Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/580744
{ SOMMjournal.com } 109 Somm Da�e with a Laura Levy Shatkin isn't shy when it comes to asking a wine buyer out to dinner . . . as long as the buyer brings the wine and she gets to choose the venue! Daring PAIRING BARBARA HERMANN, WINE BUYER AT BINNY'S BEVERAGE DEPOT, GOES DEEP AND WIDE IN PAIRING WINES WITH MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD by Laura Levy Shatkin / photos by Jacob Hand WHERE Casual Lebanese storefront Semiramis is one of many fabulous Middle Eastern restaurants in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood. The menu is full of classic dishes like tabbouleh, dolmas, lamb kebobs, and chicken cha- warma (Lebanese spelling), each with a slight twist. Owner Joseph Abraham has a rich restaurant history, showcasing his bright yet homey dishes, with meatless mezzes options along with heartier combination plates. WHO This month, Barbara Hermann, the venerable wine buyer at 31-store mega wine shop Binny's Beverage Depot in Chicago, joined me to pair wines to Semiramis's relatively non-wine-centric Lebanese cuisine. Her diverse wine selection ranged from a Paso Robles white blend all the way to a vintage Nuits-Saint-Georges Burgundy, as she took a stab at selecting the best wines for this spice-driven food. While Hermann favors flavorful reds, she brought this range of varietals and vintages for a truly enlightening experience full of fun surprises. Owner-chef Joseph Abraham (right) greets Barbara Hermann (left) and Laura Levy Shatkin at his restaurant, Semiramis, in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood. Sources for Barbara Hermann's wine selections ranged from Pessac-Léognan to Paso Robles.