Winesday

Rene: Loads of vibrant fruit, raspberries, blackberries and the like, on the palate. All I really get is fruit; this has to be a California Cab. The wine is very soft in general. I have a bad habit of wanting to drink lush, opulent, likely expensive wines with simple food. It is not any disrespect to either the wine or the food, just an affirmation that the pairing of food and wine doesn't always need to be fancy. Normally a wine like this would have a suggested pairing of thick steak, mushroom sauce or hollandaise, and a fat stack of potato gratin. But you can get a similar pairing without breaking the bank twice. Earlier in the day, I tasted the roast beef po-boy from Grand Isle. With its succulent braised meat, gravy, streak of mayo (not much different from a hollandaise, in theory at least), crusty bread, and few fresh vegetables (cherry tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, etc...), I can't think of a better match for this wine.

Peter: Juicy. I taste the grape first and foremost. Not much acid; I would guess this a merlot. Some wines drink best with food, but this wine would do well on its own. But maybe just a little something to nibble on. Thinking a cheese plate from St. James, or a simple tomme de chevre rolled in ash.

Joe the Wine Guy: This wine is 70 years old. OK, not really. The 2006 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon commemorates 70th vintage of this wine. In 1936 Latour made the first California private reserve. This wine marries refined elegance with opulent intensity and robust character. It woos the senses with heady aromas of blackberry bramble, ripe cassis, mocha and spice. Dark, concentrated fruit picks up across the palate, joined by Rutherford notes of black licorice, loam, and coffee. Formidable body is balanced by firm tannins that span the mid palate and linger with cocoa through the smooth finish. This wine retails for $99.00 and you can find it at Morton's of Chicago and Bacchus Fine Wines.

Johnnie Walker Scotch Dinner and Crawfish Boil Cookoff

Way back before Fox, MSNBC, unions, and the internet told people who to vote for, candidates for political office used the subtle power of massive feasts to win votes. Texas politicians were known for lavish multi-day barbecues. In the Northeast, political bosses used giant steak feeds with copious amounts of Scotch to endear themselves to voters. This sounds like a much better idea than robo-calls, tv ads, and debates. Listen my love isn't for sale, but my vote can be had for a good plate of red beans. That is a joke, sort of.

On Wednesday June 16th, Mortons will host a Johnnie Walker Scotch Dinner with a portion of the proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. About two months ago, I was invited to a similar dinner at Morton's with Peter Mondavi of Charles Krug Winery (above) and ate delicious food in the presence wonderful company and Robert Peyton. Morton's is one of the secret gems of New Orleans as dining there feels like eating in a really cool treehouse. But instead of bugs, branches, and Kool-Aid, you are surrounded by beef, potatoes, and wine. Here is the menu and some more details.

Wednesday, June 16
6:30pm Reception
7pm Dinner

$125 per guest
Inclusive of tax and gratuity

For further information, please contact Kim Trouard at 504.566.0221 or kim_trouard@mortons.com.


First Course
Miniature Crab Cakes
Johnnie Walker Red

Second Course
Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Salad
Johnnie Walker Green

Third Course
Single Cut Filet Mignon, Bearnaise Sauce
Served with Twice Baked Potato and Sauteed Garlic Green Beans
Johnnie Walker Black

Fourth Course
Upside-Down Apple-Pie, Vanilla Ice Cream
Johnnie Walker Gold

Toast
Johnnie Walker Blue

And folks don't forget about the Drew Rodrigue Foundation's Crawfish Boil Cook Off at Jesuit High School, this Saturday from 2-6. $20, plus $2 beers for all the crawfish you can eat. Sounds like a good way to celebrate the US kicking the "arse" out of those limey wankers from Britain. Remember: British people have bad teeth, terrible food, and they pollute the Gulf. That is not a joke.