Friday, March 28, 2014
kitsapweek
page 11
Petite Sirah steps into Northwest vineyards O
ne of the most robust red wines you’re likely to run across is Petite Sirah. Grown primarily in California, Petite Sirah is a French variety that is a cross of Syrah and Peloursin, an obscure grape. It was discovered in the 1860s by botanist François Durif. The grape can go by “Petite Sirah” or “Durif.” Petite Sirah gets its name because the actual grapes are small, even though the resulting wine tends to be big, bold and tannic. Because of this, Petite Sirahs tend to be among the most age-worthy wines produced. Petite Sirah can be found in most areas of California, particularly Napa, Sonoma, the Sierra Foothills and Lodi. As recently as a decade ago, it would have been difficult to find a Petite Sirah from the Pacific Northwest. Today, at least 20 different examples are made, and the variety is quickly gaining fans amid wine lovers and winemakers alike. Here are a few suggestions for food pairings with Petite Sirah: roasted or grilled red meats, venison, barbecued pork, rack of lamb, lentil casserole, carne asada, meatloaf, lasagna or a meat-laden pizza. Looking to try a Northwest Petite Sirah? Here are a few examples we’ve tried recently. All are made in small amounts, so ask at your favorite wine merchant or contact the wineries directly. Milbrandt Vineyards 2010 Vineyard Series Petite Sirah, Wahluke Slope, $28: This opens with big, dark aromas of chocolate cake, espresso, black licorice and boysenberry. On the palate, it shows its strength with thick, dark flavors of ripe plum, coffee, maple syrup and dark chocolate. It’s all backed with massive yet jammy tannins. Bunnell Family Cellar 2009 Petite Sirah, Wahluke Slope, $40: Red Rhône expert Ron Bunnell crafts a big, plush wine that emphasizes richness over power. It opens with aromas of caramel, boysenberry syrup and toast, followed by a rich entry that gives way to flavors of sweet dark fruit, mocha, coffee and inky
NW Wines By ANDY PERDUE and eric degerman
plum. Smasne Cellars 2011 Petite Sirah, Yakima Valley, $44: This opens with aromas that reminded us of fresh-from-theoven brownies, rich plum and oak, followed by huge, dark flavors of blackberry, allspice, mincemeat and chocolate cake. Bold tannins back up the massive fruit. Fraser Vineyard 2011 Petite Sirah, Snake River Valley, $30: There are a handful of Petite Sirah producers in Idaho, and this begins with a big, bold, thick, dark red with aromas of caramel, molasses, plum and blackberry. On the palate, it’s loaded with flavors of plum, blackberry, boysenberry, coffee, black pepper and tobacco. Northwest Cellars 2011 Petite Sirah, Yakima Valley, $32: This rich wine opens with aromas of oak, licorice, leather and plum, followed by intriguing, extracted
flavors of dark plum and blackberry. Hints of allspice and green tea give way to a big finish. Covington Cellars 2010 Petite Sirah, Yakima Valley, $40: This offers aromas of black walnut, black licorice, black cherry and chocolate cake. On the palate, its thick tannins give way Ron Bunnell owns Bunnell Family Cellar in Prosser, Wash., and makes one of the best Petite Sirahs in the to bold, dark state. Andy Perdue / Great Northwest Wine flavors of ripe plum, black espresso, leather, plum Sirah, Wahluke Slope, Sleeping Dog Wines cherry, blackberry and $29: This robust red wine and dark chocolate, all 2010 Petite Sirah, walnut. wrapped around rich yet offers aromas and flavors Yakima Valley, $30: Zerba Cellars 2010 of huckleberry pie, vanilla, approachable tannins. Larry Oates’ expression Reserve Petite Sirah, plum sauce and chocolate, of Petite Sirah shows Walla Walla Valley, $50: off more elegance than all backed with bold tanThis dark, intense wine — Eric Degerman and nins and a pleasant toastipower, opening with opens with aromas of dark aromas of oak, toast and Andy Perdue run Great ness. chocolate and boysenNorthwest Wine, a news Hard Row to Hoe plum, which give way to berry, leading to big, thick flavors of blackberry jam and information company. Vineyards 2011 Petite flavors of plum, blackLearn more about wine at Sirah, Columbia Valley, and black olive, all backed berry syrup and espresso, $35: An expressive Petite www.greatnorthwestwine. with velvety tannins. all backed with moderate com. Sirah, it unveils aromas Westport Winery tannins. and flavors of blackberry, 2011 Swimmer Petite
GREATER KITSAP DINING & ENTERTAINMENT FAMILY ~ PANCAKE ~
HOUSE $ 00 2 OFF
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Served All Day
VOTED BEST OF SOUTH KITSAP!
#1 KIDS MENU #1 FAMILY DINING
1034 Bethel Ave Port Orchard
(360)895-0545
ANY GUEST CHECK OF $15.00 OR MORE 1 coupon per table not valid with any other offer. Exp. 3/31/14
4115 Wheaton Way E. Bremerton (360)479-0788
Reserve your space now!
3900 Kitsap Way Bremerton (360)479-2422
RISTORANTE ITALIANO
Enjoy Lunch or Dinner for Two! receive $7.00 OFF lunch and $10.00 OFF dinner
Must purchase 2 beverages per order.
Dinner Starts at 3:00 pm Not valid with any other offers or daily specials. Expires 4/4/14
All Items Are Made Fresh Daily!
9468 Silverdale Way, Silverdale
360-516-6394
Buy 1 Entree Get 1 for 1/2 Off
Present this coupon to receive 1/2 off a 2nd entree of equal or lessor value. Not valid with any other offer. expires 4/11/14. Join us in our lounge Wednesdays for Hosted Trivia Night, prizes, daily food & drink specials. Open for breakfast Friday through Sunday
4215 Mile Hill Rd. Port Orchard (360) 443-2979
Invite over 97,000 readers to your restaurant, special onetime or on-going events when you advertise in the weekly Dining & Entertainment guide.
Bainbridge Review North Kitsap Herald Central Kitsap Reporter Bremerton Patriot Port Orchard Independent 206-842-6613 360-779-4464 360-308-9161 360-308-9161 360-876-4414