Park541I know that I have a fair number of Albany-area readers, so I wanted to mention this upcoming wine dinner next Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at 54 Park in Clifton Park.

Pellegrini Vineyards will be pouring their wines along side a delicious-sounding menu:

Roasted baby artichokes, black pepper-Parmesean zabaglione
Wine: Pellegrini Vineyards Eastend Select Rose

Pan-seared halibut, preserved-lemon nage, asparagus
Wine: Pellegrini Vineyards 2005 Chardonnay

Roasted quail, spring vegetable bread pudding
Wine: Pellegrini Vineyards 2002 Merlot

Mixed microgreen salad

Beef filet, goat-cheese gratin, red chili sauce
Wine: Pellegrini Vineyards 2001 Vintner’s Pride Encore (a Bordeaux-style blend)

Coffee Blossom honey creme brulee
Wine: Vintner’s Pride Finale

I’ve long been a fan of Pellegrini’s wines and they are pouring some of their good stuff here, which is nice to see. They maket heir Finale ice-style wine with Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that were frozen in a commercial freezer. Not "true" ice wine in the traditional sense, but one of my favorites .

It looks like Pete DeMeo will be representing Pellegrini at the meal. Pete is a great guy who knows his wine. Tell him I said hello if you go.

Dinner costs $70 per person, plus tax and tip. Reservations are required; call 518-688-1548.