An elegant evening of fine wines and foods

An Elegant evening of Fine Wines and FoodsBay's socialites and members of the business community were out in their numbers last Saturday to support the Annual Charity event of the Rotary Club of Montego Bay dubbed 'Wine 11'. Funds raised this year will benefit the Neo Natal and Paediatric Facility at Cornwall Regional Hospital as well as the community projects of the club.

Good Wines

Jamaica's leading wine importers were on hand in support of this very worthy cause pouring a selection of wines that were enjoyed by all. As one stepped into the elegantly styled Shoppes of Rose Hall the first booth you ran into was that of Caribbean Producers Jamaica who chose to pour Chile's Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon, California's Robert Mondavi Woodbridge Sauvignon Blanc and one of the evenings favourites the 'new to the market' Italy's MARTINI & ROSSI Sparkling Rosé. This sparkling rosé is crafted using a selection of red and white Italian grapes, including Brachetto, Malvasia and Moscato Bianco, resulting in a delicate pink colour. This distinctive blend of grapes from Northern Italy creates an elegant, medium-dry sparkling rosé.

Further down the line we found 1876 Wines pouring one of the widest selections of wines which included Cycles Gladiator Zinfandel Rose, Witts End Shiraz, Aresti, Merlot, ADS Wines, "Heavyweight" Cabernet Sauvignon, Vesevo, Beneventano Aglianico, Moncaro Chardonnay Trebbiano, San Marco Orvieto, Aresti Sauvignon Blanc and Vesevo Beneventano Falanghina. Wray & Nephew featured both wines and spirits including selections from Monkey Bay, Folonari, Delicato and Golden Kaan. Grace Foods was pouring a range of wines from Argentina top- producer Trivento. If you were persistent and demonstrated that you were a true wine lover, the very special Malbec Reserve would have been brought from its secret hiding place for you to taste. Chas E Ramson sampled Chile's Santa Carolina Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva and Chardonnay Reserva.

Lascelles Wines and Spirits poured a range of wines from producers Clos Du Bois, Hardys, Vino dei Poeti Prosecco, B&G Sparkling Rosé and a favourite of mine the Babich Sauvignon Blanc. Babich is one of New Zealand's largest family-owned wine companies, this Sauvignon Blanc has a bouquet that is bursting with passionfruit, gooseberry and red current. The palate is rich, sweet fruited and complex with layers of guava, passion fruit and gooseberry. The acid/ fruit balance is excellent with a lovely herbal flinty character and a lingering perfume on the finish.

Really Great Food

Wine 11 had some really great food and desserts. Patrons enjoyed tasty pasta from Marguerites, jerk chicken and pork from Scotchies and one of my favourites was the succulent 'Donnie Bunting' lamb and lamb sausages from VIP meats. Mahek Chatani's MOBAY Chocolate Company had a most interesting 'bun and cheese' stuffed chocolate and chocolate covered Pringles potato chips. Across the corridor Alecia Woodbine-James did me in with a sampling of her delicious Key lime pie and fabulous cheesecakes.

If I was forced to vote, I think the food beat the wine at Wine 11. A really great time was had by all who attended.