VINTNERS CLUB
36 Southridge West
Tiburon, CA 94920
(415) 381-4467
http://www.vintnersclub.com
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TASTING #1,449: 2003 VINTAGE PORT DECLARATION
with
OUR MEMBER CRISTIANO VAN ZELLER, OPORTO (PORTUGAL)
followed by
OPTIONAL WINE-PAIRING DINNER
5:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2005
We invite you to attend a special tasting from some of the world’s most historic Port houses. Please join our member Cristiano van Zeller and other Port-enthusiasts as we taste a selection of the finest from the celebrated 2003 vintage. Cristiano will be flying in from his home in Oporto. He has an impressive and fascinating background, including a term as President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Exporters of Port Wine (AEVP). Since 1996, Cristiano has been co-proprietor of Quinta Vale Dona Maria. Earlier this year, he was elected a Member of the Board of the National Confederation of Portuguese Farmers.
Our member Bartholomew Broadbent will also be in attendance. As many of you know, Bartholomew is an authority on Port and is widely credited for being responsible for the growth of Port consumption in North America during the 1980s. Bartholomew's company is the exclusive US importer for Ferreira and Quinta do Crasto. He also produces his own Broadbent Port in Portugal.
As I write to you, I have learned that our friend George Sandeman of The House of Sandeman will be flying in from Portugal in time to join us. George is the seventh generation of the Sandeman family and served as Chairman of The House of Sandeman. Now, he serves as the President of the AEVP, the position previously held by Cristiano.
All the Ports featured in this tasting have come to us directly from the lodges of the producers in Portugal, primarily air-freighted to us at substantial expense. They are not yet available locally. Attendees will be among the first to taste, analyze, rate and enjoy a selection of internationally acclaimed wines in the company of several recognized authorities--- a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The lineup will include:
- Broadbent
- Cockburn's
- Ferreira
- Fonseca
- Graham's
- Martinez
- Niepoort
- Quinta do Crasto
- Quinta Vale da Mina
- Quinta Vale de Dona Maria
- Sandeman
- Taylor Fladgate
Price for the Tasting: $75/member; $95/non-member.
Outreach Program: Thanks to the generosity of our members, a limited number of half-scholarships will be available to full-time students over the age of 21. These scholarships are not limited to students of Viticulture & Enology, but are also available to students in other disciplines--Medicine, Law, Business, etc.--as well as to physicians enrolled in any accredited residency training program. Scholarship price for the tasting: $37.50.
Following the tasting, we will adjourn to the Main Dining Room of the World Trade Club for a wine-pairing culinary experience. The first savory course created by Executive Chef Ted Manhal will be an exciting and imaginative complement to two fine Chardonnays. The highlight of the meal will be the main course of buffalo complemented by some of the highest-rated table wines from Portugal’s Douro Valley, one of which was made by our own Jerry Luper--- the talented Napa Valley wine-maker who now lives in the Douro Valley. As you will see, he and his wife make a phenomenal red table wine.
The grand finale accompanying our cheese course will be special contributions from Cristiano van Zeller and George Sandeman...
MENU FOR OPTIONAL POST-TASTING DINNER, 7:30 p.m.
Seared and Baked Halibut Tranche in a Cioppino Broth
2001 Chardonnay, Byron, Nielson Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
2004 Chardonnay, d'Arenberg, The Olive Grove, McLaren Vale
Slow Braised Short Rib of Buffalo with Shallots, Fresh Herbs and Douro Table Wine Sauce served with Butternut Squash Risotto and Winter Vegetables
2003 Douro Red, Quinta Vale D. Maria [Douro]
2001 Quinta de Leda, Casa de Ferreirinha [Douro]
2001 Touriga Nacional, Quinta do Crasto [Douro]
2000 Quinta da Carolina, Jerry & Carolee Luper [Douro]
2000 Batuta, Niepoort [Douro]
A Selection of Artisan Cheeses, including Stilton and Prima Donna, with Candied Walnuts and Quince
2000 Port, Quinta do Vale Dona Maria
2000 Port, Sandeman
Coffee/Tea
Price for Optional Dinner: $100/member; $125/non-member (includes all wines, taxes, gratuities and corkage). An alternative entrée of fish or chicken is available, provided request is made at the time of reservation. Discerning wine-enthusiasts know that the prices of our wine-pairing dinners are the equivalent of approximately $65/member and $85/non-member prior to addition of taxes, corkage and gratuities. Thus, they are a terrific value given the rare and expensive wines, the food and the ambiance.
Members and guests are encouraged to act promptly as this event, like most Vintners Club events, has garnered tremendous interest and is bound to sell out quickly. (Requests for reservations for last week's tasting reached full capacity within 20 hours of our e-announcement). First-come, first-served.
TO SECURE A RESERVATION:
Make your check payable to the Vintners Club
Mail to: Treasurer Lalita Waterman, Vintners Club, 36 Southridge West, Tiburon, CA 94920
E-mail the Vintners Club to advise that your check is in the mail (avoiding postal mishaps). Please be reminded, however, that advance payment is necessary, and that seats are assigned in the order in which checks are received. Those who are wait-listed will be notified via telephone and e-mail.
Reservations are non-refundable after 12 NOON on Friday, November 4.
VENUE: World Trade Club, One Ferry Plaza, San Francisco (located directly east of the Ferry Building towards the rear of the parking lot). This waterfront setting overlooks the spectacular San Francisco Bay. It is a convenient location for ferry, BART, Cal-Train and bus transportation.
PARKING: Valet parking is available for $10.
ATTIRE: Business Casual, per the request of the World Trade Club. Attendees are requested to please refrain from the use of all products with fragrance so that the aromas of the wines can be enjoyed by all.
Cheers!
Rick T. Waterman, President
VINTNERS CLUB
36 Southridge West
Tiburon, CA 94920
(415) 381-4467
http://www.vintnersclub.com
