Sommelier Mike Zygmonski revamps Catch 54 wine list

Catch 54 in Fenwick Island recently unveiled a new wine list designed by Mike Zygmonski, a certified sommelier and the wine director of SoDel Concepts, which owns Catch 54 and seven other beach-area restaurants, Plate Catering and Big Thunder Roadside Kitchen, a food truck.

“We’re proud to have a Level 2 sommelier on SoDel’s staff,” said Scott Kammerer, president and CEO of Rehoboth Beach-based SoDel Concepts. “We plan to use Mike’s expertise in every restaurant to select new wines that complement each restaurant’s cuisine. He’s also providing wine education classes to our managers and our chefs.”

Zygmonski, who became a certified through the Court of Master Sommeliers, relishes putting his knowledge to practical use. “This is what all the studying for the exam was about,” he said. “I’m approaching it with the customer in mind. How can we elevate their experience? How can we offer them information about the wines? How can we expand their expertise about wine?”

Among the new wines available at Catch 54 are Stags' Leap Petite Syrah (Napa), Calera Pinot Noir (California’s central coast) and a selection of Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio wines from Italy and Oregon. The list is divided into such categories as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, sparkling wines, Malbec, Cabernet and blends. Remaining on the list are wines from SoDel Concepts' partner company, Conti di San Bonifacio in Tuscany.

“We encourage customers to ask our servers and managers for suggestions, whether they want to pair the wine with the ingredients in a dish or simply find a wine that they enjoy,” Zygmonski said. “There is no right or wrong - drink what you like.”

For more information, go to www.sodelconcepts.com.