Alexander Valley

Ridge, Three Valleys, Sonoma

Grapes 65% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignane, 3% Mataro, 2% Alicante Bouchet,1% Grenache and a partridge in a pear tree.   Facts You know what I’ve always admired about Ridge? It’s that they manage to “do Zin” without making me feel like feeling I’ve just been molested by blackberries and alcohol. True story. The Ridge 3 Valleys in the only wine blended from multiple vineyards, rather than being sourced from one specific vineyard, in…

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Tunisian Chicken Kebabs with Currant and Olive Relish Paired with Gary Farrell “Redwood Ranch” Sauvignon Blanc.

It’s dishes like this that make you question why you even go out to eat. Seriously.There was a decent amount of prep up-front on this recipe, but the beauty is that it can be made a day or two ahead of time, and if you have a large party, the quantities can be easily modified. Once you get the initial prep out of the way, the rest is a piece of cake!

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Alexander Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, Sonoma County.

Grape 100% Cabernet Franc   Facts A well-made Cabernet Franc is without a doubt one of my favorite wines; although very few wineries produce a pure varietal wine from this little-know Bordeaux grape, and it’s usually overshadowed in blends by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Pure expressions of Cab Franc are fairly difficult to find, but I can’t encourage you enough to try and seek out a bottle for yourself and let me know your thoughts!…

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Meeker Handprint Merlot

Grapes 83% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot   Facts Good God I love this stuff! Probably my favorite all time Merlot, and not just due to the cool bottle! It’s also probably my most recommended wine for someone looking to give a bottle as a gift.   The Handprint Merlot can really be considered the signature wine out of the whole Meeker lineup. Each bottle is touched…

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Gewurz by Alexander Valley Vineyards – Gewurztraminer from Mendocino County

  Grape 100% Gewurztraminer   Facts Before we get started let’s get the pronunciation on the grape out of the way: ‘ga-VERTZ-trah-MEE-ner’ It’s a tough one! Alexander Valley Vineyards decided a few years ago that the Gewurz was one of those wines       perfectly suited to bottle under a screw cap.  This due to the fact that the wine should ideally be consumed within a few years of its vintage date.

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