Bold Heat, Bold Pour: Pairing Wine with Fire and Flavor
Sebastian doesn’t shy away from spice and neither should your wine. Here’s how to match bold, Southwest-inspired cooking with bottles that bring more than just fruit to the party.
Sebastian doesn’t shy away from spice and neither should your wine. Here’s how to match bold, Southwest-inspired cooking with bottles that bring more than just fruit to the party.
Not every dinner party needs linen napkins and a six-course tasting menu. But it does need a little drama—something that makes guests pause between bites and raise an eyebrow at their glass. That’s the kind of energy I try to bring when I build what I call a speakeasy-inspired wine list. It started years ago, back when we launched the cocktail bar Eleanora. The space was moody, candlelit, and full of sharp corners. Every bottle we served had to match…
Pairing wine doesn’t have to feel like chemistry class. Chef Sebastian shares a few real-world tips for matching bold flavors with great pours without sounding like a sommelier.