J. Lohr Wine Dinner

Bistro Blanc's Wine Dinner in May featured the J. Lohr Winery of Central Coastal California. J. Lohr's representative, Jerry Humphreys, was on hand to introduce the winery and pour selections matched to the creations of Chef Marc Dixon.

The evening started at 6:30 with a welcoming 2008 Wildflower Valdiguie, a light fruited red with an interesting history of mistaken identification. The Valdiguie grape, grown in Central California for decades, had been thought to be a variant of the French Gamay, a prime ingredient of Beaujoulais. The Californian industry even had a name, "Napa Gamay," that was widely used until genetic testing proved the difference. Now the Napa Gamay and similarly confusing Gamay Beaujoulais labels are prohibited. J. Lohr was one of the first to switch to the Valdiguie appellation and has seen sales rise ever since.

As guests were seated, the first course of Sous Vide Berkshire Pork Belly with sweet honey cornbread and sour grape chutney was served. The sous vide slow cooking method produced a down-home, melt-in-your-mouth quality to this bacon and cornbread confection. It was paired with a 2007 October Night Arroyo Seco Chardonnay from J. Lohr's limited-production Vineyard series.

For the second course, diners were treated to grilled Ahi tuna in a sweet corn relish with tequila lime butter. This boldly flavored sushi-quality tuna was teamed with a 2006 South Ridge Syrah from Paso Robles.

The third course, a Peking duck breast served with baby peas, carrots and Yukon potato puree was wonderfully balanced by a hearty 2006 Paso Robles Hilltop Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

The dessert course featured a Rhubarb Strudel with rose water creme anglaise with vanilla bean gelato paired with a 2007 Baymist Riesling from Monterey County.

Bistro Blanc's monthly wine dinners are a terrific way to become better acquainted with particular vintners, or just enjoy an evening of fine food and wine with friends. You can also place orders for the featured wines at discounted prices, as many of this night's guests did.