624800 Wed Jun 03 09:25:32 -0700 2009 6 34 Wine 0 4738883 I'm planning a classy dinner for my boyfriend on Saturday, and I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for food/wine pairings... This is my tentative menu, but I know I should probably change some things because they don't go well together - let me know what you guys think! Appetizer: Warm Brie & Fuji Apple Salad with Mixed Greens & Balsamic Vinagrette Starter: Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche Main Course: Seared Scallops with Risotto, with a side of Grilled Asparagus Dessert: Chocolate Covered Strawberries I have no idea what wines to get that would go well with the dishes. I'm also questioning the Shrimp/Avocado Ceviche, is it too seafood heavy since I'm serving scallops too? I couldn't think of another starter that would be appropriate. We're not big dessert people so I decided to do something light and simple, but any fun after dinner drinks that you would recommend? Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks! Wed Jun 03 09:25:32 -0700 2009 339897 wobbly213 1 4738964 We recently had your main course (minus the asparagus) out and enjoyed it with a glass of Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc. It paired nicely and is inexpensive (think I bought some locally for $13 or so). How about Banfi “Rosa Regale” with your chocolate covered strawberries? That or a framboise lambic? Either choice is lovely with chocolate--and either would be suitable to keep drinking after dinner as your dessert. Definitely fun! What a special dinner you're planning--enjoy! Wed Jun 03 09:50:56 -0700 2009 4738883 249664 kattyeyes 2 4741297 Oyster Bay is a reasonable wine, but at $13 a bottle in the US (it can be found on sale in the UK for about £5), it is a bit over priced for what it is - mass produced Kiwi SB. It is a good mass produced wine, but that is what it is. I prefer the 2006 or 2007 over the 2008 which is a bit weak in comparison to the earlier vintages. I think a Sauvignon Blanc would be very nice, but as you're in the US there are number of nice bottles produced in the US that would have a much better QPR than a Kiwi. Geyser Peak is a nice one under $10 a bottle. Even Chile might be a place to look. Perhaps a Vina Leyda, again about $10. Champagne is a great idea with your appetizers/starter. I think strawberries and chocolate is a really hard pairing for wine as it is a lot of sweetness and acidity. If you have a price range, I think we could suggest some nice wines, otherwise I'll pull out my list of Sancerres that are $30+! Thu Jun 04 03:07:53 -0700 2009 4738964 158180 nanette 1 4739050 Two seafood courses are fine. Personally, if I were going to switch out anything, it'd be one of the raw strawberry dishes. Shrimp are pretty wine-friendly. Avocado, asparagus and scallops are more of a challenge. If you're looking for one wine to go with both courses, a fruity Sauvignon Blanc is a safe bet, though a Gruner Veltliner, maybe even one with a little residual sugar, would probably be my first choice. And, of course, Champagne goes with everything. Wed Jun 03 10:17:18 -0700 2009 4738883 10520 carswell 1 4739078 You could do Champagne with every course, but not many people go that route. I would, however, make this an all white wine event. Depending on how acidic the vinaigrette is in your salad, it will be the toughest wine pairing. So I'd plan on the same wine with your salad course as your shrimp course, and I'd probably go Loire white--Savennieris would be my first choice, but a Vouvray Sec or even Demi-Sec would also pair well. For the scallop risotto, I'd seek out a chardonnay that isn't overly oaked. For the dessert, I'd open a Moscato d'Asti. That wine has a light spritz, is refreshingly sweet (not cloying), and has low alcohol content, which would be good after all the other wine. Wed Jun 03 10:24:43 -0700 2009 4738883 196217 Brad Ballinger 1 4740632 First thoughts... Appetizer - Champagne Starter - White Graves or other Sauvignon Blanc Main - White Burgundy or well-balanced CA Chardonnay Assuming you are not pairing a different wine with each course, I'd go for a Chardonnay-based (Blancs de Blanc) Champagne... it would pair well with everything. Wed Jun 03 18:11:48 -0700 2009 4738883 50041 whiner 1 4740658 What kind of wine does the BF prefer generally? Wed Jun 03 18:22:41 -0700 2009 4738883 26180 Chinon00