NOTE: PLEASE SEND YOUR REVIEW OF YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY WINE (AND WHERE IT CAN BE PURCHASED) BY NOVEMBER 20, 2014: POST HERE AS A COMMENT, OR E-MAIL MIKE BRAGG wineclubber@yahoo.com
by Frank Mangio
Twenty/20 in the Carlsbad Sheraton Hotel has an Executive Chef who may be the best at sensing a culinary trend and moving in front with its presentation. Proof of that was the recent Pork and Pinot soiree when every entrée was pork-based, paired with a Pinot Noir from the vast Jackson Family Wines Collection from the Central and North Coast of California.
Robert Carr is a big man in the kitchen, and at Twenty/20, he proves it daily. He loves what he does. I have seen him adapt and evolve, creating distinguished menus since this restaurant opened. His entrees are like his children as he lovingly described his pork dishes, from Prosciutto to Braised Port Cheek. All were worthy dishes to pair with Pinot Noirs brought in by Director of Wine Communication & Education Steve Heimoff from Jackson Family Wines of Sonoma. Everyone knows Kendall Jackson and their varietals, but this night Heimoff brought in lesser known but higher quality Pinots that blew away all the guest diners.
If there is just one wine varietal you need for your Thanksgiving dinner, it’s Pinot Noir. The Pinot lineup at Twenty/20 included: Carmel Road 2012 Monterey ($16.), La Crema Willamette Valley 2012 ($40.), Cambria Estate 2012 ($19.), Champ de Reves Anderson Valley 2012 ($36.) and Hartford Court Russian River Valley 2012 ($42.).
Jackson Family owns 47 wineries worldwide. Jess Jackson the owner, before he recently died, declared “I want to make the best wines I can, at every price point and be dedicated to sustainability.” 5,000 acres of Jackson wine has been officially declared sustainable, grown with natural products, using solar power.
What began as a top chef challenge some five years ago, pork is now seen as the hottest dining trend in the restaurant world and Chef Robert at Twenty/20 explores and discovers new, delicious ways to make this dish happen.
Other reasons to lock into this feel-good restaurant this month are the Saturday night live music and dinner feature, with panoramic views of the sunset and coast from a pavilion, with contemporary fire features to excite the senses. A Friday lunch changes weekly, with a Spanish Tapa flair to it.
Twenty/20 has a Thanksgiving Buffet extravaganza including stuffed pork loin, for $50. each. Kids $25. Service will be from 3pm to 8pm, with a limited dinner menu until 10pm. Call for reservations at 760-827-2500.
Pinot Noir is the most embracing wine I know, in the sense that it pairs with nearly all entrees, and that’s what makes it right for Thanksgiving dinners. It’s like putting a dozen beautiful roses on the table. Other pinots to consider include: Edna Valley Reserve 2012 ($45.), Golden Eye Anderson Valley 2010 ( $45.), Frei Bros. Reserve, Russian River ($16.).
Oregon Pinot Noirs like Domaine Serene 2010 ($80.) are more Burgundian French style with a stronger taste, while the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey would be a more floral style like the Talbott Sleepy Hollow Vineyard 2012 ($22.).
Thanksgiving Wine Bytes
Chandler’s Restaurant & Lounge in Carlsbad has a Thanksgiving feast Thurs. Nov. 27 from 11am to 7:30pm. Traditional turkey with all the trimmings. $55. pp. Add $20. with wine pairings. RSVP at 760-683-5500.
Marina Kitchen in San Diego Celebrates Thanksgiving with a home-style menu Thurs. Nov. 27 with a buffet style feast from 1:30 til 7pm. $48. ea. 12.99 for children under 12. Wine pairing $20. additional. Call for RSVP at 619-699-8222.
Amaya at the Grand Del Mar presents a three course Thanksgiving dinner Thurs. Nov. 27 from 12:30 to 8pm. $85. pp. $125. with wine pairings. Reservations at 858-314-1996.
A Fall Harvest wine tasting showcases San Diego County’s premier wines at Vintana Wine & Dine in Escondido, Sat. Nov. 22 from 3:30 to 5:30pm. Taste barrel samples and new releases, with hors d’ouvres for $25. ea. A wine symposium from 2 to 3pm plus tasting is $40. For tix, call 619-236-1299.
Taste Thanksgiving wines at San Diego Wine Company on Miramar Road Sat. Nov. 22 from 11 to 4pm for just $10. Call 858-586-WINE for varietals.
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