Author Archives: kfreed412

Jack’s Fall Wine Tastings – The Rhone – SOLD OUT!

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WOW – lots of Rhone Rangers out there….we are SOLD OUT.  If you would like us to put you on the wait list – please send an email.  Thank you.

Introducing a new series of serious tastings created by wine enthusiast Jack Brice.

This is a pre-pay event – purchase your $55 tasting/dinner with the link below.

France’s Rhone region produces what many consider to be the most characterful, rustic and big wines in France.   Join us to taste two Rhone whites and three Rhone reds, including the historic and hard to find 2007 Vintage of Chateau de Beaucastel.  If you are interested in the flavors of the Rhone – you won’t want to miss this tasting/dinner.

We expect a fantastic dinner from our friends at e2 (probably something with Lamb this time) that will match wonderfully with the rustic Rhone wines.

Here’s our program

Wednesday October 30th
(Held at ‘e2’ in Highland Park 5904 Bryant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

6:30 p.m. – Apps

6:45 p.m. – Introduction and tasting of five Rhone wines

Domaine de la Solitude, Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2012 – Southern Rhone White, exotic fruit flavors and clean finish

J.L. Chave Sélection Saint-Joseph Blanc Céleste 2011  (90pts IWC) – Northern Rhone White from Roussanne and Marsanne grapes, rich and deep with long finish

J.L. Chave Sélection Saint-Joseph Offerus 2010 (91pts IWC) – Syrah-based Northern Rhone Red, red fruit flavors, spicy and sleek

Chateauneuf du Pape Marquis Anselme Mathieu 2001 – Fully mature example of Chateauneuf du Pape red, 90% Grenache grapes, blended with 10% traditional Southern Rhone grapes (13 varieties permitted)

Chateauneuf du Pape Chateau de Beaucastel 2007 (96pts Robert Parker, 96pts Wine Spectator) – This is a serious and highly sought after wine – taste it with us and see if you agree with the critics!

7:15 p.m. – Dinner created by Chef Kate Romane

And be sure to save the date for the next tasting.

November 20 – New World Favorites

Announcing Jack’s Fall Wine Tastings – Starting with Bordeaux – SOLD OUT

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We have SOLD OUT for Bordeaux.  Save the date for Rhones on Wednesday 10/30.

Let’s try something new… and a little more serious!   Introducing a new series of serious tastings created by wine enthusiast Jack Brice.

This is a pre-pay event – purchase your $55 tasting/dinner with the link below.

Autumn is a little more serious than summer, and so our tastings are turning a little more serious too.   Bordeaux is the most famous winemaking region in the world and we carefully chose good examples of ‘Left Bank’ and ‘Right Bank’ wines, including a Grand Cru, to help you determine which style you like better.   The vintages available (2009 and 2010) are known to be some of the best in the past 50 years!   We will taste the wines by themselves and then with food to see how the flavor profiles change.   If you are interested in serious wines, treat yourself to this tasting!

Here’s our program

Wednesday October 2nd
(Held at ‘e2’ in Highland Park 5904 Bryant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

6:30 p.m. – Sparkler and Apps

6:45 p.m. – Introduction and tasting of four Bordeaux

  • Chateau Bellevue Entre-deux-Mers blanc 2011 (Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon)
  • Chateau Roquebrune Lalande de Pomerol Cuvee Reine 2009 (Merlot-driven ‘Right Bank’)
  • Les Fiefs de Lagrange St Julien 2009 (Cabernet-driven ‘Left Bank’ from classified “Third Growth” in 1855 Classification of Grand Crus)
  • Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2010 (Merlot-driven ‘Right Bank’)

7:15 p.m. – Dinner created by Chef Kate Romane

And be sure to save the date for the next tastings

October 30 – France’s Rhone Valley
November 20 – New World Favorites

Stroll the Strip

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Henry Dewey and Angela Early welcomed us back to Penn Avenue Fish Co. in the Strip District for a multi-course dinner paired with wines selected by Jack Brice.  But the evening didn’t stop there….after dinner everyone enjoyed a world tour of chocolates with Amy Rosenfield of Mon Aimee Chocolat.

First Course
Raw Plate
Oyster + Saffron Mignonette, Sweet Sea’s Roll, Yellowtail Sashimi

Henri Poiron Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2012 – Loire France
Fresh and creamy and ready for Oysters/raw bites!

Second Course
Grilled Romaine / Shaved Asiago / Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette / Grilled Flatbread

Sola Savignon Blanc 2012 Yakima Valley – Washington, US
Light and crisp to compliment fresh ingredients.

Third Course
Halibut / Buttery Rice & Peas

J. L. Chave Saint Joseph Blanc 2011 – Northern Rhone, France
Tropical, exotic, rich and amazingly complex.

Fourth Course
Blackened Salmon / White Anchovy Potato / Brussels Sprouts

Anciano “10 Anos” Tempranillo Gran Reserva 2002 – Spain
Savory, dark and complex with style.

Fifth Course
Lux Artisan Chocolates
(Passion Caramel and Raspberry / Lemon Bomb / Red Wine & Poached Plum)
and
Guittard Sur del Lago 65% Single Origin from Venezuela
and
Patric Rio Caribe 70% Single Origin from Paria Peninsula of Venezuela

Charles de Fere Rose Reserve NV France

Women Winemakers Redux

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Kate Romane welcomed us back to e2 for a multi-course dinner matched to wine created by women winemakers selected by Jack Brice.

First Course
anti pasta with local charcuterie by Crested Duck Charcuterie, seasonal selection of cheeses and veggies served with grilled focaccia

Taittinger Domaine Carneros Brut Cuvée, California USA

Second Course
zucchini & prosciutto risotto with shrimp

Jean Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rose Provence 2012, Southern France

Third Course
farmer greens with light vinaigrette, goat cheese and toasted walnuts

Fourth Course
ricotta ravioli with oxtail ragu made with heirloom tomatoes and farm herbs

Eden Hall Shiraz Eden Valley 2005, South Australia

and

Chateau d’Or et de Gueules, Costieres de Nimes Cuvée Trassegum 2009, Southern France

Fifth Course
peach and blueberry cobbler with house made vanilla gelato

Ch. Bordenave Sauternes 2010 Bastor Lamontagne, France

 

 

 

 

 

Garden of Eden

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Chef Hilary Zozula welcomed us to Eden for a multi-course dinner matched to wines selected by Jack Brice.

First Course
Veggie Chips
AND
Spicy Cabbage Noodles
(green peas, red peppers, carrots, sliced almonds, ginger, sesame and a creamy spiced almond sauce)

Chateau d’Or et de Gueles Rose 2011

Second Course
Oyster Mushroom “Scallop” with an Avocado Salad

Heitz Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Third Course
Amarntha and Quinoa Gnocchi
(spinach, butter beans, sun dried marinara and cashew parmesan)
AND
Stuffed Portobello
(riced cauliflower, chopped kale, coconut ricotta and smokey sunflower sauce)

Reserve des Vignerons Saumur Champigny 2010

Fourth Course
Cardamom and Strawberry Cake
AND
Cacao and Coffee Cake

Zardetto Vino Spumante Rose NV

 

Dinner with a View!

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Chef Alan Peet welcomed us to his room with a view at Isabela on Grandview for a multi-course dinner matched to Esporao wines selected by Jack Brice.  Pittsburgh looked even better with fabulous food and a glass in hand.

First Course
Nantucket Bay Scallop Ceviche – Lime, Shiso, Lemongrass, Coconut

Esporao Brut (Sparkling)

Second Course
Lobster Manicotti – Lobster Roulade, Peas, Carrot Puree, Black Truffle

Esporao Alentejo Reserve Branco

Third Course
Jamison Farms Lamb Loin – Sweetbreads, Braised Shoulder Agnolotti, Fiddlehead Ferns, Wild Lettuce

Assobio Douro Red
and
Murcas Douro Reserve

Fourth Course
Cheese Course of 3 notable Western Pennsylvania cheeses from The Ark Dairy, Riverview Dairy and Farmdale Organics

Fifth Course
Meyer Lemon & Meringue / S’more / Raspberry Cheesecake

Quinta dos Murcas 10year Tawny Port

Australia Day Celebration 2013

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Chef Toni Pais welcomed us to Cafe Zinho for a multi-course dinner matched to wines of Australia.

Hors d’oeuvres
Roasted Salmon with Kiwi-Apple Salsa on Crostini

Taltarni Brut Tache (Sparkling)

Starter
Grilled Prawns with Almond Butter Sauce

Rolf Binder Highness Riesling 2011

Salad
Field Greens with Roaring 40′s Blue Cheese (from Tasmania!!)

Main
Lamb Braised in Red Wine with Winter Root Veggies

West Cape Howe “Bookends” Cabernet 2008
and
John Duval Wines “Entity” Shiraz 2009
(former chief winemaker for the world-renown Penfolds Grange)

Dessert
Lammington with Chocolate Pecan Creme Anglaise

Buller Wine Company “Portly Gentleman”

 

 

OTG Goes to the Movies

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OTG showed an exclusive screening of BOTTLE SHOCK at Pittsburgh Filmmakers Melwood Screening Room

The World’s First Ever Fully Integrated Historic/Cinematic/Gastronomic/Winerific Event Ever!  All in one evening….

HOLLYWOOD
We had an actual print of the film BOTTLE SHOCK AND our guest host Hal B. Klein who plays Shenky in the film – Hal on screen AND in person!  Hal worked as an actor on stage and screen before moving to Pittsburgh to earn a master’s degree in Food Studies.  He’s now co-owner of Your Personal Food Coach and writes about food and drink around town.  From film to food – all thanks to the Burgh!

FOOD
Our pals at Bar Marco put together food to compliment the head to head wine tasting!

HISTORY
Invited guest and Post-Gazette Wine Columnist Elizabeth Downer dished on ‘how it really was’ at the Paris Acadamie du Vin because she was there!

WINE
Everyone tasted the modern Chateau Montelena (the winning white wine from the Judgement of Paris) against a Chassagne-Montrachet (White Burgundy)
and
Bordeaux against a California Cabernet

Women Winemakers

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Kate Romane welcomed us to e2 for a multi-course dinner matched to wines created by
women winemakers

Opening Toast
Natalie Falmet Champagne Cuvee Brut NV
(That’s right, REAL CHAMPAGNE from maker/owner Natalie Falmet!)
Wine Spectator 91

First Course
Antipasti of OMGs

Château d’Or et de Gueules Rose 2011 Southern Rhone, France
(Owner/maker Diane de Puymorin recently met Jack when she brought her wines to
Pittsburgh Wine Festival)
Robert Parker 90

Second Course
Pasta with Dandelion Greens and Grilled Shrimp in Garlic Anchovy Butter

Hall Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Third Course
Local Greens with Radish / Walnuts / Chèvre

Fourth Course
Grilled Leg of Lamb
Quinoa / Summer Greens / Haricot Verts / Sheep Feta

Yorba Wines Tempranillo 2008 Sierra Foothills California
(Producer/owner Ann Kraemer is renown vineyard manager for the likes of Domaine
Chandon, Cain, Calera, Hobbs and Shafer)
and
Black Cat Family Cuvee 2008 Napa California
(Producer/owner Tracey Reichow used to live near Pittsburgh but now makes great reds in
Napa!)

Fifth Course
Fresh Berries with Lavender Cream and Sea Salt Chocolate Bark

Italy

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Stagioni welcomes us to their new home in the South Side
for a multi-course dinner matched to Italian wines
(2104 East Carson Street – 15203)

Antipasti
A Selection of Meats, Cheeses and Marinated Veggies
Bosco dei Cirmioli Prosecco NV

Primo
Cavatelli with Pistachio, Mortadella, Spring Herbs
White Villa Sparina Di Gavi 2010 (served at the G8 meeting in Italy in 2009)

Insalata
Mesclun with Lemon, Olive Oil, Fresh Herbs

Secondo
Salmon with Mushroom and Leek Risotto

Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre 2008 (Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2011)
and
Rosso Piceno 2010 Mondavio

Dolce
Trust Us!