Kendall-Jackson 'Vintner's Reserve' Sauvignon Blanc

Attributes:
Producer:

Kendall-Jackson Vineyards & Winery
Region:

California, United States
Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2005: CGCW Rating: 85
Compliments:

pleasant

2005: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84
Acidity:

clean
Flavors:

citrus, lemon, vanilla

2004: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85
Acidity:

clean, tart, zesty

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84
Flavors:

lemon, lime, spicy

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 83
Acidity:

tangy

2002: WineAdvocate Rating: 87
Acidity:

crisp, fresh
Body:

light-bodied
Compliments:

classic, delicious, elegant
Flavors:

apple, citrus, vanilla

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84
Complexity:

simple
Compliments:

drinkable
Flavors:

herbs

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 83
Acidity:

tart

Food Matches:
Cheese: Feta, Fondue, Goat Cheese, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Ricotta, Swiss
Fish or Shellfish: Ceviche, Salmon with Lemon
Fruits & Nuts: Citrus Fruits, Mango Salsa
Herbs & Spices: Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Basil, Cilantro, Coriander, Curry, Dill, Thyme
Pasta & Grains: Pasta with Pesto
Poultry & Eggs: Chicken Stir Fry, Chicken w/Lemon
Red Meat: Liver, Pate or Liver, Pork Chops
Sauces: Vinaigrette, White Wine Sauce
Spicy Food: Yakisoba
Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus Quiche, Roasted Asparagus, Roasted Sweet Peppers, Salad, Spinach, 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.


California:

California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.

Freestone Sauvignon Blanc

Attributes:
Producer:

Freestone
Region:

Napa Valley, United States
Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc
Bottle Size:

750 ML

1996: WineSpectator Rating: 86
Acidity:

bright
Body:

light
Flavors:

citrus, herb flavors

Food Matches:
Cheese: Feta, Fondue, Goat Cheese, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Ricotta, Swiss
Fish or Shellfish: Ceviche, Salmon with Lemon
Fruits & Nuts: Citrus Fruits, Mango Salsa
Herbs & Spices: Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Basil, Cilantro, Coriander, Curry, Dill, Thyme
Pasta & Grains: Pasta with Pesto
Poultry & Eggs: Chicken Stir Fry, Chicken w/Lemon
Red Meat: Liver, Pate or Liver, Pork Chops
Sauces: Vinaigrette, White Wine Sauce
Spicy Food: Yakisoba
Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus Quiche, Roasted Asparagus, Roasted Sweet Peppers, Salad, Spinach, Tomato

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.


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.

Loimer 'Lois' Gruner Veltliner

Attributes:
Producer:

Loimer
Region:

Kamptal, Other
Varietal:

Gruner Veltliner
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2006: Tanzer Rating: 88
Acidity:

crisp, lively
Complexity:

uncomplicated
Flavors:

apple

2006: WineAndSpirits Rating: 88
Acidity:

snappy
Compliments:

racy
Flavors:

peach, pear
Fruit:

ripe

2003: Tastings Rating: 88
Acidity:

fresh, lively acidity
Body:

medium-bodied
Compliments:

tasty

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 87
Complexity:

tightly wound
Flavors:

melon, mineral, peach

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 86
Acidity:

clean, tart
Body:

light

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 85
Acidity:

crisp
Body:

lean, light

2001: WineAdvocate Rating: 87
Aromas:

floral
Body:

light-bodied
Complexity:

straightforward
Flavors:

apple, lemon, mineral

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 85
Acidity:

bright

Food Matches:
Red Meat: Casseroles / Hot Dish, Chili
Spicy Food: Asian, Fried Rice

Gruner Veltliner:

Native to Austria, Gruner Vetliner is a pale dry white with flavors of strawberry, rhubarb, but predominantly apple or white pepper. Floral aromas accompany this answer to the question: “What can we drink with this asparagus?”

Thai Chicken, Basil, and Chili Stir-fry

Rated

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 bunch fresh basil (2 cups leaves)
1/4 cup Chicken Stock
2 tbsp fish sauce or soy sauce
2 tsp sugar or honey
1/4 to 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp canola oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 scallions, white part minced, green part thinly sliced
1 to 4 jalapeño or Thai chilies, thinly sliced
6 oz Asian eggplant, cut in half lengthwise, then thinly sliced on the diagonal
6 oz snow peas, stems and strings removed

Preparation

1. Wash and dry the chicken breasts and trim off any fat. Cut the chicken breasts across the grain on the diagonal into 1/4-inch strips. Cut these strips into 2-inch pieces. Wash, dry, and stem the basil.

2. Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

3. Just before serving, heat a nonstick wok or frying pan over high heat. Swirl in the oil. Add the garlic, scallion whites, and chilies and stir-fry until fragrant but not brown, about 15 seconds. Add the chicken, eggplant, and snow peas and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Stir in the basil, scallion greens, and sauce and continue stir-frying until the chicken is cooked, 1 to 2 minutes. Note: This dish is supposed to be a little soupy. Serve it in bowls over rice.

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: 271 Calories from Fat: 70
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Total Fat 7.82g
12%  
Carbohydrates 10.88g
3%  
Dietary Fiber 3.91g
15%  
Saturated Fat 1.63g
8%  
Calories 271.05kcal
13%  
Cholesterol 96.39mg
32%  
Protein 38.11g
63%  
Sodium 782.83mg
32%  
Calcium
1%  
Iron
5%  
Vitamin A
43%  
Vitamin C
53%  
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.