Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently. **********************************************************
1) Beginning Saturday, October 27, The Wine ConneXtion, in North Andover, will celebrate its 3rd Anniversary with the “Big Three” complimentary tasting series featuring the “Third Annual Fall Grand Tasting,” “Magnificent Meritages” and “90 Points and Above.”

On Saturday, October 27 from 12pm-5pm, the Wine ConneXtion will kick-off the series with its “Third Annual Fall Grand Tasting.” Guests are invited to taste a wide selection of new wines while perusing more than 50 exclusive, hand-selected bottles from all over the world as they enjoy culinary treats from Chama Grill.

Guests are then invited on Saturday, November 3, from 1pm-5pm, to expand their wine knowledge with a tasting dedicated to “Magnificent Meritages.” Guests will learn about the elusive category of exceptional American wines blended in the Bordeaux tradition. These wines go through a rigorous screening process just to be awarded the name Meritage and are a treat to taste.

Finally, on Saturday, November 10, from 1pm-5pm, guests are invited to a tasting worth the wait as they sip and sample some of the industry’s highest rated wines at “90 Points and Above.”

2) On November 14, at 6:30pm,  Legal Sea Foods will team up with Catena Zapata’s Export Director, Pablo Piccolo, to host a four-plus-course wine dinner at the Park Square location. Each course will feature Legal Sea Foods’ cuisine complemented by wines from this Argentinean vineyard. Guests will indulge in the following at Legal Sea Foods’ striking 10,000 bottle Park Square wine cellar:

HORS D’OEUVRES
Wild Salmon Napoleon,* Dill Crème Fraîche, Toast Points
Fresh Shucked Oysters,* Chimichurri Vinaigrette
Hickory Wood Grilled Provolone, Grilled Crostini
Alma Negra Rosé of Cabernet, Vista Flores, 2011
FIRST COURSE
Diver Scallops Carpaccio (Mixed Field Greens, Apple-Citrus Vinaigrette)
Tilia Torrontes, Cafayete, 2011
SECOND COURSE
Mezquite-Grilled King Salmon (Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto Cake, Béarnaise Butter Sauce) Catena Alta Chardonnay, Mendoza, 2010
THIRD COURSE
Braised Short Ribs (Black Truffle Mashed Potato, Braised Red Chard)
Catena Alta Malbec, Mendoza, 2009
Catena Zapata “Adrianna Vineyard,” Mendoza, 2007
CHEESE COURSE
Vermont Ayr, Great Hill Blue, Bijou (Mission Fig Compote, Wood Grilled Francese Bread)
Catena “Vista Flores” Malbec, Mendoza, 2010

Cost: $85 per person (excludes tax and gratuity)
Reservations required by calling: 617-530-9397

3)  Erich Schliebe, L’Espalier’s beverage director, is joined by the 12th generation of the famed Trimbach family, Jean Trimbach. For almost four centuries, the Trimbach Family has been promoting the region of Alsace and its history, focusing on its exceptional terroirs and fine wines, with their estate based in Ribeauvillé, Alsace, France. This iconic winery boasts superb vineyards and outstanding wines that are admired and enjoyed throughout the wine-drinking world.

On October 31, at 7pm, Instead of trick-or-treating this Halloween, L’Espalier offers guests a more refined option of tasting the night away at its Trimbach Wine Dinner. Join Erich Schliebe and Jean Trimbach for an elaborate Wine Dinner. Enjoy Chef Frank McClelland’s six-course French meal paired with wines from the Trimbach estate, including:

MENU (Subject to chance. Costumes are optional.)

First Course
2010 Trimbach Riesling
Fluke cru with citrus and soy
Second Course
2001 Trimbach "Cuvee Frederic Emile 375th Anniversary" Riesling
Butter poached Casco Bay lobster with sugar pumpkin mousse, Maine mussels, and red curry puree
Third Course
2005 Trimbach "Reserve Personnelle" Pinot Gris
Hudson Valley foie gras "royale" with caramelized native pear, quince gelee, and fruit and nut toast
Fourth Course
2005 Trimbach "Signeurs De Ribeaupierre" Gewurtztraminer
Pan roasted squab with Black Mission Fig, ASF Bacon, and Brussels Sprout Leaves
Grand Fromage
2000 Trimbach "Vendage Tardive" Pinot Gris
Grand Dessert Tasting
Coffee & Teas, Petits Fours

The event is $145 per person. Reservations are required. For reservations, please call L’Espalier at (617) 262- 3023.

4) Boston magazine’s 3rd Annual Taste event, held at the Mandarin Oriental, offers a spectacular evening of culinary assortments from 18 of the hottest restaurants in Boston and Cambridge. Taste attendees will have the chance to savor delectable bites from some of the city’s most esteemed chefs, sip creative cocktails from top mixologists and socialize among fellow foodies. A portion of the proceeds from the delicious dining event will benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank.

Chefs from 18 participating restaurants, including: 80 Thoreau, Alma Nove, Artisan Bistro, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Ducali, il Casale Cucina Italiana, Journeyman, L’Espalier, Local 149, Mandarin Oriental, Neptune Oyster, Post 390, Sel de la Terre, Shanti, Smith & Wollensky, Trade, Tremont 647 and Tres Gatos. Additional participants include mixologists Chris Olds of Park and Josh Taylor of Westbridge.

When: Monday, November 12. VIP from 6pm-7pm, General Admission, 7pm–9pm

To purchase tickets visit, http://www.bostonmagazine.com/taste/index.html.