Page 14 - Sonoma County Gazette February 2020

Restaurant Week 2020 Feb 21 - Mar 1
Each Winter, the Sonoma County Economic Development Board partners with Sonoma County Tourism to host Sonoma County Restaurant Week— the Wine Country’s tastiest time of the year featuring a wide variety of restaurants and culinary options at great prices.
Martinelli 2017 Pinot Noir, Zio Tony Ranch, Russian River
Valley: This pinot has a deep, rich burgundy color. A nose of cinnamon,
red hots, caramelized sugar and vanilla. I find this pinot to have a pleasant bright spicy quality on the palate and the cinnamon spice correlates directly throughout. Ripened strawberry leads to black raspberry, dried blueberries, plum and vanilla with hints of cola toward the finish. The acidities run the full length of the palate. The tannins, though firm have a silky quality with hints of tobacco mid to finish. The integration of the flavors in this wine will begin to show with age, however, the 2017 Zio Tony Ranch is ready to pair with food now. You could go as bold as gamey meats for pairing, such as
rack of lamb or loin of venison, though this pinot is perfectly structured for braised or slow-roasted pork. Enjoy now through 2028, if properly cellared. No decanting necessary. For more information, visit martinelliwinery.com.
There is a nose of black cherry, rhubarb, nutmeg and caramel. The palate leads with raspberries, dried fig, pomegranate and finishes with black plum. The acid in this zinfandel is relatively soft with very smooth tannins. This wine will pair perfectly with barbeques whether gas or charcoal grill, with dishes of flat iron or skirt steak using a simple seasoning of black pepper and salt. Grilled vegetables will also be a great pairing. Enjoy now through 2023, no decanting necessary. For more information, visit ballettovineyards.com.
Dine out at participating restaurants and receive prix-fixe dining options. Restaurant Week is a great way to explore new restaurants or visit old favorites. In 2019, over 150 restaurants participated in this week-long event.
With the emphasis on farm-fresh food, local wineries and craft beverages, Restaurant Week’s impact extends to local food suppliers, farmers, wineries and craft beverage producers in addition to the restaurant industry.
Dine Out: If you would like to dine out during the next Restaurant Week, check the Sonoma County Restaurant Week website for details
https://www.sonomacounty.com/restaurant-week
Just in time for your Valentine’s! Woodenhead has made a two-pack available, perfect for your Valentine. It’s their Woodenhead 2015 Sparkling Brut Rose and their Woodenhead 2015 Pinot Noir “Wet Kiss” (which I reviewed in my January Wine Banter Column). Both wines are from the Russian River Valley. They make the perfect Valentine gift, whether you
are cooking that meal for your Valentine, or just to celebrate paired with your valentine. The two-pack is available now on their website for $81.60 or $71.40 for club members – that’s 20-30% off their retail prices. Woodenhead are honoring this special pricing through the end of February. For more information or to purchase, visit their new website at woodenheadwine.com.
Get Social!
Lunch $10, $15
Dinner $19,$29, $39
Sweet Perk $5
Share your Restaurant Week photos on Instagram by tagging @ sonomacountyrestaurantweek or with the hashtag #dineSoCo
Find answers to FAQs and how to make reservations:
Reminder 43rd Annual Barrel Tasting March 6-8 & 13-15, 2020.
https://www.sonomacounty.com/restaurant-week/faqs-and-reservations
11 am – 4 pm each day Tickets On Sale now January 21, 2020
It’s all about the WINE. Many wineries offer “futures” on their barrel
See participating restaurants on an interactive map:
https://www.sonomacounty.com/restaurant-week/restaurants
samples. This is a chance to purchase wine now, often at a discount, then come back to the winery when the wine is bottled, typically 12-18 months from now. Many wines are so limited, buying futures is your only chance to purchase them. The ticket price includes the opportunity to sample wine from the barrel and in most cases also trying a limited number of current release wines. This is not a food pairing event so not all wineries provide food during the event. INFO: wineroad.com
Balletto 2017 Zinfandel, Estate Bottled, Russian River Valley:
Kokomo 2018 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley (new release)
Nose of baked black cherry, sweet honey and roasted red beet. The acidities
are firm, making this a well-driven food wine with flavors of tart red crabapple, red licorice and pencil shavings. This is a wine deserving of pairing with rich cheese such as Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt Tam triple crème organic
brie or Cowgirl Creamery’s Red Hawk washed rind aged cowsmilk cheese or pairing with rich dishes such as roasted pork butt or a braised pork sandwich with red cabbage – the acid and firm tannins will cut through their naturally fatty qualities. Enjoy now through 2022. No decanting necessary. For more information visit kokomowines.com.
John Haggard is owner of Sophie’s Cellars, Sonoma Wine Tasting in Duncans Mills, California. Sophie’s Cellars (Winter Hours) is open Thu, Sat, Sun: 11am – 5pm, Fri: 11am-7pm (Local’s Night, Friday, 4-7pm, and you don’t have to be a local to join us). www.sophiescellars.com
14 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 2/20