The 2015 Connoisseur Wine Dinners at the Savannah Food and Wine Festival have not yet been announced. Below is a list of the events that happened in 2014.
Amore Classico, For the Love of Food & Wine – During this Italian-inspired five-course meal prepared by Chef Shaun Hinso, Sommelier Jacob Gragg will provide a guided wine tour while the Equinox Orchestra plays famous Italian hits from the “Rat Pack” era, like “Mambo Italiano” and “Buono Serra.”
Vic’s on the River’s Five-Course Connoisseur’s Dinner – With the help of Heitz Wine Cellars’ Jeanne Cabral, Executive Chef Michael Pfab will craft a delicious five-course, starting with handpicked Ace Basin Sweet Grass Mussels and Crimson Belle Farms tomatoes served raw on the shell, paired with a 2013 Grignolino Rose. This dinner also features a Pan-Seared Black Grouper with a 2013 Chardonnay, a Roasted Saddle of Rabbit served alongside a butternut squash puree with a 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon and a coffee-dusted Wild Boar with a caramel demi-glaze, roasted with wild mushrooms served with a 2004 Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet. And you can’t forget the Chevre Mousse with hazelnut butter and sesame cookies for dessert!
Sustainable Seafood Soirée – A reception with house-made sushi and sparkling sake will kick-off the night before the five-course meal is served. This dinner features specials including Wild & Local Shellfish, Georgia Stone Crab, Blue Catfish & Crispy Peking Style Pork and a Cedar-Roasted Wreck Fish Filet, paired with a 2008 Pinot Noir Reserve. Other wines from New Zealand’s Villa Maria Winery making appearances include a 2010 Cellar Selection Dry Riesling, 2014 Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough and 2011 Taylors Pass Chardonnay, Marlbo. And to top it all off, Pumpkin Spiced Macarons will be served with Vanilla Anglaise Semifreddo and Pecan Turtle Sauce.
Ruth’s Chris Connoisseur Dinner – Realm Cellars’ Master Sommelier Desi Echavarrie will stop the steakhouse on Wednesday to give guests the best wine with a dinner specially prepared for the Savannah Food and Wine Festival. Rosemary-rubbed lamb chops and a fennel salad, paired with The Temptest will open the night while the Venison tenderloin is being prepared. The real spotlight is on the sliced ribeye with herb compound butter, served with a tomato and goat cheese tart, served as the main course with the Dr. Crane Vineyard. To end the show, Realm”s To Kalon wine will be served with a chocolate sin cake and pomegranate coulis.
Circa 1875 – Gerard Bertrand representative Brian Liska will pair some of Circa’s delicious French cuisine with wines during this connoisseur dinner. For reservations and more information, call (912) 443-1875
Lunch & Learn, “Limoux & Thomas Jefferson” – Join Gerard Bertrand’s Brian Liska and learn about the history and diversity of wines in Southern France. Along with specialty wine selections, Savannah Coffee Roaster’s executive chef Susan Goodman will be showcasing her specials from the cafe, including soup and salad, chicken with Herb de Provence, potato stack, french beans and desserts.
Rocks on the River ‘s Connoisseur Dinner – The Bohemian’s Rocks on the River is bringing in the best for their connoisseur dinner, including guest chef and Food Network star, Lenny McNab, as well as Raymond Vineyards/Kessler Collection Wines and even Chef Lenny McNab for post-dinner entertainment. Hors D’oeuvres will be passed out while guests arrive, before the Sweet corn and Meyer lemon bisque is served with a crab fritter and a 2013 Kessler Chardonnay. This dinner features an arugula salad with pumpkin seeds and a maple dijon vinaigrette and a Pineapple sage granita. The main course is coffee-crusted elk with white truffle mashed potatoes, grilled balsamic asparagus, roasted garlic demi glace and caraway crackers paird with a 2013 Bohemian Cabernet Sauvignon. And instead of one dessert, chefs Lenny McNab and Eric Backer will serve a sampling of their whimsical dessert creations as The Black Mamba Variety Show gets started.
Mondavi Family Wine Dinner, 45 Bistro with Winemakers – Join Rob & Lydia Mondavi for a delightful dinner featuring salad, fish, meat, cheese and dessert specialties. Tuna and beef carpaccio and open-faced crispy oyster sandwiches on brioche toast will be served before the pan-seared diver scallop appetizer and the smoked duck confit over a wilted spinach salad. The fish specialty of the night is the grilled Ahi tuna with sautéed baby bok choy, truffle vinaigrette and pan-seared Hudson Valley foie gras paired with a Medusa Red Blend and the meat specialty is espresso-rubbed beef tenderloin with roasted fingerling potatoes, parsnip puree wild mushrooms and port wine reduction with a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
A Connoisseur Dinner with Jim Foley – Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse will host a second connoisseur dinner with a selection of Seamus Wines wines paired by winemaker Jim Foley with a new five-course meal. It all starts with a pumpkin pasta with toasted hazelnuts paired with Seamus Pinot Gris. A Halibut in brown butter, over sweet potato puree, and a duck breast with a pinot noir cherry sauce will also be served during the dinner. And if those weren’t enough, a chili-rubbed flank steak will be served over white cheddar polenta, paired with a Cuvee. And you can’t leave without a bite of their flourless espresso tort or a sip of Cabernet with it.
“Meet the Winemakers After Party” – The Bohemian’s Rocks on the River is having a party so guests can meet and mingle with Chef Lenny McNab and all the winemakers in town for the festival. Wines will be sold by the glass and small plates are available for just $25.
2015 Events to been announced.