Saturday 4 May
But there was more to it than just
meat and wine... not that there's anything wrong with those!
The explanation is that Sharon had kindly invited us over
for a venison dinner and Cabernet Sauvignon tasting. We packed a chosen bottle in an unidentifiable brown
paper bag, and another heaping bowl of kale crisps, and headed over.
Along with our hostess and her
friends Beth, Robin, Ken, and Gustavo, we snacked on the crisps, a soft and
funky cow's milk cheese from Crave Bros., and some Bellavitano cheese washed in
merlot, while tasting the various wines.
Here are our tasting notes from
when the bottles were revealed.
Our own wine, Kunde Sonoma 2009,
was pleasant enough, with lots of red fruit.
A Cameron Hughes Napa lot 279 2009
was simple and Merlot-like with overtones of grape jelly.
Clos du Bois N. Coast 2010 faded
fast, while Simi's Landslide from the Alexander Valley was fruit-forward and
the most tannic of the bunch.
Our almost-favorite was a Chateau
Gamage Selection Exceptionale 2009, which was lighter on tannin with raspberry
fruits.
But everyone's choice
(well-balanced, with cherry and spice) was the one you can't get: Robin's son
in law Jerry made it with fruit bought from California, and it's been in her
cellar for ten years.
Dinner was served out on the
porch, on prettily-set tables under twinkling lights. The medallions of venison backstrap were quickly
pan-fried, and served with onions, mushrooms, and two types of roast asparagus,
one with parmesan cheese, one with brie.
Sharon also made kasha varnishkes with a marsala sauce, mushrooms, and
garlic.
You would think that with that
much food and wine, nobody would be up for dessert, but you would be
wrong. Everyone had a bowl with their choice of three
types of Haagen Dazs gelato: stracciatella, cappuccino, and dark chocolate
chip.
It was a delicious evening, in a hospitable house full of memories. So thanks, Sharon!
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