Uncasville, CT-based on line casino Mohegan Solar held its twentieth Solar Wine & Meals Fest from Jan. 26 to Jan. 28, 2024. The annual meals and wine competition included greater than 15 occasions combining culinary artistry, distinctive and premium wine and spirit picks and superstar chef demonstrations.
We hadn’t been to the present in just a few years, so it was good to be again. Right here’s a fast take a look at among the festivities we attended.
Grand Tasting
The Grand Tasting supplied the chance to pattern greater than 1,000 sorts of wine, beer and spirits. Loads of large names have been there, from Baileys and Bulleit to Don Julio and Patron to Smirnoff and Tito’s (whose cubicles have been positioned proper subsequent to one another) and others.
We have been additionally capable of uncover a number of smaller and regional manufacturers, together with Ammunition bourbon and rye; By way of Carota craft cocktails; Spritzatto aperitivo; Root Out root beer-flavored whisky; Finvara Irish whiskey; and the Profanity Life household of “Good F*cking” wines and spirits. The tasting additionally included superstar chef demonstrations happening all through the day and samples from well-liked eating places and elite cooks of the area.
Pappy Van Winkle Tasting
Katy O’Donnell, the Buffalo Hint Distillery Nationwide Model Ambassador for Sazerac Co., led a guided tasting of the unique Pappy Van Winkle whiskey assortment. The lineup included Previous Van Winkle 10 yr; Van Winkle Particular Reserve 12 yr; Pappy Van Winkle 15 yr; Pappy Van Winkle 20 yr; and Pappy Van Winkle 23 yr.
Donnell peppered the discuss with tidbits concerning the Pappy Van Winkle (who had been a whisky salesman for William Larue Weller) and the corporate’s historical past, manufacturing and getting older course of. The occasion, held on the on line casino’s Clay Pipe Cigar Bar, additionally included proprietary cigars infused with Previous Rip Van Winkle 10-year bourbon.
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Dos Hombres Mezcal Founders Occasion
The Breaking Unhealthy actors Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul cofounded Dos Hombres mezcal in 2019. Why? When Breaking Unhealthy led to 2013, the 2 have been in search of one thing to do collectively, Paul advised the gang gathered at Mohegan Solar’s Nouvelle cocktail lounge. He pitched the concept of began a mezcal model to Cranston over dinner in New York just a few years after the collection ended.
Cranston thought he was joking about mezcal: “That shitty spirit with the worm in it?!” Paul recalled him saying. Cranston admitted that he thought it was the worst thought, however that modified as the 2 began tasting quite a lot of completely different mezcals and later visiting Mexico to seek out the best producer.
The mezcal components that turned Dos Hombres is pure, Paul famous: “smoked agave and mountain spring water.” The pair intention to present again to the distant village in Mexico the place the mezcal is produced. They’ve already constructed a much-needed water filtration plant there, and are engaged on a brand new medical provide facility.
“It’s the best way to do it; the best strategy to run a enterprise,” Paul mentioned. Added Cranston: “We always remember how fortunate we’re to have the ability to inform tales for a dwelling.”
Movie star Chef Dine Round
Greater than 20 superstar cooks showcased their signature dishes and inventive experience paired with a wine, beer or spirit. For instance, Rocco DiSpirito paired loaded Mac & cheese, chunky brisket, bacon, Italian sausage, cherry peppers and jalepenos with J Vineyards Tri pinot noir. Chef Plum paired an apricot and chili-glazed pork stomach burnt ends and sunshine slaw chicharron with Two Roads Lil’ Heaven and Two Roads Jackpot Juice Hazy IPA. Michelle Ragussis paired her arancini Bolognese with Candoni pinot grigio.
Betty Fraser and Natalie Romero paired their umami bomb (ramen marinated miso deviled egg, brown butter lobster and caviar and sesame panko pangrattato) with Veuve Du Vernay glowing brut rosé. Todd English matched smoked pulled brief rib, Asian slaw and sticky soy glaze with Patron silver tequila, whereas JJ Johnson paired Liberian jollof rice, hen, beef and shrimp with a whiskey taramind punch. Mohegan Solar’s government pastry chef/director of culinary Lynn Mansel placed on a twentieth anniversary dessert extravaganza that was supplied paired with Prima Perla prosecco and Mount Homosexual Navy Paloma.
Brunch with Martha and Pals
The queen of internet hosting Martha Stewart held courtroom at a Sunday brunch occasion hosted by actor/comic Kalen Allen and in addition that includes Queer Eye meals and wine professional Antoni Porowski. Stewart made a pitcher of one in every of her favourite brunch drinks, Mary’s Knees.
An orangey vodka Margarita, the cocktail consists of vodka, contemporary lime juice, contemporary orange juice and Grand Marnier (the model they have been serving on the brunch bar included pineapple juice as effectively, for some motive). The instructed pairing with the Mary’s Knees was Martha’s Particular Popovers and Mother’s Creamed Spinach and Scrambled Eggs.
What’s Stewart’s favourite vodka? Zubrowka, the Polish bison grass vodka. “I’m Polish,” she famous, including that she retains her vodka within the freezer.
Stewart additionally shared that she was about to go on tour with Snoop Dogg selling Bic lighter’s EZ attain lighter, and that she was now engaged on her a hundredth e-book, which options her 100 favourite recipes. Her subsequent e-book after that, she mentioned, “shall be my autobiography.”
