Bob Trimble knows wine.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to dine with Trimble, known as “The Wine Guy,” during the Spring Wine Dinner at Catherine’s Restaurant. He has worked in the wine industry for over thirty years, and now consults with restaurants and teaches wine classes to the public. For this dinner, Trimble had paired fine wines from Argentina and Chile with the six delectable South American inspired courses prepared by Catherine’s owner and chef Kevin McMunn.
As each guest entered the restaurant, they were handed a flute of sparkling wine from Argentina’s Toso Winery to prepare their palette for the delicious feast. Trimble and Catherine’s co-owner Marybeth Brown mingled with the guests for a short time, chatting about wines and food, before everyone took their seats for dinner.
We started off with a Roasted Red Pepper Bisque, which featured a topping of Charred Corn and Avocado Salsa. As we enjoyed this spicy bisque, cooled by the bits of avocado, Trimble reviewed the wines for the night and put the guests at ease about drinking and evaluating wine. He explained we each have a differing amount of taste buds, and this fact plays an important part in how we taste wines. He noted that two of the world’s most famous wine critics have different taste buds and review wines in their own unique way.
“Wine is very subjective,” he said. Trimble described the Toso sparkling wine that kicked off the night as having a “tartness to it.” He chose the wine because it “makes the mouth pucker,” and stirs up the appetite.
Our second plate consisted of Baby Arugula, a gorgeous piece of Fried Goat Cheese, bits of spicy Serrano Ham, Sweet Fig Spiced Almonds and a Clementine Vinaigrette. This proved to be a great combination of the saltiness of the ham, and the citrus in the clementine dressing delighted the palette, and was further enhanced by the Chono Sauvignon Blanc from the Casablanca Valley in Chile. This wine had high acidity, and was crisp and clean.
While it’s difficult to pinpoint a favorite course in the night, I was truly delighted with the Scallop Ceviche cured in a Key Lime Juice and served with Spicy Sweet Potato Chips. It had been awhile since I had sampled ceviche, where the seafood is not cooked but rather cured in a citrus juice. These scallops were tremendous.
Trimble had the two red wines for the evening poured at the same time so we could taste them side by side over the following two courses, and he dubbed it as a showdown of “Carmenere vs. Malbec.” Trimble explained that the Carmenere, from Chile, is “a signature grape, but up until 1994 they thought it was merlot.” He described the Malbec as “popular, big and juicy and very inexpensive, which makes it even better.” These two reds had different temperaments. The Carmenere was definitely weighty, full-bodied and reminiscent of strong merlots, while the Malbec was delicate, more subtle on my palette.
The Grilled Skirt Steak was set in a Green and Smokey Red Chimichurri with a side of Nacho Chili Blue Corn Tortillas. Each slice of this skirt steak was fanned out on the plate in a creative presentation. Continuing with the theme of the night, the corn tortilla chips were seasoned to give quite a bite.
The Pan Seared Grouper had Braised Fennel and a Fire Roasted Tomato Caper Relish. Out of all the excellent side dishes, the Toasted Coconut and Cilantro Risotto was the biggest surprise. The coconut really cooled the palette after each bite of the fire roasted relish.
The dessert consisted of a Dark Chocolate Chipotle Truffle and a slice of Orange Honey Flan. The truffle was flourless and the chocolate flourished on the tongue and finished with a lingering hotness.
Catherine’s Restaurant is located at Routes 162 and Route 82 in Unionville, PA. They are open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday Brunch. They occasionally close for private parties, so it’s best to call ahead at (610)347-2227.
Bob Trimble, The Wine Guy, offers fun and educational wine classes. Check his upcoming wine classes HERE.
