Port Tasting Fundraiser planned for Temple of Kwan Tai
On Saturday, May 11, the Taoist Temple of Kwan Tai, a California historical landmark, is holding a unique tasting of various ports and food items that pair well with each of the six wines offered at the event.
Denise Lee, a direct descendant of the Lee family who built the temple, believes this may be the first tasting offered to the public featuring only port wines. All the varietals available come from Livermore's highly acclaimed Cedar Mountain Winery.
Port wine is a “fortified” wine from Portugal noted for its sweetness. As a niche industry, it has been routinely marketed as a dessert wine. However, ports can offer a pleasant addition to many foods.
Most people view port as an upscale, rich red after-dinner drink. Its sweet flavors include raspberry, blackberry, caramel, cinnamon, and chocolate. Ports are also available in rosé, white, and an aged type
called Tawny Port.
Ports are poured into glasses smaller than the
typical wine glass since a serving is generally considered 3 ounces. Port is also a traditional ingredient in many sauce recipes. An advantage is that an open bottle of port can last up to 28 days if corked and stored in the refrigerator.
Lee hopes to show ticket holders the various ports and foods they can pair with them. For each port, a specific food will be presented for tasting and eating.
Partnering with Mendocino Savings Bank, Harvest Market, and the Mendocino Community Center will help support the cost of the tasting event. The event will support the maintenance of the Kwan Tai Temple, the educational programs it provides to schoolchildren, and its archival history of the temple and the Lee family, who were among the first Chinese immigrants to Mendocino.
Lee also donates funds from her personal Chevron employee retirement benefit allotted for community service.
The event on May 11 will be held at the Mendocino Community Center, located at 998 School Street in Mendocino, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. It includes a silent auction of artifacts previously owned by Lee's parents.
For more information, please visit www.kwantaitemple.org.