Battle of the Appellations

( Review Previous Award WInning Wine & Food Pairings)

Sassafras Restaurant & Wine Bar Host the January 2003 Battle of the Appellations

Each quarter, WineCountry.com’s editorial staff, plus invited guests, gather at a top restaurant to judge a group of wines matched with two dishes prepared by the restaurant’s chef. Selected wineries are invited to submit two wines they think will best showcase the two dishes. The WineCountry.com panel evaluates the pairings during two rounds of blind food-and-wine tastings, identifying the wines that pair best with each dish. A guest expert in food-and-wine pairing is on hand to comment on the various combinations.

The January 2003 Battle of the Appellations was hosted by Sassafras Restaurant & Wine Bar in Santa Rosa, CA. Chef Scott Snyder created both of the evening’s exquisite dishes: a delicious appetizer of Sea Scallops with truffle butter, mushrooms, and fried grits and the main entrée of Roast Breast and Potted Leg of Duck with figs, olives, and pumpkin spoonbread. Chef Snyder chose the dishes for their diverse flavors and potential to pair with a variety of wines.

Twelve wines were tasted with the Sea Scallops. The wine deemed the best match was Parducci Wine Cellars 2000 Mendocino Chardonnay. Its fresh pear and apple fruit deftly highlighted the rich, smoky flavors of the scallops. Runner-up was Zaca Mesa Winery 2001 Estate Viognier, a rich, aromatic, full-bodied white.

Another twelve wines were paired with the Roast Breast and Potted Leg of Duck entrée. The winner was Steven Kent 2000 Vincere from Livermore Valley. A blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet, it offered smooth, ripe cherry flavors and sweet oak tones that beautifully complemented the savory flavors of the duck. Runner-up was Fattoria Enotria 1999 Mendocino Dolcetto, produced by Graziano Family of Wines. This deep purple wine offered enticing aromas and flavors of blackberries, raspberries, plums and cassis, with a soft oak tone.

Participants in the first 2003 Battle of the Appellations were delighted by the opportunity to taste a wide range of varietals with two rich, complex dishes. "Evaluating so many different wines with food provides a new perspective on comparative wine tasting," commented Chris Wills, winemaker for Lake Sonoma Winery. "I was amazed at the interactions and how differently the wines tasted on their own and when tasted with the food. It made for a very enjoyable, thought-provoking evening."

Ellen Mack, owner of Russian Hill Winery commented that she found the B of A to be a unique professional experience. "I have had many opportunities to taste and judge wines, but never to do so when pairing with food was the major goal. I found it required different skills (different parts of my brain!) to judge a wine for its "match" to a food and to worry less so about the kinds of things we usually look for in sensory evaluation. It really was a lot more fun! Judging wines of different varieties all in one flight was also a great experience - the surprise was that the variety you expected to best compliment a dish, was not necessarily the winner. There is something to be learned there."

Congratulations to our winners Parducci Wine Cellars and Steven Kent Winery and special thanks to Sassafras Restaurant & Wine Bar for their gracious hospitality and superior cuisine.

Located in the Santa Rosa Business Park, Sassafras is open for lunch and dinner and features a Wine Bar offering a great selection of wines for tasting. The menu, featuring regional specialties from all over the US, Canada, Cuba, the Caribbean, etc., showcases the talents of Chef Scott Snyder, while the all-American Wine List is personally selected by Laura Kudla. Sassafras has an ongoing program of special food & wine events, such as Tasting Dinners, Wine Seminars, Holiday Meals, and much more. Visit their website for a complete schedule of events!

To learn more about Sassafras Restaurant and our winery participants, please visit their websites provided below.

Date: January 16, 2003
Location: Sassafras Restaurant & Wine Bar,
Santa Rosa, CA
Chef: Scott Snyder
Website: www.sassafrasrestaurant.com

Winner: Parducci Wine Cellars
Vintage: 2000 Mendocino Chardonnay
Appellation: Mendocino
Suggested Retail Price: $10.00
Food Pairing: Sea Scallops with Truffle Butter, Mushrooms, and Fried Grits
Website: www.parducci.com

Winner: The Steven Kent Winery
Vintage: 2000 Steven Kent Vincere
Appellation: Livermore Valley
Suggested Retail Price: $40.00
Food Pairing: Roast Breast & Potted Leg of Duck with Figs, Olives, and Pumpkin Spoonbread
Website: www.stevenkent.com

Thanks to all of the wineries that participated in this round of Battle of the Appellations!!

Ventana Vineyards – www.ventanawines.com
Merry Edwards Wines – www.merryedwards.com
Parducci Wine Cellars – www.parducci.com
Esterlina Vineyards – www.esterlinavineyards.com
Flora Springs – www.florasprings.com
Deerfield Ranch – www.deerfieldranch.com
Zaca Mesa Winery – www.zacamesa.com
Baileyana Winery – www.baileyana.com
Eric Ross Winery – www.ericross.com
McDowell Valley Vineyards – www.mcdowellsyrah.com
Domaine Saint Gregory (Graziano Family of Wines) – www.domainesaintgregory.com
The Steven Kent Winery – www.stevenkent.com

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