Mohegan Sun welcomes 19th annual Sun Wine & Food Fest

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican

MOHEGAN SUN special events coordinator Lauren Willard.

Wine lovers from the more casual sippers to serious connoisseurs can satisfy their thirst for that next glass of vino to add to their list of favorites at this weekend’s 19th annual Sun Wine & Food Fest at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. While a number, but not all, of the special events planned as part of the four-day immersion into food and wine at its best are already sold out - the star of the show, Saturday’s Grand Tasting, still has tickets available, as well as tomorrow’s Grand Tasting Preview.

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Wine tasting notes

• 2020 Domaine De Marcoux La Lorentine Lirac ($32

Suggested Retail Price)

Grapes: Blend of grenache, syrah and mourvedre

Tasting notes: Based in Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, Domaine De Marcoux (and the Armenier family that owns the winery) has been making wine since the 13th century. However, the

Menu

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E7 sauces, while All You Can Eat Riblets are served with the diner’s choice of either Honey BBQ or Asian Chile sauce. All You Can Eat Double Crunch Shrimp are served with cocktail sauce; all three entree selections come with coleslaw and fries. These All You Can Eat Deals are available for a limited time. Contact individual Applebee’s locations to verify availability at that particular restaurant.

• Celebrity-focused news outlets have been abuzz lately with the revelations from a cer-

The Grand Tasting in the Earth Expo Center on Saturday from noon until 5 p.m. features over 1,000 types of not only wine, but beer and spirits as well, from major and smaller vintners, brewers and distillers. Foodies can also taste dishes from award-winning restaurants throughout the region and select bites from top chefs. Two culinary stages will be set up for a variety of celebrity chef demos from Michael Symon, Robert Irvine, Marc Murphy, Maneet Chauhan, Nyesha Arrington, Richard Blais and others.

“When entering the Grand Tasting you will receive a glass for pours to try something different and see what you like, as well as a special sampling card for admission to Restau- domaine’s first official wine was not released until 1989. This particular Lirac wine has a soft, smooth, luxurious finish straight out of the bottle. Flavors range from plum, blackberry and almonds, along with flinty, limestone-like notes. The second day, those flinty flavors take on earthier, more rounded notes with subtle hints of plum coming to the forefront.

• 2019 Alain Jaume & Fils

Domaine Grand Veneur Lirac Clos de Sixte ($32 SRP) tain red-haired British prince’s tell-all book and interviews.

• One Cheshire, a Connecticut-based quick-service restaurant chain has capitalized on all the gossipy fuss and furor by rolling out a limited-time-only menu item. Wayback Burgers has introduced The Royal Silencer, a double-patty burger sandwich that also incorporates a “spare” third patty. Wayback’s president, Patrick Conlin, described The Royal Silencer as a sandwich designed “to fill mouths to capacity with every bite to discourage spilling sensitive family drama to the media and general public.” In addition to its “two patties plus a spare” rant Row featuring 10 different restaurants,” said Mohegan Sun special events coordinator Lauren Willard.

The Grand Tasting Preview tomorrow, from 8 to 10 p.m., is a shorter version of Saturday’s prime event.

Also, among the several special events with tickets still available is tomorrow’s Beam and Burgers presented by Beam Suntory Inc. from 6 to 9 p.m. It will feature chefs Chad Rosenthal and Mike Puma creating their own taste-tempting burgers and barbecue for those attending to pair with unique whiskeys. Admission also includes live entertainment and a complimentary cigar.

Tickets to the Grand Tasting are $150 in advance and

Grapes: 50% grenache, 35% syrah and 15% mourvedre design, The Royal Silencer includes American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard all sandwiched in a bun. The chain has offered “legitimate royals living in the United States” a Royal Silencer “on the house.” There is a Wayback Burgers restaurant in Worcester on Tobias Boland Way as well as Northern Connecticut Wayback locations in Granby and East Windsor.

Tasting notes: Founded in 1826, this family-owned winery is also based on ChateauneufDu-Pape. Its Lirac red wine is made with certified organic grapes. This outstanding wine has a flinty, dry, intense finish. Flavors range from dried blackberries and plums to cured meats and toasted almonds. The second day, those wonderful flinty flavors have a slightly floral aroma along with subtle hints of cherry and cranberry.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.

$160 on the day of the event, and for the Grand Tasting Preview are $100 in advance and $125 day of event.

Beam and Burgers tickets are $100 in advance and $125 on the day of event.

• 2020 Domaine Roger Sabon Lirac ($25 SRP)

Grapes: 70% grenache, 10% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 10% carignan

Tasting notes: Members of the Sabon family have been making wine in ChateauneufDu-Pape since the 1540s. Several members of the Sabon family operate different wineries in the area. The Roger Sabon winery was created in 1952.

Let me add that I have been a huge fan of Roger Sabon wines for years. Their 2020 Lirac illustrates why. This austere yet luxurious wine has a flinty, intense finish with hints of dried plums and roasted almonds. The second day, those same flavors are even bigger and riper, especially its plum notes. Another great red wine from the relatively-unknown wine village of Lirac.

They are available at mohegansun.com, while tickets last. There are also tickets priced at $40 for those who want to take precautions and bring a designated driver along.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s weekend section every Thursday.