Champagne & Chocolate Gala on Saturday features holiday art sale
BY NICOLE MARSHALL MIDDLETON World Scene Writer
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
11/14/12 at 2:33 AM
The holiday season, with all its glitz and glitter, is the perfect time to host a wine and chocolate pairing.
And with the 2012 Champagne & Chocolate Gala and Holiday Art Sale & Silent Auction this Saturday, we got some tips on how to do a wine and chocolate pairing from Bill Copeland, owner of Glacier Confections downtown.
"Remember this is a fun exercise and works well with a small group of friends. I suggest you distribute paper and pencils and have everyone jot down notes describing what they taste and smell," Copeland said.
"Tasting is very subjective ... There is no right or wrong, just a great time for all involved."
Copeland offered these suggestions to amplify the experience.
1. Select chocolate for each wine selection.
2. Hold chocolate and visually inspect each piece for sheen, color.
3. Break and rub with fingers to slightly melt chocolate; bring to nose and smell.
4. Place piece on tongue and allow to melt slowly, being careful not to bite into the piece.
5. As the chocolate melts, swirl around inside of mouth, thoroughly coating side and roof. Once complete bite several times.
6. After extracting the various flavors, select the wine and sip with the chocolate that is melted and swirl together. Additional flavors should now be experienced that were not present previously.
7. Clean palate with plain cracker and water and begin again with next selection.
Copeland and Tyler Mirt, wine manager and sommelier of Parkhill's South Liquors & Wine, offered a list of dessert wine pairings that will go well Glacier's Dessert Signature Truffles.
Wine: Quady Electra Orange Muscat - Light body, good acid, peachy, orange notes.
Chocolate: Glacier Signature Peaches & Champagne White Ganache Truffle
Wine: Quady Red Electra black Muscat - Raspberry/pomegranate notes, slight sparkling.
Chocolate: Glacier Signature 71 percent Dark Strawberry Champagne Truffle
Wine: Verdi Sangue di Giuda (red, sweet, sparkling similar to Rosa Regale) - dried fruit and spice notes, sweet and tart, slight effervescence
Chocolate: Glacier 80% Uganda Single Origin Dark Chocolate
Wine: Leacocks Madeira Malmsey - dried fruit, honey and toffee notes, rich and sweet.
Chocolate: Glacier 71% Ecuador Single Origin Dark
Wine: Sandeman Ruby port - Rich plum and red fruits.
Chocolate: Glacier 68 percent Fortunato #4 Single Origin Tasting Tablet
Gala puts it to the taste
Enjoy an evening of wine, chocolate and art at the 2012 Champagne & Chocolate Gala on Saturday.
Living Arts of Tulsa is presenting the event, which is sponsored by the Hardesty Family Foundation and will be held at Living ArtSpace, 307 E. Brady St., in downtown Tulsa.
Taste the complimentary champagne with exquisite chocolates that were provided by local vendors and chocolatiers, in addition to hors d'oeuvres.
The event also features the works of 100 of the best artists from Oklahoma and beyond. These works of art have been specially chosen and priced to fit into holiday budgets. There will also be live entertainment and a wearable art fashion show curated by Terri Higgs.
A special Preview Party for Sponsors and Patrons of the 2012 Champagne & Chocolate Gala is available; email wendythomas@cox.net for more information about sponsorship opportunities.
The Rusty Crane, 109 N. Detroit Ave., is hosting the official event after-party beginning at 10 p.m.
The event benefits Living Arts of Tulsa, which has been dedicated to "presenting and developing contemporary art forms in Tulsa" since 1969.
CHAMPAGNE & CHOCOLATE GALA
What: Annual holiday
art sale and silent auction
benefiting Living
Arts
When: 7-10 p.m. Saturday
general admission
Living ArtSpace, 307 E.
Brady St.
Admission: $35 each
until 5 p.m. on Friday.
Then, tickets may be
purchased only at the
door for $50. Group
packages of six tickets
may be purchased for
$150.
Info: Call 918-585-1234
or visit tulsaworld.com/livingarts.
When: 7-10 p.m. Saturday general admission Living ArtSpace, 307 E. Brady St.
Admission: $35 each until 5 p.m. on Friday. Then, tickets may be purchased only at the door for $50. Group packages of six tickets may be purchased for $150.
Info: Call 918-585-1234 or visit tulsaworld.com/livingarts
Original Print Headline: Wine, chocolate make fine party pair
Nicole Marshall Middleton 918-581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
A wine and chocolate tasting is a great activity for a small group of friends. CORY YOUNG / Tulsa World file
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