A Perfect Pair: Zuma’s Eclectic Cuisine and its Masterful Sommelier

Daniele Tavernaro was practically born to be a sommelier. Currently pouring at Zuma, the Japanese izakaya restaurant inside the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Tavernaro said he’s been studying the art of wine his whole life.

“It was part of my upbringing,” the native Las Vegan, whose father was also a sommelier, said. “Listening and asking and learning was just part of my household. But I never tried to follow in my father’s footsteps. I just loved food, wine and spirits and found that I had passion for the romance between them.”

Part of Tavernaro’s role is to keep the staff apprised on all the 300-plus wine and sake selections. “I believe we have some amazing offerings to compare with any restaurant,” Tavernaro said. “The list is always evolving to keep our guests happy.”

Tavernaro’s challenge at Zuma was showing people how wine and sake could be paired during the same meal. He realized that Zuma’s cuisine allowed for a “more creative marriage” between the two, especially since the restaurant has three diverse menus, from a kitchen, a sushi counter and a robata grill. “It’s amazing the things I’m able to do with a pairing now,” he said.

Best seats in the house

A perfect pairing needs a perfect setting. Zuma offers several different areas to enjoy your meal, like romantically lit booths that overlook the entire restaurant. However, Tavernaro, says the best seats in the house are at Zuma’s robata counter. “Not only do you get to see the chefs creating amazing cuisine, but you can also really feel the energy of the restaurant,” he said. www.zumarestaurant.com

A spring thing

“For a bottle, I like the 2014 Vincent Dauvissat Chablis from Burgundy, France. It has so many dishes it will pair with, like the lobster tempura, Alaskan king crab with ponzu lime butter or grilled Chilean sea bass. Its crispness and gentle fruit presence complement them all. For a glass, I like the 2015 Le Monde Cabernet Franc from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, with our signature spicy beef. Its fruitier style makes the beef’s sweet and spicy character truly come to life in your mouth.”

–Daniele Tavernaro on his favorite spring wine pairings at Zuma

-Heather Turk, Custom Publishing Writer