Moshin Wine Dinner

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Delius, http://www.deliusrestaurant.com/, held a private wine dinner for their investors and Club Delius members. Limited to 25 people which really made it nice. The featured winery was "Moshin Vineyards" http://www.moshinvineyards.com/, from the Russian River area in Sonoma.

I was not familiar with the particular winery but being in the Russian River area is was anxious to taste what was being offered.

Wine Country http://www.thewinecountry.com/, was having a Moshin tasting that night also on their "commuter tasting". From 4:30 to 6:30 on Thursday evenings for $8 you taste 4 to 6 wines. I stopped for the commuter tasting since seating for dinner wasn't until 7:15 and I had time to kill. They did pour one wine that was not on the dinner menu and that was a Merlot which was quite nice. I met with the wine rep and Rick Moshin the owner and advised them that I was their dining companion for the evening. Better to give some heads up so they are over the shock before I sit down with them.

Upon arrival at Delius, I had to park on the street as the lot was full. Second time in a week I've had to do that. The parking lot holds 54 cars and its nice to see the placing so busy that you have to park on the street.

Dinner was held in Prixe Fixe dining area. I was seated at the table with Rick Moshin, his wife Amber and the sales rep from Truman Wines, Mike Ames.

The amuse bouche was a very smooth garlic infused hummus with pieces of toasted bread.

The appetizer came out and its was absolutely wonderful. Scallops with onion puree, pink grapefruit and served with 2006 Moshin Larrick Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. It was a perfect pairing of food and wine. The scallops were just like butter they were so tender.

Soup was the next to arrive, a Puree of Wild Mushrooms with truffle oil and parmesan crisps. It was sublime and paired extremely well with the 2006 Moshin, Molianri Vineyard, Pinot Noir.

First course was crisp duck breast with pink peppercorn sauce. Paired with 2006 Moshin, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir. Another good match. Amber Moshin does not like duck and ate every piece of hers. She said she has never had duck cooked so well. Duck is one of my favorite things that Louise cooks at Delius. She really has a knack with the critter.

Main course was rack of lamb with red currant wine sauce, mashed potatoes and vegetable, served with a 2006 Moshin, Lot 4, Pinot Noir. Another excellent pairing.

Dessert was a black cherry Clafouti. Just the right touch for the end of dinner.

I was so full that I ate one rib of lamb and took the rest home for lunch the next day.

It was a great dinner and at the end Rick Moshin gave away T-shirts, hats, bottles of wine and I managed to get a wine opener to add to my collection. It was a very nice gesture for him to do this. Everyone likes to get a "freebie".

The motto at Moshin Vineyards is "It's not the size of your Pinot, its the Moshin". Quite clever play on words.

Again another great dinner at Delius and I'm really looking forward to the "German Wine Dinner" on May 30, 2008.

Four wine dinners on 2 weeks. I cannot get any happier.