Wine & Dine

from NOW Weddings Magazine January 2021

CARNIVAL BLUES

HOST A WINE DINNER WEDDING PARTY

Written + Photos by: Jessica Burke

IN NEW ORLEANS WE’RE KNOWN FOR OUR COCKTAIL-STYLE PARTIES, BUT WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY BEING TOP concerns, couples today find themselves modifying their wedding plans and hosting seated dinners instead. While these seated events help guests stay socially distanced, it takes some thinking outside the box to create an engaging event.

One option for 2021 couples (and beyond) is hosting a wine dinner event like those Toulouse Gourmet has been catering at The Cannery in Mid City. At these monthly events, guests are treated to a five or six course meals expertly paired with wine selections.

As each course is presented, a wine expert shares details about the wine and the history of the winery it hails from, and also answers questions that guests may have.

Hosting a wine dinner for your engagement party or rehearsal dinner is a great way to engage your guests while sharing your favorite foods and wines. “We can create a menu around wines you love or suggest pairings for your favorite foods,” shares Kellie Levy, Director of Sales and Event Manager for Toulouse Gourmet and The Cannery. “If you can think of it, we can create it!”

Recent wine dinners at The Cannery have explored Italian wines with Italian wine specialist Antonio Molesini, Belle Glos’ distinctive Pinot Noirs, and selections from the Wagner family of wine, including Emmolo, Red Schooner and Caymus Vineyards’ venerable Special Selection.

If you’d like to see what these events are all about, The Cannery and Toulouse Gourmet have several upcoming dinners this winter that are open to the public. Their first wine dinner of 2021 will be January 21 and will be exploring selections from The Prisoner Wine Company. This event will be followed by dinners featuring Duckhorn Vineyards on February 25 and Cakebread Cellars on March 25.

“We’re very excited about our Winter Wine Dinner Series,” shares Levy. “We carefully select each wine we feature and create a custom menu for each event. Our dinners are experiences that engage all the senses.”