Soon, two wine dinners will take place, in the same town, on the same day, at the same time. They illustrate the different approaches. I think one works well; I think the other one is a stretch. Let’s take a look at them.
Italian Wine Dinner #1 - With the owner of a major Italian estate, with land holdings in Tuscany, Piedmont and Sicily. All wines are estate grown and produced.
- A top chef in town, who is about to open his own Italian Restaurant.
The wines (8) :
- Brut Metodo Classico
- Pinot Grigio
- Chardonnay
- Sangiovese/Cabernet/Syrah
- Merlot/Carbernet Sauvignon
- Brunello di Montalcino
- Single Vineyard Brunello
- Dessert wine – Brachetto DOCG
Here's what's cooking (with the wine matches):Reception with Brut Metodo Classico
First Course
Seafood Salad with White Beans & Arugula
Served with the Pinot Grigio and the Chardonnay
Second Course
Freshmade Tagliatelle with Pork Ragu
Served with the two Super Tuscan wines
Third Course
Braised Lamb Shank with Farro and Fall Vegetables
Served with the two Brunello wines
Fourth Course
Crespelle with Bittersweet Chocolate Fonduta
Served with the dessert wine – Brachetto DOCG
Additional: as a special gift for each attendee we will be giving you a complimentary bottle of Tuscan Red wine (a $40 value), which will be personally signed by the attending winery owner.
$119 per person + tax = $128.82 (no gratuity)
As well, this dinner has made provisions to buy any of the wines served at anywhere from an additional 15-20% off retail prices, so if you like the wines, you can buy them there and even get some of the bottles signed by the owner (which makes for unusual gift ideas, especially with the upcoming season).
Italian Wine Dinner #2 - A family owned business for almost 100 years, but no mention of owning any land. Claim to fame is unique packaging and value driven wines. Showing up will be a young lady, who appears to be a family member and has the title of Vice President.
- The restaurant no longer touts having a chef, although in the past this establishment had several very good ones.
The wines (5) :
- Prosecco
- Pinot Grigio
- Chianti
- Merlot
- Moscato
Here's what's cooking (with the wine matches):Aperitivo
Passed canapés, arancini, crostini and tartlets.
Prosecco
Antipasto
Crab cake
Pinot Grigio
First Course
Pasta with sausage, wild mushrooms and toasted fennel cream.
Chianti
Second Course
Roast filet of beef with potatoes
Merlot
Dessert
Gorgonzola and Taleggio with cherries almonds and honey drizzle
Moscato
$75 per person + tax (no mention if gratuity is included or additional) with tax = $81.20, with tip $96.20.
I am curious which one you would want to go to? Is the free bottle of wine motivating? No tip? Ability to buy at below retail? Or would you prefer spending a little less on a night out in a place that is known for good food? I'd like to give some feedback to these folks, in light of the current economy and the ways to promote their business, and how friendly or alluring these kinds of events are for people who read this.
Last note: Dinner #1 sold out in 5 hours (60 seats). I don’t know about dinner #2 yet.
Thoughts, anyone?