New Zealand Saint Clair Estate Wine Dinner at E & O Hotel Penang
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It was a great evening at the NEW ZEALAND WINE DINNER featuring vintages from Saint Clair Family Estate. Held at Java Tree in Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang, we were satiated with a five-course meal paired with wines from Saint Clair Family Estate, one of the worlds best producers of Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough wine region.
The menu has an aperitif to start, followed by appetizer, entree, main and sweet dessert to finish, paired with a selection of red and white wines by The Wine Shop. We got the opportunity to sample three whites and two reds bottled under screw cap:
Saint Clair Marlborough Origin Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Pinot Gris 2022
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Pinot Noir 2021
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir 2021
The dinner started off with the introduction of the wines, from the elegant Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris to Pinot Noir by Kyle Thompson, Senior Winemaker for Saint Clair Family Estate.
Once a student studying food science and microbiology, Kyle went on to further his winemaking study in Europe and returned to New Zealand to marry his love of old-world wines and techniques with the freedom and innovation of the New World.
Since joining Saint Clair in 2006, Kyle and the winemaking team has achieved much recognition with the hundreds over trophies and gold medals.
(L-R) Alison Fraser (E & O Hotel), Kyle Thompson (Saint Clair Family Estate) & guest
The serving of the aperitif wine got the evening started. Guests were served with the New Zealand Saint Clair Marlborough Origin Sauvignon Blanc 2022, a white wine that offers zippy acidity and notes of refreshing tropical fruit flavors.
We moved on to the award-winning Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2021. This white had everyone cooed over its intense fragrances of white fruits and herb. Making way to a long lingering finish, the sauvignon blanc harmonizes well with the Green-Lipped Mussel Gratin.
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Green-Lipped Mussel Gratin
Following that came the appetizer of Crayfish Salad on Crispy Kumara (sweet potato). Using our hands, we relished the well crisped kumara topped with a lettuce cup filled with creamy crayfish salad. There was plenty of flavour and texture in this seafood appetizer.
The pairing wine for this appetizer was the Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Pinot Gris 2022 with an ABV of 12.50%. The white wine rounded on the palate with a lingering finish was packed with lush aromas of fruits and spice.
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Pinot Gris 2022
Crayfish Salad on Crispy Kumara
Then came the entree, presented with a dish of Braised Ostrich Fillet. Flanked by mousseline garbanzo bean, pomegranate, cilantro, and crispy parāoa rēwena (Maori sourdough potato bread), the dish of ostrich meat looked pretty on the plate. All the ingredients plus a pleasing pop of sweetness and tart from the pomegranate and a good crunch from the parāoa rēwena added to a point of fullness.
The dish was paired with the Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Pinot Noir 2021, a red wine made from Pinot Noir grapes grown in New Zealand’s Marlborough region along with other red fruits and spicy spices. Its fruity and spicy flavors lead to a long lingering finish, making it a versatile red wine paired with poultry and cheeses.
Saint Clair Pionner Block 14 Pinot Noir 2021
Saint Clair Pionner Block 14 Pinot Noir 2021 with Braised Ostrich Fillet
The main entree was the Herbs Crusted Rack of Spring Lamb. Prepared with care, the tender pieces of lamb served with creamy polenta, green peas, and mint oil brings some massive flavours. It is a treat to savored especially when matched with the Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir 2021 with an ABV of 13%.
On the palate of this intensely aromatic red wine, there was a combo of dark fruit flavors, plus spices and gentle hint of vanilla. Its taste was further enhanced with fine grained tannins. With a long and savory finish, this red wine paired especially well with the heaviness of the lamb dish, making it my favorite red wine for the evening.
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir 2021 awarded with several Gold Medals in 2023
Herbs Crusted Rack of Spring Lamb
The evening was a great night out with a perfect ending. Everyone was sweetened with Pavlova, a disc of lightness and airiness paired with sweetness of strawberries.
