Hedges MenuDetails:

Hedges Family Estate Wine Dinner with Alex Hedges

LouisDressnerDinnerMenu

Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen turns 2 years old!

Louis / Dressner Dinner at Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen featuring Josefa Concannon, National Beverage Strategist

Tuesday February 26 Seating 6:30 – 8:00 pm, 4 Courses + Wine $55/person

We’re pleased to be celebrating our second birthday as Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen with Josefa Concannon of Louis / Dressner. Louis / Dressner is one of my favorite wine importers and it wasn’t until late last year that we were able to bring the wines they represent into the state of Missouri. That makes them a fitting partner in our celebration as their success in our business represents the realization of one of our goals when we opened Tannin, to promote the wonderful diversity of wines available in the world. Chef Brian is still working on the menu (I’ll send it when available) but this will be a great event featuring traditionally made wines that are perfect companions to our cuisine.

Louis / Dressner is the importer at the forefront of the natural, traditional wine resurgence. Founded in the late eighties when there was a surge interest in over-ripe, over-manipulated, over-oaked wines that often times bear more resemblance to a mass produced product than to a local, artisanal, agricultural product. Dressner’s founder, the late Joe Dressner, had a larger than life personality but the wines in his portfolio have a down to earth expression. They are made in the most traditional ways, hand harvested rather than harvested by machine. They are fermented with wild, indigenous yeasts rather than cultured or commercial yeasts that are known to add flavors and aromas that aren’t naturally present in the wine. Dressner represents small family estates that work in ways that aren’t harmful to the environment.

Beyond this the wines are delicious which is the real point. Joe Dressner was a great hedonist when it came it wine: he liked the good stuff and he liked it in large quantities. When questioned about the “agenda” of the natural wine movement (a common complaint leveled against those who promote wines that aren’t produced on an industrial scale) he simply replied that the agenda of the natural wine movement is to “get hammered, eat really good food and laugh with our friends”. It’s in that spirit that we present these wines.

Although Dressner represents great producers from multiple countries, the dinner will focus on the French wines which are the core of the portfolio. More information about Louis / Dressner and their producers can be found at www.louisdressner.com

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen. Chef Brian has created a special prix-fixe menu that will be offered on Thursday February 14 as well as the following Friday and Saturday (our regular menu will be offered on each of these evenings as well). Click on the link below to have a look! Reservations 816-842-2660.

V-Day 2013

J. Christopher Wine Dinner at Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen featuring Brian Harlan of Loosen Bros. USA

Tuesday February 5, 2013 / Seatings available 6:30 to 8:00 pm. / $55 per person / Reserve 816-842-2660

Menu:
1. Local Baby Greens, Poached Egg, White Anchovie, Parmesan Vinaigrette
J. Christopher Sauvignon Blanc Willamette Valley, Oregon 2011

2. Olive Oil Poached Scallop, Saffron Potato, Kalamata Olive Tapenade, Spanish Chorizo Chips
J. Christopher “Cuvee Lunatique” Chardonnay Willamette Valley, Oregon 2011

3. Roasted Duck Breast, Buttered Risotto, Pea Shoots, Cherry Demi Glace
J. Christopher Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, Oregon 2010
J. Christopher Pinot Noir “Nuages” Chehalem Mountain, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2010

4. Pecan Pie in a Shredded Phyllo Nest, Bourbon Vanilla Crème Anglaise
El Maestro Sierra Oloroso 15 year Sherry, Spain

Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen is excited to host Brian Harlan, National Sales Manager of Loosen Bros. USA, for a dinner featuring the wines of J. Christopher. J. Christopher is the realization of two great winemakers, Jay Somers of Newberg, Oregon and Ernst Loosen of Mosel, Germany. Together they’ve brought their commitment to traditional, natural farming and winemaking to Oregon’s famed Willamette Valley.
Jay began making the wines in the mid 1990s and when he joined with legendary Riesling producer and Pinot-fanatic Ernst Loosen. The two were able to purchase a 40 acre estate in the Chehalem Mountain disctrict where they built their winery. The wines they make show the purity and transparency of which Oregon is capable.
J. Christopher is one of only three Oregon wineries to produce a little Sauvignon Blanc, which is surprising considering that Willamette Valley’s cool climate is rather well suited to the grape. This wine will show the pure aromas and crisp acidity that are signatures of Sauvignon Blanc.
The “Cuvee Lunatique” Chardonnay is so named because Jay was a pioneer in making all stainless steel, no oak, no malolactic fermentation Chardonnay. People thought he was crazy but soon developed a taste for this steely, crisp expression of the grape.
We’ll be pouring two J. Christopher Pinot Noirs with the main course. The flagship 2010 Willamette Valley represents a blend of grapes from Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountain and Eola Hills. Expect to tease out the subtle, complex flavors of native yeast fermented Oregon Pinot.
The name “Nuages” refers to the clouds that hang over the Chehalem Mountains during the autumn and allow a slow, moderate end of season ripening. This Pinot is a bit darker than the Willamette bottling with lots of herbs and spices.
There’s not a lot of any of these wines produced but those in attendance will have a chance to buy a few bottles for their lockers and later enjoyment!

www.jchristopherwines.com

Tannin has been featured in several recent national media articles including last Friday’s USA Today.  Larry Bleiberg writes “The bar is right at home in the city’s hip and historic Crossroads Art District of modified warehouses and other industrial buildings.  Along with the setting Cappiali appreciates the variety:  Customers can try wines in a 2-ounce taster or by the glass or bottle.  The international selection is also noteworthy. “Here you might find a New Zealand pinot” he says.”  The full article can be found at

www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2012/12/06/10-great-places-where-wine-bars-serve-flights-of-fancy/1751813

Tannin also ranked among the “Top 100 Notable Wine Lists 2012″ at OpenTable.com.  This list can be found at www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?ref=9400&pid=574

We hope you’ll join us as we ring in 2013 at Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen.  It promises to be a great party with live music, plenty of Champagne (& other sparkling wines) at Midnight and Chef Brian’s special New Year’s Eve menu which is linked below.  Reservations 816-842-2660 or http://www.tanninwinebar.com/reservations/

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