The Terrace at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel was the venue for Wednesday evening’s staging of Salut! with Betco Premier Limited and Scotiabank the evening’s sponsors. Jamaica Observer wine consultant and columnist Christopher Reckord handled the wine notes and pairings with aplomb.

The first pour was Freixenet Brut Blanc de Blancs with fruit and cheese and continued through to the Terra Nova wines — the Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Merlot — which were paired with filet mignon crostinis and chicken ribbon and jerk shrimp skewers. The Southeastern Australian 19 Crimes red wine followed and was, by the end of the evening, declared the favourite. Indeed, the Betco Premier team might very well have sold out their Christmas stock based on the number of times the question “Where do we find the 19 Crimes red?” was heard.

The Scotiabank team, who had collected the names of all guests on arrival, declared Glynne Manley, Safiya Carroll, and Faith Chung winners of three selections of red wines.

The evening ended as it commenced, on a celebratory high with the cutting of the Salut! coconut cheesecake created by Chocolate Dreams.

Salut!, which closes a three-week celebration of quick service restaurants and outstanding chefs and caterers, allows wine purveyors to share their wine and Champagne portfolios at different venues with as wide a cross section of individuals as possible. Naturally, guests are able to purchase their preferred case at the end of the evening with the Scotia AERO Platinum MasterCard, the official card of Salut!

Friday Social shares highlights.