Special Event:
Blade’s Bistro – Milagro Vineyards & Winery
Wine Pairing Dinner
March 21, 2016
The Players
Kevin and Anja Bladergroen
Blade’s Bistro, Placitas NM
“Tucked away in the serene town of Placitas, Blades’ Bistro offers savory European and American influenced cuisine, a warm atmosphere and an ever-changing array of daily specials.
“In everyday life, it is the Bistro that is woven into the daily pattern of meals and celebrations. The Bistro is that little neighborhood restaurant where they know who you are, greet you warmly, and serve you satisfying foods that change with the seasons and define Creative Casual Cuisine.
“Blades’ Bistro with its warm atmosphere offers uncomplicated, unpretentious food and daily specials that keep you coming back often. Bistro cuisine is a mix of European and American influence. This is all done with high quality ingredients, “the melting pot of taste.” A little of this and a little of that make rustic food so inviting. This is all brought together country side in a classical Bistro setting.
I love this place. The Braised Apple Calvados Sweetbreads (Ris de Veau) are among my all-time favorite dishes. Amazing. Blade’s has earned a spot (currently number 8) on my coveted Albuquerque Top Ten List.
Larry and San Francisco de Asis with Merlot at Milagro
Milagro Vineyard & Winery, Corrales NM
“Handcrafted from Vine to Wine.
“Milagro Vineyards create wines in Northern New Mexico from vineyards located in and around the picturesque village of Corrales. Convinced that wine is made mostly in the vineyard, Milagro meticulously raises all the grapes used to make its wines. Wines are handmade in an Old World style, using barrel aging in fine French Oak and bottle aging, to reflect the “Place” or “Terrior” they come from.
The Garden — I spend a lot of time here with my friends.
“Milagro has produced wines from vinifera grapes since the vineyards were planted in 1985. Currently they include small production of a Rose, red & white table wine – Corrales White and Corrales Red – and varietal wines of Chardonnay, Semillon, Riesling, Gruner Veltliner, Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.”
Rick and Mitzi, Proprietors
The Milagro Tasting Room is open on weekends (monthly during warmer weather), and is a lovely place to sit and sip with your friends. Or make new friends. I am here often. The grounds are gorgeous.
Rick and Mitzi Hobson, the proprietors, will be glad to bend your ear about their fabulous handmade wines. Be sure to get on their mailing list for their latest news.
The Food and Wine
Blade Bistro – Milagro Vineyard & Winery Dinner Menu
White Asparagus Soup
First Course
Fresh White Asparagus Soup, with
2014 Milagro Vineyards & Winery Riesling
Had I encountered this soup while I was judging soups at the Roadrunner Food Bank’s Annual Souper Bowl, it would have won the Critic’s Choice First Place Award. And this is a tough competition.
This soup is delicious. Perfect appearance, taste, and texture. I could eat it every day. And the 2014 Riesling is one of my favorite Milagro whites. Excellent pairing.
Sablefish (Black Cod) Misoyaki Style
Second Course
Sablefish (Black Cod) Misoyaki-Style Pan seared set atop a cauliflower puree, with
Milagro Vineyards & Winery Library 2010 Old Church Chardonnay
My first sablefish in New Mexico. Veray tasty, and the three-cauliflower puree was truly spectacular. The slight bitterness complemented the slight sweetness of the fish. A beautifully balanced dish.
The Old Church Chardonnay was just right, and while Chardonnays are not among my favorites, the pairing really worked well.
Herb Crusted Colorado Rack of Lamb au Natural
Third Course
Herb Crusted Colorado Rack of Lamb au Natural and roasted acorn squash, roasted red beets and green beans
Milagro Vineyards & Winery Library 2008 Merlot
Lamb is my favorite red meat, and this is one of the very best Lamb Racks I have had in this state. Done medium rare, it had perfect appearance, taste, and texture. The herbing and the wine reduction were spot-on. I want this again.
The Library Merlot is one of my favorite Milagros, and the pairing could not have been better.
Grand Marnier Dark Chocolate Brownie
Dessert
Grand Marnier Dark Chocolate Brownie with a White Chocolate Ganache
Milagro Vineyards & Winey Library 2009 Old Church Zinfandel
The brownie had a powerfully sweet taste. I loved it. The Zin is among the best that New Mexico offers, and I love it. But I think the pairing was flawed. The intense sweetness of the brownie didn’t work well with the berry taste of the Zin — they fought each other.
My dinner companions — Pamela Jackson, Barbara Chase, and Linda Poindexter Chase — also were wowed by this event. None has previously visited Blade’s, and we are all ready to return. I sure hope that Kevin and Anya will keep up a regular train of these events. When they do, get your reservation early. And make sure that you are on their mailing list.
Blade’s Bistro
