The Drink Local Wine Conference opened tonight with a winemakers’ dinner at Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts in Dallas, Texas. The four course dinner was paired with two Texas wines for each course. Attendees started the first course of pan-seared scallops with English pea risotto and morel cream. This course was paired with Brennan Vineyards’ 2008 Viognier and a white blend by Llano Estacado, Viviana 2008. The second course featured pan roasted chicken breast over celeriac puree with tomato-fennel confit. This light dish was paired with two wines from McPherson Cellars, a 2008 Rosé of Grenache-Syrah and a 2007 Grenache-Mouverde blend.

The third course featured a grilled flatiron steak over pommes puree with asparagus and demi-glace. It was paired with Flat Creek Estate’s 2006 Super Texan and Brennan Vineyards 2008 Syrah. Dessert put a perfect touch on a great dinner experience with a chocolate terrine and delice amer with strawberry glace and cream anglaise. The dessert was paired with a Flat Creek Estate 2008 Muscato Blanc and a Llano Estacado Cellar’s Select Port.

Winemakers, grape growers and wine writers joined the hosts, DrinkLocalWine.com and GoTexanWine.org in the excellent meal and conversation. What better way to start a conference than with wine, food and new and previous acquaintances?