeche, Jicama Round, Cilantro Crème Fraîche

Ridge “Estate” Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains, 2011

FIRST COURSE

Rainbow Trout Rillette

Wild Mushrooms, Blood Orange Vinaigrette

Ridge “Three Valleys,” Sonoma, 2011

SECOND COURSE

Oven Roasted Cornish Hen

Hickory Grilled Ramps, Red Bliss Potatoes

Meyer Lemon Beurre Blanc

Ridge “Estate” Merlot, Santa Cruz Mountains, 2010

THIRD COURSE

Hickory Wood Grilled Tuna Steak*

Olive Tapenade, Truffled Mashed Turnip

Aged Balsamic Reduction

Ridge “Geyserville,” Sonoma, 2011

CHEESE COURSE

Morbier, Aged Gouda, Private Stock Aged Cheddar

Grilled Crostini & California Cherry Compote

Ridge “Mazzoni Home Ranch,” Sonoma, 2007

WHERE: Legal Sea Foods - Park Square Wine Cellar
26 Park Square, Boston

WHEN: Wednesday, June 19th at 6:30pm

COST: $95 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)

MORE INFO: Reservation required by calling 617.530.9397 or visiting www.legalseafoods.com.

Another dinner they've got coming up that caught my eye? Peter Michael on June 20th a Legal Harborside. A little pricier but wow - talk about an opportunity to taste some highly regarded wine. Both of these events sound fantastic.

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Del Frisco's Boston: World of Wine Dinner Series

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House in Boston is hosting a series of paired wine dinners from prominent wine regions around the world. California, Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Northern Italy are slated to be featured in their World of Wine Dinner Series.

First up: California on Friday, March 22nd, 2013.

To give you a feel for the quality of wines poured at the events here's what's on tap for the California dinner:

Cheese plates on table

Passed Sparkling

Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc

Green chile braised pheasant enchilada, blood orange, queso fresco

Rombauer Cabernet

Applewood smoked pork belly confit, Caramelized Granny Smith grits, cardamom-sage jus.

Nickel & Nickel CC Ranch Cabernet

Australian lamb Ribeye, local goat cheese bread pudding, wild berry lamb Demi, watercress.

Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet

Prosciutto wrapped filet mignon, foie gras, russet-sweet potato gratin

Dessert, Dolce by Far Niente

Lemon cupcake with lavender meringue.

The dates for follow-on events are as follows:

June 7th – Bordeaux
August 16th – Burgundy
October 25th – Northern Italy

The World of Wine Dinner Series will launch on Friday, March 22nd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dinners cost $100 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

For more information, please call 617-345-3941 or visit www.delfriscos.com

Further Reading: First Look - Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse Boston

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Cakebread Cellars Dinner at Legal Harborside

This is a good one! Legal Harborside is hosting a Cakebread wine dinner and Dennis Cakebread will be on hand to share the Cakebread story and describe the wines.

Long time WWP readers will recall that Cakebread is the wine that got me into wine. For more information on what makes the Cakebread brand special check out this in depth trip report. Cakebread is a great place to visit. I'd recommend springing for something more than a quick tasting to get a feel for what they do.


WHERE: Legal Harborside at Liberty Wharf
270 Northern Avenue, Boston

WHEN: Monday, March 11th at 7:00pm

COST: $125 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)

HOW: Reservations can be made by contacting 617.530.9470 or visiting www.legalseafoods.com.

WHAT: On March 11th, Legal Harborside will team up with Cakebread Cellars’ Director of Sales, Dennis Cakebread, to host a wine dinner at Legal Harborside. This four-plus-course culinary adventure will highlight the best tastes from sea and vine. Cakebread Cellars has vineyard properties located throughout Napa Valley surrounding the production facility in Rutherford where it all began in 1972. Today, the winery owns 13 sites totaling 982 acres.

The menu will be presented as follows on Legal Harborside’s scenic second level overlooking Boston Harbor:

HORS D’OEUVRES

vol-au-vent, lobster, tarragon, mascarpone

geoduck clam, yuzu marinated melon, virginia ham

pickled sardines, dill crème fraîche, caraway and rye toast

merguez sausage, fennel vinaigrette and apple hash

Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2010

FIRST COURSE

tuna carpaccio*

bosc pear, wakame, serrano chiles, wasabi aioli and cucumber

Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2011

SECOND COURSE

grilled shrimp

rosemary, smoked and braised chickpeas, chorizo and roast garlic dust

Cakebread Cellars “Reserve” Chardonnay, Carneros, 2010

THIRD COURSE

cast iron skillet-seared duck breast

red rice, golden rutabaga, preserved walnuts and junipers

Cakebread Cellars “Benchland Select” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2009

CHEESE

mountain cheese and dried fruit

Cakebread Cellars Zinfandel, Lake County, 2010

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Gary Farrell Wine Dinner at Blue Ginger

Gary Farrell Winery partnered with Chef Ming Tsai's Blue Ginger in Wellesley for a paired wine dinner this week. Wellesley's own Wasik's Cheese Shop was on hand to present cheeses for a total of six courses. Chef Tsai conceived, prepared and introduced each course to a group of forty food and wine enthusiasts and was joined by Gary Farrell General Manager Nancy Bailey and Winemaker Theresa Heredia.

Gary Farrell Winery is a Sonoma producer best known for their well balanced Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Gary Farrell began producing wine in the area in the late 1970s. Along with folks like Joe Rochioli, Tom Dehlinger, Davis Bynum, Robert Stemmler and others, Farrell established what Russian River Pinot Noir and Chardonnay would become today. In 1982 he produced his first wine under the Gary Farrell label and gradually built its prominence.

Gary Farrell Winery sources their grapes from well regarded vineyards like Rochioli, Keefer Ranch, Westside Farms, Bien Nacido, and Ramal. They source many of these grapes through long standing "handshake" arrangements with the growers and though they don't have their own vineyards as of yet they do have a winery and tasting room in the Russian River Valley that are open to the public. Appointments recommended.

Gary Farrell himself sold the winery in 2004. After a string of ownership changes from 2004 to 2011 the winery is now owned by The Vincraft Group - a name you might recognize for its ownership of Kosta Browne (visit/trip report here).

Winemaker Theresa Heredia joined Gary Farrell in 2012. You may have tasted her wines before since she was the winemaker at Freestone (Joseph Phelps' Pinot Noir project) from its first vintage through 2011.

So the wines we'd be tasting this evening were made by Gary Farrell winemaker Susan Reed who was Farrell's assistant prior to selling the winery in 2004 through 2011. Gary Farrell himself went off and started Alysian Wines.

So a bit of a changing of the guard has occurred at Gary Farrell Winery. But after tasting through these wines, along with being familiar with the Freestone style, along with talking with Theresa about her vision for Gary Farrell Winery - I think the winery is in very good hands and headed in an even better direction. If I could sum it up in one word I think it would be: Balance

Here are my thoughts on the evening...
(click/tap images to enlarge)

Maine Crab Balls with Grapefruit Pearls

'Waldorf' Salad

2011 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc

This was Gary Farrell Winery's first Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc. I thought it was lively and rich yet clean and delicious. I'm always a sucker for a California Sauvignon Blanc as a starter. Maybe it has something to do with memories of visiting California wineries and having it be the first wine you taste before you get to the stuff you came for.

It paired wonderfully with the crunch of the crab balls and the 'Waldorf' salad was delicious, especially after hearing Chef Tsai's story about being visiting the Waldorf Astoria in New York the week before and "doing the tourist thing" and visiting their restaurant to enjoy the original.

Lobster Bisque Flan

Toasted Sesame Quinoa Salad

2009 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Chef Tsai started off this course with a story about how you make Lobster Bisque using a Burr mixer, mentioning this article in the New York Times about how dangerous they can be. I was confused what a Burr mixer was initially. He'd later clarify on Twitter that a Burr mixer is a larger/industrial form of an immersion blender...which I'd gotten for my wife this year for Christmas at her request! Better be careful there Honey!

The Chardonnay was outstanding. Moderate oak influence, green apples, some slight tropical influence but not at all buttery or oaky. Very unique. It deftly avoided a lot of the pitfalls often found in California Chardonnay. Great value too if you can find it south of $30 at retail (it carries a $35 release price).

Five Spice Duck Breast with Sweet Potato 'Souffle'

Pomegranate and Brussels Sprout Salad

2010 Gary Farrell Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir

This was a spectacular course and the Hallberg Pinot Noir was my wine of the night.

Chef Tsai, as he often does, described how easy Brussels sprouts are to make and how much his kids enjoy eating them. The dish came together wonderfully.

The Hallberg Pinot Noir was so good I had to stop and post a tasting note on CellarTracker using the Cor.kz iPhone app. Really gorgeous stuff. Black cherries. Inviting fruit. Rich yet graceful. Seek this one out, and more from the Hallberg vineyard as well. Very nice. 93/100 WWP: Outstanding

Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Beet Gratin

White Peppercorn-Dijon Mustard Beurre Noisette

2010 Gary Farrell Rochioli Vineyard Pinot Noir

Another winning course. A play off a traditional steak frites dish Tsai recalled from his time in Paris, the sous-vide beef was melt in your mouth delicious. Remember that Top Chef season a while back where practically everything they made was prepared sous-vide? I think I now know why so many used that technique. Wow.

The Gary Farrell Rochioli Pinot Noir was positioned as the star wine of the night. Given Rochioli's California Pinot Noir royalty status, this wine jumped off the page of the event invitation (I attended as a media guest of the winery). But the Rochioli was leaner than the Hallberg. More orange oil/peel whereas the Hallberg was black cherries. Nice structure and acidity to stand up to the beef but given that I like Pinot Noir on the riper side the Hallberg was more purely enjoyable.

Wasik's Cheese Selections

2010 Gary Farrell Bradford Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel

Mr. Wasik was on hand himself to present the cheeses. Fantastic stuff. Folks in Wellesley line up out the door especially around the holidays to buy cheese from Wasik's and there's a Whole Foods with a substantial assortment of cheese down the street. Their stuff is that good.

Warm Ginger Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce

2010 Gary Farrell Bradford Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel

Salted Caramel! Love that stuff. The Zinfandel was incorporated into the ice cream and was tasty on its own as well. A delicious end to a magnificent wine dinner.

Conclusions & Recommendations

It was a pleasure to taste through Gary Farrell Winery's latest offerings. From what I tasted they strike a very nice balance that's sure to intrigue and please. Their appellation wines can be found at retail (try a Wine-Searcher search in your area) but the single vineyard bottlings require a little more effort to find. Best bet would be to join their wine club.

Blue Ginger does a great job with their wine dinners and Chef Tsai's engaging presence was unforgettable. The intimate forty person private room combined with outstanding service make these events ones to seek out. Look for upcoming events at Blue Ginger and keep an eye out for his new restaurant (and one his second): Blue Dragon in Boston.

I'd love it if you subscribed to The Wellesley Wine Press for future updates.

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Deal Alert: $65 Five Course Meal w/Wine at the Mandarin Oriental Boston

Gilt City is offering a five course meal paired with one glass of wine at the Mandarin Oriental Boston's Asana restaurant for $65. The going rate for their 5 course tasting menu is $85 and this offer includes a glass of wine (that I'd estimate at being worth around $10 minimum) so this is a value of around $30 per person. A good way to try out a swanky restaurant at a swanky hotel if you're interested.

But the deal comes with an interesting kicker that can make this deal quite compelling if you're into spa visits. It includes a $50 gift certificate good towards a treatment at the Mandarin Oriental Spa. Beware that most treatments run north of $200. But if you're interested in getting to know this hotel and its amenities, and can navigate the restrictions that accompany this deal it can be a good one.

But wait, there's more! You can whittle the price of the Gilt City voucher down a little more with a couple tricks.

First, buy the deal through a cashback portal like FatWallet which is currently offering 4% cashback on Gilt City purchases.

Second, if you're not a Gilt City subscriber you can get $15 off your first purchase by being referred by a friend. Like me! I'll also go $15 off my next Gilt City purchase if you sign up so thanks in advance for using my referral link if you so choose. ;)

Alright, got it? $65 - $15 = $50 plus 4% cashback from FatWallet. That's $48 for the meal with a glass of wine and the spa gift certificate as an added bonus.

Just make sure you check out the restrictions on the offer page to make sure you can take full advantage of this offer.

Here is a link to the offer on Gilt City
Offer expires 1/21/2013.

Related Reading:

• My Mandarin Oriental Boston hotel review
• My Mandarin Oriental spa review

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Elk Cove Wine Dinner at Sprigs Restaurant in Acton, MA

Sprigs Restaurant in Acton, MA is offering what appears to be a fantastic dinner featuring wines from Elk Cove Vineyard. $63 per person gets you a 5 course meal paired with wines from Elk Cove, many of which we don't see available at retail in Massachusetts.

I've found Elk Cove to be a reliable producer, vintage after vintage, of reasonably priced delicious Oregon Pinot Noir. Their wines always seem to deliver ample fruit while respectfully reflecting where they come from.

Click the menu image below to visit the Sprigs website and learn more.
Thanks to friend and reader A.L. for the heads up.

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First Look: Lunch at The Capital Grille Boston

It seems like just yesterday, but The Capital Grille Boston moved from Newbury to Boylston Street this past August. I had my first look at the space when I stopped in for lunch with a friend recently. The new restaurant is grand - graciously proportioned, sophisticated, and comfortable. More than twice as large as the original, the location is now open for lunch, served primarily in a sleek lounge area with large windows overlooking the adjacent Boylston, Dalton and Hereford streets.

I arrived shortly before they opened to take some photos of the space. The style is somewhat similar to the Burlington, Massachusetts Capital Grille but the build quality feels a touch higher at the downtown location. It also feels more spacious which is surprising given that this is a downtown location.

Some familiar portraits convey from the old site, but this is very much a 100% new space. I was thinking I might miss the old restaurant with its ornate dark wood and good old boys club feel. But after a short walk around the room I felt right at home. I can't wait to make it back for a birthday dinner.

We took a seat in the lounge for lunch, as did most others that day. Seating near the bar in the old location was tight but this one is very comfortable. A "Plates" menu option provides a good value - a choice of soup or salad along with a protein and a side for $15.

We split a wedge salad -- I feel cheated if I visit and don't get one -- along with selections from the Plates menu and a Tres Picos Garancha by the glass. I really want to try more Grenache in the coming year and this wine is a good example of why. Rich fruit flavors with caramel notes in the background. Quite affordable at retail too from around $12 (search for it at retail on wine-searcher.com).

Our server and several others recommended the Porcini Bisque. I'm glad we took their advice - it was fantastic. It's a dark creamy soup served with a streak of chive oil. Mix that in and you've got a delicious hearty start to your meal.

I couldn't pass up the Mini Tenderloin Sandwiches with Truffle Fries. Our server recommended the Lobster Roll or the "Knife and Fork" BLT but we couldn't be swayed. The tenderloin sliders were very good, but I've never been blown away by their truffle fries. Even if they sound and look delicious they're just so-so. I probably should have gone with one of the vegetable sides.

That said I enjoyed every bite, along with a wine off their higher end by-the-glass list: A 2010 Markham Pinot Noir that's unfortunately a Capital Grille exclusive. Highly recommended next time you stop in.

The Plates menu is designed to get you in and out in 45 minutes. We must have lingered a little more than normal (we were on vacation) and ended up spending about 2 hours there. Note they don't have valet service at lunch. I was able to find nearby street parking (bring your quarters) but I hear the garage near the Kings bowling alley is a good option.

The Plates menu evolves in early January to feature more wintery selections including -- get this -- a Wagyu Cheeseburger with Fried Egg and Crisp Onions.

I snapped the photo below on the way out. I think it captures the new location brilliantly. Polished and solid as a rock, but in the reflection you can see the old charm of the Back Bay neighborhood it is situated within:

Check 'em out:
The Capital Grille Boston
900 Boylston Street
617-262-8900
http://www.thecapitalgrille.com

Related Reading: A review of Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

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Mondavi Winemaker Dinner at Morton's The Steakhouse Back Bay

Morton's The Steakhouse is hosting Peter Mondavi Jr. of Charles Krug Winery for a winemaker dinner this coming Tuesday March 22nd, 2011. Check it out:

What

Morton’s The Steakhouse Back Bay invites wine enthusiasts to dine and drink with one of the country’s foremost winemakers, Peter Mondavi Jr. of Charles Krug Winery.  Known for its extensive, award-winning wine list, Morton’s has cultivated relationships with some of the leading domestic wineries.  The Winemaker Dinners offer guests a glimpse into the inner-workings of these vineyards, as well as an interactive experience with the winemakers themselves. 

Hailing from Napa Valley’s first family of winemaking, Peter Mondavi Jr. was introduced to the process at a young age and quickly became versed in the world of wines.  In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Charles Krug Winery, third generation proprietor Peter explores some of the estate’s finest vintages, including the 1980 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection.  Located in the heart of Napa Valley, the famed Charles Krug is home to super-premium and reserve wines made with estate-grown, sustainably farmed fruit representing the region’s most prized sub-appellations. 

In addition to several courses of Morton’s signature cuisine, guests sample Peter’s hand-selected Charles Krug wine pairings.  The menu and wines include:

Reception
Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
Belgian Endive with Blue Cheese
Tuna Tartare, Diced Tomato and Avocado
Charles Krug, St. Helena - Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, 2010

First Course
Mixed Field Greens topped with Grilled Colossal Shrimp
Charles Krug, Carneros Chardonnay, 2009

Second Course
Filet Mignon served with Chive Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Tomato stuffed with Sautéed Spinach, Shiitake Mushrooms
Charles Krug, Vintage Selection - 125th Anniversary, Cabernet Sauvignon, 1980
Charles Krug, Vintage Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006
Charles Krug, Vintage Selection - 150th Anniversary, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008  

Cheese Course
Green Hill (Jersey Cow Milk Cheese)
Roasted Wild Rice (Gouda)
GoreDawnZola (Gorgonzola)
Snow Drop (Goat Cheese)
Charles Krug, Zinfandel Port, Lot XIV

Dessert
Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Details
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
6:30 PM - Reception; 7:00 PM - Dinner
$150 per guest, inclusive of tax and gratuity
Call 617-266-5108 for reservations

699 Boylston Street
Boston, MA

 Parking
Valet parking available.

More Info
http://www.mortons.com/bostonbackbay/specialevents/ 

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Event Report: Urban Grape Quintessa Wine Dinner at The Capital Grille

Wine retailer The Urban Grape recently teamed up with The Capital Grille in Chestnut Hill, MA to kick off a series of winemaker dinners in 2011.  The first, this past Thursday January 27th, featured wines from Quintessa and winemaker Charles Thomas.

Quintessa is owned by Augustin Huneeus whose Huneeus Vintners controls a growing stable of wine brands.  Quintessa is a top-flight Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley that retails for around $135.  Faust is a more approachable Napa Cab that sells for around $50.  Illumination is a $45 Napa Sauvignon Blanc.

Beyond these Napa wines, Huneeus Vintners has added a number of prominent brands to their portfolio.  In California these include Flowers and Orin Swift (who makes the bold QPR-favorite The Prisoner).  In Chile there's Veramonte and Ritual.  Quite a list of wines.

My affinity for The Capital Grill is well-documented at this point.  Here's a review I wrote last year about their Master Wine Tasting Event in June.  I'm a huge fan of their style of service, the quality of food across the entire menu, and the way their wine selections focus on guiding us to delicious wines in categories that expand our wine knowledge.

The evening started out with a reception featuring the Chilean Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc.  I thought it was a fruit-forward and friendly way to start the evening.  I had a nice time chatting up Urban Grape owners TJ and Hadley Douglas.  TJ told me he loves wine dinners tracing back to his days with (wine distributor) Ruby Wines when he regularly did wine dinners.

If you're familiar with The Capital Grille's Chestnut Hill location, the dinner occurred in the private room in the back-left of the restaurant.  The event was absolutely sold out and the room was filled to capacity.  In talking to the people seated around me, there was a mix of big-time Capital Grille fans and Urban Grape clients as well.  Everyone was excited to try the wines.

As the first course was served (a Winter Salad of Mesclun Greens and Endive Tossed with a Grapefruit Vinaigrette, Clementine, Poached Pear and Postachio) winemaker Charles Thomas greeted us, told us about the history of the Quintessa, and introduced the first wine: The 2009 Illumination Sauvignon Blanc.

Charles has been winemaker at Quintessa since 2007.  His past experience includes Robert Mondavi Winery, Domaine Chandon, Cardinale and Rudd as well as being involved with the inception and creation of Opus One.

Augustin Huneeus's experience in the wine business started with Concha y Toro in Chile.  Then a small winery, he built it up before coming to the US in the 1970s.  He worked with a variety of brands then built up Franciscan in the 1980s.  His efforts are now focused on Quintessa and related brands in his portfolio.

Charles described his approach with Illumination as being "careful with the oak".  I noted light lime aromas in a soft wine that hinted at New Zealand but chose not to go for the pungency and zest.  Not too overly fruity, especially for Napa, and especially compared to the Veramonte that proceeded it.  Around $45 - I'd rate it 86 points.

The second course featured Alaskan Yukon Gold Salmon Caviar and American Sturgeon Caviar paired with the 2008 Ritual Pinot Noir.

Like other Chilean Pinot Noirs I've tried it was a bold wine featuring spicy notes.  I thought it was racy, if a little rough and tannic compared to what I see in Pinot Noirs produced in other regions.  A little rough and tumble.  Paul Hobbs was a consulting winemaker on this one.  Around $38 - I'd rate it 87 points.

Next up was the 2007 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Rosemary Lamb with Swiss Chard, Baby Carrots Glazed with Balsamic.  One of my favorite dishes at the Capital Grille is the Double Cut Lamb Rib Chops - this was a slightly different preparation with the balsamic treatment and less crunch on the outside.  It paired nicely with the Faust.

Charles described how the Faust came into being.  They felt they could produce a great wine from the grapes they were selling to other wineries that weren't making their way into the flagship Quintessa wine.  Faust provides an affordable taste of what they do, but stylistically it's a very different wine than Quintessa.

Faust is classic Napa Cab with big dark fruit up front and palate-flooding flavor.  I found the back end of the palate a little limited and the finish a touch short.  Still, it's a crowd pleaser.  I'd rate it 89 points - about $50.

Then, it was time for the big show.  The one we'd all been waiting for: The 2007 Quintessa.  Before trying the wine, I asked Charles which other wines Quintessa is stylistically similar to.  He paused a moment - perhaps thinking about how to position the wine compared to other elite wines, perhaps thinking about whether he wanted to pre-dispose our perception of the wine in a certain way before we tried it.  He said some compare it to Opus One, Robert Mondavi Reserve, and Phelps Insignia.

After trying the wine, I thought Opus One was the most relevant comparison.  It's definitely a new world spin on a Bordeaux blend - and a very good one.  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carmenere come together to form a wine that is slightly closed aromatically at this point (as you'd expect - the wine is very young) with tar, red fruit and just a hint of mocha.  The wine distinguished itself with it's laser-beam of intense flavors on the palate, through the back end, and with a very long finish.  I hear the thing you're looking for when assessing wines like this in their youth is length of finish so this bodes very well for this wine's future.  I'd rate it 92 points - around $135.

It was paired with a Sesame Encrusted Tuna Served over Seaweed Salad Garnished with Pickled Ginger, Honey Wasabi, and White Soy.  Perhaps an unconventional pairing (some opted to have steak snuck out from the kitchen) but I thought it worked very well.  The sinus-clearing nature of the wasabi was tempered with honey and the salt from the soy came together with the rich fruit of the bold red wine beautifully.  I'm not much of a fish guy and I devoured the dish.

Dessert was a Coconut Creme Brulee with a Sandeman 10 Year Old Tawny Port.  Loved the creme brulee - one of my favorite desserts at The Capital Grille, but I'm not much of a Port guy.

Noteable:

• The group seated next to me was a fun bunch.  They said they come to the Capital Grille at least once a week and always sit with our lead server for the night David Bresner.  His approach typifies the Capital Grille experience - refined yet comfortable and down to earth.
• The groups said when they went to The Capital Grille's Las Vegas location the restaurant was aware of their dining preferences from their past dining at Massachusetts Capital Grille locations - they didn't even have to tell them how like liked their steaks prepared.  I asked them how often they mis-cook their steaks: "Almost never."  I thought this was particularly impressive given that one of them likes their steaks well done and the other likes them rare.
• They also recommended Carmaleno's Pushcart in Saugus - duly noted.

Conclusions and Next Steps:

I'm always impressed with how well The Capital Grille serves a meal, especially to a large group like this.  The Urban Grape's style pairs well here and they're not kidding when they say space is limited for these events.  If you want to attend future events be sure to get your reservation in early.

The next dinner in the series is Thursday, March 3, 2011 featuring wines from Vias Imports - red wines from Piedmont: Barbaresco and Barolo!  More info on The Urban Grape's Event's page.

I attended as a guest of The Urban Grape. 

Check 'em out:

• The Urban Grape
• The Capital Grille Chestnut Hill
• Quintessa

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Aura Restaurant at the Seaport Hotel Boston Offers Pre/Post Dining Options for this Weekend's Boston Wine Expo

It's always good to have a plan for dining before and after a wine tasting and the Aura Restuarant at the Seaport Hotel Boston is offering some notable dining options adjacent to this weekend's Boston Wine Expo:

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine Dinner featuring Author Harry Karis
Thursday, January 20th; 6 - 7 pm, cocktails & book signing, 7 - 9 pm, dinner & wine discussion

Aura’s Prix-Fixe Dinner menu
Friday, January 21st – Sunday, January 23rd; 5 pm – 10 pm

Aura’s Buffet Brunch
Saturday & Sunday, January 22nd & 23rd; 10 am – 3 pm

Click here for more information on these three offerings.

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The Urban Grape Quintessa Wine Dinner at The Capital Grille

The Urban Grape in Chestnut Hill, MA is hosting a series of wine maker dinners in 2011.  The first is Thursday, January 27th at The Capital Grille in Chestnut Hill featuring Augustus Huneeus from Quintessa.

The evening includes a cocktail hour followed by a 4-course menu specially created the event and paired wines from Quintessa, Faust, Illumintation and Ritual.

Cost is $125 per person.  Click here for more information and to make a reservation.

Further Reading:

• Review: The Urban Grape
• Review: The Master Wine Tasting Event at The Capital Grille
• Review: Chef's Table Dinner at The Capital Grille

Hope to see you there!

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Win 2 Tickets to Morton's Napa Tasting Event

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Wine Riot ticket giveaway earlier this week.  We've got another one for you today...

There's a lot of wine events this time of year - here's another one for your consideration.  Morton's The Steakhouse Back Bay Boston location is offering a Five of This with Five of That event this coming Monday.  They've partnered with Ruby Wines to Host a Monthly “Uncorked” Tasting Series and this month's theme is red wines from Napa - one of my favorite categories.

I attended an event in this series earlier this year and wrote up my thoughts.  I hope that gives you an idea of what to expect.

Morton's has offered up a pair of tickets to giveaway on this site!  To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post -or- E-mail me saying you'd like to be entered in the contest:
wellesleywinepress@gmail.com 

To increase your chances of winning, tweet a link to this blog post and you'll get a 2nd entry.  Click here to pre-populate a Twitter status update (you'll have a chance to edit before sending the tweet).

Get your entries in by 11:59pm on Friday, October 22nd 2010 and I'll do the drawing Saturday morning.  Good luck! 

What:
Morton’s The Steakhouse Back Bay invites Boston wine lovers to indulge their palates with selections from Ruby Wines alongside pairings of Morton’s signature dishes. Gusts enjoy samples of five wines paired with five hors d’oeuvres.  This month’s tasting features red wines from Napa Valley. 

When:
Monday, October 25
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm 

Cost:
$40 per guest, inclusive of tax and gratuity 

Reservations:
Required. Please call 617-266-5858. 

Where:
Morton’s The Steakhouse (Back Bay)
699 Boylston Street
Boston, MA
617-266-5108 

Parking:
Valet parking and nearby parking garage available.

Visit the Morton's Back Bay event page for more information on this event and to make a reservation.

Update:

We received 5 comments (entries 1-5), 4 E-mail entries (entries 6-9), and 5 entries via Twitter (entries 10-14).  I generated a random number between 1 and 14 and the winning number drawn was 3:

Congratulations to the 3rd comment received which was from Beverly!  I'll follow-up via E-mail.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this contest.  If you're interested in attending the event Monday night, you can check with the restaurant at 617-266-5108 to check availability.

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