Wine dinners this week, at Varanese and Brasserie Provence, explore wines from some well-respected California winemakers, and rosés from the south of France.
Tonight, Tuesday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m., Varanese, 2106 Frankfort Ave., will host a 6-course tasting dinner with each course paired with a California wine from the Constellation Brands portfolio. Guest speaker Kathryn Carter from Constellation Brands will talk about the wine she has selected for the dinner from the Robert Mondavi Winery and The Prisoner Wine Company, which includes a line of wines founded by Orin Swift.
The menu, created by Chef Erik Abraham and his team will start with a shrimp spring roll with a Thai chili dipping sauce, paired with Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc. The next course features “Blindfold” White Blend to complement roasted chicken meatballs with a golden raisin and red grape gastrique. The third course will be a roasted cauliflower and sunchoke risotto, paired with a Robert Mondavi, Chardonnay.
“The Prisoner” Red Blend will be served with cast iron-seared diver scallop and Iberico lardo, followed by the main course, a braised beef brisket confit tossed with egg yolk and cheese ravioli, paired with “Cuttings” Cabernet Sauvignon. Dessert will be fried brioche french toast
with seared foie gras. The wine with dessert will be “Saldo” Zinfandel.
The cost of the dinner and wine pairings is $65. Call (502) 899-9904 or email letsdine@varanese.com.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. Brasserie Provence, 150 N.Hurstbourne Pkwy., holds a triple celebration. Their annual rosé wine dinner coincides with the summer solstice, and the Guest Chef Laurent Géroli celebrates his retirement from he hospitality industry with one last special dinner for his friend, Guy Genoud, owner of Brasserie Provence.
Chef Géroli’s dinner is based on the “People, Places & Dishes” that influenced his cooking style. Advanced Level Sommelier Julie DeFriend from Vintner Select has chosen rosé wines from five appellations to pair with the dishes.
The reception includes a Géroli family tradition of antipasto piatto, paired with Domaine du Dragon “Grande Cuvée” Côtes de Provence 2016. Dinner begins with one of Chef Géroli’s favorite dishes from his years at the Ritz-Carlton: whole prawns in a Courvoisier lobster sauce with a 3-onions fondue, paired with Frédéric Brouca de Facto Faugères 2016.
Chef then pays homage to his adopted Kentucky home with bourbon-braised pork belly, seared diver scallop and carrot ginger apple reduction, paired with Yves Cuilleron Syrah “Sybel” Collines Rhodaniennes 2016. For the entrée, Chef Géroli shares his childhood grilling memories from Morocco to Montréal with a lamb kefta chermola, cumin-rubbed chicken hearts and his marinated hanger steak paired with the Mas de Gourgonnier, “Les Baux de Provence” 2016. Dinner ends with Chef’s favorite dessert from his Grandmother: dark chocolate mousse, petits sables and pistachio ice cream, paired with an Italian Sparkling Rosé, the Malvirà Birbet Bracetto Roero.
The Rosé Wine Dinner is $75. Call 502-883-3153. Wines served with the dinner will be available for purchase with a 15% discount through Westport Whiskey & Wine.
