Araxi Celebrates Cornucopia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Big Guns: Icons of the Wine World
Friday, November 9th @ 6:00pm

Whistler, B.C. (September 27th, 2012) – As a greatly anticipated annual event, this year’s Big Guns: Icons of the Wine World dinner will feature a spectacular collection of highly rated, rare and collectible wines.

On Friday November 9th, seven stellar wineries from the world’s top wine regions will come together at Araxi for an exclusive one-off dinner event. Each critically acclaimed wine has been thoughtfully hand-selected by Wine Director Samantha Rahn, in order to deliver a truly unforgettable tasting experience.

“This year the wines I have selected represent complexity and finesse,” says Rahn. “We want to open our guests’ eyes and palates to some truly unique expressions of grape varieties and diverse regions in a mix of old world and new, tradition and innovation, rule breakers and trend-setters.”

Araxi Executive Chef James Walt will create a bespoke seven-course menu that showcases the excellence of Canadian produce, with standout dishes including Wild Mushroom and Local Beef Cheek Ravioli topped with generous shavings of White Alba Truffles. Guest will be treated to a parade of striking flavours such as Northern Divine Caviar, White Grace Cheese from Salt Spring Island and a tasting of Pemberton’s six varieties of Famous potatoes from Across the Creek Organics. Each course will be carefully paired to these exceptional wines:

Champagne Billecart-Salmon ‘Brut Réserve’, France NV
The epitome of harmony, balance and finesse; a family-run Champagne house striving for excellence for nearly two centuries

Casa Marin ‘Cipreses’ Sauvignon Blanc, San Antonio, Chile 2011
From maverick winemaker + entrepreneur Mariluz Marín, this savoury, complex, mineral-driven wine was awarded ‘Best Sauvignon Blanc in the World’ in its previous vintage at Decanter Magazine World Wine Awards

Gaja ‘Gaia + Rey’ Chardonnay, Piedmont, Italy 2009
Rich and full styled white from Piedmontese master Angelo Gaja, this is a unique opportunity to showcase such a rare treasure

Louis Jadot, Domaine des Héritiers, Corton-Pougets Grand Cru, Burgundy 1999
Robert Parker 92 pts
Pretty, mature Grand Cru red Burgundy from the classic house of Jadot highlighting subtle complexities and delicate nuances of flavour

Kosta Browne Russian River Pinot Noir, California 2010
Highly sought after, this Pinot was awarded Wine Spectator’s ‘Wine of the Year’ in the previous vintage; it is considered as one of the finest new world Pinot Noirs in every vintage

Antinori, Pian Delle Vigne, Brunello Di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy 2006
93 points, Wine Spectator
Chef James and Wine Director Samantha are both passionate about Tuscan wines and delighted to feature this glorious Brunello; richly textured and showing the character of this great vintage

Fonseca, Vintage Port, Portugal 1985
Intense, full, rich, and only now beginning to show the potential of an excellent port vintage, this promises to be a memorable finish to this very special menu

Tickets are $250 per person, all-inclusive.

Bubbles + Oceans Afterparty
Saturday, November 10th @ 10:00pm

After CRUSH, complete your evening at Araxi’s famed Bubbles + Oceans Afterparty, and celebrate in style at the heart of Whistler Village.

This memorable night features premium bubbles from the world’s top producers. Executive chef James Walt will showcase an impressive selection of the finest seafood, from freshly shucked Hollie Wood oysters and chilled BC Spot Prawns, to thrilling special additions such as Geoduck and Sea Urchin.

With the presence of music revolutionary Kytami – a new age “violinextemist” and guitarist Dallin Paul, this will truly be Cornucopia’s hottest party ticket!

Tickets are $155 per person, all-inclusive.

– 30 –

MEDIA CONTACT
Lynn Gervais
Communications Director
Toptable Group
lynn@toptable.ca
604 836 8005

April Penney
Communications Coordinator
Toptable Group
april@toptable.ca
604 786 0540