Mary Ewing-Mulligan, Tracy Ellen Kamens and Ian Harris

Having completed my Diploma of Wine & Spirits in July of this year, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the International Wine Center’s annual holiday party/Diploma Graduate Dinner in early December. The event was held at I Trulli restaurant and was kicked off with a lovely Champagne reception with passed hors d’oeuvres. I enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with a number of colleagues with whom I been out of touch more recently. I also had the chance to meet several new people as well.

Upon being seated, a formal introduction of the new Diploma graduates was made by Mary Ewing-Mulligan, MW (President of the International Wine Center), with each person invited to come up and have their photo taken with Mary and Ian Harris of the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, visiting from London. Each graduate was presented with an engraved paperweight.

Diners had the option of Barolo-braised Beef Cheeks or Merluzzo Pan-seared Hake Fillet for dinner and, while the Beef Cheeks was the hands-down winner at my table, I just couldn’t bring myself to order it. I usually try to be adventurous in my eating, but, unlike Sweet Breads, the name Beef Cheeks just isn’t very appetizing to me. It actually looked delicious when it was served, so I was a little sorry, but the fish was quite good, so either way I had an enjoyable meal.

The white wine on offer was the 2007 Orsolani Erbaluce di Caluso ‘La Rustia’ and the red wine was a 2003 Carettlo di Montegrosso Barbera d’Asti ‘Ruleja.’ In addition to these two wines, each table was filled with a collection of wines brought by the table’s attendees, with each collection naturally varying. Lisa Donneson of Bouke wines sat next to me and had brought her wine portfolio to try. I especially liked her white blend, which marries Chardonnay (40%), Pinot Gris (32%), Sauvignon Blanc (18%) and Gewurztraminer (10%). The rose was nice, but I think I would have preferred that it be served at a cooler temperature. I never got around to trying her red wine because I was anxious to taste the Pio Cesare Barolo on our table, with no offence meant to Lisa, of course. Later on in the evening, a debate about whether or not one of the red wines (I think it was a Pinot Noir) was corked or otherwise faulted (possibly reductive) took place at our table. Regardless, it was a great evening and a fabulous event. I look forward to celebrating with my fellow DWS holders next year.