Sips & Tips for Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

 

This month’s Somm Series features two wines from Uruguay… yes, Uruguay! Visit any of the three Joe’s locations September 13-19 to taste these unique wines from an up-and-coming wine region.

If this is your first encounter with wines from Uruguay, you’re in for a treat! The region has become buzz-worthy as Bodega Garzón was recently named New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and Patricio Tapia’s wine guide Descorchados. An incredible pairing with seafood, Bodega Garzón, Albariño, Single Vineyard, Garzón, Uruguay ($15 per 6oz / $60 per bottle) serves up inviting tropical and floral notes with a fresh minerality on the palate. This wine nicely compliments our Grilled Alaskan Halibut with peas and charred vinaigrette.

The flagship wine of the Garzón portfolio, Bodega Garzón, Balasto, Garzón, Uruguay ($35 per 6oz / $140 per bottle) encompasses everything that is special about this region. Decomposed granite, known as balasto, is the foundation for growing Tannat, a grape that, when properly nurtured, can produce wines with finesse and vigor. The dark, rich fruit along with elegant notes of cooking spices go hand-in-hand with Joe’s 16oz Bone-In Filet Mignon.

Wine Tip SAVE THE DATE: September 13 we’re hosting a Bodega Garzón wine dinner at Joe’s Chicago, an event you don’t want to miss! To reserve your seats, click here.

Sips & Tips for Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

Our second Somm Series of 2020 will showcase two incredible selections from Chateau Montelena. Visit any of the three Joe’s locations February 17-23 for a taste of these legendary California wines.

For those who’ve seen the 2008 blockbuster, Bottle Shock, you’re already familiar with the renowned Judgement of Paris tasting which crowned the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay “best white wine in the world,” an event which single-handedly changed the wine landscape in the US and abroad.  The 2016 Chateau Montelena, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California ($19 per 6oz / $76 per bottle) is an enticing wine with notes of jasmine and apple blossom on the nose, followed by fresh green apple and a hint of baking spices on the palate.  This is such a perfect complement for our Black Bass with red beet puree.

If the Chardonnay put Chateau Montelena on the map, the 2016 Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California ($23 per 6oz / $92 per bottle) has elevated their reputation as an industry leader. The wine offers dynamic notes of ripe plum and blackberry on the nose, with an intriguing texture and depth on the palate. It’s an exceptional match for any of our signature steaks, especially the 24oz Bone-In Rib Eye.

Wine Tip On March 17 we’re hosting a Chateau Montelena wine dinner at Joe’s Chicago. This will be an event you don’t want to miss! For more information, click here.

Sips & Tips for Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

We’re kicking off the new decade with an exciting Sommelier Series, featuring two incredible wines from our friends at Keenan Winery.   Stop by any Joe’s location January 13-19 to check them out and taste for yourself!

Founded in 1974 on the picturesque Spring Mountain in Napa Valley, Keenan Winery has been making world-class white and red wine for over 40 years. The 2017 Keenan, Chardonnay, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California ($15 per 6oz / $60 per bottle) has long been one of their signature selections.  The crisp and refreshing palate coupled with aromas of jasmine and white peach offer a wonderful match for John Dory with Black Trumpet Mushrooms and Brown Butter.

In 1998, Michael Keenan and the team decided to shift their focus toward sustainability and solar-powered systems, which now supply all of the power needed to operate the estate. With a focus on quality clearly in mind, the 2015 Keenan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California ($18 per 6oz / $72 per bottle) is a shining star in the valley. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine gives notes of blackberries and blueberries along with subtle hints of dried leaves and rosemary.   This cabernet is a perfect pairing for Beef Wellington.

Wine Tip We’re looking forward to another year of exciting events at Joe’s! Share your favorite Joe’s stories with us on Instagram: @joesseafood & @invitisveritas. Cheers!

Sips & Tips for Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

It’s the most festive time of the year, so let's break out the bubbly!  This month’s Sommelier Series celebrates with two fine Champagne offerings from Besserat de Bellefon. Stop in December 16-22 and treat yourself to a glass, because you deserve it!

Founded by Edmond Besserat, the house of Besserat de Bellefon dates back to 1843.  In 1927, Edmond’s grandson, who was running the estate at the time, married Yvonne de Meric de Bellefon, and the house of Besserat de Bellefon Champagne was born. Located in Épernay in the heart of the Champagne region, Besserat de Bellefon produces many incredible styles of Champagne, but for this series we’ve selected two of our favorites. The Besserat de Bellefon, Brut Rosé, Épernay, France ($25 6oz / $50 per Half Bottle) is an elegant blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier. The nose is delicate and alluring, with notes of strawberry and wild flowers, while the palate offers fresh red fruit, subtle spice, and a round finish.  This makes for a nice pair with our Alaskan King Crab.

In order to call a wine Champagne, it must be made in the Champagne region of France. More often than not, sparkling wines produced around the world are made in the Methode Champenoise style, an attempt to mimic the elegant and precise methods in Champage.  The Besserat de Bellefon, Blanc de Blancs, Épernay, France ($30 6oz / $60 per Half Bottle) is a true Champagne, produced using only Chardonnay grapes grown in the Grand Cru vineyards of Côte des Blancs. On the nose you'll find intense notes of ripe citrus fruit, followed by subtle floral notes of honeysuckle and acacia. The palate brings apricot and fresh pineapple, with a pleasant mineral quality, making this a perfect accompaniment for Joe’s Famous Stone Crab Claws.

Sips & Tips for Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

November’s Somm Series will feature one of our favorite Sonoma producers, Hirsch Vineyards. Join us at any Joe’s location November 18-24 to enjoy these incredible wines by the glass.

Founded by David Hirsch in 1980, Hirsch Vineyards was established to create site-specific Chardonnay & Pinot Noir. Crafting wines with incredible precision and balance, David was a pioneer in the Fort Ross region of Sonoma, which benefits greatly from the maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean. The 2017 Hirsch Vineyards, Estate, Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California ($24 per 6oz / $96 per bottle) is a shining example of the potential for crisp, mineral driven Chardonnay from the California coast. Fresh green apple and citrus dominate the aromas, with bright acidity and minerality on the palate.  This wine shines with fresh shellfish and oysters.

The San Andreas Fault is the tectonic divide between the Pacific Plate and the North American plate, which runs directly through the Hirsch property in Fort Ross.  This dichotomous terrain creates dramatic differences in the soil of their estate, making 2016 Hirsch Vineyards, San Andreas, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California ($24 per 6oz / $96 per bottle) unique to Hirsch Vineyards, and their flagship red wine. The light garnet color is a wonderful introduction to its beauty and finesse.  Notes of fresh red fruit on the nose are supported by crisp acidity and a textured palate, pairing perfectly with Salmon Au Poivre.

Wine Tip This month we’re hosting Jasmine Hirsch from Hirsch Vineyards for a very special wine dinner at Joe’s DC. For more information, click here.

Sips & Tips for Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

This month’s Somm Series will feature two incredible wines from the iconic Henschke winery of Australia.  Visit any Joe’s location October 21-27 to sample the best Australia has to offer.

Now in their sixth generation of production, the Henschke story began in 1862, when Johann Christian Henschke purchased 80 acres in Keyneton.  This land became the Henschke home, as it remains to this day. In 1981, fifth-generation and current winemaker Stephen Henschke purchased the Lenswood property in Adelaide Hills, its chardonnay vineyard named after Frederick Croft, an orchardist with a neighboring property.  The 2017 Henschke, Croft, Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, Australia ($20 per 6oz / $80 per bottle) offers aromas of citrus and stone fruit, followed by fresh peach and green apple on the palate. This powerful yet restrained Chardonnay is a great match for our Potato Crusted Flounder.

Keyneton is also the home of the Henschke Family Brass Band. A key component of the Brass Band is a B flat euphonium, a large brass wind instrument that was imported to Adelaide in the late 1900’s from Leipzig, Germany, and has remained in the care of the Henschke family ever since. The 2014 Henschke, Keyneton Euphonium, Barossa, Australia ($24 per 6oz / $96 per bottle) is an intriguing blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The color is deep and alluring, with aromas of plum, red licorice and violet.  The palate offers blueberry and a touch of black pepper, with fresh acidity and fine-grained tannin.  This is a wonderful wine to pair with Joe’s 16oz New York Strip Steak.

Wine Tip: If the wines of Australia have been under your radar, it’s time to revisit.  Beyond full-bodied Shiraz, there’s an abundance of white and red wines that will appeal to a broad audience. Follow me @invitisveritas to see what I’m enjoying from down under.

Sips & Tips for Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

Pahlmeyer Winery is celebrating their 30^th anniversary, so this month’s Somm Series will be honoring the milestone by pouring two of their signature wines.  Stop by any Joe’s location August 19-25 to enjoy a glass from this California icon.

A permanent fixture on the Joe’s wine list, the Pahlmeyer, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California ($15 per 3oz / $30 per 6oz) has been a longtime crowd pleaser. Using fruit from the Pahlmeyer Estate and the famed Antica vineyard, this highly-scored wine offers aromatic notes of white flowers and tangerine, followed by a palate ripe with honeydew and supported by fresh acidity.  Try it with our Herb Crusted Mahi-mahi.

In the beginning, Jason Pahlmeyer had visions of creating a “California Mouton”, a California wine made to rival the best French wines. In 1981, his dream became a reality when the first varieties were planted, and the Pahlmeyer, Proprietary Red, Napa Valley, California ($35 per 3oz / $70 per 6oz) was born. A Cabernet Sauvignon driven blend, the wine is a stunning expression of the Napa Valley, with blackberry and ripe fig aromas, supported by a powerful fruit-driven palate.  It’s a great pair with our Signature Bone-In Filet.

Wine Tip: I’m frequently asked what wines can benefit from aging, and the simplest answer is this:  focus on wines with higher levels of natural acidity and tannin, which tend to soften over an extended period of time.  This allows the wine to mature and improve. Cabernet Sauvignon & Nebbiolo are red wines that will typically benefit from some bottle aging.

Sips & Tips for Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

July's Somm Series features two wines from the iconic Californian producer, Ridge Vineyards. Visit any Joe’s location July 15-21 to sample these incredible wines.

Nestled in the windswept hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Monte Bello vineyard is primarily known for its award winning Cabernet, but what many don’t know is that it is also the growing site of some pretty incredible Chardonnay. The Ridge Vineyards, Estate, Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains, California ($12 per 3oz / $24 per 6oz) has a vibrant nose with citrus and pear notes. The palate offers refreshing acidity, creating a great match for our Grilled Alaskan Halibut.

A personal favorite, the Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, California ($38 per 3oz / $76 per 6oz) comes from the stand-alone Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, which separates the North and Central Coasts of California. Primarily shaped by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the wine is reminiscent of the finest estates of Bordeaux, with a new world adaptation. Intense blackberry fruit aromas supported by firm tannin and a strong mineral finish on the palate pave the way for an incredible pairing with our Bone-In Porterhouse.

Wine Tip: Temperature is very important when it comes to properly serving and enjoying a glass of wine. As a general rule, white wine should be served between 45 ̊ to 55 ̊F, and red wine between 55 ̊ to 65 ̊F. Anything outside of this range could negatively affect the flavor.

Sips & Tips for Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

A recent visit to Peter Michael Winery in Knight’s Valley, Sonoma introduced me to a number of tremendous wines, and for this month’s Sommelier Series we’re offering those wines to you! Stop by any Joe’s location June 17-23 to taste a few of the best that California has to offer.

Founded in 1983 by Sir Peter Michael (of London), the Peter Michael winery has since been producing world-class wines from the rocky hillside slopes of Mount St. Helena.  With the idea of producing wines similar to the finest French Chateau, the team has created a reputation for making some of the best Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon in the world. The Peter Michael Winery, La Carrière, Estate Chardonnay, Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California ($18 per 3oz / $36 per 6oz) is brimming with orange blossom and acacia. On the palate, the wine is complex and inviting, offering notes of fresh apple and lemon zest, sculpted perfectly by a backbone of crisp minerality.  The result is a harmonious pairing with our Dover Sole and Brown Butter Sauce.

As the flagship blend of the Peter Michael Winery, the Les Pavots (French for “the poppies”) is exactly what Peter Michael had in mind when he set out in the late 70’s to find the perfect California vineyard site. With a framework of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Cabernet Franc, the Peter Michael Winery, Les Pavots, Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California ($40 per 3oz / $80 per 6oz) is the apex of Cabernet Sauvignon production in California. Inviting aromas of blueberry, cassis, and fresh herbs pave the way for a palate that is round with supple tannins.  Supported by generous amounts of dark fruits, it creates a wonderful match for our 24oz Bone-In Rib Eye.

Wine Tip: In addition to the two wines we’re featuring this month, Peter Michael Winery offers several other selections that are perfectly suited for year-round consumption. Their L’Après Midi Sauvignon Blanc and Le Caprice Pinot Noir are delicious offerings during the warmer summer months. For additional information you can visit the Peter Michael website (here). Cheers!

Sips & Tips for Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

It’s Oregon Wine Month, so naturally we’re highlighting the tremendous efforts of the Penner-Ash team.  May 20-26 we’ll be featuring two incredible wines from their portfolio.  Stop in to learn more about these intriguing selections!

Founded in the beautiful Willamette Valley in 1998, Penner-Ash winery became the first winery in Oregon with a female winemaker (Lynn Penner-Ash) at the helm of production. Now, 20 years later, the winery has established itself as the premier winery in the valley.  The Penner-Ash, Viognier, Oregon ($12 per 6oz / $48 per bottle) is an incredibly unique wine with abundant aromas of peach and white flowers. On the palate, the wine offers notes of fresh green apple, a hint of key lime, and delicious honeycomb, making it a great pair with Seafood Pasta.

 The Willamette Valley is famous for producing world class pinot noir, and the Penner-Ash, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($15 per 6oz / $60 per bottle) is certainly top of the class. With a portfolio spanning the seven major AVAs (American Viticultural Area) of the Willamette Valley, Penner-Ash has created a Pinot Noir which fully summarizes the purity and definition of the variety. Strawberry and raspberry notes dominate the aromatics, with fresh red berry notes and silky tannins on the palate.  This wine is perfect with Salmon.

Wine Tip: The Willamette Valley offers a diverse range of Pinot Noir styles. If you prefer wines with dark fruit notes and spicy aromas, try Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Want something light and fruity? Give the Dundee Hills AVA a shot.