No - Sylvester Stallone didn't drop by for arm wrestling... But that would've been an interesting party, too. Christmas Eve was a balls-to-the-wall exercise in decadence this year! Not sure why that particular bug bit in 2010, but everyday is a party, they say. So, why not kick it up a notch for the holiday?!!!
Kara's tradition for Christmas Eve is hanging out and eating appetizers. She has a bean dip that she makes every year which is the anchor to this concept. I get to fill in the goodies all around it. So, I figured it really knock it out of the park:
We opened with side-by-side glasses of Paul Bara Brut Champagne NV and Moreau's 'Les Clos' Grand Cru Chablis 2008. I paired these to a dozen Fanny Bay oysters (yes - I shucked them myself...) and an ounce of Russian Osetra Caviar. The Champagne was nice: crisp minerality, balanced fruit, but really just a servicable sparkler. It worked well with both foods. The Chablis was awesome! I think the quality of the wine itself made this the favorable pairing for both the caviar and the oysters. It was salty, with chalk and butter compound, ripe fruits, perfumed with white flowers and moderate body. This Chablis was just ranked in the Top 100 by Wine Spectator, so grab it while you can.
Our next course was Alaskan King Crab Legs, also paired to the Chablis. This was pretty awesome to see the change in the wine. The Crab Legs really drew out the fruitier aspects of the Chardonnay, while the lighter seafood dishes played on the minerality. I knew these wines would be versatile and fine pairings for all of these dishes, but I had no idea how delicious and interesting this Chablis was going to be!
Lastly, Kara's bean dip hit the table. No pairing here except for some beer. In retrospect, I should've filmed her eating the bean dip. You've never seen such a small girl put away so much. "Selective hunger", she calls it...
All in all, a great Christmas Eve! Hope yours was as enjoyable!
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