Sommelier Showdown Recap

Wow, what a fantastic event and such a great time!  Sunday night’s Sommelier Showdown at Cowboy Ciao was an absolute blast – well attended, killer food and awesome wines.  Going head to head with owner, Peter Kasperski on wine selections was a pretty daunting task, but really cool as it allowed me to expand on my normal flavor palate and pick some very interesting wines.

I’ve listed my selections below (in Italics), along with the menu for you all to take a look at:

I

LESTER’S FAVORITE MOVIE

fried green tomato (pickled & crispy), with mâche, grilled halloumi,

toasted sunflower seeds, fino sherry/Maui onion vinaigrette

Samsara, Rose of Pinot Noir, 2010, Ste. Rita Hills

II

CHARCUTERIE

cherry/amaretto duck pate

Peritnace, Dolcetto, 2010

III

BRAISED PORK CHEEKS

with corn cake and lime aïoli

La Spinetta, Ca’ Di Pian, Barbera d’Asti, 2007

IV

ROASTED WILD BOAR SHOULDER

on yam fritter with mango coulis and tomato jam

Nove, Grenache, Judge Family Vineyard, Bennett Valley, 2004

V

DESSERT FOR THE THIRD TRIMESTER

chocolate sandwich on olive bread with pimento ice cream

Graham’s, Late Bottle Vintage Port, 2003

In addition, Peter let me know that he will proudly be serving our first release of Labor Wines on his wine list and have available cases of Labor for purchase, as Cowboy Ciao has a Retail License.  If you’re curious to learn more feel free to contact me via email, Corey@LaborWines.com or on my cell, 702.466.0987, plus you can always reach us via Twitter – Facebook.

Everything takes Labor to accomplish.  Labor Wines – A Labor of Love.

Tags: alba, barbera, chocolate, Corey Nyman, Cowboy Ciao, dolcetto, duck pate, Facebook, graham's, halloumi cheese, judge family vineyard, la spinetta, Labor Wines, late bottle vintage port, novy, pertinace, Peter Kasperski, pinot noir, pork cheeks, rose of pinot noir, samsara, ste. rita hills, Twitter, wild boar, willamette valley