About BC

In 10+ years of scribing catalogs for a charity wine auction, deep appreciation for the symbiosis of excellent food paired with the perfect wine has blossomed. This website is designed to offer menu and pairing ideas for your next event as well as subscribed services to small restaurants, clubs and wineries. Toujours le meilleur~

There’s always more needed & more to give

Posted on June 6, 2013 by BC

maps, articles, references, aroma wheels, notebooks… 5 essays 4.25 weeks away & counting

So. P2P is nearly half-way through the International Sommelier Guild’s “Sommelier Diploma Program;” unquestionably the toughest course undertaken “so far.” Sounds slightly daunting, but not overwhelming until learning that P2P is past her 40th high school reunion and although she has continued taking college courses through various moves around the country in the intervening years; loved them all, including this course, but… THIS ONE is still THE most challenging, at least so far.

Sontes’ lazy-susan full of aroma aids for wine class held 5/16/13

Coming up soon is our mid-term exam which will include 5 handwritten essays on any subject(s) the Guild thinks most important, interesting, and (probably) challenging. So it is that in addition to working two very different jobs in the wine industry as well as keeping fledgling Pairing to Perfection going, there are seriously about another 15-25 hrs per week (NO JOKE!) spent on studying, practice essays, research, reading, class time, and, of course, practicing service and tasting.

wine cradle, candle, sommelier’s tasting glass, guest’s tasting glass, practice wines…

Tasting is wonderful, but not at all what you are probably imaging as you envision this course the author has dubbed “most challenging course yet”… When we taste as a class there is a camaraderie of going around the small class (literally less than most wine flights in number) and going through the tasting steps that we must follow precisely, with anchors firmly planted in mind, sight, nose, and palate as we prepare to taste 22 “glasses” in a mammoth blind-tasting section of this life altering, massively important portion of the ISG’s SDP exam. No time for idle chit-chat, or sipping.. simply taste, consider, spit, record.

Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi DOC, Marche, Italia; Migration Chardonnay, Russian River, CA, Old World & New World Reds to practice old wine fine service.

Now repeat after me.. “Appearance….,” “Nose…,” “Palate…,” “Conclusion…”… “Next wine. P2P, will you do us the honor?” …. Gulp…. “clear, transparent, dark ruby core to….”

The entire purpose is that this course ‘should’ transform us into talented sommeliers with super-natural blind-tasting skills… correct? Definitely; hopefully; God willingly…

So this week, after hitting a low spot, has been about hitting the books, wines, service, essay practices harder than ever. Just focusing on the preparation instead of fearing “the exams” has been encouraging.

this is from “I love my dog” on Facebook; “shared” from one of many friends

A few days ago, a “one in a million” photograph of a sweet, beautiful golden retriever kissing a baby was sailing around the social media outlets. Unlike the earlier photos in this post, it has absolutely nothing to do with the SDP, wine, service, pairings or essays. It is important because it set loose laughs, smiles, memories of a big black, grey-faced dog named “Bear” that guarded and loved a bald baby for no other reason than she knew “her people” loved that bald baby. The waves of laughter were renewing, healthy, and freeing, so it is shared here with hopes for you to enjoy the same smiles, and giggles this photo evoked days ago. Cheers!

Got Some Serious Catching Up To Do

Posted on May 27, 2013 by BC

In the midst of serious studying for the International Sommelier Guild’s Sommelier Diploma Program, P2P has failed her website woefully. And today is the perfect day to begin to catch-up… especially because there is SO much good news to share!

A graphic example of how ingenious the Uprooted Garden project truly is!

Söntés, the incredible farm-to-table restaurant and wine bar where P2P has the privilege to learn under the tutelage of proprietor and Sommelier, Tessa Leung, while serving as their sommelier about 3 nights a week, has lots of big news, and generous blog posts about the Söntés’ team members. So here are a few glimpses into the world of Söntés; a world that is truly a dream come true restaurant, hands-on training, and community center for this Sommelier.

beautiful new wine books and summer sipper on the sidewalk patio.

Spring has not quite arrived at Söntés… or anywhere else in Southeastern Minnesota this year. But we have had about 3 lunches and early evenings when we could grab this shot and you’ll see it again on an invitation to dine ~ just as soon as Mother Nature decides to turn her warm smile on Rochester. Despite the weather, we have been preparing for our newest “BIG Project” called the Uprooted Garden. You can learn more about it on the Söntés blog.

One of several sweet places to fall in love over dinner & wine… and return to ask “the question”

We have a real, live, happily ever after story. It was written by our in-house author and Söntés server, Jody Brown, right here. Shortly after that blog was published, Jody added two wonderful articles debating the pros and cons of that elusive notion of whether or not to make reservations. It’s purely at the diner’s preference. Do take a lighthearted moment to ponder both sides of the issue by reading part one and part two! I could read Jody’s easy writing cadence all day; join me in following her on the Söntés Blog or pick a fun book for your book club to read. Stop by Söntés, Amazon or Barnes & Noble for a copy of Jody’s book Upside Down Kingdom. Of course, if you purchase it at Söntés, there is a very good chance you can get your copy signed on the spot!

Three of Söntés favorites enjoying a chat in the comfy bar. It is truly even better than Cheer’s!

If you were curled up with a good book and could not be drug from your cozy sofa for our new gallery show opening on a snowy April Sunday, you can “meet” our new clan of artists by reading the blogs featuring one artist at a time over the course of the last few, and next few, weeks. Here’s a link to one of my local favorites, Dr. Richard Brubaker. And if you would like a colorful example of what keeps the front of the house lighthearted, this blog will leave you chuckling.

Sontes’ lazy-susan of aroma aids for wine class on 5/16/13

If you haven’t joined us for one of Pairing to Perfection at Söntés wine classes, please do! Our next one is June 20th starting at 6:30pm in the Orchid Room. We’re doing “deck entertaining” in homage to beloved, warm, sunny, summer evenings. Hopefully this class will woo warm summer evenings while we taste wines, cocktails & beers! Our bar manager Darrell Langdon will join us and we’ll talk about easy pairings with these delicious sippers. Please visit Pairing to Perfection’s facebook page where you can make your reservation and learn about our upcoming classes as well! There are Rochester Chamber of Commerce and Mayo Employee discount packages available too.

Join us June 20th for a jump start to “Celebration Season”! Photo courtesy of Dawn Sanborn photography

Looking forward to seeing you soon; cheers! ~ P2P

Just 2 More Days…

Posted on April 16, 2013 by BC

Jody, Sontes’ in residence author & polished server, welcomes folks to the Gallery opening Sunday

’til Sontes‘ Tasting Menu special and Pairing to Perfection’s new wine class aptly named April in Paris ~ Can hardly wait! After our cozy Gallery opening on Sunday, an afternoon that rather resembled early April in Paris, this wine class and dinner are an upbeat means of ushering in a warmer weekend.

Just a quick peek at the multi-course menu Chef Trevor Garrett has created for this week:

Coddled Duck Egg with parsley and herbs
Brussels Sprouts
Chicken Liver Pate with grilled bread and shaved radish
Risotto with local vegetables, sun dried tomatoes and parmesan
Tres Leches Cake with cactus sorbet, ancho chile brittle and strawberries

This tasting menu is tapas sized portions to share of favorites and new items from his current menu. It is the easiest possible way to have a delicious dinner on a Thursday evening, and dinner for two is only $40 (plus tax & gratuity).

Making this even better, the menu pairs extremely well with the French wines we’ll be tasting in the April in Paris class. So, for only $35 each you can have a fun wine tasting class featuring three white wines and three red wines from various regions in France. We’ll taste the wines while we enjoy dinner, discussing the style, how it compliments, matches, or foils the various courses, and we’ll get to “award” our own points to each wine. If you are particularly fond of any of the wines, there will be an opportunity to purchase them to enjoy at home, too!

Do hope you’ll join us! To make reservations for the class, please call/text 952-358-1285, for reservations for dinner please call 507-292-1628.

Planning, Preparing, & Pairing

Posted on April 9, 2013 by BC

… is that the same as P³or P-cubed?

a wine cradle – hopefully we’ll have some amazing “mature” wines to decant using this cradle, a candle and a decanter often between now & exam time

Here are a few photos of Sunday’s family supper where service practice is planned into each meal served at home these days. Each practice is on a wine, paired with a specific course. The best part is our family tradition is to share Sunday supper. Sometimes we share our cozy supper with just the three of us; sometimes, we have a close friend or two join us; on really special occasions, we’ll have a festive supper with “all the leaves in the table”.

easy, fresh white wine from Languedoc. Light herbaceous & lemon flavors brightened the avocado, roasted tomato & shrimp salad

easy, fresh white wine from Languedoc. Fresh acid, green apples, herbaceous & lemon flavors brightened the avocado, roasted tomato & shrimp salad

This Sunday was just our little family. #1 Hubby was chef du jour making a salad of avocados, roasted tomatoes, sweet onion and sautéed shrimp to start our dinner paired with a Picpoul de Pinet from Languedoc.

After the salad, we had broiled steel-head salmon with mushroom & roasted garlic polenta, and our last bottle of 2007 Saintsbury Brown Ranch Pinot Noir. This lovely Carneros Pinot did not require decanting but P2P did purely for more decanting practice for the ISG exam…. hopefully our friends Mr. Graves and Mr. Ward at Saintsbury will forgive the rather extravagant “practice” wine. It was just as delicious as we anticipated.

Did you know the little gold crown on the Brown Ranch label is an homage to Burgundy, the “king of Pinot Noir”? Don’t you just love that?

Hospitality is in the DNA of aspiring Sommeliers. The study of wine, wine service, wine history, viticulture, vinification, terroir, varietals… You get an idea of the details… and that’s all they would be – details, unless the driving force for the focus were not to share the love and knowledge of wine by serving guests in restaurants, hotels, country clubs, inns, and wineries with gracious hospitality, fresh food creatively prepared, and wines thoughtfully paired. It takes a fair amount of planning to do this. So part of the training is learning to plan our time wisely, while preparing our studies for the numerous facets of the substantial final exams, and preparing foods and pairing them with wines for fellow classmates is a helpful component of class.

Pork rillettes with accompaniments including pickled dried apricots & currants

Yesterday was P2P’s turn to discuss pairing foods and wines from the Loire. It was amazing how much study, reflection, and testing recipes with wines the preparation took. It was kind of intimidating too. P2P did some cooking years ago for some friends who had a popular catering enterprise in Birmingham, AL. That’s it. Other than that, all cooking has been for family and friends as we’ve traipsed about the Country. There are restaurant owners, managers, and chefs in this class, as well as a few of us who want to grow into those positions. They make a fun class – our instructor is great, sharing with each of the students a genuine esprit d’hospitality. Wonderfully, we want each other to succeed.

Jo Pithon Anjou sans some of that wonderful acidity of its youth

So yesterday was my privilege to serve pork rillettes, chevre & parsley on endive, pickled apricots & currants with an Anjou and Sancerre. Both the pairings were a “little past their prime” but it was really interesting how faded they tasted in comparison to the younger, fresher, brighter versions we were tasting with the main Loire portion of the class. It’s helpful… and also a very good lesson in why to taste each wine on its own merit when it comes to the blind-tasting portion of our exam. It will be pretty tempting to compare “this with that” and that would lead one right into a labyrinth that would be hard to find the way out of without wasting precious time. Sounds silly to be so fascinated with these minute details, but it’s truly helpful and something to also put into practice at work and home tastings now. ~ à bientôt!

Sontes ~ most romantic restaurant

Posted on March 26, 2013 by BC

Photo: Sontes’ Wine Vault

True fact! Sontes is THE most romantic restaurant, at least in Rochester, and quite possibly in the state of Minnesota! Here is a photo of the back wall of the intimate wine vault where a couple can share a perfect reconnect dinner or “the” question can be posed. WHO could possibly say “No” when surrounded by gorgeous wine bottles, fresh, delicious farm-to-table food, perfectly paired and candlelight?

Intimate Orchid Room is a welcoming spot to introduce family.

Then of course, there’s the beautiful little Orchid room with velvet drapes to keep out “drafts” on cool nights and windows offering glimpses of twinkling lights and passersby while a happy couple introduces each other’s family over an announcement dinner. There’s also “Tessa’s Office” an old world style wine cave where a somewhat larger announcement party to family and friends could easily be made.

One of several sweet places to fall in love over dinner & wine… and return to ask “the question”

But one of the biggest honors of P2P’s amazing first year at Sontes, was being asked by two precious people to join their announcement party as their sommelier. THIS beautiful couple chose “table 21″ right in front of the fireplace for him to ask her. They’ve been coming to Sontes since last summer, when P2P met them on the patio and we began to explore the wine list together with Sontes’ wine flights. They are two of the loveliest people ever! They simply radiate the spirit of what makes Sontes such an incredible place to introduce guests to a wine list, teach classes, or just open a bottle of wine for them tableside.

A glimpse at some of our new pieces of art waiting for you to come enjoy!

When people ask P2P what drew her to wine, Sontes, guests like our newest engaged couple and Tessa’s gracious hospitality are sterling examples! As this blog posts, a new exhibition of beautiful local artwork is being hung, new wine classes are being prepared and dates will be announced soon. Hope you’ll join us and catch the spirit! By the way, near famous table 21, is the coziest table in Sontes. It’s table 23 tucked into an alcove with a bench seat for side-by-side dining and people watching, or face-to-face dining to soak-up great company, amazing artwork over dinner and, on Saturdays, great local live music.

Bring your favorite sweetie and join the community of wonderful people who come through the doors of Sontes daily!

Cheers! ~ P2P

Hump Day, plus chocolates, wine, bubbles & drawings!

Posted on March 19, 2013 by BC

In a nod to last week’s ISG class on Bordeaux attended in snow, and this week’s class on Rhone missed due to snow, here are some of the wines for Northwest Liquor’s Ladies Night Out

Well, Monday was definitely a Monday here – snow, wind, car woes, missed classes…

But Tuesday was sunny! All of life

The fun wines from Train that help support Family House at UC SFO Benioff Children’s Hospital

looks brighter in sunshine – even the cold is not so bitter…

And Wednesday, wonderful, hopeful, hump day!!! Plus it’s Ladies’ Night out at Northwest Liquors!

Just to tempt you into inviting several of your friends to join the festivities… here are a few pictures of what we’ll be pouring for you to taste and enjoy. AND in great hope that Spring is coming soon…. there are wonderful gifts to be drawn! Gifts like a round of golf for 4 plus a pro shop gift certificate from Somerby Golf Club, your choice of a photo session or a photo workshop valued at $100 from wonderful Dawn Sanborn Photography, a blending class & gift certificates from Northwest Liquors & P2P, and Chocolaterie Stam chocolates.The perfect way to celebrate Hump Day with your friends! Join us, won’t you?

Bubbly for every palate. Sparkling wines make a party from the first pop to the last sip!

See you there!

The fun new pouches from Durango – frozen cocktails for easy summer entertaining!

Cheers! P2P & the Northwest Liquors Team

Best Laid Schemes of Mice and “Drivers”

Posted on March 18, 2013 by BC

Photo taken after the tow truck, pulled a little orange PT Cruiser out of the snow bank, after the plow cleared the street and a great husband shoveled the drive… and after P2P had come back home to sit by the fireplace and study more about Alsace and Rhone wine regions.

As mentioned in the previous post, P2P seems destined to single-handedly end the recent Minnesota drought by driving from Rochester to Minneapolis each Monday. That said, and still absolutely enthralled with the International Sommeliers Guild Sommelier Diploma Program, P2P hopped into her trusty little PT Cruiser and headed off for Minneapolis 4.5 hrs before class was scheduled to start today. Alas, the last steep downhill before the turn out of the neighborhood was unplowed snow over ice; landing her steadfastly stuck in a snowbank for quite awhile waiting for the tow truck, with a window stuck in the down position because so many nice neighbors slowed to see if they could help until the flashers and battery gave up.

The kind tow truck driver got the trusty little PT out of the bank, jumped the battery, and off she headed again for Minneapolis. Alas, two exits up the highway a tanker truck and pick-up truck had “waltzed awkwardly” and when the pack of cars stopped for the police, ginormous wreckers, etc. began to move again, all the high expectations for the day and the class had dimmed a bit… as well as any hope of getting to class on time, or realistic ability of getting back home late tonight.

So P2P is now sitting, finally warm again, at home, with a cup of steaming hot tea, and lots of excellent reading, especially Jancis Robinson‘s references on Alsace and Rhone. She has great friends in the class and photos and notes will be shared of our tastings. The day is definitely NOT what she had envisioned, but it is going to work out just fine. The little PT is in timeout, slightly less trusty; still very cute. More news soon.

Cheers! P2P

Pulling Off to the Side of the Road

Posted on March 17, 2013 by BC

Have you ever been TOTALLY engrossed in a project? It’s almost like falling in love… becoming obsessed with every facet, worrying about measuring up, staying up late to figure things out!

Right now there is a little of that over the Sommelier Diploma Program through International Sommelier Guild. There are not words to describe how wonderful this course is, how invigorating it is to be stretched every day. Though the class only meets once a week for eight hours, there are hours of reading, writing, pondering, tasting, discussing the class daily.

Today dawned slowly after the best sleep in weeks. Beginning with a cup of strong Community Coffee (Red Bag Dark Roast of course!), the reading began. A highlight of last week was subscribing to Jancis Robinson‘s website and spending numerous hours engrossed in the wealth of information there – especially the great maps. Additionally, there was an afternoon and an evening of making the first pork rillettes in anticipation of the Loire pairing section of class on the 25th. After an enlightening conversation with Tessa Leung, owner of Söntés about presentation and both classic and non-regional pairings, a light went on. The result?

pickled dried apricots & cranberries!

… and the classical pairing?…..

Jo Pithon Anjou

… and the non-regional pairing?…. Ahhh; for that you must wait until March 26th!

However, after deciding on these details, reading an enormous amount of information on everything from Bordelaise Privilege to Jules Chauvet to Maps!!! …. Wonderful, glorious, extensive maps from Jancis Robinson and Hugh Johnson, P2P needed to do various “life jobs” like going to the grocery store, doing laundry, and cleaning up the comments section of this website. In the most peculiar way, this has been a totally encouraging day. So turning in now, will allow a deep and healing slumber before getting up to embrace a new class… albeit after driving through yet another snow storm. No could have imagined that one dream-fulfilling class could end a snow drought! But for the sixth of seven weeks of this wonderful class (so far), that has been the weather pattern for this student. More updates next week after Ladies Night Out on Wednesday at Northwest Liquors, Comfort Food Night on Thursday at Sontes, March Madness celebration Saturday at Northwest Liquors, and Thomas and the Rain Saturday evening at Sontes. Who knew someone could actually live a charmed life?

Yessterday was a Winner!

Posted on March 17, 2013 by BC

Yesterday was a great, if very chilly day! It began at Northwest Liquors with our usual Saturday wine tasting. We all chuckled that the 4 Argentinian wines had been selected before the white smoke went up, but agreed they were a fitting tribute to quality whether in humble or papal settings.

The definite favorites of the seven wines tasted yesterday afternoon were the Gascon Malbec from Argentina and the Calina Carmenere from Chile.

wine by a cozy fireplace

Rushed from the NWL tasting to Sontes for absolutely one of the most fun evenings one could hope for. Just felt like the “leprechauns” were dancing through the restaurant all night. Friendly guests, several new to both Rochester and Sontes came in, favorite mentors came in, food came out beautifully and steadily, wine poured deliciously and freely. Perfect St. Paddy’s eve.

Snowy Sunday, Comfy Supper

Posted on March 10, 2013 by BC

Zinfandel, Bordeaux & Courvoisier can take the chill out of most any storm

Well, it’s been MUCH too long since you’ve seen a post, and sincere apologies offered…

Life is most exciting right now. In the last several months, life has “picked up steam” and embarrassing as it is to say, keeping posts current has fallen to the wayside. BUT in that time, P2P has passed the level 2 sommelier certification and embarked on the level 3 Sommelier Diploma Program. Unbelievably rewarding!

Tonight, however, our little family set aside all our work projects, school projects, tax prep for the accountant and general “distractions” common to this time of year. Instead we embraced the winter storm rolling in with a totally comfort food dinner. Before dinner we had a simple cheese tray of manchego, kalamata olives, and humus with crackers paired with a Novy 2009 Zinfandel. For supper we poured a 2009 La Patache Bordeaux with favorite food blogger, Pioneer Woman, style mashed potatoes with roasted brussel sprouts and peppered, thick cut bacon bits, and a hearty, smoked pork roast marinated in mustard and spices. To finish the evening we had an old fashioned rice pudding with a 12 year old Courvoisier that positively put the relaxed, warm glow of perfect contentment on each face at the table.

Tomorrow will be the 6th class of the ISG SDP… and the 5th week of snow and fog to “enhance” the 90 minute drive to class. It is not an option to miss a class. It is far too fascinating and challenging a course to risk missing a single lecture, discussion or tasting series. Thankfully, ISG is very clear about utilizing the taste & spit method and this Southern lady has learned to be a cautious snow driver. Just wanted to share the total comfort of watching the snow pile up with loved ones, sharing good wines and delicious home-cooked food.

Cheers~

Pairing to Perfection

A Taste, A Sip; A Perfect Pairing

Author Archives: BC