www.cheersonline.com
28
|
JUNE 2014
Del Frisco's Double eagle steak House,
New
York
Number oF wiNes bY tHe glass: 40, priced $12 to $40
wiNe list Focus: Balanced, with a focus on California wine.
sommelier-spotteD wiNe treNDs: "Blends and textured whites are
really exciting right now."
Jessica Certo is the sommelier at the 450-seat New York location
of the steakhouse chain, which operates 10 restaurants. To kick off
the evening, she may suggest the Gruet Winery NV Brut from New
Mexico (priced at $15 a glass), which is made in the traditional method.
Certo loves the bubbly's zesty lemon, green apple and brioche notes,
and hints of hazelnuts; its lively effervescence cuts through fried dishes
like the onion rings.
e 2012 Can Blau ($12 a glass) from Montsant, Spain, is a blend
of mazuelo, garnacha and syrah that Certo describes as ripe and
juicy, with hints of blueberry jam, raspberry fruit leather and black
cherries, baking spices, tarragon and vanilla. While it can deftly stand
up next to a steak, she also pairs it with sweet scallops wrapped in
bacon over creamy cous cous. And the 2011 Robert Biale Vineyards
"Royal Punishers" petite sirah ($19) from Napa Valley is a winning
partner for lamb. "Dark brambly fruits, along with the savory spices
in the wine, accentuate the gamey flavor in the meat," Certo says.
Fill Your
Glass
Sommeliers and wine directors give
their top picks for by-the-glass options
By Kelly A. Magyarics
B
ar and restaurant guests expect more from by-the-glass wine
lists these days. Some customers may seek to limit their portion
or alcohol intake, or pair a different offering with each menu
course, or they just might not be willing to commit to the same flavor
throughout the entire evening.
at's why many operators have stepped up their by-the-glass wine
offerings. Innovative on-premise wine programs include both crowd-
pleasing grapes as well as pleasant surprises in the form of expanded sections
of interesting varietals from unchartered regions. Wine professionals
around the country share some of their favorite selections when guests
want "just a glass."
Jessica Certo
sommelier
The menu at Eno Wine Bar in Washington, D.C.,
includes a cheat sheet on the different wine varietals.
28-32 wine by the glass CH0614.indd 28 6/3/14 9:07 PM
