For the very briefest of moments, I thought, do I really, REALLY want to pull myself away from the warmth of my fireplace and bundle up for another cold, wintry trek outside to get to the annual Tri-Cities Wine Society’s Best-of-the-Festival Gala Wine Dinner. However, quickly switching gears and reflecting on past such dinners, my momentary lapse in judgment gave way to – ah, yes, I do want to head out, and so I did.
Was it worth it? Absolutely! Would I do it again?
Absolutely! Do I recommend it to others? Absolutely! After the brief walk from the parking lot in the crisp night air to the Meadow Springs Country Club’s front door, any second thoughts were dispelled. The welcoming warmth started with the very personable doorman and continued with
Dolly and Kurt Ammann’s warm welcomes. Then, one look into the dining room and any thoughts of my toasty, warm fireplace at home totally dissipated. Warmth and elegance abounded. The Club’s very professional wait staff was readily available throughout the room with delicious and artfully prepared passed hors d’oeuvres to accompany a glass of 14 Hands NV Brut. Yum!
I was so pleased to see many new society members, and some guests, among the 51 attendees! Dolly’s careful attention to detail included pre-arranged seating, which was an overwhelming success in facilitating getting acquainted with other society members and guests, based on feedback from comment cards members and guests completed. As one attendee wrote, the arrangement provided a “… bountiful amount of time for socializing.”
Delicious and artfully prepared also certainly describes the dinner! Then, too, Dolly’s information about the wine or wines for each course added to the overall intrigue and mystery, at least at my table. Most of my tablemates enjoyed the Indian Curry with Scallops, Shrimp, Basmati Rice and 2014 Martinez & Martinez Viognier pairing. In reviewing the comment cards, this was also the overwhelming favorite pairing at other tables, too. However, several also rated the Potato Gnocchi with Pork Ragu & Asiago Cheese with the 2014 Wilridge Winery Nebbiolo as a favorite.
The 3 entrée wines – the 2014 Cairdeas Winery TRÍ Red Wine Blend, 2014 Longship Cellars Ginger Man Syrah and 2012 Basalt Cellars Malbec – that accompanied the Beef Filet Au Poivre & Lollipop Lamb Espelette resulted in very interesting conversation. From the comment cards, the TRÍ Red Blend was the favorite – yes, the same wine that was judged best of show at the 2016 Tri-Cities Wine Festival!
And finally, for a number of those attending, their favorite was the Westport Winery NV Garden Resort Rapture of the Deep Carbonated Cranberry with the French Apple Tart, Cranberry-Honey Glaze and Ginger Ice Cream. This carbonated wine was definitely a “tartful” and refreshing finish to a lovely evening.
So, feedback that pretty much summarizes overall comments received, “Lovely setting. Appreciated Dolly’s info. Well presented! Way to go Dolly! Super job!” If you missed this year’s event – hope to see you next year. If you attended this year – hope to see you again next year! Cheers!!
Was it worth it? Absolutely! Would I do it again?
Absolutely! Do I recommend it to others? Absolutely! After the brief walk from the parking lot in the crisp night air to the Meadow Springs Country Club’s front door, any second thoughts were dispelled. The welcoming warmth started with the very personable doorman and continued with
Dolly and Kurt Ammann’s warm welcomes. Then, one look into the dining room and any thoughts of my toasty, warm fireplace at home totally dissipated. Warmth and elegance abounded. The Club’s very professional wait staff was readily available throughout the room with delicious and artfully prepared passed hors d’oeuvres to accompany a glass of 14 Hands NV Brut. Yum!
I was so pleased to see many new society members, and some guests, among the 51 attendees! Dolly’s careful attention to detail included pre-arranged seating, which was an overwhelming success in facilitating getting acquainted with other society members and guests, based on feedback from comment cards members and guests completed. As one attendee wrote, the arrangement provided a “… bountiful amount of time for socializing.”
Delicious and artfully prepared also certainly describes the dinner! Then, too, Dolly’s information about the wine or wines for each course added to the overall intrigue and mystery, at least at my table. Most of my tablemates enjoyed the Indian Curry with Scallops, Shrimp, Basmati Rice and 2014 Martinez & Martinez Viognier pairing. In reviewing the comment cards, this was also the overwhelming favorite pairing at other tables, too. However, several also rated the Potato Gnocchi with Pork Ragu & Asiago Cheese with the 2014 Wilridge Winery Nebbiolo as a favorite.
The 3 entrée wines – the 2014 Cairdeas Winery TRÍ Red Wine Blend, 2014 Longship Cellars Ginger Man Syrah and 2012 Basalt Cellars Malbec – that accompanied the Beef Filet Au Poivre & Lollipop Lamb Espelette resulted in very interesting conversation. From the comment cards, the TRÍ Red Blend was the favorite – yes, the same wine that was judged best of show at the 2016 Tri-Cities Wine Festival!
And finally, for a number of those attending, their favorite was the Westport Winery NV Garden Resort Rapture of the Deep Carbonated Cranberry with the French Apple Tart, Cranberry-Honey Glaze and Ginger Ice Cream. This carbonated wine was definitely a “tartful” and refreshing finish to a lovely evening.
So, feedback that pretty much summarizes overall comments received, “Lovely setting. Appreciated Dolly’s info. Well presented! Way to go Dolly! Super job!” If you missed this year’s event – hope to see you next year. If you attended this year – hope to see you again next year! Cheers!!
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