The threat of rain did little to dampen enthusiasm around Grapes of Rathmore, a culinary staging, held Sunday, October 27 in Mandeville and co-hosted by Débè-Ann Lange-Chen of Cutting Edge Gourmet, Master Chef Brian Lumley of Chef Lumley Consulting, and CPJ wine expert Marsha-Gaye Duncan. The event was fully subscribed!

Guests were greeted on arrival with caviar cream cheese canapés, stamp and go dipped in an imperial sauce, and curry goat wantons topped with papaya chutney. The cocktail: Black & White, a sparkling French wine topped with CPJ’s premium coffee liqueur Cantera Negra Café Tequila.

The theme was French countryside food and as such, all courses were paired with French wines. The first course, presented by Lumley, was Smoked Shrimp Sausage with Mediterranean Quinoa Salad and Yellow Pepper Purée. Marquis de Goulaine Pouilly-Fumé, with its crisp fresh, aromatic, fruit notes certainly elevated the course.

Up next was the Bourbon Pecan Chicken with Roasted Peppers and White Whole Wheat Polenta courtesy of Lange-Chen, paired with Chartron et Trébuchet Pouilly-Fuissé. This pour, with its hint of citrus and notes of roasted peanut, proved the perfect complement for the Pecan Chicken.

Course number three was Lange-Chen’s biggest challenge. “Ribs”, she shared with
Thursday Food, “are indeed a part of French country fare… but done how? I did some research and, for sure, liquor had to be incorporated”. The result: Pineapple Buttered Rum Baby Back Ribs with Plummy Tomatoes and Skillet Cornbread, paired with Fleurs de Prairie Rosé Languedoc. A not-so-typical pairing, but a sound choice as this rosé, which was heavy-bodied with a dry ending and a sweet note.

The Lavender Lemon Freeze palate cleanser readied all for Lumley’s main of Jerk-scented Beef Tenderloin, with sides of Beetroot-infused Mash Potatoes, Buttered Garden Vegetables, with a port demi reduction and paired with Mouton Cadet Bordeaux Heritage. The melt-in-your-mouth fillet, along with the wine’s deep, rich flavour created perfect harmony.

Débè’s Cheesecake Bomb, a nostalgic Archie Comics (series) dessert paired with JP Chenet Ice Edition White Demi-Sec Sparkling Wine brought Grapes of Rathmore to a decidedly sweet end.