International Pinot noir Celebration 2003
A Photo Journal
Danell Johnnes and |
by Jean Yates, www.avalonwine.com
All images and content copyright 2003 Jean Yates Inc
Since 1985, the
International Pinot Noir Celebration has brought together an informal group of Oregon wine-lovers,
winemakers, restauranteurs and retailers.
While the tastings and events have
changed over the years, the original feel of the event remains constant:
an intimate gathering of Pinot noir lovers enjoying a weekend of wine,
food and conviviality.
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The IPNC began with Opening Ceremonies on the lawn in front of the Student
Union.
Participants sat on bleachers while all of the winemakers participating in
the event were introduced by 2002-2003 IPNC President Joni Weatherspoon.
It was quite a sight,
all those great winemakers cheek to jowl on bleachers under a huge oak tree.
10:30 am-Noon, You say Noir, I say Nero
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Centuries ago, when the Greeks first came to Italy, they named the region Oenotria, the land of wine. Over the past 150 years, Pinot noir has found its way into Italy, from the alpine-influenced valleys of Alto Adige to the warmer climes of Tuscany. Fritz Hatton will introduce you to a panel of Italy’s best Pinot producers, exploring how Italians are unlocking the secrets of Pinot nero with their own regional style.
Moderator was Daniel Johnnes. Daniel Johnnes is wine director for Myriad Restaurant Group which includes Montrachet, Nobu, The Tribeca Grill, Layla, Rubicon and Earth & Ocean. The James Beard Foundation honor- ed him as the nation’s top sommelier in 1995. Daniel has contributed to numerous pub- lications from Food & Wine to Gourmet and in 1996 published Daniel Johnnes’s Top 200 Wines, An Expert’s Guide to Maximum Enjoyment for your Dollar.
Formal sit down tasting of Italian Pinot noir
Featured wineries
were:
Jermann
Pojer & Sandri
Ca del Bosco
Tenuta Mazzolino
Marchesi Pancrazi
James Cahill and Tony Soter, Soter Vineyards
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Noon-2:00
pm,
The Opening Luncheon
Continuing the theme of the morning
tasting, the luncheon had a distinctly Italian flavor.
Italians have long recognized the kitchen table as the heart of culture, pleasure and camaraderie. The advent of the international Slow Food movement, which originated in Italy, has revived the fundamental concept that the enjoyment of food is essential to the pursuit of happiness and well-being.
Chefs John Gorham, David Machado and Cathy Whims prepared a multi-course culinary illustration of the Slow Food philosophy.
The Friday lunch under the oaks featured luscious local peaches in baskets of straw, picked that moring at a local farm. A huge variety of white wines and Oregon and Italian Pinot noir were available as bottles were passed from table to table.
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"Alfresco Tastings
Every afternoon there were "alfresco" tastings of Italian, French, California, and Oregon Pinot noirs
Oregon wineries
included:
Amity Antica Terra Archery Summit Beaux Freres Belle Pente Beran Bethel Heights
Broadley Brooks Carabella Carlo & Julian Chateau Bianca Chehalem Edgefield
Elk Cove Evesham Wood Henry Estate King Estate Lemelson Panther Creek Patricia
Green Penner-Ash Ponzi Raptor Ridge Shea Wine Cellars Sineann Soter WillaKenzie
California
wineries included:
Ancien
Au Bon Climat Baileyana Buena Vista Hartman Lane (DeLoach)
Hitching Post Mt. Eden Murphy-Goode Saintsbury Wildhorse
Anne Nisbet, IPNC Culinary Coordinator,
and Joni Wetherspoon, owner and proprietor,
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Friday
Night-
The Grand Dinner
Each year, the keepers of the IPNC wine library squirrel away some of the most sought-after wine treasures brought from around the world by our Featured Winemakers. A dazzling array of wonderful French Burgundies and Oregon Pinots were poured, and many of the winemakers walked among the tables pouring tastes from giant double magnums.
Featured Northwest Chefs Paul Lemieux (Lucere), Cory Schreiber (Wildwood) and Charles Ramseyer (Ray’s Boathouse) were joined by Guest Chef Chris Gesualdi of New York’s legendary Montrachet.
Watch
Avalon's Recipe Page for recipes from the 2003 IPNC!
Check it out here
Here's Avalon's Guide
To Hosting a Wine Tasting
at your House
| Saturday
night Traditional Northwest Salmon Bake Salmon was prepared native Northwest style: on alder stakes over a huge fire pit, accompanied by an outdoor buffet designed by Kevin Kennedy (Rivers), Frank Ostini (The Hitching Post), and Roger Sprague (Depoe Bay) and desserts by Nancy Lindaas and Emily Moore (E.C.C. and Emily’s Kitchen). After dinner, there was a great band and lots of dancing. |
Saturday
night Salmon Feast, before the crowd.
Salmon
grilling Indian style on the front lawn of Linfield College's Milrose
Hall.
The salmon are pegged onto alder branches and grilled
near sweet scented flames of cedar and fruit wood.
The salmon chefs- hot work!
Fresh
salmon pegged onto alder branches, ready to be placed by the fire.
Pegging salmon onto the Alder branches,
these people were so fast,
their hands just flew as they made dozens of
sticks of salmon.
Chefs
preparing super fresh local baby veggies for roasting on the coals.
Desserts spread on a gorgeous display of fruit, cheese, and pastries
IPNC Executive Chef John Mercer
More gorgeous pastries
Setting out Desert Table
Showing off decadent cheesecakes
Salmon Feast Volunteers- local High schoolers full of exhuberant energy!
As darkness falls, grilling exquisite beef and pork fillets
Ready for feasting
Other images from the IPNC
Brian and Jill O'Donnell of Belle Pente Vineyard and Winery
Deb Hatcher of Hatcher Wineworks and A to Z Winery
Importer Martine Saunier pours bubbly from Champagne House Joseph Henriot
This Peach is delish!
Patricia Green Cellar's Thursday night dinner
Andy from Wildwood sautees fresh Chantrelles at Patty Green's Thursday night dinner
Friday night salads ready to serve
Another view of salmon broiling Indian style
