Wine dinner

Jason Clarke, Contributor

Located in the Freeport area of Montego Bay, Seawinds Beach Club is a gorgeous property. We couldn't resist a six-course wine dinner with their resident chef Lois Fitch at this scenic property.

The night was cool and peaceful, interrupted only by the periodic squawks of the peacocks on property. There was no better way to kick-start the evening than with a little bubbly. A Fentinel Prosecco was ceremoniously opened with a blade which I must confess was quite impressive. The first course - tortilla topped with fresh tuna - was simple yet complemented the Prosseco beautifully. A tortilla topped with fresh tuna. The saltiness of the chip and tuna played well with the Prosecco, creating a union that was supremely delicious.

Next course was scallops cooked to perfection on top of thinly sliced apples. This delightful dish was paired with Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. I think by far this was my favorite Sauvignon Blanc to date. Putting the glass to my nose was heaven, citrus and tropical fruits, yum yum. A truly aromatic wine that is very hard to forget, leaving you wanting a little more with each sip. The pairing was incredible and the balance of acidity with the apples made it absolutely superb. This is definitely a wine that you could drink on its own, particularly on those warm summer days and nights.

Fresh mangoes and beautiful shrimp were next in the line-up. The versatility of Kim Crawford made it easy to transition from one seafood course to the next.

We then moved on to the reds with the Don Cosimo Primitivo, which was like velvet caressing my palate. This deep, robust red beautifully complemented the beautiful cut of beef, perfectly seared and topped with a mushroom-stuffed pastry and asparagus. The harmonious blend of this medium-bodied red was simply incredible. A Primitivo resembles the look and flavour of the Zinfandel, which might be more commonly available on most shelves.

Quack Quack ... duck, anyone? Our next course, as you can imagine, was duck. So succulent and not a common feature at many tables, it was the perfect match for a Marques de Murrieta Rioja. A traditional Spanish wine with ripe fruity flavours and spiced oak, it was like silk.

To round off the evening, dessert was a delicious guava cheesecake. Suprisingly not sweet, but creamy and smooth. No better way to enjoy dessert than with a little port. Port is the perfect complement to anything sweet, and the Dows port was just perfect. A true dessert wine for the sweet tooth lover in you.

A beautiful mix of food and wines was just what the doctor ordered for a weekend getaway in Montego Bay.

Invite a few friends over, and make your own wine night. Wine should always be enjoyed with great friends and 'nuff' laughter.

I am not an expert, merely a wine enthusiast sharing my thoughts and experiences. Feel free to share your own experiences at wineenthusiastja@gmail.com.