Bordeaux Tasting Dinner

Something we really enjoy is "tasting dinners"-- meals made up of many small courses, usually with each course thoughtfully paired with a wine. I have had the luck of being able to enjoy several of these over the years put on by my sister and brother-in-law, but in the past year or so I've enjoyed arranging and hosting a few of these events myself. Back in February we had a tasting dinner in celebration of several family birthdays that month. We wanted to taste and learn about red Bordeaux, so I created a menu in which all its courses would pair with that one type of wine. It felt like a big challenge at first but I found some good ideas online of some different types of foods to pair with Bordeaux, and it all came out pretty well. A few of these dishes we have already made again, especially the cherry compote with mascarpone, and the chicken mole enchiladas. The favorite recipes from the night are posted separately. Since my brother-in-law Cassidy was the only attendee other than me who wasn't celebrating a birthday, he helped out in the kitchen. He made the whole thing go more smoothly and look more polished. Here are the menu and some photos. 

 Birthday Bordeaux Wine Club Tasting Dinner

February 18, 2012

Chateau Dumas Cenot Bordeaux Superieur 2009 – Appellation Bordeaux Superieur Controlee

Charles Krug Generations 2008 – Napa Valley

Sterling Vintner’s Collection Meritage 2009 – Central Coast

Chateau Larkan Grand Vin de Bordeaux 2009 – Appellation Bordeaux Controlee

Chateau Michel de Vert Grand Vin de Bordeaux 2010 – Appellation Lussac Saint-Emilion Controlee

Sicilian-Style Sweet-and-Sour Swordfish

Sauce with local tomatoes and onion

Chicken Mole Enchiladas

          Misty Knoll Chicken  

Roasted Beets and Carrots with Blue Cheese

Farmers’ Market Vegetables

Risotto with Butternut Squash, Rosemary, and Blue Cheese

Local squash and onion

Roast Duck with Citrus Pan Sauce

          Sauce with fresh-squeezed lemon and Cara Cara orange juice

Korean Sizzling Beef Satay

Hardwick 100% grass-fed beef, grilled scallions

Dried Cherry Compote with Shortbread and Mascarpone

           With Chateau Larkan 2009 Bordeaux

Lora Brody’s Bete Noir

Local whipped cream, toasted salted almonds