Valentine's Sugar Plum Panna Cotta

A Recipe from Chef Daniel Bruce — Yield 4 Servings

Valentine's Day at Meritage

A Special Event

Celebrate Valentine's Day at Boston's most romantic restaurant. Guests may select from Meritage's innovative seasonal menu or opt for a special, five-course, Champagne pairing dinner. All of the featured celebratory sparklers are rosé Champagne. This special dinner menu will be available Tuesday, February 8 – Saturday, February, 12, 2011 and on Monday, February 14. Take in the beautiful views of wintry Boston Harbor as you raise a toast to the one you love.

Chef Daniel Bruce will prepare a delicious menu of fine cuisine in celebration of Valentine's Day. The five-course menu features:

Notes from the Sommelier

Tanya McDonough, Wine Director / Sommelier

This is an exciting time of year for me, and all wine lovers, to be at Meritage and the Boston Harbor Hotel. It is the 22nd annual Boston Wine Festival. There will be many stars of the wine world in and out of the BHH this season to share with and educate us on the fruits of their labor. From Bordeaux to California, Italy to Germany, there are so many wines to focus on. I have decided to talk about wines that help get me through this blustery winter-wines from the Rhône Valley in southern France. The Rhône Valley is divided into the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône. Northern red Rhône wines are made from the syrah grape and whites from Viognier. A favorite of mine, new to Meritage, is the 2005 M.Chapoutier Hermitage ‘La Sizeranne’. It is a syrah that shows flavors of licorice, red and black currants with some coffee notes.

Southern Rhône reds are a blend of up to fifteen different grape varieties with the majority being syrah, grenache, mourvedre and cinsault. One that is drinking well at the moment is the 2007 Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is a rich, full-bodied wine displaying black raspberry fruit with silky tannins.

White wines from this region are a blend of multiple grapes the most common being viognier, rousanne, marsanne, and grenache blanc. A wine that I think is a great example of the southern Rhône is the 2008 Coudoulet de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône. It reminds me a bit of a well made Chablis. It is medium bodied showing notes of crushed rocks and lemon zest. I look forward to having you join us for future Seasonal Sips at Meritage. Happy New Year!

Seasonal Sips

Thursday Tastings at Meritage

As we embrace the winter season and the holidays are behind us, most of us find we have a bit more time to ourselves. My challenge to you all is to put the shovel away for a night and step inside the beautiful bar at Meritage on a Thursday night. We have some international-themed Sip events, which will temporarily whisk you away from the biting cold of this Boston winter. Find yourself drifting off to various islands around the world or drinking fine wine (not beer) made by a true Irishman. You could relax with a favorite theme of mine, Wine and Cheese. Whatever your choice, Sips is a nice alternative to your regular Thursday routine. Come in soon for a much deserved break.

Chef Daniel Bruce and sommelier Tanya McDonough will introduce three to four wines from selected regions every Thursday at Meritage. Chef Bruce will prepare tasting spoons or small bites to pair perfectly with each wine offering.

Seasonal Sips: Thursday Tastings at Meritage is $25 per person

Featured Vintner: Castellare di Castellina

BostonWineFestival.net

22nd annual Boston Wine Festival

A Special Event

The 22nd annual Boston Wine Festival continues through April 1st. Tickets are still available.

Chef Daniel Bruce, founder of the nation's longest running wine and food series, continues the tradition of presenting exceptional food and wine pairings as we continue the Festival's third decade in our luxurious waterfront setting. For tickets and a schedule of wine festival events, please visit www.bostonwinefestival.net

Featured Vintners

Castellare di Castellina
The Castellare vineyards in Castellina are some of the highest elevation vineyards in Chianti Classico, which accounts for the low yields and concentration of fruits in these spectacular wines. Winemaker Alessandro Cellai presents a seminar followed by dinner with these stellar Sangiovese wines as Chef Bruce passionately recreates regional dishes.

Valentine's Dinner Dance

A Special Boston Wine Festival Event

Champagne is for more than just toasting! Chef Daniel Bruce once again shows his rare talents with his perfectly matched, all Champagne dinner featuring wines from Charles Heidsieck including the highly acclaimed 1999 Rare. Tonight is a perfect opportunity to share a romantic evening of music performed by a seven piece band and dancing, coupled with incredible wine and food.

Valentine's Brunch

A Special Boston Wine Festival Event

Join us in our beautiful waterfront location for a fantastic ending to Valentine's weekend. Enjoy our favorite Piper Heidsieck Champagne and the view of Boston Harbor, while listening to a soothing live piano and savoring the extensive buffet offerings of Chef Daniel Bruce.