April 8, 2007

An orphan wine, a fruit plate

Interesting wine being poured on this Holland America "Wines of Washington" cruise: Chateau Ste. Michelle's Orphelin. (That's French for orphan). It's a blend of nine international varieties including the Rhone (syrah, mourvèdre, cinsault, grenache), Italy (sangiovese) and Portugal (souzao, touriga) plus (to "round it out" for the American palate), cab sauv and petit verdot. Would be tempted to call it Kitchen Sink except that it's really tasty and great with both fish and cheese.

The winemaking staff basically blended a bunch of "orphan" barrels, small lots of wine that wasn't going into any of their other products. Offered to members of Ste. Michelle's Vintage Reserve Club last year, the wine carried a $40 price tag and sold out so fast it never reached the general public. The 2004 vintage will be released to the restaurant trade later this year, aimed at the high-end, by-the-glass market.

Orphelin bottle.JPG Rosenthal Bulgari pattern.JPG

For its part, Holland America puts a lot of effort into the look and feel of its cruise experience. In the upscale Pinnacle Grill of the ms Zaandam, for instance, the plates are Rosenthal's Bulgari pattern. So, what are the five fruits on the design? (Hint: one's a lemon.)

First set of correct answers wins dinner for two at the Art Institute of Seattle's Portfolio Room.

Posted by Ronald Holden at April 8, 2007 4:29 PM
Comments

Coulda fooled me; I thought the green thing was a lime. On the other hand, with the open-mouth end, does look kinda like a pitted olive, albeit with a rough skin (see those nubbins?).

Enough! AP is deemed to be the winner. Thanks to all who entered, online and by email.

Posted by: Ronald at April 10, 2007 3:09 PM

lemon, figs, pomegranate, apple, olive?

Posted by: ap at April 10, 2007 2:25 PM

apple, orange, lemon, fig, avocado

Posted by: Dave L. at April 10, 2007 2:11 PM

Is it okay to try again, or do I lose out with my wrong first guess? :)

Posted by: ap at April 10, 2007 12:42 PM

I was guessing a little wildly at what the green oval was (and maybe seeing too many mango varieties). Ah well. :) I keep thinking it's something obvious, but my trip to the grocer's yesterday did not really help...

Posted by: ap at April 10, 2007 12:26 PM

Noooo, 'fraid not ... no mango.

Posted by: Ronald at April 10, 2007 11:54 AM

lemon, figs, pomegranate, mango, apple?

Posted by: ap at April 9, 2007 10:02 AM