LOIRE VALLEY WINE DINNER: FROM SANCERRE TO SAUMUR

Friday, September 11, 2026
6:30 PM Reception | 7:00 PM Seated Dinner
La Cave Cellar Room at Petit Philippe
$150 per person + tax

Seven wines. Seven courses. Six celebrated Loire appellations. One journey through the Garden of France.

Join Mark Meissner and Executive Chef Michael Bader of The Speckled Pear for an intimate seven-course wine dinner exploring the Loire Valley through the wines, food and places that make this one of France’s most diverse wine regions.

We’ll follow the Loire westward, beginning with sparkling Crémant de Loire before traveling through Sancerre, Vouvray and Savennières. Sauvignon Blanc gives way to Chenin Blanc, allowing us to taste how dramatically the same grape can change from one part of the Loire to another.

The second half of the evening turns to Cabernet Franc through three distinctive expressions from Bourgueil, Chinon and Saumur-Champigny—from fragrant and supple to savory, mineral and structured.

Course by course, Chef Michael Bader’s menu brings the journey together, moving from chèvre, scallop and snapper into pork, duck and Loire cheese.

Only 30 seats are available.

FEATURED WINES

Arrival
Domaine Ogereau Crémant de Loire Blanc de Blancs Brut 2022

The White Journey | Sancerre, Vouvray & Savennières
Daniel Chotard “Marcel Henri Demise” Champs d’Aligny Sancerre 2023
Champalou Vouvray Sec 2024
Château d’Epiré “Cuvée Spéciale” Savennières 2025

The Red Journey | Bourgueil, Chinon & Saumur-Champigny
Catherine et Pierre Breton “Trinch” Bourgueil 2024
Charles Joguet “Cuvée Terroir” Chinon 2023
Thierry Germain “Domaine Cuvée” Saumur-Champigny 2025

MENU & PAIRINGS

ARRIVAL
Warm Gougère
Gruyère | garden herbs
Domaine Ogereau Crémant de Loire Blanc de Blancs Brut 2022

COURSE ONE
Chèvre Tartlet
leek | fines herbes
Daniel Chotard “Marcel Henri Demise” Champs d’Aligny Sancerre 2023

COURSE TWO
Seared Scallop
apple | cauliflower | brown butter
Champalou Vouvray Sec 2024

COURSE THREE
Red Snapper
fondant potato | yellow oyster mushroom | beurre blanc
Château d’Epiré “Cuvée Spéciale” Savennières 2025

COURSE FOUR
Roasted Pork
lentils | black garlic | thyme
Catherine et Pierre Breton “Trinch” Bourgueil 2024

COURSE FIVE
Duck Breast
root vegetables | savory jus
Charles Joguet “Cuvée Terroir” Chinon 2023

COURSE SIX
Fromage de Loire
dried fruits | crusty baguette
Thierry Germain “Domaine Cuvée” Saumur-Champigny 2025

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
Reception: 6:30 PM
Seated Dinner: 7:00 PM
Location: La Cave Cellar Room at Petit Philippe, 4001 Park Road, Charlotte, NC
Tickets: $150 per person + tax
Capacity: 30 guests

Special event pricing will be available on the featured wines, with a limited allocation offered exclusively to dinner guests.

Please note: Tickets are non-refundable after Monday, September 7.