Start the new year off in delicious fashion with a ZD wine dinner at CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar at Tucson’s just-opened The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. (The highly anticipated resort just opened on Dec. 18.) The five-course dinner will be created by CORE’s Chef Joel Harrington and his culinary team, and complemented by wine pairings presented by Brett de Leuze. Brett de Leuze is president of California’s ZD Wines and the son of ZD Wines founder Norman de Leuze. The pre-dinner reception starts at 5:30 p.m. with the meal following at 6:30 p.m. The ZD wine dinner is $125 per person, not including tax and tip.
Menu:
Reception ZD Chardonnay, California 2007
Big Eye Tuna Cubes, Miso
Pretzel, Salmon, Cauliflower
Ginger-Carrot Shot, Chicken Croutons
Amuse Bouche
Basil, Lobster, Dungeness Crab
Avocado, Heirloom Tomatoes, Vanilla, Citrus
Starter
ZD Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2006
ZD Pinot Noir, Carneros 2007
Duo of Berkshire Pork Belly and Georges Bank Scallop
Fingerling Potatoes, Parsley, Dill, Cream
Entree
ZD Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2006
Double Lamb Chop, Root Vegetable Puree,
Leg of Lamb Croquette, Pickled Red Onions,
Zero Defect Lamb Sauce
Cheese
ZD Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2005
Trio of Domestic Cheeses
Bayley Hazen Blue Cheese, Bellwether Farms Pepato
Black Mesa Ranch Goat Cheese
Honeycomb, Peppered Cherry Jam, Walnut Pesto
Assorted Truffles
ZD Wines: Producing award-winning chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon, ZD Wines is located in Rutherford, California on the legendary Silverado Trail. Founded in 1969, ZD Wines is owned and operated by three generations of the de Leuze family. ZD’s driving philosophy of “(Z)ero (D)efects” is inspired by renowned founder Norman de Leuze and his background in the aerospace industry. De Leuze’s commitment to Zero Defects has set the stage for a winery committed to rigorously maintaining quality, consistency and style. The ZD style is to craft rich, flavorful wines that reflect the varietal character of the grape. ZD’s estate vineyards are certified organic, reflecting a long-standing commitment to conservation and to environmental stewardship.
Chef Joel Harrington: The creative and artistic Joel Harrington is the founder of “True American Cuisine” and chef de cuisine for CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. He joins the new resort in Marana, Arizona, north of Tucson, from Fearing’s Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas. During Harrington’s acclaimed tenure as opening chef de cuisine for Fearing’s, the restaurant received “Restaurant of the Year” and “Table of the Year” awards from Esquire Magazine and was named #1 in Hotel Dining in North America by the 2009 Zagat Survey of Hotels, Resorts and Spas.
Reservations to the wine dinner are required. To make it a true getaway, guests may pair the ZD wine dinner with an overnight stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. Priced from $399, Wine, Dine and Unwind includes deluxe accommodations on January 6, the ZD Wine Dinner for two and valet parking. Wine, Dine and Unwind may be booked at www.ritzcarlton.comor by calling 520.572.3401. The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, 15000 N. Secret Springs Dr., Marana.
Jan. 6: ZD Wine Dinner at CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar
Sounds devine.
ZD wine is soooo good. stands for Zero Defects, and its true.
We would love to give a review, but we were turned away at the less then half empty restaurants, after the rather-rude hostess said we needed reservations. Despite the fact we were staying at the beautiful hotel with an incredible setting.
The attitude and style is better fit for Upper East Side, New York, don’t think they are ready for AZ casual, so if you go make sure you put on your best duds.