WSET

Member’s Journal, Volume 45, Number 8, August, 2021

SEASONS RESTAURANT AT TURKEY CREEK

Sunday, August 22^nd at 6:30 p.m.

A Food and Wine Adventure…

Wines You’ve Never Heard of & Culinary Surprises!

Created by Exec Chef and owner Deron Little and Rodney Perry of Ashe’s

Greeter

NOTTE BIANCA BRUT - $13

Pignoletto Grape

First Course

calamari steak | artichoke relish | dill crema

Paired with

CIECK DI CALUSO 2020 - $20

Erbaluce Grape

Second Course

Paired with

VOLPETTI LE PIANTATE 2019 - $60

Cesanese Grape

Third Course

lamb loin | luxardo cherries | white asparagus | blue cheese polenta

Paired with

KLINKER BRICK CARIGNANE 2017 - $30

Carignane Grape

Dessert

poached pear | mascarpone cheese | hazelnut crème fraîche

ROYAL TOKAJ 6 PALMS 2016 - $60

Furmint and Hàrslevelű Grapes

SEATING LIMITED TO 56 PERSONS.

ALL PRICES BELOW INCLUDE WINE, FOOD, GRATUITY, AND TAX.

$89.00 for member and $89.00 for one guest.

$94.00 per person for additional guests or non-members.

Reservations due by Wednesday, Aug. 18^th. No refunds given after August 18^th.

Tom Russell, Board Member

Let’s Try Some Delicious Wines You’ve Never Heard of!

When we look at wine dinners around our area, we seem to fall back to old treasured friends, varietals we’ve had so often we can almost predict in advance their flavor profile.

Enjoyment of wine should be a journey that is never completed. The joy is in the experience and the discovery. So, let’s go on a new wine journey.

With over 400 approved grapes in Italy alone, the scope and range for possible exploration and experimentation is immense. A cross-pollination is occurring with winemakers in numerous regions of the world planting varietals previously identified with a specific country, continents away. We see Italian grapes being grown in Australia and multiple states in the US, as well as the famous Rhone Rangers in California and their devotion to Rhone Valley style. These days knowing the varietal in a bottle is not a road map to its likely origin.

Italy may be one of our most target rich countries for new varietal discoveries, hence I’ll share some of my recent revelations. The Cesanese grapes, are thought to be one of the main wines produced during the heights of the Roman Empire. Most examples come from the Lazio DOC located just south of Rome. Hilly vineyards and late ripening mean extra work to produce good examples. Quality vineyards produce a wine of ripe cherry flavors, subtle pepper notes, and an underlying earthiness. The soft tannins and medium body result in a tremendous food wine with broad pairing options.

An interesting white varietal to explore from the Piedmont is Timorasso. Almost extinct in the 1980s and single handedly revived by Walter Massa. This thick-skinned grape can produce so much more body than other better known Italian whites. Good acidity and floral to tropical notes respond well to time in oak to develop surprisingly good tannins and tremendous aging potential.

The Carignane grape was once the most widely planted varietal in France, yet still relatively unknown. Young vines are known for high yields, but old vines produce wines deserving of our interest.

The lower yields of old vine Carignane produce a wine of bursting dark red fruit flavors, baking spices, and a balanced earthiness. Light tannins lend flexibility in our pairing possibilities.

In Royal Tokaj, the Furmint grape is the dominant varietal. Harvested late for higher sugar levels, botrytis is allowed to develop to further concentrate the sugars. The high acidity produced is a major component in its crisp flavor notes and long life. The Furmint contributes honeyed fruit, light spice, as well as nutty and black tea notes to the blend. In its supporting role, Hàrslevelű is also harvested late to encourage the noble rot of botrytis. It brings depth to the blend as well as smoky, honey notes, and a subtle floral character to this Hungarian treasure.

Talk with Rodney at Ashe’s and start a new wine adventure!

RESERVATIONS AND PROCEDURES


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Member’s Journal, Volume 45, Number 8, August, 2021 SEASONS RESTAURANT AT TURKEY CREEK Sunday, August 22^nd at 6:30 p.m. *A Food and Wine Adventure…* *Wines You’ve Never Heard of & Culinary Surprises!* Created by Exec Chef and owner Deron Little and Rodney Perry of Ashe’s Greeter NOTTE BIANCA BRUT - $13 Pignoletto Grape First Course calamari steak \| artichoke relish \| dill crema Paired with CIECK DI CALUSO 2020 - $20 Erbaluce Grape Second Course grilled ostrich \| radicchio & arugula \| roasted yellow pepper \| balsamic infused pear tomato \| shaved parmesan \| grapefruit honey vinaigrette Paired with VOLPETTI LE PIANTATE 2019 - $60 Cesanese Grape Third Course lamb loin \| luxardo cherries \| white asparagus \| blue cheese polenta Paired with KLINKER BRICK CARIGNANE 2017 - $30 Carignane Grape Dessert poached pear \| mascarpone cheese \| hazelnut crème fraîche ROYAL TOKAJ 6 PALMS 2016 - $60 Furmint and Hàrslevelű Grapes SEATING LIMITED TO 56 PERSONS. ALL PRICES BELOW INCLUDE WINE, FOOD, GRATUITY, AND TAX. $89.00 for member and $89.00 for one guest. $94.00 per person for additional guests or non-members. Reservations due by Wednesday, Aug. 18^th. No refunds given after August 18^th. Tom Russell, Board Member *Let’s Try Some Delicious Wines You’ve Never Heard of!* When we look at wine dinners around our area, we seem to fall back to old treasured friends, varietals we’ve had so often we can almost predict in advance their flavor profile. Enjoyment of wine should be a journey that is never completed. The joy is in the experience and the discovery. So, let’s go on a new wine journey. With over 400 approved grapes in Italy alone, the scope and range for possible exploration and experimentation is immense. A cross-pollination is occurring with winemakers in numerous regions of the world planting varietals previously identified with a specific country, continents away. We see Italian grapes being grown in Australia and multiple states in the US, as well as the famous Rhone Rangers in California and their devotion to Rhone Valley style. These days knowing the varietal in a bottle is not a road map to its likely origin. Italy may be one of our most target rich countries for new varietal discoveries, hence I’ll share some of my recent revelations. The Cesanese grapes, are thought to be one of the main wines produced during the heights of the Roman Empire. Most examples come from the Lazio DOC located just south of Rome. Hilly vineyards and late ripening mean extra work to produce good examples. Quality vineyards produce a wine of ripe cherry flavors, subtle pepper notes, and an underlying earthiness. The soft tannins and medium body result in a tremendous food wine with broad pairing options. An interesting white varietal to explore from the Piedmont is Timorasso. Almost extinct in the 1980s and single handedly revived by Walter Massa. This thick-skinned grape can produce so much more body than other better known Italian whites. Good acidity and floral to tropical notes respond well to time in oak to develop surprisingly good tannins and tremendous aging potential. The Carignane grape was once the most widely planted varietal in France, yet still relatively unknown. Young vines are known for high yields, but old vines produce wines deserving of our interest. The lower yields of old vine Carignane produce a wine of bursting dark red fruit flavors, baking spices, and a balanced earthiness. Light tannins lend flexibility in our pairing possibilities. In Royal Tokaj, the Furmint grape is the dominant varietal. Harvested late for higher sugar levels, botrytis is allowed to develop to further concentrate the sugars. The high acidity produced is a major component in its crisp flavor notes and long life. The Furmint contributes honeyed fruit, light spice, as well as nutty and black tea notes to the blend. In its supporting role, Hàrslevelű is also harvested late to encourage the noble rot of botrytis. It brings depth to the blend as well as smoky, honey notes, and a subtle floral character to this Hungarian treasure. Talk with Rodney at Ashe’s and start a new wine adventure! RESERVATIONS AND PROCEDURES Do you have a credit with WSET? Click here to find out. 1. Fill out the Reservation form on line and either mail in your check (with form) or pay using PayPal, or 2. Leave a message the Wine Society Answering machine at 896-3753 or e-mail reserve@ws4et.com. State clearly your name, your membership number, the event(s) you wish to attend and the number of reservations you are requesting. Then, promptly mail your check with this form to: The Wine of East Tennessee, Post Office Box 52861, Knoxville, TN 37950-2861 or through PayPal (You do not need a PayPal account). WINE SOCIETY VOICEMAIL SYSTEM To make phone reservations, call the Wine Society voicemail at 865-896-3753, leave your name, membership number--or say non-member, and the names of your guests. Then follow the reservation policy above. Non-members will receive email reservation confirmation. Click here to comment on an event.