Meramec Vineyards Chambourcin Dinner

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Meramec Vineyards Chambourcin Dinner

I have been taking retirement lessons courtesy of my bee buddy David Draker, who has made it clear I don’t quite have the hang of sitting around not doing anything. My “lessons” include joining him, his wife Gina and his wife’s best friend Ginger Schneider at Meramec Vineyards monthly wine pairing dinners, a delicious and informative evening of tasting local wines and getting ideas of how to serve them with a variety of dishes.

It was a cold, rainy, overcast day for this particular November 1, 2018 wine-pairing dinner, the last one for this year. This was Ginger’s special evening since she won the drawing for a free dinner at the previous wine pairing. I also felt like I was a winner since this menu included, to my delight, a marvelous discovery; this dark chocolate cheesecake. Who said I can’t start discussing a dinner with dessert first?

Dark chocolate cheesecake with walnut crust topped with cherry Chambourcin reduction. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Dark chocolate cheesecake with walnut crust topped with cherry Chambourcin reduction. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

When I was working full time and traveling a lot, I made it a mission to try to find the best cheesecake wherever I was working. I had tried a chocolate cheesecake somewhere, decided it was not tasty and returned to sampling over flavors until tonight.

This dark chocolate cheesecake made by Meramec Vineyards Owner Michelle Boulware was a scrumptious surprise in every bite, the savory dark chocolate paired with the Chambourcin sweet cherry reduction sauce a perfect balance. I splurged and added a cup of coffee, which contrasted nicely against the Chambourcin cherry topping reduction. I can’t say this is why we ended up being the last people to leave the winery - again - but it certainly was a factor in why I was lingering. I was thinking how was I going to pursue finding other dark chocolate cheesecakes since I don’t travel as much when it struck me I don’t have to go far at all to revisit this one!

Ok so the dinner wasn’t about desert but it certainly was a highlight. Every course had Chambourcin in the dish so a word about this intriguing wine. According to the Meramec Vineyards website, the Chambroucin is a “medium body red wine featuring the complex Chambourcin grape. Cherry notes and smooth, peppery finish. Great with substantial beef dinners or enjoyed by a fire with a cigar for an after dinner wine.”

Our assessment during the dinner was the Chambourcin was rich and complex with “a touch of spice,” Gina said, a very interesting wine to pair with the other winter meal dishes.

The menu for the Meramec Vineyards Chambourcin Nov. 1, 2018 wine pairing dinner. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The menu for the Meramec Vineyards Chambourcin Nov. 1, 2018 wine pairing dinner. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The staff do a very nice job of setting the tone for these special evenings. Instead of sitting at tables set up in a U-shape, this November 1, 2018 the tables were separated into small separate seatings, which was a nice intimate setting, easier to have conversation. A chef friend of mine from the East Coast used to say half of any meal is the visual, from the meal surroundings to how it is plated.

I love peeking through the glass doors as we arrive to see how the room is set up for the special evening.

David kept checking the little pumpkins to make sure they were real they were so cute. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

David kept checking the little pumpkins to make sure they were real they were so cute. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The evening meal started out with a very interesting dish featuring a cheese I am not particularly fond of using - again another charming discovery. The baked Brie with a strawberry reduction, walnuts and figs was a surprising complex combination topped on the toasted bread.

I would have been happy to have just this dish as my meal!

Baked Brie with strawberries, walnuts and figs. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Baked Brie with strawberries, walnuts and figs. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The baked Brie was followed by a creamed mushroom soup that was thick with cooked mushroom pieces. I have yet to meet a fungus I didn’t find tasty so the generous number of mushrooms ensured several in every bite.

Take my word for it, the creamed mushroom soup was delicious! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Take my word for it, the creamed mushroom soup was delicious! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

What do we do in between courses? Usually we talk but this evening we had the added entertainment of having “Girl Scout” Ginger teach us how to tie the knot used to tie up the evening napkins.

Wait. It was more like she figured it out then tried to teach the rest of us. I never did get the hang of it but David came close. Gina was smart to not even try and calmly sipped her wine as the rest of us made a mess of the pieces of string, and our own fingers!

Learning how tie the napkin knot for this evening’s meal. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Learning how tie the napkin knot for this evening’s meal. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The main course was Chambourcin braised short ribs with creamy garlic mashed potatoes and a homemade roll with olive pieces that commanded my full attention. I took a photo of the dish but it was not in focus.

I did catch a followup photo of the creamed mushroom soup as the staff was sitting down to their meal.

Creamed mushroom soup with a generous supply of mushroom pieces. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Creamed mushroom soup with a generous supply of mushroom pieces. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

These dinners include live music by William Owen on the keyboard. This particular evening some at our table were singing along, stopping only long enough to check their phones for some trivia, such as who was the first artist to sing “King of the Road.” Mr. Owen has been the live music at most of the monthly dinners we attended earlier this year and he has a wide ranging repertoire. He also takes requests. Luckily for everyone there I was not in the mood to sing or I would easily have cleared out the place, I am well-known within my family for being basically tone deaf but it doesn’t stop me from singing. My niece makes up for it, she’s been in Honors Choir and now is part of a Washington University a cappella group, the first sophomore to make the try outs. Yes, she more than makes up for her tone deaf aunt.

And since I mentioned the Meramec Vineyards staff, they are a welcoming and fun group who make these evenings extra special. As new owners of the winery, Michelle and Joseph Boulware have introduced a variety of menus and outside weekly live music events during summer. They are also planning seasonal events for the holidays. Follow their adventures on their “#grapelife Behind the Vine” blog and Facebook page.

Standing, right, Joseph Boulware; center, in purple, William Owen on the keyboard. Third from left, Michelle Boulware. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Standing, right, Joseph Boulware; center, in purple, William Owen on the keyboard. Third from left, Michelle Boulware. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Meramec Vineyards will be taking a break from offering these special $40 per person monthly wine pairing dinners through the holidays but they will be back January 17, 2019 with a Norton wine pairing dinner. I suggest you make reservations, these dinners are an excellent value and were almost sold out most of the nights we attended.

Local wines, beers, daily menus, live music. Great place! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Local wines, beers, daily menus, live music. Great place! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

In the meantime, they have a Bistro daily lunch menu I plan to carefully study, daily soups and sangrias, beer and a number of special upcoming events. Who is with me on the December 13 Ugly Christmas Sweater contest??

Charlotte

Prego, A Taste of Italy!

A delicious celebrating the contributions of Silvio! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

A delicious celebrating the contributions of Silvio! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Prego, A Taste of Italy!

This was a night in Italy without taking a plane or having to go very far at all courtesy of Meramec Vineyards monthly wine pairing dinners in St. James, Mo. The October 11, 2018 wine-pairing meal was in honor of “Silvio,” a renown immigrant Meramec Vineyards worker for whom the starring bespoke wine was named.

What do you suppose Silvio named his vines? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

What do you suppose Silvio named his vines? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Since this is a wine named after Silvio, we looked up the details on Silvio’s Red. According to Meramec Vineyards website, Silvio’s Red is an “authentic Italian red blended wine. Fruity with vinaigrette finish. Served room temperature or chilled. Pairs well with pasta or in red sauce to deepen the flavor.”

We had a chance to taste the wine during the dinner both at room temperature and chilled. I enjoyed Silvio’s Red both ways with a slight preference for chilled.

Good to their own description, this taste of Italy kicked off the night with homemade meatballs with Silvio’s Red in the delicious red sauce. The meatballs from Wildcat Creek Meats where a meal all in themselves!

Homemade meat balls in Silvio’s Red wine sauce from Wildcat Creek meats. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Homemade meat balls in Silvio’s Red wine sauce from Wildcat Creek meats. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The appetizer was followed by a delicious antipasto salad made with a light spicy vinaigrette that included - you guessed it, Silvio’s Red wine!

I confess, I added a little more of the vinaigrette to get the full flavor of both the dressing and the salad!

Silvio’s Red wine was also featured in the light salad dressing. (Photo by David Draker)

Silvio’s Red wine was also featured in the light salad dressing. (Photo by David Draker)

I usually am the one taking the photos at these dinners but this particular evening I forgot my cell phone and had to borrow my beekeeping buddy David’s phone. Since we were coordinating the meal photos, David did a good job of making sure a photo was taken of every course before I tried it.

The main course featured braised Italian sausages with peppers and onions served with a crispy polenta cake. Polenta is a dish made out of a variety of ingredients, primarily traditionally coarsely-ground corn meal.

And a particular mention of that homemade roll with olive pieces - nice savory touch!

A roll, braised Italian sausage with peppers and onions, and polenta. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

A roll, braised Italian sausage with peppers and onions, and polenta. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Desert was courtesy of Heavenly Divine Cupcakes, an enticing cream-filled, chocolate dipped cannoli that begged the question. Does one eat it with a fork or with one’s fingers?

Cannoli desert made by Heavenly Divine Cupcakes, Rolla. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Cannoli desert made by Heavenly Divine Cupcakes, Rolla. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Having spent several weeks in northern Italy a couple of years ago, I remembered how Italians ate their cannoli and I did the same.

The trick to eating a cannoli is trying to keep the cream in the middle, (Photo by David Draker)

The trick to eating a cannoli is trying to keep the cream in the middle, (Photo by David Draker)

The last treat of the evening, the drawing for a free meal for the next Meramec Vineyards wine-pairing dinner. And the winner was one of the members in our dinner party, Ginger Schneider!

Ginger Schneider after hearing she has won a free meal at the next wine pairing. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Ginger Schneider after hearing she has won a free meal at the next wine pairing. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

It was a nice evening with a European flair. We left a couple more empty wine bottles for their next creative table decor.

A few more bottles of wine now available for table decor. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

A few more bottles of wine now available for table decor. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The next and last wine pairing dinner for 2018 was November 1 featuring Meramec Vineyards Chambourcin. No need to wait for the next wine-pairing dinner, Meramec Vineyards offers daily specials and family friendly Sunday brunches, no frequent flyer miles required!

Charlotte

A Taste of Chardonel, Anyone?

Guests September 20, 2018 were greeted with these lovely table scapes of apples and candles.

Guests September 20, 2018 were greeted with these lovely table scapes of apples and candles.

A Taste of Chardonel, Anyone?

A friend has decided I need lessons in retirement. One of our favorite evening past times is to go to Meramec Vineyard’s monthly pairing dinner where they demonstrate what to cook with one of their wines. Taking my assignment seriously, I take photos of the various courses and lovely table scapes and make sure leftovers make it home for later taste testing. (Well, someone has to do it!)

This particular evening it was all about apples and pears, the two fruits that provide Meramec Vineyard’s Chardonel its special notes. I prefer my wines on the red and dry side but the two bottles I took home argued that maybe I had quickly developed a fondness for this lovely white.

And with good reason, Chardonel is a “medium bodied, dry white wine with apple and pear aromas.”

Meramec Vineyards Chardonel is a delightful refreshing match to pork medallions.

Meramec Vineyards Chardonel is a delightful refreshing match to pork medallions.

As we have become to expect, Michelle Boulware, one of the “new” owners, went out of her way to set the stage for the pairing dinner with lovely table scapes. This evening, pieces of hand cut wood served as trays for a pile of candles and apples of all sizes, including charming 1-inch ones that came from Michelle’s back yard. She warned us not to eat them, they were bitter. We took a closer look, passed on taking a bite and all agreed those tiny apples were till very cute!

The evening kicked off with a french onion soup that reminded me of Famous Barr in St. Louis, which used to have a restaurant with a great french onion soup. Anybody remember that soup? How about the store. We used to make a day of it to shop, having lunch, then make a leisurely trip home. I’m starting to sound like my mother.

Meramec Vineyards french onion soup kicked off their apple-themed dinner.

Meramec Vineyards french onion soup kicked off their apple-themed dinner.

After french onion soup, Meramec Vineyards offered lovely salad with fresh greens and apple and pear pieces. I though the colors really made the salad come alive!

The homemade salad dressing was made with - you guessed it, the Chardonel.

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Those table scape apples almost don’t look real, do they. It’s the candlelight!

Those table scape apples almost don’t look real, do they. It’s the candlelight!

The main course was pork medallions on pasta, a nice combination with an apple-based dry wine.

Pork medallions in pasta was a great main course with the white wine with fruity undertones.

Pork medallions in pasta was a great main course with the white wine with fruity undertones.

Dessert. An apple crisp topped with ice cream, perfect ending to a trip through apple land.

Dessert. An apple crisp topped with ice cream, perfect ending to a trip through apple land.

Michelle kept mentioning the table decor one of her assistants had put together but I didn’t get to see it until we were leaving. This could be a spot in my garden, I am always knocking a bucket with flowers over as I walk by.

Another part of the apple-themed table scape with local wildflowers.

Another part of the apple-themed table scape with local wildflowers.

Two-fisted drinker? Sort of, I was treated to a preview of Silvio’s red wine.

Two-fisted drinker? Sort of, I was treated to a preview of Silvio’s red wine.

Meramec Vineyards Silvio’s Red has a special story all of its own. It’s one of their signature wines and the star of their next pairing dinner scheduled for Thursday, October 11. You will find the upcoming pairing dinner menu and other events on their website.

Ok, so who knows the story behind this Silvio person?!

Charlotte