Ph.D. Candi.: Fancy Food and Drink

I received an invitation to the Knoxville Museum of Art L'Amour du Vin 2012 fundraiser Saturday night. The venue was transformed into a romantic, low-lit space for wine tasting, bidding on fun trips and a five course meal. Guests were handed a glass of champagne when coming down the stairs into the main hall while jazz music played. Couples left with a gift bag of Riedel crystal stemware. It was a fun evening!

From KMA's website

We tasted several wines and my picks (sorry, all red) included:

2006 Paulo Scavino Barolo DOCG
2008 J. Lohr Tower Road Petite Syrah
2007 Bonaccorsi Nielsen Vineyard Pinot Noir
2010 Siduri Parsons' Vineyard Pinot Noir
*2008 Martinelli Lolita Ranch Pinot Noir

*This was my favorite and apparently a former L'Amour duVin featured vintner

From KMA's website

Here's the glorious menu:

Blackberry Farm Charcuterie (very nice, the turnips, surprisingly were amazing on this platter)

Scallop tartar (to die for), preserved lemon, fennel pollen, fried capers, radish and citrus paired with 2010 Rudd, Sauvignon Blanc, Mt. Veeder

Herb and olive poached sturgeon, baby beets, arugula puree, paddlefish roe, pickled ramps and bulls blood greens (my favorite course) paired with 2009 Edge Hill, Bacigalupi Vineyard, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

Braised Eden Farms pork cheeks, creamy grits with green and red tomato relish (strange texture on the cheeks, really loved the green and red tomato relish) paired with 2008 Rudd, Samantha's Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville (Samantha was there to introduce her wine and invite Knoxville guests to the winery for Rudd hospitality, a nice touch...)

Lamb T-bone, faro verde, sweet and sour collard greens, pearl onions, red wine jus (I love lamb but this was served almost completely rare, could've used a bit more time on the heat but the collard greens were perfect and faro verde has a delicious taste) paired with 2005 Rudd, Estate Red, Oakville

Blackberry Farm Blue Cheesecake, house made strawberry preserves, graham crackers and Blackberry Farm Blue Cheese (This dessert was a hit with others at my table but I'm not a fan of strong blue cheese. I did enjoy the strawberry preserves, especially with the dessert wine) paired with 2010 Edge Hill, Semillon, Napa Valley.

From KMA's website

I'd really like to spend (lots of) time at Blackberry Farm. The dishes were inventive, fresh and full of flavor. I've never been to BF to dine but I hope to remedy that this year. Their chef, Joseph Lenn (executive chef of the Barn) is up for The People's Best News Chef award on www.foodandwine.com.

Hope number two after this event (which is really more of a dream) is to get to Napa Valley sometime this year and wine taste. Hey, we need to have goals, right?

Source: http://www.denaedarcy.com/2012/03/fancy-food-and-drink.html

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