Summer is quickly approaching and what better way to relax and enjoy the summer than with a wonderful salad, cheese and wine!  Today's recipe by Chef Bruno Tison for Chateau St. Jean Winery (Kenwood, CA) does this by combining Brie, Black Truffle and mixed greens to create a wonderful appetizer.  This is an amazing combination that is heightened even more when served with Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon.  So go ahead - prepare this simple appetizer, call some friends over and relax for a wonderful evening retreat.

"Marin French" Brie, Black Truffle, "Oak Hill Farm" Lettuces, Davero Olive Oil Vinaigrette

Recipe courtesy of Executive Chef Bruno Tison of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

Pair with Chateau St. Jean 2004 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

Serves 8       

• 1 Brie from the Marin French cheese company
• 2 oz. of chopped black truffle
• ½ lb. of baby lettuces ( i.e. frisee, mache, lollo rosso, arugula, red oak leaves)
• 1 whole chopped shallot
• 8 oz. DaVero olive oil
• 2.5 oz.  DaVero red wine vinegar
• salt & white ground pepper (to taste)
• 1 Tbsp. of chopped chive
• A few sprigs of chervil

Split the whole brie horizontally to obtain 2 wheels of brie.

Spread the black truffle on the bottom wheel and cover with the top wheel so you are reconstituting the whole brie. I usually prepare it a few hours before serving to allow the truffle to develop their flavor.

Make the vinaigrette by mixing the vinegar with salt, pepper, chopped shallots, then adding the olive oil. Making your vinaigrette the day before is better and allows the shallots to marinate perfectly.

Clean, wash and dry the baby lettuce, toss with the vinaigrette, chopped chive, mix well and place a little bouquet on a plate, topped with chervil sprigs.

Serve with 1/8 of the Brie and bread (French bread or baguette).

Drizzle vinaigrette around the brie.

About Chateau St. Jean 2004 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

"Inviting aromas of blackberries, mocha and violets leap from the glass of this Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon. The sweet, dark berry fruit continues on the palate and mingles with elegant round tannins and lead to a long, lingering finish."
-- Margo Van Staaveren, Winemaker

About Chateau St. Jean

Chateau St. Jean, with its gracious style, elegant architecture, and inviting gardens and tasting rooms, is the quintessential Sonoma winery.  The winemaking estate is located at the foot of Sugarloaf Ridge in the Sonoma Valley near Kenwood, California.  Founded in 1973, Chateau St. Jean has long been recognized as a leader in Vineyard Designated wines.  Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren uses her 25+ years of vineyard and winemaking expertise with Chateau St. Jean to highlight the best of each vineyard in the wines.  In 1999, Chateau St. Jean was the first Sonoma winery to be awarded the prestigious "Wine of the Year" award from the Wine Spectator Magazine for its 1996 Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon, a Bordeaux-style blend of "five varieties."  The winery received high acclaim again when it received the "#2 Wine of the Year" from Wine Spectator for its 1999 Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon.