Hi cheery friends,
Recently, I had the chance to attend a Bordeaux wine dinner, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. Let me take you through the evening filled with tasty food, great wine, and good company. I chose this stunning wine red skater dress, which suited the event well. I’m a red wine lover, and so what better way to pay homage than in this rich colored skater dress, which set the mood for a night filled with sumptuous food and of course amazing wine! Comfortable dress, and the cloudy weather gave way clear sunny skies. When I arrived at the restaurant, I felt right in place and got so many gushing compliments , a great way to start my Bordeaux wine dinner experience:)
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When I arrived at the venue – Faubourg, a french restaurant , the cozy atmosphere immediately set the tone. Soft lighting, and the aroma of good food filled the air, making it feel like I was stepping into some fancy restaurant in Paris. The space had a rustic vibe, and you could feel the excitement buzzing as guests chatted and laughed. I have gone to this restaurant a couple of times ,so I knew what to expect in terms of ambiance. The staff here are always welcoming! The host, a friendly sommelier, greeted us with enthusiasm. He explained that the evening would feature a selection of Bordeaux wines paired with a delicious four course meal. I could hardly wait! The event was advertised weeks before, so there was an early reservation required to attend. I noticed that the attendees were on one area of the restaurant, and the other patrons went about the regular dinner menu!
But first, lets talk about the word “Bordeaux”(pronounced bor. dow). I know it’s an intimidating word, especially if you don’t speak french lol. Let me explain! Bordeaux is a region in southwestern France that’s famous for its wine. Think of it as one of the ultimate wine destinations, known for producing some of the best reds and whites in the world. The area is filled with beautiful vineyards and charming châteaux(plural of chateau), where they grow grapes for wines like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. This special evening, the wines were from Chateau Gruard Larose’s winery ,and they had representatives who were happy to discuss and answer questions about their products.
Bordeaux wines are often rich and full-bodied, and they can really vary in flavor depending on the blend, and the winemaker’s style. Whether you’re sipping a smooth red with dinner or enjoying a crisp white on a sunny day, there’s a Bordeaux wine for just about every occasion. It’s like a little taste of France, right in your glass! Speaking of glasses, did you know there are two types of wine glasses – stemmed and stemless. Stemmed wine glasses are the most widely known and used in restaurants. In my experience I have noticed stemless glasses to be used at home, I guess because they have that homely cup look.
Stemmed wine glasses sort of resemble plants in that they have a base, a stem and a bowl and these are self explanatory. These parts will vary from glass to glass but what changes is the bowl’s shape, size and style!
Now that we know what Bordeaux is, let’s talk about the four course meal, and what was served! As a welcome, the sommelier poured a sparkling wine known as Brut Rose Cremant de Bordeaux. What a perfect way to start the evening! Sparkling wine is so much fun and always sets the mood for a great start to any occasion. The bubbles elevate the whole experience and what’s better is when a whole group is sipping the same drink, so you are all in this bubble heaven just waiting to start the culinary adventure. A lot of people mix up sparkling wine with Champagne. First off, all Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Champagne is a specific type of sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region in France. Now you know!
While I sipped this sparkling wine, and all my cares melted away, we were served summer truffles and tuna tartar, the perfect pairing to kick off the evening. This was paired with Chatuea Picque Caillou Black Pessac Leognan 2022 , a white wine blend. Medium bodied and as you know white goes really well with sea food and pasta dishes!
What exactly are summer truffles? No they are not chocolate lol. Summer truffles are a a type of mushroom that grows on the roots of trees. They have a black exterior and a whitish interior. They make for great starter courses. This was served with truffle sauce. Summer truffles are great when restaurants are serving a multi-course, and don’t want to overwhelm your palate and ruin your experience when the entrees start to come in.
Another starter that was part of the 1st course was tuna tartar. No, this is not the smelly tuna from the can lol. On the contrary, this tuna is high quality, and is sourced from Bluefin and Bigeye. Tuna tartare is made from fresh fish that has been caught close to the day of serving. Did I mention that its raw fish but no worries because this type of tuna is resistant to parasites, so its safe to eat. This dish didn’t have that strong smell tuna we know from the cans.(why does it smell like that). Easy to enjoy ,and served with crackers. The tuna tartare dish had splashes of lemon which I love for cleansing the palate, and allowing me to fully taste the rest of the wines for the evening. It was delicious and not overwhelming. It had a freshness, and a clean look to it that wasn’t nauseating , thank God.
The 2nd course was halibut and grapes. Halibut is a type of flatfish from the flounder family. This was served with hen of the woods mushrooms , cauliflower and brown butter sauce. When I tell you this pairing was amazing, sumptuous and with absolutely no fish smell. This dish was paired with Chateau Blaignan Medoc Cru Borgeois 2018, a red wine blend. After vinification (fermentation), the wine is aged for 14 to 16 months in barrels. Rich in color with fruity notes of black cherries and currants. I know you are wondering why did you pair a red with a fish dish!! Because its okay to try something different, and see how it will affect your palate.
The 3rd course for me was the main event. Those who know me, know I don’t play games when it comes to beef. Up to this point, I don’t have any aftertaste from the previous dishes, thanks to the red wine, and of course drinking water. Enter beef filet mignon and braised short ribs. Served with twice baked yukon, swiss chard and sauce bordelaise. Absolutely delicious, melt in your mouth dish and wasnt surpised at all by how much I enjoyed the 3rd course. Beef filet mignon comes from a cow’s tenderloin, an area with almost no fat or connective tissue which makes it so soft and easy to chew. Can you say foodie paradise. Faubourg is always a delight for me and I knew they wouldnt disappoint!
At this juncture, it was time to try aged wines. Chateau Gruard Larose Saint-Julien GCC 2001 and Chateau Gruard Larose Saint Julien GCC 2008.
These wines were brought straight from the cellars of Bordeaux to the tables of Faubourg. Distinct look and taste. As you can see, the glass with the sticker is the 2008 wine. It was my preference to pair with the 3rd course meal.
Right off the bat, the aromas from the 2008 were fresh and vibrant with hints of plum and vanilla. This wine was younger and rich in color, just the way I like it. The 2001 was truly aged, had hints of spice , very dry and had that elegant woody barrel taste. Everyone around me was for it when asked by the sommelier. Both of these wines were the most expensive on the menu. It’s amazing how time impacts wine and how each wine tells a story through taste.
Lastly, it was time to savor dessert. Apple tarte tatin, a type of pasty served with caramel sauce. Warm and gooey , just yum! Heaven truly is a place on earth. One of the best desserts I have ever had. On the plate as well was a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. So imagine the warm apple pastry and the cool ice cream omg, just divine. But wait, its not over, until you pair all these goody flavors with a dessert wine Chateau Rabaud Promis Sauternes GCC 2015.
I normally skip dessert but this was a treat I wasn’t going to miss. After all, we have to feel grateful for the simple pleasures in life. For a long time, good food and wine always brings a smile to my face. Plus, sharing the experience (even if it was just with myself) made it all the more special.
As the evening wrapped up, I couldn’t help but reflect on how wonderful it was to share this experience with fellow food and wine fans. We swapped stories, laughed, and bonded over our love for wine. Even though I was uncomfortable when they started talking about the 1000 bottles of baby oil in the home of a famous mogul! I left the restaurant feeling inspired, a little tipsy, and with a new appreciation for the art of wine and food pairings.
All in all, my Bordeaux wine dinner was a fabulous escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. If you ever get the chance to attend one, don’t hesitate! Trust me, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss. Cheers to good food, great wine, and unforgettable memories! 🍷
Thank you for visiting
XOXO
TCF
