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| 2007 Mechoui |
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| Sunday, 03 June 2007 | |
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Reported by Natale Lofaro The Mechoui is the Guild’s annual pilgrimage to St-Sixte, Quebec in the bucolic Gatineau hills where we visit La Ferme Cavalier to indulge in locally grown lamb spit roasted in the Moroccan way by Marc and Gertie Cavalier. The afternoon started off with a variety of Italian sheep cheeses from the regions of Tuscany, Sardinia, Lazio, and Sicily. The first cheese to disappear was the Savino di Roma, from the Lazio region. The cheeses were paired with a fabulous off dry German Riesling from Valkenberg – this was the first white to disappear. Followed by an equally delicious Grand Cru Riesling from Hatschbourg in Alsace. The second favorite was a wine from the Mantinia AC in the Peloponnese in Greece, the grape variety here was Moschofilero – aromatic, crisp, an excellent patio sipper. We had an equally impressive Fiano di Avellino from Campania, which exhibited lovely peach/apricot aromatics. Finally, to keep the oak lovers happy, the Marques Casa Concha Chardonnay from the Maipo. After quenching our thirst, we sat down for dinner. First up, a variety of salads (Moroccan and vegetable) along with a lamb/cognac pate and (what I look forward to most each year) lamb briouates with a tomato coulis. The main course is a Moroccan spiced lamb cooked over red oak and maple hardwood coupled with potatoes dauphinoise. To match the lamb, we enjoyed the Zenato Ripasso, a Malbec/Cabernet from the Rothschild’s property in Mendoza, a Rhône inspired blend from the Bekaa Valley, and finally, the crowd favourite, the Vina Robles – Paso Robles, California Cabernet Sauvignon. The evening concluded with a variety of cakes baked by Gertie Cavalier (an excellent pastry chef) matched with Moscato d’Asti. A beautiful, aromatic, grapey, lightly fizzy dessert wine. Our thanks to Marc and Gertie Cavalier for a fabulous feast. Keep June 8, 2008 open for next year’s mechoui. Whites Riesling Kabinett, 2004, Valckenberg, Germany, 10462, $16.90 Riesling Grand Cru, 2003, Hatschbourg Grand Cru Paffenheim Co-op, Alsace, France, 21295, $21.95 Fiano di Avellino, 2005, Campania, Italy, Montsolae, 13425, $14.50 Mantinia (Moschofilero), 2005, Megapanos, Peloponese, Greece, 26641, $16.95 Chardonnay, 2005, D.O. Pirque (Maipo Valley), Marques Casa Concha, Chile, 342857, $19.95 Reds Ripasso, Valpolicella, 2003, Veneto, Italy, Zenato, 479766, $23.95 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002, Paso Robles, Vina Robles, California, 693838, $21.95 Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004, Amancaya, (Barons Rothschild), 16097, $20.95 Massaya Classic Rouge, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 26492, $19.95 (Cinsault 60% Syrah 20% Cabernet 20%) |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 09 July 2007 ) |
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| Moderation |
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 The National Capital Sommelier Guild strongly supports moderate and responsible consumption of wine and spirits. Guild dinner events allow a designated driver to attend at a reduced price. The designated driver will not be served alcohol. Guild tasting events provide and encourage the use of spit buckets. |
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