Touring and Tasting Aboard the Celebrity Solstice With Brys Estate Wines

We enjoyed a fabulous wine pairing luncheon with Brys Estate and Rodney Strong single vineyard and Reserve wines on the Touring & Tasting Wine Cruise. Yesterday, Eileen and Walter Brys hosted a tasting of their Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Gewurztraminer--wonderful to hear how their delicious wine developed in the vineyard.
Today's luncheon was a tour de force, held in the ship's Tuscan Grille. The appetizer choice of Chilled Tian of Shrimp, Mango and Avocado with Passionfruit Vinaigrette was paired with the 2007 Brys Estate Bubbly--a Rose' sparkling wine. The Brie Fondue was paired with the 2009 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay.

The roasted fig and arugula salad garnished with goat cheese and toasted pine nuts was paired with the 2010 Brys Estate "Naked" Chardonnay and 2008 Rodney Strong Reserve Russian River Chardonnay.

A cherry and champagne sorbet cleansed our palate before the entree of either Sea Bass On A Potato and Truffle Puree paired with the 2008 Brys Estate Pinot Noir and the 2009 Rodney Strong Reserve Russian River Pinot Noir, or the Fillet Mignon with Foie Gras and Porcini Risotto paired with the 2007 Brys Estate Cabernet Franc or the 2008 Rodney Strong Single Vineyard "Alexander's Crown" Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dessert was either a Warm Chocolate Lava Cake With Frangelico Gelato paired with the 2007 Brys Estate Signature Red or the 2007 Rodney Strong Symmetry Meritage or the selection of bite-sized desserts paired with the 2007 Rodney Strong Reserve Port and the ethereal 2008 Brys Estate "Dry Ice" Ice Wine--golden nectar in a glass!