Wines to Love

In the mood for love? Consider a vintage.

Flowers are good, but wine is better. And yes, we’re talking about Valentine’s Day. It’s a wonderful day to fall in love – with wine that is. For, as Euripides famously said, “Where there is no wine, there is no love.” But what to drink, what seduces and what romances? Which will whisper and which will shout, is there one that speaks to the soul, or another that lightens the heart? So here, on the day for celebrating love, some wines to love. Wines as romantic as the mood, bottles to fall in love with, and perhaps to fall in love over? Drinking pink champagne seems to be de rigueur for the occasion. And cliché, though it may be, there is something special and romantic about sparkling rosé. A combination of color, texture and liveliness that is utterly sensual, it’s one of the most ravishing wines I know. The Billecart-Salmon Rosé Brut NV charms with scents of sweet red berries and cherries, and a full-bodied pillowy mouthful that is simply seductive. With unerring finesse, the Fourny brothers have created the most delicate, light and ethereal rose Champagne; the Rosé Brut 1er Cru Veuve Fourny & Fils. This is Valentine’s Day in a bottle! Given that red is the color of the day then drinking red wine surely must follow. You could begin by following the lead of Demi Moore who in the movie “Disclosure” seduced Michael Douglas with a bottle of Pahlmeyer, because as she said, “I want all the boys under me to be happy.” Delicious and fun to drink is the 2019 Pahlmeyer Jayson Cabernet. Full, rich, and velvety with a swirl of harmonious flavors. Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson described the Toscana Lucente Luce as “Italian amore in a glass.” A blend of the Italian varietal, Sangiovese and Merlot, its lusty and spicy with notes of licorice, leather and plum. There is something very sexy about great pinot noir reds from Burgundy. That has a lot to do with their silky texture. But it’s also in the way these wines have something elusively animal in their fragrance, which gives them a kind of mysterious, elemental pull. Better than a bouquet of roses, is the 2019 Vincent Girardin Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge – woodsy, spicy, toasty, and succulent. The inevitable question is yet to be answered. Best wine for chocolate? The sweetest Madeira’s, labeled “malmsey,” are what you want. Recommended are the Blandy’s 5-year Malmsey, or better still, the Blandy’s 15-year Madeira.

by Marlene Osteen

Skyline’s Mulled Wine

John Schmitt

Just in time for the season, the manager of Oak Steakhouse offers a classic recipe to warm your body and soothe your soul.

We’ve devoted a lot of ink in this issue to getting out and embracing the cold, but what about when you come in from all that activity? Well, you could embrace the wisdom of Jack London (and Albert Einstein) and Build a Fire. Or you could collapse under a pile of quilts and take a long winter’s nap. But John Schmitt, the restaurant manager at Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge, has an even more sybaritic solution, one that’s been refined over the last 1,000 years, and one that’s sure to fortify you against any challenges this season may deliver. “We have our own twist on this recipe, and it’s been a consistent headliner of our bar menu,” he says. “Now that it’s cold outside, people are discovering what’s kept it a favorite for all those centuries.”

SKYLINE MULLED WINE

Ingredients

2 quarts fresh Cranberries 3 quarts Water 1 pint Sugar 2 Oranges’ worth of zest Two 750ml bottles of Red wine (I used Barbara) 5 Cinnamon sticks

3 Oranges sliced into wheels 4 Star Anise

8 Cloves

(Add one ounce of Pear or Apple Brandy if you want it a little more potent!)

Directions

1. Add cranberries, water, sugar and orange zest to stock pot and bring to a simmer.

2. Let simmer at 200 degrees for one hour, stirring so nothing sticks or burns. 3. Turn off the heat and remove from stove.

4. Let cool for 30 minutes. 5. Rough blend with wand or blender 6. Strain liquid from Cranberry skins. 7. Add liquid back to pot 8. Add red wine, cinnamon sticks, orange wheels, star anise, and cloves to pot. 9. Bring the Liquid up to 165 to 170 degrees (Alcohol evaporates at 173 degrees) 10. Keep at this temperature for 30 minutes

Serve in mugs with a ladle! “It seems complicated but it’s not too difficult,” says John. “It can be reheated three times.”

Like the good restaurant manager that he is, John reminds readers that Oak Steakhouse’s clever bar can serve this Winter Classic on a moment’s notice. They’re open from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. each evening (except Tuesday); with brunch served Sunday from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Reservations are always a good idea – (828) 482-4720.

by Luke Osteen photos by Susan Renfro

thelaurelmagazine.com/cuisine

To see the most up-to-date information about dining on the plateau visit thelaurelmagazine.com/restaurants

Plateau Dining Guide

The Restaurants of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS

Meals Wine Full Bar Children’s Menu Vegetarian Selections Reservations Recommended Dress Code Live Entertainment Outdoor Dining Take Out Ad On Page

The 4118 Kitchen + Bar

The Bistro at Wolfgang’s Calder’s Cafe 64 Highlands Plaza (828) 526-5002 L, D n n n C n 71 460 Main Street (828) 526-3807 D n n n n NC n n 5 384 Main Street (828) 200-9308 B, L n C n n 71

The Dancing Bear at The High Dive 476 Carolina Way L, D n n n n C n n 73

Fire + Water Restaurant Reservations Required (828) 526-4446 B, L n n C n 15

Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 465 Main Street (828) 787-2990 L, D n n n C n n 76 Hummingbird Lounge 455 Main Street Highlands, NC (828) 787-2525 L n n n NC n 33 *The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering 350 S. Fifth Street (828) 526-2110 L, D n n 76 Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge 470 Skyline Lodge Rd (828) 482-4720 D, SB n n n n NC n n n 66 On the Verandah Highway 64 (Franklin Road) (828) 526-2338 D, SB n n n n C n n 72 The Ugly Dog Pub 298 South 4th Street (828) 526-8364 L, D, SB n n n n C n n n 73

Wolfgang’s Restaurant 460 Main Street (828) 526-3807 D n n n n NC n n 5

CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS

Cashiers Valley Smokehouse Las Margaritas Slab Town Pizza

Zookeeper US 64 West (828) 547-2096 L, D C n n n 72

127 US 64 (828) 745-6900 L, D n n n n C n n 70 45 Slab Town Road (828) 743-0020 L, D n n C n n 72 45 Slabtown Road (828) 743-7711 B, L, SB n C n n 70

SAPPHIRE/TOXAWAY AREA RESTAURANTS

Grand Olde Station 502 Blue Ridge Road. Lake Toxaway (828) 966-4242 D n n n n C n n 77 Greystone Inn 220 Greystone Lane, Lake Toxaway (828) 966-4700 B, L, D, SB n n n NC n n 4

B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner SB Sunday Brunch * Takeout Only Dress Code: C Casual NC Nice Casual J Jacket

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 4th Street Market - (828) 526-4191 Asia House - (828) 787-1680 Bella’s Junction Cafe - (828) 526-0803 Black Bear Restaurant - (828) 482-7020 The Blue Bike Cafe - (828) 526-9922 Bridge at Mill Creek (828) 526-5500 Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775 The Cake Bar - (828) 421-2042 Dusty’s - (828) 526-2762 El Azteca - (828) 526-2244 Fressers Courtyard Cafe – (828) 526-4188 Highlander Mountain House - (828) 526-2590 Highlands Burritos - (828) 526-9313 Highlands Deli SweeTreats - (828) 526-9632 Highlands Smokehouse - (828) 526-3554 Los Vaqueros Mexican Restaurant - (828) 482-7040 Madison’s Restaurant - (828) 787-2525 Midpoint (828) 526-2277 Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400 Rosewood Market (828) 526-0383 Ruffed Grouse (828) 526-2590 Subway - (828) 526-1706 Paoletti’s - (828) 526-4906 Primary Restaurant & Bar - (828) 526-3555 Wild Thyme Gourmet - (828) 526-4035

CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 743-9997 Canyon Kitchen - (828) 743-7967 Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160 Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750 El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522 The Fix Bar & Lounge - (828) 743-7477 JJ’s Eatery and Canteen - (828) 743-7778 The Library Kitchen and Bar - (828) 743-5512 Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740 Mountain Cafe - (828) 577-0469 The Orchard - (828) 743-7614 Panthertown Cafe - (828) 862-3663 Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - (828) 743-0220 Slopeside Tavern - (828) 743-8655 Subway - (828) 743-1300 Town and Country General Store (828) 547-1300 Villa Amato (828) 885-7700 Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777 Whiteside Brewing Company - (828) 743-6000 Winslow’s Hideaway - (828) 743-2226

thelaurelmagazine.com/lodging

Plateau Lodging

Accommodations on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

HOTELS / MOTELS / BED & BREAKFASTS

On Site Restaurant On Site Bar/Lounge Pool Whirlpool Rooms Exercise Facility In Room Microwave/Fridge Cable/Satellite TV Banquet Facilities Wireless Internet Pet Policy Ad On Page

Fire Mountain

Greystone Inn

Old Edwards Inn and Spa

Skyline Lodge

VACATION RENTAL AGENCIES 700 Happy Hill Rd | Scaly Mountain

220 Greystone Ln | Lake Toxaway

445 Main St | Highlands

470 Skyline Lodge Rd | Highlands firemt.com | (800) 775-4446 n n n n n n 15

thegreystoneinn.com | (828) 966-4700 n n n n n n 4

oldedwardsinn.com | (866) 526-8008 n n n n n n n n n 33

skyline-lodge.com | (828) 526-4008 n n n n n n 66

Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals 488 Main Street | Highlands meadowsmountainrealty.com | (828) 526-1717

Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals 401 N 5th St | Highlands highlandsiscalling.com | (828) 526-3717

Landmark Vacation Rentals 17 US Hwy 64 E | Cashiers landmarkvacations.com | (877) 926-1780

Rent in Highlands - CCP 507 Main Street | Highlands rentinhighlands.com | (800) 684-2171 x 302

Silver Creek Vacation Rentals 341 Hwy 64 W, Ste 102 | Cashiers ncliving.com | (828) 743-1999

CASHIERS, NC: High Hampton Resort - (800) 648-4252 Hotel Cashiers - (828) 743-7706 The Lakehouse - (904) 753-0247 Landmark Vacation Rentals- (877) 926-1780 Mountain Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-0258 The Orchard Guest Cottage - (828) 743-7614 Pebble Creek Village - (828) 743-0623 Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-1999 The Wells Hotel A Cashiers Experience - (828) 761-6289

GLENVILLE, NC: Innisfree Bed & Breakfast - (828) 743-2946 Mountain Lake Rentals - (828) 743-6875 Prime Property Rentals - (828) 743-3482

HIGHLANDS, NC 200 Main - (855) 271-2809 Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-1717 Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-3717 The Chateau - (561) 613-1496 Fairview House - (866) 526-8008 Half Mile Farm - (855) 271-7246 Highlander Mountain House - (828) 526-2590 Highlands House Bed and Breakfast - (828) 787-1186 Highlands Inn - (828) 526-9380 Highlands Inn Lodge - (828) 526-5899 Highlands Resort Rentals - (828) 526-5839 The Inn at Mill Creek - 828-526-9999 The Lodge at Old Edwards - (828) 787-2560 Lullwater House - (423) 488-2799 Old Edwards Inn and Spa - (866) 526-8008 Park on Main - (800) 221-5078 Ray’s Roost - (678) 534-6870 Rent in Highlands - CCP - (800) 684-2171 x 302 Rockwood Lodge - (828) 526-8919 Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-2999 The Wells Hotel - (828) 482-7736 Whiteside Cove Cottages - (828) 526-2222 SAPPHIRE, NC Club Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-3441 Foxhunt at Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-7667 Hampton Inn & Suites - Cashiers-Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-4545 Mt Toxaway Lodge & Motel - (828) 966-4582 Sapphire Run at Whisper Lake - (863) 412-5734 Whispering Falls - (352) 470-4085 Woods at Buc - (770) 714-9211

SCALY MOUNTAIN, NC: Fire Mountain - (800) 775-4446 The Vineyard at 37 High Holly - (828) 505-6190

LAKE TOXAWAY, NC Cabins at Seven Foxes - (828) 877-6333 Earthshine Lodge - (828) 862-4207 Greystone Inn - (828) 966-4700 Lake Toxaway Realty Company - (828) 508-9141

photo by Ryan Karcher SHOPPING

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