Winetacular Round-up!

Our 7th spectacular 'Tacular was a resounding hit, leaving our bellies full of Winey Deliciousness. What did we enjoy you ask? Well...

Ian made a deliciously crunchy mushroom crostini. It was worth having to endure the shrieking of the smoke detector going off (twice!).

Sara, Dan and Henry baked up an oozingly gooey brie with caramelized onions, and brought an addictive cheese dip with sherry.

Jenn and Daniel sauteed up an appropriately garlicky shrimp scampi, made with a splash of Pinot Grigio.

Mei brought the Coq......as in a fall-off-the-bones Coq au Vin.

Ayako and James stewed up Julia Child's Beouf Bourguignon...less than 24 hours after Ayako's Big Move. Impressive!

Allison and Mark stirred up a mushroom risotto stuffed into yellow and red peppers. Mark also brought some Mill Street barley wine, which Porktronic thoroughly enjoyed (that pig has issues).

Kate baked a batch of sweet wine and *lard* cookies, a curiously yummy combination. Booze and fat, can't go wrong!

And, I assembled a plate of cheese -- one from Piedmonte with a rind covered in the must from Barolo wine; and to go with an ice wine jelly, a buttery Delice de Bourgogne triple creme and Grey Owl from Quebec. I also poached up some pears and served them with a vanilla ginger creme anglaise.

Plus there was wine trivia! James reigned supreme, Sara took the silver, and Mei went home with the bronze after a heated tie-breaker battle with Kate. Ian's attempt at cheating may have automatically disqualified him from participating in future 'Tacular challenges, the jury is still out. (So, if you want to know who played Miles in "Sideways", ask anyone but Mark. And if you're wondering how to spell Gewurztraminer, ask James, Allison or Sara.)

And even though Jeremy is busy on the West Coast, we managed to patch him in via Skype. Fully MIA this time around were Christian, Karina and Mark L. We missed you guys!

For pics, check out the new link (top right corner) to our 'Tacular photo memories.

Onto the next 'Tacular...Souptacular to be hosted by Jenn and Daniel. Date to be confirmed.