JERSEYDISFAN
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2004
- Messages
- 166
As promised, here's another 2007 wine pairing. One that was very intriging to us since Morocco is not well known for the product of its vineyards.
This was another of the 3:00 PM offerings (as wine pairings tend to be) that falls in the inconvenient period of time where you don't want a full stomach, coming off a full lunch, and you know you're not going to want to eat again for 5 or 6 hours. So if you build a wine pairing into your schedule, plan accordingly.
We arrived at the appointed hour and were held at the reception desk until all parties had signed in. Then we were ushered in to one of the raised side dining areas in the restaurant. There were still some diners finishing up from lunch and unfortunately, there was no entertainment (read that no belly dancer) during the wine pairing. The "stage" looked like this:
Normally, at a wine pairing they pour one wine at a time as the courses are served. At Marrakesh they varied from this by pouring all three wines at the beginning. The explanation, the distributor/sponsor wanted everyone to have all wines available for all courses to see how each changed depending on the food being tasted with the wine.
Now the question of what wines would they be serving in a Moroccan wine tasting was answered. Since Morroco is a very temperate climate they tend to import their wines from neighboring countries of like culinary temperament. First was a mild-bodied red wine from Spain, the Rivola. Next was, in fact, a Moroccan red wine, Les Trois Domaines - surprisingly good. Finally, an old reliable from just across the Mediterranian, a Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuisse offering from France. I'm not going to annoy you with condescending descriptions of the hints of this and finish of that, etc., which many use to try and impress the rest of the world as to their status as a wine expert. Suffice to say all three wines were very pleasant and it was interesting how the different wines complemented each of the different courses.
And now, the food offerings. For some, it might have been a disappointment since all three courses were taken from the regular restaurant menu and the pairing's portions were half-size. However, for those of us in attendence who are fans of Marrakesh's cuisine, it was "party on". First course consisted of their standard offering, a Seafood Bastilla - baked layers of thin pastry stuffed with grouper, shrimp, mushrooms, vermicelli, onions and egg. It was accompanied by a timbale of tomatoes and other vegetables lightly spiced with Moroccan spices. Delicious on the accompanying flat breads.
Next offering was two more items from the regular menu; Lemon Chicken - braised chicken seasoned with garlic, green olives and preserved lemon and Couscous - referred to as the national Moroccan dish - rolled semolina steamed and served with seasonal vegetables on top.
And finally, the Shish Kebab - grilled tenderloin of beef marinated in Moroccan herbs and spices served over grilled eggplant in a light tomato sauce.
All-in-all, a very pleasant afternoon. Reminiscent of a visit to Rick's Place in the Casbah. "Here's lookin at you babe!"
This was another of the 3:00 PM offerings (as wine pairings tend to be) that falls in the inconvenient period of time where you don't want a full stomach, coming off a full lunch, and you know you're not going to want to eat again for 5 or 6 hours. So if you build a wine pairing into your schedule, plan accordingly.
We arrived at the appointed hour and were held at the reception desk until all parties had signed in. Then we were ushered in to one of the raised side dining areas in the restaurant. There were still some diners finishing up from lunch and unfortunately, there was no entertainment (read that no belly dancer) during the wine pairing. The "stage" looked like this:
Normally, at a wine pairing they pour one wine at a time as the courses are served. At Marrakesh they varied from this by pouring all three wines at the beginning. The explanation, the distributor/sponsor wanted everyone to have all wines available for all courses to see how each changed depending on the food being tasted with the wine.
Now the question of what wines would they be serving in a Moroccan wine tasting was answered. Since Morroco is a very temperate climate they tend to import their wines from neighboring countries of like culinary temperament. First was a mild-bodied red wine from Spain, the Rivola. Next was, in fact, a Moroccan red wine, Les Trois Domaines - surprisingly good. Finally, an old reliable from just across the Mediterranian, a Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuisse offering from France. I'm not going to annoy you with condescending descriptions of the hints of this and finish of that, etc., which many use to try and impress the rest of the world as to their status as a wine expert. Suffice to say all three wines were very pleasant and it was interesting how the different wines complemented each of the different courses.
And now, the food offerings. For some, it might have been a disappointment since all three courses were taken from the regular restaurant menu and the pairing's portions were half-size. However, for those of us in attendence who are fans of Marrakesh's cuisine, it was "party on". First course consisted of their standard offering, a Seafood Bastilla - baked layers of thin pastry stuffed with grouper, shrimp, mushrooms, vermicelli, onions and egg. It was accompanied by a timbale of tomatoes and other vegetables lightly spiced with Moroccan spices. Delicious on the accompanying flat breads.
Next offering was two more items from the regular menu; Lemon Chicken - braised chicken seasoned with garlic, green olives and preserved lemon and Couscous - referred to as the national Moroccan dish - rolled semolina steamed and served with seasonal vegetables on top.
And finally, the Shish Kebab - grilled tenderloin of beef marinated in Moroccan herbs and spices served over grilled eggplant in a light tomato sauce.
All-in-all, a very pleasant afternoon. Reminiscent of a visit to Rick's Place in the Casbah. "Here's lookin at you babe!"
