After several flase starts for unhappy reasons, half the group assembled at Becker's for the Fall 2009 4 Seasons gourmet food & wine dinner. We missed our comrades TERRIBLY, but getting a double wine pour helped ease the pain a bit!
We started with an excellent vintage Champagne from Kim & Jim:
Henri Mandios '93 with some excellent cheeses including a tasty Vermont goat cheese. We toasted the birthday couple, Dave & Lynda, and sang them a Happy Birthday!
Moving the party from the kitchen to the dining room, we settled in for a tasty salad of arugula & figs with a delicious dressing. This was paired with another Becker wine: 2008 La Cote de Jury Sancerre which stood up well against the dressing.
We moved on to skewers of shrimp & a terrific squash soup paired with the final Becker wine: a 2006 Chassagne Montrachet which was breathtaking it had such extraction! The soup was one of the big hits of the evening -- fresh & organic all the way.
Dan & Kathy brought a 1987 Chateau Margaux, one of the five 1st Growth wines from France -- it had aged very well and led to much interesting conversation. Kathy had prepared a wonderful food pairing of crostinis with roast beef. By this time the party was pretty much out of control!
Then Dave & Lynda brought out TWO rustic apple tarts made from a recipe in Katie Lee's new cookbook. Dave paired that with a 2003 Domaine des Baumard Quart de Chaume chenin blanc dessert wine. The pairing was so good that many people had to have a second helping of the dessert just to convince themselves that the pairing was as good as they had imagined.
Lynda & Dave opened birthday cards & presents amid oohs & ahhs galore.
All-in-all a very successful 4 Seasons dinner & many thanks to our host & hostess, Jim & Kim Becker for a great evening!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
A fine time was had by all who came to the the home of the 'hosts with the most' Herky & Gabrielle. They have such a beautiful setting for a party.
The rain started us indoors, but soon let up so we could move outside to a gorgeous sunset. The theme was California wines. Great food, great wines, great company, great party!!!
Dan & Kathy brought a bottle of Domaine Chandon White Star Champagne matched with Kathy's outstanding Shrimp Ceviche.
Dave & Lynda presented a 2005 Arrowood Viognier, Saralee's Vineyard, Russian River Valley with some delicious crab claws.
Laura & Frank served up a 2007 Rombauer Chardonnay with some grilled seared tuna with a soy/ginger/garlic dip that was a perfect match.
Jim [Kim was in New York] brought a bottle from boutique Wendell Vineyards [less than an acre!] Santa Rita Hills 2005 Pinot Noir that he & Kim really loved when they first tried it. It is made from 60 year old vines. He made salmon in philo dough with leeks, tarragon & some rosted aspargus that we fought over to get the last piece. YUMMY!!!
Ann & Rodger brought a terrific 'story' wine -- the Melka Vineyards 1997 CJ Vineyards [after their two children] Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Ann's fantastic carmelized onion/goat cheese/tenderloin panini's toasted on her George Foreman grill were a great wine/food pairing that was praised by all.
Out on the porch overlooking the Ohio River, Herky & Garielle uncorked a magnum of 2002 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon that went extremely well with a leg o' lamb & polenta with walnuts that melted in yoru mouth.
They followed up with a sauterne from Chateau Coutet & Greenbrier peaches that left everyone ooh-ing & ahh-ing.
Thanks to the Leaches for a terrific 4 Seasons Summer Wine party on the river!
The rain started us indoors, but soon let up so we could move outside to a gorgeous sunset. The theme was California wines. Great food, great wines, great company, great party!!!
Dan & Kathy brought a bottle of Domaine Chandon White Star Champagne matched with Kathy's outstanding Shrimp Ceviche.
Dave & Lynda presented a 2005 Arrowood Viognier, Saralee's Vineyard, Russian River Valley with some delicious crab claws.
Laura & Frank served up a 2007 Rombauer Chardonnay with some grilled seared tuna with a soy/ginger/garlic dip that was a perfect match.
Jim [Kim was in New York] brought a bottle from boutique Wendell Vineyards [less than an acre!] Santa Rita Hills 2005 Pinot Noir that he & Kim really loved when they first tried it. It is made from 60 year old vines. He made salmon in philo dough with leeks, tarragon & some rosted aspargus that we fought over to get the last piece. YUMMY!!!
Ann & Rodger brought a terrific 'story' wine -- the Melka Vineyards 1997 CJ Vineyards [after their two children] Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Ann's fantastic carmelized onion/goat cheese/tenderloin panini's toasted on her George Foreman grill were a great wine/food pairing that was praised by all.
Out on the porch overlooking the Ohio River, Herky & Garielle uncorked a magnum of 2002 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon that went extremely well with a leg o' lamb & polenta with walnuts that melted in yoru mouth.
They followed up with a sauterne from Chateau Coutet & Greenbrier peaches that left everyone ooh-ing & ahh-ing.
Thanks to the Leaches for a terrific 4 Seasons Summer Wine party on the river!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Spring Meeting 2009
Dear All –
April 11th appears to be the best date for everyone – so we’ll go with the 11th at 7pm. (I think everyone will be in town except for Ann -- sorry, Ann!)
We’d like to propose a THEME for this Spring event – ITALIAN WINES. We’d also like to propose that we coordinate in advance so that we have something along the lines of:
a champagne course
2 white wine courses
2 red wine courses
a dessert course
For example, we plan to serve a full-bodied Italian white with a shell-fish dish (probably Coquille-St. Jacques). As you plan, if you could simply “reply to all” we can coordinate a menu which show-cases each of our contributions and will eliminate duplication.
Looking forward to another delightful evening of friends, food & wine …
Kathy & Dan
P.S. Maps to our place attached.
*********************
You can see from the pictures that, with enough good wine, everything becomes a blur of fun & excitement! -Dan
*********************
Looking forward to seeing everybody.
Lynda & Dave
********************
Dear All –
Looking forward to our Saturday evening gathering at our place, 7pm.
Current menu is:
Bubbly plus hors’de ourves Holup/Revell
White course O’H’s
3 Red courses Conjura/Blakes, Gilliam’s, Beckers
(?4th Red) (Leach’s)
Derby Pie w dessert wine O’H’s & Beckers
Ran into Herky at the “Y” this week. Says it’s unlikely they’ll make it. Gabrielle might be having surgery (microdiscectomy) this week. Gabrielle – our thoughts are with you! Have a speedy recovery!
K
*********************
HI Everyone,
We will be there tonight! Yea! We are bringing a red and 2 appetizers.
Can you email directions to your place.
Herky & Gabrielle
*********************
All - we'll plan to bring a Franciacorta for the sparkling wine course and something appropriate to go with it.
Lynda & Dave
*********************
We are going to bring a killer pinot grigio to go with Kim's orgasmic strata (I guess that sounds a bit odd--I will make it using her recipe, with cream/goat cheeses layered with mixtures of sun-dried tomato puree and fresh pesto using my own basil). This should follow L&D's Franciacorta course, I suppose.
Frank & Laura
***
Hey Gang,
Just so that there are no surprises, I thought I would let all know that I am weenie-ing out on Kim's pesto strata--sorry. Will explain. In lieu of that, we will bring a pesto pasta appetizer.
Frank
********************
We'll bring a barolo and some risotto.
Jim
********************
Hi Everyone,
We are going to bring an Umbrian Red to complement a rustic Italian dish, I am just not yet sure which one.
See you soon.
Gabriele and Herk
we will be there. we will try a 2003 falesco cabernet umbria
Herky
********************
Wines & Food
Holup-Revell - 2003 La Valle Franciacorta Italian sparkling wine - various Italian antipasti: excellent cheeses & crackers, melon & prosciutto, mushrooms, bruschetti with eggplant tamponade
Frank & Laura -- 2007 Benefizium Pinot Grigio -- Ian's outstanding pasta dish
Kathy & Dan -- 2006 Antinori Cervaro -- Kathy's terrific scallops as Coquille St. Jacques
Herky & Gabrielle -- 2003 Falesco Umbrian Cabernet [backup wine - 2004 Ca' di Pian Barbera d'Asti] -- Gabrielle's tasty stuffed mushroooms plus red pepper hors d'oeurves
Ann & Rodger -- 2001 Salice Salentino Rosso Riserva -- Ann's delicious Tuscan white bean soup & breadsticks
Jim & Kim -- Schiavenza Barolo Riserva -- Jim's yummy morel & peas risotto
Jim & Kathy -- 1998 Felsina Vin Santo with Derby pie & coffee
*******************
HI Everybody,
What a lovely evening!
Dan and Kathy, thank you for being wonderful hosts, and to all, we appreciate the quality and originality of the wine choices and food pairings presented last night. We truly enjoyed the comeraderie. What a treat!
We would love to host the next "meeting" in June or July.
Herk and Gabriel
********************
Thank you Kathy and Dan for orchestrating a masterpiece event! The food.....the wine......the sparkling conversation....it was all "molto bene."
And thank you to everyone else in our very special group for sharing their company with Rodger and I last night. We are blessed!
Happy Easter to everyone and their families,
Ann
*******************
What a great evening! Superb food and wine. Loved seeing everybody. Thanks to Kathy for all the preparation, and thanks to Dan for all the documentation. Great hosts! We're looking forward to our next get-together.
Kim & Jim
*******************
What a wonderful evening – fabulous wines, food and friends! What more could you ask for! Frank and I are still talking about it!
Many thanks to Dan and Kathy for hosting – your home and its surroundings are beautiful!
Laura and Frank
*******************
Hi All: Besides the wonderful time we had, I found it interesting that so many of us ended up on the floor after an evening of wine and food!!!
Lynda
April 11th appears to be the best date for everyone – so we’ll go with the 11th at 7pm. (I think everyone will be in town except for Ann -- sorry, Ann!)
We’d like to propose a THEME for this Spring event – ITALIAN WINES. We’d also like to propose that we coordinate in advance so that we have something along the lines of:
a champagne course
2 white wine courses
2 red wine courses
a dessert course
For example, we plan to serve a full-bodied Italian white with a shell-fish dish (probably Coquille-St. Jacques). As you plan, if you could simply “reply to all” we can coordinate a menu which show-cases each of our contributions and will eliminate duplication.
Looking forward to another delightful evening of friends, food & wine …
Kathy & Dan
P.S. Maps to our place attached.
*********************
You can see from the pictures that, with enough good wine, everything becomes a blur of fun & excitement! -Dan
*********************
Looking forward to seeing everybody.
Lynda & Dave
********************
Dear All –
Looking forward to our Saturday evening gathering at our place, 7pm.
Current menu is:
Bubbly plus hors’de ourves Holup/Revell
White course O’H’s
3 Red courses Conjura/Blakes, Gilliam’s, Beckers
(?4th Red) (Leach’s)
Derby Pie w dessert wine O’H’s & Beckers
Ran into Herky at the “Y” this week. Says it’s unlikely they’ll make it. Gabrielle might be having surgery (microdiscectomy) this week. Gabrielle – our thoughts are with you! Have a speedy recovery!
K
*********************
HI Everyone,
We will be there tonight! Yea! We are bringing a red and 2 appetizers.
Can you email directions to your place.
Herky & Gabrielle
*********************
All - we'll plan to bring a Franciacorta for the sparkling wine course and something appropriate to go with it.
Lynda & Dave
*********************
We are going to bring a killer pinot grigio to go with Kim's orgasmic strata (I guess that sounds a bit odd--I will make it using her recipe, with cream/goat cheeses layered with mixtures of sun-dried tomato puree and fresh pesto using my own basil). This should follow L&D's Franciacorta course, I suppose.
Frank & Laura
***
Hey Gang,
Just so that there are no surprises, I thought I would let all know that I am weenie-ing out on Kim's pesto strata--sorry. Will explain. In lieu of that, we will bring a pesto pasta appetizer.
Frank
********************
We'll bring a barolo and some risotto.
Jim
********************
Hi Everyone,
We are going to bring an Umbrian Red to complement a rustic Italian dish, I am just not yet sure which one.
See you soon.
Gabriele and Herk
we will be there. we will try a 2003 falesco cabernet umbria
Herky
********************
Wines & Food
Holup-Revell - 2003 La Valle Franciacorta Italian sparkling wine - various Italian antipasti: excellent cheeses & crackers, melon & prosciutto, mushrooms, bruschetti with eggplant tamponade
Frank & Laura -- 2007 Benefizium Pinot Grigio -- Ian's outstanding pasta dish
Kathy & Dan -- 2006 Antinori Cervaro -- Kathy's terrific scallops as Coquille St. Jacques
Herky & Gabrielle -- 2003 Falesco Umbrian Cabernet [backup wine - 2004 Ca' di Pian Barbera d'Asti] -- Gabrielle's tasty stuffed mushroooms plus red pepper hors d'oeurves
Ann & Rodger -- 2001 Salice Salentino Rosso Riserva -- Ann's delicious Tuscan white bean soup & breadsticks
Jim & Kim -- Schiavenza Barolo Riserva -- Jim's yummy morel & peas risotto
Jim & Kathy -- 1998 Felsina Vin Santo with Derby pie & coffee
*******************
HI Everybody,
What a lovely evening!
Dan and Kathy, thank you for being wonderful hosts, and to all, we appreciate the quality and originality of the wine choices and food pairings presented last night. We truly enjoyed the comeraderie. What a treat!
We would love to host the next "meeting" in June or July.
Herk and Gabriel
********************
Thank you Kathy and Dan for orchestrating a masterpiece event! The food.....the wine......the sparkling conversation....it was all "molto bene."
And thank you to everyone else in our very special group for sharing their company with Rodger and I last night. We are blessed!
Happy Easter to everyone and their families,
Ann
*******************
What a great evening! Superb food and wine. Loved seeing everybody. Thanks to Kathy for all the preparation, and thanks to Dan for all the documentation. Great hosts! We're looking forward to our next get-together.
Kim & Jim
*******************
What a wonderful evening – fabulous wines, food and friends! What more could you ask for! Frank and I are still talking about it!
Many thanks to Dan and Kathy for hosting – your home and its surroundings are beautiful!
Laura and Frank
*******************
Hi All: Besides the wonderful time we had, I found it interesting that so many of us ended up on the floor after an evening of wine and food!!!
Lynda
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