Rainer Wess 'Pfaffenberg' Riesling Add
Reynolds Sauvignon Blanc Add
Chappellet 'Old Vine Cuvée' Chenin Blanc Add
Wines are recomendations only and may not be carried by this store.

Rainer Wess 'Pfaffenberg' Riesling

Attributes:

Producer:

Rainer Wess

Region:

Austria, Other

Varietal:

Riesling

Bottle Size:

750 ML

2005: WineEnthusiast Rating: 90

Acidity:

fresh

Compliments:

racy

Flavors:

mineral

2004: WineEnthusiast Rating: 88

Complexity:

focused

Food Matches:

Fish or Shellfish: Bouillabaisse, Smoked Salmon
Spicy Food: Asian, Pad Thai

Riesling:

(REESE ling)—a grape that comes mostly from the Mosel and Rheingau regions of Germany (where it is a noble variety), the Finger Lakes region of New York, and Alsace region of France, and Austria. Although often thought of as “sweet,” many Rieslings are quite dry. The word trocken on German bottles indicates dryness. The trademarks of Riesling are high acidity, low to medium alcohol levels, and aromas and flavors that range from fruity and flowery to mineral. Also called Johannesburg Riesling or White Riesling.


Austria:

With long history of wine production going back to the 5th century BC, Austria produces great white wines. Austria's most planted grape is Gruner Veltliner, accounting for more than 1/3rd of the country's total area under vine. Welschriesling produces very good sweet white wines and is the second most important variety in Austria. Most of the vineyards are in the eastern half of the country, far from the ski slopes in the west.

Reynolds Sauvignon Blanc

Attributes:

Producer:

Reynolds

Region:

New South Wales, Australia/New Zealand

Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc

Bottle Size:

750 ML

2004: WineSpectator Rating: 87

Acidity:

bright, lively

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 82

Acidity:

soft

Complexity:

simple

Flavors:

pear

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87

Acidity:

bright, tart

Flavors:

citrus, vanilla

Fruit:

sweet

Food Matches:

Cheese: Feta, Goat Cheese, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Swiss
Fish or Shellfish: Catfish, Dover Sole, Red Snapper, Tilapia, Walleye, Ceviche, Grouper / Swordfish, Monkfish, Ligurian Fish Soup, Pan-fried Trout, Salmon with Lemon, Sea Bass, Shellfish (scallops, clams, crab, lobster, shrimp, etc...), Soft-shelled Crab
Fruits & Nuts: Citrus Fruits, Mango Salsa
Herbs & Spices: Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Basil, Cilantro, Coriander, Curry, Dill, Thyme
Poultry & Eggs: Chicken or Turkey, Chinese Chicken Salad, Roast Game Hen
Sauces: Vinaigrette
Vegetables: Asparagus, Asparagus Quiche, Greek Salad, Nicoise Salad, Salad, Tomato

Sauvignon Blanc:

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.

Chappellet 'Old Vine Cuvée' Chenin Blanc

Attributes:

Producer:

Chappellet Vineyard

Region:

Napa Valley, United States

Varietal:

Chenin Blanc

Bottle Size:

750 ML

1997: WineEnthusiast Rating: 92

Aromas:

floral

Compliments:

tasty

Flavors:

oak

1996: Tastings Rating: 89

Body:

full-bodied

Complexity:

rich

1995: WineSpectator Rating: 87

Body:

full-bodied

Flavors:

flint, mineral, vanilla

1994: WineSpectator Rating: 85

Acidity:

soft

1993: WineSpectator Rating: 88

Acidity:

soft

Compliments:

distinctive

Flavors:

honey, pear, spicy

Food Matches:

Fruits & Nuts: Fruit Salad
Poultry & Eggs: Chicken or Turkey, Chicken Stir Fry, Chicken w/Lemon
Spicy Food: Asian

Napa:

This tiny strip of land just north of San Francisco is home to America’s most prestigious wineries. Its climate is ideal for viticulture. Ironically, it was deemed too ideal for some vintners, who have moved their vineyards from the valley’s flat plain to the hills in the east and west, adhering to the idea that grapes that struggle to grow yield better wine. The climate, soil, and individual wineries are enormously varied, so it’s impossible to identify a singular trait of Napa wines. In addition, nearly every noble grape is grown here, although Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the primary grapes. In the past, Napa’s wines have alternated between extremely fruity and fat to lean and subtle. Today the best Napa wines have achieved a balance between these extremes. Many are made to be drunk young and have abundant ripe fruit; others can be initially hard and tannic, but soften over four or five years to perfumed, cedary fruit. White Napa wines are excellent with fresh-grilled fish and chicken, but can also cope with more spicy and creamy flavors. Many Napa reds will overwhelm delicate cuisine, but rich red meat and cheeses do make good companions.


Chenin Blanc:

Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

Rated

Ingredients

1/3 cup peanut oil
2/3 cup sesame seeds
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
Salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 small head napa cabbage
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
1 lime
1 8oz. can sliced water chestnuts
6 scallions
1 medium red bell pepper
10 sprigs cilantro

Preparation

1 Put the peanut oil in a heavy skillet large enough to hold all the chicken in one layer without crowding. Put the skillet over medium-low heat. Spread the sesame seeds on a pie plate or wax paper. (If the butcher hasn't done so, lb the breasts between two sheets of aluminum foil or wax paper with the side of a cleaver or a meat pounder.) Season the breasts with salt and pepper and press into the sesame seeds to coat both sides evenly. Put in the skillet, raise the heat to medium-high, and cook for 5 minutes on each side, gently turning the breasts with a spatula, until the meat is firm and no pink shows in the middle. (Cut into one to check if you're not sure.) Reduce the heat if needed to prevent burning.

2 Meanwhile, trim the bottom 1/2 inch from the cabbage and remove any damaged or withered parts from the tops of the leaves. Cut crosswise into strips no more than 1/2 inch wide. Put into a salad spinner, fill with water, drain, and spin the greens dry. Remove any excess moisture with paper towels.

3 Peel and halve the ginger. Drop down the chute of a food processor with the motor running and purée. Stop the motor and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the fish sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil. Juice the lime and add the juice to the ginger mixture. Process until the dressing is combined. Add salt to taste. 4 Open the can of water chestnuts and drain. Trim the scallions and cut the white and green parts crosswise into thin slices. Cut the top from the bell pepper. Stand it upright and cut down inside the four walls, separating them from the center core and seeds. Then cut the walls into thin strips. Coarsely chop the leaves from the cilantro sprigs.

5 Put the cabbage in a large mixing bowl. Add the water chestnuts, scallions, bell pepper, cilantro, and dressing. Toss well. Cut the cooked chicken into strips no more than 1/2 inch wide. Add to the salad and toss.

Yield

serves 4

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition information is provided as a resource. Values will vary depending on specific ingredients used.
Serving Size: 1
Number of Servings: serves 4
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 510 Calories from Fat: 371

Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Total Fat 41.22g
63%  
Carbohydrates 9.19g
3%  
Dietary Fiber 5.44g
21%  
Saturated Fat 6.63g
33%  
Calories 510.13kcal
25%  
Cholesterol 54.22mg
18%  
Protein 28.74g
47%  
Sodium 899.8mg
37%  
Calcium
5%  
Iron
7%  
Vitamin A
203%  
Vitamin C
170%  
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.