Tag Archives: woodinville wine

Love The Wine You’re With

Posted on January 13, 2020 | Leave a comment

Every year, Valentines night dinner is at home, we dine at what we call the “LeBrendt Bistro”.  Kevin is a fantastic cook, its always exciting to watch him cook and enjoy time together. Tonight’s dinner was paired with three Lauren Ashton Wines. With at least 15 of his wines scoring 90+, Kit is one of the top winemakers in Woodinville Wine Country. Kevin carefully chose three Lauren Ashton wines to pair with the three courses he planned and prepared.

ingredients

First Course: Fresh Kusshi Oysters and Lauren Ashton 2012 Cuvée Méline (91 Points, Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast Magazine)

Kevin paired this fantastic white blend of three quarters Sauvignon Blanc and one quarter Sémillon with Kusshi Oysters on the half shell. Kevin prepared a mignonette with the wine, rice vinegar, diced lemon grass, garlic and a fresh lemon juice. The acidity and hints of grapefruit of the Cuvée Méline really brought out the ocean flavor of the fresh oysters. We love the Kusshi oysters, petite with a mild flavor, and purchased fresh from Central Market, our favorite go to place for fresh seafood.

Second Course: Picatta Collasal Prawn and Lauren Ashton 2012 Roussanne (92 Points, Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast Magazine)

Kevin prepared a Collasal Prawn in picatta sauce resting on a bed of fresh angel hair pasta. The Roussanne with its velvety mouth feel cuts through the acidity of the picatta sauce and enhances the fresh flavors of the prawn.

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Third Course: Seared Black Pepper crusted Filet Mignon and Lauren Ashton 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (New Release!)

This was Kevin’s favorite pairing, because he loves beef and we do not eat it often. Kevin dipped the filet in crushed black pepper and then seared it and served it with a bed of Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. The sauce on the top of the filet, he made using the Cabernet Sauvignon, creating a reduction sauce with dried cherries. Such a classic pairing, and it really brought out the dark pitted fruit flavors and the sweetness of sauce softened the tannins just right. I am sure when the reviews come in, this wine will also become a 90+ wine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The discovery of a good wine is increasingly better for mankind than the discovery of a new star.” – Leonardo Da Vinci

“There can never be any substitute for your own palate nor any better education than tasting the wine yourself.” – Robert Parker

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The LeBrendt Bistro Is Open!

Posted on February 1, 2016 | Leave a comment

I really am very happy that Kevin has found his dream job, working at J Bookwalter Tasting Studio in Woodinville. But, with Kevin focusing on his new job recently as the J Bookwalter Tasting Studio Manager, the “LeBrendt Bistro” at home has been empty and the table, getting dusty.  I asked Kevin if he could fire up a great meal again and we could dine at our “bistro” at home, unless he forgot how to do all that?? Kevin responded to the challenge with a great meal, great wines and a lot of fun during a kid free evening at home.

Photo Sep 25, 6 56 49 PMI am very lucky, and one way that I express my gratitude is by posting this blog post with great pictures of our dishes! Kevin likes to course it out, small bites, many courses, pairing each course with a different bottle of wine.

Photo Sep 25, 6 56 40 PM

Our first course was a fantastic pairing of Kusshi Oysters with Guardian Cellars Sauvignon Blanc. Fresh Kusshi Oysters with a cilantro Aleppo Pepper minuet. These small oysters are easy to eat, and have a great flavor.

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Kevin whipped up course number two: a tomato micro green salad with apple balsamic vinaigrette with a Scarborough Rose’ of Grenache. I love balsamic vinegar and the micro greens were fantastic with the tomatoes adding a bit of spicy flavors. This was a Rose’ we had not tried before. It was a nice, dry Rose’ which paired really well with Kevin’s dish.

Photo Sep 25, 7 23 57 PM

Course three, delectable five spice grilled prawns with an orange zest sauce, resting against jasmine rice and grilled bok choy, paired with Charles Smith Sixto Chardonnay. Fantastic orange flavors in this dish, this was a new sauce that Kevin created and I loved it! He should try it again with chicken, that would be great too! Kevin never uses a recipe, and has a natural ability to combine flavors that work great together.

Photo Sep 25, 8 03 55 PMPhoto Sep 25, 8 01 37 PM

Course four, our main course, boneless chicken thighs stuffed with apples, onions and baby shiitake mushrooms, resting on a savory bed of butternut squash puree with fresh Sage paired with Page Cellars 2006 Preface Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (A gift from our neighbor, Thanks Jerry!)

Photo Sep 25, 9 19 14 PM Photo Sep 25, 8 52 28 PM Photo Sep 25, 9 19 04 PMKevin had a dessert planned, but one of the kids arrived home and the house was busy again!

Thank you Kevin, for a fantastic dinner!! I am one lucky woman! XXXOOO

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Posted on March 21, 2015 | Leave a comment

It is Halibut season and WA Wine month. Tonight at home (aka “Café LeBrendt”) Kevin cooked up fresh blackened Halibut resting in a bed of spicy fruit salsa puree and topped with a mango papaya salsa. The fish was so fresh, the spices of the blackened seasoning (from World Spice Market in Seattle) went really great with the fruits and paired well with a beautiful Washington Rosé.

Spring is upon us, and there is no better way to start off spring than with a vertical of Long Shadows Julia’s Dazzle Rosé of Pinot Gris, and a great reason to open up two bottles.

halibut1

At first glance you notice the color between the two wines, the 2013 has a light copper color compared to the 2014 with a light rose petal hue. Tasting both vintages, the 2013, I get notes of raspberries, strawberries and a hint of sweetness in the finish. The 2014, I get vibrant kiwi and melon notes and it finishes with a slight effervescent. They were both a great accompaniment to the halibut, cooling the palate from the heat of the spiciness of the dish.

Spring has sprung, which means more Rosé releases, and Julia and I heading out to cover ground here in Woodinville, visiting many wineries to collect all of the Rosé wines for our 3rd Annual Rosé party here at our home this summer. We are excited about this year’s party, as we will have music by Larry Murante. Along with the wines, of course, I cook up spectacular bites, including a salmon and chicken taco bar.

Need suggestions for a great Rosé? Afraid of pink wine? Here are some great ones to try: A Maurice Cellars, Longshadows Vintners, Gramercy Cellars, Charles Smith (Walla Walla wineries). Woodinville: Patterson Cellars, Gorman Winery, Page Cellars, Woodinville Cellars, and Lauren Ashton Cellars Rosé release event is Saturday the 4th of April. I am lucky to have had an early preview of LA Rosé recently and I must say, it’s fantastic once again this year. So, go out and get your Rosé on!

and as Charles Smith says “Yes, you can drink pink wine and be a badass!”

Cheers!

– Kevin

@tastingfoodwine

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