A Rover's Wine Taste-Off - France vs. Italy

On Tuesday night Rover’s hosted a ZINO Society Master of Wine Tuesday featuring a wine taste-off “France vs. Italy”.  Sixteen ZINO Society members and guests were treated to an exquisite tasting menu inspired by the up and coming World Soccer Championship.  Scot, the restaurant manager and in-house wine expert, told us he was pitting two great countries of exquisite wines to compare and contrast.  A-sort-of-parallel, of who will take world wine domination. Both countries pride themselves on the essentials of life, food, shelter, drink and of course Football!  Only one could reign supreme…Would it be France or Italy?

See photos of members and guests above.

Top photo:  Dan Rosen, Jacqueline Witter, Bob Toomey

2^nd photo:  Ellen Bierman, Mary Holmes, Donna Dornes, Lauren Bennett

3^rd photo:  Cathi Hatch with Chef de Cuisine, Adam Hoffman, Dave Schulz

4^th photo:  Phil Mann, Ellen Bierman, Gary Myles (fuzzy photo but amazing that all three are patent attorneys and none knew the others would be at the tasting!)

Not everyone agreed on which was the best wine of each course so I will just share my picks.  See the menu below including my favorite wine of each course in green.  So, according to my palate, France won by only one point!

Cremant de Bourgogne, Louis Bouillot, Brute Rose, NV Burgundy FR vs.
Banfi, Rosa Regale, 2009, Piemonte IT
Amuse Bouche

Le G de Chateau Guiraud, 2008, Bordeaux FR vs.
Pinot Grigio, Muri-Gries, 2008, Alto Adige, IT
Chilled Washington Asparagus Soup with Herbed Goat Cheese Caillé
&
Alaskan Spot Prawn with Arugula Pesto, Almond and Smoked Orange Foam 

Gevrey-Chambertin, Lucie et Auguste Lingnier, Les Seunrees, 1er Cru, 2004, Burgundy FR vs.Barbaresco, La Ca Nova, Bric Mention, 2004, Piemonte IT
Oregon Quail with Black Pepper Onion Puree, Flageolet Bean and Poultry Jus

Moulis, Chateau Branas, Grand Poujeaux, 2005, Bordeaux FR vs.
Tenuta di Arceno, Arcanum3, 2003, Toscana IT
Wagyu Beef Tri-Tip with Pommes Lyonnaise, Caramelized Onion and Peppercorn Demi

Muscat-de-Beaumes-Venise, Domaine Bernardins, 2007, Rhone Valley FR vs.Moscato d’Asti, La Spinetta, Biancospino, 2009, Piemonte IT
Symphony of Desserts

Thierry Rautureau, Chef in the Hat, and ZINO Society sponsor joined us at the end of the evening and talked about his new restaurant, LUC, which opened recently just at the corner of the block where Rover’s is located.  All in all, it was a spectacular evening of great food, wine and conversation!