Go Texan Wine Dinner

April 1, JH and I went to a wine dinner at Tramontana. The restaurant is near Preston and the Tollway (about a block from DSW for those who know that as a landmark). It is a great place that I tend to forget about because of the location. I get focused on my little East Dallas zone and forget to branch out occasionally.
Tramontana’s “Go Texan” Wine Dinner Featured the Texas wines of Kim McPherson, the Dallas cheeses of Paula Lambert, and the cuisine of very nice and talented local chef James Neel. Neel has a reputation for buying fresh ingredients each day and using what is in season. All were present, and McPherson talked about the history of making wine in Texas and what grapes work best in Texas and why. All the of the wines were nice.
I previously tasted McPherson Cellars Viognier at Times Ten Cellars in Lakewood. McPherson grows his Viognier in West Texas. Also grown in West Texas is McPherson Cellars 2006 Rose'. It was served with The 2007 was served with Roasted Beet Salad with Paula’s Fresh Texas Goat Cheese. Delish. Pink everywhere! It is a dry Rose' of Syrah/Grenache and screams Spring.
Next up was Slow Roasted JuHa Ranch Pork with Roasted Garlic & Mascarpone Risotto and Natural Pan Drippings paired with McPherson Grenache/Mouverdre 2007. I still can't pronounce Mouverdre, even though I keep trying. I can't tell you anything about this wine but can tell you this dish was fantastic! It was followed by Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper Rubbed Texas Beef with Creamed Spinach “Montasio Festivo”, another delish meat dish. The beef was wonderfully paired with McPherson's "signature" wine, the Sangiovese. We had the 2006 grown on the Texas High Plains. I don't know where that is, but it is a good place for growing Sangiovese.
Dessert was Fromage Blanc Ice Cream with Red Fruits. Yum again. I asked Chef Neel about fromage blanc... white cheese ice cream? When he was a poor student in France (any story can be romanticized when you start it that way, right?) he ate a lot of fromage blanc. Apparently it is kind of like yogurt there. Regardless, I like the ice cream - had vanilla beans, not overly sweet.
JH and I were probably the youngest folks there at 41. We met some interesting people and enjoyed some good food and wine. Good to branch out.
Tramontana is offering lots of specials the past few months for those of us who still want to eat out at nice places in the scary economy. I don't think their website has all the details, but you cold call or get on the email list.