Steamboat Wine Festival: A Toast of Steamboat

The grand finale for the 11^th Annual Steamboat Wine Festival was the signature event, the Toast of Steamboat on Gondola Square. It was a literal feast for the senses, with 500 wines and small plates from more than 20 local restaurants.

Wine- and food-lovers donned sundresses, shorts, t-shirts – even hats by Madagascar Hats purchased at the farmers’ market that morning – to make their way from booth to booth enjoying the abundance of good wine and food. Some of the highlights:

Café Diva
* Asian Barbequed Smoked Duck Confit Wonton Tacos with Quick Kimchi Slaw, Ricotta Solata, and a dollop of Siracha
…washed down with Korbel Natural, a crisp sparkling wine with a hint of sweetness that enhanced the spice in the taco.

Laundry Restaurant
* Halibut Ceviche with Cured Yuzu and Pickled Fresno Chili on a Blue Corn Tortilla
…enjoyed with Sofia Mini Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine in a can.

A pause to sample Left Coast Cellars Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir 2012 and Right Bank Pinot Noir 2009. The vote from tasters gathered at the table was that the 2012 blend was a good dinner wine and the 2009 was delicious on its own.

Hope Family Wines’ Troublemaker Blend 7, made from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Zinfandel, was an early hit. It was so popular tasters were posing with the empty bottles!

SWF_Toast14

Mahogany Ridge Brewery and Grill
* Tuna Ceviche
…followed by a sample of Klinker Brick Rosé, made of Carnigan, Mourvedre, Grenache, and Syrah. A delightful summer wine.

Saddles at Sheraton Steamboat Resort
* Roasted Corn Tamale/Chili Seared Pork Belly/Mole Rojo
…polished off with a sample of Mumm Napa Brut Reserve Rosé, an elegant, berry-ful sparkling wine.

Torian Plum
* Hamachi Poke with Ponzu, Jalapeño, Cucumber, and Red Onion
This restaurant, set to open later this year, will be the third from chef Brian Vaughn and his wife, Katy, of c.v. bistro and LOW Country Kitchen.