We just wrapped up a most successful 1st CITYPEEK Sip & Swirl Summer Wine and Food Pairing Class. A new concept designed by Wine & Spirits Groupie, CITYPEEK CEO-Founder, Patti Neumann, CITYPEEK Sip & Swirl, brings together great sips, food pairings, education and guidance by Sommeliers & beverage Professionals. "The food pairings are crafted by top caterers, chefs & venues. We provide new friends & leave snobbery behind," describes CITYPEEK's food and wine hospitality marketing entrepreneur, Patti Neumann.
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Just come to an event "Travel to different countries all in your glass," contines Patti Neumann. "Gatherings may occur anytime of the day. Remember, it is 5 o'clock somewhere." Open in MD-DC & by Appointment. Next Class is this Wednesday, June 26, 805 William Street in Federal Hill.
FB: CITYPEEK Sip & Swirl ceo@citypeek.com
Selling out by marketing via a facebook invitation, 25 excited guests arrived to a secret rooftop location, unveiled just 24 hours prior to the event. The Summer Wine portion of the CITYPEEK Sip & Swirl class was led by Mariam Raz Razavi, a Wine lover, certified wine educator-Sommelier, purveyor and concierge serving individual, corporate and Embassy clients in the Washington, DC area since 1994. Raz is passionate about bringing the many flavors and varieties of wine from around the world to my clients. Raz specializes in food and wine pairings, wine list development, personalized buying programs and wine cellar creation and management.
The food pairings were paired by Chef Sarah Mogol, The Bountiful Experience: Boutique Catering, Cooking Classes & Events
Food is a part of the lifecycle. Driven by the belief that not only does that we eat matter, but what and how we eat matters. Sarah shares this information in a fun and engaging way, with great stories and interesting facts. Her company, The Bountiful Experience was created to encompass a love and talent for great food, entertaining and gifts. Creating a business on the principle of giving what you would like to receive, Sarah has earned the reputation as the go-to person for great cooking classes, catering and event planning in the Baltimore-Washington area. 443.956.7827-sarahcooks@comcast.net
The evenings line up:
Opening Act: Bubbles: JJ Vincent Crémant de Bourgogne $22
(seen left Monyka Berrocosa-My City 4 Her, Sarah Mogol, the Bountiful Experience.
Food Pairing: Smoked Salmon on Wonton Crisps with Chili Aioli
The selection for this sparkler - Crémant de Bourgogne comes from vineyards situated south of Burgundy. The word "Crémant" was originally used in reference to "Champagne demi-mousse" which is a lower-pressured Champagne. The actual vinification or elaboration of the Crémant called the "méthode traditionnelle" corresponds to the "méthode champenoise".
From the Chardonnay grapes this sparkler allies freshness, body and smoothness. The Crémant Brut is dry and offers fine bubbles hints of flowers at the nose, crisp and fruity on the palate.
As the early Summer storm blew in we began our journey to sample the delightful, crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Domaine Guy Saget La Petite Perriere 2011, France $13
Food Pairing: Honey Vanilla Chevre on Ginger Crisps topped with fresh Raspberry
Seen left, Dr. Krisitin Akins, Raz, CWP of Wines by Raz
This yummy Sauvignon Blanc has a golden color with a bright intensity.
The smell explodes with the aromas of ripe yellow (peach and apricot) and exotic fruits.
Clean and refreshing with a good length the taste is a whirlwind of freshness, complexity, fineness and ends with notes of ripe melon.
Chardonnay: Wente Vineyards Riva Ranch Chardonnay 2011, Livermore CA $17
Food Pairing: Mixed Greens with Roasted Beets, Apricot and Pistachio and Ricotta Salata with Vanilla infused White Balsamic Vinaigrette (GF)
2013 marks the 130th anniversary for the country’s oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery, Wente Vineyards. The Wente family has played an integral role in the development of wine culture in America since the 19th century. Today, the company maintains its leadership role in California winegrowing under the ownership and management by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family.
The company was founded in 1883 when German immigrant Carl H. Wente purchased 48 acres of vineyard land in the Livermore Valley. Blending traditional and innovative winemaking practices, today’s winery draws from 3,000 acres of sustainably farmed estate vineyards, located in Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco appellations.
Most notable within the historical Wente family history is the Chardonnay clone that was brought to California in 1912 from a vine nursery at Montpellier University in France. Planted in, what is now a heritage vineyard, along with cuttings from the historical Gier Vineyard in Pleasanton, CA, the Wente clone today comprises a majority of all Chardonnay plantings in California.
This medium-bodied Chardonnay has a rich, golden color and aromas and flavors of tropical fruit, honey, cinnamon and light floral notes, balanced by subtle oak, butter and vanilla from barrel aging. It has a round mouth-feel and a long, fruity finish.
Rosé: Hecht & Bannier Cotes de Provence Rose 2012 $16
Food Pairing: Artichoke and Tomato Spread with Fresh Mozzarella and crostini
Winemakers describe their vineyards are harvested at night between 3.00am and 9.00am in order to avoid oxidation and to preserve all of the fresh characteristics of vineyard and varietal. Grenache and Syrah are macerated together so that their personalities and qualities intermingle and we find that the reductive character of Syrah balances beautifully with the oxidative character of Grenache.
Created in concrete tanks, cement tanks and stainless steel tanks, this rose is great blend of Grenache, Cinsault & Syrah results in a unique dry crisp, elegant and very well balanced juicy rosé.
Our guests loved the glass cork used in this wine, calling it sexy, feminie and adding to the love of the brand. The wine exhibits have sought a Provence rosé of immense charm and minerality redolent of fennel, anise and purple flowers.
Jaboulet Parralel 45 Cotes du Rhone $15
Food Pairing: Feta and Lemon Zest Fritters
This Côtes du Rhône takes its name from the 45th North parallel which runs two kilometres from the cellars of Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné. In the village of Pont de l’Isère, a monument symbolises this line with the inscription: “the South begins here”. Our wine has had this name since the beginning of the 1950s.
A blend of Grenache and Syrah from vines averaging 25 years old. This wine is sourced from vineyards throughout the Rhone valley that combine to produce a pure, clean expression of this region. The wines are rich and dense, fresh with grains of tannins of great distinction.
This wine is fresh, medium-bodied red driven by notes of black fruit and exotic spices with a rounded and delicate nuance on the palate.
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