Max Lunch Club 2019 Season Dates

“One of the best value food and wine events around, period.”

I am very pleased to announce the dates for our upcoming season of Max Lunch Club events at Max’s Oyster Bar, in West Hartford Center.

For years, we have been presenting great offerings of wine and food combinations in essentially what is a trimmed down wine dinner, but delivered at lunch (and always on a Friday). I try and make sure that we are visited by winery and industry processionals that have an interesting perspective on the topic at hand, and can give our Lunch Club guests some great insight to the wines we are featuring. All of this paired with Chef Bob Peterson’s creations make for a great way to enjoy an afternoon, and a civilized luncheon.

Additionally, I take a lot of professional pleasure and pride in making these selections and pouring the wines that I have hand-selected for each event. Bringing the various guest speakers to our market and introducing them to the Lunch Club members is such a great way to work with wine that I have discovered and enjoy – I hope you agree.

Here is the list of dates that will be filled for the 2019 season, and while all topics have not been filled in quite yet – I am working to get these topics filled shortly, and will be updating as I gets commitments.

As always we ask our guest to arrive at 12:45, and generally plan to start the event at 1pm. We will also be continuing our partnership with the Wise Old Dog wine shop in West Hartford on all of these events.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or comments.

Cheers!

Brian Mitchell, Director of Wine and Beverages for the Max Restaurant Group

January 25th – Rhone Wines through the lens of the Famille Perrin

For this date we venture to the Rhone Valley and taste selections from the Perrin family, owners of Chateau de Beaucastel, perhaps considered to be the premier Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate. The Perrins have been a long-standing favorite of mine, and they continue to develop new wines and regions to show the diversity of the wine regions of southern France. Paul Nerz of Vineyard Brands, the import company responsible for the Perrin wines in the US, will be on hand to present.

Click here to see the full menu.

February 22 – Thom Horsey of Ste. Michelle Estates

Wine Educator Thom Horsey of Ste Michelle Estates pays us a visit and will be presenting wines from the larger portfolio of this top producer. Stay tuned for the specif wines and menu.

March 25 – TBD

April 12th – Matteo Bolla from Valdo Winery – a Perspective on Prosecco

Prosecco is about the hottest wine category going over the past ten years, only surpassed perhaps by Rose (who would have thought?). The Bolla family has been making exceptional Sparkling wines north of Venice since the 1930s, and the current generation has been working hard to make it event better. Matteo Bolla is an exceptional ambassador for the family winery and the region as a whole. See why Prosecco is not just a note wine, but a diverse region with complex wines.

May 17th – TBD

June 14th – TBD

July 12th – Loire Valley from Sancerre to Saumur

This past year I had the pleasure to travel to the Loire and experience some phenomenal wines from regions that are familiar to some, but less well-known to others. For this lunch I will be presenting a selection of wines from top producers I met on my travels.

August 9th – TBD

September 13th – TBD

October 4th – TBD

October 25th – TBD

November 22nd – 6TH Annual Beaujolais Luncheon

This has become an annual favorite, and a lunch that I personally really enjoy. Each year I present a Beaujolais Nouveau from the current release, which is allowed to be released just the day before to the world. This is followed by a selection of top wines from smaller producers that have contributed to the absolute turn-around in everyone’s view of the Beaujolais region. The leader in authentic and pure wines, this is the new frontier of exceptional value and food-friendly wines from France. Chef usually pairs with some classic French dishes, making this all the better for foodies!

Follow-Up to 2 x Italian Winemaker Dinner at Max Amore

Last night at Max Amore Ristorante in Glastonbury, over 30 guests were treated to a fabulous dinner and the wines of two of Italy’s favorite winemakers.  Chef Ted Burnett was on his game with a menu that touched on both traditional Italian cuisine as well as influences with a modern twist (see the menu below).

Primo Franco, Mark Conley, Diego Cusumano @MaxAmore

Guests were also treated to wine coming from both the north of Italy as well as the far south.  Starting and finishing with the Prosecco from Primo Franco, a third generation winemaker from the heart of the Prosecco region and his family estate called Nino Franco Winery.  Delicious wines that, as Primo pointed out, “are a way of life and can be great anytime of the day or night as they are light and refreshing”.

In between guests were treated to the deliciously fruit driven wines of Diego Cusumano from Sicily.  From the youthful and value priced Nero d’Avola (a wine featured on the Max Amore wine list) to the fabulous blend of Nero d’Avola and Syrah called Benuara, to the final wine, a 100% Nero d’Avola called Segana, which is sourced from the best vineyards at Cusumano Winery, these wines were as good as it gets.

Next up at Max Amore, Chef Burnett teams up with Max Restaurant Group Beverage Director Brian Mitchell to present a Max Wine & Food School Seminar, theme: Regional Italian Wines and Cheeses.  Feb 11th.  See the Max Restaurant Group website Calendar for full details.

Primo Franco
head of the famed Prosecco house in Venuto, Italy
NINO FRANCO &

Diego Cusumano
of the respected Sicilian winery
CUSUMANO WINERY

Wednesday, January 23, 2013 – 6:30pm
menu created by Executive Chef Ted Burnett

RECEPTION
Prosecco ~ Rustico Nino Franco

COURSE I
Scallop Crudo
Frescobaldi extra virgin olive oil | sea salt
Cusumano ~ Insolio Sicilia, 2010

COURSE II
Berkshire Black Sopressata
grana padano | rustic crostini
Cusumano ~ Nero D’Avola, 2011

COURSE III
Calamari alla Sicily
kalamata olives | capers | melted anchovies | basil |
San Marzano | toasted polenta cake
Cusumano Benuara ~ Nero D’Avola, Syrah, 2010

COURSE IV
Five Hour Roasted Duck
sweet fennel Italian sausage | duck fat with house made linguine | ricotta salata
Cusumano Sagana ~ Nero D’Avola, 2008

DOLCE
Cannoli
sicilian impastata ricotta | candied oranges
Prosecco ~ Nino Franco Valdobbiadene, 2009

 

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Special Valentine’s Day Cocktails at Max’s

All of our MAXologists have been working hard to create new and innovative cocktails to feature over the next few days leading up to Valentine’s Day. Each cocktail has a unique style created by the local bartenders at each of our locations, and most of them will be featuring Mionetto Prosecco, a lovely sparkling wine from Italy, as the main ingredient. Loads of fresh ingredients from raspberries to edible orchids are being used. Make your reservations today or just stop by one of our taverns for a great, original cocktail, such as Mike Mills’ “Downtown Love” from Max Downtown in Hartford.

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