The 2018 Eat Drink RI Festival kicked off with Rhode Island’s first Sommelier Smackdown at the Café at Easy Entertaining in Providence on April 25. Guests watched as Rhode Island certified sommeliers competed against each other in a wine theory quiz, a blind wine tasting and a collaboration with a local chef. The event kicked off with opening remarks by Eat Drink RI’s David Dadekian and was co-hosted by certified sommeliers Ian Magiros of MS Walker and Jonathan Feiler of Rhode Island Distributing Co. (RIDC). Ali Innes of Bin 312 Wine Cellar took the grand champion win with her combined efforts. The People’s Choice award went to Ali Quero of Los Andes Restaurant. Justin Bothur of Ocean House RI and Weekapaug Inn and Alan Freudeman of Gracie’s Providence tied for the highest scores on the theory exam.
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- The first annual Sommelier Smackdown competition took place at the Café at Easy Entertaining, Inc. in Providence on April 25.
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- Kaitlyn Roberts, Proprietor of Easy Entertaining, Inc. addresses guests.
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- Jonathan Feiler, Fine Wine Business Development Manager, RI Distributing Co. and Ian Magiros, On Premise Key Account Specialist and Sommelier, MS Walker.
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- Participating sommeliers: Justin Bothur, Assistant Food & Beverage Director, Relais & Chateau and Ocean House; Alan Freudeman, Wine & Beverage Director, Gracie’s; Alì Quero, General Manager of Operations, Night Owl Restaurant Group; and Ali Innes, Sommelier, Bin 312 Wine Cellar.
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- The wine pours for the blind tasting event.
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- Wines showcased during the blind tasting included Terrazas Torrontes Reserva 2014, Tharisch 2016 Riesling Kabinett, Cecchi Chianti Classico Storia di Famiglia 2015 and Family Cellars Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2016.
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- Chef Terence Feury of 41 North serving a slow-roasted Peking duck, hazelnut and puffed wild rice, alongside Justin Bothur of The Ocean House/Weekapaug Inn showcasing his wine selection, Nino Negri, “Quadrio”, Lombardy 2016.
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- Alex Dill, Chef de Cuisine, Jamestown Fish; Chef Matthew MacCartney, Jamestown Fish; and Alan Freudeman of Gracie’s with his wine selection the 2015 Brandl Weinberg Pfaffenberg Gruner Veltliner to complement the dish: crostino of white asparagus, fiddleheads, English peas and porcini crema.
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- Alì Quero of Los Andes, pouring his wine selection, Masseria Li Veli, Primerose, Rosé 2017 alongside Chef Ashley Vanasse for her dish: sunflower and polenta grilled crostino, Narragansett Creamery burrata, house cured and smoked pork shoulder.
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- Ali Innes of Bin 312 Wine Cellar, pouring her winepairing selection, Pfeffingen Estate Scheurebe Dry 2015 which accompanied a dish by Chef Benjamin Sukle, Chef/Owner, Birch & Oberlin (far right). In the middle: Craig Redfield, Sous Chef, Birch. Their dish consisted of spicy marinated mussels, basil and sweet potato.
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- Winner Ali Innes, Sommelier, Bin 312 Wine Cellar.
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- Sommelier Ali Quero; Sommelier Justin Bothur; Chef Matthew McCartney, Jamestown Fish; Ian Magiros, MS Walker; Katie Kleyla, Director of Development, Eat Drink RI; Jonathan Feiler, RIDC; Chef Alex Dill, Jamestown Fish; Ali Innes; Alan Freudeman; Chef Ashley Vanasse, Easy Entertaining Catering; Chef Terrance Feury, 41 North; David Dadekian, President, Eat Drink RI; Chef Benjamin Sukle; Birch & Oberlin; and Craig Redfield, Sous Chef, Birch.
Photos by Laura Widness.
