We are working on the fall issue of the CONNECTIONS newsletter. Southern food and tradition is our theme. Last night, we hosted a good ol' pig pickin' at Moreland to help tell the story. Chef Kirk spent the day in the kitchen. The pig spent the day on the spit. Here is a behind the scenes look. Stay tuned for the full story.

Behind the Scenes: Pig Pickin' from Courtney Hampson on Vimeo.

Turkey hunting is an affliction, so say the proselytes of this ancient sport. And the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy's Wildlife Guru, Jay Walea, is one of the most afflicted. Jay introduced members and guests to the fascinating world of turkeys, turkey calls and the lure of this particular sport on the eve of turkey hunting season. This "First Friday" lecture was followed by a three-course wine dinner (part of the Music to Your Mouth series) featuring French whites and a superb turkey dish courtesy of Chef Kirk Gilbert.

"Talkin' Turkey" from Courtney Hampson on Vimeo.

Palmetto Bluff's 2010 Music to Your Mouth website is live! The site features details on our First Friday Wine Dinner Series, our monthly Wine Pairing Weekends (with juicy details on winemakers and guest chefs), updates on the November Music to Your Mouth Festival, and a blog dedicated to musings on wine, food, culture, and a look behind the scenes at what it takes to make the year-long Music to Your Mouth series come alive. 

Let us know what you think.

Palmetto Bluff kicks off the BUFFALO'S First Friday Wine Series on February 5. The dinner themed "The West Coast Trail meets the Southern Shore" will feature the wines of Adelsheim Vineyards and the culinary traditions of the Lowcountry. Winemaker Dave Adelsheim will also host a wine pairing dinner on Saturday night as we explore the history of Lowcountry Cuisine paired with the new world wines of the Willamette Valley.

Click here for more details on the 2010 Wine Dinner Series

Southern food, perhaps more than any other regional cuisine in America, has long been recognized for its diversity and history and for the stew pot of cultural influences that have been inherited from unique and authentic African cultures. The style of food originated in the early Colonial period, beginning with the rum and sugarcane plantations of the West Indies and the Creole  French and Spanish inhabitants of the Deep South. They harvested the fields, cleaned the game, ground the spices and created the meals that set the standard for southern cooking as we know it today.

We honor that culinary culture by using the freshest of ingredients harvested from the surrounding waters, woods and local farms to create a one of a kind epicurean experience. This noble fare is further accentuated by gathering diverse people sharing the finest wines in picturesque settings thus creating a complete sensory experience.

The 2010 Music to Your Mouth series features pairings of the region’s most prominent chefs, recognized for their Southern fare, with producers of well-crafted, artisanal beverages. We’d like to think that we’ve put together an array of some of the finest nibbles and nectars to ever tickle a taste bud. For more, visit www.musictoyourmouth.com.