Wine & Dine Invites Guests to Meet Famous Winemakers for an Extraordinary Interactive Learning Experience that is All Pleasure

Proprietor Marc Grimaud has organized three unique wine dinners at his Cafe Gabbiano, two of them in January. Reservations limited.

"There’s no better way to learn about wine and improve your palate and taste memory than to experience a wine dinner in the company of famous winemakers.” That’s been the guiding principle that led Cafe Gabbiano proprietor Marc Grimaud to organize three wine dinners over the next few months. The first two are Sunday, January 19, 2014 and Saturday, January 25, 2014 (in collaboration with Forks & Corks) and are characterized by extraordinary wine and food pairings enjoyed in the company of famous winemakers who will guide guests on a journey through Italian and California vineyards for an unparalleled and totally delightful culinary experience. But reservations are limited to 30 people meaning quick response is recommended.

The first wine dinner, featuring the Porter Family Vineyards of Napa, California, is Sunday, January 19, 2014, starting at 6 p.m. $75 per person. Your winemaker host is Tom Porter, winemaker/owner of this family-run vineyard in the Coombsville region of Napa Valley where the enterprise consists of 14 acres of hillside vineyards and an underground winery. The wine and food pairings at Cafe Gabbiano are: spinach, pear and goat cheese salad paired with a 2012 Porter Chardonnay; veal shank ossobuco over polenta paired with a 2011 Syrah; choice of Atlantic swordfish, chicken Livornesse or New Zealand lamb chops paired with 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon. For dessert a chocolate mousse topped with cherry reduction paired with 2010 Cave Dweller’s. To purchase tickets online: http://instagift.com/deal/caf-gabbiano-porter-family-wine-dinner

On Saturday, January 25, 2014 Cafe Gabbiano welcomes Fabio Balan of the Balan Winery, located in the Veneto region of Italy. The winery was established in 1962 but behind it are four generations of wine experts in one family. The dinner starts at 7 p.m. and is $65 per person which includes all wines. The menu is: pear and green apple salad with goat cheese paired with Prosecco; seared sea scallops with mango/pineapple coulis paired with Ribolla Giolla; pan-seared seabass or scaloppini in truffle oil/wine sauce paired with Grion (a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc). For dessert a chilled pear tart is served with Recioto, made from organically grown grapes. To reserve tickets on line: http://instagift.com/deal/caf-gabbiano-balan-jqi-wine-dinner

Cafe Gabbiano is a neighborhood Italian trattoria, relaxed and comfortable. In addition to an outstanding menu that celebrates both classic southern Italian favorites and modern Italian dishes, Cafe Gabbiano offers 200 different kinds of wines (3,000 bottles on the premises) including 23 house-label Italian wines.

Located at 5104 Ocean Boulevard in the heart of historic Siesta Key Beach Village, Cafe Gabbiano is open nightly from 5-10 p.m. Reservations accepted through Open Table. To see the entire menu and to reserve for upcoming food and wine special events, visit the Web site at: cafegabbiano.com. Social media comments always welcome. And watch for news of our February 27, 2014 wine dinner featuring select wines from Argentina, with terrific Malbec selections.

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