Wine Tasting &Fall Gourmet Dinner

A Voyage of Gastronomical Discovery

Welcome Aboard!

Saturday, November 7th



It was a balmy evening in November when a group of gourmands and oenophiles gathered at the Kobe Club. Little did they know that they were soon to embark on a culinary journey that would take them from Ezo Japan to Spain, France and finally Portugal. Captain Michael Cantonwine began the journey with a welcome to the select few guests who had the wisdom to book this culinary adventure early as all tickets were quickly sold out and the waiting list just grew in number.

    Special guests on board included Patrick Keohane and Catherine Wallace who introduced the passengers to two of their award winning wines. Also Kazuhiro Nishio of Bonili Japan Company shared his expertise and wines. In charge of the galley was Master Chef Kamiki.

   The voyage got off to a festive start with a sparkling wine from Spain. The Canals and Munne Spanish DO Cava Gran Reserve Brut Nature had a unique and fresh taste that prepared the palate of these discerning passengers for the culinary delights to come. Catherine Wallace shared her secret for wine making when she stated:  Patience is required to make a great wine. This could be clearly seen in the two fine wines that she presented. The first, a 2008 Rose from her Chateau de Combebelle, was a perfect accompaniment to the filefish and ikura tartar prepared by Chef Kamiki. The other a fruity 2006 red paired well with the grilled beef fillet with lily roots cream and red wine sauce.

    Kazuhiro Nishio continued our adventure in Spain with the best white wine Spain has to offer, a 2006 Rias Baizas, which went well with the Ezo venison carpaccio. Mr. Nishio continued our tour through France with stops for a pinot noir in Alsace, a white Bourgogne and a red Bordeaux. The journey culminated in Portugal with 10 year old white port.

   The passengers were sad to see the end of their gastronomical discovery tour that took them around the world. They applauded the efforts of Captain Michael, wine guides Patrick Keohane, Catherine Wallace and Kazuhiro Nishio and Master Chef Kamiki. It was an unforgettable journey.

-Robert Hengal