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2014-05-23
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Originating from Tokyo, WINE SHOP ENOTECA is a wine specialist with 6 retail shops in Hong Kong. The latest shop in IFC is a new conceptual wine bar for wine lovers to casually enjoy wine & food matching as a part of city lifestyle. Specializing in quality wines from France and Italy, it sources directly from the place of origin to ensure quality. I recently attended a 4-course tapas and wine pairing event at the ENOTECA in IFC in collaboration with Chef Andrew from BACKYARD, a private catering
Originating from Tokyo, WINE SHOP ENOTECA is a wine specialist with 6 retail shops in Hong Kong. The latest shop in IFC is a new conceptual wine bar for wine lovers to casually enjoy wine & food matching as a part of city lifestyle. Specializing in quality wines from France and Italy, it sources directly from the place of origin to ensure quality. I recently attended a 4-course tapas and wine pairing event at the ENOTECA in IFC in collaboration with Chef Andrew from BACKYARD, a private catering company.
What sets ENOTECA apart from other wine shops is the classy and elegant seating area in the back of the store. It had a corner bar table as well as several comfy sofa chairs - perfect for people to hang out, drink wine and sample cheese and snacks.
Nominé-Renard Brut NV, Champagne ($390) - the first wine we tried was this Nominé-Renard Brut Champagne made with a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Light and nutty, the wine was dry with small bubbles and very fine mousse.
Seared Scallops wtih Chili Mango Salsa - the champagne was paired perfectly with this refreshing scallops appetizer. The scallops were lightly seared on the surface while the inside was still raw. They were soft and sweet to eat while the tart and acidic mango salsa complimented the delicate flavors of the scallops very well. The dried mango bits in the mango salsa was a nice touch as well.
Sileni Estate Selection The Straits Sauvignon Blanc 2012 ($210) - a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, this wine was very aromatic with rich gooseberry and passion fruit scents. It was at this point that we noticed the use of a thermometer by the staff to check on the temperature of the wine to make sure it was served to us at the right temperature. Apparently the temperature can play a big role in ensuring the full potential of taste of the wine.
Poached White Asparagus with Orange Hollandaise - the white wine was paired with white asparagus that is in season right now. I love the hollandaise sauce that was drizzled on the asparagus as it was made with orange juice - a nice change of pace from the usual recipe.
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2010, Bolgheri ($1800) - the wine we were all waiting for! An Italian wine producer in Toscana, Tenuta San Guido is known as a producer of "Super Tuscan" wine. Its wine Sassicaia is considered one of Italy's leading Bordeaux-style red wines. Made with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, the red wine was intense and concentrated with complex aromas of fruits, spices, and herbs. The flavors were rich and elegant with firm tannins and a long finish.
Stew Veal Cheek with Seasonal Vegetables - the Sassaicaia was paired with a rich veal cheek that was very soft and tender. Paired with sweet vegetables, the veal cheek was simply delectable to eat!
Domaine Matrot L’Effronté Moelleux 2009, Burgundy ($290) - the last dessert wine we got to taste was a surprise hit! Made from the grape variety Aligoté, it offers a range of fresh fruit aromas such as quince, peach and apricot. The balance between sweetness and acidity was perfect - I fell in love with this dessert wine on the spot!
Lavender Creme Brulee with Vanilla Ice Cream - to go with the dessert wine, our dessert of the day was a lavender creme brulee with vanilla ice cream. The purple glazing alluded to the secret ingredient in the dessert at first glance. The scent of the lavender was light and soothing while the flavor was subtle in the creme brulee to my relief. I've never like lavender in food to be honest, but the inclusion here wasn't intrusive at all.
ENOTECA is perfect for all wine lovers. You will not find commercialized or machine-made wines here - instead, you will find high quality wines that were all carefully selected. While the food that we had from BACKYARD is not available regularly, the wine bar does provide snacks, pate, cheese platters and sweets to go with the wine of your choice. Between the impressive wine selection and knowledgeable staff, ENOTECA Wine & Bar is the perfect spot for happy hour with friends to take a break from the busy city lifestyle.
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