Experience #8
Farewell Party in G Minor
This dinner was a farewell for two close friends moving to another country. Citrus became the thread: bright, clean flavours running through the food and drinks without making the evening feel formal.
The menu was salmon carpaccio, cod tagine and an easy cheesecake mousse. The cooking stayed simple so there was time for music, drinks and the kind of conversation that matters before people leave.
The main set was Beyond Us. The slower companion for the same mood sits in the Lounge as Sailing The Mediterranean, with the cocktail note alongside it.
Menu
Salmon Carpaccio
Thinly sliced salmon belly served with pear and apple salad.
Cod Tagine
Cod cooked in a tagine sauce served with mandarin salad.
Easy Cheesecake
Cheesecake flavoured mousse. Same flavours. Less work.
Wine Selection
This Californian Chardonnay brought citrus, peach, quince and a little vanilla, which made it a natural match for the salmon carpaccio and fruit in the salad.
The acidity kept the starter fresh, while the texture of the wine gave enough weight for the salmon. It echoed the citrus theme of the evening without making the pairing feel too sharp.
Ondarre Reserva Rioja 2016 is a full-bodied Tempranillo and Mazuelo blend with dark fruit, tobacco, leather and spice.
It worked with the cod tagine because the wine had enough structure for the spice, while the fruit and savoury notes sat well with the preserved lemon and warmer flavours in the dish.