Azazello1313 Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 (edited) this is for my dam wedding reception. the "house" wine is really chitty, so i want to pick a couple halfway decent wines from their rather short list to have them pour with dinner. no real wine snobs coming, but enough people who know good wine from bad. ok, so the two entrees everyone gets to pick from are: Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Breast of Chicken: Pan Seared, Light Dijon Musswoosh,Tarragon Chardonnay Sauce, and Seared Center Cut of Beef Tenderloin: Cappuccino and Veal Reduction the wines... 250 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough $ 42.00254 Markham Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley $ 30.00 256 Sokol Blosser Evolution #9, Willamette Valley $ 34.00 257 Stone Cellars Chardonnay, Sonoma $ 28.00 258 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay, Sonoma $ 30.00 261 Gabbiano Pinot Grigio, Italy $ 28.00 269 Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige $ 48.00 303 Hogue Chardonnay, Columbia Valley $ 28.00 305 Estancia Chardonnay, Monterey $ 30.00 308 Rosemount Estate Chardonnay Diamond Series, Australia $ 32.00 319 Geyser Peak Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $ 38.00 330 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay, Sonoma $ 48.00 335 Grgich Hills Chardonnay, Napa Valley $ 55.00 345 Robert Mondavi Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley $ 67.00 349 Far Niente Chardonnay, Napa Valley $ 85.00 403 Matua Pinot Noir, Marlborough $36.00 407 Greg Norman Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara $34.00 408 Ruffino Chianti $26.00 410 Sanford Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County $50.00 415 Stone Cellars Merlot, California $28.00 432 Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon, California $32.00 423 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot, Columbia Valley $38.00 425 Greg Norman Estates Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Limestone $40.00 430 Penfolds Shiraz, Thomas Hyland, South Australia $37.00 445 Rutherford Hill Merlot, Napa Valley $49.00 500 Chateau St. Jean Merlot, Sonoma County $48.00 506 Cosentino “Cigar Zin,” Napa Valley $36.00 510 Newton Merlot, Unfiltered, Napa Valley $90.00 512 Hanna Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County $64.00 527 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley $49.00 530 Clos du Bois Marlstone, Alexander Valley $77.00 535 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County $85.00 550 “Magnificant” by Franciscan, Napa Valley $75.00 555 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon $95.00 gonna choose one red and one white, and i've pretty much decided on the norman cab/merlot since i've had it and it seems like a nice choice to go with a little steak. on the white, i'm not sure. i liked the kim crawford SB when we tasted it, but i'm not sure if a SB would be a good pairing there. so i offer it up to you guys p.s. since, as you can see, i'm already paying basically 4x retail for this chit, price here is a little bit of a consideration. but we only have like 30 guests and a lot of them don't drink at all, so it's not like i'm going to be buying 25 bottles. Edited May 10, 2006 by Azazello1313 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted May 10, 2006 Author Share Posted May 10, 2006 mmm, anyone else hungry for dijon musswoosh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 (edited) this is for my dam wedding reception. the "house" wine is really chitty, so i want to pick a couple halfway decent wines from their rather short list to have them pour with dinner. no real wine snobs coming, but enough people who know good wine from bad. ok, so the two entrees everyone gets to pick from are: Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Breast of Chicken: Pan Seared, Light Dijon Musswoosh,Tarragon Chardonnay Sauce, and Seared Center Cut of Beef Tenderloin: Cappuccino and Veal Reduction the wines... 250 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough $ 42.00254 Markham Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley $ 30.00256 Sokol Blosser Evolution #9, Willamette Valley $ 34.00 257 Stone Cellars Chardonnay, Sonoma $ 28.00 [b]258 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay, Sonoma $ 30.00 [/b]261 Gabbiano Pinot Grigio, Italy $ 28.00 269 Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige $ 48.00 303 Hogue Chardonnay, Columbia Valley $ 28.00 [b]305 Estancia Chardonnay, Monterey $ 30.00 [/b]308 Rosemount Estate Chardonnay Diamond Series, Australia $ 32.00 319 Geyser Peak Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $ 38.00 330 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay, Sonoma $ 48.00 335 Grgich Hills Chardonnay, Napa Valley $ 55.00 [b]345 Robert Mondavi Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley $ 67.00 [/b][b]349 Far Niente Chardonnay, Napa Valley $ 85.00 [/b]403 Matua Pinot Noir, Marlborough $36.00 407 Greg Norman Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara $34.00 408 Ruffino Chianti $26.00 410 Sanford Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County $50.00 415 Stone Cellars Merlot, California $28.00 [b]432 Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon, California $32.00 [/b]423 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot, Columbia Valley $38.00 425 Greg Norman Estates Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Limestone $40.00 430 Penfolds Shiraz, Thomas Hyland, South Australia $37.00 445 Rutherford Hill Merlot, Napa Valley $49.00 500 Chateau St. Jean Merlot, Sonoma County $48.00 506 Cosentino “Cigar Zin,” Napa Valley $36.00 510 Newton Merlot, Unfiltered, Napa Valley $90.00 512 Hanna Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County $64.00 527 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley $49.00 530 Clos du Bois Marlstone, Alexander Valley $77.00 [b]535 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County $85.00 [/b]550 “Magnificant” by Franciscan, Napa Valley $75.00 555 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon $95.00 gonna choose one red and one white, and i've pretty much decided on the norman cab/merlot since i've had it and it seems like a nice choice to go with a little steak. on the white, i'm not sure. i liked the kim crawford SB when we tasted it, but i'm not sure if a SB would be a good pairing there. so i offer it up to you guys p.s. since, as you can see, i'm already paying basically 4x retail for this chit, price here is a little bit of a consideration. but we only have like 30 guests and a lot of them don't drink at all, so it's not like i'm going to be buying 25 bottles. 1460104[/snapback] highlighted ones that stood out to me..... i think chard and cab are the pairing here imo. chard is versitile, but will pick up those musswoosh flavors nicely (plus it's a chard/tarragon sauce). cab shoud be nice with the tenderloin.... though don't know what flavors are in there with the reduction. edit: tried to bold.... far niente is nice..... but ch. st jean might be the best "bargin" on the list.... they do a heck of a job with their whites. Edited May 10, 2006 by Bier Meister Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 (edited) Yeesh, that's a hefty markup. I agree with Bier as far as Chard & Cab. Chards: Far Niente Grgich Hills Hogue Cabs: Hanna Jordan “Magnificat” by Franciscan Chimney Rock (Not bad but one year was really thin and I can't recall which one, maybe 01) I really like the Jordan and Magnificat. Edited May 10, 2006 by twiley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 The 2001 Magnificat is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. It displays more force, depth, and delineation than the 2000, in addition to copious quantities of toasty oak, sweet, chunky, chocolaty, black currant flavors, and a medium-bodied, easy-going personality. It should drink well for a decade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nogohawk Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 Yeesh, that's a hefty markup. I agree with Bier as far as Chard & Cab. Chards: Far Niente Grgich Hills Hogue Cabs: Hanna Jordan “Magnificat” by Franciscan Chimney Rock (Not bad but one year was really thin and I can't recall which one, maybe 01) I really like the Jordan and Magnificat. 1460175[/snapback] Agree with that ... glad I'm not picking up the tab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted May 10, 2006 Author Share Posted May 10, 2006 Yeesh, that's a hefty markup.1460175[/snapback] yeah, that's why i'm trying to stay AWAY from all the $85 bottles you recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 i think the ch. st. jean chard and the jordan cab are a decent way to go..... i think more people will have chard before the event and with the chicken......... the cab with the tenderloin...... so even if 30 people went for the cab it still wouldn't kill you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 Would it be tacky -given that it's a reception- if you inquired about corking fees? You could save yourself some dough AND probably get better wine. Just don't do it for 2 buck chuck but at 4x retail it couldn't hurt to ask. Probably considered tacky thoug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted May 10, 2006 Author Share Posted May 10, 2006 Would it be tacky -given that it's a reception- if you inquired about corking fees? You could save yourself some dough AND probably get better wine. Just don't do it for 2 buck chuck but at 4x retail it couldn't hurt to ask. Probably considered tacky thoug. 1460851[/snapback] i sorta broached that with the broad and basically got a "uhh, no...if it's not on our list, we can try and order it in", yada yada. i don't really know why, since the per-plate fee includes booze anyway, and we'd basically be saving THEM booze by drinking our own wine. i guess they figure they know we're not gonna drink their garbage house wine so they can make us pay the markup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted May 10, 2006 Author Share Posted May 10, 2006 no love for the norman cab/merlot? seemed like a pretty decent value (relatively, of course ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 i sorta broached that with the broad and basically got a "uhh, no...if it's not on our list, we can try and order it in", yada yada. i don't really know why, since the per-plate fee includes booze anyway, and we'd basically be saving THEM booze by drinking our own wine. i guess they figure they know we're not gonna drink their garbage house wine so they can make us pay the markup. 1460890[/snapback] Figures - most places pull their biggest profit in booze markups so I'm not surprised.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman_Nick Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 (edited) no love for the norman cab/merlot? seemed like a pretty decent value (relatively, of course ) 1460899[/snapback] It's pretty good, but it doesn't exactly scream elegance.** From that list, if you want to pick decent bottles that people will both recognize and appreciate, go for the Mondavi Chard and the Berenger Cab. If you want to serve red and whit at about the same price, stay with the Mondavi and go for the Franciscan. They are 2 very nice wines, and for 30 people it shouldn't cost a ton of money. **not knowing the crowd, this could be fine. Maybe it's just me, but the wine from the golfer's vineyard just always feels..........like something spun out of a marketing machine. If you did decide to serve that, I would serve the Estancia for the white. Edited May 10, 2006 by Caveman_Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 Of course, you could always go with 4 wines: a nice red and white and chearper red and white. Have them serve the cheaper stuff last, after everyone gets drunk enough to los ethe differences. Although THAT would be tacky.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundaynfl Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 When you pick a Chard. I would definitely ask the cook what Chardonnay he is cooking with... When you pair a wine with food it is always to pair with the same wines you use to cook with.. IMHO. Unless it's a really expensive one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted May 12, 2006 Author Share Posted May 12, 2006 figured i'd use this as an excuse to drink, so i picked up the estancia and ch st jean chards tonight and tasting them now. right off i liked the st jean much better, more up front and a nice balance between the fruit and a little acid tartness. but now the estancia is growing on me a little. but it's still a little shy, i think the st jean is definitely the choice between the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 honestly....... might be the best "value" on the list. they do their whites very well. it's usually when i go for higher tier whites that i buy from other vintnors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 It's pretty good, but it doesn't exactly scream elegance.**1460993[/snapback] if you're worried that somebody might turn their nose up at your selection, have the place decant the wine (or else remove the snob from your invite list) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman_Nick Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 if you're worried that somebody might turn their nose up at your selection, have the place decant the wine (or else remove the snob from your invite list) 1465731[/snapback] Or spend a little bit of that minimum wage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted May 13, 2006 Author Share Posted May 13, 2006 nobody's gonna turn their nose up at greg norman, 1) because it's good wine, and the people who know enough to care will know it's pretty good wine, and 2) they're just not that kind of folks (thankfully). i may still go with the jordan or hanna though. the markup on some of the higher priced bottles actually isn't quite as high, as i noticed browsing the liquor store yesterday. the jordan's like 55 marked up to 85, something like the norman is 13 marked up to 40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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