Wine and Chocolate at ECHO

Pairing two of my favorite foods was the motivation for having this wine and chocolate ECHO After Dark event. We celebrated with two events. The first event was a wine and food pairing by Dedalus Wine and Pistou Restaurant just for our ECHO members. A small group of folks were treated to pork bellies, unique sauces and fabulous wine. Members were educated on what pairings worked with certain foods and what pairings should be avoided.

Our team was floored that 4 wine makers from Italy and France would join us in the main event for the evening: Wine & Chocolate: Tastings and Tannins! We had signature After Dark glasses etched for the evening and provided guests with 5 tasting tickets – one for each table! On each table were 3-5 different wines that the growers brought with them from their regions. Lake Champlain Chocolates introduced their new Blue Bandana Bar, a bean to bar chocolate that was just introduced to our community. Guests chatted with our partners Jason Zuliani from Dedalus Wine and Roger Myers from Lake Champlain Chocolates, plus the wine makers, about the wine and chocolate making process. Guests learned how to taste wine, why terroir was so important to the flavor of wine and chocolate and they enjoyed social time with friends. The event was held in ECHO’s newly built Revision Lakeside Pavilion and we were treated to a lovely sunset.

Several of our guests requested a listing of the wines we shared which I’ve just received from Dedalus Wines and have posted it below.

Our next ECHO After Dark event will be on November 8, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.,Topic 26: Café Scientifique: Race and Environmental Justice: Bridging the Gap Between Us. Tom Macias, a Sociologist from the University of Vermont, will lead us in conversation (no power point) about this topic that also relates to our current traveling exhibit Race: Are We So Different? With our Café Scientifique programs, we have 30 minutes to mingle before the talk which begins at 7 p.m. and is followed by a 45 minute question and answer period. We’ll have a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres. Please join us at 6:30 p.m. and bring your questions and your friends!

DETAILED WINE LIST FROM WINE & CHOCOLATE ECHO AFTER DARK, Oct. 11, 2012. To find out more information about any of these wines please visit Dedalus Wine Shop at 180 Battery St., Burlington or call them at 802-865-2368.

Table 1: Study in Terroir - 2 Chenin Blanc, 2 Sauvignon Blanc

Pascal Janvier Jasnieres 2011 - $17.75, in-stock now!

Chateau D'Epire Cuvee Speciale Savinnieres 2011 - $21.50, (available soon!)

Regis Minet Pouilly Fume 2011 - $21.50 (available by special order)

Daniel Chotard Sancerre 2011 - $22.50, in-stock now!

Table 2: Sicilian Reds from Rivofavara

Rivofavara Spaccaforno 2009 - $19.50 (available next week)

Rivofavara Sciave 2009 - $31.25 (available next week)

Table 3: Chablis from Lavantueux

Roland Lavantueux Petit Chablis 2010 (2011 available next year) - $19.50

Roland Lavantueux Chablis 2010 (2011 available next year) - $23.50

Roland Lavantueux Chablis  Magnums 1997 and 2006 - unavailable

Table 4: Rhone Wines from Sang de Cailloux

Sang de Cailloux Un Sang Blanc 2010 - unavailable

Sang de Cailloux Cuvee Flouretto 2010 - (available next year, 2009 in-stock now!)

Sang de Cailloux Cuvee Lopy 2004 (old vines) - (available soon!)