January Wine & Dine: BYOW Edition

brought to you by Kimber and Nate

For this month's gathering, Nate and I decided to mix things up.  Instead of the traditional potluck style event where the host provides the main dish and selects the wine theme while guests bring the rest of the food, we provided all the courses and asked guests to bring a bottle of their favorite wine.  We suggested bringing a bottle that fell in the $10 range (the usual amount guests bring to help the host offset wine costs), or, if couples preferred, a bottle in the $20 range. We also left the option open to bring a bottle less than $10 or $20 and donate the remaining amount towards food.  The idea of a "bring your own wine" wine and dine had been suggested in the past, so--still lacking a brilliant idea of our own the week before--we seized the opportunity.

On to the food.  Nate wanted to make some of our favorite foods (i.e. he wanted to eat steak and potatoes), which I granted also went with our theme of bringing a favorite wine.  Our menu was as follows:

Appetizers: Caprese salad bites, jalapeno artichoke dip served with pita chips, and baguette slices heated in the oven and topped with either gorgonzola and pineapple, gorgonzola and pear, or pear and basil over olive oil

Dinner: Steak and mashed potatoes, with grilled onion, bell peppers, and zucchini

Dessert: Creme brulee, ice cream, and sorbet

Now, the wine.  As it turned out, some guests brought their favorite wine, and others brought something they wanted to try instead.  Either way, people got to try a variety of wines that may not have ever fit into a normal wine and dine theme.  Our wine selection was as follows:

2010 Twisted Old Vine Zinfandel: brought by Katee and Travis who wanted to try it
2010 "Menage A Trois" Red Blend: a favorite of Annie's
2009 Erath Pinot Noir: a favorite of Aaron's
2009 Elk Cove Del Rio Syrah: a favorite of Paul and Rachel's
2008 Santa Ema Reserve Merlot: brought by Kristi who wanted to try it
Barnard Griffin Cabernet Merlot (65% Cab, 33% Merlot, 2% Cab Franc): from Molly
Mad Housewife White Zinfandel: a favorite of Belinda's
Trader Joe's Block Red: brought by Jennifer who wanted to try it

And in the category of "other" we also had Adam's Dos Equis, and John's 7-Up and cranberry juice.

While there was no actual "theme" to the selected wines, or any new information about the history or types of wine served, the night of January 14 was still a great success.  It turned out to be an informal wine and dine that focused more on eating, drinking, and being merry with good friends.  Which, in the end, is what it's all about anyway!