A Sip of Wine for The Kids

Last Friday night Matt and I were invited to go to a charity event for the Boy and Girls Club of San Antonio. The best part, it was free for us and a great cause.

The event was a wine tasting. Ten of the world's best wines with food pairing from award winning Chef Jeffrey Balfour. Now before the event I decided to Google Chef Balfour. My findings were very intriguing....

"Born and raised in Galveston, TX, Jeffery Balfour developed a love for his native cuisine and the freshest ingredients, all of which are evident in his ever-changing menu. Citrus' menu features the freshest, and most sustainable, ingredients from farmers and fishermen around the state."

So I thought....real texas food from the land, cool?

What we got was definitely interesting and surprisingly yummy.

It was a 5 course "meal" (they were very small portions of each) and were paired with two appropriates wines. We got to be the judge of which we liked best.

First course: Uni and Osetra Cappacion, Sea Urchin and Caviar in a rich seafood broth
Paired with Krug Champagne Vs. Dom Perignon

Verdict: The soup was really good, well the broth that is. I tried a bite of the sea urchin (because Matt made me) but I did not like the texture. Between the two champagnes, Krug is more expensive than Dom. I actually like Dom better. For once in my life I choose the cheaper one!

Second Course: Butter poached black cod, saffron sauce, hydroponically grown watercress; paired with Oliver leflaive-puligny montrachet 2008 vs. Rudd-chardonnay bacigalupi vineyard 2006.

(I forgot to take a picture of the cod, sorry!)






Verdict: Fish was pretty good, nothing great but the wines delicious! The Oliver one was my favorite of the night. The other wine was good to but the winner is definitely Mr. Oliver Leflaive.

Third Course: Deconstructed Texas rabbit ravioli. parmesan dijon cream paired with vieux telegraphe-chateuneuf du pape 2006 vs. Tablas creek-esprit de beucastel 2008.

Verdict: I know what you are thinking... deconstructed rabbit! Pretty harsh wording, I agree, but it was really good. Of course tasted like chicken. I think it was my favorite thing of the evening. Poor little Easter Rabbit. As for the wine I like best Vieux telegraphe-chateneuf du pape 2006

Forth Course: Pan roasted Texas Antelope, potato hash, smoked tomato salsa paired with chateau de pez-st. estephe 2007 vs. Napanook-Meritage 2006

Verdict: Both of the wines were really rich and yummy but I had to go with the Chateau De Pez-St. Estephe 2007- if I have to pick! As for the antelope... well this was a first but a good one. It was very good and Matt's favorite!

Last course: French blue cheese and creamed tuscan honey paired with Chateau cantegril-sauternes 2006 vs. Far niente dolce.

(Sorry no pictures- I think a speech was going on)

Verdict: Did NOT like the dessert wines. Very sweet, almost like a syurpy apple juice with lots of sugar. No bueno... as for the blue cheese, I am not a huge blue cheese fan myself but for those of you who are I am sure you would have liked it. 

Well that was our first experience at the a wine tasting event. It was very nice and everything went to a great cause! =)

Look at all these glasses on our table!
When we walked up we were amazed!

My glasses =)