An exceptional evening
Guests were treated to a special night of fine dining at Azabu alongside perfectly matched wines from Wild Grace at the first Dine with Dish event of the year.
Chilly weather failed to dampen the spirits of guests as they piled into Ponsonby’s Azabu restaurant for this year’s first Dine with Dish event. A glass of Ruffino Prosecco paired with canapés - beef tostadas with shiitake mushrooms, daikon pickles and sesame dressing – signalled the delights that lay ahead.
Once seated, Dish editor Naomi Larkin,
Wild Grace chief winemaker Wendy Stuckey and executive chef and Azabu owner, Yukio Ozeki, outlined the following two courses and their wine pairings: Snapper Ceviche with Heirloom Tomatoes and Aji Amarillo Peppers, followed by Artichoke Dumpling with Truffle and Mushroom Purée, Chilli and Almond, both served with Wild Grace Sauvignon Blanc 2016.
Yukio is a big fan of Nikkei, the fresh Peruvian Japanese crossover flavours that have grown out of Peru’s large Japanese community, so Azabu’s menu combines Nikkeiinfluenced dishes and modern Japanese cuisine. By the third course of Spiced Crispy Chicken with Quinoa and Aji de Gallina, guests
were converted. Wendy, an internationally acclaimed winemaker whose career has spanned the US, Australia and New Zealand, chose the elegant Wild Grace Pinot Noir Rosé 2017 as the perfect complement to this dish.
Her Wild Grace Pinot Noir 2016 was another excellent partner for the fourth and fifth courses of Smoked Tuna Steak with Asparagus, Soy Kombu Butter, Molto Black Vinegar, followed by Pan-fried Venison With Pomegranate and Aromatic Herb Sauce.
At Constellation Brands New Zealand,
Wendy leads a team of senior winemakers and labs across three facilities in Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough, so she had no problem keeping guests entertained with both her experiences and her superb knowledge of the evening’s wines. Her choice to round the menu off with the Ruffino Moscato D’asti – as a complement to Yukio’s Black Charcoal Meringue With Yuzu Ice Cream dessert – was inspired.
The evening was a huge success with many diners both impressed by the wines and vowing to return.