McCrossen’s Tavern and their sommelier Lauren Harris are heating up the Summer of Riesling with two upcoming events. The first, the Mid-Summer Wine-Cheese-Food dinner on July 24^th at 6:30 p.m. will be a dinner full of pairings. The fig-infused menu will be paired with Riesling over four courses for $32. Di Bruno Bros’ Rocco Rainone will be on hand to pair cheeses with each course as well.

At 7 p.m. on August 7^th McCrossen’s will be holding the “Smackdown! Old World vs New World” wine event. For $30 participants will judge 10 different Rieslings in five categories: Austere, Porch Pounder, Transcendent, Slutty, and Opulent.

Reservations for both events are strongly recommended and can be made by calling the restaurant at 215-854-0923.

Read on for the Mid-Summer Wine-Cheese-Food menu.

First Course

Food: Fig Salad w Fennel Marmalade Arugula and Vincotto.
Wine: Reuscher-Haart “Piesporter” 2010 Mosel, Germany
(crisp, clean easy drinking, supple fruit, balanced acidity)
Cheese: Di Bruno’s / Monger’s Choice

Second Course

Food: White Gazpacho w Figs, Candied Almonds, and Grapes
Wine: Fritz Hasselbach’s “FRITZ’S” 2008 Rheinhessen, Germany
(green fruit, tangerine and white peach, mineral backbone)
Cheese: Di Bruno’s / Monger’s Choice

Third Course

Food: Sautéed Foie Gras w Pickled Figs and Brioche Soldiers
Wine: Hexamer “Quarzit” 2010 Nahe, Germany
(a favorite from last year, pretty stone fruit, white flowers, lil’ petrol, spritzy acidity)
Cheese: Di Bruno’s / Monger’s Choice

Fourth Course

Food: Grilled Pork w Figs and Fourme d’Ambert, Mint Pesto
Wine: Karl Erbes “Urziger Wurzgarten” Spatlese 2011 Mosel, Germany
(gorgeous, complex peachy fruit, orange blossom, honeysuckle, petrol with mouth watering acidity, sexy! This one has a little sugar)
Cheese: Di Bruno’s / Monger’s Choice

 McCrossen’s Tavern [Official Site]