Ratzenberger Bacharacher Riesling Kabinett 2008;Fresh, fruity wine. [
Is Cognac a town or a drink? [
Winemaker Scott McLeod of Rubicon Estate talks about the Cabernet Sauvignon grape flavor profiles and how it grows in Napa Valley and some of his favorite food pairings. [
Sommelier Nicholas Nahigian of La Fonda del Sol pairs Albariño. [
Looking for something fun and different to do on a beautiful fall day?
Consider taking a scenic drive through bucolic landscapes infused with
the smells and colors of autumn with your destination being the North
Fork of Long Island Wineries about 75 miles from Manhattan.
[
For football lovers and wine enthusiasts the two most exciting annual events are about to come to fruition: Super Bowl 43 and the Taste of the NFL in Tampa, Florida on the weekend of January 31, 2009. For those lucky enough to be attending the Super Bowl and for those in the Tampa area, The 18th Annual Taste of the NFL is sure to be a food and wine lover’s extravaganza. Top chefs from each of the 31 NFL cities are paired with a current or former player from that team. Each chef prepares food and wine pairings which participants can enjoy along with celebrities and former and current NFL stars. There are plenty of opportunities for photographs and autographs. Bravo TV’s Top Chef Judge Tom Colocchio and former contestants from the Top Chef show will be present as well. A silent auction will follow the dining experience featuring hundreds of entertainment and sports objects as well as exciting getaways available for bidding. The evening concludes with entertainment by Max Weinberg (long-time drummer for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band) and the Max Weinberg 7.
All wines are provided by E&J Gallo Winery. Over the last 75 years they have become the world’s largest family-owned winery and the largest exporter of California wines to over 90 countries.
A sampling of what is in store for those attending this event includes:
The Super Bowl team Arizona Cardinals will have player Ben Patrick and Chef Eddie Matney from Eddie’s House in Scottsdale, AZ serving Chicken and Pomegranate Chili paired with MacMurray SC Pinot Noir.
The Super Bowl team Pittsburgh Steelers will have player Andy Russell and Chef Anthony Zallo from Bigelow Grille in the Doubletree Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA serving Peppery Glazed Chicken Wings with Garlic paired with MacMurray SC Pinot Noir.
The Atlanta Falcons will have player Tommy Nobis and Chef Kevin Rathbun from Rathbun’s in Atlanta, GA serving Lamb Sliders with Tzatziki paired with Frei Brothers Merlot.
The Chicago Bears will have player Shaun Gayle and Chef Susan Goss from West Town Tavern in Chicago, IL serving Braised Lamb Shoulder with Mashed Potatoes paired with Bridlewood Syrah.
The Dallas Cowboys will have player Chad Hennings and Chef Kent Rathbun from Abacus in Dallas, TX serving Citrus-Glazed Pork with Parsnip-Chive Puree paired with Gallo of Sonoma Chardonnay.
The Denver Cowboys will have player Karl Mecklenburg and Chef Travis Vaughn from Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, CO serving Chocolate Chip Cookie and Gelato Sandwich paired with Barefoot Bubbly.
The Houston Texans will have player Jacoby Jones and Chef Bruce Molzan from The Ruggles Grill in Houston, TX serving Paella with Blackened Shrimp and Red Snapper paired with Frei Brothers RR Chardonnay
The Miami Dolphins will have player Dick Anderson and Chef Allen Susser from Chef Allen’s in Adventura, FL serving Sizzle and Spice Shrimp with Watermelon paired with Martin Codax Albarino.
The New England Patriots will have player Gino Cappelletti and Chef Paul O’Connell from Chez Henri in Cambridge, MA serving New England Baked Stuffed Clams paired with Maso Canali.
The New York Giants will have player Bill Ard and Chef Stephen Lewandowski from Tribeca Grill in New York City, NY serving Braised Short Rib Meatballs paired with LMM Napa Cabernet.
The Philadelphia Eagles will have player Jerry Sisemore and Chef Jack McDavid from Jack’s Firehouse in Philadelphia, PA serving Chocolate-Pecan Toffee Torte paired with Barefoot Bubbly.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have player Scot Brantley and Chef Marty Blitz from Mise En Place in Tampa, FL serving Sauteed Calamari in Yuzu Soy Glaze paired with Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc.
Other participating Chefs and restaurants include: Nancy Longo from Pierpoint, Baltimore, MD; Paul Jenkins from Tempo, Buffalo, NY; Jean-Robert de Cavel from Jean-Robert at Pigall’s, Cincinnati, OH; Rocco Whalen from Fahrenheit, Cleveland, OH; Brian Polcyn from Five Lakes Grill, Milford, MI; Sanford D’Amato from Sanford Restaurant, Milwaukee, WI; Greg Hardesty from Elements, Indianapolis, IN; Charles Charbonneau from North Beach Bistro from Atlantic Beach, FL; Debbie Gold from American Restaurant, Kansas City, KS; Mark Haugen from Tejas, Edina, MN; Susan Spicer from Bayona, New Orleans, LA; Shin Tsujimura from NOBU, New York City, NY; Blake Hartwick from Bonterra Dining and Wine Room, Charlotte, NC; Chris Rossi from Citron, Oakland, CA; Jonathan Hale from Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, San Diego, CA; Paul Arenstam from Americano Restaurant, San Francisco, CA; John Howie from Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar, Bellevue, WA; Bill Cardwell from Cardwell’s at the Plaza, St. Louis, MO; Dustin Pritchett from Sunset Grill, Nashville, TN; and Jeffrey “JG” Gaetjen from Kinkead’s, Washington, DC.
Most importantly, due to the generosity of the participating restaurants and Chefs, sponsors, and attendees, every NFL city’s Feeding America Food Bank network will receive a portion of the net proceeds from this year with special local emphasis on America’s Second Harvest of Tampa Bay.
