Wine Dive and Kitchen

The Wine Dive is another staple in College Hill/Wichita since 2010. One of their owners is Brad Stephens, a Certified Sommelier. As a result, their wine list is carefully chosen for their menu, and we are all in. Bart and his wife wanted to sit in the sun on a patio, and they’ve always enjoyed the relaxed, neighborhood feel of the Wine Dive.

With Haleigh’s guidance, they ordered the Smoked Salmon Dip made with smoked Alaskan Sockeye salmon, Pico de Gallo, cream cheese, sriracha, sour cream, and lemon juice—a wonderful appetizer with light, fresh salmon with a very mild kick. For a wine pairing, Melissa tried a 2019 Filipetti Prosecco from Friuli-Venezia Giulia/Veneto, Italy.

Prosecco, Italy’s famed sparkling wine, is reminiscent of champagne, but the method of production is completely different. As a result, prosecco tends to be less dry (a bit sweeter) and maintains more of the fresh fruit flavors.  It opens with notes of lemon juice and lime zest, crisp and clean and lightly effervescent. This was a great pairing duo. You find yourself leaning back in your chair, smiling, and happy to be relaxing on a patio—what quiet summer afternoons should be!

Bart tried a 2020 Baixa Sirena Albariño from Rias Baixas, Spain.

On the nose, it smells a little like fresh bread dough, giving it a rounder, fuller presence. This wine is herbaceous with a mineral quality and a clear seaside saline note. On its own, Bart was a little underwhelmed. With the salmon appetizer, however, it truly came into its own. There is a reason that when someone says seafood, someone says Albariño! It took its rightful place at this beautiful table. Both wines were enjoyed with this Appetizer.  If you are enjoying a glass if wine alone, the Filipetti Prosecco was the clear winner between these two.

Enjoying the deck, they next decided to split the Cuban sandwich.  Braised pork shoulder, ham, pickles, Swiss cheese and Dijon aioli—that should hit the spot.  This would require a different wine. They chose the 2020 Sisters Run Epiphany Australian Shiraz.

Shiraz and Syrah are the same grape, but Australia calls it Shiraz. From Australia, it tends to be fruitier (thank you, warmer climate) and less meaty than it is when grown in France. This is a dark wine with notes of ripe plums and blackberries and a light pepper spiciness as well. You can also notice a hint of eucalyptus and milk chocolate. The wine is lovely on its own, but with the Cuban sandwich, it reached a whole new level.  The spiciness of the dish blended seamlessly with the spiciness of this wine.  Neither stole the stage, but they shared it like two singers in a duet!

We highly recommend going to spend an afternoon on the patio at the Wine Dive, and give these wines a go if you haven’t tried them before!