South African Wine Dinner

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Tonight 6 of us went to dinner at Utopia Restaurant in Long Beach for a South African Wine dinner. This was a good group, 5 women and 1 man. Steve, I think was in heaven. Conversation was interesting and the group meshed well. Some people had never met others but it turned out to be a very stimulating group.

Appetizer was "Grilled calamari with spicy green chili sauce", served with a 2006 Delheim Sauvignon Blanc. The pairing was very good and both the food and wine were good.

The entree was "Grilled lamb chops with tarragon garlic wine sauce, grilled asparagus and grilled tomatoes". This was served with a 2004 Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon. I would say this was the weakest dish and wine of the evening. I felt the wine had no body. The lamb was good but not outstanding.

Next came the main dish "Lobster ravioli & grilled portabella mushroom with sun dried tomato cream sauce". The wine as a 2005 Villiera Pinotage. I'm not a real fan of Pinotage but this wine was excellent. The sauce on the ravioli was really very good. Ono of the highlights of the evening.

Dessert was "Homemade dark chocolate tiramisu " served with a 1999 Welteverde Muscat De Hambourg. Both items were very food but I do not like a dessert wine with dessert. It is too much sweet on sweet. I prefer a cheese plate with maybe some fruit with a dessert wine.

These wine dinners at Utopia are $50 which is a bargain. www.utopiarestaurant.net,