Spring 2025 Beach Culinary and Wine Excellence Series
Event Date and Time: Friday, April 25, 2025 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: The Queen Mary
Event Details: Join us for an unforgettable evening crafted by the talented students of the Hospitality Management Program and their dedicated faculty. Savor a delightful wine reception with exquisite small bites, and expand your wine knowledge with an engaging wine-tasting class. Witness firsthand the passion and commitment of our student organizers!
Tickets: $150 per person (Parking included)
*Tickets available to guests 21 years old and up.
Lead Presenter:
Anna Ortiz
Dr. Anna Ortiz is a Certified Sommelier and owner of My Wine Advisor. She has over 30 years of professional wine experience from retail sales and promotion, wine travel, restaurant/bar consulting, to teaching wine classes on almost any topic. On the side she serves as the Dean of the College of Education at CSULB.
Featured Wines:
Students from the CHHS Hospitality Management Program will be your guide through the tastes of some of The Queen Mary's favorite international docking spots in times past, tasting wines from wine producers from Italy, Spain and Portugal. See the full wine list below:
Mont Marçal Wines, Spain
Mount Marcal Cava Brut Reserva, Catalonia, Spain 2021 - Tasting Notes: Color: Pale yellow, with fine bubbles and a perfect mousse. Bouquet: Aromas of yeast and fruit compote, with a finish of ripe fruit. Palate: Fine presence on the palate, very dry but perfectly balanced, crisp and elegant. Served with Prosciutto-wrapped Cantaloupe served cubed on a knotted skewer
Pietradolce Vineyards, Sicily, Italy
Pietradolce Archineri Etna Bianco, 2022 - The nose has lively and fresh aromas of salt, lime and warm rock, before deeper, juicier flavors of white peach and yellow apple emerge. Those notes all continue onto the palate, fortified by a blast of ferocious acid and a powerful current of salt. Served with Tilapia Piccata (lemon, white wine and capers). Tilapia served on small bed of grilled asparagus, grilled lemon garnish.
Pietradolce Archineri Etna Rosso, 2020 - A floral, herbaceous nose features notes of sage, oregano, tomato, roses and peonies. On the palate, a dash of balsamic and a sprinkle of pepper add further nuance to the waltz of savory and floral. Tannins emphasize the earthiness, while the acid introduces a fruit element that is both sweet and tart. Served with Eggplant Parmesan.
Le Casematte Winery, Sicily, Italy
Le Casematte Terra Siciliane Nocera Nanuci, Sicily, Italy, 2021 - Bright ruby red, with an ample and persistent nose featuring small red berries, sea stones, and spiced tobacco. Fresh, rich, persistent on the palate with good volume and mild tannins. Served with Mushroom Stroganoff (light cream and white wine, umami), Pappardelle Pasta in a light porcini cream sauce with a collection of finely chopped oven roasted mushrooms (cremini, button, oyster, shiitake, wild trumpet, chanterelles) and thinly shaved fresh black truffles with a drizzle of truffle oil.
Spanish Wine - TBD
Currently sourcing a Muga Rioja - Served with Braised Beef in Barolo Wine with a small spread of mashed potatoes and garnished with crispy fried leeks; Finished with the braising liquid reduced into a glaze.
Tawny Port, Portugal
Sports a toasty edge, with hazelnut and singed almond notes, while the core of plum cake and cinnamon holds steady through the finish. Served with Red Wine Poached Pears, poached in red wine port sauce and simple syrup and honey infused whipped ricotta; chocolate shavings and drizzled with a port reduction.
