The last day of this month, February 2016, is a rather special day indeed, for it is THE once every 4 years bissextus day (no it is not a vulgar word, in fact it comes from Latin, which simply means the extra day added to the calendar to compensate for the extra 6 hours in a year, multiply that over 4 years and you get yourself 366 days in that 4th year. Too bad it falls on a Monday this year *scoffs). Anyway, today was also very special, because Leonardo Dicaprio's won the Oscars (finally!), Asia's 50 Best Awards Ceremony took place in Bangkok, Thailand today. So, still in the awards and sparkling mood of the whole world, I'd like to share with you one of the most special evenings I've had the honour to be a part of. Cheers!
Beringer Vineyards is "the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley, USA", and is thus listed under both the National Register of Historical Places and as a California Historical Landmark. It is thus one of the rare moments to have the brand ambassador for Beringer Estate, Ms. Kristen Araoz Gridley to visit Indonesia and host a private wine dinner with the local media. The event was held at JW Marriott Jakarta and it saw U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia H.E. Robert Blake as one of the VVIP guests that evening, among other distinguished chief editors.
JW Marriott Jakarta’s Executive Chef Francisco Brown had designed a series of courses that each were paired with different Beringer wines. The dinner, displayed Chef Brown's brilliant play of flavours, textures and ingredients, while showcasing the diversity of Beringer wines. From the light, and slightly sweet Founder's Estate Chardonnay, to the much more tannic one Beringer Founder's Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
But first, we had the pre-dinner cocktail and this came:
Beringer Sparkling White Zinfandel that's got the whole world go crazy about. I have to admit that this Sparkling Zinfandel IS rather special indeed, it has very delicate taste and fruity / floral flavour. I'm still bothered by the name white, while the wine actually appears in salmon / rose colour.
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| I know I promised to never write about wine dinner again, but hey this is leap year! |
Beringer Vineyards is "the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley, USA", and is thus listed under both the National Register of Historical Places and as a California Historical Landmark. It is thus one of the rare moments to have the brand ambassador for Beringer Estate, Ms. Kristen Araoz Gridley to visit Indonesia and host a private wine dinner with the local media. The event was held at JW Marriott Jakarta and it saw U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia H.E. Robert Blake as one of the VVIP guests that evening, among other distinguished chief editors.
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| A few of the guests (including myself) with the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Robert Blake |
JW Marriott Jakarta’s Executive Chef Francisco Brown had designed a series of courses that each were paired with different Beringer wines. The dinner, displayed Chef Brown's brilliant play of flavours, textures and ingredients, while showcasing the diversity of Beringer wines. From the light, and slightly sweet Founder's Estate Chardonnay, to the much more tannic one Beringer Founder's Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
But first, we had the pre-dinner cocktail and this came:
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| Beautiful table setting by JW Marriott Jakarta team |
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| 3 mini butter cones, each with different flavours |
1st course: King Scallops Carpaccio with squid ink mayonnaise, cauliflower, truffle, vinaigrette (photo below)
Beringer Founder's Estate Chardonnay 2013
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| The sweet and fresh scallop carpaccio on its own was already a delightful starter. But paired with the Chardonnay, it brings out the sweetness in it. |
2nd course: Lobster & Salmon Ravioli with caviar, lemon grass & seafood veloute (photo below)
Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay 2013
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| Of all the dishes that evening, this was my personal favourite. Although there's only a single raviolo, but it was perfectly done and the seafood veloute sauce was so rich and indulgent! |
3rd course: Grilled lamb loin with butternut squash, green peas arancini, mint, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, lamb jus (photo below).
Beringer Founder's Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
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| The dish may deceive with its artfully one-sided plating, but actually Chef Brown's generous with the grilled lamb loin. |
4th course: Chocolate Fondant with hazelnut crumble & mandarin orange sorbet (photo below)
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| It was absolutely a beautiful plating, like a colourful oil paint palette |
And lastly, the guests were treated to a cup of tea / coffee at the end of the dinner. Although I don't see the point of washing down such a good after taste of the wines with coffee, I still ordered a cup of black coffee, I needed it so I could stay up and write new entries for this blog. Oh, so many times I wish I weren't a blogger. But then again, if I weren't one, I wouldn't even have been invited to this event ;).
Lastly, I'd like to thank JW Marriott Jakarta for hosting the dinner, as well as for Beringer, to have such a beautiful sparkling White Zinfandel wine, on top of so many more other great if not greater wines. Let us toast to that!
Lastly, I'd like to thank JW Marriott Jakarta for hosting the dinner, as well as for Beringer, to have such a beautiful sparkling White Zinfandel wine, on top of so many more other great if not greater wines. Let us toast to that!
Note: A range of Beringer Wines are available in JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta in the award-winning Sailendra Restaurant, Asuka Japanese Dining, Pearl Chinese Restaurant and Blü Martini Bar & Lounge.
Beringer Vineyards
JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta
Jl. DR Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung Kav. E.1.2 No. 1 & 2
Mega Kuningan
South Jakarta - 12950
Ph: +6221 5798 8888
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