Top sommeliers have curated some unmissable wine paired dinners across October to December
Sponsored: Hosted by Elite Sommeliers, diners will be guided through a range of exceptional wines from leading wineries with complementary food pairing dishes…
If you’re a foodie that takes your wine pairings seriously, then this new decadent dining series is for you.
Elite Sommeliers, a collective of some of the UAE’s finest wine tastemakers, has teamed up with African + Eastern for a series of unique wine paired dinners. Taking place at some of Dubai’s top restaurants, the series of dinners will put a selection of world renowned wineries firmly in the spotlight.
The exclusive dinner series will offer an intimate opportunity to experience a variety of hand-selected rare wines at luxurious locations. From fine Peruvian fare at Coya Dubai to the exquisite taste of coastal Italy at L’Olivo, spaces at each Elite Sommelier dinner are extremely limited, so wine connoisseurs will want to book ASAP to guarantee a spot.
There’s a total of seven events taking place through the series, each led by an expert Elite Sommelier – and many will also feature guest appearances from the winemakers. The first three take place this October – here’s what to expect…
October 3: Sommelier Volodymyr Gunin at Coya Dubai
After initially pursuing a career in law, this sommelier’s interest in wine developed into a surprise career. A firm believer that the right wine is all about the moment and the mood, he’s passionate about introducing guests to undiscovered wines. For his wine paired dinner at Coya Dubai, Volodymyr Gunin will present a handpicked curation of bottles from the Clos Apalta winery.
Price: Dhs950
For bookings: Tel: (0)4 316 9600. @coyadubai
October 4: Sommelier Samuel Lacroix at L’Olivo, Burj Al Arab
Sommelier Samuel Lacroix leads the beverage experience at one of Dubai’s finest addresses. A passionate wine man who’s been studying and tasting wines since 2004, his desire to learn all there is to know about the beverage industry brought him to Dubai, where he says the quality of food and beverage offerings in the city has skyrocketed of late. His pairing will celebrate pioneering leaders in the Italian sparkling wine scene, Cantine Ferrari.
Price: Dhs1,200
For bookings: Email: almahara@jumeirah.com. @almahara_burjalarab
October 24: Sommelier Lorenzo Abussi at City Social
At newly opened City Social, Lorenzo Abussi is a sommelier with a genuine passion for culinary arts. He firmly believes that the right pairing can enhance any dining experience, and makes bespoke selections based on quality products. He’ll be taking guests on a sensational journey across the Rocca delle Macìe winery as part of their 50th anniversary world tour.
Price: Dhs1,300
For bookings: Tel: (0)4 402 2222. @citysocial_dubai
Future dates
The series will continue into November when sommelier Samuel Lacroix pairs Al Muntaha’s fine French fare with Champagne Louis Roederer on November 8 (Dhs1,100), Orange Hospitality’s beverage director Eleonora Caso leads a Dassai sake-paired dinner at Mayabay on November 14 (Dhs1,100), and follows it up with a dinner at Alici on November 21 showcasing top wines from the acclaimed organic winery, Valle Reale.
In December, the final event will see sommelier Gregg Lambert host a dinner at LPM Restaurant & Bar on December 7, showcasing unique grower Champagnes from producer Legras and Haas (Dhs1,000).
Best of all, if you find a wine you love on the night, certain bottles can be found across African & Eastern stores.