Every time Bluefin Bay Resort offers its Food & Wine Lover’s Weekend, there is something new and interesting to sample. Above: At the spring Wine Lover’s event, Stuart Sutherland of Johnson Brothers Liquor Company shared some history on the Candoni Prosecco served with the first course. Left: Scott Graden of the New Scenic Café was the guest chef at the spring event.
As Bluefin Bay prepares for its fall Food & Wine Lover’s Weekend, memories of the resort’s spring event are replayed by those who had the pleasure of attending that event. In May, guests were treated to two evenings of fabulous food with perfectly paired wines and liquors, courtesy of sommelier Stuart Sutherland of Johnson Brothers Liquor Co. and Chef Scott Graden of the New Scenic Café.
On Friday night of the spring event, Stuart Sutherland took diners on a world tour, offering wines from California, Oregon, Italy, Australia and finishing with a fine Glenmorangie Scotch from Scotland.
The evening started with a Miso Marinated Sea Bass. Its wine pairing—Candoni Prosecco, of Italy—gave a hint of the excellent offerings to come. That was followed by beautifully presented Roasted Beets with a dusting of grated hazelnut served with Angoves Dry Rose from Australia. The third course was Seared Sea Scallops, served on a swirl of pureed spinach and potatoes. Its complementary wine was Firestone Riesling of Santa Ynez Valley California with just the right hint of sweetness for the scallops.
A fourth course was Cider-Brined Pork Tenderloin & Confit with apple wood smoked bacon and a roasted baby turnip. The slightly smoky flavor blended smoothly with its paired wine, a Duck Pond Pinot Noir, Oregon. A meltin your-mouth dessert was next—Orange Blossom Goat Cheese Cake, drizzled with a sweet strawberry-lemon sauce, served with an elegantly thin hazelnut wafer and topped with a sugary-crisp mint leaf. A “Tears of Dew” Moscato from Paso Robles, California, a sweet late harvest wine, topped off the dessert course.
The evening ended with a cheese plate and in addition to small slices of cheese, Chef Graden offered a new twist on an old favorite—fondue with a saltwater crouton for dipping. Diners enjoyed an Italian Taleggio, a Dutch Prima Donna Gouda, and a Halloumi from the island of Cypress. The finish offered two choices for pairing—Osborne Tawny Port from Portugal or Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or from Scotland.
Most diners elected to sample both as they lingered to visit with the attentive Bluefin Bay staff, wine sommelier Sutherland and Chef Graden. And many made plans to return to this fall’s event.
The fall Food & Wine Lover’s Weekend will be November 2 – 3, 2012. The Bluefin Bay culinary team will be partnering with Jean Robillard, chef and owner of Bistro One in Thunder Bay, Ontario. At the Saturday wine tasting, Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine senior editor Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl, an award-winning food and wine writer, will speak.
Space is limited for this wonderful wine lover’s event. Contact Bluefin Bay today to reserve your space (800) 258- 3346 or (218) 663-6200.
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