Brennan Vineyard’s Wine Dinner on September 11, 2009 start with assorted cheeses, crackers, and fruits paired with a choice of Brennan’s Austin Street labeled wines: 2008 Comanche Rose or 2008 Three White Chicks. The 2008 Three White Chicks was among the last of those bottled and rare treat consider it is no longer available for purchase. The 2008 Three White Chicks is a fun blend of Semillon, Chardonnay, and Viognier, which the Brennan’s were delighted with the response this particular wine had throughout the year. The 2008 Comanche Rose is what the Brennan’s refer to as a “True Rose made from Nero d’ Avola and Muscat of Alexadria” grapes, according to their Fall 2008 Newsletter. Previous vintages of the Comanche Rose have won a gold medal at the Texas Open and a bronze medal at the Lone Star International Wine Competition.
As dinner started, a fresh green salad was served followed by a spiked cream of squash soup. Pat Brennan, winemaker and dinner host, paired this course with the Brennan Vineyards label Viognier. By Pat’s own admission in a GOTEXAN wine cast on Viognier, the Rhone varietal is the “signature white wine of Texas.” Brennan Vineyards produces the fruit for Viognier for several other wineries in the state. Along with other Brennan’s Viognier that have garnered awards and metals at Houston Rodeo International and Lone Star International, the 2008 vintage received a silver medal at the Indy International and at the Finger Lakes International.
For the main course, guests had a choice of grilled beef tenderloin with Henry Bain sauce and creamed potatoes or ginger glazed mahi mahi with yellow saffron rice. Both were accompanied by sauteed onion and aspoaragus. Both dishes were paired with Brennan’s Austin Street label Red, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. The 2005 vinage received a Bronze medal at the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition.
To complete the dinner, peach champagne sorbetto with ginger cookie was paired with Brennan’s 2008 Austin Street Muscat Blanc. While Brennan grows Muscat of Alexadria, they purchase fruit from the high plains to make their Muscat Blanc. Surprisingly the pairing with the sorbetto balanced the sweet normally encountered with Muscat.
While the dinner and wines were excellent, seated at a table with two other couples who were attending their first wine dinner truly complimented the evening. One couple was from Brownwood, Texas and the other from Whitney, Texas. Sharing our impressions of wine, food, and travels, the three hour affair drew to a close before anyone realized. Whether with friends, old or new, an evening of fine food … paired with excellent wine … paired with great conversation … makes for a most enjoyable evening.
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