This week we are featuring three crisp and refreshing Ruffino wines that will be availabe at Corks & Cactus on Friday, September 26th from 6:30-9:30pm, held at Desert Botanical Gardens.

Ruffino Santedame Chianti Classico, paired with Chicken & Penne Pasta with Red Pepper Sauce and Fresh Basil

The Santedame Estate, located near the town of Castellina in Chianti, was one of the first to join the Tuscan Estates of Ruffino. Over the years this estate has not only shown an extraordinary vocation for the production of grand red wines, it is also a place of rare charm and beauty.

Tasting Notes:
The Santedame Chianti Classico is a wine with a firm character, but the true heart of its success
is to be found in the fact that it's so incredibly smooth and pleasant to drink, even without much bottle age. Its taste is vibrant and characterised by a sweet fruity smoothness one rarely finds in a Sangiovese based wine.

Pairing Suggestions:
This wine pairs best pastas, soups, meat and fresh and lightly seasoned cheeses.

Alcohol per volume: 13.5%

Tenuta La Solatia 2006 Chardonnay

This wine was produced in Tenuta La Solatía near Monteriggioni, Siena in 1998.

Tasting Notes:
La Solatia is straw yellow in color with golden hues. Citrus fruit, orange peel, and fresh figs are only a few of the aromas found in this exuberant bouquet. Elegant and well-balanced, La Solatia Chardonnay 2006 is characterized by wonderful mineral tones and exotic scents. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied and reveals clean fruity notes of golden apple and mango, accompanied by hints of eucalyptus, honey, and bread crust. The acidity is well integrated in the structure and the finish is extraordinarily long, with notes of dried exotic fruit, thyme and sage.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
La Solatía Chardonnay is an excellent match for Manhattan clam chowder as well as other cream-based soups. This wine also pairs beautifully with veal, chicken, or fish dishes that have been prepared with rich sauces.

Alcohol per volume: 13.5%


Borgo Conventi 2006 Sauvignon Blanc,
paired with Assorted Bruschetta Featuring:
Goat Cheese, Pistachios and Apricots
Roasted Tomato Basil
Tuscan White Bean and Artichoke

Borgo Conventi Sauvignon Blanc is produced by several vineyards in the Collio area, with 100% of the grape variety Sauvignon Blanc.

Tasting Notes:
Straw yellow in color with greenish tinge. Intense on the nose with characteristic Sauvignon Blanc notes of grapefruit peel, peach, sage, fig leaves and rosemary. Borgo Conventi Sauvignon is a truly elegant, classic Friuli white wine. On the palate, the wine is refreshing and medium-bodied, with clean fruity notes and a delicious mineral touch. The concentrated flavors persist across the palate with bergamot, ripe peaches and fresh Mediterranean herbs.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Serve at 50°–54°F. Borgo Conventi Sauvignon Blanc is delicious as an apéritif, and complements fresh oysters; green salads; grilled fish with a squeeze of lemon; crab cakes; linguini with white clam sauce; chicken with white wine and capers; and pan-fried pork chops.

Alcohol per volume: 13.5%