Event Reviews and Photos 2012

Lynch-Bages Pauillac Bordeaux dinner, March 24, 2012 

The Lynch-Bages Pauillac Bordeaux dinner on March 24, 2012 at the Heathman was memorable, the best assortment of Lynch-Bages Winemaster Emeritus Ed Kingzett had seen and our second WFSO event in the past 10-15 years, the first hosted by Chairman Jim Atwood at the Embassy Suites downtown.  Our favorite featured wine of the evening was the 1982 followed by almost identical votes by the 1990 and 1989.  The consensus favorite wine of the evening was the 1982 Chateau Talbot St. Julien generously provided as a bonus by Chairman Atwood, followed by the 1990 and 1989 which were nearly tied for # 2 and # 2a. 

Respectfully submitted,  Mark S. Lindau, MD

March 24 Bordeaux Tasting

The Southern Italian Wine Dinner at Mingo’s,

 January 21, 2012

I think I speak for most all of us who attended the Italian Wine Dinner at Mingo’s in Beaverton that it was a fabulous event with delicious food and wonderful wines.

We started the evening by acknowledging WFSO’s 25 years of existence.  We gave special accolades to Karl Mantei for being a Charter Member from the beginning. 

Mat Bilodeau, our Mingo Host, greeted us with the first of our five Southern Italian wines with a Sicilian  white blend, Donna Fugata Anthilia Biance, made from Catarratto and Ansonica grapes that was a beautiful starter with a nice floral-fruity nose.  This was followed by a second white made from a grape varietal called Falanghina grown in the Campania area of Italy (shin of the boot) from the winery, Mastroberadina.  This pared very well with the caramelized carrot and leek soup. 

Next we traveled through our wine varietals to the arch of the boot, a region called Basilicata, and tasted a luscious red wine made from  the Aglianico grape from the DOC, Aglianico del Vulture, which was served with a very tasty pasta rolled around a mushrooms and ricotta filling.  Next we went to the “heel of the boot” to Puglia and loved the richness and body of the 2008 Michele Calo Mjere Negroamaro with the suckling pig over cannellini beans. 

The wine paired with our Secondo entrée of balsamic glazed lamb chops was Donna Fugata’s Mille e Una Notte Nero d’Avola,  a tribute to what fine reds the Sicilian soils can produce.  Mingo’s put the final touch on our evening with their olive oil cake with honey mascarpone with a 2005 Felsina Vin Santo (not from Southern Italy but from Tuscany due to availability and pairing reasons). 

We were all blown away with the quality of wines served this evening especially at their very affordable price points.  That said, I think those present will be drinking a lot more wine from these regions! Submitted and reviewed by – Pat Kimmer