The presence and impact of COVID-19 has caused us all to live life differently…likely for longer than we would all hope. Our small business prides itself on working with and supporting other locally-owned small businesses. These friendships and our willingness to support their small businesses is as strong as ever. And for now, the Wine Wise experience will be coming to you virtually and it’s going to be awesome. We hope to see you on the screen—fine wines in hand of course!
On Sunday, June 28, join with Sommelier Erica Archer and Solo Italiano / Solo Cucina Market for a delicious virtual wine dinner as Paolo transports us to his first home … beautiful Liguria, Italy, known as the Italian Riviera. If you have been on our Italy trips with us … this is where Cinque Terre is, on the sea. The food is so fresh and flavorful. We hope you will join us for this incredible and heartfelt meal.
Ticket price is $165 all-inclusive of food, wine, tax, service, event, and delivery. “Seating” is limited to 12 deliveries of wine-dinner-for-two in the Greater Portland area. Or if you’re located outside Greater Portland feel free to let us know that you’d like to meet us at 3:30 for no-contact curbside pick-up.
We are excited to have you join us for this incredible wine dinner with Solo as we gather online from the comforts of home to discuss the featured wines and food pairings, create community and support small businesses and local purveyors.
Chef Paolo Laboa’s journey started in his mother's kitchen, where he learned the secrets of real Genovese cooking, the pinnacle of Northern Italian cuisine. Every ingredient chef Paolo touches is fresh from the farm and sea to his kitchen to your table. Some of his favorite farms are Stonecipher Farm, Dandelion Springs Farm, Valley Farm, Olivia’s Garden for greens, vegetables, basil and herbs, and Northspore for foraged mushrooms. Fresh fish is brought in each day through Upstream, Harbor Fish Market or Browne Trading Co. Also sourcing other proteins like wild rabbit from Sumner Valley Farm and lamb and pork from Two Cove Farm, while dairy comes from a variety these local farmers. “Cooking is what I love and I want each ingredient to sing. Simplicity is my goal. If there are five ingredients, I want you to taste all five of them.” Breads and pastas are all made in-house from scratch using traditional Genovese recipes. “It is very important–the food that you eat,” says Laboa.
Your Sommelier. Archer is a true oenophile, having obtained high levels of certification in her field. In 2010, she was awarded the Wine Spirit and Education Trust Level Three Advanced Certification in Wines and Spirits (with merit), became a Sommelier in the American Court of Master Sommeliers, and received her Certified Wine Professional award from the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California. Erica is the principal of Wine Wise, a wine education and events service and is skilled at creating truly creative and memorable wine experiences that take guests beyond a typical tasting with her intimate understanding of what makes each wine unique. And she’ll do it with her trademark down to earth style and sense of humor.
