Models displaying 1960s-style clothing
by Barnaby Hughes
What better way to unwind on a Friday evening after a long work week than with great wines, light bites, fashion, photography and live jazz? All this and more was available at an event organized by Jean-Baptiste Dhalluin, owner and founder of Los Angeles Wine Tasting. This unassuming French ex-pat, who works for French wine importer Return to Terroir, really knows how to throw a party. His 60s Soiree took place recently at the LA Theater Center on Spring Street, just a stone’s throw away from his trendy downtown loft. This former bank building, with its expansive two-story lobby, ceiling skylights and underground bank vault bathrooms, is an ideal venue for such an occasion.
Upon leaving behind the busy streets of downtown LA and entering the LA Theater Center, guests were immediately transported back fifty years in time. The rhythmic, mellow sounds of “My Funny Valentine” and other classic jazz tunes filled the air, played by a dynamic and amiable young quartet. Just beyond them was an exhibition of black and white photos taken by Phil Stern at John F. Kennedy’s inaugural gala in 1961. In addition to photographs of the young president and his glamorous wife, pictures of famous guests, including Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, were displayed.
At the tasting stations, a well-chosen succession of six wines was prepared, three whites and three reds, of which three were from Italy and three from California. The Italian wines were fairly representative, including a D’Aquino 2010 Pinot Grigio from the Veneto, a D’Aquino 2005 Chianti Classico Riserva from Toscana and a Villa Sonia 2008 Valpolicella di Ripasso from Verona. The Pinot Grigio made for a refreshing start to the evening, and was soon followed by a Monterey County Chardonnay, Le P’tit Paysan’s 2009 vintage. Thereafter, it was all reds. The two from California included the Alfaro “A” Estate 2008 Syrah from the Santa Cruz Mountains and Cole Bailey’s Otter Road Trip Red, a blend of five varietals from Mendocino County. (It was good to be reminded, by the omission of any Napa/Sonoma wines, that most Californian wines are produced elsewhere.)
Each wine was poured in order, and those who poured sometimes talked a bit about the wines as they did so. If you wanted to know more, they would happily oblige, but all wine lore was imparted without the least bit of lecturing. This was a Soiree after all and the wines were meant to be enjoyed. Plenty of hors d’oeuvres were available to pair with the wines, along with French bread, artisanal cheeses, and rich chocolate truffles that appeared towards the end of the night.
Among these Epicurean delights a further layer of enjoyment was added – a feast for the eyes. Dozens of models wearing vintage dresses made from exquisite fabrics mingled with guests. Reinforcing their 1960s-style couture, they sported lace-trimmed hats or elaborate coiffures, such as the iconic beehive. Thus, the event proved to be quite a heady mix of music, wine, food, fashion and photography. And for such an incredibly classy evening, there wasn’t a hint of snobbishness in the air.
For more fun wine events, consult our wine events calendar for LA and other areas. Keep coming back to GAYOT.com for the latest culinary events and restaurant reviews as well.
You can click on each photo to enlarge. All photos by James Carbone.
