Welcome to Westchester’s most in-demand wining and dining experience, with the top at the top—eleven of the county’s most celebrated chefs will come together for a one-night-only feast at the top of the Ritz Carlton in White Plains. The masters and mavericks that are igniting the food scene here will each prepare two signature dishes for an exclusive gathering of VIPs. Paired with world-class wines and top-shelf spirits, this event is the ultimate celebration of food, wine, and Westchester—all rolled into one. Hosted at 42, Restaurant & Events, with sweeping sky views from atop the tallest tower in the region, guests will enjoy an evening of unrivaled elegance. And, best of all, this evening of good taste benefits a good cause: proceeds will go to support the Food Bank for Westchester.
Check back to each day for a new profile of a wine that will be featured at the event.
Photo by poplasen / Fotolia
Country: Spain, Penedes
Varietal: Xarel·lo, Macabeu, Parellada
Tasting Notes: 92 Points, Zachys Buying Team: “This wine makes you want to eat seafood right from the plancha, no silverware, just your hands. It’s the overachieving sparkler that offers minerality from the rich limestone soils with nuances of white fruit, a touch of almond, and bread notes. Just the right zip to make this one of the best summer bubbles.”
Price: for the 750ML bottle: $32.31 off sale, $27.46 on sale through the weekend.
Get access to world-class bottles like this one from Zachys Wine & Liquor by picking up your tickets to Westchester Magazine‘s Grand Tasting Village, June 6
Country: Italy, Umbria
Varietal: Chardonnay, Grechetto
Tasting Notes: 96 Points, James Suckling: “Extremely rich and attractive aromas of cooked apple, toasted oak, meringue, and yogurt. Full-bodied, rich, and round with a fabulous balance between acidity, toasted oak, coconut, and dried fruit. Lovely apple tart and custard pie. A blend of chardonnay and grechetto. This is so beautiful now.”
Price: $57 regular, $48.45 on sale through the weekend from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: Spain
Varietal: Carinena-Garnacha-Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes: From Wine Spectator: Firm and focused, this red shows a beam of cherry and berry flavors, accented by mountain herb and toast notes. The tannins are assertive, but fresh acidity keeps this lively through the floral finish. Drink now through 2022.
Pairs Well With: Reviewer Natalie MacLean suggests pairing with beef; Eastside Cellars suggests braised meats and barbeque.
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: Spain
Varietal: Cava
Tasting Notes: Pale, subdued, elegant pink with citrusy fruit aromas, white fruits, hints of cassis, fresh cream, and a voluminous mouthfeel.
Pairs Well With: Meat, especially pork.
Price: $24.99-$59.99, depending on vintage and size, from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: Spain
Varietal: Tempranillo
Tasting Notes: Austere, closed red with a “shy” nose; raspberry, blackberry, and forest flore notes, full-bodied with filigree tannins and a peppery finish.
Pairs Well With: According to International Cellars Inc., “Strongly flavored dishes such as Moroccan lamb tanjines, roasted stuffed peppers and paella.”
Price: $99.99 from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: Italy
Varietal: Sangiovese
Tasting Notes: Aromas of plums, prunes, Christmas pudding, and berries with a full body, ultra-fine tannins and a long and intense finish.
Price: $135-$509, depending on size and vintage, from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: United States
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: From a single vineyard origin, this wine offers spice, dark red fruits, earth, hints of cherries and grilled red meat with vibrant acidity that gives the flavors energy.
Pairs Well With: Wired for Wine suggests pairing with grilled lamb sliders with green onions, upscale pizza, fennel-garlic pork roast, grilled salmon, or pan-roasted veal chops.
Price: $54.99 from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
​Country: Italy
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Beautiful pale pink sparkler with copper highlights; white cherry and cranberry with sharp, dry lines and crushed stone.
Pairs Well With: Pungent fish (especially salmon), sushi, sourdough breads
Price: $42.99 from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: France
Varietal: Syrah
Tasting Notes: Opaque ruby, with flavors of dense blackberry, plum sauce, melted licorice, and espresso flavors bring in a long and velvety finish with a strong, buried iron note.
Pairs Well With: Pastasciutta, prosciutto, burrata
Price: $79.99 from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: France
Varietal: Grenache-Mourvedre-Syrah
Tasting Notes: Aged for 18 months in French oak, it displays a “vivid” purple with aromas of crème de cassis and blackberry styled fruits, smoked meats, exotic spice, violets, and wood; shows purity, focus and freshness with a ripe finish with ultra-fine tannin.
Pairs Well With: Rich cheeses like burrata, prosciutto, pasta
Price: $105-$118.99, depending on vintage, from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: France
Varietal: Southern Rhone Red
Tasting Notes: Deliciously ripe with layers of crushed plum, anise, blackberry, boysenberry, spice, and fruitcake notes with mulled raisin on the finish.
Pairs Well With: According to Vinography, “a fairly concentrated Chateauneuf that demands some heartier fare than just roast chicken or other poultry dishes one might typically pair with a Rhone wine. It fairly well matched a dish of grilled quail wrapped in Jamon Serrano over sautéed red peppers and artichoke hearts.”
Price: $49.99-$143.99, depending on vintage and size, from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: Italy
Varietal: Sangiovese
Tasting Notes: Remarkably beautiful, with notes of rose petal, mint, cinnamon, sweet dark cherries, cured meat, smoke, and licorice.
Pairs Well With: Smoky flavors, salmon
Price: $40-$250, depending on vintage and size, from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: France
Varietal: Bordeaux-Medoc
Tasting Notes: Plum, cassis, and raspberry fruit along with sandalwood and apple wood notes, dry tannins in the finish, notes of cigar tobacco and earthy soil, medium body.
Pairs Well With: Meat: filet mignon, lamb shank, short ribs, bacon, duck; strong cheeses.
Price: $55-$525, depending on vintage, from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: Spain
Varietal: Rioja
Tasting Notes: Plums, cherries, coconut, cinnamon, meat, spicy Rioja soil tones, with a gently smoky overtone; deep, full-bodied and velvety on the palate with modest tannins and a refined finish.
Pairs Well With: Author and wine reviewer Natalie MacLean recommends pairing with “teriyaki kabobs, roast chicken, rabbit, chicken stir-fry, chorizo.”
Price: $74.99-$109.99, depending on vintage, from Zachys Wine & Spirits
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: United States
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes: Requires considerable time in the bottle, but is endowed with density, depth and structure; notes of plums, iron, cloves, violets, licorice, and smoke.
Pairs Well With: The New York Times‘ Frank J. Prial wrote Corison Napa Cabernet Sauvignon was “elegant and what the French would call ‘correct wine’ that won’t overwhelm whatever food it is paired with.”
Price: $79.99 from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: Italy
Varietal: Sangiovese
Tasting Notes: Smoke, scorched earth, licorice, and tobacco; the aromas are more forward than the fruit and the tannins are firm with an intense finish.
Pairs Well With: According to Fiona Beckett of Matching Food & Wine, “Something substantial; a fine roast leg of lamb with rosemary, pot roast pheasant, roast squab with truffles…Tuscan-style steak, ideally sourced from the indigenous Chianina beef.”
Price: $44.99-$159, depending on vintage, from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: France
Varietal: Bordeaux
Tasting Notes: With the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon included in a Calon-Segur (90%), this wine has a dense purple color, lots of black cherry, black currant, loamy earth, forest floor and spice notes, high levels of tannin, and an inner core of sweetness and concentration, subtle, rich, and balanced.
Pairs Well With: According to Wine Cellar Insider, “roasted, braised. or grilled meats like steak, veal, pork, beef, and game. St. Estephe is also a natural wine and food pairing with hard and soft cheese.”
Price: $139.99 from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: France
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot
Tasting Notes: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot, with deep aromas of blueberries, spices, fresh chantrelles, velvety tannins and a spicy finish.
Pairs Well With: Roasted meat dishes, salmon
Price: $62.99 from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: United States
Varietal: Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: Apricot-tinged pear and spice flavors, finishing with finesse.
Pairs Well With: Octopus or salmon; full, hearty meals
Price: $39.99 from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: France
Varietal: Carignan-Grenache-Syrah
Tasting Notes: Complex, flattering citrus fruits, exotic and white fruit nose.
Pairs Well With: Pasta, prosciutto, stews​
Price: $20.99 from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
​Country: Italy
Varietal: Sangiovese
Tasting Notes: Full-bodied, aromas of oranges, peaches and mahogany, rich and chewy tannins, dried cherries, spices, mint, worn-in leather.
Pairs Well With: Savory dishes, stews, salmon; rich desserts like panna cotta
Price: $55 from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
Country: France
Varietal: Vermentinu
Tasting Notes: Lavender, fennel, and grapefruit rind inflect luscious Persian melon in this certified biodynamic Corsican white wine. Long-finishing and subtly sultry.
Pairs Well With: Pasta, burrata​
Price: $45 from Zachys Wine & Liquor
To taste this wine and other world-class bottles paired with dishes from some of the county’s top chefs, reserve a spot at An Evening with Westchester’s Tastemakers, June 5.
