Tweet

The “Vive La France” Wine Luncheon on Thursday, May 18th, 2017 at the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival was highlighted by the Louis XIII Experience.  4 wines paired with 4 courses followed by a rare tasting of  Louis XIII Cognac in special Louis XIII glasses supplied by Remy Martin.  The luncheon was held at Topper’s at The Wauwinet Inn, located on a lovely sliver of land at the northeast tip of Nantucket Island.

The reception featured passed hors d’oeuvres with the N.V. Gosset Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne.

Course 1 featured Pate De Champagne with Frisee and Celery Salad, Pickled Vegetables, Mustard and Sourdough Croutons.  Course 1’s wine was a simply lovely 1er Cru Cassagne-Montrachet 2014 from Michel Niellon.

Course 2 consisted of a delicious Roasted Ora King Salmon served with Bulls Blood Beets, Pearl Barley, Swiss Chard and Beurre Rouge.  A Chateau de Mersault Pommard 1er Cru Clos Des Epenots 2014 paired beautifully with the dish.

Course 3 was highlighted by a very tender Braised Beef Short Ribs plated with Summer Truffles, Fava Beans, Smoked Potatoes, and “Blanquette de Morille”.  The wine was a 2000 Chateau D’Issan 3rd growth from Margaux.

The dessert course was a scrumptious Apricot Brown Butter Tart, Vanilla Ice Cream.  This was served with no wine pairing as the Louis XIII would be served directly after on its own.

And then it was served.  I’m not the biggest Cognac fan in the world but when you get a chance to taste a Cognac that was 100 years in the making, it is a rare treat.  The Louis XIII was very interesting and progressed thru several flavors profiles while in the glass.  All Louis XIII de Rémy Martin is a blend of 1,200 eaux de vie between 40 and 100 years old, aged in oak barrels that are several hundred years old.  Is it worth $3,000 a bottle?  I guess that is a question you must answer on your own.