Provence Marinaside spotlights Croatian Wines in Exclusive Dinner

Explore the Wines of Croatia with Provence Marinaside

Tucked away on the eastern coast of the Adriatic is Croatia – a nation with a wine-making culture dating back 2,500 years to the ancient Greeks. This diverse country boasts three main wine regions – each of which is divided into sub regions which are divided again into even smaller wine zones resulting in more than 300 geographically-defined wine producing areas.

Tuesday, February 25th join Provence Marinaside’s Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia and Wine Director Joshua Carlson and special guests as they take you on a journey of discovery through Croatia’s rich terroir with ‘Explore the Wines of Croatia’ – a special wine dinner presented as part of The Vancouver International Wine Festival.

Enjoy seven unforgettable Croatian wines from Coronica, Fakin, Korta Katarina, and Stina wineries (some of which are 95 and 96 point Gold Decanter winners) paired by Carlson with an expertly curated menu by Chef Quaglia. Discover wines from indigenous grapes found along the Adriatic coast: Malvazija and Teran from Istria; Pošip, Plavac Mali, and the original Croatian Zinfandel from Dalmatia.

Guiding guests through the pairings will be special guests:

• Petar Delić, winery sales manager, Korta Katarina Winery
• Luka Zubin Đorđevski, Winery Sales Manager, Fakin Winery
• Emil Mehdin, Director, Coronica Winery
• Ante Rebrina, Director Sales and Marketing, Stina Winery

“I first tasted Croatian wine in 2016 when I tasted Stina’s Pošip. It is an incredible wine that paired wonderfully with oysters, crab and mayonnaise, and rare tuna. It’s been an absolute blast planning the menu. Chef Jean-Francis plus our top two chefs, the sommelier team and I tasted through probably 20 wines from Croatia. I believe we put together a fantastic menu that will really showcase these wines,” comments Carlson.

EXPLORE THE WINES of CROATIA MENU

Welcome
Fresh Oyster with Hokkaido Scallop Tartare, pickled cucumber
Fakin Rosé (2023)

1st Course
Organic Carrots and Beets, lemon foam
Coronica Gran Malvazija (2017)
Fakin Istra Malvazija (2022)

2nd Course
Fennel Pollen and Black Pepper Crusted Albacore Tuna
Fennel Salad
Korta Katarina Pošip (2023)

3rd Course
Smoked Duck Breast
wild mushrooms, lentils, blackberry sauce
Coronica Gran Teran (2018)

4th Course
Beef Tenderloin
(served medium rare to medium)
rapini, potato pavé, red wine peppercorn jus
Korta Katarina Reubens Private Reserve (2013)

5th Course
Dark Chocolate Mousse, Amarena cherry, almond tuile
Stina Tribidrag (2021)

Priced at $245 per person, tickets for this exclusive dinner of discovery are on sale now and can be purchased through The Vancouver International Wine Festival website here.

Provence notes:
Established in February 2002, Provence Marinaside is the ‘bebe’ of Owner/Executive Chef (and Chevalier of France) Jean-Francis Quaglia. Reminiscent of Chef Qualia’s native Marseille, Provence is located at the south end of Yaletown, adjacent to the False Creek Seawall and with patios overlooking the Quayside Marina. Open every day for Brunch, Lunch, Happy Hour and Dinner.

Hours are:
Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

In addition to Dine-In service, Provence Marinaside continues to offer its regular menus for brunch, lunch and dinner as Takeout for personal pick-up or through delivery services Door Dash and Uber Eats.

Wine and Cocktails List , Brunch Menu, Lunch Menu, Happy Hour Menu, Dinner Menu, Dessert Menu

Provence Marinaside is also supporting The DowntownEastside Women’s Centre with the donation of meals and funds along with a donation option on their should the public also wish to support the organization. Details can be found on Provence Marinaside’s Home Page.

About Chef Jean Francis Quaglia
A native of Marseille, France, Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia comes naturally to the culinary world as his mother was acclaimed Chef Suzanne Quaglia of Marseille’s famed Le Patalain and one of the very first female chefs in France. At age eight, he made his first Tarte au Citron from his mother’s recipe. This same tarte is now featured on Provence’s menu. Following graduation, Chef Quaglia apprenticed at Hôtel Sofitel in Marseille, worked Chef Elie Mazot at Relais et Chateau’s Le Chateau de la Chevre D’Or in Eze and was Chef de Partie Tournant under the direction of his mentor, Chef Dominique LeStanc, at Hôtel Negresco in Nice (2 Michelin stars). Upon arrival in Vancouver he was Sous Chef under Chef Bruno Born at Le Coq D’Or and followed him to the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel where he became Executive Chef of the hotel’s Indigo Bistro Moderne. He opened his first restaurant, Provence Mediterranean Grill in 1997 in Point Grey and went on to open Provence Marinaside in 2002 and TWB-The Wine Bar next door in 2012 (it is now amalgamated into Provence Marinaside). In August 2021, the government of France honoured Chef Jean-Francis by naming him a Chevalier (Knight) of the Ordre du Merite Agricole – one of France’s highest honours, second only to the Legion of Honour.

Media release and images provided by Nancy Wong, Culinary Communications.