IPNC 2010: Saturday, July 24 (Day Two)
What an amazing second day this turned out to be. From the morning pairing seminar to the alfresco lunch to the evening salmon bake, it was a day that exceeded expectations on a number of fronts. Here is a summary of my experiences, thoughts, and impressions from Day Two of the International Pinot Noir Celebration 2010.
The Grand Seminar
Another breakfast of fresh berries...arrive too late for the bacon and sausage...stomach is craving protein...alas, the "Wine is Food" grand seminar offers a mid-morning brunch of lamb and pinot...four wines matched to four preparations...shoulder, loin, leg and shank...winemaker and chef collaborate...Ray Isle leads the first session featuring the winemakers...Burgundy, NZ, OR and CA producers...tasting the line up while each describes their wine...a plate of mouth watering lamb arrives...each dish matched to a specific wine...the pinots come alive with food...the food comes alive with pinot...Isle states, "taste or preference for something is extremely contextual"...
Evan Goldstein leads the second session featuring the chefs...nice seeing Renee from Boat Street here...tasting the lamb while each describes their dish...deeper connections between wine and food...Goldstein recalls a moment in France matching a Pinot noir with an incredibly strong cheese..."like taking bong hits from a Chlorox bottle"...the Burgundy shows well with each dish...the St. Innocent '07 Momtazi pinot and Nostrana lamb shank pairing are favorite match...contextual indeed...sitting next to Rollin Soles of Argyle...shared how his '97 Nuthouse was the catalyst for my embracing Oregon pinot...the connections that are made at IPNC...
Alfresco Lunch
With lamb brunch finished, it's off to lunch...grabbing a table in the shade of an oak tree...joined by newly married winemaking couple from the Okanagan Valley...the pinot rosés poured are refreshing...the crab, goat cheese, salad is incredibly delicious...the duck confit empanada is divine...run into Todd who pours me a glass of his '09 Biggio Hamina riesling...nice....more chilled wines arrive at our table...chardonnay, pinot blancs, gewürz, another riesling...on to the third course of the third meal of the day and it's only 1 pm...a WA apricot tarte tatin arrives...too beautiful to eat...but too enticing not to...terrific food, wine, and conversation...our table's sommelier is from Seattle's Purple Cafe...wine truck finally closes its doors...time for a nap...
Northwest Salmon Bake
Witness the lighting of the fire...an unenviable task working that pit in the summer heat...head over to the alfresco tasting to try some '08 pinots...pleasure meeting Katherine Cole of The Oregonian...queue up for dinner in the oak grove...coolers and coolpacks full of BYOB wine...a beautiful late afternoon...temperature cooling down...
The fire pit is at full tilt cooking dozens of Chinook salmon...the aromas and sounds from the fire fill the air...the gates open with a rush to tables...food first and then find a seat...a dinner buffet like no other...six different fresh salads and vegetables...salmon, pork loin, and lamb stew at the multiple carving stations...can't believe I am hungry...an Andrew Rich '09 Croft Sauvignon Blanc arrives...suddenly smitten...joined at our table by a CA winemaker on one end and a Burgundy winemaker on the other...Californian proudly offers his reserve merlot...the irony of this moment seems to be lost on him...a polite tasting and then back to the pinot...drinking a '99 Burgundy is nice with my meal...and connecting with the French winemaker about his wine makes it even better...
Light is fading...wine is flowing...energy is rising...no room left for the cheese table or dessert extravaganza...time for a walk...visiting tables and filling glasses...wine vault opens with a thirsty throng crowding the tables...interesting way to compare and contrast Oregon vineyards and vintages...run into Jason Lett who fills my glass with a '80 The Eyrie Vineyards South Block pinot...what a treat it was to drink that beautiful wine...still fresh and bright after 30 years...a capstone of my evening...
Sun has set...lanterns are glowing...dusk dims to darkness...people celebrating together in a place where pinot fills their glasses and smiles light up their faces...
Continue reading about IPNC Day One: Vineyard Tour, Winery Luncheon, Grand Dinner
Full Disclosure: I attended IPNC 2010 as a Media Guest, therefore was given special access to this event.
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