More than 100 kinds of wines will be on sale during the Westin Chosun Seoul’s wine fair, “World Wine Road” to be held on April 29. / Courtesy of Westin Chosun Seoul

By Kim Rahn

Wine has become an important element in dining in Korea. People want to know more about wine, try various kinds and purchase quality wines, at affordable prices if possible.

Good news for wine fans ― some hotels hosting dining events feature wine from a special vineyard or wine fairs so guests can sample a selection of good wines and purchase their favorites directly from importers.

At the Millennium Seoul Hilton’s French restaurant, Seasons, today guests can enjoy varietals from Clos Du Val winery which was founded in 1970 in the Stag Leaps District of Napa Valley. Created with the mission to produce Bordeaux-style wines, Clos Du Val has received great accolades from Old World oenophiles.

The seven-course dinner will feature executive chef Park Hyo-nam’s finest creations as well as a perfectly paired wine list that will include 2007 Clos Du Val Pinot Noir Reserve and 2008 Clos Du Val Chardonnay Reserve.

Wines are usually chosen to accompany specially-designed dishes to bring out the flavor of the food. For this special dinner, however, the spotlight is on the wines. The chef carefully selected the menu to showcase the bouquet of the wines.

The reception will start at 7 p.m., followed by the gala dinner priced at 150,000 won.

For inquiries, call 02-317-3060.

At Sheraton Grande Walkerhill, a wine fair is scheduled for Saturday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. themed “Walking on a Cloud,” the event will be an opportunity to purchase various wines at great prices as well as enjoy a walk along the Walkerhill Cherry Blossom Road.

Thirteen famous wine importers in Korea, such as Keumyang International, Dongwon, Shindong Wine, Winell, Vintage Korea and Cave de Vin, will participate in the fair. More than 200 kinds of world wines from casual to rare will be for sale at up to a 70 percent discount.

Wine for sale include: Voso 2009, which is renowned for its perfect Parker Point and was served at the G20 dinner; Montes limited Selection Cabernet-Carmenere 2010, the No. 1 selling wine in Korea; and other “star wines” such as Chateau Jourdan, Chateau La Grange and Annika Syrah.

There is no entrance fee or tastings for the event. Guests can drink up to two bottles purchased at the fair at the hotel’s European restaurant and bar Clock16 without corkage.
For more information, call 02-455-5000.

On April 29 the Westin Chosun Seoul will also hold a World Wine Road event. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., more than 100 carefully selected wines from all over the world will be prepared by the deli cafe Vecchia e Nuovo for purchase at the Grand Ballroom on the lobby floor. Tastings will be possible for a limited selection of wines.

Premium quality wines including Domaine Jayer-Gilles Echezeaux, Grand Cru 2007, Chateau Palmer 1995, Chateau Nenin 2007, Chateau Lafon Rochet 2007, Two Hands Bella’s Garden 2009, Chateau Talbot 2005 and Domaine Guillard, Les Corbeaux Gevrey-Chambertin, 1ER Cru 2006 will be sold at about 20 percent lower than market prices.

A variety of events and programs are also prepared at certain times of the day. A lucky draw to taste special wines, such as Vaso and Ornellaia, will be held at 2 p.m., while another draw to win a half bottle of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, which is valued at 800,000 won, will take place at 3 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Guests who spend more than 300,000 won will be eligible for the latter draw.

At 3 p.m., a vintage wine auction will be held for six bottles of wine, with the oldest being Chateau Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac 1967.

The entrance fee to the fair is 10,000 won.

After 7 p.m. when the event is over, guests can enjoy a Wine Pairing Dinners at the hotel’s restaurants with signature dishes paired with wines recommended by sommeliers.
Reservations are recommended and the dinners are priced between 120,000 won and 200,000 won.

Guests can also drink the wines purchased at the fair at any of the hotel restaurants without paying corkage.

For more information call Vecchia e Nuovo at 02-317-0022. For inquiries about the Wine Pairing Dinners, call the Ninth Gate Grille at 02-317-0366, Sushi Cho at 02-317-0314, or Hong Yuan at 02-317-0494.