The second installment of the oenological orgy known as the “Eleventh Bottle” DQ wine dinner series just went down on Guy Fawkes Night at Vito’s private dining room on the Lower East Side. If you missed it, don’t despair (too much); there are still slots open for the next bacchanalian brouhaha, though not for long. The 5th of November feast featured the vinous wonders of Chateauneuf-du-Pape (above), ranging from the 1990 La Milliere Vielles Vignes to the venerable 1955 Clos de l’Oratoire with several stops along the way, in addition to such culinary delights as ravioli with pork belly, green figs and mascarpone, roast leg of lamb and grilled wild boar.
The December 14 edition at Double Crown (Bleecker & Bowery) with a five course tasting menu will be equally outrageous; you can preview our resident wino JC’s selections below. Remember to exercise all your charm, courtesy, taste, well-learned politesse and DQ wardrobe to win a coveted spot at the table; you can save the sympathy for those who miss out. Call the NY store at 212.226.7030 for enquiries; $350 per person, payable in advance; space subject to availability, limited to 22 places.
1973 Heitz Martha’s
1974 Mount Veeder
1978 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow
1984 Chateau Montelena
1985 Rennaisance
1985 Dunn Howell Moutain
1961 Leoville Las Cases
1975 Mouton Rothschild
1978 Margaux
1979 Haut Brion
1983 Gruaud Larose
1988 Pichon Baron
Please keep it under your homburg, but we’ve begun a new wine dinner series for our loyal friends wishing to celebrate life, food, the fruit of the vine and damn fine company. Details are on a need-to-know basis, but here’s what we can tell you in public: each features great food cooked by an Italian maestro, in a private room at a suitably elegant downtown establishment, with beaucoup vintages and a five course tasting menu. Our warmup event was a smashing success, starring the Vieux Chateau Certan 1962, Chateau Ausone 1979, Chateau Canon 1982 and L’Evangile 1983. We plan to have one or two dozen guests at each, with the freight at $175 - $250 per head including tax, tip and bon mots. The next occasion, boasting Barolos from 1989 and 1990 and a bit o’ wild boar, is already fully booked, but exercise your charm and DQ wardrobe and we can probably find you a spot in the not-too-distant future.
