Although Raw/Vegan is not my usual fare, we were excited to work with Chef Hillary Zozula at EDEN www.edenpitt.com and create a four course, four wine dinner for our “Off the Grid” www.off-the-grid.ws dinner group. Because the food is raw, but occasionally quite rich, I tried to identify wines with some element of acidity (without getting too tart of course) so that the wines’ freshness would provide counter to the rich flavors. This dinner sold out in less than 24 hours, so I was stoked to try some new combinations!
We started Southern French Rose – which, on a hot, humid afternoon is a style of wine that I consider perfect – and with the veggie chips and spicy cabbage, several people felt the flavors together really ‘popped’. The second course had some richness from the avocado, but this was nicely countered by the Heitz Sauv Blanc – a wine that was not as mouth-puckering as a typical New Zealand Sauv Blanc, but leaner and more focused than most Napa Sauv Blancs, so I was pleased with the balance. The third course used nuts in several configurations, so I wanted something richer than a white, but still fresh, I chose a Saumur Champigny – 100% Cab Franc from France’s Loire Valley and a lovely, deeply flavorful wine but not too heavy or sweet – loved it! Finally, the Spumante Rose provided more a compliment than contrast to the dessert, with a slight sweetness providing a fine partner to the complex mixture of strawberry/fig/chocolate dessert flavors. All in all, a very popular effort! Menu below:
1st Course
Veggie Chips AND Spicy Cabbage Noodles (green peas, red peppers, carrots, sliced almonds, ginger, sesame and a creamy spiced almond sauce)
Chateau d’Or et de Gueules Rose 2011
2nd Course
Avocado and Arugula “Dumpling”
Heitz Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2011
3rd Course
Amarntha and Quinoa Gnocchi (spinach, butter beans, sun dried marinara and cashew parmesan) AND Stuffed Portobello (riced cauliflower, chopped kale, coconut ricotta and smokey sunflower sauce)
Reserve des Vignerons Saumur Champigny 2010
4th Course
Cardamom and Strawberry Cake/ Cacao and Coffee Cake
Zardetto Vino Spumante Rose NV
Jack Brice Wine 