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Welcome to the Savannah Wine Club Home Page
Click on the link above to email the webmaster and get on our mailing list. This club was established in 1999 by Dr. JP Saleeby and Russell Krautheim (of Atlanta Wholesale Wines) at a local B&B. It is open to any Oenophile in the Lowcountry. For 2003 Russell takes the reins of the Club to bring even more wine tastings and dinners.
Wine News
(Fall 2003)
Those interested in small gatherings to sample new wine over dinner please email. We are gathering names of wine lovers who like to cook and would not mind hosting a small group of 4 to 6 for dinner and wine. This is very fun and a chance to meet and get to know fellow Savannah wine lovers. Wine is provided. Dinner is on the host. Also of interest, a new group (covivium) has been established in Savannah with Slow Food International. For more information visit: www.slowfoodusa.com.
Meeting Archives
November 2003
Il
Pasticcio is proud to present Gloria Ferrer and The Heredad Collection
The
Date :Tuesday, November 18th, 2003
Reception
Lobster Pâte
Served
with Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut chosen for it's delicate pear like bouquet
Appetizer
Smoked
Salmon with Apple wedges finished in a creamy caper and chive sauce
Served
with 2 great wines
Gloria Ferrer Carneros Chardonnay chosen for it's aged french oak , it's rich
citrus bouquet, with balanced apple and spice.
&
Heredad Collection Vionta this 100% Albarino grape makes a fine floral wine,
with good acidity and lingering flavors.
Soup
Course
Spicey
Eggplant Cream Soup
Served
with Gloria Ferrer Carneros Syrah, chosen for it's exuberant flavors of
blackberry, black pepper and sage, has soft tannins , light oak and a long
smokey finish
Salad
Mixed
baby greens tossed in a Champagne Vinaigrette
Entrée
Roasted
Chicken on a mount of Jasmine Rice drizzled in a Orange Cherry Glaze accompanied
with sâuteed Broccolini
Served
with Gloria Ferrer Carneros Pinot Noir, Chosen for flavors of cherry and berry
fruits, with a hint of smoke. Long exceptionally smooth and silky finish.
Dessert
Tiramisu
Served
with Valdubon C rianza made with 100% Tempranillo this wine offers such flavors
as light oak, coffee, hint of vanilla, while tones of blueberry and spice play
on mid palate. Medium balanced intensity and a long finish
Coffee/Tea
**Editors Note: Despite the Final wine being touted as the "Best" this $40 + bottle of wine in my opinion did not stand up next to either the Syrah nor the Pinot Noir, both in the $19 range.
July 2003
Johnny Ganem's Rebel Room Tasting of Toad Hollow
Todd (Toad) was there to sign bottles and explain his wines:
Toad Hollow Vineyards:
Le Proprietore
Amplexus Cremant (Brut sparkling, Limoux, France..Oh by the way the name means mating frogs)
Chardonnay 2001 N. Coast, Francine's Selection
Eye of the Toad Rose (a nice little dry Pinot Noir Rose, Sonoma County, 2002)
Pinot Noir Reserve 2000, Russian River Valley, Goldie's Vines
Merlot Reserve 2000, Russian Valley, Richard McDowell Vineyard
Zinfandel Cacophony 2001, Paso Robles
June 2003
Wine Dinner at IL Pasticcio
wines supplied by Savannah Wine Shop
A tasting of the Banfi Collection with regional marketing director present to talk about the 10 wines tasted:
Pincipessa "Perfonte" Gavi 2001
Castello Banfi "San Angelo" Pinot Grigio 2002
Banfi "Le Rime" Chard/ Pinot Grigio 2002
Banfi "Centine" Sangiovese/ Cab/ Merlot 2000
Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 1999
Banfi Rossa Di Mantalcino 2000
Banfi "Cum Loude" Super Tuscan 1999
Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Cab/Sang/Syr 1998
Banfi "Summus" Super Tuscan 1998 DOC
Banfi "Rosa Regale" Brachetto d' Acqui" 2000
Castello Banfi Excelsus Super Tuscan Cab/ Merlot 1998
August / September Wine Tasting and Dinner at 45 Bistro in the Marshall House
Wines from South African Estates
KWV Steen 2000
De Wetshof Chardonnay Lesca 2001
Cathedral Cellars Chardonnay 2000 (90 points WE)
KWV Roodberg 2000 Party favorite
Clos Malverne Pinotage Reserve 2000 (89 points WE)
And for those who stayed for dinner
a very nice IMOYA (Brandy)
May 1, 2002
Known to only a select few three couples gathered at a loft in downtown Savannah to experience a night of fine dining and distinguished wines.
Dinner was started with a 5 cheese and 5 nut puff pastry served with a chilled 1994 sparkling Jepson Blanc de Blanc and a 2001 De Wetshof Estate (S.Africa) Chardonnay
Mixed greens with a pecan raspberry vinaigrette was served with an L'Ecole No 41 Estate Semillon
The entrée of poached and roasted pate of chicken, thyme & spinach with a side of grilled sweet peppers and asparagus on a bed of spiced pignolias rice was served with a 1997 Arcadian Pinot Noir and the evenings favorite a 1997 Pride Mountain Vineyard Merlot (liquid Viagra).
Dessert was a Rum Chocolate Cake served with vintage a Port.
Interested in these tiny intimate dinners at the home of Savannah's oenophiles then email us and we will keep you apprised of those in the future. Seats are limited to 6 or 8, first come first serve.
March 11th 2002 Wine Dinner
A Morgan Wine Dinner at IL Pasticcio
Our guest speaker for the wine dinner was Mr. Dean De Korth, winemaker for Morgan Winery in Salinas California (www.morganwinery.com)
Reception Wine was a Morgan Chardonnay 2000 100% barrel fermented and barrel aged.
Antipasto of herb encrusted goat cheese draped with prosciutto served over a bed of salad drizzled in a warm rasberry vinaigrette was paired with a Morgan Sauvignon Blanc 2000 having a crisp grapefruit and floral finish. This was the White Wine of choice this evening.
Pre-Entree was a spinach and cheese ravioli alle noci served with a RSV Chardonnay 1999 exhibiting a toasted nut, butter and lemon aroma.
Entree was a medaglioni di filetto al radicchio paired with two Pinots... the first a Morgan Pinot Noir 1999 and the second a Morgan RSV Pinot Noir 1999. For the price the first was the better bargain.
Dessert was a torta al cioccolata served with a Morgan Syrah 1999 showing ripeness of blackberry, violets, lavender and black pepper.
Special thanks to IL Pasticcio, Mr. De Korth and Russell and Tom Huffstettler (who recently joined Atlanta Wholesale Wines as their new regional manager)
November 27th Meeting
Held at the Cafe at Main, Savannah GA
"An intimate meeting of Oenophiles"
Sponsored by Atlanta Wholesale Wine and Bercut Vandervoort Wines
with special guest speaker from BV, Mr. Frank E. McMakin. (www.BVCwine.com)
Wines Tasted were:
Kenderman Riesling
Ch de Beauregard Pouilly Fuisse
Ch Trocard (best buy of the evening)
Ch de la Gardine Chateauneuf du Pape (the Favorite)
Pigeade Beaumes de Venise
All these faboulous wines retail under $35.00
October 19, 2001
Wine Maker Dinner at The Club at Savannah Harbor
Featuring Ravenswood Vineyards / Sanoma, CA
Ravenswood Vineyards was founded in 1976 by Joel Peterson and over the years has become a highly specialized wine producter in the Sanoma Co.area. They produce in excess of 500,000 cases of wine annually with 3/4 of that as Zinfandel. The balance is split between Merlot, Cab. Sauvignon, and some Chardonnay. The winery slogan is "no wimpy wines" as the dinner was testiment to there were not wimpy wines or wine drinkers this night.
We started out with a crisp Vintners Blend Chardonnay 1999 I believe at reception
Lobster Bisque was served with hickory Nantucket scallpops and paired with a 1999 Sangiacomo Chardonnay
Chicken Quenelles in a BleuDe Bresse chesse sauce with black Perigourd Truffles was paired with a Sanoma Merlot 1998
Micro Fall Savory & Lamb Lettuce (Long Island Foie gras with wild raspberry essense) was served with a Lodi Zinfadel 1998 and was for the price the best buy of the night.
Sorbet was a pink grapefruit and campari treat
Roasted Black Angus Tenderloin & Smoked Woodland Mushrooms Duck Confit (not Condit) was served with two wines from their single vinyard series they were the pricy but well bodied Teldeschi Zin 1999 and the Barricia Zin 1999. My favorite wsa the Teldeschi, the Barricia would be one for those high on tannins.
Finally a Cabernet Anjouse Pear Tart drizzled with Calvados Creme Anglaise and vanilla ice cream was served with a glass of late harvest Gewurztraminer 1999.
Thanks to the chef and staff at the Club and Russell for presenting the wine.
June 25th, 2001
France Countryside Wine Dinner at Savannah Steak House
We opened up with a crisp A. Bickot Domaine Long-Depaquite Chablis '99
Eggplant Provencale, rabbit cognac & pine nuts sausage, Roquefort Cheese fondue with apricot chutney & French baguette was served with a Champy Bourgonge Pinot Noir "unfiltered" 1999
French green beans salad with tear drop tomatoes and Chanterelle mushrooms in a shallots vinaigrette was paired with Domaine Fournier Grand Cuvee Pouilly Fumee 1999
Salmon fillet in an original Troisgros recipe. This course was served with fresh oysters and a creamy chardonnay reduction and was paired with a Domaine Renaud Pouilly Fuisse 1999
Finally a Cornish game hen in a rich earthy sauce with pearl onion & baby potatoes was served with a wonderful red Domaine Lazaret Chateaneuf de Pape 1998
Finally with petite pithiviers & crepes suzette a champagne this club is familiar with Nicolas Feuillatte Bruit N.V. was served.
April 23, 2001
A Gaucho Night
A dinner at Savannah Steak House
This was a very well attended wine dinner. A diverse group of folks with an avid interest in wine and good food. Chef Susan Marsselli made a wonderful presentation and paring of wine. Thanks to Atlanta Wholesale Wines for commentary.
Varieta' d' Empanadas & Ceviche de Camarones
2000 Sauvignon Blanc Valentin Bianchi-San Rafael Argentina
Gazpacho Argentino
Chilean Black Sea Bass a la Plancia Con Ajo Molido y Albahca
1999 Chardonnay Trumpeter - Tupungato Mendoza Argentina
Churrasco in parrilla con Arroz y Queso y Chimichurri
Cabernet Sauvignon Antiquas Reservas - Cousino Macul Maipo Chile
Melon Medley in
Cream Sherry "Capataz Andres" Solera Reserva Lustau
Tres Leches
Malbec Trumpeter- Mendoza Argentina
Le Break (no official wine tasting archives from December 2000 - March 2001)
November 2000
Our Last meeting was held November 13th at Zanzare.
The theme for the dinner wa "Anything but Kangaroo... Wines from Down Under."
Reception wine : 2000 Rosemont Riesling
Mandalong Lamb Salad with mint-mango sauce was paired with a '97 Rosemont Cab-Merlot
Coconu-Curry Soup was paired with a '99 Rosemount Sauvignon Blanc
Pan seared Tuna with buckwheat noodles and cilantro-pesto was served with a '99 Wolf Blass Riesling
Marinated and seared Ostrich fillet with cardamon-shiraz reduction, caramelized fennel and potato croquettes were paired with a '97 Wolf Blass President Select Shiraz
Finally Tropical Fruit tarte with port syrup was served with a young Benjamin Tawny Port
many thanks to Chef Susan Marsselli and the staff at Zanzare.
October 18, 2000
Wine Maker Dinner at the Club at Savannah Harbor
We were very
fortunate to have Jepson Vineyards owner Mr. Bob
Jepson, his son Scott
and vineyard manager Mr. Fred Bellows in attendance at this most
wonderful wine tasting and dinner.
The hospitality that was shown to the Savannah Wine Club members
was outstanding. Kudos to the Club at The Savannah Harbor's chef
(Mr. Roger Michel), staff and director of operations Mr. Randy
Kulp. During the reception assorted canapes were served with a
1999 Jepson Sauvignon Blanc. Dinner started off with:
Asparagus & Lobster Salad served with a 1999 Jepson Viognier.
Oxtail Soup with vegetable confetti and aged port was paired with a 1999 Jepson Chardonnay. Afterwhich a lemon sorbet with candied orange zest was served.
The main course was a Roast Venison Loin with cranberry chutney, a mini pumpkin stuffed with autumn vegetables, potato William with hazelnut and perigord truffles. This was paired with the only red of the evening a 1997 Jepson Merlot.
Dessert consisted of a Raspberry Butterfly with Grand Marnier creme anglaise and mango puree served with the Jepson "Champagne" Blanc de Blanc, NV
As a special treat, not listed on the menu we tasted the Jepson Rare Brandy to polish a most exciting evening.
September & early October
The Burgundy tasting did showcase eight wines and was held at Il Pasticco on Thursday, October 5th. Featured wines were from Domaine de Clos Frantin, Domain Long-Depaquit and Domaine de La Moutonne.
Mary Serrao & Diane Rousakis were our sponsors from Atlanta Wholesale Wine.
2nd Annual Savannah Wine, Food & Spirits EXPO
Now that the 2nd Annual Savannah Wine, Food & Spirits Expo is history (September 24th at the Hyatt) those members that were present had their fill of over 250 wines and spirits. The food stations were interesting too, and gave reprieve from all that wine. To highlight some of the wines we tasted lets start by mentioning a very nice 1998 Bethel Heights Estate Pinot Noir, Bogle Vineyards showed a tasty 1998 Merlot and a wonderful Petit Sirah. Steve Rowland (one of our first wine presenters) showcased the Catena Chardonnay. Cloninger Cellars was a hit with the Cabernet and Pinot Noir. We also sampled a very tasty 1998 Domaine Lazaret Chateauneuf Du-Pape Rouge (very nice wine for the money). A 1997 Erath Pinot Noir Vintage Select was a nice surpirse as was the 1999 Gascon Malbec. The tasting parties favorite was the 1997 Kempton Clark MAD Zinfandel and the Kempton Clark Lopez Zin. I personally cherished the 1997 RH Phillips Toasted Head Cab/Syrah. On to the vodkas. Amy and Tonya voted the Skyy over the Three Olives hands down. All agreed we could not have found anything better than a Free wine expo to polish off a Sunday afternoon. A word to those who missed the event...Don't miss next years!
June 2000 Meeting
Our June meeting was held at 45 Souths Private (and hot) Room. Mr. Steven Corley was present to present his wines from Napa Valley's Monticello Vinyards. There was a record turnout for such a meeting an a few new folks too.
We tasted only Monticello Vinyards offerings of a sparkling wine Monticello Dom Montreaux (vintage 1989), followed by a Chardonnay and a 1989 Pinot Noir, a Merlot and finally a 1996 Cabernet. The favorites seemed to be the Pinot Noir and the Cab. We thank Atlanta Wholesale Wine & Mr. Corley (who broke away from playing golf in Augusta to be with us) for bringing us up to speed on the Monticello Wines.
May 2000 Meeting
Mr.& Mrs. Moore hosted May's Meeting, and Russell reports:
The
theme for the meeting was "guess the varital".
The five wines are placed in order of popularity. For those of
you who missed the tasting, its not too late. Send your order
with your name and phone # to RJK73@aol.com Russell will place
your order as usual, and you will be given a call when your wine
comes in. You may also specify where you would like your wine
sent. The First City Club, or Johnnie Ganems.
'97 Cinnabar "Estate" Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains,
CA)$24.99/ $19.99
'97 Cinnabar "Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz
Mountains, CA)$36.99/ $29.99
'99 WhiteHall Lane Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley, CA)$16.99/
$13.99
'98 Bouchaine Gewurztraminer (Potter Valley, CA)$13.99/ $11.39
'97 McDowell Viognier (Mendocino, CA)$17.99/ $14.99
The first price is based on suggested retail, the second price is
based on 10% above cost. These prices are valid through May 30th.
If you would like some information on these wineries, check out
their web sights.
www.cinnabarwine.com
www.whitehalllane.com
www.bouchaine.com
www.mcdowwellsyrah.com
April 19th 2000Wine Dinner at 45 South
First of all many thanks to the manager, chef and staff of 45 South at the Pirates House Restaurant for providing yet another fantastic wine dinner experience. Mr. Michael Myers from Pasternak Wine Imports and Russell Krautheim of Atlanta Wholesale Wine officiated over dinner. After three hours of languishing in fine food and wine our second wine dinner goes down as a royal success into our archival records. Below is the menu with accompaning wine all from the southern hemisphere.
Reception
Tyrrell's, Long Flat Chardonnary, Southeastern Australia, 1998
1st Course
Sauteed Lump Crabcakes with Shrimp Endive, Radicchio & Sauce Remoulade
Goldwater, Dog Point, Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, 1999
2nd Course
Grilled Sea Scallops with Gratineed Gargonzola Asparagus & Yellow Pepper Cream
Tyrrell's, Old Winery, Southeastern Australia, Chardonnay, 1997
3rd Course
Seared Breast of Duck with Ginger Beets, Port Wine Reduction & Duck Leg Shepherd Pie
Tyrrell's, Old Winery, McLauren Vale, Hunter Valley, Shiraz, 1997
4th Course
Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb with Rosemary Poached Pear, Savory Chanterelle Kugel, & a Plum Glaze
Tyrrell's, Old Winery, McLauren Vale, Coonawarra, Cabernet/Merlot, 1998
5th Course
Double Chocolate Torte with Raspberry Coulis & Orange Zest
Don Miguel Gascon, Mendoza, Malbec, Argentina, 1998
The Goldwater Sauvignon Blanc with its surprising crispness and tropical fruit nose and taste pleased everyone at the table, it made for a wonderfully refreshing white wine with our first course. A great summer wine for a hot July day in Savannah. The other favorites were the Tyrrell's Old Winery Shiraz and the Cabernet/ Merlot blend. The dessert wine pared with the heavy chocolate was able to clense the palate without adding too much sweetness another Kewl (X-Generation) matching.
March 2000 Meeting
The March 1st Wine Tasting was be held at 45 South Restaurant. We had the pleasure of tasting a selection of Big Bad Zinfandels (not any of that pink sweet stuff either.)
Russell came up with a list of American Red Zinfandels and they are listed below in the order in which the group rated them. Best first, you get the picture. All the wines were from 1997.
Vigil "Mohr-Fry Ranch"
Pezzi King "SLR"
Ravenswood "Sanoma"
Four Vines "Paso Robels"
&
Chateau Potelle "Amador"
February 2000 Meeting
The Feb. meeting was our first "blind" tasting. Five Cabernets all under $24 retail were poured and discussed by 17 members in attendance. Guesses came in as to what "New World" wines these were. Most everyone was off on identifying the country or state of origin, but we all had a splendid time of it. When the votes came in on the top wine of the evening most had picked the 1997 Peter Lehmann Cabernet (Australian) at top wine of the night followed by the 1995 Columbia Cabernet (Washington State). Blind tastings will be an ongoing tradition at the meetings from time to time, they are fun, educational and often times surprising!
Tom Huffstetler and Russell Krautheim officiated. The wines tasted were as follows:
'97 Peter Lehmann Cabernet
'95 Columbia Cabernet
'94 Joullian Cabernet (California)
'96 Belvedere Cabernet (California)
'96 Monticello Cabernet (California)
January 2000 Meeting
The January meeting is now a part of history and what a night to remember. The January 17th meeting (the first of the new millennium) was held at the new Westin Savannah Harbor Resort's Aqua Star Restaurant. Mr. Jean Trimbach 12th generation winemaker from Alsace France was a pleasure! The down-to-earth yet confident and very animated French winemaker introduced his wines with finesse and humor. The small volume producer (80,000 cases annually) has kept the standard of exceptional wines from the Alsace region since the winery's inception in 1626. While considered a small producer it enjoys a 35% market share of Alsace wines imported to the USA.
Chef Christian W. Schmidt paired up some great food with Mr. Jean Trimbach's wine. Chef Christian served a devastatingly delicious Smoked Eel and Salmon Parfait accompanied by a Trimbach Pinot Gris Reserve 1997. Next a Pan-Seared Duck Foie Gras that just kicked Daffy's derriére was served with the mouth watering Trimbach Riesling 1997. Following a Kumquat-Lime Sorbet the main course of Lemon Roasted Sugarcane Spiked Veal Steak with porcine sausage & shallot risotto pared nicely with a rockin' Trimbach Gewürztraminer 1997. Just when you though you could not handle anymore a Chocolate-Banana Gâteau (still coming down from that sugar-high) was served with yet another Gewürztraminer (Vendage Tardive) 1996. Petitis Pours rounded out the evening with Trimbach's Liqueur de Framboise. Kudos to Chef Christian and Mr. Trimbach for a most memorable evening.
-JP Saleeby, MD
December '99 Meeting
December's meeting was again hosted at the Broughton St. B&B (509 E. Broughton St. this time) and once again Russell supplied some succulent Champagne (yes from France) and American Sparkling Wines. Those that missed the meeting gave up an opportunity to sample some exceptional Wine Before the New Millennium. Dianne Rousakis was the guest speaker and she was able to bring everyone up to speed on the 5 Great Sparkling Wines.
Argyle Brut (American)
Montreaux Bruit 1989 (Vintage Dry American) ***One of the Favorites of the Evening***
Heidsieck Monopole "Blue Top" (Champagne France)
Henri Germain "Tet de Cuvee" (Champagne France)
Nicolas Feuillatte "1er Cru Brut" (Champagne France) ***The Evenings Favorite*** (Three cheers for "Little-Leaf") Wine-X magazine gave a XX rating.
Again Many thanks to Dianne and Russell for bringing some wonderful bubbly in before the holidays. Plans are underway for a "wine dinner" at 45-South in Feb. 2000. If anyone knows of folks interested in the group, by all means send us their names, addresses or e-mail address.
November '99 Meeting
Our November 2nd meeting was hosted by the Dr. & Mrs. J.P. Saleeby of the Broughton St. B &B and Russell Krautheim of Atlanta Wholesale Wine with special guest Speaker Mr. Steve Rowland of Pasternak Wine Imports. Wines tasted that day were:
Lafite Rothschild Reserve Blanc (White Bordeaux)
Lafite Rothschild Reserve Rouge (Red Bordeaux)
Tyrells " Old Winery" Cab/Merlot (Australia)
Campo Viejo Rioja Riserva '94 "Vintage of the Century" (Spain) *** The Evening's Favorite Pick***
Morro Bay Chardonnay (California)
Everyone in attendance seemed to enjoy this Inaugural meeting of the newly formed Savannah Wine Club.
Meeting will be held monthly at different venues through out Savannah and the surrounding area with quarterly Dinners at some of the areas finest dining establishments. Please call (or e-mail) for more information and/or to be added to our email list. Also Members may add their own links to this site if they contribute to the club.
Sponsored by
The Saleeby Longevity Institute
The End