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Elegance, vibrance, vino

Published:Friday | November 4, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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These two CPJ beauties Tamika West (left) and India Crotty (right) sandwich the chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Godfrey Dyer.
From left: Hilton Rose Hall's Jaap Van Dam, CPJ's Tom Tyler (centre) and Iberostar's Philipp Hofer had an interesting wine discussion over cocktails.
Jason Yip-Choy and India Crotty could not be separated as they enjoyed cocktails before the CPJ's Antinori Luna Di Mare Wine Dinner.
It was ladies' night out for these beauties who attended the CPJ's Antinori Luna Di Mare Wine Dinner in Montego Bay last Thursday. From left are Brigit Sowa, Yinedi De-Bekker, Judith Schweizer and Monica Danneck. - photos by Sheena Gayle
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Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

Four Antinori wines, explosive flavours and a charming allure merged well with an exquisite five-course dinner organised by Caribbean Producers Jamaica at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay last Thursday.

The Antinori Luna Di Mare Wine Dinner celebrated the elegance and vibrancy of the Santa Cristina Pinot Grigio, Bramito Del Cervo Chardonnay, the Tignanello and Guado Al Casso wines that allowed guests to explore their appreciation for Italian wines.

Under the culinary influence of executive chef Michael Danneck, the 2009 bottle of Santa Cristina Pinot Grigio wine was tested in this ability to excite the taste buds when chef Danneck did an interesting three-dish meal in one plate.

The roasted vegetable and goat cheese terrine, spicy lamb meatballs on yellow coulis and baby octopus salad was the first course that challenged the diversity of the Pinot Grigio wine. Antinori's Pinot Grigio mastered the challenge with sheer brilliance.

unique surprise

Guests received a unique surprise with the smoked tomato consommé with roasted garlic flan, paired with Antinori's Bramito Del Cervo Chardonnay. Danneck skilfully achieved the potent flavours of smoked tomato without the rich colour of the fruit. While the red wine poached sea bass on saffron risotto with cho-cho and callaloo purée fell short in offering that wow effect in its delivery of flavours, the Bramito Del Cervo Chardonnay compensated for the blandness and gave the meal character.

The marriage between meals and wines was achieved successfully in the fourth course when the 2008 Tignanello wine was paired with a duet of venison loin and the 2007 Guado Al Casso wine with a succulent double lamb chop. Such marriage should not be broken, as each pairing hugged the taste buds with great affection.

With great anticipation, the cappuccino mousse with walnut biscotti dessert never failed in its attempt to offer a sweet caress to palates that welcomed such an excellent close to an excellent evening.