We’ve made additions to our wine list to complement the foods you’ll be preparing in The Chopping Block’s classes this summer and fall.
Two Wines from Spain
Spain offers dynamic flavors from unique, indigenous grapes:
Cava "Ars Collecta" Rosé, Codorniu, NV, Spain, $25.00: Dry, firm, and flavorful with mineral complexity, this Rosé blend of Pinot Noir, Xarelo, and Trepat grapes enhances a wide range of dishes, from rich tapas all the way to meats.
Garnacha, Ludovicus, 2020, Terra Alta, Spain, $27.00: Juicy berry fruit with oaky accents and pleasing tannin. Due to high elevation and limestone soil, Terra Alta Garnacha is considered Spain’s finest. Serve this chewy, medium-bodied red with meats, rich poultry and seafood and the richest tapas.
For warm weather refreshment, a chilled Rosé Cava is delicious with red meats. Garnacha, with softer tannin than many reds, may also be delicately chilled. Try these wines with:
- Grilled Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Parsley-Lemon Compound Butter during Hands-On Steakhouse DIY on Friday, June 20 at 6pm
- Wood-Fired Flank Steak Fajitas with Charred Peppers and Onions during Hands-On Fiesta on the Grill on Saturday, June 21 at 6pm
- Smash Burgers with Cheddar Cheese and Grilled Onions during Hands-On Smash Burgers on the Grill, Friday June 27 at 6pm
Give this Chardonnay a Round of Applause
The Chardonnay grape is like an accomplished actress who takes on many roles, without revealing herself. While unfermented Chardonnay juice is compared to water drawn off hay, with a winemaker’s direction she may become elegant and austere (as in fashion model Dovima or Champagne), savory and complex (actress Jeanne Moreau or Burgundy), lean and focused (Grace Kelley and cool climate, unoaked Chardonnay) or rich and round (warm climates, oaked).
Our new Chardonnay is the richest of five Chardonnays on our list. With fermentation in 25% new French oak barrels and nine months on lees (spent yeast cells), this is classic California Chardonnay, a real Marilyn Monroe-type of wine.
Chardonnay, "Reserve", Barra, 2023, Mendocino, California, $34.00: Rich, round pear and baked apple flavors with oaky accents and rich finish. Serve to complement rich, buttery dishes or grilled items, including seafoods, veggies and meats prepared with butter.
- Try this rich Chardonnay with Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms with Garlic-Herb Breadcrumbs and Pepper-Crusted Flank Steak with Warm Tomato Vinaigrette during Hands-On Summer Surf and Turf on Thursday, June 26 at 6pm.
Just Because
In 1970, Oregon’s Willamette Valley produced one fine wine (grown by The Eyrie Vineyards). In 2024, Willamette’s agritourism contributed $1 billion to the state economy (according Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences).
In addition to hard cash, Willamette’s unwavering support of her unique growing conditions has led to world-wide respect, attracting international investment and the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), with Napa Valley as the only other U.S. recipient.
So now, any wine list worth consideration must recognize Willamette. Here’s our new Pinot Noir selection:
Pinot Noir, Planet Oregon, 2023, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $30.00: Silky texture and ripe berry flavors with a hint of spice in this medium-bodied, vibrant wine make for a red wine cocktail (try it with a delicate chill), rich appetizers and seafood, Asian cuisine and light red meats. One-percent of sales are donated to the Oregon Environmental Council.
On Friday July 18 at 6:30pm, join me for Sunset Sips and Savory Supper: A Patio Wine & Food Experience to mix-and-match five wines with three grilled dishes and learn how to add the wow factor to your own grilling feast. I’m especially interested to try:
- Grilled Lobster Rolls with Lemon-Tarragon Butter paired with Barra Chardonnay and Boya Sauvignon Blanc, and,
- Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce, Blue Cheese and Grilled Asparagus paired with Codorniu Rosè and Bonafanti Malbec
For our complete wine list, please visit: Retail Wine List.
