Gerard Bertrand Wine Dinner at The Keep Restaurant on the outdoor terrace, 6 pm on May 27
Mark Fine from Gerard Bertrand will be presenting. Mark is a Master Sommelier and will be conducting a “Wine 101” at the beginning of the evening to help guide you on what you are looking for when tasting the wines. Mark is also quite entertaining, so expect a very unique experience. For more information about the Gerard Bertrand wines visit www.gerard-bertrand.com
MENU
2007 cremant de limoux brut hors d’œuvres
roquefort, chevre, camembert, roasted garlic,escargot, grapes, and melon
2007 reserve speciale viognier
seared sea scallops with beurre blanc
served with ratatouille
2006 reserve speciale merlot
andouille sausage, pear, and mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette
2006 corbieres & 2006 minervois
veal roulade with bertrand pinot noir reduction
gratin dauphinois
grilled asparagus with truffle oil
2006 cigalus rouge creme brulee
The event will be $65 per person and $110 per couple. Call (406) 728-5132 or email info@thekeeprestaurant.com for a reservation.
In an earlier post I wrote about an upcoming wine dinner. If you missed it here is my review.
Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending a Wine Dinner, complete with food pairing in at the Silk Road. The theme for the evening was the French Classics with wines by Kermit Lynch. It was a great evening of food and wine and really enjoyed the thoughtful food pairings by the Risho brothers.
My “must buy wine pics” are as follows:
2008 Domaine de Fontsainte Corbieres Gris de Gris, Languedoc, France.
Made with Grenache Gris, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault, this is a medium-bodied dry Rosé with strawberry, melon, orange aromas and hints of herbs. Great with food or as aperitif.
2007 Domaine Gachot-Monot Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy, France. This is a great value wine for Burgundy and just to give you a heads up Burgundy is going to be my thing this year so you are going to see a lot more on Burgundy. This wine is light with great acidity for food pairing. You will find notes of cherry, strawberry, rose water, sandalwood, lavender and roses.
2006 Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras, Rhone, France
This wine is a little funky and different but that is why I find it so charming. Also this is one to age. I have several vintages and it is amazing how well it ages for a $20 wine. A blend of 70% Grenach, 20% Syrah, 7% Mourvèdre and 3% Cinsault. This wine is big and chewy with earthy black fruit, beetroot and iron.
2006 Domaine des Pallieres Gigondas, Rhone, France.
From Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar: “Medium red. Complex nose offers scents of strawberry, raspberry, fresh flowers, minerals and Asian spices. Focused and pure, reminiscent of a serious Burgundy, with sweet red berry flavors and a firming note of cherry skin. Silky tannins add focus to the long, sappy finish.” Another beautiful wine that I will be purchasing to drink now and store away.
2006 Domaine Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone, France From Monsieur Robert Parker: “The 2006 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape, which is aged only in foudre and bottled with minimal clarification, is a more masculine, muscular effort than most 2006s. Its dark ruby/purple color is followed by notions of the sushi seaweed wrapper, nori, interwoven with incense, lavender, pepper, and copious quantities of black cherry and raspberry fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with moderate tannin, and good structure as well as depth, it will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age, and should keep for 15 or more years.” 90-93 points.
Pictures from the evening:
Duck pate with truffle, cognac & sea salt on crostini
pureed Yukon gold potato soup with an arugula pistou & potato crisps
Dover Sole with scallop-leek stuffing, baked & served with classic béarnaise sauce
Porcini, black trumpet & oyster mushroom ragout wrapped in a delicate crêpe, served in a pool of caramelized shallot-champagne cream sauce, topped with crispy shallots
Endive and frisée salad tossed in a creamy dijon red wine dressing, garnished with honey-crisp apples, bleu cheese & candied walnuts
Join Winegardner’s Wines and The Silk Road in welcoming Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant to Missoula! Seven tapas-style courses expertly matched with eight Kermit Lynch premium French wines.
MENU – The French Classics
Aperitif 2008 Domaine de Fontsainte Gris de Gris
Amuse-Bouche: Duck pate with truffle, cognac & sea salt served on crostini 2007 Gachot-Monot Bourgogne Rouge
Vichyssoise: pureed Yukon gold potato soup with an arugula pistou & potato crisps 2007 Domaine Ostertag Riesling
Poissons Bourrés: Dover Sole with scallop-leek stuffing, baked & served with classic béarnaise sauce Champalou Vouvray
Crêpe Suavage de Champignon: porcini, black trumpet & oyster mushroom ragout wrapped in a delicate crêpe, served in a pool of caramelized shallot-champagne cream sauce, topped with crispy shallots 2006 Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras
Boeuf en Croute: dijon & herb-rubbed beef tenderloin wrapped in a delicate pastry shell, baked & served over rich red wine demi-glace 2006 Domaine des Pallieres Gigondas
Salade de Chicorée Frisée: Endive and frisée salad tossed in a creamy dijon red wine dressing, garnished with fresh sliced honey-crisp apples, bleu cheese & candied walnuts 2008 Chateau Ducasse Bordeaux Blanc
Plat de Fromage: assorted artisan cheeses with fig jam & brioche toasts. 2006 Domaine Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
6pm upstairs at The Silk Road
$ 65.00 per person includes Dinner, Wine & Gratuity
Tickets available at The Silk Road or Call 406-541-0752
Worden’s has put together three excellent Italian wines in a 3-pack special they are offering during the month of March. All of these wines are superb and being offered at great value of $49.99 for the 3-pack, reg. $63.97.
Many Italian wines have become expensive over the past 5 years and somewhat hard to find, especially the affordable ones. This is a great opportunity to experience Italian wines and gain a better understanding of their style, terroir and grapes as each of these bottles are very different in style from one another.
Brancaia “Tre” Rosso Toscano (Tuscany)
There are “tre” (”three” in Italian) reasons for the name of this outstanding red. The first reason is that it is the third wine created by the prestigious Brancaia estate. The second reason it that it is made with grapes from all three of the Brancaia estate’s vineyards (two are located in the heart of Chianti Classico, the third is to the south and west in Tuscany’s famous “Morellino di Scansano” growing area). The third reason is that it is a typical “super Tuscan” blend of three grapes, sangiovese (about 80%) with about 10% each of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. This wine, made by one of Tuscany’s most renowned winemakers, Carlo Ferrini, is great every year. But there is something special about the 2007 (as you might have guessed from the 93 point score, the highest rating ever for this wine).
Here is the review from the Wine Spectator: “There’s wonderful intensity of fruit in this wine, with crushed raspberry and blackberry and hints of coffee and fresh flowers. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, soft-textured finish that shows loads of fruit. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best after 2010. 93 points (Outstanding, a wine of superior character and style.)” James Suckling, The Wine Spectator, Oct. 31, 2009.
2007 Monchiero Carbone Nebbiolo Regret (Piedmont) The Regret is 100% Nebbiolo, the grape of the esteemed Barolo. The grapes are femented using traditional Piemontese practice with maceration on the skins for at least 2 weeks. The wine is then drawn off into small oak barrels where it undergoes malolactic fermentation, followed by six months of barrel age. The nose is flowery and fruit driven and its flavors are ample but well-balanced. You will find complex aromas of tar, cloves, wild game, leather, with stewed cherries and some floral notes. Round and fruit-forward on the palate of dark black cherries. Strong tannins softened with some time in the glass give way to a long, fruity and gamey finish.
2007 Filippo Gallino Barbera d’Alba (Piedmont) From the Canale area of Piedmont and made from 100% Barbera, this Barbera d’Alba immediately reveals its intense rub-red color in the glass, along with the fresh bouquet of black and red fruit with undertones of violet, herbs and tar. It is very fragrant and full-bodied on the palate with flavors of black berries, prune and fennel. “This is a superb wine, perhaps a little rustic, but you will be won over by its great personality” – Vini d’Italia 2000.
Opera and Wine – what more could I ask for in life? “Opera Decanted” at Caffe Dolce was an evening of wine, cuisine and live opera music pairings from around the world – and a fundraiser for Montana Lyric Opera (MLO). This evening was all about pleasure, imagination, and feasting the senses. I sort of imagine that if I make it to heaven, that every evening would be like this one. My favorite wines of the evening were the Dr. Hermann “Dr. H” German Riesling and the Le Ragnaie Rosso di Montalcino.
The Dr. Hermann Dr. H Riesling is light yellow-green in color with a beautiful nose of apricots, green apples, citrus, herbal and mineral notes. This medium-bodied wine delivers sweet fruit with a dry finish, beautifully balanced with some lively acidity. It offers rich flavors of apricots, peaches, green apples, citrus and spice. This wine is elegant and complex, with a bright, flavorful finish.
The Le Ragnaie Rosso di Montalcino is a gorgeous ruby red color. This baby Brunello made of Sangiovese grapes is a harmonious wine presenting red plum and layers of lush black cherry fruit. On the palate this full-bodied wine is balanced and fresh with rounded rounded tannins and a long finish.
Below was the menu and pictures from the event. Bravo to MLO for a superb evening and I will be looking forward to your summer production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.
Act 1 Italy Antipasti of Robiola Due Latti with Fresh Pears, Aged Balsamic Vinegar & Toasted Pistachios Nino Franco “Rustico” Prosecco “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” from La Traviata (Verdi): Jeff Kitto & Gina Lapka
“Quando m’en vo” from La Bohème (Puccini): Heather Barnes
Act 2 Germany
Roasted Golden Beets with Chives, Cucumber & Warm Mustard Vinaigrette German Riesling, Dr. Hermann “Dr. H” 2007
“Glück, das mir verblieb” from Die tote Stadt (Korngold): Gina Lapka
“Dies Bildnis” from Die Zauberflöte (Mozart): Jeff Kitto
“Zueignung” by Strauss: Heather Barnes
Act 3 Spain
Grilled Shrimp on a Sugarcane Skewer with Serrano Ham
Braised Lentils & Sweet Pepper Relish Valpiculata Toro, Puertas Novas 2005 “La Maja Dolorosa I” by Enrique Granados: Kimberly James
“La fleur que tu m’avais jetee” from Carmen (Bizet): Jeff Kitto
Act 4 Italy Tournedos of Beef Fillet with Sauteed Wild Mushrooms & Truffle Butter Tuscan Rosso di Montalcino, Le Ragnaie 2007 “Un bel dì vedremo” from Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Heather Barnes
“Mira, O Norma” from Norma (Bellini): Kimberly James & Gina Lapka
“Nessun Dorma” from Turandot (Puccini): Jeff Kitto
Finale France Paris-Brest, Chocolate Mousse filled Pate a Choux Ring with Berries Banyuls Rimage, Chateau de Jau 2007
“Amour, viens aider ma faiblesse” from Samson et Delila (Saint-Saëns):
Kimberly James
“Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour” from Les Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach):
Kimberly James & Gina Lapka
Scotty’s Table supports local non-profits and so can you by just eating and drinking! On Wednesday, February 24th Scotty’s will be donating ten percent of the dining proceeds to Montana Conservation Voters. This is calendar event Scotty’s is looking to do once a month for our local non-profits, helping to focus on the basic needs of the community. They will be using their regular menu and wine list for the event. However, they will have available their feature wine for the month which is Couvillion Equilibré from Walla Walla, Washington. Made from 70 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 30 percent Petit Verdot, this wine has an aroma of berries, plums, and Bing cherry. On the palate this wine is medium bodied with complex notes of dark chocolate and spice. This wine won a Gold at the Seattle Wine Awards. http://www.seattlewineawards.com/winners.html#reds
This Sunday, January 31 at 5 pm, Cork Works wine company will be featuring organic and sustainable wines from around the world at Biga Pizza. These wines will be paired with a 5-course meal, featuring locally produced foods. The cost of the event is $50 per person. This collaboration and event is a fundraiser for the Missoula Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and will be a great opportunity to learn about sustainability and organic food/wine production.
Below is the menu and featured local products. To attend contact Zander Ault zandaman16@aol.com at the SBC. If you are unable to attend the event, then visit my blog next week to read all about it as I will be taking notes.
Bodegas Fernandez Rivera Dehesa La Granja Tempranillo from Spain
Met up with Kurt Winegardner, owner of Winegardner’s Distributing in Bozeman last night for a tasting of Elderton Australian wines (which I will review in another post). After the tasting we headed over to the Silk Road for a bite to eat with Chris Niswanger of Wordens and Lacey Marquesen who also works for Winegardners. Kurt ordered a bottle of the Bodegas Fernandez Rivera Dehesa La Granja Tempranillo from Spain. I hadn’t tasted this wine in a long time and after tasting all those juicy/jammy wines of Australia, this little Spanish number was a welcome change.
Aromas of smoke, mocha, raspberry and coffee permeate the glass. The palate is dark, ripe berries with tannic structure, velvety tannins and just a hint of earthy funk, licorice and vanilla on the finish. Kurt compared it to it being more like Penelope Cruz rather than a Jennifer Aniston. An interesting comparison but revealing.
We paired this wine with some of the great tapas at The Silk Road, including the tenderloin in Togarashi sauce, the Cassoulaet which was fantastic and lamb chops, which looked delicious but Kurt ate them all! The La Granja was $32 at Silk Road and went well with all the food, so check it out when you’re there next. Also, Tempranillo makes the best Sangria. I am posting my own Sangria recipe below… I have to admit is the best one I have tasted and was a huge hit over the holidays. Would be a great drink to serve at a Valentine’s Day or Superbowl party.
2 bottles Tempranillo
1 cup orange juice
1 cup pommegrante juice
1 cup of brandy
6 cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
1/3 cup of honey
4 oranges sliced thin
2 lemons sliced thin
2 limes sliced thin
1 cup of pomegranate seeds
1 cup of blueberries
On January 8th, 2010, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition concluded the annual week of judging at the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds in Sonoma County, California. Over five days, 63 professional wine experts tasted and evaluated a world-record breaking 4,913 entries.
Trapper Peak Winery in Darby Montana took home two silver medals. Winemaker Keith Smith won for his Sittin’ Bull Petite Syrah in the “up to $19.99 price point category” and a the other for the Rodeo Red Cabernet Sauvignon in the “up to 14.99 price point category.”
Rodeo Red and Sittin’ Bull win Silver
Be sure to read all about Trapper Peak wines in the next issue of Missoula.com magazine coming out February 2010. Pick up your free magazine on newsstands or at the Missoulian.
A vertical wine tasting is the technical tasting of one specific wine from a producer across several vintage years. There is nothing quite like a vertical tasting to truly experience and understand the collaborative effort that takes between the winemaker, Mother Nature and Father Time. It also provides a real, albeit rare, opportunity to discover the unique characteristics of a wine from year to year.
Missoula is very fortunate to welcome renowned Italian winemaker Francesco Mazzei, who will be leading us through an exceptional vertical tasting of four vintages of the Castello di Fonterutoli’s “Siepi,” which is the super Tuscan blend of Merlot and Sangiovese. Francesco is visiting the West Coast while his brother Filippo is on the East Coast. They are only making twelve stops in the U.S. and Missoula has made the list and the Ranch Club is hosting the event.
The Mazzei family is one of the oldest wine-making families in Italy, with production dating all the way back to 1465. As Americans, we can even trace some our own viticulture history back to a Mazzei ancestor who turned Thomas Jefferson into an oenophile. Jefferson invited the Mazzei family to come over from Italy and plant some of the first European vines in America at his estate in Monticello, Virginia in 1773.
Today, Francesco is the twenty-fourth generation to make wine at the family’s Tuscan estate, and you can be sure he takes care to preserve the traditions of his ancestors while adopting modern innovations. The result is a collection of wines that are revered around the world. Each wine being poured during the vertical tasting has received the Tre Bicchieri (“Three Glass”) award, the highest honor a wine can receive in Italy. This is equivalent to receiving a 92-95 point rating from leading wine critic, Robert Parker.
The stellar quality of the 2006 vintage will be poured, and, as it is best appreciated when compared to other excellent vintages, we’ll also enjoy the 1996, 2003 and 2005 vintages as well. The new vintage of the Belgvardo Rosé will also be poured. This tasting will be followed by a Tuscan-inspired five-course wine dinner created by Ranch Club chef Jason Lovell. The tasting is Monday, October 19 at 6 p.m. The cost is $75 per person. Seating is very limited so I suggest you reserve a spot immediately for this rare and special opportunity to taste Siepi and meet its maker – not to mention enjoying the flavors and stunning views of the Ranch Club. There will also be an opportunity to purchase the vertical at the event. For reservations, call 406-532-1005. See the tasting notes for the Castello di Fonterutoli’s “Siepi” below.
Scotty’s Table supports local non-profits and so can you by just eating and drinking! On Wednesday, February 24th Scotty’s will be donating ten percent of the dining proceeds to Montana Conservation Voters. This is calendar event Scotty’s is looking to do once a month for our local non-profits, helping to focus on the basic needs of the community. They will be using their regular menu and wine list for the event. However, they will have available their feature wine for the month which is Couvillion Equilibré from Walla Walla, Washington. Made from 70 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 30 percent Petit Verdot, this wine has an aroma of berries, plums, and Bing cherry. On the palate this wine is medium bodied with complex notes of dark chocolate and spice. This wine won a Gold at the Seattle Wine Awards. 
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