Top Dubai chef Matthijs Stinnissen: "Nyetimber is perfect with our cuisine"

Star Wine List's brand new Dubai wine guide launch was celebrated at award-winning restaurant BOCA, with snacks on the plates and English Sparkling from Nyetimber in the glasses. BOCA's executive head chef Matthijs Stinnissen acknowledges the gastronomic qualities of the wine.

(Partner story with Nyetimber)

"Nyetimber is one of the best, I'm not exaggerating. It's so unique and different in its flavours, and it goes perfect with our style of Mediterranean cuisine," he says.

BOCA, tucked away in the heart of the financial district in Dubai, opened eight years ago and has caught a lot of attention both from guests and the media. Dutch born chef Matthijs Stinnissen joined the restaurant in 2018. He first arrived in Dubai to work at Tom Aiken’s Pots Pans & Boards, and then worked as sous chef at Jason Atherton’s Marina Social. Ha has also previously gained experience at one, two and three Michelin starred restaurants in the Benelux region.

Over the years, BOCA has received plenty of awards, and the restaurants is also reputed for its work when it comes to sustainability.

"We're basically a Mediterranean restaurant, with a lot of Spanish influences. In the last five years or so, we have intensified our sustainability focus, without compromising on quality or the finance of the business," says Matthijs Stinnissen.

For example, BOCA works with 100 per cent renewable energy, thanks to a massive solar park out in the desert, and recycles all their frying oil to turn it into biodiesel.

"We also work a lot with local seafood, which is rare here. We have more than 1,000 kilometres of coastline here, and that gives us an amazing opportunity to get hold of high-quality seafood. We go to the local seafood market every day to get our hands on the best produce."

BOCA is also famous for its great wine list, a list that Star Wine List's ambassador in Dubai, Thomas Johns, calls "one of the most exciting wine programs I have seen in the city". There is also a vast selection of sparkling wine on the list, ranging from Champagne to Cava – to English Sparkling.

The Classic Cuvée goes perfect with something light, like sea bass tartar with gentle notes of acidity

"Sparkling wine is interesting because it is so fragile in terms of what you can pair with it. You can't go too spicy, for example. But these nice, clean flavours work just perfect with our gastronomy."

Since last year, BOCA has served Nyetimber both by the bottle and by the glass, and Matthijs Stinnissen says he likes the Nyetimber wines both for the quality and unique flavour profile.

"Nyetimber is just pure quality, you know. Some sparkling wines tend to be very generic, but this is exciting. It's something new, with totally new flavours."

What do the guests say when they get it in their glass
"Some people might not know about it that well, so they go 'English Sparkling, really?', but once they try it, people are always positive and convinced. It's a fun wine to serve."

What would be one of your perfect pairings with Nyetimber?
"The Classic Cuvée goes perfect with something light, like sea bass tartar with gentle notes of acidity. We're also putting a kingfish crudo on the menu; that will go very well too."

"I also had a glass of the rosé the other week, and I think it's fantastic. With that, you could go with some bolder flavours as well."