We finally made our third wine dinner happen! We chose wines from the Loire Valley and it was J and T’s turn to host. So Jedidiah came to fetch me and the salad and we stopped to grab another bottle on the way out of town. It is important to note that Jedidiah was actually wearing the infamous “driving mocs”. He also speeds. Maybe it is the shoes?
We arrived at J&T’s a bit late after getting lost, but luckily, Jedidiah was also driving at 90 miles an hour so it didn’t waste too much time. J came to meet us at the car and we stepped out into the night. The wind was blowing just a bit, carrying the smoke of the wood stove. The Black Walnut trees were standing like giant dark skeletons against the royal midnight colour of the sky.
Gross, huh?
So we settled in and opened our first wine. We had Jean Francois Merieau “Bulles”, a sparkling wine that we assume is made from Chenin Blanc.
Before the Pop.
This wine was really good. Full of bright pretty flavours with a dry finish and nice mineral/chalky notes.
We had this before dinner and also with the salad that started the meal.
Our salad was Red Leaf lettuce and Arugula with Chives, Red Onion, toasted Pine Nuts, shaved Parmesan, Capers, Cukes, hard boiled egg and a red wine vinegar/mustard dressing. It was pretty darn tasty and the wine worked really well with it.
After the salad we switched to wine number two. Some how we got through wines #2, 3 and 4 over the main course. It was a little fast for me but we were trying to keep up with Jedidiah! Wine #2 was Domaine aux Moines 1999 Savennieres. It was a beautiful gold colour but initially a little disappointing. Slightly oxidized and not much on the palate. We were served Trout fillets baked, then finished with rosemary butter and a bit of Parsley. With this we had Rosemary, Potato Ciabatta topped with ricotta and Acorn Squash and drizzled with Fig/Date Balsamic. This is when we start to feel a more boo boo than we care to. However, it was deeeeelicious.
Wine #3 three was Clos Delorme Valencay 2006. It is a blend of Gamay, Malbec, Cab Franc and Pinot Noir. The Gamay was the dominate grape in the nose, for sure. It had really nice ripe friendly fruit with a rich body, and a slightly chalky finish.
The Last wine was the Joguet Chinon “Petite Roches” 2005.
This was the best by far, big, serious, dark Cab Franc from the Loire.
We also went back to the Savennieres, which had warmed up and gotten a little action going on. It was honey on the nose with more happening on the palate, too. A bit Creamy and nutty. Much better the second time around. All in all it was a really good meal and some really good wines. I think we also figured out what the driving force of culture, art and creativity is but, I forget what we decided on. Such is life. We roasted ourselves in front of the fire. Discussed from what height a falling Black Walnut would be deadly and had a damn good time. Next dinner is back at my place and I think we will have Rhone wines. Jedidiah said the Rhone is for peasants, but I think he was feeling the Chinon so J and T and I politely let it slide.
A couple more pictures.
