Amazing Wine-Dine Experience at Restaurant Trokay in Truckee, CA

An unforgettable wine-food pairing experience waits for you at Restaurant Trokay in downtown Truckee.  I’m hoping to raid my piggy-bank so I can go again and enjoy the exquisite food and perfectly-paired wines presented by John and Nyna Weatherson at this very classy restaurant.  A word to the wise: allow plenty of time for the total experience.

Their website, restauranttrokay.com, refers to “superlative customer service” and that is simply an understatement.  From the time we were seated for dinner and paired wines until we stood up three hours later, everything was orchestrated to enhance our palate and assure the wine was just right in terms of temperature, presentation and timing.

Sorelle Bronca di Valdobbiadene Prosecco

We began with the Italian Prosecco from Sorelle Bronca di Valdobbiadene Superior D.O.C.  This extra-dry bubbly had apricot, pear and apple as its predominant flavors, an aroma of pear and apple, and the sweetness and fresh acidity  make it delicious by itself or as an appetizer wine.  11 per cent alcohol.  $12/glass, $38/bottle.

Prager's Gruner Veltliner

 

 

Grunerveltliner is a food-friendly wine, and Trokay makes it a practice to always have one on the wine list.  The one we tasted was from Austria, the Prager's 2011 Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Hinter der Burg.  The name "Hinter der Burg", which has not been changed since the 13th century according to wine importer WineBow, means behind the old castle Weissenkirchen.   Coaxed out of a 7 acre vineyard, this wine has aroma of citrus, spice and green apple, and taste of citrus with a pleasant herbal not and a good minerality. 12.5 per cent alcohol, $67/bottle.

Fans of Japanese sake too, the Weatherson’s presented the Rihaku (Dreamy Clouds) Junmai Tokubetsu Nigori Sake.  “Aromas of rice and ripe red plums. Bright, mouthwatering acidity leads to a soft and chewy texture from the unfiltered rice particles. The rice flavor is joined by gentle nutty and slightly fruity flavors in the long finish,” notes the winemaker. 15.5 per cent alcohol.

The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc from Gamble Family Vineyards in Napa has an aroma that is fresh and inviting, with notes of apricot, green apple and musky melon.  The flavor follows on with taste of mango, honeysuckle and candied orange, and layers of citrus and minerality.  13.5 per cent alcohol.  $10/glass, $35/bottle.

One of my favorite wines are those from the Languedoc region of France, and here at Trokay I tasted the 2012 Domaine de Nizas Rose blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.  Delicious.   It is lush and lively, with aroma of strawberry, raspberry and spice.  Additional flavors of melon, orange zest, and a crisp and medium body.  14 per cent alcohol.  $10/glass, $37/bottle.

E Guigal Gigondas Rose;
Sequoia Grove Chardonnay

The tasting and food pairing went on and on… as it should in a fine dining restaurant.  Other wines we tasted were the 2009 E. Guigal Gigondas , a Rhone blend of a blend of 65% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, and 5% Syrah;  the 2011 Chardonnay from Sequoia Grove, Napa;  and the final touch was the 2010 Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria, a sweet wine from Sicily.

Restaurant Trokay is located at 10046 Donner Pass Road, Truckee.  No reservations required at their wine bar, but for the full dining-wine experience, reserve at 530 582 1040.

 

This information first appeared in The Tahoe Weekly newspaper, where I write the Wine Time column, in August 2013