Wine Pairing at Fresh Salt with Joel Gott Winery

Social Media Promotion

We were finally able to attend one of the amazing dinners as part of the Cuisine Series at Saybrook Point's restaurant, Fresh Salt. We've been downright drooling over every menu that we've viewed from this series - so to finally be able to partake in this wine tasting and dinner pairing that was featuring the wines from Joel Gott was a dream come true!

The Joel Gott Winery features wines grown from the short and cooler growing season of California, Washington, and Oregon, giving a crisp and clean flavor to their wines.

As always, Fresh Salt's beautiful ambiance added to a pleasurable meal, as well as dining with friends Wendy and Greg from ConnecticutLifestyles.com. In addition, we were fortunate enough to be seated with Robert Rustico, sommelier from Connecticut Distributors (who distribute Joel Gott Wines) and Jeremy Doyle representing Joel Gott Wines. It was truly a wine educating experience!

Here is a photo pictorial of our Fresh Salt and Joel Gott wine pairing dinner.

Cheese Table and Passed Hors d’oeuvres

Lamb Meatballs Pops, Crabmeat Cannoli, Lobster Arancini

Our hors d’oeuvres were paired with a delicious Pinot Gris - which was actually my favorite wine of the evening!

Pinot Gris, Joel Gott, 2015, Willamette Valley, Oregon

First Course

Duck Confit Taco

Duck Tacos with Dark Cherry-Chipotle Salsa, Crumbled Goat Cheese

This delicate dish paired beautifully with Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc, Joel Gott, 2015, California

Second Course

Steel Head Trout

Steel Head Trout with Shiitake-Leek Tart, Passion Fruit-Ginger Sauce

This was my first time tasting Steel Head Trout. Wow! It was so good - a bit reminiscent of salmon.

Chardonnay, Joel Gott, 2015, California

Third Course

Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

Filet Mignon served with Butternut Squash Ravioli, Morel Mushroom Sauce

I wish my photo could do justice to this delicious filet - it was incredibly tender - and literally cut with a fork.  Paired with the Pinot Noir, it was a win-win!

Pinot Noir, Joel Gott, 2014, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Fourth Course

Olive Oil Poached Halibut

Halibut with Valencia Rice, Roasted White Asparagus, Fennel Saffron Sauce

This hearty fish went well with our Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon, Joel Gott, 2012, Napa Valley, CA

Fifth Course

Seven Sins Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Frosting, Chocolate Ganache, Black Cherry Sauce

I'll confess that I'm more of a milk chocolate lover than a dark chocolate lover - but this cake, the ganache, and the black cherry sauce made me a convert - and with the grenache wine (another first for me) I'm calling this my favorite pairing of the night!

Grenache, Joel Gott, 2014, California

After all this beautiful wine and food - we took a walk of the beautiful grounds at Saybrook Point Inn before heading home for the night with some new favorite wines to enjoy this season!

Visit Fresh Salt to learn more about their upcoming events 

as part of their  Cuisine Series 

http://www.saybrook.com/saybrook-point-inn-cuisine-series/

Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point

2 Bridge Street
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
860.395.2000
http://www.saybrook.com/restaurant/

About Saybrook Point

Situated along the picturesque shores of historic Old Saybrook, Connecticut, Saybrook Point features a collection of 100 elegantly-appointed guestrooms, a rejuvenating full-service SANNO spa, and casual fine dining restaurant Fresh Salt, as well as a unique waterside Lighthouse Suite. In addition, the historic Three Stories and Tall Tales luxury guesthouses offer exquisite rooms that convey the story of famous local residents. The pristine Saybrook Point Marina, a landmark boating destination conveniently located at the mouth of the Connecticut River, serves as a focal point for the Inn. More information is available at www.saybrook.com.

About Joel Gott Wines

Since their start in 1996, they have selected the best fruit from growing regions in California, Oregon and Washington, blended to create more balanced, clean, complex, and elegant wines. Joel Gott Wines are all geared towards giving their customers expressive and food-friendly wines at great prices. Try one soon! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did - and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: We were invited to the Joel Gott Wine Pairing dinner by members of Saybrook Point's marketing and management team, however, all opinions expressed are our own.

Silver Oak Wine Dinner at Foxwood's VUE 24

Social Media Promotion:  

Vue 24 and Silver Oak Cellars Wine Pairing Dinner

at Foxwoods Resort Casino

Around this time of year the hustle and bustle of the holidays starts kicking in and I begin to feel a little overwhelmed and a wee bit overextended. So, when Foxwood's Resort Casino's marketing team reached out to us with an invite to their upcoming Silver Oak Napa Valley Wine Dinner at Vue 24, I jumped at the chance!!

It just so happened to fall on the Thursday before my birthday so it offered the perfect opportunity to relax over a delicious dinner and discover some new California wines, that just may end up in someone's Christmas stocking! (shhhhh - it's our little secret, right??)

Vue 24 is located on the 24th floor of Foxwood's Grand Pequot Tower - and the panoramic views from their dining room are unparalleled. We arrived just in time to catch this beautiful sunset.

In spite of not being true "wine connoisseurs" we love these wine pairing dinners! You see, these dinners are quite informative to even the novice wine lover - and allows an opportunity to learn more about wines in general. What a great way to receive some tips for pairing wines for upcoming dinner parties or holiday gatherings!

This was the first time we sat in the lounge area of Vue 24 and there was quite a different vibe. A bit more casual and relaxed than the formal dining area, it was none the less an intimate and fun area to partake in a luxurious dinner and dining experience.

Hors d'oeuvres  were pre-set when we arrived along with a delicious 'not too sweet - and not too dry' - a Brut, Roederer Estate, from Anderson Valley, California. We toasted to a great evening of delicious wine, fun conversation, and amazing food!

Cheers!

Winemaker Notes: All the Anderson Valley wines are grown on the Estate, and each year, the winemaker selects a portion of the best wines for aging in Center of France oak casks. Aged from one to three years, wines from this reserve cellar are added to the blend, creating a multi-vintage cuvee in the traditional Roederer style, known for its body, finesse and depth of flavor.   Source: wine.com

Our starters for the evening included some delicious crostinis and cracked wheat flatbread with salmon, goat cheese, and beef with pickled onions. So tasty and the perfect start!

First Course Vue 24 Silver Oaks Wine Pairing Dinner

For our first course we had some delicious Pan Seared Atlantic Scallops with a Crispy Cured Pork Belly Spiral, prepared with Roasted Braeburn Apples, Petite Greens and a Connecticut Cider Beurre Blanc sauce drizzle.

Pan Seared Scallops at Vue 24

This was paired with a Napa Valley California Chardonnay from Napa Cellars.

Winemaker Notes: Classic Napa Valley Chardonnay characteristics unique to this region with aromas of fresh floral notes, toasted apple strudel, tangerine rind, and pear blossoms to excite the senses.  Source: wine.com

Main Course Boeuf Duo (loosely translated to Beef Duo)

Our main course was a delicious, perfectly cooked Shallot Butter Roasted Filet Mignon along with a melt in your mouth Cabernet Braised Short Rib prepared atop a Vanilla Scented Parsnip Puree, with green Cress garnish, and a Demi-Glace.

Chef Michael Yaffe never disappoints at these events, developing the most delicious sauces with each course and offering patrons items that are not typically offered. The parsnip puree was a big hit at our table, and we overheard others voicing the same pleasure!

Shallot Butter Roasted Filet Mignon,
the Cabernet Braised Short Rib is hidden beneath the greens!

The main course was accompanied by our host winery's Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California. We loved this pairing - the Cabernet Sauvignon hit all the right notes with those delicious cuts of beef. It was bold and flavorful and our table voted this the best match of food and wine.

Winemaker Notes: An elegant representation of Napa Valley Cabernet from a cool vintage that presents an opaque garnet hue and reveals aromas of sandalwood and roasted meats. Flavors of vanilla, coffee beans and raspberries are buttressed by dusty tannins, firm acidity and a mouth-coating texture. Given proper cellaring, this wine should provide drinking pleasure through 2029. Source: wine.com

Finishing Dessert Course at Vue 24:

For our dessert course we were treated to a wonderful Pecan and Cranberry Tart with a Raspberry Sauce Garnish prepared by pastry chef extraordinaire, Franck Iglesias, who operates CAKE by Franck at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Pecan Tart at Vue 24

The dessert course was paired with my favorite of the night (you KNOW I love my wines sweet) a Chiarlo Moscato d’Asti Nivole. This wine paired nicely with the sweet and tart flavors of our dessert.

Winemaker Notes: A sweet, fragrant, lightly sparkling wine has vivid aromas and flavors of peach, apricot, grapefruit and sage on a light body with a delicate finish typical of Moscato d’Asti. Source: wine.com

If you have the opportunity, be sure to attend a wine pairing dinner at Vue 24 to enjoy some informative background and history about your soon to be favorite wines, wineries, and vineyards - and enjoy the delicious foods and flavors that one of Foxwood's finest restaurants has to offer.

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 Silver Oak Winery

For 40 years, Silver Oak has been producing exceptional, food-friendly Cabernets that are extensively aged to be drinkable upon release. Perfect for big dinners or impromptu celebrations, their Alexander Valley and Napa Valley Cabernet wines are as distinctive as they are delicious. For more information visit www.silveroak.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.

© Home Place 2016

Bottega del Vino Crystal - If The Wine Matters, So Does The Glass!

Don't you just love when you come home to a package in the mail or a FedEx delivery? I know I do!  It reminds me of when I first went to sleep away summer camp and mom would send me cookies, brownies, and little books to read.  Or when I belonged to those wonderful record clubs that sent a new album every month! Uhhh. Umm. Yes. VINYL albums. Don't judge.

This month I received one of those wonderful packages...from the great folks at Bottega del Vino Crystal asking me to take the Bottega del Vino Wine Glass Challenge.

The premise of Bottega's challenge is charmingly simple and ties directly to their "tag" line - 

"If The Wine Matters, So Does The Glass" 

Photo Courtesy of Bottega del Vino Crystal

And the challenge? 

Simply take a glass you would normally drink wine from and compare it to the Bottega glass.

Bottega del Vino Crystal is dedicated to creating the perfect wine glass and they take true craftsman pride in their hand made glasses. Each glass is made with lead free crystal formulation, and best of all, they are dishwasher safe!

Bottega del Vino is especially proud that their glasses can make even the most inexpensive wine taste better when served from their glass.

Since I'm always up to a challenge, especially one that involves wine - I jumped at the chance to participate.

First, let me tell you about the Bottega wine glass we received!  It was stock number BV07, and is described as, "Our most popular stem, the Rosso Amarone is designed for medium bodied red wines such as amarone, merlot, Brunello de Montalcino and Shiraz"

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Bottega del Vino Crystal offers a full array of barware and glasses, with everything from apertif glasses to champagne flutes to cognac snifters.  Best of all, they offer special two-pack and four-pack packaging that's perfect for special gift-giving!

What an elegant hostess gift or something special for someone you love!

Photo Source: Bottega del Vino Crystal

Photo Source: Bottega del Vino Crystal

On a recent weekend we decided to try both a white wine and red wine challenge. I pulled out my old crystal wine glasses from the china closet to test against the Bottega del Vino Crystal glasses for the challenge.

We made this a two day affair, taste testing a Riesling on Friday and a Pinot Noir on Saturday.  Both are my favorite wines and I intentionally purchased two inexpensive brands from my FAVORITE local wine shoppe, Coastal Wines and Spirits in Branford CT.  (Long time readers will remember Coastal Wines is where I met Romana Singer of Real Housewives of New York - Read more about my Ramona meeting: HERE)

My old wine glass is on the left and the Bottega on the right.

Friday we started with a Hogue Riesling, and purchased a bottle that retails for just under $10.00. If you're unfamiliar with Riesling, it originated in the Rhine region of Germany, and is usually sweet, or semi-sweet, which is probably why I like it so much.

Hogue states that their wine "opens with a melange of aromas: orange blossom, jasmine, Meyer lemon, powdered sugar, apricot, cinnamon and clove. On the palate are tangerine and orange blossom. A naturally crisp acidity balances the slight sweetness, providing a refreshing finish" (Hogue Cellars Johannisberg Riesling).  Always the snackers, we paired the Riesling with some assorted Mediteranian olives.

Saturday we had an Angeline Pinot Noir, purchasing a bottle that retailed for $14.99. I only recently discovered how much I loved Pinot Noir wines after sampling Duckhorn Golden Eye Pinot Noir at Mohegan Sun's Wine Fest. 

Because Duckhorn retails for approximately 4 times what Angeline does, this was a true chance to see if the Bottega wine glass truly makes a less expensive wine taste better!

Angeline states, "This Pinot Noir is a lively garnet color with aromas of intense fruit, luscious vanilla and spice. Bright fruit flavors or fresh strawberry, cherry, raspberry and ripe plum are layered with creamy vanilla, smoke, tea spice and toasty oak." (Angeline Pinot Noir). We snacked on assorted mixed nuts while sampling the Angeline for the Bottega challenge.

Both nights, we followed the comparative directions from Bottega, which were to fill the glasses 20-25% full.  This is more than the standard one ounce used for tastings, but not so much that it hampers the ability to allow the wine room to breathe properly in the glass. We were then directed to pause for moment, clear our mind, give the wine a swirl in the glass, and take a deep breath from the glass. Then, pause for 10 seconds before exhaling, and commit to memory the scents we experience.  But DON'T sip the wine yet! Then repeat the process with the Bottega glass, and compare your sensory thoughts.  

Only after that process can you move on to the actual taste sampling.  Perform the same sensory actions, but this time we took a sip from each glass. I can honestly say that there was a true difference in the wine from one glass to the other.  The Bottega glass sipping resulted in a subtly smoother taste, much less acidic from the the other glass. Bottega explains that this difference is caused from not smelling alcohol in the glass, only the actual fruits, berries and other components used in the blending of the wine. 

Because the wine does taste smoother and less acidic, the Bottega Wine Glass DOES make a less expensive wine taste like a more expensive one! 

For both the Riesling and the Pinot Noir, all the flavors, textures, and aromas were clear and concise. Wonderful!

Another benefit of the glass that Bottega did not mention in their literature was the the extended rim on the glass. The extra wide circumference of the rim allowed for ease in drinking, with none of the hitting of the bridge of the nose.  I know what I'm saying might sound silly, but quite frankly, it was the first thing I noticed, pleasurable, and a great feature of the glass. In addition, the base, stem, and bowl of this glass were all superiorly made, of substantial weight - yet not heavy, well balanced, and fit comfortably in the hand.

I would heartily recommend that you try any of the Bottega del Vino Crystal handmade wine glasses, barware, or decanters and you too will be amazed at the improvement in any wine's taste.

If the wine matters, so does the glass!

You can order your own Bottega wine glass from their website:

Bottega del Vino Crystal Ordering

Photo Source: Bottega del Crystal

"Like" them on Facebook: HERE

Also available on their website is great information on:

 tips for serving wine, selecting wine glasses, information on lead free crystal, 

and MORE, MORE, MORE!

Cheers!

*****

Disclaimer: I received the Bottega Crystal Wine Glass as a gift to evaluate  however, all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Mohegan Sun Wine Fest 2013

It's only natural that the place that hosts the best "Wine Wednesdays" would also host the best Wine Festival!

This weekend, I was lucky enough to attend Mohegan Sun's 10th Annual Wine Fest.  That's right! The Sun Wine Fest 2013!

This is hands down the best wine festival held in New England!

From the moment you arrive you are treated to a great experience. Not only are there loads of wonderful wine exhibitors, but there are also sponsor, restaurant, and lifestyle exhibitors! There is truly something for everyone.

And it's a three-day weekend extravaganza!  Friday night began with a bourbon tasting, Saturday and Sunday the Sun WineFest Grand Tasting. And throughout the weekend there are fun events, like Grape Stomping, Celebrity Chef Dine Around, Cooking Demonstrations, and Oyster Shucking Contests!

It's busy. Very busy. And many events or days can sell out completely so it's best to buy your tickets early. Ticket package costs vary, from single day, weekend passes, and single events. Events and days can vary from $80.00 to $200.00.  While some may find this pricey, if you are a wine lover and appreciator - it's totally worth it! You'll be able to sample GREAT WINE from EVERYWHERE!  Local vineyards, and worldwide!

Wines That Rock. 

iGourmet.com cheeses

Wine Glass Charms By Dana

BELLINI!

Happy SunWineFest attendees enjoying the Restaurant Exhibitors and Wine Sampling!

And, if you're a foodie, it's worth it too!  Don't be surprised to see Chef and TV personalities like Todd English, Bobby Flay, Robert Irving, and Elizabeth Faulkner.  Did I mention the restaurant exhibitors?  Like Jaspar White's Summer Shack! And more, more, more! YUM!

Fellow Connecticut blogger Nicole of OberBargain and I attended on Sunday and had such a great time! We were able to stroll the grand ballroom and visit with many vendors, sample some favorite wines, watch some pretty neat cooking demonstrations, and some fun contests!

Some of the highlights were the beautiful stemware featured by Bottega Del Vino Crystal whose tag line is so true!

"If the wine matters, so does the glass" 

More importantly, these glasses are completely hand made. Can't wait to try one!

One of the most popular wine tables was Brix Chocolate for Wine - and why does that not surprise me? What could be better for all the ailments of the world than a little bit of chocolate accompanied with a hearty wine?  I mean, really!

Brix Chocolate for Wine

Another of our favorite stops was watching the cooking demonstrations! We were able to watch Connecticut native Chef William Kovel, of Catalyst Restaurant, prepare Braised Shortrib of Beef, Parsnip Puree, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Burgundy Snails, and Bordelaise Sauce.

I love how the mirrored canopy allowed everyone to see the food prep on the counter and cooktop!

And each audience member was given a copy of Chef Kovel's recipe and invited on stage to taste and sample the short ribs.  All I can tell you is they were fabulous!  In addition he gave lots of great tips, and the main theme was that the sign of a great cook/chef is their ability to handle, adjust, adapt, and control the heat of their stove.

Up close and personal with Chef Kovel and tweeting for the event! #sunwinefest
Look at those shortribs and weep! So good!

The highlight of my visit to Mohegan Sun's WineFest was the Oyster Shucking Contest!  Three heats, and approximately 30 contestants each competed for bragging rights to be the Mohegan Sun's Oyster Shucking Champion 2013!

Everyone had a strategy of their own but in the end there can be only one winner, and a 2nd and 3rd place!  Ladies and gentlemen, meet the 2013 Champions!

What a great day!  What a great time!

For additional pictures visit: Mohegan SunWineFest

Have you been to the Sun WineFest?  What was your favorite part?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Disclaimer: I received entry to the SunWineFest compliments of Mohegan Sun via Connecticut Bloggers.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.