This week we traveled into Washington, DC to discover wines produced by winemaker David Baverstock at Esporão in Portugal. The wine and dinner event was held at the G Restaurant which is one of Mike Isabella’s many restaurants.

Several Esporão wines were paired with a delightful four-course dinner. These special courses each had our separate dishes that offered a taste of what is to come at the soon to be opened Arroz restaurant by Mike Isabella.  Mike is a well-known chef who is opening a restaurant based on Portuguese and Spanish food styles at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC.

Our evening at the G restaurant began with a 30-minute interview with David Baverstock, who is the head winemaker at Esporão. We discovered he is not only knowledgeable but friendly and easy to talk with. David also has an interest in crafting wine in traditional clay vessels but uses modern winemaking techniques. David noted that his “amphorae” are not buried in the ground.

Soon we were escorted to the area of the G restaurant where others were gathering to enjoy the evening. We were offered a delicious sparkling wine quickly followed by a rosé. In a few minutes we were seated. Most of the seating was done as family-styled  seating with guests encouraged to pass the numerous special dishes around the table. David Baverstock was introduced and spoke while two white wines were poured to be enjoyed with the first course.

The ARROZ Menu with Esporão Wines

First Course

• Atun Tartare ( foie gras, membrillo, almond)
• Warm Cod Salad (clementine, olive, almond, mojama)
• Sweet Bread Tempero (maitake, harissa aioli)

Wine pairings:

Monte Velho White, antão vaz/perrum/roupeiro, from Alentejo,  2015

Assobio White, arinto/verdelho/gouveio/viosinho, from the Douro,  2015

Second Course

• Tortilla de Padron (san simon cheese, piquillo pepper, chili threads)
• Prawns Alhinho (pimento, preserved lemon, cilantro)
• Pastéis (braised pork, watercress)

Wine Pairings:

Herdade do Esporão, trincadeira, Alentejo,  2015

Defesa do Esporão, touriga nacional/syrah, Alentejo,  2014

Third Course

• Arroz Caldoso (chicken, sepia, mussels, chorizo, shrimp)
• Chermoula lamb ribs (apple, radish, cracked coriander honey)
• Burnt Broccolini (aged manchego, almond, romesco)

Wine Pairings:

Quinto dos Murças Reserve, tourgia naional/touriga franca/sousão/tinta amarela/tinta barroca/tinta roriz, Douro,  2015

Esporão Reserve, alicante bouschet/aragonez/trincadeira/cabernet sauvignon, Alentejo, 2014

Fourth Course

• Olive Oil Cake (sangria gellee)
• Coconut Flan (vanilla espuma, caramel)
• Pastéis de nata

Wine Pairing:

Quinto dos murças, 10 year tawny

Interesting Notes

The wines and foods of the evening enhanced each other with neither overpowering the other. All of the different foods were unique and well-prepared. If you are looking for Portuguese or Spanish cuisine, you will want to visit ARROZ when it opens in 2017.

I really enjoyed the first course Sweet Bread Tempero, which offered a very light delicate covering and  paired very well with the first two white wines. The pastéis with braised pork and watercress and melded together with hints of onion offered a delightful mouthfeel with numerous flavorful tastes.

My favorite wines of the evening were the Esporão sparkling wine and Esporão Reserve. I also enjoy the Quinto dos Murças which was smooth and tasty.

Mike Isabella’s new restaurant, ARROZ, will be opening soon in early 2017.

Watch for the virtual article about Esporão winery, coming soon! This article will include our notes of the interview with David Baverstock.

Cheers,
Kathy