St. Francis Wines at Tinder Box

WINE - and the first things that come to mind are the tried and tested, traditional European wine producers such as France and Spain.

However in recent years, others through sheer determination and marketing genius, have penetrated the ever expanding wine market. One such country is the United States of America.

At an intimate dinner jointly hosted by the United States Department of Agriculture represented by director Dennis Voboril, Happy Living led by marketing director Katherine Yao Santos and the dynamic husband and wife team of the popular deli-cum restaurant Tinderbox, invitees were treated to an evening of the finest St. Francis California wines.

Cebu Marriott Hotel executive chef Robert Lilja carefully selected each course of the menu to match the different flavors of the accompanying wines.

For starters, the St. Francis Chardonnay 2003 was served with Gravlax toast on marinated salmon with mango fruit coulis and avocado. The Jamon Serrano salad with grilled scallop and truffle oil-sherry vinaigrette complimented the Claret 200l that is an unorthodox blend of merlot (66 percent), cabernet sauvignon (30 percent) and Zinfandel (4 percent). The entrée of beef fillet roasted with garlic, sided by Anchovy Pie and Dali Mojo was accompanied by Cabernet Sauvignon 2000, with its deep black purple color displaying layers of intriguing flavor with each sip.

As the evening drew to a merry close, the gracious guest speaker Wilma Dull, C.S.W. Director of International Education delivered a presentation on the origin of St. Francis vineyards and winery and its development through the years. Restaurateur Billy Mondoñedo was happy to share the super news that the wines will be available at the Tinderbox soon.