Learn more about wine. Click on the topics below for wine events in Seattle and the Northwest, plus much more wine related information.
Wine Pairing for a Tasting Menu:
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Wine retail cost per bottle $100 - $150 |
pre-dinner that doesn't leave a long taste
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sweet pear salad with orange honey dressing
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seafood ravioli
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stuffed halibut with portobello mushrooms
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rack of lamb
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dessert wine
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Interesting questions come into this Web site from around the world. One of the most fun appeared recently from an anonymous chef asking for upscale wine suggestions for a tasting menu he was developing. Given, the Seattle Wine Society has a diverse membership with amateur and sophisticated wine lovers, collectors and merchants. But how many are comfortable chatting the merits of bottles in the $100 to $150 retail range? I was quick to respond that I would ask around.
Everyone I talked to was quick to respond that this was truly sommelier territory, but they did have ideas! Although those who rose to the tasting menu challenge, did end up recommending bottles outside the price range originally requested, they were aiming for the best pairing.
The next time you can't bear to turn on the television, stage your own fantasy wine pairing parlor game. Name your own price range or start low and work up on each successive round. One to unlimited players, no props necessary and set your own time limits for each course. Feel free to use your favorite references. When this menu gets too easy to work with -- create another one or borrow one from Rover's. Send me your suggestions for this menu and I will publish them here.
Many Exciting Solutions in Many Prices
Here are three great recommendations for the menu from members who have pursued learning about wine in a big way. Len Bates, wine lover; Paula and Michael Hatch, owners of Tarragona Wine and Food; and Stephanie and Emile Ninaud, owners of Champion Wine Cellars. Wines suggested by the shop owners are for sale in their shops.
| pre-dinner that doesn't leave a long taste | A lighter champagne -- Taitinger or Pommery $40-$45. |
| sweet pear salad with orange honey dressing | The classic accompaniment to pears -- sauternes. Rieussec or Suduiraut are great, $60 to $120 depending on vintage. |
| seafood ravioli | Light and crisp French chablis -- Domaine Tremblay has a great line of chablis $18 to $75 depending on appelation. |
| stuffed halibut with portibello mushrooms | A richer dish requires a white burgundy, 2000 Meursault "Charmes" or "Poruzot" from Domaine Francois Jobard $90. |
| rack of lamb | Red Bordeaux, the classic match. Try Chateaux Lynch-Bages, a Pauillac, $70 to $120 depending on vintage. Or the best Pauillac you can afford. |
| dessert wine | Ice wines from Canada are very good, try Inniskillen, $50 to $99 for a half bottle. Or a lovely old sherry such as, Don PX Gran Reserva Sherry 1975 $45. |
Now that you see how to dream big with your palate but not with your wallet, and want to share your wine suggestions, please send them.Back to the top.
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