High Season, High Style Domaine Carneros, Journey Thru Southeast Asia Bubbles & Bites

Okay, High Season, High Style Domaine Carneros, Journey thru Southeast Asia is the only way I’m able describe my recent visit. If I were going to give them a motto: Domaine Carneros: Low Production, High Quality Wines And Hospitality. This is an especially delicious story!

At the helm of Domaine Carneros is C.E.O. Remi Cohen, and I’m giving her really high props. Remi demonstrates the kind of leadership that has everyone at Domaine Carneros firing on perfect-pitch cylinders, with every detail, at each turn. From Remi right on down to each guest, I watched her staff welcoming guests, checking them in, fulfilling their reservation, servicing everyone at the memorability reception hub, and patrons exiting with memorabilia. We were all also pampered, with that finest French flare, that hasn’t happened to me lately, without going to France, I cannot go back in time. (Now, I have an anchor.)

ALL PHOTO, unless otherwise noted CREDITED TO Jose Diaz

FROM THE WINERY: Founded in 1987, in the Carneros appellation of Northern California, by the Champagne Taittinger family (Reims, France), Domaine Carneros is a grower producer of ultra-premium sparkling wines and limited production Pinot Noirs. Domaine Carneros has become the benchmark for California sparkling wine, reflecting both the individuality of the Carneros’ terroir and the craftsmanship of its French legacy.

From France, to California, to Domaine Carneros

This above image from the Tattinger Website: It was a great experience stepping back in time, to the memories of my doting French grandparents. I got to live and love their essence until I hit my 20s. They were very fortunate times. This visit to the Domaine just brought back so many aspects, in so many ways. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Let Me Count the Ways: That includes my early French roots, landing in Paris, right on down to Lyon, Beaujolais, Provence, and Nice… It’s all very good, in my recollection. The hospitality of my grandparents were genuine and embracing, and I felt it all once again, at the very onset of climbing Domaine Carneros’ curving and twisting staircase.

Savoring bubbles? If you want someone to move here with you, this is a must stop. Jose nailed it. I was ready to pull up deep roots from New England, and just do it. One of my great grandfathers is listed as the first inhabitant in Boston, and called his garden his “Common.” Need I say more about how deep are my roots? And, I decided to not look back. Domaine Carneros was my turning point, so I do have deep love for this French facility, and I could also honor my French roots in California, too.

Domaine Carneros: A Journey Through Southeast Asia 

The popularity of the Bubbles & Bites tasting menu, first launched in 2018, has been a special experience for visitors who wish to explore the versatility of sparkling wine with different cuisines.  To date, the winery has focused on Asian, Mexican, Moroccan and Spanish pairings, and now announces its next cuisine of focus…a journey through Southeast Asia.

Experience the versatility of sparkling wine in this curated food & wine pairing which highlights the flavors of cuisines around the globe. This limited-edition menu takes you on a journey through Southeast Asia. Celebrate the diversity of cuisine in Vietnam, Thailand, and India, and discover unexpected and delightful pairings with sparkling wine. Join us for this food & wine pairing experience that includes four savory and one sweet bite, each of which has been specially designed to pair with four of Domaine Carneros’ top-rated estate grown sparkling wines – Ultra Brut, Estate Brut Cuvée, Brut Rosé, and Verméil Demi-Sec. Led by the winery’s most seasoned wine educators, this experience will shed a new light on the versatility of sparkling wine.

The Wine Menu for Delicious Bites

FROM DOMAINE CARNEROS: “Experience the versatility of sparkling wine in this curated Food & Wine Pairing that highlights the flavors of cuisines around the globe. This limited-edition menu takes you on a journey through Southeast Asia. Celebrate the diversity of cuisine in Vietnam, Thailand, and India, and discover unexpected and delightful pairings with sparkling wine. Join us for this Food & Wine Pairing experience that includes four savory and one sweet bite, each of which has been specially designed to pair with four of our top-rated Carneros sparkling wines – Ultra Brut, Estate Brut Cuvée, Brut Rosé, and Verméil Demi-Sec. Led by our most seasoned wine educators, this experience will open your eyes to a new side of sparkling wine.”

• Vietnamese style Shrimp on Rice Noodles Lemongrass marinated shrimp served atop rice noodles tossed in a cooling nuoc cham vinaigrette. Paired with 2018 Domaine Carneros Ultra Brut
• Massaman Curry with Paneer Seared Indian paneer cheese served over a nest of crispy rice sticks and bathed in a traditional Thai Massaman curry. Paired with 2018 Domaine Carneros Estate Brut Cuvée
• Pork Banh-Mi Marinated thinly sliced pork on a homemade roll, dressed with traditional pickled carrots & daikon, fresh cilantro, sriracha aioli, and mushroom duxelles. Paired with 2019 Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé
• Thai style Chicken Larb Ground chicken with lemongrass, chili, garlic, cilantro & mint, and Chinese long beans served on a bed of crisp lettuce. Paired with 2018 Domaine Carneros Verméil Demi-Sec
• Pandan Custard Cake Thai custard cake infused with Pandan leaves and topped with fresh basil whipped cream. Paired with 2018 Domaine Carneros Verméil Demi-Sec

The Menu for Domaine Carneros Delicious & Bubbles

Each wine, of course, perfectly matched food pairing, graduating from the driest sparkling wine (ultra Brut) to their sweetest (Vermeil Demi-Sec):

• 2018 Domaine Carneros Ultra Brut (Gray Label)
  • I have fish allergies, so I just let Domaine Carneros know. (Read considerations below. I do know I’m a pain; I apologize. I’m off the midstream path; yet, it’s better coming at the onset than the consequences, tongue in cheek.)
• 2018 Domaine Carneros Estate Brut Cuvée (green – add in)
  
  • Massaman Curry with Paneer Seared Indian paneer cheese served over a nest of crispy rice sticks and bathed in a traditional Thai Massaman curry.
• 2019 Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé (Pink Label)
  
  • Pork Banh-Mi Marinated thinly sliced pork on a homemade roll, dressed with traditional pickled carrots & daikon, fresh cilantro, sriracha aioli, and mushroom duxelles.
• 2018 Domaine Carneros Verméil Demi-Sec (silver label)
  
  • Thai style Chicken Larb Ground chicken with lemongrass, chili, garlic, cilantro & mint, and Chinese long beans served on a bed of crisp lettuce.
• 2018 Domaine Carneros Verméil Demi-Sec (Grey Label)
  
  • Pandan Custard Cake Thai custard cake infused with Pandan leaves and topped with fresh basil whipped cream.

The Popular Bubbles to Go with The Popular Bites

As someone who can quickly rain on a chef’s parade… because what tastes great on that palate, can send me flying out of a room. I detest this condition, complicated by a father who believed I should love fish, because he did, and so should I. It turns out I have significant food allergies, so I just let Domaine Carneros know. (Read considerations below. I do know I’m a pain; I apologize. I’m off the midstream path; yet, it’s better coming at the onset than the consequences, tongue in cheek.)

So, Domaine Carneros Takes Care of Us!

*Dietary restrictions can be accommodated, please call the winery to discuss personalization
$99 cost, does not include gratuity or sales tax. $35 per person deposit is required for booking.
This unique tasting experience is available for groups up to 8, guests 21 years and older. 48-hour cancellation.
Domaine Carneros offers specialized versions of this experience for larger parties. Please call 707-257-0101 extension 150 for inquiries.

WHERE:??Domaine Carneros Winery, 1240 Duhig Rd, Napa, CA 94559