Nickel & Nickel Wine Dinner at VUE 24 Foxwoods

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Foxwoods' VUE 24 Wine Dinner 

featuring Nickel & Nickel Winery

This summer has been so busy and filled with such fun activities! I'm still catching up with all my blog recaps and it seems like summer is slipping away quickly. Luckily we've been pretty fortunate here in Connecticut - the summer was quite temperate until mid-August when the heat and humidity hit. I'm not complaining, because fall is quickly approaching, which means winter is right around the corner. 

As I sit here getting caught up with my writing on this three day Labor Day weekend I'm sipping a glass of Nickel & Nickel Chardonnay that I first sampled this summer at a Wine Dinner we were invited to in August at Foxwood Resort Casino's VUE 24 Restaurant.

There is nothing quite like a wine dinner where you get to learn about the vineyards and wine growing techniques and how important the weather, location, and harvesting are. Representatives from the restaurant and the winery filled us in on the details of each of the wines served and believe me, in addition to delicious, it is always quite informational.

Not only do we learn about the wine, but we learn how and why the food is paired with each selection. It's a wonderful way to sample some new wines and find out the reasons why you like them - and ways that you can partner your favorite wines with your favorite foods!

Because the cowboy was unable to attend, I asked Nicole who was home that weekend to accompany me. It was her first time visiting Foxwoods Resort Casino so of course we stopped in the casino for just a few minutes before dinner. In spite of being lucky to be invited to the wine dinner, the slot machine luck just wasn't there for us that night. Oh well! We proceeded to the Grand Pequot Tower to let the fun tasting begin!

Upon arrival we sampled some delicious hors d'oeuvres which were paired with a delicious Veuve Clicquot. We loved the combination of the Smoked Salmon Crostini, Scallops and Pork Belly Bites, and Infused Goat Cheese on Crispy Sesame Seed Crackers, and (not pictured) some delicious Consommé - with the delicious Veuve Clicquot.

 HORS D’OEUVRES
Smoked Salmon Crostini,
Scallops and Pork Belly Bites,  
Infused Goat Cheese on Crispy Sesame Seed Crackers

Our first course was "Crabe Bleu" pairing a delicious Soft Shelled Crab with Hearty Heirloom Tomatoes, along with some Sweet Watermelon, and Vidalia Onions. This was paired with Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses which is bottled absolutely beautifully (the bottle is rose shaped). We learned that it comes in rosé and white. and that Cote des Roses is the name of the coastal area near the village of Gruissan. This wine was fresh and fruity and partnered with the contrasting flavors of the sweet watermelon and crab wonderfully.

CRABE BLEU

Pan-Fried Soft Shell Blue Crab, Heirloom Tomato,

Watermelon, Vidalia Onion, Basil, Cassis Vinaigrette

Paired with Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses

Our second course was headlined as "Morue Noire" - loosely translated to the black cod of the ocean. This course featured a Butter Roasted Black Cod, with the sweetest Smoked Littleneck Clams, served with a Mangalista Jam, along with Braised Swiss Chard, Lemon Bercy. The wine paired with this dish was Nickel & Nickel Chardonnay Truchard Vineyard. This chardonnay did not disappoint and the pairing brought out the fruit flavors, controlled acidity and that minerality that make Chardonnays so distinctive.

MORUE NOIRE

Butter Roasted Black Cod, Smoked Littleneck Clams,

Mangalista Jam—n, Braised Swiss Chard, Lemon Bercy

Nickel & Nickel Chardonnay Truchard Vineyard

Our entree, the third course was "Veau" - a delicious Summery Cherry Dusted Veal Ribeye, with Melted Onion, Summer Pea Ragou, and a Cabernet Sauvignon Demi-Glace. My veal was absolutely divine, perfectly cooked and oh so tender. And kudos to Chef Michael Yaffe for that divine demi-glace sauce which was bold enough to stand up to the wine and the veal. Absolutely delicious!

Our veal was partnered with Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon C.C. Ranch and was our table's favorite of the night.

The winemaker's notes on this year say,

"the Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is elegantly perfumed with delicate floral notes mixed with ripe, red raspberries. These characteristics are reflected on the palate with flavors of raspberry and cherry, blended with a hint of licorice and signature Rutherford dust. Vanilla and toast from the French oak add warmth and flavor, while the wine's lively acidity allows the flavors to linger on the palate. Soft and supple, yet generously rich, this wine is one that pops from start to finish." 

(From http://www.wine.com/v6/Nickel-and-Nickel-CC-Ranch-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2012/wine/)

VEAU

Summer Cherry Dusted Veal Ribeye, Melted Onion,

Summer Pea Ragout, Cabernet Sauvignon Demi-Glace

Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon C.C. Ranch

For our dessert and final course we finished our tasting with "Millefeulle de Fruit Rouges" a light Caramelized Puff Pastry, Lemon Madeleine, Vanilla Cream, with a combination of Mixed Summer Berries. The Dolce Winery Late Harvest wine this dessert was paired with was another hit for me. If you've read my wine dinner recaps before, you know I'm always drawn to a sweet wine, and this one was a winner.This wine delivered a combination of  aroma and flavor, with a velvety sweetness and texture.

 MILLEFEUILLE DE FRUIT ROUGES

Caramelized Puff Pastry, Lemon Madeleine, Vanilla Cream,

Mixed Summer Berries

Dolce Winery Late Harvest

Without hesitation I would recommend that you attend a wine dinner, particularly those presented at Foxwoods Resort Casino's VUE 24. The atmosphere is wonderful, and really, that is what makes any good dinner memorable. Gathering with friends and family, breaking bread, and sipping wine is  certainly one way to enjoy our time together and celebrate life.





In addition to enjoying great company, the views from the 24th floor of the Grand Pequot Tower are amazing, food is always on point with paired wines, and without fail, we walk away educated about the winery and the wines that are served.

VUE 24 is located on the 24th floor
in the Grand Pequot Tower at Foxwoods Resort Casino

VUE 24 

Foxwoods Resort Casino
 350 Trolley Line Blvd.
 Mashantucket, CT 06338
1-800-369-9663
https://www.foxwoods.com/VUE-24/

About Foxwoods:

Foxwoods Resort Casino is the premier resort destination in the Northeast. As the largest resort casino in North America, Foxwoods offers a vast array of gaming in six casinos; AAA Four-Diamond hotels, restaurants from gourmet to quick service, world-renowned spas, award-winning golf, state-of-the-art theaters, and exclusive retailers. Perfect for both recreation and business, Foxwoods provides modern and versatile convention and meeting space to infuse new life into any meeting or event. Foxwoods Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. For a comprehensive look at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation visit Foxwoods.com.

About Nickel & Nickely Single Vineyard Winery:

Nickel & Nickel winery, located in Oakville, Napa Valley, is dedicated exclusively to producing 100 percent varietal, single-vineyard wines that best express the distinct personality of each vineyard.
Learn more about the wines featured at the VUE 24 Wine Dinner, visit www.nickelandnickel.com

Disclaimer: I was invited to VUE 24 by members of the restaurant's management and marketing team, however, all views and opinions are my own.

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