Sanmac Winery Pairing Event

Many modern Korean fine dining restaurants are exploring new pairings with wine and traditional liquors.

Many modern Korean fine dining restaurants are exploring new pairings with wine and traditional liquors.

But do foreign wines truly pair best with Korean cuisine?

Sommelier Jaehyun Shim has long pondered this question,

and our recent Sanmac Winery Wine Dinner was designed to challenge that assumption.

Through dishes rooted in Korea’s traditional sauces (jang),

we set out to showcase the true potential of Korean wine.

Sanmac Winery, located in Yeongdong, Chungcheongbuk-do,

is a sustainable winery that produces wines exclusively from native Korean grape varieties— including Sanmeoru, Campbell, and Cheongsoo— each offering a unique expression of Korea’s terroir.

After much experimentation, we selected six wines that best complemented ju052’s cuisine,

presenting a wine pairing that allowed both the food and wine to elevate one another.

The event was warmly received and concluded with great success.

Among them, the Lara White, made from the white grape Cheongsoo,

stood out with its vibrant aromas of apple, pear, green grape candy, and lemon drops.

It was paired with ju052’s bite-sized dish “A Farmer’s Gift,” creating a moment of harmony and meaning.

We will continue to collaborate with Korean wineries and breweries,

striving to share and elevate the culture of Korean craft alcohol through meaningful partnerships.