Crystal Springs Resort kicks off its new Sommelier Dinner Series with a Rare Riesling Dinner featuring guest sommelier Paul Grieco on Saturday September 14, 2013 at 7:00pm.

A James Beard Award-winning sommelier and self-professed “Riesling evangelist,” Grieco co-owns Hearth Restaurant and Terroir wine bars in NYC and is the architect of the “Summer of Riesling” nationwide program to highlight this underappreciated grape varietal. This dinner will mark the end of the Summer of Riesling in spectacular fashion in Crystal Springs’ award-winning 135,000 bottle Wine Cellar. Grieco will co-host the dinner with Crystal Springs sommelier Susanne Lerescu, a native of Germany and a fan of Riesling in her own right. They will talk about the origins of the grape, the regions it grows in, how it pairs with food, how well the grape ages and more.

The dinner will feature 10 Rieslings including those from the following regions: Mosel and Rheingau in Germany, Alsace in France and Wachau in Austria. The menu (see below) will be crafted by Crystal Springs Executive Chef Timothy Fischer. The German-influenced dishes will be paired with some of the following wines: a 2004 Domaine Weinbach Schlossberg Grand Cru; 1998 Nikolaihof Steinriesler; 1995 Nikolaihof Vinothek; 2007 J.J. Prum Auslese; 2001 Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile; 1971 S.A. Prum Auslese; and 1959 Schloss Vollrads Cask 92.

The dinner is $195 inclusive of food and wine (tax and tip additional) and seats can be reserved by calling 973-827-5996 ext. 3.

Crystal Springs Rare Riesling Dinner with Paul Grieco on September 14th at Crystal Springs Wine Cellar at the Grand Cascades Lodge, 1 Wild Turkey Road, Hamburg NJ Website

(All events are subject to change. Boozy Burbs is not responsible for incorrect event information. Please contact organizers directly to confirm and RSVP).

Dinner Menu

Smoked Fish Duo

Bigeye Tuna, Skuna Bay Salmon,
Black Forest Onion Tartlet, Pumpkin Leather, Riesling Caviar

Keller, Trocken, Rheinhessen, Germany, 2011
Schäfer-Fröhlich, Kabinett, Nahe, Germany, 2009
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Apple Rutabaga Soup
Camembert Maultaschen

Nikolaihof, “Steinriesler,” Wachau, Austria, 1998
Nikolaihof, “Vinothek,” Wachau, Austria, 1995
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Riesling Poached Black Blass
Garden Swiss Chard, Warm Fingerling Salad, Gooseberry Chutney

Dönnhoff, Felsentürmchen, Spätlese, Nahe, Germany, 2006
Schlossberg, Grand Cru, Weinbach, Alsace, France, 2004
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Elderflower Sorbet (Intermezzo)

Schloss Vollrads, Cask 92, Graf Matuschka, Rheingau, Germany, 1959
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Slow Roasted Rabbit Loin
Rabbit Schnitzel, Choucroute Spätzle, Caramelized Fennel, Black Cherry Pepper Sauce

J. J. Prüm, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Auslese, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany, 2007
Cuvée Frederic Emile, Trimbach, Alsace, France, 2001
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Peach Butterkuchen
Rosemary Peach Gelato, Peach Preserve

S.A. Prüm, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Auslese, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany, 1971