July 18, 2011
Prep for First Tasting
Preparations are well under way for our very first Jessup Cellars structured tasting and dinner set for July 30th. Invitations are sent, the menu is planned, and thanks to the help of the Jessup Staff, we are almost done pairing the perfect wine with each menu option.
Our current itinerary will be a structured tasting @ 5:30 with assorted cheeses and water crackers, salted nuts and brine olives. The 12 guests will then enjoy Dinner @ 7:00…menu to consist of French Style Short-ribs with Blue Cheese crumbles, Classic Nicoise Salad, Roasted freshly picked garden and root vegetables and something decadent and chocolaty for desert.
When choosing the wines for the tasting itself and dinner menu selections, it was discussed that while one wine might suit the French style Short-ribs (possibly Juel) the addition of the blue cheese crumbles in the recipe adds a totally different flavor element that has much more acidity. I will no doubt need two glasses at each place setting as it was suggested to also offer the Petite Sirah to give guests a choice. This is just one of the many things that must be considered when pairing wine to foods properly.
Many things have been discussed regarding the tasting and the food pairings and while I have hosted many tastings before at different venues; for some reason I am actually “nervous” about this one. Probably because it is my first real tasting with Jessup since becoming an Ambassador and I want everything to go off without a hitch…wishful thinking probably. I keep thinking “What if I run out of wine?“ But I have the help and support of my wife, Tina, who is awesome under pressure. We have also invited a few close friends to be part of the group that will jump in to assist at any time so I feel more comfortable about all that. Not to mention the Jessup staff in all of this, offering me assistance and “behind the scenes” support for this event.
Since the invites went out, my anticipation for our guest’s very first Jessup Cellars tasting continues to build. Many phone calls and discussions have ensued and I continue to feed on the excitement of that day.
I promise to blog about the tasting itself with all the details and pictures after the event takes place, so stay tuned!
Cheers!
