Lengthy Affair That is Far from Boring

By BEN TANG
Photos by JOEL CHAN

The Park Royal Grill
Grand Plaza Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Sultan Ismail,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03 – 2142 5588
Business Hours: Daily, 630pm – 1030pm
*Pork Free

Winemaker’s dinners can be a lengthy affair but the pleasure of sipping fine wine makes the hours seems short.

The Grand Plaza Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur’s recent five-course wine dinner featured some of the best red wines from Italian winery Castello Banfi Summus.

Held at the hotel’s The Parkroyal Grill, The Ultimate Vertical event was a double treat for most – the best red wines and matched with an impressive menu.

The menu started with Mosaic of Foie Gras, Smoked duck and Duck Confit in Port Wine Jelly and Balsamic Grape Compote.

This was a cold appetizer, paired with the Castello Banfi 2001 Summus DOC Sant’ Antimo red.

The dish was rich in texture and the wine was served as pre-release tasting wine.

Next to arrive was the hot appetizer Pistachio Dusted Sliced Pigeon Breast on Wild Mushroom Tart and Bigrade Sauce.

This was paired with the Castello Banfi 1999 Summus DOC Sant’ Antimo.

The third pairing was an excellent one – Saffron Flavoured, Reduced Seafood Bouillon with Lobster Brandade on Boullabaisse, Chive Custard and Braised Sharks Fin with the Castello Banfi 1997 Summus DOC Sant’s Antimo.

This was a clear soup, prepared by reducing the base stock and straining in seven times, the standard requirement in preparing bouillon.

The soup got the appetite going and for main course. I chose the fusion-inspired Miso-Shoyu Glazed Wagyu Beef Fillet on Tallegio Chese-Pumpkin Gnocchi, Shaved Black Truffle and Sauterne Reduction.

This was paired with the Castello Banfi 1995 Sant’ Antimo.

We were served the rich, chocolate-based Wild Strawberry and Mascarpone Chocolate Pate with Grand Marnier-Citrus Gastique for dessert.

This was paired with the Castello Banfi 2001 Florus Moscadello di Montalcino DOC.

The end dinner, coffee or tea was served together with pralines, uniquely packaged in an edible mini-chocolate box.

For more information on the Castello Banfi range of Italian wines from Tuscany, logon to: www.asiaeurowines.com.my/Banfi.

Also present was the representatives from Castello Banfi, its export director (Asia Pacific), Richard Goodine, and its public relations manager, Dante Cecchine.