Food & Wine at The Helmsman: Four Courses, Four Perspectives

Food & Wine at The Helmsman: Four Courses, Four Perspectives

A great pairing dinner does more than put a drink beside a dish. It explores how one can transform the other, revealing unexpected flavors, bringing out new depth in ingredients, and creating an entirely different way to experience a meal. 

That connection is at the heart of The Helmsman Kitchen & Bar’s Wine Dinner Series, offering guests an opportunity each month to explore the possibilities of pairing through four-course menus and carefully selected wines. 

Over the coming months, the series embarks on a journey from the vineyards of Italy to the world of sake, through the celebrated terroir of Burgundy and into a cozy winter evening of wine and seasonal, local flavors.

An Italian Evening With Santa Margherita

Italian wine carries a sense of place to the table, shaped by the landscapes, traditions, and culinary cultures of the regions where it’s made. There’s something particularly rewarding about experiencing that connection over a leisurely meal, where each sip offers a new perspective on the flavors in front of you.

That idea takes center stage in September during an evening devoted to Santa Margherita, the renowned Italian winemaker famous for its Pinot Grigio and classic varietals grown, harvested, and produced in the Veneto region. Across four courses, guests can savor the relationship between Italian wines and coastal-inspired cuisine while sommelier Joe Gennaro of Brescome Barton shares the stories behind each one.

Thursday, September 17 | Reserve Your Spot

A Different Perspective on Sake

The series takes a turn from the vineyards to the world of sake in October, inviting guests to consider pairing from a different perspective. With expressions ranging from sweet and dry to umami-driven, sake brings its own vocabulary of flavors to the experience

During The Art of Sake, those nuances come alive alongside elevated cuisine, creating opportunities to taste, compare, and discover how each pour changes the essence of the dish.

More than a departure from traditional wine pairings, the evening offers a chance to slow down and indulge in something unexpected, with each course opening the door to another expression of this unique Japanese beverage.

Thursday, October 22 | Reserve Your Spot

A Taste of Burgundy

Some wines seem to tell you where they come from, and Burgundy is celebrated for precisely that sense of place, with the character of its wines closely tied to the vineyards and terroir that shape them.

Unlike other winemaking regions, Burgundy in east-central France narrows the focus to two varieties: chardonnay and pinot noir. Burgundy’s unique microclimates are notoriously complex; however, its wines are easy to enjoy with expert guidance.

Come November, The Helmsman invites guests to linger over A Taste of Burgundy, designed to showcase the region’s identity through food and wine. Guest sommelier Joe Gennaro guides the evening, offering context for each pairing as the meal unfolds.

It’s a chance to experience Burgundy beyond the bottle, taste the influence of place and follow the progression from course to course.

Thursday, November 12 | Reserve Your Spot

Velvet & Vine

By December, the series settles into the warmer, more indulgent rhythm of winter during Velvet & Vine, where distinctive wines and handcrafted dishes are brought together with intention.

Each pairing is curated to complement and enhance the ingredients on the plate, allowing the flavors of each to unfold before moving into the next. The result is an evening made for slowing down: enjoying a glass, conversing over dinner and letting sophisticated food and wine set the pace.

Thursday, December 10 | Reserve Your Spot

Join Us for Wine Dinners – Every Month at The Helmsman 

Whether you’re an experienced wine connoisseur or simply looking for fun events near Groton, CT, our monthly wine dinners at The Helmsman are designed to welcome and inspire every guest.

Reserve your pairing dinner and enjoy special pricing on all wines featured during the event.