The scoop on summer wine dinners
Friday - July 18, 2008
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Henry James said he believed the words “summer afternoon” to be the two most beautiful in our language. While I agree with the leisurely images they conjure, personally, I love the two words “summer wines.” I picture glasses half-filled with crisp, pale yellow Rieslings; sunny, unoaked Chardonnays; effervescent Prosecco and perfectly pink rose wines - all enjoyed in the company of friends and good food.
Winter brings its own robust pairings but, for now, here’s the scoop on some of the best summer wine dinners.
d.k’s Steak House Van Williamson Wine Dinner
The last time I talked with winemaker Van Williamson he was standing at the bar at Vino, Restaurant Row, enjoying a glass of his own incredible Zinfandel. He was talking about some of his favorite people, the farmers and growers from whom he sources his grapes. “They are ordinary farmers, the salt-of-the-earth kind of people,” he says. “We source these amazing grapes from them and then I just take care of them.” It’s a bit of an understatement, but it’s what you’d expect from this acclaimed winemaker more in tune with his surroundings than his near-cult status in the industry. By using more than 30 different vineyards, Williamson has the pick of some of the most outstanding grapes in the country. Little wonder, then, that Edmeades Zinfandels are some of the biggest, boldest and best in the world.
“Without a doubt, Van Williamson is producing some of the most tasty, provocative, interesting and unique Old Vine Zinfandel out of California today,” says master sommelier Chuck Furuya. “No one does it better.”
The four-course menu at d.k’s Steak House in Waikiki will feature dishes prepared by executive chef Jason Miyasaki and include Spiced Baby Back Ribs with 2006 Edmeades “Shamrock Vineyard” Zinfandel and Zinfandel-Braised Kobe Short Ribs paired with 2006 Edmeades Zinfandel “Ciapusci Vineyard.”
d.k Steak House Edmeades Wine Dinner
$85 per person
Served from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Friday July 25 931-6280 for reservations
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There’s a chance to catch the winemaker at Vino July 26 for a tasting of five “wild and wooly” zins, each richer and with more character than the one before.
Keep in mind that this tasting will sell out, so book now to avoid colossal disappointment!
Vino Van Williamson Edmeades Tasting
Saturday, July 26 at 5:30 p.m.
$39 per person
Vino Restaurant and Wine Bar
Restaurant Row
Elua Summer Wine Series
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Since opening Elua Restaurant and Wine Bar just over a year ago, chefs Donato Loperfido and Philippe Padovani, along with owner Keith Kiuchi, have pursued their individual passions, resulting in an inspired combination of food, wine and extraordinary pairings of the two. Donato imports wine through his company Flavors of Italy and works closely with small, family-owned vineyards. As a result, some of the Elua wine dinners this summer offer a spectacular opportunity to sample the work of small, independent winemakers and their highly allocated wines.
“Donato likes to work with small, family-run wineries,” says Kiuchi, “and it suits what we’re doing here at the restaurant perfectly. We’re able to source great wines, and then Philippe and Donato pretty much take turns at pairing them.” The wine dinners at Elua are appealing because the restaurant serves its regular menu on wine dinner nights, with a no-pressure policy on guests. “The wine pairing menu is available,” says Keith, “but guests are free to order from the regular menu if they’d rather.”
Either way, it’s a fun way to sample some extraordinary food and wine. If you’re a foodie, try to catch at least one of these dinners before the summer is over. Upcoming dinners include a menu created by Chef Padovani and paired with Joseph Drouhin St. Veran Chardonnay, Bruno Colin Chassagne-Montrachet Red Burgundy and a Volnay from Bouchard. Cost of the dinner is $75 for four courses, including three 2-ounce glasses of wine. An August wine dinner at Elua visits the region of Piemonte, the acclaimed region in northwest Italy. This time, Donato does the food, pairing dishes with Dolcetto and Barbera from Cascina Luisin.
Elua Restaurant & Wine Bar
1341 Kapiolani Blvd.
955-Elua
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Brasserie Du Vin Wine Dinners.
There’s nowhere that makes me want to grab a bottle of wine to share with a couple of good friends more than the courtyard at Brasserie Du Vin. With sunlight shining across the brick walls and a menu that’s light enough to eat mid-morning or late at night, it’s the quintessential summer sipping spot. Weekly wine dinners are held on Mondays, and the restaurant’s beverage manager/sommelier, Colin Darrell, provides enthusiasm and knowledge enough to make the evenings interesting and fun. “We keep the dinners small; limit them to 14 people,” says Colin of the regularly sold-out pairings. The Du Vin tastings are perfect for those who enjoy meeting new people as part of their wine experience - and for those who enjoy a more casual ambience when they drink. Du Vin’s approach is unpretentious, and the wines are meant to be seriously enjoyed with food paired by chef Scott Nelson.
Brasserie Du Vin
1115 Bethel St. Honolulu
545-1115
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