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For more information on Carrie Lyn Strong’s Wine Consulting, which includes virtual wine events, private wine classes, restaurant consultation, wine brand ambassadors, wine and spirits dinners, and wine gifting and purchasing, visit carrielynstrong.com/services/

Course

For the main course, Strong asks us to consider the Japanese Wagyu offerings at 401 Prime, which makes her eyes light up as she describes how rare it is to find a menu with Japanese Wagyu of the top A5 quality outside of major metropolitan areas. For the A5 striploin or ribeye with such amazing marbling and richness, she recommends a Barbaresco (nebbiolo grape), a medium-bodied Italian red that boasts both acidity and subtle tannins with rustic flavors, or Chateuaneuf-du-Pape (grenache grape) from France that is round, fruity, and heartwarming with silky tannins. “Both are red wines that will hold up to the fat [in the Wagyu] but not so overwhelming that they will overpower it.”

Dessert

Finally, Strong takes us to Josephine’s Downtown in Lancaster for dessert where we would try the chocolate and pear decadence. This delicacy presents a manjari chocolate mousse with Sacher cake, pear variations, and a mixed media crumble.

If the name of that dessert alone doesn’t entice, imagine it paired with a port wine. Port wines are offered as tawny styles (more nutty in flavor) or late bottled vintage, more berry focused (just a bit sweeter). Strong recommends a tawny port like Sandman for this decadent dessert, because she says the nuttiness lends itself to the fresh, ripe pear lusciousness and chocolate bitterness in the dessert.

Some of these mouth-watering pairings could be re-created at home—such as a quick sear on an authentic Japanese Wagyu from www.pursuitfarms.com served with an Italian nebbiolo wine—or ordered at these Lancaster area restaurants.

Keep in mind that pairings can be done two different ways—parallel or perpendicular (similar or opposite).

Most importantly, remember that you must like the wine. As Strong notes, “If you don’t like it, you’re never going to like it.” A pairing means nothing if you don’t like the wine.