Welcome to Iconic California. Wednesday night’s Cabernet kick off of the 33rd annual Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival took place at Joe Fortes with a packed house on the second floor high above the piano playing and shellfish shucking bar on Thurlow Street. This year, three generations of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon were on display and paired to perfection at the Louis M. Martini Winemaker’s dinner where the Joe Fortes team crafted an epic menu to accompany some of Napa and Sonoma’s top rated Cabernet Sauvignons.
Winemaker Michael Martini toasted the start of the evening’s festivities with a fruit-forward and robust vanilla scented Chardonnay, which accompanied oysters on the half shell, chilled poached scallops and an avocado and Dungeness crab salad.
A smoked fillet of Sockeye salmon followed in its buerre blanc sauce atop sweet pea ravioli complemented both the 2008 Louis M Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2007 Louis M Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Braised lamb cheek and grilled bison with a seared truffle gnocchi helped highlight the night’s remaining courses, which ended delightfully with a Louis M Martini Port (found exclusively at the California winery) and flourless Manjari Chocolate Cake.
Winemaker Michael Martini will be on hand all festival long pouring his libations on the International Tasting Room floor Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at the Vancouver Convention Centre East.
