Burrowing Owl Winemakers Dinner at Parksville Uncorked 2011
The second event in the series of Parksville Uncorked Wine & Food Festival 2011 was the Winemakers Dinner. Again, in previous years I attended the Ingo Grady/Mission Hill Winemakers Dinner (2010) and this year, I was a guest of the Beach Club Resort’s Pacific Prime for the Burrowing Owl Winemakers Dinner. Hosted by Dave Paul; Maitre’D Jim Williams and with Commercial Director and Wine Educator and Head Chef Sean Norris, this was an excellent run-through of a series of delicious plates and full wines.
We began the evening with an easy Amuse Bouche (Qualicum Beach scallop, fennel apple slaw, Preserved lemon oil, sea urchin emulsion) paired with a really flavourful Pinot Gris. I really enjoyed the fennel apple slaw and the sea urchin emulsion as well as the scallop, but I found the flavors to be a bit contrasting.
Next we had a miso sablefish brulee, lily bulb puree, spiced carrot vinaigrette, with a side carrot ginger salad paired with a delicious, light and slightly sweet Chardonnay.
I was not a fan of the Foie Gras and pork belly brioche with pickled cherries, Argan oil powder, paired with an Athene. I think that was because I dont really like pork belly to be quite honest.
The main course was an island raised bison tenderloin with sunchoke puree, blackberry gastrique, tempura enoki, Parsnip bacon and a pairing of Meritage. I found the tenderloin absolutely amazing, with flavours that were enhanced by the parsnip bacon and the Meritage itself.
Our final dish was a free form chocolate crème brulee, demerara crisp, double chocolate bar, chocolate praline gel, pot de crème, white chocolate foam, Bitter chocolate tuile, paired with an amazing Cabernet Franc that while slightly fruity, complimented the chocolate amazingly.
Overall, an absolutely delicious dinner and one I’ll remember for a long time.
Disclosure: My Burrowing Owl Winemakers dinner at the Beach Club Resort was sponsored very generously by the Parksville Uncorked Festival. I wasn’t paid to write this review, nor was I required to do so either. The purpose of this media trip was to report on the event. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form. For the rest of my Parksville Uncorked posts, you can check them here.
