On July 1st in NYC, we dove headfirst into a flavor journey that was as unexpected as it was unforgettable—combining Scandinavian cuisine, Italian and Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oils by SOMM IN THE GROVE (of course), and beautiful wines from France, Italy, New Zealand, and even a surprise bottle from the Finger Lakes.

The twist?
Scandinavian food isn’t traditionally associated with olive oil—but this night proved just how seamlessly high-quality, high-polyphenol EVOO can elevate Nordic cuisine and take pairings to a whole new level.

I had the honor of curating and presenting the wine and olive oil pairings for the evening, while my friend and one of the most talented chefs in NYC, Chef Ulrika Bengtsson, crafted the stunning menu. Ulrika is the owner and executive chef of Björk Café & Bistro—an authentic Nordic restaurant tucked into the heart of the city. This was our second event together, and once again, her food, her team, and the entire experience were flawless.

Now let’s talk about the menu + pairings, because this lineup was nothing short of magic:

FINLAND

Chilled Green Pea & Nettle Soup with Dry-aged Cod, finished with Somm In The Grove Coratina EVOO, Paired with Château de Bligny Champagne Brut. The Champagne’s crisp bubbles and brioche undertones cut through the earthiness of the soup and enhanced the richness of the cod—while the bold Coratina brought out peppery and herbal notes in both. This is one of my favorite Champagne’s to feature because of its versatility with food and olive oil.

DENMARK

West Coast Salad with Cold Water Shrimp and a Creamy Lemon Yogurt Dressing, topped with Somm In The Grove Picual EVOO, Paired with The Pale Rosé by Sacha Lichine. This pairing was a crowd favorite. The freshness of the shrimp and yogurt dressing played perfectly with the rosé’s citrus and red berry notes, while the Picual’s green fruit character brought everything together with a beautiful aromatic finish. I must say, I pair The Pale and my Picual A LOT, and it’s always a perfect pairing… I think I maybe onto something! 

ICELAND

Baked Arctic Char with Kale, Asparagus, Smoked Trout Roe, and Sandefjord Sauce, finished with Picual EVOO, Paired with Rapura Springs Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, NZ. This dish was light but full of complexity. The wine’s tropical lift and zippy acidity paired so well with the char, while the EVOO added a layer of creaminess that amplified the Sandefjord sauce and smoke from the roe. This pairing was smooth and just sang all the way through from sip to bite and back to sip, it was endlessly perfect!

NORWAY

Lamb Tenderloin with Grilled Veggies, Potato Gratin, and a touch of Dill Sauce, drizzled with Coratina EVOO, Paired with Sartori di Verona Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Regolo – Italy. Rich, savory, and hearty, this dish was a petit powerhouse. The Coratina balanced the lush, gamey lamb with its bitterness and spice, while the Ripasso—with its dried cherry and leather notes—anchored the dish in pure Italian elegance. This dish won the crowd again, and everyone had the hardest time picking their favorite course and pairing.

SWEDEN

Nordic Grand Dessert – A plate featuring traditional Scandinavian sweets
Paired with Wagner Vidal Ice Wine – Finger Lakes, NY. This wine is not in the Shaw Ross Portfolio, but the restaurant had it on their menu and I was recently up in the Finger Lakes for Riesling Camp and absolutely fell in love with Wagner and their ice wines. This wine is stunning and was an ideal pairing to the grand finale! This was a surprise for our guests—and a delicious one. The Vidal Ice Wine had honey, apricot, and peachy notes that paired beautifully with the saffron buns, almond cake, and lingonberry cookies.

Every dish was finished with a drizzle of Somm In The Grove EVOO—either Picual or Coratina, depending on the texture, flavor, and character of the course. Guests learned how true extra virgin olive oil isn’t just for Mediterranean food—it can cross culinary borders and bring flavor, texture, and health benefits to any cuisine.

What made the evening truly special was the energy in the room—a mix of wine lovers, curious foodies, chefs, women in wine and olive oil, couples, and longtime friends, all celebrating creativity, flavor, and cultural connection through food and wine.

This experience was a reminder that when we break the rules and trust our palates, magic happens. Also, a huge thank you to Shaw-Ross International Imports LLC. for having me represent your beautiful wine portfolio for the evening. Truly amazing wines and I absolutely love being their Sommelier for hire!

Until next time, Skål! 🍷✨
—Sara