Aldo Sohm’s Niche

THE WINES

1.Sohm & Kracher Lion Grüner Veltliner 2019

A collaboration between renowned Sommelier Aldo and winemaker Gerhard Kracher, long time friends and native Austrians who share a love of crisp, bright, low alcohol Gruner Veltliners. Located in the cool climate Austrian region of Weinviertel, the vines are planted on granite and limestone soils and farmed organically. This cuvée is spontaneously fermented in stainless steel, producing a racy, mineral Grüner Veltliner reminiscent of Chablis that you will want to drink all summer long.

2.Domaine Joblot Givry 1ER Cru Mademoiselle 2018

Currently helmed by Juliette Jablot  (yay female winemakers!!), the Jablot family put the small Burgundian village of Givry on the map with its rocky limestone soils that produce precise, chiseled wines. The Mademoiselle shows off Chardonnay that has been sustainably farmed, slowly pressed, naturally fermented in stainless steel, and finally aged in 60% new oak. Very limited in production, this walks the line of bright minerality and richness without being heavy or buttery.

3.Weingut Benedikt Baltes Spätburgunder Klingenberg Alte Reben R 2016

Winemaker Benedikt Blates took over his small, ancient (founded as an urban winery in the 1601!) winery in Klinenberg, Germany a decade ago, focusing on the native Spatburgunder grape (aka Pinot Noir). Obsessed with permaculture and sustainability, he converted the estate to biodynamic farming and uses local oak barrels for fermentation and aging. The “R” cuvée contains his oldest vines grown on red sandstone soil from his coolest site, producing a light, aromatic red with surprising concentration.

4.Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Rosé de Pinot Noir 2019

Son of the famed Marc Colin, Pierre-Yves started his own winery in Chassagne-Montrachet in 2005 and has since become one of the most celebrated winemakers in Burgundy and beyond. Farmed and vinified sustainably, his Rosé is made with Pinot Noir sourced from 55-year-old vines and aged in large used oak barrels. Textural and vibrant, this rosé has the fruit you crave with gorgeous acidity to balance.

(add on) J Vignier Ma Petite Friandises 2008

Nathalie Vignier, whose family has been making wine in Champagne since the 1500’s, produces some seriously delicious and site-specific bubbly. This particular cuvée, which translates to “My Little Delicacy,” is part of her Cuvée Ephemere series; a project dedicated to small batch champagne. Made from Chardonnay grown in the chalky soils of the Grand Cru village of Cramant, the extra brut wine was fermented in stainless with no malo, aged in neutral oak, and then spent 8 years in the bottle before release. Treat yourself to this truly unique champagne!

THE MENU

Smoked Trout Rillettes

Trout roe, herbs and focaccia. Pair with wine 1

Chilled Pea Soup

Radish, Lemon and Toasted Pepper Creme Fraîche and Charred Snap Peas in Chili oil. Pair with wine 2

Asparagus Salad

Egg, Pickled Mustard Seed and Herb Breadcrumb. Pair with wine 2

Paprika Chicken

Escarole, Potato Puree, and Sour Cream Gravy. Pair with wine 3

Apple Strudel

Vanilla Whipped Cream. Pair with wine 4

Aldo Sohm - Master Sommelier / Wine Bar Owner / Wine Director Le Bernardin

Aldo’s formal sommelier education began in 1998, when he was invited by a group leader to the “Best Sommelier in the World” competition in Vienna where he was the Austrian candidate. After finishing his Sommelier exam, the same group leader approached him about competing. Aldo won “Best Sommelier in Austria” in 2002 and defended the title until 2006, returning to compete after he moved to the US in 2004. Starting out in the New York sommelier scene at Wallsé, Café Sabarsky, and Blaue Gans. Then, in 2007, Aldo won "Best Sommelier in America" and joined Le Bernardin as Chef Sommelier. He opened Aldo Sohm Wine Bar in 2014, But he kept his position at Le Bernardin because it was hard for him to imagine leaving the floor. Aldo is a longtime Zalto ambassador, and if you like you can buy a stem yourself at the hyperlink above!