A Three-Wine Dinner Through One Waitaki Vineyard

5 days ago

2 min read

Three wines give dinner a natural progression, with Chardonnay to begin and two Pinot Noir selections to follow. At Clos Ostler, that sequence brings different expressions of the same limestone vineyard to the table.

Begin with Chardonnay

Choose a first course that leaves room for the wine’s detail. Seafood, poultry or vegetables can all work, depending on their preparation. Think about the weight of the dish and the intensity of its sauce. A delicate preparation and a rich, buttery one ask different things of the same bottle.

Give guests a little context about the vintage, then allow the conversation to develop around what is in the glass. Freshness, texture and the length of the finish are useful starting points. There is no need for everyone to agree on a particular fruit or flower.

Bring the Pinot Noirs together

Serving Caroline’s and EOS alongside the same course offers a direct comparison of selection. Caroline’s brings together five Pinot Noir clones across the vineyard; EOS follows a more focused selection. Using the same vintage, where available, makes that question easier to explore because the growing season is shared.

Roast poultry, mushrooms or duck with a restrained sauce provide a savoury setting for the Pinot Noirs. As the evening unfolds, differences in perfume, tannin and the persistence of the fruit give each glass its own character.

Keep the setting simple

Similar glasses, water on the table and a clear serving order help everyone follow the wines. Have the labels available and note the exact vintages. If one bottle is substantially older, consider its condition and allow it individual attention rather than treating every wine identically.

Write a short menu that names the vineyard and the selections without reproducing a whole technical sheet. The archive can supply further detail for anyone who wants it. The food and conversation should have enough space to remain the centre of the evening.

A dinner like this makes a useful introduction to Clos Ostler because the relationship between the wines is easy to follow. The evening begins with variety and moves towards selection, while the vineyard remains the common thread. What guests remember may be a particular pairing or a wine that changed as the night unfolded.