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Gastronomy

Experiencing the Perroquet Gourmet Wine Dinner

By Ben Jonjak
 
I often wish that I knew more about wine. There is a certain class of people that can lift up a glass of some excellent vintage, and with no more than a whiff of the aroma and a glance at the color, they can describe for you (in a pristine and colorful vocabulary made just for that purpose) exactly what you are going to taste. There is something deeply satisfying about enjoying the company of such people, people who savor every drop, and who remark on the aftertaste for hours after the beverage has passed through their lips. I think that for those people, The Perroquet Gourmet Wine Dinner must be their heaven. For those of you who don't know, Perroquet is the excellent gourmet restaurant of the Country Club Lima Hotel. Once a month, they have a special gourmet wine dinner in which they pair several excellent wines with the perfect food combinations. The dinner is a wonderful, elegant event that is as regal as it is inviting. As you sit at the large, shared tables, you can't help but strike up conversations with those around you and, as the wine continues to flow, I believe you'll find yourself in the company of fast friends before the evening has ended.

Last week's wine dinner featured Santa Julia wines from the Zuccardi Family Winery. They started us with a smooth champagne that set the mood and lit our palate with the hopes of things to come.

The first pairing was Santa Julia Viognier 2007 accompanied by causa with tuna tartar and causa with spider crab and avocado. The food was perfectly prepared, and as we sipped at our glasses the sommelier in attendance coached us in how to extract the best flavor by experimenting with the ratio of wine and food.


The final plate was Argentinean beef filled in Cabernet wine reduction sauce with phyllo ravioli stuffed with sundried tomatoes and basil. This was accompanied by Santa Julia Magna Edition Limitada 2005. Of the three the consensus, at our table at least, that this was the best among the red wines. The beef was good as well although it rather lacked that playful sparkle we have come to expect from Perroquet flavors.

For dessert there was a plate called Chocolate Seduction: chocolate marquese with praline, bitter chocolate and white chocolate mousse. This was accompanied by Malamado Malbec 2004, a startling sweet wine which was a suitable compliment (if a little overpowering) to the rich chocolate flavor.

Between each plate there was plenty of time for socializing and simply relaxing and enjoying the elegant atmosphere. The open, airy dining area was immaculately decorated, and the multitude of wine glasses of various sizes and shapes refracted the light enticingly.

When the meal had concluded, the host came around and offered us an order form to purchase cases of the wines we preferred. It was a different kind of meal than anything I've ever experienced. The food was superb (as you can always expect from Perroquet), and the company was charming and well-educated. In a city that can boast some of the world's best gastronomy, it is a pleasant discovery to find that a venue can still surprise you in the most delightful way. If you're in Lima for Perroquet's next Gourmet Wine Dinner, make every effort to attend, you won't be sorry, and it's sure to be a dinner you'll never forget! To attend Perroquet's next Gourmet Wine Dinner simply await the announcement in "Peru This Week!"


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2 comments

says :
3-06-09,01:37:00

You usually mention the prices of the dishes  in your articles.
How much will a dinner like that would cost? It would be interesting to know it.
Thank you!

Ben Jonjak says :
7-06-09,09:39:08

You're absolutely right, I should have mentioned the price.  The Perroquet Gourmet wine dinner is S/. 150.00.  Check this link for a complete menu of what's included.

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