脗聽Stormy skies cleared last night in New York City as 1,800 wine and food lovers gathered at the stunning David H. Koch Theater at脗聽Lincoln Center脗聽for Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s annual Toast of the Town tasting event. Strolling the theater’s elegant orchestra and promenade levels to the sounds of live jazz, attendees sampled top wines and spirits from around the world, and tasted innovative cuisine from some of New York’s most acclaimed restaurants. The tasting extended out onto the脗聽dramatic balcony overlooking the center’s main plaza, providing a scenic al fresco setting on a beautiful night.
Toast of the Town New York sells out each year, and 2009 was no exception. Nearly 200 wineries showcased their best, providing attendees choices from over 450 different wines to taste. Highlights included Champagne Louis Roederer 2002 Cristal, Clos de Tart 2006 Clos de Tart, Merryvale 2004 Profile, PerryMoore 2006 Beckstoffer To Kalon Single Vineyard,脗聽 Joseph Drouhin 2006 Premier Cru (Chablis) and Planeta 2005 Santa Cecelia Nero d’Avola. Lauded winemakers such as Pio Boffa of Pio Cesare, Enrique Toso of Pascual Toso and Gina Gallo of Gallo Family Vineyards were also in attendance.
Accompanying the top-notch pours were outstanding foods provided by lauded NYC restaurants. Crowd favorites included Beast’s Lager-Braised Short Rib Topped with Napa Cabbage Slaw on Sourdough Toast, Toloache’s Tacos of Suadero-Braised Brisket, Geisha’s Plum Wine Poached Asian Pears, Baby Candy Cone Beets, Spiced Walnuts and Roquefort, and Thalassa’s Diver Sea Scallops over Caviar Mousse. Artisanally prepared chocolate bon-bons from MarieBelle also provided an elegant pairing for the evening’s wines.
The event’s silent auction, benefiting City Harvest, featured diverse lots such as two tickets to the Broadway revival of “West Side Story,” a EuroCave Performance 183 Wine Cellar donated by Wine Enthusiast, a 5-liter bottle of Castello Banfi Centine Rosso di Toscana 2006 and a Sony Music gift set including a Miles Davis print and 4 jazz box sets. The philanthropic aspect added even more depth to an already glamorous atmosphere.
The Toast of the Town series takes place every year in San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta and New York. For more information, go to http://www.wineenthusiast.com/toast/.
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Toast of the Town Chicago 2009
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