Food Republic And Pacific Rim Throw A Riesling Dinner Party In Seattle

Recently in Seattle, Food Republic teamed with Pacific Rim wines and chef-restaurateur Ethan Stowell to showcase the dynamism of Riesling. Guests from Seattle's food and drink community, including sommeliers, chefs and media, joined Pacific Rim winemaker Nicolas Quille, who shared his knowledge about the grape and talked through the various expressions of the Washington state–produced Rieslings. As a sunny early spring day segued into night, Stowell's team at his Capitol Hill Italian bistro Rione XIII served hors d'oeuvres paired with Pacific Rim White Flowers Sparkling Riesling Brut. Then guests were seated for a four-course menu of salads, pastas and delicious grilled meats, plus pours of Pacific Rim Riesling (and a brief detour into Chenin Blanc); Quille and Stowell explained the pairings throughout the dinner. Thirsty yet? Check out the photos from the special evening here:

Guests were given copies of Riesling Rules, a primer on the wines by Pacific Rim winemaker Nicolas Quille.

Stations at Rione XIII played up the characteristics of Pacific Rim Rieslings.

Stations at Rione XIII played up the characteristics of Pacific Rim Rieslings.

The night began with a sparkler: Pacific Rim White Flowers Sparkling Riesling Brut.

Stowell's menu paired fresh ingredients with the refreshing wines.

King salmon with lemon and thyme highlighted the Pacific Northwest's stellar seafood. It paired perfectly with 2014 Pacific Rim Dry Riesling from Wallula Vineyard.

Fresh pasta prepped for the tonnarelli cacio e pepe

Hamachi crudo with ginger, pear and watercress.

Scene from the Pacific Rim Riesling dinner at Rione XIII in Seattle.

Jace Jorgensen, chef at Rione XIII, plating during the dinner.

Scene from the Pacific Rim Riesling dinner at Rione XIII in Seattle.

Scene from the Pacific Rim Riesling dinner at Rione XIII in Seattle.

Food Republic editorial director Richard Martin (right) chats with Steve Manning of Ethan Stowell's restaurant group pre-dinner.

Pacific Rim winemaker Nicolas Quille

Chef and restaurateur Ethan Stowell (left) and Pacific Rim's Nicolas Quille provided the food and wine pairings.

Scene from the Pacific Rim Riesling dinner at Rione XIII in Seattle.