Menu for our Champagne Dinner this Tuesday

[Botafogo]

I thought this would be of interest in suggesting new and interesting pairings for Champagnes:


Reception: Crispy Wonton with Blue Crab Wasabi Guacamole

Alain Robert Blanc de Blancs Brut Non Dose 1994 Grand Cru Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
100% Chardonnay from Champagnes most famous white grape plot, Les Mesnils, stainless steel with no Malolactic.

Delbeck Brut Vintage 1990, Reims
Seriously roasty toasty Brit style from a great vintage (65 / 35 Pinot Noir / Chardonnay from Grand crus in Verzenay)

Cattier Cuvée Renaissance 1990 Brut Premier Cru Chigny-les-Roses
Some Pinot Noir blended with Chardonnay, stainless steel, some malolactic.

Philipponnat Brut Réserve Rosé NV, Mareuil sur Ay
Mostly Pinot, barrel fermented, some barrel aging, big stuff.




Sautéed Oyster, Crispy Parmesan, Leek Risotto

Delamotte Brut NV Grand Cru le Mesnils sur Oger
When famously picky A. Salon does not declare a vintage (more often than not!) from their Grand Cru Chardonnay in Les Mesnils the grapes go into this, blended with 50 % Pinot Noir to produce a wonderfully rich NV cuvée .

Michel Turgy Cuvée An 2000 Brut Grand Cru à Mesnils sur Oger
The very best reserve wines from over THIRTY vintages of the Champagnes most famous Chardonnay vineyard.


Lobster Pie with Bernaise Sauce Gratin

Michel Labbe et Fils Brut NV Premier Cru à Chamery
Super creamy, mondo malolactica, mostly Chardonnay, yummy!

Drappier Grande Sendrée 1990, Urville
Huge mouthfeel and texture from fully ripened Pinot Noir (55%) freshened with barrel fermented Chardonnay.General De Gaulle bought the house next to this winery for his retirement, ‘nuff said!


Rabbit Ravioli with Braised Bacon in Champagne Reduction.

Jean Lallement Cuvée Réserve Brut Grand Cru, Verzenay
Probably the driest Champagne we offer, made from 80% Pinot Noir from thirty year old vines fermented with ambient yeast, put through malolactic fermentation and then bottled unfiltered and sans dosage. The importer calls this “an iron monument of a wine, nothing else remotely like it.” Even though it is labeled as NV this is entirely from the 1995 vintage.

A. Margaine Brut Rosé, à Villers-Marmery
87% Chardonnay from 1996 with 13% Pinot from 1997 produce an intense wild strawberry nose and a refreshing, palate cleansing texture. The importer recommends for lovers of Rosé and then just “for lovers in general”.


Lamb Loin with Goat Cheese, Potato Maxima, au jous

Albert Le Brun Champagne Vieille France NV Brut, Chalons-en-Champagne
100% Pinot Noir, barrel fermented, some malolactic, speaks for itself.

Beaumont des Crayères Grand Réserve Brut, Epernay
A big, chewy brut with 50% Pinot Meunier which lends the seemingly discordant but actually delicious combination of both wild Strawberries and Mushrooms to the nose. This is a cooperative winery producing wines from the vineyards of tiny meticulous growers with an average size of just 1.25 acres.

A. Soutiran Brut Grand Cru Rosé, Ambonnay
100% Pinot Noir made only in the best vintages with some reserve wines added, 650 case production.


Moscato d’Asti Granita

Cascina Fonda Moscato d’Asti “Vendemmia Tardiva” 1999, Piemonte

Fiamberti Sangue di Giuda “Vigna Costa Paradiso” 1998, Oltrepó Pavese
These are all just plain fun wines made to show maximum fruit and frivolity and minimum snob appeal, Cheers!

[This message has been edited by Botafogo (edited 10-15-2000).]