Zonin Vintners Italian Wine Dinner
  Thursday September 25th

This month we are going to experience some more of the fine wines from all over Italy.
Italy’s growing reputation with wine is due not only to the fact that it produces and exports more than any other country but that it offers the greatest variety of types, ranging through nearly every color, flavor and style imaginable.
Italian producers have moved rapidly to the forefront of world enology, improving techniques to create wines of undeniable class in every region, north and south. Their wines derive not only from native vines, which represent an enormous array, but also from a complete range of international varieties.

In the past it was sometimes said that Italians kept their best wines to themselves while supplying foreign markets with tasty but anonymous vino in economy sized bottles. But markets have changed radically in recent times as consumers in many lands-most importantly in Italy itself-have insisted on better quality.

For a while it may have seemed that the worldwide trend to standardize vines and wines was bound to compromise Italy's role as the champion of diversity. But, instead, leading producers in many parts of the country have kept the emphasis firmly on traditional vines. They have taken the authentic treasures of their ancient land and enhanced them in modern wines whose aromas and flavors are not to be experienced anywhere else. Getting to know the unique wines of Italy is an endless adventure in taste.
Experts increasingly rate Italy's premier wines among the worlds finest. Many of the noblest originate in the more than 300 zones officially classified as DOC or DOCG-or, more recently, in areas recognized for typical wines under IGT. But a number of special wines carry their own proudly individualistic identities.
Arden Allen, Cobalt Grille’s Wine Steward has selected the wines and Chef Alvin will be grinding Pesto in the kitchen.
So please join us at our “Zonin Vintners Italian Wine Dinner” on Thursday September 25h.
Amanda Einhorn from The National Distributors will educate and guide us through this six course food and wine pairing.
We look forward to seeing you soon.

Menu:

FIRST COURSE
Seafood Saffron Risotto with pesto drizzle
Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio ’06 IGT

SECOND COURSE
Parmigiana di melanzane
Montepulciano D’Abruzzi ’07 D.O.C

THIRD COURSE
Duck Sausage with roasted potatoes & peppers
Ripasso Superiore ’06

INTERMEZZO
Green Apple Sorbet

MAIN COURSE
Tortellini and Venison stew
Amarone della Valpolicella ’04

DESSERT
Alvin’s Tiramisu
Baccorosa Vino Spumante Dolce

WHEN- Thursday September 25th 2008 6.45 reception 7.00 Dinner
WHERE- Cobalt Grille of course
WHY- because you can only watch so much CNN, let’s get out of the house!!

Cost $65 per person, tax & gratuity not included.
Limited Seating. Please call 757-333-3334 for reservations.

Rob Gibson "Loose End Wine Dinner"
  Wednesday October 1st 2008

We are proud to announce that renowned Australian Winemaker Rob Gibson will be presenting his latest project “Loose End Wines” right here with us at Cobalt Grille.
Rob will be in our area for one day only, and we are pleased he has chosen Cobalt Grille as a venue to share his knowledge and wines.

Loose End is the brainchild of renowned Barossa winemaker and personality, Rob Gibson. Each year since 2002, Gibson selects top fruit sources from the Barossa harvest to assemble a range of wines that is contemporary and truly reflective of the region’s character—Loose End...
The ultimate “old age hippie,” Gibson (or “Gibbo” as he is known throughout the Barossa) has 33 years’ wine industry experience, including 22 years at Penfolds where he earned his way from Laboratory Assistant, Trainee Winemaker, Winemaker, Viticultural Liaison, Grape Buyer… all the way to Chief Viticulturist. During his time at Penfolds, Gibson contributed greatly to the development and maintenance of Penfolds Grange and the 1992 establishment of Penfolds Technical Viticultural Department. In 1997, Gibson left Penfolds to start his own wine production company, Barossavale, and began operating an international winegrowing consultancy business.

Gibson’s latest project, Loose End, is an opportunity to experience his creativity and provide the next generation of wine drinkers with hand crafted, premium wines, without premium price tags.
Loose End Wines are for wine drinkers who focus on quality, desire wines made by real people passionate about winemaking and seek unique wine experiences but steer clear of the “wine wanker” community (comprised of those who enjoy pretension with their wine).

The seating at this dinner will be very limited so Rob “Gibbo” can spend quality time with each guest explaining his great passion for this wine project.
So please make reservations early to ensure you seats at our “Loose End Wine Dinner” on Wednesday October 1st.
Arden Allen, Cobalt Grille’s Wine Steward will be your wine pusher for the evening and Chef Alvin will be throwing the Shrimp on the barbie.
Hank Foiles from The Country Vintner Distributors will be escorting Rob Gibson; together they will guide us through this six course food and wine pairing. `
We look forward to seeing you soon.

Menu:

FIRST COURSE
Seared Scallops with celeriac and chive puree and passion fruit sauce
Loose End FSR ’07
Get lost ….on the water

SECOND COURSE
Brie & Asparagus salad with Fall berry dressing
Loose End Grenache Rose ’07
Get lost ….on air

THIRD COURSE
Blackened Salmon filet with sweet & spicy marinated cucumber salad
Loose End G.S.M ’06
Get lost ….in nature

INTERMEZZO
Raspberry Sorbet

MAIN COURSE
Filet of Beef with brown sugar acorn squash risotto and Blackberry sauce
Loose End Shiraz ’06
Get lost…..on the road

DESSERT
Chocolate bread n butter pudding with plum glaze
Loose End Sparkling M.S.M nv
Get lost ……. In the moment

WHEN- Wednesday October 1st 2007 6.45 reception 7.00 Dinner
WHERE- Cobalt Grille of course…
WHY- because we like to bring you the exclusive and excellence

Cost $75 per person, tax & gratuity not included.
Limited Seating. Please call 757-333-3334 for reservations.