Sommelier’s pick
Who: Peter Schreurs, director of food and beverage at the Royal Sonesta Houston
Background: Belgium-born and -educated, he began his career in hospitality with postings in Brussels and London before moving to the U.S. 18 years ago, relocating to Houston with Royal Sonesta in 2013.
What: 2016 J. Lohr Wildflower Valdiguié
Why: When the Royal Sonesta recently partnered with J. Lohr for a wine dinner in the hotel’s ARA Restaurant, one of the wines Schreurs picked to complement chef Robert Graham’s menu was the Wildflower, which “I instantly fell in love with,” he said. “I must admit that I had a particular prejudice and fondness for wines from the Old World, so it’s no surprise that my sommelier’s pick has close ties to the south of France by origin and character. But discovering all the awesome wines the New World has to offer has been quite delightful. Right from the get-go, this wine commands your attention as a red that needs to be served fully chilled as if it were a white wine. Even though the valdiguié grape — also sometimes called Napa gamay — is not widely known nor fully appreciated, it makes for a fruit-forward, fun wine that boasts aromas of black cherry and black pepper with hints of pomegranate and blueberry. I particularly enjoy it with charcuteries, but it also pairs quite well with lamb and duck.”
Price: $9 for a glass and $36 for a bottle at Royal Sonesta, 2222 W. Loop S.