Page 30 - Sonoma County Gazette January 2017

Winter Food Wine Pairings
With the Dungeness crab season fully underway I thought we might take a look at a few wines to pair with crustaceans, shell sh, standing rib roast, prime rib and even your favorite desserts.
And now, for one of the nest brut rosé Champagnes
I have ever tasted, and believe me I have searched for decades, the incomparable Billecart-Salmon NV Brut Rosé. I recently had a guest exclaim this is Champagne for lovers and I couldn’t agree more.
Let’s start with Dungeness crab and a selection of three wines that would be superb. First up we have the Rochioli 2013 Russian River Valley Chardonnay (ret $59-$69). It is fermented in French Oak barrels, however it does not linger so long in the oak that it loses all of its elegant crisp fruit avors, apple and pear, notes of citrus and, on occasion a little minerality, which is determined by vintage. The 2013 vintage was challenging for many chardonnay producers as the cool wet climate created bunch rot, reducing yields and, as one winemaker put it, “it was like performing triage on the crush pad”.
The Rochioli exempli es a chardonnay where Mother Nature’s hand was diminished and they were able to produce another stunning vintage.
If your love a air is Sparkling Champagne and oysters here’s a pairing I nd to be among the best I’ve ever found: buttery Malpac oysters in the half shell and the elegant subtle red fruit and racy elegant acid of the Billecart-Salmon. If you’re unable to locate Malpac at your local seafood purveyor, look for Kumamoto oysters or Dungeness Bay. This Champagne will set you back (retail from $80-$110 for 750ml) though it is also produced in half bottles.
The Burnside Road Sonoma County Chardonnay from Anderson Valley (ret $26) is fermented in neutral oak with a beautiful nose of orange rind and a hint of citrus and minerality that will pair beautifully with Dungeness crab as wells as a myriad of other seafood dishes such as salmon let.
A Spicy Red... and for those of us who enjoy a red wine (which is most of us in Sonoma County), an excellent choice is Acorn’s Medley Russian River Valley Red Wine Blend 2012 (ret $40). This spicy red wine is replete with avors of strawberry and rhubarb. If you’re serving a standing rib roast, prime rib or even gamier fair such as rack of lamb or loin of venison, this is one Syrah that would complement these dishes beautifully.
And Now to Dessert... Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to taste through a myriad of late harvest wines. And while I’ve tasted dozens of different late harvest Bordeaux from Sonoma County, I recently found what I believe to be the finest late harvest Bordeaux blend I have ever tasted. The Estate 1856 Dessert Wine, Sonoma County (ret $36 for 375ml) is comprised of 85% Merlot, 12% Malbec, 2% Petite Verdot and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Wow what a find: fortified wine at 17.4% alcohol with absolutely no heat on the palate, combining both the feminine and masculine qualities. Imagine this wine with flourless chocolate cake or truffles.
John Haggard is owner of Sophie’s Cellars, Sonoma Wine Tasting in Duncans Mills, California. Sophie’s Cellars is open Thu, Sun 11am – 5pm, Fri & Sat, 11am-7pm. sophiescellars.com
By Guest Writer David Defries
LOVE where you
The Atascadero Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Russian River Valley (ret $21) with a lower 13.2 % alcohol is stainless-steel fermented, and if you’ve ever read any of my articles, I more often than not prefer white wines that have been fermented in stainless steel. This is a perfect example, where the elegant fruit avors show alongside dry and rm acidities and this sauvignon blanc would complement everything from a Waldorf salad, Caesar salad and, of course, delicious Dungeness crab.
LIVE There’s no place like
Sparkling Wines... For those who are seeking sparkling wines for Valentines Day coming up, here are two sparkling wines that need no accompaniment, other than a toast, however the Grandial from France, a Blancs de Blancs retailing at only $12 is a superb value sparkling wine and will also work as a “Kia Royale” with a little crème de cassis.
HOME. Keep up the good work taking care of the place we all love.
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