Wine Dinner at Chateau Chantal
Looking for a new dining experience this summer? For the first time, Chateau Chantal will be offering wine dinners at their inn, nestled high atop a ridge on the Old Mission Peninsula 12 miles north of Traverse City.
A zoning change has freed the way for the inn to serve meals to folks not staying there. And as winemaker Mark Johnson explained, the new wine dinners are another way to introduce people to their wines and offer a different type of dinner experience.
Last week, my husband and I headed out the peninsula to take part in a trial run of the event. Chateau Chantal had invited a group of people to serve as guinea pigs, and we happily obliged. With temperatures in the low 80s and cherry blossoms already dotting the hills, the drive out to the inn was the perfect opening to an enjoyable evening.
We started with a glass of bubbly in hand for a tour of the winery and an introduction to the winemaking process. Then we sat down to the main event: a truly decadent 6-course dinner, each course paired with a different wine. Chateau Chantal tapped Chef Les Hagaman, owner of the neighboring B&B Tresoro Inn to prepare the meal.
Ah...the meal! A leek and shiitake mushroom risotto cake with garlic aioli paired with 2007 Reserve Malbec started us off, followed by roasted parsnip bisque and the 2008 Reserve Chardonnay. The words "roasted parsnip bisque" cannot do that soup justice. It amazes me how a few simple ingredients can come together to taste so good. The secret must be that Chef Hagaman glazed the parsnips with honey and olive oil before roasting them. Whatever magic he used, it worked!
Then onto Great Lakes salmon and a 2008 Pinot Noir followed by a red raspberry sorbetto and a perfectly paired Celebrate Sparkling Wine. Next was a wok seared duck breast with tart cherry glaze, swiss chard and wild forest mushroom ragout paired with the 2008 Trio. My husband said it was the best duck he'd ever eaten, and I restrained myself from licking the plate. A salad and 2009 Pinot Blanc came next, followed by another delicious pairing: creme brulee with 2008 Select Harvest Riesling.
Wine Dinners will be offered Wednesday and Saturday evenings, June 16 - August 28. Cost is $50 per person, not including tax and gratuity. An optional winery tour begins at 6 p.m., with dinner seating at 6:30 p.m. If you've never toured a winery, make sure to do the tour. Chateau Chantal also offers Tapas Tours daily from June 15 through the end of August. $25 per person. To make reservations for either the wine dinner or tapas tour, call (800) 969-4009 or (231) 223-4110, or visit their online store.
Filed under Wineries
