Fine restaurant, fabulous wine list

With many special occasions we can expect a little fine dining, and of course, a wine list that normally reads like an encyclopedia.  But the wine list at one valley favorite, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse (Camelback & 22nd St.), is so well organized that just about anybody can make a pretty quick pick.

In fact, you can order just by looking at the first page or two and enjoy a house wine that is no slouch.  It is also possible to order white wine by the glass to accompany an appetizer and salad, and then follow up with a bottle of red wine for the main course.  That’s just what the restaurant wants you to do.  And for that, Ruth’s Chris’ wine list is perfect.

So now, while your server fetches the glasses of white wine and the appetizer and/or salad, you have time to peruse the other pages and decide on a special bottle.  Ruth’s Chris’ wine list has a very easy to follow “bubbly, white, red, specialty, and dessert” format that makes it a snap to zero in on the type of wine that is of interest.  Pick a wine varietal, pick a price, done.

Just in case the prices start to look a little steep as you go down the list, stay with the reasonably priced ones on the first few pages or select a low to mid priced wine from the main list.

One suggestion for a mid-priced red wine ($70 range) is Franciscan’s “Magnificat”.  It is a full-bodied Cabernet blend that is big enough to stand up to a choice steak, but not going to clean out the bank like some of the others.  It’s loaded with dark cherry, plumb, with hints of violets/sage and follows through with a full tannin backbone that chases down any cut of beef with no problem.

The next time you want to splurge on vino and food, give a steak at Ruth’s Chris a try and pair it with a great wine to fit your budget.  Their wine list and appropriate advice from the staff will make it all memorable.

Note:  There is also a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Scottsdale.

Article by Tom Peiffer, Phoenix Wine Shopping Examiner at Examiner.com

View more of Tom’s articles on Examiner.com by visiting his writer’s page.