Mosaic Foods at Mezzaluna Hosts Charles Smith Wine Event

By Nikki Berglund
Contributing Writer

A couple of months back I wrote an article on the Charles Smith portfolio of wines and their distributor, the new guy in town, Dakota Wine Merchants. With the trailblazing efforts of their front man, Jesse Janz, it wasn’t long after their arrival that these wines started popping up on wine lists all over town. From Montes to Sarello’s to the HoDo to Maxwell’s, this little group has quickly made a reputation for its quality (yet affordable) selections. If you’ve been curious but haven’t yet had an opportunity to try these wines out, you are just about to get your chance.

Next Thursday, Nov. 10th Mosaic Foods will be hosting a Charles Smith wine tasting event at their new event space, Mezzaluna at 309 Roberts Street North. You may recognize the address as the previous home of The Silver Moon Restaurant. The festivities begin at 7pm with music by local artist Tom Peckscamp. The entire lineup of Charles Smith wines will be featured, each paired with one of Mosaic’s signature appetizers. The evening begins with Secco Italian Bubbles to get the party started. The guest of honor that night will be Betsy Bolling, the Central Director of Charles Smith, Charles and Charles, K Vintner, and Secco Bubbles, who will also be available to chat about the wines.

Although I have written about the Charles Smith wines in the past, I haven’t yet had a chance to discuss my current favorite Italian sparkling wines, the Secco Bubbles (which is unfortunate because I am absolutely in love with them!). In August of 2010 new laws were passed in Italy which changed the fate of the Italian sparkling wine industry in terms of how Prosecco was to be classified. In a nutshell, the new laws prohibit “Prosecco” from ending up on any label unless it is made with very specific qualifications, including where the grapes come from and what exactly goes into the wines. The Secco Bubbles brand was created by a couple of sisters from Italy who were happy with the way things were before the new laws were passed.  They had grown up embracing the wonderful wines that came from blending the grapes, a process that with the new laws has now become illegal. Their wines include a Secco White which is blended with 60% Glera (Prosecco grape) and 40% Pinot Bianco. The Secco Pink, my personal favorite, blends the same percentage of Glera with the Pinot Noir grape.  Although they do not say “Prosecco” on the label they emulate all that the traditional Italian sparkling wines have to offer. You can find these wines for a very affordable $14 a bottle. On a side note, these make excellent holiday party gifts!

After the Secco Bubbles put a little tingle in your tummy, all five of the Charles Smith wines will be poured that evening. Each will be accompanied by one of Mosaic’s signature appetizers and served in a lighthearted atmosphere meant for you to get a feel for the new space while trying some great wines. The wines are the Kung Fu Riesling, Eve Chardonnay, Velvet Devil Merlot, Boom Boom Syrah and the Chateau Smith Cabernet.  If you would like to learn more about these wines, check out my article which can be found at: http://tiny.cc/berglundwine.

Rather than having a sit down dinner, the true spirit of the Charles Smith brand, the evening is meant to be casual yet elegant at the same time. You can sample the wines at your own pace while also indulging in all of Mosaic’s delicious food offerings. The hors d’ oeuvres include some very tasty sounding things including: Honey Ham & Brie Crostini with Lingonberry Preserves; Salmon Gravlox, Crab & Goat Cheese Profiteroles; an Open Faced Beef Sirloin Sandwich with Balsamic Onions, Gorgonzola & Smoked Bacon; Pepper Seared Rare Tuna with Crisp Wonton & Spicy Cabbage-Carrot Slaw; Broiled Red Potato with Boursin Cheese and Roasted Garlic & Spinach; and for those with a sweet tooth, Miniature Chocolate Mousse Cups & Miniature Pistachio Cannolis.

Once you’ve had a chance to sample all of the wines, you can then go up to the bar and have a full glass of your preferred selection. If you have always been interested in a wine dinner but have always felt it was a little too stuffy for your liking, this evening could be right up your alley.

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IF YOU GO
Who: Mosaic Foods and Dakota Wine Merchants
Where: Mezzaluna Social Events 304 Roberts Street
When: Thursday November 10th 7PM
Cost: $50 a ticket
Contact: To buy tickets in advance call 701-373-7805 or purchase them at the door