Tonight’s dinner was catfish, pan-grilled in Meyer lemon olive oil, seasoned with granulated garlic, Spicy Seafood Seasoning, & lemon peel, served with broccoli, cooked in chicken stock, fish sauce, and chopped garlic. The fish pan was de-glazed with dry vermouth, and when thick enough was poured over the catfish. Wine was a slightly disappointing South African 2005 Ken Forrester Sauvignon Blanc from Stellenbosch - good fill; plastic cork; simple, white fruit in nose and flavors, with no distinguishing characteristics; odd mid-palate with low acidity and middling fruit; and a medium non-descript fruit finish. The only ZA wines we’ve enjoyed have been the Charles Back Goats do Roam and Goat Rotie. This SB didn’t change our opinion.
Then for dessert we recovered with two grappas and a Pink Lady apple. The grappas were a fresh, fruity Moscato di Poli - very good with bright fruit flavors and balanced alcohol; and a Banfi Grappa di Montalcino - bright fruit and alcohol not as hot, nearly, as the previous Banfi Grappa do Brunello. This one actually has a good balance between fruit and alcohol. Both were very enjoyable with the slices of Pink Lady apple.