City Winery DC and American Airlines came together to present a first class international wine pairing dinner series that focuses on some very charming countries. I was invited out to this four-course dinner held at City Winery DC showcasing wines and cuisine from the fascinating region of Germany. American Airlines is also the official airline of City Winery.
Once I arrived, I was directed to a private room with a very classy dinner table set-up. It was lovely! I am not really a drinker, and I can be a bit of a picky eater, but I went in with an open mind because I wanted to try everything so I could really describe it for our readers.
One of the best parts about this experience was getting to meet and sit next to Mrs. Cary Casas who is a corporate sales manager for American Airlines. She is one of the kindest business women that I have ever met, just super warm and welcoming. Ok, now let’s get started!
Wines Served
White Wine:
~Dr. Thanisch Spatlese Riesling 2014 – This wine shows a pronounced bouquet of very ripe red and yellow fruits with exotic and slightly spicy notes with well-integrated acidity.
~Bürklin-Wolf Riesling 2016 – This wine is salty, minerally and zesty. This dry Riesling has a refreshing green apple and citrus character which finishes with fresh lime juice. Zesty rather than juicy, it is a good food wine thanks to the acidity and clean flavors.
Rose:
~Von Winning Spatburgunder Rose rose 2017 – This beautiful Pinot Noir rosé is a dry and mineral expression, perfect for sipping.
Red Wine:
~Hexamer Spatburgunder Weiss 2017 – A true white Pinot Noir. It smells and tastes as much like a cocktail then as a wine. It’s ripe, smoky, with a sense of alcohol; the fruit is discreet, but there’s a zing of mint.
~Heinz Eifel Shine Dornfelder 2017 – This wine grows in the biggest German Wine Growing area: Rheinhessen. It’s full-bodied with flavors of dark red fruits with a well-balanced sweetness. To be enjoyed slightly chilled.
Dessert Wine:
~Heinz Eifel Eiswein 2016 – This wine is highly concentrated with intense aromas of honey, apricots, yellow apple and passion fruit. The wine has a perfect balance between acidity and natural residual sugar and can be aged for many years or opened now to pair with fruit desserts or as dessert on its own.
The Food Journey
First Course:
Liverwurst – Pork Pate, Toasted Brioche, Chutney. This had a very interesting taste and texture. I call myself a vegetarian, but I will occasionally try meat when conducting a food review. This was probably one of the most intense meat dishes I have tasted. It was not bad at all but it definitely is an acquired taste. The wines that paired really well with this course were the Dr. Thanisch Spatlese Riesling 2014 & the Bürklin-Wolf Riesling 2016
Second Course:
Spätzle – Beer Butter Cheese, Crispy Shallots. This was actually good. It gave me a light mac & cheese vibe. I absolutely enjoyed it. The wine that paired really well with this course was the Von Winning Spatburgunder Rose rose 2017
Third Course:
Veal Schnitzel – Lemon, Crispy capers, Field Greens. This was also an acquired taste but it was not as intense as the Liverwurst. It was pressed very thinly, lightly battered and deep-fried. I try to stay away from fried foods but if you are ok with it then you would have definitely embraced this. The wines that paired really well with this course were the Hexamer Spatburgunder Weiss 2017 & the Heinz Eifel Shine Dornfelder 2017
Fourth Course:
Black Forest Cake – Cherries, Kirsch Liqueur, Chantilly. All I can say about this final course is Mmmmmmm! I mean can you ever go wrong with chocolate cake?! It was very rich in flavor, the perfect way to end such an amazing food journey into Germany. The final wine that paired really well with this course was the Heinz Eifel Eiswein 2016.
This is not the first time that City Winery DC has hosted a tasting like this and I desperately hope it’s not the last. I can’t wait to journey into the next country with them. If you have not been to City Winery DC for dinner, then you are definitely missing out on an amazing foodie experience, both visually and mouthwatering.
Thank you, Chef!
Just when you thought all of the goodness was over… There’s more! Everyone who attends one of these dinners will be entered into a sweepstake for the opportunity to win 2 roundtrip tickets to any international destination that American Airlines services. The drawing of the final winner name will take place at the conclusion of the series of dinners in 2020.
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@americanair
Naomi is a stylish, adventurous traveler. She’s a bit of a daredevil that loves excursions. Those that know her, call her a shoe connoisseur. She is also obsessed with music and has a playlist for just about any mood. She’s a foodie that loves a good vegetarian/vegan spot. Want to know where she is headed next… stay tuned to find out!
