Let’s sweep away the winter doldrums with a fantastic French food feast.

Our long-time chef-friend Kevin Costa recently created a French dinner that tasted so good we asked if he could do it again for Off the Grid so that Jack could curate beautiful French wines to compliment the food (one is served in a TWO STAR MICHELIN restaurant). 

Don’t miss this tasteful collaboration and read on for Jack’s (long-winded) details.

FOUR COURSES / FOUR WINES

Course 1.  Duck liver mousse, bacon jam, toasted brioche, herbs

Wine 1. NV Maurice Grumier Réserve Perpétuelle Extra-Brut Champagne – Jack loves the extra-brut cut and intensity paired with brioche flavors while contrasting the duck liver mousse richness.  “This bottle holds a place of honor on Michelin two-star Saison’s wine list among the greatest bubblies in the world, and it deserves it. Made using the same solera system that produces Jacques Sélosse’s four-digit-priced bottles, it’s an extraordinary wine from one of Champagne’s best-kept secrets.” (quote from importer)

Course 2. Greens, pear, fennel, pecans, piave, mustard vinaigrette

Wine 2. Domaine de la Solitude Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2023 – White wines from the Rhone are extremely rare accounting for less than 10% of wine produced.  This CdR Blanc (mostly Grenache Blanc with small amounts of Marsanne, Viognier and Clairette) is created by a Chateauneuf producer and many refer to it as a “Baby Chateauneuf Blanc”. Kate and Jack tasted this wine at the estate.  Lovely flavors of white peach, apples and light citrus make this rare wine a delight.  James Suckling 92 points

Course 3. Beef bourguignon, mashed potatoes, gremolata

Famous French Chef Jacques Pépin emphasized deep, hearty flavors in preparing Beef Bourguignon and suggested a full bottle of red Rhone wine in the recipe. We agree! So we have chosen TWO big Chateauneuf du Pape reds to compare and contrast with each other while complimenting the Beef Bourguignon – Boom!

Wine 3. Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf du Pape 2023 – Known for blends of up to 13 different grapes, Chateauneuf du Pape reds are generally created around a base of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.  The Solitude CdP contains 65% Greanche, 20% Syrah, and 5% each of Mourvedre, Counoise and Cinsault from biodynamically grown grapes.  We enjoy the rich, round, mouthfeel, and sophisticated balance of Solitude’s CdP.  Kate and Jack tasted this and others on site.  The estate has been producing wine for nearly 600 years. James Suckling 95 points, Wine Spectator 93 points. 

Wine 4. La Bastide Saint Dominique Chateauneuf du Pape Les Hesperides – We think you will enjoy the different cuvee in this Chateauneuf that features comparatively less Grenache, and much more Mourvedre in the blend that is 50% Grenache 50% Mourvèdre. The producer says the wine has a rich nose of black berries, licorice, dark chocolate, and spices.  James Suckling 94 points

Course 4. Lemon tart, berries, dark chocolate

EVENT DETAILS

$110 per person – all inclusive

Event starts at 6:30pm at the Speckled Egg in the SouthSide Works (428 S 27th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203).

Space is limited – so sign up soon if you’d like to attend.