5418 St Croix Trail
North Branch, Minnesota 55056
651-317-2100
Georges Duboeuf Merlot Add
Tenuta Travanto Pinot Grigio Add
Peter Vella White Zinfandel Add
Wines are recomendations only and may not be carried by this store.

Georges Duboeuf Merlot

Attributes:

Producer:

Georges Duboeuf

Region:

Vin de Pays d'Oc, France

Varietal:

Merlot

Bottle Size:

750 ML

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 82

Acidity:

fresh

Body:

light

Flavors:

herbs, red fruits

Fruit:

juicy

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 83

Body:

medium-bodied

2000: WineAdvocate Rating: (86-88)

Body:

medium-bodied

Complexity:

rich

Flavors:

herbal, plum

Fruit:

sweet

1998: WineSpectator Rating: 79

Body:

light

Flavors:

grapey

1998: WineAdvocate Rating: 84-85

Acidity:

fresh

Complexity:

simple

Compliments:

delicious

Flavors:

cherries, raspberries

Fruit:

fruity

1998: WineEnthusiast Rating: 86

Fruit:

sweet

1998: Tastings Rating: 83

Acidity:

crisp

Aromas:

floral

Body:

medium body

Complexity:

compact

Flavors:

black fruit, peppery, plummy, spice

1997: WineSpectator Rating: 81

Acidity:

fresh

Complexity:

simple

Food Matches:

Red Meat: Lamb Stew, Salami or Sausage
Vegetables: Tomato

Merlot:

(mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.

Tenuta Travanto Pinot Grigio

Attributes:

Producer:

Tenuta Travanto

Region:

Veneto, Italy

Varietal:

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio

Bottle Size:

750 ML

Food Matches:

Cheese: Brie
Fish or Shellfish: Calamari, Catfish, Dover Sole, Red Snapper, Tilapia, Walleye, Freshwater Fish, Soft-shelled Crab
Pasta & Grains: Fish Risotto, Risotto, Vegetable Risotto
Sauces: Cream Sauce with citrus, Cream Sauce with herbs, White Wine Sauce
Vegetables: Bruschetta, Greek Salad, Pumpkin Soup, Roasted Sweet Peppers, Tomato Mozzarella Basil, Tomato Mozzarella Basil

Pinot Grigio:

(pee noh GREE joe)—also known as Pinot Gris, is grown mostly in northeastern Italy but is also found in Germany (where it is called Rülander), Alsace, Oregon and California. It is deeper in color than other white grapes and has a medium body and low acidity.


Veneto:

The home of some of Italy’s most famous wines, this area in the Northeastern quadrant of Italy produces Soave, Valpolicella and Prosecco.

Peter Vella White Zinfandel

Attributes:

Producer:

Peter Vella Vineyards

Region:

California, United States

Varietal:

White Zinfandel

Bottle Size:

5 L

Food Matches:

Cheese: Blue Cheese, Dry Jack Cheese, Mozzarella, Sharp Cheddar
Fish or Shellfish: Grilled Salmon, Shellfish (scallops, clams, crab, lobster, shrimp, etc...), Tuna Nicoise Salad
Herbs & Spices: Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Ginger
Pasta & Grains: (Grilled) Tofu, Pasta with Creamy Mushroom Sauces, Pasta with Pesto, Pasta with Truffles
Poultry & Eggs: Duck Confit, Game Birds, Roast Chicken with Herbs, Roast Turkey
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Curried Beef, Curried Lamb, Curried Pork, Ham, Hamburgers, Pork w/Fruit Sauce
Sauces: Oil-based Sauce
Vegetables: Avocado, Bruschetta, Caesar Salad, Leafy Greens, Lentil Salad, Nicoise Salad, Roasted Sweet Peppers, Root Vegetables, Salad, Vegetable Gratin or Stew

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.


White Zinfandel:

This has been called an “American Wine” because it came from and is only produced in California. A version of Zinfandel, the skin is removed to create a soft pink rose that is sweet and not for aging.

Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Salad

Rated

Ingredients

4 slices tomato
4 leaves fresh basil
4 slices low-fat mozzarella
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

Place the tomatoes on a plate. Top with the basil leaves and mozzarella and season with black pepper.

Yield

Makes 4 servings