Max Lunch Club 2019 Season Dates

“One of the best value food and wine events around, period.”

I am very pleased to announce the dates for our upcoming season of Max Lunch Club events at Max’s Oyster Bar, in West Hartford Center.

For years, we have been presenting great offerings of wine and food combinations in essentially what is a trimmed down wine dinner, but delivered at lunch (and always on a Friday). I try and make sure that we are visited by winery and industry processionals that have an interesting perspective on the topic at hand, and can give our Lunch Club guests some great insight to the wines we are featuring. All of this paired with Chef Bob Peterson’s creations make for a great way to enjoy an afternoon, and a civilized luncheon.

Additionally, I take a lot of professional pleasure and pride in making these selections and pouring the wines that I have hand-selected for each event. Bringing the various guest speakers to our market and introducing them to the Lunch Club members is such a great way to work with wine that I have discovered and enjoy – I hope you agree.

Here is the list of dates that will be filled for the 2019 season, and while all topics have not been filled in quite yet – I am working to get these topics filled shortly, and will be updating as I gets commitments.

As always we ask our guest to arrive at 12:45, and generally plan to start the event at 1pm. We will also be continuing our partnership with the Wise Old Dog wine shop in West Hartford on all of these events.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or comments.

Cheers!

Brian Mitchell, Director of Wine and Beverages for the Max Restaurant Group

January 25th – Rhone Wines through the lens of the Famille Perrin

For this date we venture to the Rhone Valley and taste selections from the Perrin family, owners of Chateau de Beaucastel, perhaps considered to be the premier Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate. The Perrins have been a long-standing favorite of mine, and they continue to develop new wines and regions to show the diversity of the wine regions of southern France. Paul Nerz of Vineyard Brands, the import company responsible for the Perrin wines in the US, will be on hand to present.

Click here to see the full menu.

February 22 – Thom Horsey of Ste. Michelle Estates

Wine Educator Thom Horsey of Ste Michelle Estates pays us a visit and will be presenting wines from the larger portfolio of this top producer. Stay tuned for the specif wines and menu.

March 25 – TBD

April 12th – Matteo Bolla from Valdo Winery – a Perspective on Prosecco

Prosecco is about the hottest wine category going over the past ten years, only surpassed perhaps by Rose (who would have thought?). The Bolla family has been making exceptional Sparkling wines north of Venice since the 1930s, and the current generation has been working hard to make it event better. Matteo Bolla is an exceptional ambassador for the family winery and the region as a whole. See why Prosecco is not just a note wine, but a diverse region with complex wines.

May 17th – TBD

June 14th – TBD

July 12th – Loire Valley from Sancerre to Saumur

This past year I had the pleasure to travel to the Loire and experience some phenomenal wines from regions that are familiar to some, but less well-known to others. For this lunch I will be presenting a selection of wines from top producers I met on my travels.

August 9th – TBD

September 13th – TBD

October 4th – TBD

October 25th – TBD

November 22nd – 6TH Annual Beaujolais Luncheon

This has become an annual favorite, and a lunch that I personally really enjoy. Each year I present a Beaujolais Nouveau from the current release, which is allowed to be released just the day before to the world. This is followed by a selection of top wines from smaller producers that have contributed to the absolute turn-around in everyone’s view of the Beaujolais region. The leader in authentic and pure wines, this is the new frontier of exceptional value and food-friendly wines from France. Chef usually pairs with some classic French dishes, making this all the better for foodies!

Winemaker Dinner with Chad Melville at Max’s Oyster Bar

 

Winemaker Dinner – Santa Barbara Style

In 1997, working side by side with his father Ron and brother Brent, Chad helped to establish Melville’s Estate vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills, a journey that began and continues to endure with tremendous passion and dedication. Since that time, Chad has received great critical acclaim for his wines. Through both his intimate knowledge of the vineyards and his relentless commitment to winemaking practices that honor tradition and the land, Chad understands the magical evolution each bottle of wine undertakes from vine to glass.

“Off-the-charts good… these are some of the greatest values in the world of wine today”

The Wine Advocate

Guest Speaker

CHAD MELVILLE – HEAD WINEGROWER

“WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN BEING AN ESTATE…

OWNING, FARMING, AND GROWING WINE FROM OUR LAND”

Thursday March 29, 2018

6:30pm

 Menu by Chef Hunter Morton

1

Melville Winery, Chardonnay Estate, Sta. Rita Hills, 2014

Smoked Trout

Horseradish Panna Cotta, Watercress, Beet Root Gel, Cucumber, Brown Bread

2

Melville Winery, Pinot Noir Estate, Sta. Rita Hills, 2013

Foie Gras Torchon

Blood Orange Marmalade, Smoked Duck, Pistachio, Brioche, Minus 8 Vinegar

3

Melville Winery, Pinot Noir Sandy’s Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills, 2014

Walden Hills Pork Presse

Garlic Lentils, Savoy Cabbage, Pickled Mustard Seed

4

Melville Winery, Syrah Estate, Sta. Rita Hills, 2015

Roasted Dry-Aged Striploin

Smoked Butter Potato Puree, Seacoast Mushrooms, Baby Carrot, Onion Jus

D

Chocolate Cake

Malted Milk Ice Cream

$99.00 per person

(not including tax or gratuity)

Please call Max’s Oyster Bar in West Hartford for reservations

860-236-6299