This week’s Wine Pick of the Week features three crisp and delicious wines paired with equally satisfying food from The Phoenician! In our studio with
Beth and Bill we have Sean Marron, Director of Wine at The Phoenician; Victor Casanova, Chef de Cuisine of II Terrazzo (whom will be preparing this evening’s ZD Specialty Dinner) and Denise Seomin, Director of Public Relations and Marketing Communications for The Phoenician.

Our wines this week are:

ZD, Rosa Lee Gewurztraminer – which will be paired with Finnocchio (Shaved fennel with pomegranate, blood orange and ligurian black olive.)

ZD Wines is pleased to announce the release of this 2007 Old Vine Russian River Gewürztraminer
(ga-VERTZ-trah-mee-ner), ZD’s ﬁ rst in 25 years. In keeping with our tradition of introducing new and exciting wines, this is part of our Rosa Lee wine program. The grapes were harvested from the Spring Hill Vineyard located in the Russian River Valley at 21.5° Brix and fermented cold in 100% stainless steel. Lower sugar and intensely ﬂ avored grapes allowed us to make a dry, bright, vibrant wine with lower alcohol (12.5%). With aromas of apricots, orange blossom, Asian pear and lemon zest, this wine is an aromatic powerhouse! On the palate hints of dried pineapple, lemon, ginger and spice make this wine an ideal pairing with spicy Asian food.

ZD Pinot Noir which will be paired with Impoglosso (Pacific Halibut with butternut squash, black trumpets and black truffle emulsion.)

Pinot Noir is the grandfather of ZD Wines. It was one of the ﬁ rst wines ZD produced and has been produced every year since the 1969 vintage — the year ZD was bonded. The Carneros region is the home of the grapes used in producing ZD Pinot
Noir. ZD’s ﬁ rst Pinot Noir was proudly labeled: “Produced in Sonoma County From Grapes Grown in the Carneros Region of Napa” — making it the ﬁ rst wine to recognize the Carneros region on its label. It was 1981 before Carneros was registered as a recognized grape-growing appellation.

Part of ZD’s original plan was to produce world-class Burgundian-style varietals, but over the years, a style was developed that is distinctly Carneros. Consistent quality has earned the Carneros region a reputation as one of the premier wine-growing regions of California. A noble wine grape, Pinot Noir tends to produce wines of delicacy rather than power. ZD Pinot Noirs are crafted to reﬂ ect richness and intense varietal character in a style that uses the California sunshine in a cool growing region to fully mature the grapes for intensity and ﬂavor.

ZD Cabernet – which will be paired with Manzo (Braised short ribs with mustard greens, parsnip puree, roasted root vegetables)

The grapes for this Cabernet Sauvignon were sourced from several small, low-yielding Napa Valley vineyards, each with its own unique “terroir”, giving us a varied palette of favors and textures to work with in producing this wine. Each vineyard lot is hand harvested and fermented separately in small open top fermentors. Hand punch-downs and careful tasting when deciding to press ensures a gentle extraction without overly aggressive tannins.

Aged for two years in American oak barrels, this wine is drinking beautifully now and will age gracefully for many years. An intense aroma of black cherries, cassis, and plum is complimented by subtle hints of cocoa, tobacco and sweet, toasty vanilla. On the palate, soft tannins envelop a solid core of ripe, forward black fruit, with perfectly integrated oak. Enjoy!!