Wining and Dining at Truro Vineyards

By: Susan Blood, July 2, 2012

SUSAN BLOOD - A match made in heaven: Tony Pasquale of Terra Luna shares a glass of 2009 triumph with Kayla over flourless chocolate torte with caramel sauce and pink salt.

WAAM (Wine, Art, Appetizers and Music) at Truro Vineyards started off so civilized.

 

Sarah Swain and Bruce McLean played acoustic in the corner as patrons checked in and found seats at six-tops in the Pavilion. Polite introductions were made between strangers at the tables.

 

On their way in, everyone was given a glass of 2007 brut. Once we were settled, the brut was paired with Wellfleet Quahog Ceviche, served in a quahog shell. Guests relaxed.

 

The directions, “sip, bite, sip,” seemed easy enough at first, but it became harder and harder to remember the order as the evening progressed.

 

Conversations at the table went something like:

 

“What were we supposed to do?”
“I don't care. This is delicious.”

 

A 2010 unoaked chardonnay was paired with crostini of roasted fennel with orange and ricotta salata.

 

The chardonnay was aged in stainless steel drums (think beer) instead of barrels, so you get the taste of the grape instead of the taste of oak.

 

The idea of WAAM is that each wine has been paired with the perfect appetizer. Before each pairing appeared, Nicole Gelinas, the vineyard's events coordinator, told the group about the wines while Tony Pasquale (of Truro's Terra Luna) described the food and explained the pairing.

 

By the third pairing, people were cheering after the descriptions.

Three cheers for five courses

 

A 2011 vignoles was paired with Chatham cod cakes with piri piri aioli. I don't know what piri piri aioli is, but I think a wine glass of it would be lovely.

 

Speaking of wine glasses, guests are invited to take either a champagne or a wine glass with them at the end of the evening, so you don't have to feel guilty about pocketing yours.

 

The fourth pairing was a 2010 cab franc, served with a crostini topped with grilled duck breast, onion marmalade, gorgonzola and cracklins.

 

The wine and appetizer portion of the evening ended with a 2009 triumph and flourless chocolate torte with caramel sauce and pink salt. The triumph was the heaviest-bodied red of the evening, perfect with dark chocolate.

 

It was decadent.

 

Gelinas has lined up a series of local artists to show work each week. When I was there, photographer Joe Wheeler and stained glass artist Sarah Miller were on hand to tell guests about their work.

 

Part of the mission of WAAM in organizing these events is to give artists like Joe and Sarah more exposure. Everything is for sale, including CDs from participating musicians when available.

 

WAAM sells out each week, so get tickets in advance. Terra Luna caters every other Wednesday, with guest chefs from other restaurants picking up the alternates.

 

Check the Truro Vineyard website for a schedule of participating artists, musicians and restaurants.