spaswinefood: An affair to remember: An evening in Thrace

How do you conclude a four-day gastronomic adventure exploring Thrace's wine region? Greek style of course, which includes an evening filled with great food and wine, and the famous hospitality of Northern Greece. Our evening began was a pre-dinner wine cocktail party held at one of the oldest olive oil producers, Calypso. This was followed by a Gala Dinner for #winelovers at St. George's Restaurant.

A #Winelover Affair to Remember © Spaswinefood

An Affair to Remember Part One: Cocktails at the Calypso Olive Grove
Over the course of our #winelover explorations in Thrace I spent time with old friends and made new ones. The #winelover community is quite special in that way. Our gathering in the Calypso Olive Grove that evening was an event where we would discover more about Thrace.

Arriving at the Calypso Olive Grove © Spaswinefood

Earlier we toured the Kyklopas Olive Oil company however, this time it was cocktails in the olive grove. We could not have asked for a more charming setting. All the events that were part of our four-day adventure were unique. This allowed us to discover the many facts of the Thrace wine region.

Calypso Olive Grove Gathering © Spaswinefood

We were welcomed by the grandson of Calypso. He had returned to Greece to continue a family tradition along with his mother after his grandmother died. After a little history we were introduced to their company, CalypsoTree, which produces single varietal extra virgin olive oil. The olive oil is produced from an indigenous olive variety Makri.

Introducing Calypso Olive Oil © Spaswinefood

Discovering Calypso Olive Oil © Spaswinefood

The olive grove was a beautiful setting for a pre-dinner reception.

#Winelovers, Calypso Olive Oil © Spaswinefood

There was tempting appetizers, or finger foods to enjoy.

Appetizers, Calypso Olive Grove © Spaswinefood

Let's take closer look.

Shrimp Appetizer, Calypso © Spaswinefood

Octopus Appetizer, Calypso © Spaswinefood

Olive Appetizer, Calypso © Spaswinefood

Once you have smelled and tasted pure virgin olive oil it is hard not to think of checking out any new olive oil you encounter.

Tasting Calypso Olive Oil © Spaswinefood

Let me not forget there were wine cocktails to go with the appetizers.

Wine Cocktails © Spaswinefood

Time for Wine Cocktails © Spaswinefood

There were enticing places to sit in the beautiful olive grove.

Seating in the Olive Tree © Spaswinefood

Relaxing, Calypso Olive Grove © Spaswinefood

Given it was late spring I could not help but pay attention to the flowering olive trees.

Olive Tree Blossoms © Spaswinefood

I did take a closer look at the blossoms on the olive trees.

Olive Flowers, Calypso Olive Grove © Spaswinefood

Spending time at Calypso was certainly delightful. After the pre-dinner gathering it was onto the Gala Dinner at St. George Restaurant.

An Affair to Remember Part Two: Gala Dinner

The dinner began with appetizers, followed by salad and soup, grilled vegetables, main dishes of fish and meat, and more.

Appetizer, St. George's Restaurant © Spaswinefood

First Course, St. George's Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Salad, St. George's Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Soup, St. George's Restaurant © Spaswinefood

What followed next was quite a few courses.

Carpaccio, St. George's Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Fish, St. George's Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Meat, St. George's Restaurant © Spaswinefood

There were side dishes, such as grilled vegetables.

Grilled Vegetables, St. George's Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Last but not least there was desert.

Desert, St. George's Restaurant © Spaswinefood

What is a gala dinner without a little toast?

Yamas, St. George's Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Perhaps Amalia Brut, a sparkling wine made using Moschofilero grapes, was in our glasses. If not I would highly recommend it.

Ktima Tselepos, Amalia Brut

George, the most amazing organizer, for all of Thrace wine country explorations was recognized by our group.

During dinner we recognized a few birthdays. Yes, it was also George's birthday, which meant that it was time for sparklers and cake.

Then the next birthday cake arrived for Mariusz.

Earlier in the week we also celebrated Serban's birthday. It was indeed a very popular time for birthday celebrations.

One of our #winelover's Sandra is a great singer. Yes, it was perfect timing for a few songs.

Let me not forget to mention the wines. Again, it was an opportunity for us to enjoy some Greek wines.

It was indeed an amazing evening with #winelover friends at St. George's. The only downside for me was thinking about leaving so early the next morning.

Yes, it was an affair to remember. The affair was an amazing four-day gastronomic adventure, which included olive oil tastings, wine tastings, great food, soulful moments, and of course the amazing hospitality of Northern Greece. Very early next morning I left Thrace for Southern Bulgaria. I left knowing that there would be a Greek wine goddess/god calling me to taste Greek wines, or to visit a Greek vineyard soon. Spaswinefood is looking forward to more wine country adventures along the Greek Wine Trails. Check out my travels in Greece at Spaswinefood.

Sharon

May 2017

Alexandroupoli, Greece

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook

Special thanks to Touratzis Umami (#TUevents) for its excellent organization of our #winelover adventures in Thrace #SeeYouInThrace  #SeeYouInGreece #Yamas

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Monday, August 14, 2017

An affair to remember: An evening in Thrace

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