Hidden Bench – a Niagara Jewel

Fall Wine Tasting

We were at Hidden Bench September 16 to be introduced to the Fall offering for the wine clubs. Nine wines were poured.

Harald Thiel (owner), Jay Johnston (winemaker), Marlise Beyers (previous winemaker) and Meg McGrath (retail manager) walked us through the tasting.

2012 Natur – Zero Dosage $45 paired with Niagara Gold Gougerés

2016 Estate Riesling $24.75 paired with Rodney’s East Coast Oyster with a Riesling and Shallot Mignionette

2016 Locust Lane Viognier $32 paired with Guernsey Girl and Sourdough Tartine with a Niagara peach and pepper compote

2014 Felseck Vineyard Chardonnay $39 paired with UCCC Ricotta Gnudi Ammendine

2013 Tête de Cuvée paired with Creamy Mushroom and Hidden Bench Chicken Pie

2015 Nuit Blanche $40 paired with smoked mackerel on a home-made salt and pepper cracker and remoulade

2015 Estate Pinot Noir $30.75 paired with Ontario duck tartare with pinot noir and blackberry reduction

2014 Locust Lane Pinot Noir $48 paired with grilled rib-eye steak cap with outrageously complex jus

2016 Select Late Harvest Gewurztraminer $30 paired with thyme infused Hidden Bench raw honey

The pairings for the wines were perfect – beautifully prepared and presented.

 

 

 

 

Charcuterie on the Patio

The week before the tasting we stopped in on our way back from Buffalo and ordered the Charcuterie Board – perfect for two. A glass of Estate Chardonnay and a glass of Locust Lane Rosé overlooking the Locust Lane vineyard.

  • Chorizo sausage
  • Chicken terrine
  • Beef “jerky” – dried and spiced beef strips
  • Pickled onions and baby dills
  • Cheeses – Niagara gold, goat cheese
  • Ham

And baguette, of course.

CHEF AND SOMMELIER SERIES – August 29 2017 – Theme “Landlovers”

The Creators

Host 

Andrew Ross

Chef 

Kirk Weiss

Cocktail Engineer 

Nick Attard

Service Team 

Maria Lorusso

Cocktail Hour

Nick Attard hosting the pre-dinner wine tastings.

Petite Sirah                 Lot 96

Winery:           Foppiano,  California

Petite Sirah                 Line 39

Winery:           Line 39

Dinner and Dessert (and WINE)

Pouring, pouring, pouring… 
Glasses and glasses! 

 

Prepping 
Marking the trivia. 
Did we really try all of these? 
We really did taste them all! 

Bison Carpaccio

A little olive oil and salt and a butternut squash ragout.

Petite VerdotSouthbrook, Organic VQA 4 Mile Creek, Niagara

Petite VerdotJuan Gil, Jumilla, Spain

Duck Fritter

Duck confit, spinach with crème fraiche and blueberries.

Pinot NoirSilver Peak, Sonoma County, California

RoseChateau D’Aqueria Grenache Rosé AOC Tavel, France

Fois Gras and Chicken Liver Paté

Served with cranberry crisps and fig jam.

Chenin BlancChateau Gaudrelle Vouvray Sec Tendre Valle du Loire, AOC Vouvray, France

Hazelnut Rack of Lamb

Served on a bed of wild rice and corn.

Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre (GSM) – Tahbilk Estates Carbon Zero, Australia

Turkey Sausage

Stuffed in a hot pepper, battered in cornmeal with a drizzle of cheddar cream.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah – Rosso di Momi Cuvee, Napa, California

White Chocolate Quenelle

Served with raspberry foam.

Southern Peach Cocktail

Nick Attard’s Concoction

Created with peach schnapps, Southern Comfort, Angostura Aromatic Bitters and light cream. Shaken over ice and served in a short rocks glass.