What a wonderful event hosted by Vermont Wine merchants and sponsored by so many Vermont (and some…read moreQuebec) businesses. Some of these places I have yet to try, so this was an excellent introduction. (I also had six-course dinner event to attend later in the evening, so I didn't overdo it in order to save real room for dinner).
So many amazing food options from as far as Quebec City (#LaPlanque), #NewEnglandFudge, #Fortuna'sSausage to local fare (#TheBeardedFrog, #LaPanciata, #MorseBlockDeli, #SimplePebble, #Butch&Babes, #HaymakerBunCompany, #Henofthewood, #HoneyRoad, #BleuNortheastSeafood, #Junction/TheTavernatEssex,#OurHouseBistro, #PascoloRistorante, #PizzeriaVerita, #Lu.luIceCream, #LuluPoufs, #SistersofAnarchyIceCream, #SweetBabu, #E.B.Strong, #VermontCheeseCouncil, #Hatchet, #StewartsBakery). There was also amazing cheeses from #Cabot, #VermontCheeseCouncil, #SpringbrookFarm and #BridportCreamery as well as breads from #LaPanciata, #Klinger'sBreadCompany and #Stewart'sBakery.
I did not try one item that I disliked. That said, these were some of the ones that really stood out for me.
I loved the vegan BLT sliders with house smoked eggplant bacon, microgreens, heirloom tomato and basil aioli on a locally baked bun from The Bearded Frog. It was the best local vegan eggplant "bacon" I have tasted (not too tough and the right flavor).
Pascolo's Ristorante homemade gnocchi was amazing. Light, airy pillow of decadent potato pasta with Italian Sausage, smoked mushrooms, and a delightful sauce of tomato and basil sauce with parmigiano cheese. Drool-worthy.
The cheesecake dipped strawberries from Morse Block Deli and Taps was innovative and delicious. Their other offerings, such as Schwarma bites, rare beef and smoke turkey deli meat were tasty, too.
E.B. Strong's medium rare tenderloin bites with crostini were equally delicious.
Pizzeria Veritá's traditional brick oven Margherita Pizza was spot on, oozing with fresh mozzarella and a perfect tomato sauce.
Blue North Seafood's Starbird Salmon Tartare on an Everything Bagel Crostini with Cured Egg Yolk and Mottra Caviar was phenomenal. I loved the myriad of savory flavors on the palate.
Hatchet's Twelve-Hour Smoked Boyden Farm Brisket with Pickleback Slaw was also very good.
Our House's Famous Award-winning Clam Chowder topped with deep fried clam belly was delicious.
Honey Road's Sweet Harissa Chicken Wings were to die for.
La Planque had an inventive Gravlox with caviar, seaweed yogurt. It's a place I'd definitely eat at in QC.
Sisters of Anarchy's ice creams were inventive flavors. I tried the Dirty Anne (yellow Anne raspberries with a light chocolate base) and Chocolate Anarchy (dark chocolate). Both were pretty good, but not as rich as I would have expected in terms of flavors. It may have been because the portion was just a taster spoon size, so I would like to give them a try at their actual establishment.
In terms of ice cream richness, I really enjoyed the scoops from Lulu's: Dark Horse (chocolate ice cream spiked with Chambord liqueur and cake chunks) and Midsummer Night's Dream (vanilla bean ice cream with bourbon soaked cherries and chocolate chunks).
The wine and spirit offerings were varied as well. #VermontDistillers, #Foliofinewine, #ChristoperImports, #Onwardwines, #SILODistillery, #RunamokMaple, #DedalusWine, #AstralTequila, #EcoValleyImports, #CellarsatJasperHill, #Brick&MortarWines, #CarloHubertSelections, #BonhomiewineImports, #KyselaPèreetFils, #MontinoreEstate, #LoosenBros, #Bow&Arrow, #Birichino, #Alphabox&Dice, FolktaleWineGroup, #CaledoniaSpirits, #M.S.Walker, #MassnoisImports, #JustinVineyardsandWinery, #KivelstadtCellars, #OpiciWines, #OakRidgeWinery, #AppalachianGapDistillery, #SobonWine, #ThreeWineCompany, #SmugglersNotchDistillery, #TerroirWineGroup, and #Vine Connections
I did not drink much, but I really enjoyed Ethica's Italian wines and
Metcalfe's liqueurs were amazing. Raspberry tasted like the best berries off the bush, the blueberry was velvety rich.
There was also a silent auction to raise money for #ChittendenEmergencyFoodShelf, cooking and wine demo sessions, wares from #kissthecook and knives from #HammerStahl. #SommerChiropratic was there to talk about their services, too.
Live music all day and evening kept the place hopping.
All of this took place right on Lake Champlain with a spectacular view of the water, including a special VIP lounge with white leather sofas and chairs.
I highly recommend this annual event to anyone who enjoys good food and spirits. The price of admission is well worth the experience. I intend to partake in the future as well.
