Only the finest wine, flowers

Jim Hoffman has the dirt on Washington’s finest wines.

And he has used that information to take charge of Spokane’s most elegant evenings.

Hoffman did soils research at some of the state’s vineyards as a geology professor for Eastern Washington University, and contacts he made with vintners has made it possible for him to gather some of the limited edition vintages and boutique wines that will be featured at this year’s Evening of Wine and Flowers.

“Many of these wines are never poured at bigger events like Taste Washington,” said Hoffman, who is now retired from EWU and a member of the Society of Wine Educators. “We not only pour them so you can taste and compare those wines but we also have quantities for auction.”

Wines from Cayuse Vineyards and Leonetti Cellars, which are only sold to those on the wineries’ coveted mailing lists, will be served at the fund-raiser for St. Luke’s Rehabilitation next Saturday evening. Another wine Hoffman highlighted is Quilceda Creek’s 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, which recently received a 97-100 points from Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate.

Here’s how Parker described the wine: “It displays blackberry, tar, violet, herb, and cassis aromas that lead to a velvety-textured, penetrating character. Effortlessly sporting that mind-boggling juxtaposition of power and elegance, it slathers the palate with red cherries, blackberries, raspberries, cassis liqueur, and spices. Immensely rich yet fresh, this broad, expensive wine is plush, packed with sweet tannin, and immensely long. They’ve done it again!”

There will be wines from 20 wineries including: Andrew Will, Col Solare, Cayuse, Northstar, Spring Valley, Eroica, Pepper Bridge, L’Ecole No 41, Forgeron, Basel Cellars, Woodward Canyon, Walla Walla Vintners, Dunham, Three Rivers, Walter Clore Reserve, Wineglass Cellars, Robert Karl, Arbor Crest, Lone Canary, Barrister and Mt. Dome. Wine makers or representatives of each winery will be there to answer questions.

Those who have only dabbled in wine tasting will find the Evening of Flowers and Wine the perfect immersion course.

“If you want to taste the very best that Washington winemakers can make…. this is the event,” Hoffman said.

Chef Ian Wingate of Moxie is preparing wine-friendly food to complement the red wines. And St. Luke’s kitchen will present the white wine matches. And the room will be awash in stunning flower arrangements donated by local florists.

Many of the wines poured for tasting will be auctioned in large format and engraved bottles. The highlight will be a 9-liter bottle of Andrew Will 2002 Sorella. (That’s a case of wine in one bottle.) And there are some surprising dinner packages up for auction. Basel Cellars’ winemaker will host a private home tasting for six people and Northstar Winery in Walla Walla is offering a private sunset dinner and barrel tasting at the winery for six to eight people.

The money raised will benefit programs and services offered by St. Luke’s Rehabilitation, including Team St. Luke’s.

An Evening of Wine and Flowers will be held at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, 711 S. Cowley St. from 6 to 10 p.m. on April 16. Tickets are $100.

For those who would rather bask in the blooms next Sunday afternoon, there is an Afternoon of Flowers and Victorian Tea.

Deb Johnson, owner of Pleasant Blend Coffee & Tea, is donating the teas for the event. The teas featured will include Black Vanilla tea, a Ceylon tea with shaved vanilla bean; and Apple Bush herbal tea, a rooibos, also called African red bush, with apple blossom flavors.

The Davenport Hotel culinary staff has designed the three-course tea menu, starting with a scone duo course of dried cherry and walnut scones and apricot scones with assorted jams and crème fraiche.

Tea sandwiches in the second course will include: Beef Cornucopia with Horseradish Sauce, Crab Salad in Phyllo Cups, Cucumber and Dill Sandwich with Cream Cheese and Smoked Turkey with Mango Chutney.

Ladyfinger with Chocolate Strips, Chocolate Decadence Cake, Spritz Cookies with Raspberry Filling, and Cream Puffs with Chocolate Sauce will be the dessert course.

Fresh and silk flower displays donated by local florists will be on display and up for auction. You can also create your own spring bouquet from the fresh flower market.

Framed festival posters by watercolor artist Mari Anne Figgins will be displayed, along with some of her other work. St. Luke’s Auxiliary will offer a spring-themed gift shop and garden portraits will be available for purchase.

There are two sittings for the tea, at 11 a.m. or at 2:30 p.m. at the Davenport Hotel on April 17. Tickets are $45 each or $30 for ages 12 and under.