Tasting Notes: Pre-Wedding Meals

My younger brother is getting married October 12 on Martha's Vineyard. It should be a great long weekend. I will be heading out to the Island on Thursday and coming back Monday. I've been given a few food-related assignments for the weekend.

The weekend is food-intense. Many of my family will actually get there Wednesday night, which is the beginning of Yon Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. The meal will be brisket. Thursday is a fasting day. The Break Fast in the evening will be traditional: smoked fish, bagels, etc.

Friday is a simple family dinner for about twenty. We are doing a big anti-pasta spread, lasagna, salad, and bread. Simple. Easy. Fun.

My responsibility includes making meat lasagnas for 20 and wine selection. I am going to keep the lasagna simple and traditional: red sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, fresh herbs, and a veal/pork/beef blend of meat. I may add a bit of cream... not sure yet.

Saturday night, there is a dinner for 60 (pretty much everyone at the wedding) at a beautiful restaurant on the cliffs at Aquinnah (formerly known as Gay Head... some of the most beautiful cliffs I have ever seen!) The meal will be again fun and simple: cubano sandwiches, burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, chowder, and chili. Most of Martha's Vineyard is "dry", wo we have to bring the beer and wine to this as well. That is also my job.

Just for the record, the wedding meal entrees are Rack of Lamb and Mushroom-crusted Stuffed Chicken.

So I was out buying wine and beer tonight. Here is what I came up with...

FRIDAY DINNER: Italian

Just one wine choice to keep it simple:

• Castiglioni Chianti (2006) (Italy)

SATURDAY DINNER: Soup & Sandwich

Mostly beer for tonight. I wanted a mix of both straight-forward, light, easy-drinking beers along with some interesting and seasonal choices. Here is what I ended up with:

• Harpoon IPA
• Sam Adams Light (afterall we are in Massachussetts)
• Dos Equis Amber & Lager (thought it would be good with the Cubanos)
• Stella Artois (Belgium)
• Smithwick's (Irish)
• Otter Creek Oktoberfest Autumn Ale
• Shipyward Pumpkinhead Ale
• New Grist Sorghum Beer (Gluten free... a required option in my family)

Additionally, three wines for Saturday night too:

• McGuigan Limestone Coast Shiraz (2000) (Australia) (red)
• Chateau Villberambert Julien (Minervois) (2007) (France) (Rose)
• Angelini Pinot Grigio (Veneto) (2007) (Italy) (white)

What do you think? Did I miss anything?
Go wrong?
What would you have done?