Sips & Tips for Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak& Stone Crab

Joe's January Sommelier Series will feature a few of the finest selections from the Rhone Valley of France, a region known for savory wines with unlimited pairing potential.  We'll be pouring January 23-29, come on in and experience what this amazing region has to offer!

The Rhone valley runs from Vienne in the north to Avignon in the south, and the region is distinctly different from top to bottom. The region of Condrieu is tucked away in the far north, producing very unique bottlings from solely Viognier grapes. The wines offer inviting aromatics of white flowers and stone fruit.  While full on the palate, they finish clean and dry. The E. Guigal, Condrieu, France ($12 3oz / $24 6oz) pairs nicely with our Dover Sole, and offers a great opportunity to sample one of these rare gems.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is in the southern part of the Rhone Valley, and is primarily considered an area for producing red wines.  Château de Beaucastel (Blanc), Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France ($20 3oz / $40 6oz) is crafted using a significant percentage of Roussanne grapes, which give the wine intoxicating aromas of acacia flowers and honey. Grenache Blanc accounts for the remainder, providing tremendous vigor and finesse, and creates a perfect match for our Chilean Sea Bass.

The Côtes du Rhône appellation covers a large portion of red, white and rosé wine production in the Rhone Valley. And when it comes to finding value from this region, you don’t need to look further than M. Chapoutier, Belleruche, Cotes du Rhone, France ($7 6oz / $28 per bottle). Packed with notes of red fruits on the nose and palate, this wine offers refreshing acidity making a wonderful pairing for Double-Cut Colorado Lamb Chops.

As one of the oldest estates in the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château La Nerthe has been rewarding wine lovers for over four centuries. The Château La Nerthe, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France ($11 3oz / $22 6oz) is a beautiful blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. Dark fruit and spices command the aromas which lead to notes of blackberry and black cherry on the palate, creating a nice complement for Joe’s 30oz Porterhouse.