Special François Audouze Wine Dinner

François Audouze Wine Dinner

What a special treat tonight to meet François Audouze and participate in one of his incredible wine dinners. A retired French industralist, he began collecting wines in 1976, and quickly fell in love with older wines. François has one of the world's largest wine collections, with over 40,000 bottles, some as old as 1690. He loves drinking vintage wines and sharing his collection with friends old and new at his memorable dinners. And this was the reason for my trip to Paris.

Tonight's dinner is at elegant Michelin star Restaurant Astrance in the 16th.

What a spectacular selection for tonight...

The lovely private room upstairs at Astrance, with just a few wine glasses.  

Francois opened all the wines some 3 hours before our dinner.

And so it begins...

Tonight's tasting menu with the wine pairings.

Scallop carpaccio with black truffles.

Astrance chef Pascal Barbot explaining some of the dishes.

The master at work.  

Wonderful sea bass with and koshihikari rice and beurre blanc soja sauce.

Wow...

Two wines to go with the sensational rouget (red mullet).

And the wine highlights of the evening including an out-of-this-world 1976 Romanée-Conti.

And fabulous 1976 Echézeaux Domaine Dujac

Paired perfectly with the rable de lièvre doré (saddle of hare).

Merci Pascal and Francois for a memorable evening.

And the Instagram video of my memorable dinner with Francois Audouze.