By Robert Hillmann, Vice Charge de Presse
From Gastronome 2004, Volume 2

At the Country Club of Asheville on December 7, Bailli Tom Ruff, Professionnel du Vin Steve Pignatiello, and Chef Rotisseur Bryant Withers were a triumvirate non pareil! Excellent cuisine, fine wines, and the superb presentation of both made for a memorable evening. After the champagne reception, which featured hand-passed hors d’oeuvres and copious amounts of wine, it was time to get serious about the food.

Once we were seated, Bailli Ruff offered a surprise: To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Asheville Bailliage, we were treated to glasses of Veuve Clicquot Rose La Grande Dame 1990 from the house that was founded in 1772 and that made the champagne that conquered Russia in 1814! It was an auspicious beginning.

Professionnel du Vin Steve Pignatiello specializes in the wines of Burgundy and the lesser known, small estates, which have limited distribution in the United States. He chose Domaine Parent Volnay Close des Chenes 1999 to accompany the first course of antelope carpaccio and winter root salad. The pairing was a stroke of brilliance!

Arriving next was pan-seared squab breast with wild mushroom risotto, matched with Gabriel Billard Beaune les Epenottes 2001. Madame Billard’s wine is from her family estate; only seventy cases are made each year.

The next offering of potato and leek bisque with lobster nuggets was complemented by a rare Servin Chablis Bougros 2000. Only 165 cases are made each year from the winemaker’s personal vineyard. The family’s Chablis roots trace back to 1652.

Delightful blackberry sorbet prepared us for the main event. Chef Withers’s entree gave new meaning to the term “au jus”! Turkey, venison and veal stocks were reduced and presented with rack of lamb royale with herbed pork forcemeat. The reduction was a rich and powerful complement to the meats and accompanying vegetables. All the flavors were enhanced by Domaine Camus Latricieres-Chambertin 1999.

Our wonderful dinner finished with a delicious chocolate holiday sampler. The Asheville Bailliage is looking forward to the next ten years!