Collab dinner a treat for bourbon aficionados
Calling all bourbon fans — the Nightingale X Woodford Collaboration Dinner is on March 13 from 7 p.m. until late. Guests will experience a variety of inventive dishes prepared to complement and accentuate the complexities of the spirit. Dishes include a miso whiskey tartar, housemade giardiniera of vegetables and fresh bread, and a bold and bright Woodford whiskey lacquered duck breast with a luxurious chestnut whiskey jus. The bar team has crafted three unique cocktails to pair with each course, and in addition, guests will be guided through a spirits tasting of three Woodford Reserve expressions with Brown Forman Spirits specialist Joel Virginillo.
L'Abattoir, distinguished for its excellence in wine programming, has announced a series of winemaker dinners in partnership with Wines of B.C. The series starts with the North Okanagan Winemakers Dinner on Wednesday, March 20, at 6 p.m., featuring wines from Tantalus Vineyards, Quails' Gate Estate Winery, and Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery. Guests will be treated to a six-course menu, expertly paired with two wines from each winery, served in L'Abattoir's private dining room. Winemakers and winery principals will dine with the dinner guests at communal tables while introducing their wines throughout the evening. Tickets are $195 plus taxes and gratuities, and the menu is available on the L'Abattoir website.
B.C. WINE OF THE WEEK Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir — B Field Blend McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2022, Okanagan Falls $31.39 I 91/100 UPC: 626990389538
The Pinot plantings at McLean Creek Road Vineyard are a mix of Burgundian clones. When winemaker Chris Carson planted the B field in 2017, the new block received three Dijon clones (115, 667, 777) and cuttings from an unknown clone from the designated old block site. The goal was to be able to harvest a field blend each year. The B Field Blend is made with four clones, all picked on the same day and co-fermented in a more traditional field blend. The blend in 2022 is magic. It's aged in older neutral French oak barrels for 11 months before bottling. Compared with the warmer 2020 release, this wine is fresher and amazingly juicy. Seamless and delicious from front to back, this is fun to drink with soft tannins, ripe cherries, a dusting of barnyard, and a long, silky finish. I love the finesse and simplicity of this wine. Super value.
VALUE WINE OF THE WEEK Gabriel Meffre Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc Cuvée Saint-Vincent, Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, France $18.99 I 89/100 UPC: 3142920026306
Always a fresh mix of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette, Marsanne, Viognier and Bourboullec that opens with floral blossoms and herbal lees notes. A delicate lees seeds into a finely spiced, lightly savoury palate full of light pear, green fig and citrus flavours. The finish is dry and elegant; it is a perfect wine for scallops, sole or prepared halibut. Super value.