Perfect Pairing: Wakefield Wines at Dish Cooking Studio

Justin Taylor is the 3^rd generation of his family’s business, Wakefield Wines. Of the three Taylor brothers, Justin is the most charismatic, jovial, loquacious one, so it’s his job to fly out from Australia and around the world spreading the love and knowledge of his family’s wine. But, for two years he’s been grounded. Toronto happens to be the last city he visited before the world was locked down, and Toronto is the first up on the tour as he returns to his international expeditions.

The occasion was an intimate wine pairing event at Dish Cooking Studio. Chef Erin Ross created a delicious series of courses, tailored to the characteristics of each wine. Refined Society was there with a handful of other wine enthusiasts, and we are excited to share our experience.

The atmosphere was lovely. For most in the room, this was the first in-person event in two years and there was a shared excitement for being out, seeing people we have only seen through screens, and making new friends. Justin’s witty banter added a layer of fun energy to the night, and his and passion for his family’s business gave us a personal connection to the wine we were tasting. Chef Erin and her team moved with a Hogwarts level of wizardry in the kitchen, bringing us one beautiful and delectable dish after the other.

Upon arrival, we were treated to pours of Wakefield’s 2021 Estate Label Riesling, which is not yet available in these parts (who do we talk to about that?). This is a dryer Riesling, with characteristics of fresh citrus and hints of tropical fruit. A vibrant sipper, perfect to start the evening, and deftly matched to the appetizer of house-smoked-trout on a tiny pancake, topped with all sorts of tasty and textural bits.

Sitting down, we began with the 2020 Estate Chardonnay, paired with Dungeness crab cakes on a dollop of fresh dill crema, with a relish of charred corn, sweet peppers and cherry tomatoes. The influence of French oak comes through with a creaminess that plays nicely with the decadence of the Dungeness. This chardonnay has a subtle nuttiness that communicates with the crunchy texture of the crust. And the zesty, fruity notes of the wine collaborate with the sweetness of the corn to uplift the senses.

Moving to red, the 2019 Estate Label Shiraz was paired with seared beef tenderloin atop a roasted garlic and white bean puree, under a pan sauce made with the Shiraz itself, garnished with caramelized mushrooms and crispy parsnip for a delightful crunch. Wakefield’s Estate Shiraz is one of those wines we always have a couple bottles of on-hand. It’s an outstanding value, everything you want from a good Australian Shiraz, bold but approachable, always a crowd pleaser, and it pairs well with pretty much anything. Here the pairing was phenomenal. This wine has rich berry and plum notes, with hints of cocoa, which stand nicely with the flavours and textures of the dish.  

Did we save the best for last? There were murmurs amongst the room that the 2018 Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon was a favourite of the night. Indeed, it is a beautiful wine that delivers a more complex drinking experience than the price tag suggests. There is a pleasant mint on the nose, which carries into the palate, making it an amazing companion to the final savoury course; a crusted lamb chop over braised lentils and caramelized fennel. This cabs’ big flavours of dark fruit with touches of oak are well matched to the boldness of lamb. The regions are 60% Coonawarra and 40% Clare Valley. Early season black frost in Coonawarra made 2018 particularly challenging for some winemakers. But despite the early challenges, quality was excellent, and 2018 is being hailed by the Australian winemakers as a very good year for grapes coming out of Coonawarra, and we think it shows up in the glass.

The sweet ending was a luscious chocolate brownie with a drop of house made ice-cream, chocolate cookie crumble, and black sesame brittle. This dessert was a symphony of textures, not overly sweet, with the chocolate as the dominant story; a great dessert to play with pairing. We had fun going back and forth tasting the estate shiraz and Jaraman cabernet sauvignon. Both the chocolate notes of the shiraz and the mint notes of the cab worked nicely with the depth offered on the plate.

It was a night to remember. Friends, food, and wine all in harmony! Thanks to the Wakefield folks for hosting us. Special thanks to Justin Taylor for flying to the other side of the world to join us. And, much respect to Chef Erin and staff for making it so delicious. Cheers!