Of New Mexico
Wine Dinner
With Farid Himeur, Director of Marketing
March 27, 2004 -- 7 p.m.
Larkspur, Douglas St. in Old Town
Here's some photos of the fun...
In 1983, while traveling
through the southwestern part of the United States, the Gruet family met a group
of European winemakers who had successfully planted vineyards in Engle, near the
town of Truth or Consequence, 170 miles south of Albuquerque. The land was
inexpensive and the opportunity golden. In 1984, Gilbert Gruet, whose Champagne
house Gruet et Fils had produced fine Champagne in Bethon, France, since 1952,
made the decision to plant an experimental vineyard, exclusively planted to
Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay grapes. His children, winemaker Laurent and daughter Nathalie, and
family friend Farid Himeur then relocated to the great state of New Mexico to
begin their American winemaking adventure.
The excellent 1987 harvest allowed Laurent to produce his first two wines following the strict guidelines of a true Methode Champenoise. His Gruet Brut N.V., and his Gruet Brut Blanc de Noirs N.V. production totaled 5000 bottles. In 1989, after the required minimum of two years aging on tirage, the first two sparkling wines were introduced to an appreciative wine world. All were astonished by the quality and the value. New Mexico wine was on the map!
Today, six different sparkling wines as well as two excellent Chardonnays and a small amount of Pinot Noir are produced. Gruet's dedication to quality and strict adherence to the methods he learned from his father have guaranteed their wines a place in the landscape of great American wines.
Reception -- Gruet Brut Sparkling
Wine
Tray of variety of fruit, vegetables and tortilla wrap
with cream cheese
Salad Course -- Gruet Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine
Fresh seasonal mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette
dressing, roasted almonds and bleu cheese
Fish Course -- Gruet Chardonnay
Seared scallops & baked halibut over a bed of spinach
feta with Chardonnay artichoke sauce
Entree -- Gruet Pinot Noir
Roasted tenderloin with portabella mushroom and Pinot
Noir demi glaze sauce
Dessert -- Gruet Demi-sec Sparkling Wine
Raspberry CrÈme Brulee
Cost is only $45 for members, $60 for non-members
Mail your check and this portion to: AIWF, P.O. Box 781101, Wichita, KS 67278-1101
682-5502 for information or credit card reservations. you need not be a member
to attend!
Credit card orders must be received by 12 noon, Mar.
26th - No
cancellations, substitutions accepted.
Mail your check to: AIWF, P.O. Box 781101, Wichita, KS 67278-1101
Please include number reservations, member/non-member, names and a phone
number where you can be reached.
Number reservations: ____Members ___Non-members
Total attending: _________
Print names of all
Members:___________________________________________________________
Non-Members: _______________________________________________________
Phone number_______________________ [] Check enclosed (payable to "AIWF Wichita")
Charge my [] VISA [] M/C Card number__________________________
Exp. date _________
Signature: _________________________________
Printed name on card: ________________________
Check/credit card orders must be received by 12 noon, Mar. 26th - No cancellations, substitutions accepted.