Winter Whiteout Party A Blizzard Of Wine And Food

Winter weather couldn't stop our party a third time. We celebrated with white wine, white attire, and an evening to remember.

In January, the Green Dragon said, "We need to have a party, and we should call it the Winter Whiteout." Those words set the wheels in motion. We were ablaze with a planning frenzy, selecting the wines, then debating food choices, working on decorations, and invitations. This was no normal party (are our parties ever?). Guests were to wear all white, and the wines were to be all white as well (except for one final red).

Phew.

As the big evening neared, the weather forecast turned sinister. An ice storm that would cripple the region was coming our way. We checked our flashlight batteries and emergency supplies and eventually had to postpone the party for a week. On the night of the storm, a brief shower of sleet bounced on the patio, but no coating of ice.

We geared up again for the party. About midweek, the meteorologists again foretold of a wintry blast. This time, snow. The weather forecasters did their thing, and the blizzard of 12 inches or more began to shrink with every weather report, first to nine inches, then up to six. We ended up with less than three. Once more, we had to pull the plug. This isn't North Dakota, and North Carolinians don't venture far when snowflakes fly.

Our third attempt, about a month later, succeeded! The guest list included the Dash-More Divas (a ladies' group in town) and their spouses or plus-ones. Money raised from the dinner went to benefit the local food pantry.

The Winter Whiteout event was conceived as a walk through a winter landscape: the sparkle of first snowfall, feeling the coastal chill, walking through a frosted orchard, seeing the rays of the winter sun, and finally enjoying a fireside glow.

1. Anna de Codorniu Blanc de Blancs Reserva (Cava) & Prosciutto breadsticks with charcuterie board and assorted nibbles

The journey opened with a sparkle. This bright, citrus-laced Cava comes from Cororniu, Spain's oldest winery. It is made entirely from white grapes -- primarily Chardonnay with traditional Cava grapes.

2. Piedra de Mar Albariño 2024 (Rías Baixas) & Spanish-style Garlic Shrimp & Butternut Party Bites 

We couldn't hold a white wine party without Albariño from Rías Baixas! From the chilly Atlantic coast of Spain, this wine has the cool salinity of sea spray and notes of lime and green apple. This was a divine pairing with the artfully created shrimp and butternut appetizer.

3. Bougrier 'V' Vouvray Sec 2024 (Loire Valley) & French Onion Gruyere Mini Boules and Baked Brie Apricot Tartlets with Walnuts

Some time ago, we hosted a dinner featuring big California reds. This time, I felt the challenge in reverse. How do you create interest when you serve four white wines in a row? The answer came as we entered the frosted orchard. This Vouvray (100% Chenin Blanc) from France marked a shift from crisp whites to more layered and expressive ones. It features orchard fruit -- pear, quince, and white peach, in a gentle, rounded texture. It has enough acid to playfully pair with the cheese in the appetizers.

4. Halos de Jupiter Costières de Nîmes Blanc 2023 & Lobster bisque

The Green Dragon prepared all the dishes (except the finale), and this may be her crowning achievement. The lobster bisque was sensational -- rich and lusciously creamy with lumps of lobster afloat. The Halos de Jupiter is a Rhone blend of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. It was the richest of our winter whites with soft florals, a whisper of herbs, and peach and apricot. There is just a touch of sweetness. This fuller, more textured wine was the bridge to our final wine of the evening.

5. Decoy Red Blend Limited 2022 (Alexander Valley) & Lamb meatballs with rosemary & garlic, and Black Pepper Dark Chocolate Bark with Dried Cherries 

I donned the chef's apron for this last course, preparing savory lamb meatballs with a red wine reduction sauce. The Decoy Red Blend Limited is a Bordeaux-style blend from Sonoma with the primary players being Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. A chocolate dessert was an ideal pairing. My bark used dark chocolate with chopped dried cherries and walnuts, sprinkled through with ground black peppercorns and topped with finishing salt. We ended the snowy journey with a warm glow from the Decoy's polished dark cherry, blackberry, mocha, and warm spice flavors.

In a final salute to our guests, I offered a poem and a toast. Inspired by our previous cancellations and a Johnny Cash tribute concert we attended, I read the original poem "Winter Whiteout in a Ring of Snow." The final line is, "So raise a glass to twists of fate, to weather's stop-and-go -- and to the ones who made it here through this long ring of snow."