Summer's sunny entrance has allowed me to enjoy a crisp glass of wine on the patio regularly. There's simply nothing like kicking back in the moment and forgetting all of those stressful to-dos in your jam-packed calendar. As I poured my glass (half) full with Bridlewood Chardonnay earlier this week and breathed in the fresh Austin air, my mind wandered back to the lovely wine pairing dinner at Odd Duck earlier this month. I am no connoisseur at this point, but this Santa Barbara label was wonderful with every bite of Bryce Gilmore's cuisine, which paired no less than perfectly.
After a few passed apps and an exclusive glass of Bridlewood's Rosé (you can only find it at the Santa Barbara tasting room!) on the Odd Duck patio, we were seated at a glowing farm table lined with wine glasses and friendly faces. I was sandwiched in between my lovely boss Camille Styles and fellow food blogger Jeanine Donofrio from Love & Lemons. Clearly, I was in good company.
Each glass of Bridlewood artisan wine provided a unique flavor balance -- my favorites being the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Winemaker Mark Williams sat across from us, brilliantly explaining the undertones behind a first sip. I enjoyed hearing his personal interpretation while simultaneously trying the five wines.
My very favorite dish and wine pairing continues to be the Bridlewood Pinot Noir with Chef Gilmore's handmade cavatelli with sweet roasted tomatoes and mushrooms (pictured above). If only I could recreate the dish with my Pinot Noir at home! I look forward to experimenting with my own pairing recipes, which I hope to share soon over the coming months. Thank you for bringing California to Austin, Bridlewood!
