Second Annual French Quarter Wine Festival to Feature World-Class Wines and Food Dinners February 29 through April 17, 2008 (Etats-Unis)
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Second Annual French Quarter Wine Festival to Feature World-Class Wines and Food Dinners February 29 through April 17, 2008 (Etats-Unis)
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Catégorie : Amérique du Nord et Antilles
Ceci est un communiqué de presse sélectionné par notre comité éditorial et mis en ligne gratuitement le 29-02-2008
Renowned Chef Dominique Macquet to Match Special Cuisine to Wines from 12 Vineyards
The Maison Dupuy Hotel in New Orleans French Quarter today announced that the Second Annual French Quarter Wine Festival in Dominique’s restaurant at the hotel will host vintners from 12 world-class wineries this year, doubling the number showcased at last year’s inaugural festival. The month-and-a-half long festival kicks off with a Grand Opening Reception on February 29 that will feature more than 40 different wines from this year’s participating wineries. The festival will continue with special vintner dinners every Tuesday and Thursday from March 4 until April 17 at Dominique’s in The Maison Dupuy Hotel.
Tickets for this year’s festival range from $49 for the reception, up to $105 for seminar and dinner, including gratuity. The dinners will feature four to six wines personally selected by the vineyard and paired with four courses created by Chef Dominique.
“The French Quarter Wine Festival is modeled after the internationally acclaimed Boston Wine Festival, now in its 19th season, hosted at the Mobile Travel Guide-rated, Five Star Boston Harbor Hotel, home of the Mobil Four Star restaurant, Meritage,” said Patrick Shimon, general manager of the Maison Dupuy. “Daniel Bruce, the cofounder and executive chef of the Boston Wine Festival, has structured our festival to include the same winemakers he invites each year to Boston. The expansion of that Festival to our hotel in the French Quarter has created an exciting and unique wine and food series here in New Orleans.”
“New Orleans with its unique regional persona and fine dining tradition is the perfect setting for a festival of this caliber,” said Daniel Bruce, executive chef of the Boston Harbor Hotel. “The response has been tremendous from both the winemakers and the attendees, and I am delighted to expand this Festival to the French Quarter.”
“This year, due to the tremendous success of last year’s dinners, we have doubled the number of participating wineries to 12,” Shimon said. “Our opening reception will feature several of the wines that will be showcased throughout the event, as well as a lavish buffet and a welcoming glass of Piper Heidseick champagne.”
Shimon noted that the festival’s dinners will be hosted by world-renowned winemakers or vintners and will feature selected vintages, varietals and some reserve wines. “These dinners are intimate in size to allow for a personal connection between winemaker and guest, as well as to ensure quality of the experience.”
Each evening will begin with a reception in the private courtyard of Dominique’s Restaurant. Dinner will follow with a unique approach that is the hallmark of the Festival. “For the French Quarter Wine Festival, we will create one-of-a-kind menus based on the unique attributes of each wine being tasted,” said Chef Dominique Macquet, the internationally renowned chef of his namesake restaurant. “Both the vintner and I will be on hand to discuss the interplay between the flavors of the various wines and dishes.”
Participants who attend the events will receive a special room rate of $89 the evening of the event and subsequent nights based on availability. “We host visitors from all over the world, and invite them to spend more than one night in New Orleans and experience our unique culture,” Shimon said. “It is also an opportunity for those who live near and around the city who attend the wine dinner to enjoy our beautiful hotel accommodations for the night.”
For the first time, the festival will feature seminars to be held at the beginning of three of the special dinners: Ferrari Carano, Elyse and Hanzell. Each will provide guests with a glimpse of the winery that few have the opportunity to experience.
The winemakers this year include some of the top producers from Oregon, Italy and California. The complete festival line up includes:
Friday, February 29
Grand Opening Reception
Reception 6 p.m., Courtyard $49
Come celebrate the opening night of the 2008 French Quarter Wine Festival, which promises to become the cultural start of each New Year in New Orleans. Sample more than 40 wines from the many wineries featured in this year’s festival, savor selections from Chef Dominique’s bountiful buffet while enjoying the sounds of a Jazz Trio.
Tuesday, March 4
Ponzi Vineyards
Dinner 7 p.m., $95
Willamette Valley visionaries Dick and Nancy Ponzi were among the first Oregon pinot producers and have been creating Burgundian Style pinot noirs and chardonnays, among other varietals, for the past 30 years. Their daughter, Anna-Maria Ponzi, will showcase their wines and discuss their winemaking practices, such as gravity flow and pressing techniques. Enjoy these lovely wines together with Chef Dominique’s elegant fare.
Thursday, March 6
Paitin
Dinner 7p.m., $95
Paitin was established in 1796 with the first Barbaresco Sorì Paitin bottled in 1893. This Piedmontese winery has been producing outstanding Barbarescos ever since, along with arneis, barberas, dolcettos, and nebbiolos. Seventh generation winemaker, Giovanni Pasquero, will present these artisan wines at dinner. Chef Dominique will create Northern Italian fare to complement these estate wines.
Tuesday, March 11
Testarossa
Dinner 7p.m., $95
Located in Los Gatos, Testarossa Vineyard is housed in a 19th century Jesuit-built winery. Founder Rob Jensen produces limited quantity wines that have received critical acclaim for their complexity, balance, and silky texture. Rob will share his history and philosophy while pouring a broad array of their single vineyard wines from some of the most highly acclaimed vineyard sites.
Thursday, March 13
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery
Seminar and Dinner, 6p.m., $125
Dinner Only 7p.m., $95
For years, Ferrari-Carano has been producing excellent wines from vineyards throughout Sonoma. Recently it expanded its red wine production to Alexander Valley, headed by winemaker Aaron Poitter. Aaron will start the evening with a seminar featuring Ferrari-Carano’s newly released and highly acclaimed PreVail and continue through to a dinner including their Mountain and Vineyard Ranches wines.
Tuesday, March 25
Elyse Winery
Seminar and Dinner, 6p.m., $125
Dinner Only 7p.m., $95
The gregarious Ray Coursen, owner and winemaker, will lead a captivating seminar on the differences between syrah and petit syrah. Then, during a special dinner, Ray will introduce you to his cabernet, zinfandel, and his two newest wines, chardonnay and pinot noir.
Thursday, March 27
Fisher Vineyards
Dinner 7p.m., $95
The Fisher family has been growing and producing wines in both Napa Valley and Sonoma County since its inception by Fred and Juelle Fisher in 1973. This artisanal producer consistently receives rave reviews from both consumers and critics. Join second generation, Robert Fisher, for an evening of unforgettable wines, including their Mountain Estate Vineyard Chardonnay and Coach Insignia in Dominique’s Restaurant.
Thursday, April 3
Souverain
Dinner 7p.m., $95
For the past 15 years, Ed Killian has been at the helm of winemaking at Souverain, in Geyserville. This top Sonoma winemaker produces full bodied and rich wines from Alexander Valley. Ed will be on hand with a full gamut of his wines, including Reserve Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon, as well as some older vintages. Chef Dominique will once again create inspirational cuisine.
Tuesday, April 8
B. R. Cohn Winery
Dinner 7p.m., $95
Award-winning winery, B. R. Cohn, located in the heart of Sonoma, was founded in 1984 by Bruce Cohn, longtime manager of the Doobie Brothers. Dan Cohn will host an unforgettable evening at the Maison Dupuy while you enjoy an array of this prestigious winery’s libations at a dinner paired with fabulous fare.
Thursday, April 10
Simi Winery
Dinner 7p.m., $95
One of the oldest Sonoma Wineries founded in 1876, Simi has continued to grow as a landmark California house, branching from its beginnings in the Alexander Valley to the Russian River Valley. Today, the portfolio of wines include cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, pinot noir, and zinfandel. Winemaker Steve Reeder will present these quality wines, as well as their Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside the reputable cuisine of Dominique Macquet.
Tuesday, April 15
Clos Pegase
Presentation and Dinner 7p.m., $95
Clos Pegase is a unique estate-bottled winery in that its two vineyards are located at both ends of the Napa Valley, one in Calistoga and the other in Carneros. This allows for a tremendous variation in flavors in its wine portfolio. Jan Schrem is an international art collector and passionate proprietor. His wines reflect a sense of place and his commitment to traditional winemaking techniques. Jan will join us for an evening starting with a presentation entitled “Bacchus the Rascal, A Bacchanalian History of Wine Seen Through 4,000 Years of Art,” followed by dinner featuring a selection of Clos Pegase wines.
Thursday, April 17
Hanzell Vineyards
Seminar and Dinner, 6p.m., $135
Dinner Only 7p.m., $105
From high in the Sonoma Mountains, Hanzell produces handcrafted Burgundian style chardonnays and pinot noirs. Enjoy many older vintages of these outstanding wines, as Michael Terrien discusses Hanzell’s philosophy and approach to creating Burgundian-style wines in California. A fabulous meal by Chef Dominique will follow, which will include a surprise vintage from Hanzell’s cellars.
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