If you believe noted marijuana enthusiast Carl Sagan, Mary Jane inspired earth's first potheads to trade the freedom of hunting and foraging for the drudgery of cultivation—more than 10,000 years ago. It was a staggering development in human history that led not only to agriculture and agronomy, but to pretty much our entire way of life on the planet. For better and for worse. And yes, it is rather wryly ironic to consider that the very civilization cannabis thus enabled would one day turn around and target the herb for eradication.Even doing the dishes can be enhanced by this most useful botanical—but that's at the end of the meal, and we must start at the beginning.
All photos by David Bienenstock
First Course: Blue Crab Cake, paired with Champagne Taittinger Brut La Francaise Second Course: Spring Mushrooms and Asparagus, paired with Jean Vincent Sancerre 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, France, Loire Valley, Sancerre
Third Course: Cape Cod Scallop, paired with Joseph Drouhin "Rully", 2011 Chardonnay, France, Burgundy, Cote Chalonnaise, Rully Fourth Course: Colorado Lamb Sirloin, paired with Simi "Landslide Vineyard", 2010, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, North Coast, Alexander Valley
Dessert: Marjolaine, paired with Chateau La Riviere "Sauternes", 2010- Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes