FOOD WINE & FRIENDS Page 89
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THE BONIFER'S HOST A GUTE REISE
(Bon Voyage)
DINNER
July 2005 |
Claus, Anette and Elena Bonifer invited my nephew Brian and
myself to a wine & food fest at Schloss Bonifer in Rodgau, Germany.
We had driven back towards Frankfurt that afternoon, having spent the previous
couple of days in Alsace.
Claus opened a bottle of Rochet-Bocart Brut Champagne, a wine from Vaudemange.
It is a typical, good quality bubbly from a small grower/winemaker.
Claus is wearing a very old apron.
Gaby and Norbert.
Anette and Claus?
More art in the Bonifer garden.
Meanwhile, the kitchen magicians were busy preparing dinner.
The young, budding sommelier, Brian Weisl, was able to open
the wines Claus had selected for the first course.
Claus prepared some sort of tomato/mozzarella and pesto course, adorned with
some prawns.
Elena Bonifer toasts with Brian.
The white wine was an excellent French Viognier. Domaine Grauzan. This had
very fine peachy Viognier fruit and a stylish level of oak. It was quite
good with the seafood and tomato dish.
Norbert and the Famous Knife Wife, Uli Bauer.
Red Mullet by Chef Bonifer was, indeed, some sort of "boney
fare" The risotto was nice, too. Very elegant.
The kitchen crew enjoys the meal, too!
Elena changed blouses...
...and I pointed out "Elena has hare on her chest."
Many had a good laugh...
Claus then brought out a wonderful Macon from the Cordier firm, a special
bottling called "A bois d'Allier." Nicely oaked, but not too
woody, this was delicious with the risotto and mullet.
The 2001 Tignanello was splendid with the pheasant main plate.
Everyone was quite busy.
The sommelier then opened another nice bottle of red wine.
Uli enjoyed a good sniff of the Burgundy.
Norbert had a second schluck.
The corkscrew was ready since we had more bottles to come!
Claus opened a bottle of 2002 Doisy-Dane. This was an excellent
example of Barsac and the wine displayed a wonderfully honeyed character.
The summer dessert was perfect with the sweet wine!
Brian was impressed by the currants.
Claus had been cellaring a 1985 Vietti Barolo in magnum. This was the
perfect time to open it, so we did. The wine was fully mature and had
thrown a modest amount of sediment. Perfectly drinkable, it displayed
leathery, meaty notes on the nose and was slightly tannic on the palate.
Very fine.
Norbert was so thrilled by the wine, he wanted to dance around the table.
Unfortunately, he could not stand up, so he stayed where he was and danced in
his mind.
This was amusing, especially to Claus.
Anette was thrilled with a few souvenirs we brought...Salami and Chianti from
Toscana and a San Francisco key chain.
We brought a special knife for slicing tomatoes for
The Knife Wife.
Gaby and Norbert.
Uli and Josef had a grand time.
Claus, Elena and Anette.
Brian and his uncle had a splendid time, too!
****************************
Many thanks to the Bonifers for hosting such a wonderful evening of food and
wine!!!
We hope they will journey to San Francisco one of these years so we can host
them on the Left Coast.
*****************************
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