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FeedVertical Wine Tasting with Tapas at Sample
The 1961 vintage
Over the years I have been privileged to attend several events organized and hosted by the local chapter of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, the world’s oldest international gastronomic society. Founded in Paris in the thirteenth century, the organization is “devoted to preserving the camaraderie and pleasures of the table and to promoting excellence in all areas of the hospitality arts. Each year the society sponsors young chef and sommelier competitions that attract contestants from throughout the world, while the Chaine Foundation provides scholarships for students in these fields.”
The events I have attended have taken various forms, including a very refined and composed multi-course meal with wine pairings, a hog roast, and most recently, a tapas and wine event. Regardless of the formality or location of each event, the food as been great, the wine phenomenal, and the company excellent. It is easy to see why so many of the members have been part of this organization for a decade or longer.
Last week’s tapas and wine pairing took place at Sample in Allentown. Eric Genau from City Wine Merchant guided the group through a vertical tasting of wines from Spain’s R. Lopez de Heredia, which, according to the literature, is one of the Spain’s most venerable wine producers and the greatest producer of Rioja. Harvested by hand using the same methods of winemaking that were in place when the winery opened 130 years ago, this wine was remarkably good, and the opportunity to experience a vertical tasting was both an honor and a privilege.
Chaine member and attorney Sharon Osgood made the arrangments, one of the Chaine’s Societe Mondiale du Vin events. Osgood, Genau, Chaine Balliage Mont Stern, and Sample’s chef and owner Adam Goetz worked together to present a wonderful evening of delightful company and deftly paired food and wine. The wine was notable for so many reasons, but perhaps most surprising was its ability to retain quality with age, making a case purchase of its current 2003 vintage a smart choice.
After the event, Stern presented Goetz with a certificate and the group applauded his efforts. Each course was perfectly paired with wine and each item was well-prepared and flavorful. Makes me wish we had Spanish tapas availble in Buffalo all the time!
The lighting at Sample can present issues photographically speaking, so you’ll see below that some of the images were kindly taken in the fluorescence of the kitchen, while others were taken in the amber glow of the dining room. Please enjoy the slideshow below.
