Category Archives: Wine Dinners

New Zealand Food and Wine at "The Buzz"

13 Wednesday May 2009

Posted by in Food, Party Time, Photos, Restaurants, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners, Wine Tasting

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On 12 May, Robin and I and Geno And Debra (we missed you Angie!), had another great tasting at The Buzz in Boise. New Zealand wines were on “tap” tonight and they were pretty good. The Dinner was also excellent – Lamb (if you wanted it) of course! If Lamb was not to your liking, Pork was also offered. Both were delicious. We had Lamb at our table. The wines were also very good. But because of the growing conditions in New Zealand, we started with the Reds and migrated to the Whites.

Geno is studying the tasting sheet to see what will be served.

Debra is checking The Buzz out. I think she is dreaming of a Sunday breakfast here. Hmmmm. Sounds good. Speaking of food, check the New Zealand Dinner out.


We started the Dinner with Tomato, White Bean and Olive Salad along with either a Lamb or Pork Kabob. Both of these went very well with a Kim Crawford Pinot Noir $21.00 (17) and an Oyster Bay Merlot $15.50 (17)

Then we had a Lamb Burger with a Sweet Potato and Pineapple Salad that went very well with the Merlot, but also went well with the Tasman Bay Pinot Gris, $19.00 (20), of which we bought 3 bottles. An awesome Pinot Gris that will go well with just about anything.

And now … Kiwi Cheesecake! I am not a particular fan of cheesecake, but this one, along with the Brancott Sauvignon Blanc $14.00 (19) and a Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc, was very, very good! When you think of New Zealand wine, think Sauvignon Blanc and the vintage.
A good selection of foods and a wonderful selection of wines. If you notice the number in parenthesis – (20) – you will know my scoring. 20 being top. The next tasting will be on June 9 and California wines – I hope not all of them – will be featured. Then on June 21, there will be an awesome Special Father’s Day dinner. Most of these tastings are $10.00 per person, but the Father’s Day dinner will be $25.00 per person. This event will be an exceptional evening. Make your reservations early!

"The Buzz"

22 Wednesday Apr 2009

Posted by in Wine and Food, Wine Dinners, Wine Tasting

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The quarterly wine dinner date has been set for Father’s day. We are accepting reservations and have gift certificates available. The seatings are at 5 and 7:30 on June 21. The theme will be BBQ and some great vino to accompany.

Location Title

2999 N Lakeharbor Lane
Boise, Idaho 83703

The Buzz at the Buzz this Spring

Wine Club Dinner :

May 12 is the regional wine dinner. New Zealand will be our focus this month. Dinner is at 6:30 and the cost is $10.00 per person. As is our custom the featured wines will be 10% off for the night. Reservations are required 344-4321 or buzzwine@cableone.net .

April 24 and 25

Cartlidge and Browne will be our wines for the tasting this weekend. Easy drinking wines from California. Come by and enjoy some wine while listening to Audra Conneley. Music starts at 7 each night. No reservations needed.

This Friday and Saturday April 24 and 25 we will have a White Sale. All our whites by the glass will be offered for $3.00 a glass. List will vary so check by and have a glass of wine. Also we will be having a 10% off rack with miscellaneous retail items available. Don’t forget Mother’s day is just around the corner.
Offer valid April 24 and 25 only

Buzz Coffee and Wine 2999 N Lakeharbor Lane Boise ID 83703

The Buzz – Wines From Spain and Portugal

15 Wednesday Apr 2009

Posted by in Food, Photos, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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On 14 April, Robin and I went to The Buzz for their monthly wine tasting – Wines From Spain and Portugal for April. These are really fantastic tastings for an incredible price: $10.00 per person. Besides the wines – 7 of them tonight – Debbi Haydon creates some fantastic Appetizers and Tapas.

The ambiance of The Buzz is loose and informal – a real “coffee house” feel. Pictured here is the main counter. Just to the left and out of sight, is the tasting area, large enough for about 30 people. To the right is another smaller area that is also used for eating, drinking wine and relaxing.

And Robin always has a good time at these affairs. As a palate cleanser, we started with a 2006 Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut ($15.00) A good sparkling wine that cheered everyone up. Salute!

For starters, we had this delicious Portuguese Stone Soup. I have no idea where the name came from, but I didn’t find any stones. (I bet they cooked the soup with hot stones.) This soup is full of onion, sweet red peppers, leek, green beans, Chorizo, potatoes, carrot and red beans. This is a light soup that went very well with a 2007 Caves da Cerca Vino Verde ($10.00 and 9.5%) and a 2007 Coto de Hayas Campo de Borja Crianza ($12.00). These two wines were pretty good alone, but as most wines go, they were far better with the food. Both were clean and light on the nose and refreshing on the palate.

The “Star of the Tasting”, so far as the food went, was this plate. Shrimp Cocktail in Avocado Cream (awesome!!!), Potatoes, Beef, Pork, Bread with Black Olives and a pastry filled with mushrooms and vegetables. The wines were a 2006 Mad Dogs and Englishmen ($13.00, 13.5%) and a 2003 Emina, ($15.00, 13.5%). These two wines were the Show Stoppers for the evening. The paring with the Tapas platter was awesome.

(Sorry for the poor photo)

And finally, chocolate and fresh fruit! With these finishers, we just had to have a Quinta do Noval Tawny Port ($18.00, 19.5%) and a La Gitana Sherry ($12.00, 15.0%). (Now I know why my Dad loved Turtle Soup!) Both of these wines were Non Vintaged.

This was an awesome night, and we hope to attend more of these. If you go to their website, you can ask to be put on their mailing list to keep updated on the tastings. But, the events do fill quickly. Cheers and Happy Tastings!

Thhe Buzz

13 Monday Apr 2009

Posted by in Classes, Food, Restaurants, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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Last month, Robin and I just “happened” upon another good tasting – The Buzz Coffee and Cafe. It is located in the North corner of the Idaho Athletic Club on State Street at Lake Harbor. If you go to their web site, The Buzz Beans, you can follow their tasting schedule, read specific program posts, add your name to their E-Mail Newsletter or look at their blog – which needs help. Tasting listings are as follows:

April 14th: Buzz’s regional wine tasting dinner focuses on Spain and Portugal this month. Join us for an informal presentation on the culture, food and people of Spain and Portugal. Cristi and Deb will once again amaze your taste buds with wonderful treats native to both regions. And of course there will be FANTASTIC wines from these regions.

Reservations are required for our regional wine dinners and seating is limited so call or email now to reserve your spot at this event.

The Buzz Coffee and Cafe is a nice place to go for light snacks, coffee, wine, heavy snacks and meeting other people. Their tastings are extremely limited, so I would suggest that you sign-up early. Theri tasting/parings are very good – they know how to pare a wine with food, or pare food with wine. At any rate, try the business out. I think you will like it. Cheers!

Easter Dinner 2009 – Main Event

12 Sunday Apr 2009

Posted by in Celebrations, Dessert, Food, Wine Dinners

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No, it was not a boxing match. It was fun and exciting. We do understand, but Mac was a little late. But we are glad he could make it. The dinner was awesome and met expectations. The Lamb was slooooow cooked, the Asparagus was adente and the Dried Corn was just what it should be. But the Dessert! What can I say. Robin did a superb job with her Raspberry, Angle Food Cake, Whipped Cream treat! Watch the slides and you’ll see it. A 2001 Hopler Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) went extremely well with Robin’s dessert. Buy a case of this wine and enjoy it for breakfast – it’s that fruity! And, Oh!, the wines!!! The 1988 Indian Creek Pinot Noir took the show!!! Great fruit forward and low tannins paired well with the lamb and asparagus. The 2007 Bedrock Winery Pinot Noir has got to cellar for a while. Right now, it is a hot wine and heavy in tannins. But even at that, it went well with the lamb and the asparagus. Let this one age and do buy some! Good job, Morgan!

Cheers! Enjoy Spring.

Scallops and Asian Slaw

05 Sunday Apr 2009

Posted by in Food, Food Prep, Recipe By: Robin Young, Wine Dinners

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Scallops and Asian Slaw
Buddy, like Mama Cass, “Singing For His Supper”

The Scallops, Sea Scallops, were broiled with salt, pepper, garlic sliced thin, Old Bay Seasoning and Paprika. The slaw was Robin’s and the recipe is listed below. It was super with the scallops. Both were excellent with a 2005 Moscato D’Asti, an Italian bubbly wine, full of fruit and slightly sweet. It went extremely well with the dinner.

Asian Slaw

8 Servings

Cabbage is chock full of nutrients including vitamin C and indoles, important cancer-fighting compounds. In addition, red cabbage also contains anthocyanins, the purple pigment with strong antioxidant activity commonly found in blueberries. In the winter months, cabbage is an abundant nutritional resource when other fresh produce is either expensive or unavailable. This recipe calls for a lot of salt, but it is used in this dish to soften the cabbage. Then it is thoroughly rinsed off so the recipe doesn’t provide too much sodium. This coleslaw is colorful and makes a delightful accompaniment to any meat, fish or vegetarian main dish. The garnish of minced scallions and toasted sesame seeds brings out the flavor of the slaw and adds additional crunch.

Ingredients:
1 medium head green cabbage
1 medium head red cabbage
3 tablespoons sea salt
3 large carrots
1/4 cup minced scallions
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Dressing:
2/3 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons dark-roasted sesame oil

Instructions:
1. Discard the outer leaves of cabbages. Cut heads in quarters; remove and discard cores. Slice cabbage thinly or shred in a food processor. Layer the cabbage in a large bowl with the sea salt. Toss to distribute salt evenly and let cabbage sit for 1 hour to soften.

2. Meanwhile, peel the carrots and grate them into thin shreds.

3. Drain off any liquid produced by the cabbage and rinse the cabbage well in several changes of cold water to remove excess salt. Taste the cabbage; if it is still too salty, rinse it again.

4. Add carrots to the cabbage and mix well.

5. Whisk the rice vinegar, brown sugar and sesame oil together in a small bowl.

6. Pour the dressing over the cabbage and mix well. Let chill. Garnish with minced scallions and toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Nutritional Information (Per serving)
126.8 calories
3.7 g total fat (0.5 g sat)
0.0 mg cholesterol
23.7 g carbohydrate
3.6 g protein
5.7 g fiber

Dinner Worthy of a King

04 Saturday Apr 2009

Posted by in Photos, Recipe By: Robin Young, Wine Dinners

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So, now that the kitchen is really finished – the final grouting was done today – it’s time to get serious about using the appliances. Not to be outdone, I made a Halibut Beurre Blanc and Baked Potatoes and Robin made some wonderful Chinese Long Beans. An awesome dinner! It is such a delight to use appliances – gas stove and modern microwave – that are “controllable”. Along with that we had a delicious 2006 Cold Springs Winery Idaho Riesling. (Good job, Jamie!) Wonder what else we can come up with. Is it time for Robin to do a Sauce Class? Or a Paella Class? Hmmm. Cheers!

Robin’s Chinese Beans:
Make these tasty green beans as spicy as you wish by adding more or less hot chili flakes. The dish is good served hot or at room temperature

Serves 6

2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
Hot chili flakes to taste
1 pound green beans, trimmed
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
2 tablespoons thinly sliced garlic

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and chili flakes. Set aside.

Place 1/4 cup water in a large skillet and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the green beans, cover the pan, and cook until the beans are crisp tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, and drain any water that remains in the pan.

Add the oil, ginger, and garlic to the beans in the skillet and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the beans are lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Do not let the garlic burn. Add the soy mixture to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and glazes the beans, about 2 minutes.

Transfer to a platter and serve the beans hot or at room temperature.

Wine Dinner at Chandler’s

03 Tuesday Feb 2009

Posted by in Food, Main Dish, Photos, Restaurants, Wine Dinners

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On Monday, 2 February 2009, we went to a wine dinner – with the winemaker – at Chandler’s here in Boise. Wow!! Food quality – Superb! Serving size – Large. Food presentation – Superb.

From inside of Chandler’s. The Bar area.

Seafood Trilogy: Escargo, Crab Bouche and Oysters Rockefeller. Served with a wonderful 2006 “La Brume”, Dry Creek Valley Chardonnay.

King Salmon with Eggplant Duxelle and Sauce Meurette. Served with an awesome 2005 Dry Creek Valley Syrah.

Pork Tenderloin with Herb and Stone Ground Mustard encrusted with Potato Cake and a Mustard, Red Wine Reduction. Served with a 2004 Dry Creek Valley Merlot and a 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot was used in the wine reduction.

Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb with Apple Couscous and a White Peppercorn, Port Wine Jus. Served with a 2002 “Deux Terres”, Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which went very well with the lamb. However, I liked the 2004 Cab slightly better with the lamb.

Cheese Plate garnished with Chocolate Ganache and served with Belle de Brillet “Poire au Cognac” that was awesome.

At our table were:

(Dr) Will and Elaine Fredrickson

Mark and Carrie Matsko

Stuart and Maggie Dollinger

Kelsey was not sitting at our table, but she was there. She is a great Server and it was really good to see her again. She just bubbles and is an excellent dancer! I sent this photo to her Mom in Montana.

All in All a great evening with the winemaker from Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate in Healdsburg, CA. These Wine Pairing Dinners are held the first Monday of each month at Chandler’s. Chandleer’s Web Site is a good place to go and get on their mailing list for these dinners.

Dinner With The Winemaker

24 Saturday Jan 2009

Posted by in Food, Restaurants, Wine Dinners, Wine Tasting

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Ah! Yes! Such exciting times and I thought some of you might be interested in this dinner. They are probably filling the void that Andrae’s created when they moved to Walla Walla. At any rate, this should be quite good and well attended.
It is my suggestion, that if you would like to attend, that you call soon for reservations. Robin and I hope to see you there!

Wouldn’t it be nice sometime to have an Idaho winemaker do a dinner like this. Jamie and Kitty Martin, Coldsprings Winery, Mike and Tammy McClure, Indian Creek Winery, Bill and Bev Fraser, Fraser Vineyards or Ron and Mary Bitner, Bitner Vineyards just as suggestions because I know there are more winemakers that could do this. Just a thought!