Saturday, July 7, 2018

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

July's Somm Series features four wines from the iconic Californian producer, Ridge Vineyards. Visit any Joe’s location July 16-22 to sample these incredible wines.

Nestled in the windswept hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Monte Bello vineyard is primarily known for its award winning Cabernet, but what many don’t know is that it is also the growing site of some pretty incredible Chardonnay. The Ridge Vineyards, Estate, Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains, California ($15 per 3oz / $30 per 6oz) has a vibrant nose with citrus and pear notes. The palate offers refreshing acidity, creating a great match for our Grilled Grouper with Cilantro Mojo.

In recent years, Zinfandel has seen a resurgence in popularity due to the success of Zin-based blends. One wine that has always been a leader in this category is
Ridge Vineyards, Geyserville, Alexander Valley, California ($10 per 3oz / $20 per 6oz). Mainly comprised of Zinfandel, with small amounts of Carignane, Petite Sirah, and Alicante Bouschet, this blend offers black cherry fruit aromas with hints of mint and a spicy touch on the palate.  Try it with our Double-Cut Colorado Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri.

A personal favorite, the Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, California ($38 per 3oz / $76 per 6oz) comes from the stand-alone Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, which separates the North and Central Coasts of California. Primarily shaped by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the wine is reminiscent of the finest estates of Bordeaux, with a new world adaptation. Intense blackberry fruit aromas supported by firm tannin and a strong mineral finish on the palate pave the way for an incredible pairing with our Bone-In Porterhouse.

An extremely rare item from the portfolio, Ridge Vineyards, Essence, Alexander Valley, California ($15 per 2oz) is a dessert wine that is made only when the climate and conditions are ideal. Sourced from the Geyserville vineyard, the grapes must be extremely ripe in order to naturally stop fermentation, preserving the residual sugar within the wine. Notes of dried fig and peppermint paired with our decadent Chocolate Fudge Pie is an excellent way to complete any meal.

Wine Tip: Temperature is very important when it comes to properly serving and enjoying a glass of wine. As a general rule, white wine should be served between 45 ̊ to 55 ̊F, and red wine between 55 ̊ to 65 ̊F. Anything outside of this range could negatively affect the flavor. 

Follow me on twitter @invitisveritas. Tell me what’s in your glass #wiyg

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