Ancient Peaks Sauv Blanc: Side up to that fish dish

If you were to set out to pair a wine with fish, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay would be the first thing to grab.  But what if the recipe contained a little more cheese and garlic than expected?  Time to get a little picky.

True, a Chardonnay might work, but its green apple acidity might not be quite right.  But if you can get a Sauvignon Blanc having complex flavors and a good balance on its citrus acidity, you won’t believe what happens with that med-style fish recipe.

Fortunately the growing conditions near Paso Robles provide a way out of the dilemma.  When you combine warm days, cool nights, and interesting soils, their Sauvignon Blanc wines fill the bill.  And one really interesting example of this type of Sauv Blanc is produced by Ancient Peaks. Their location is actually between the Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo growing regions, and that’s perfect for zesty white wines.

The bouquet of their 2011 vintage seems like a straightforward citrus bomb at first, but an additional sniff brings on some pear, tropical fruit, and even a trace of floral character.  A few sips later it starts in with more rocky citrus/pear plus gentle acid rolling over the mid-palate.  Chase it down with a little Stuffed Flounder and wow, just perfect.  For a $15 white wine, this one pleases all around!

But the best thing about pairing this one with fish is its quick clean finish.  And with onion-garlic plus spinach & light cheese in the mix, the only taste stealing the show is the cuisine.  The wine compliments and stays out of the way just when it should.

Ancient Peak’s Sauv Blancs start their long journey from fruit to table at one of their vineyards named “Margarita Vineyard”.  It’s the southernmost vineyard of the Paso Robles AVA, located along the flanks of the Santa Lucia Mountains, just 14 miles from the ocean on the historic Santa Margarita Ranch.

They continue their journey at Duck & Decanter (Camelback Location- $15)and Veneto Trattoria (wine list pricing).  Both the Capital Grille in Phoenix and the Montelucia Resort in Scottsdale feature Ancient Peaks vinos on their wine lists.

Because the bouquet of this wine comes forward best with just a moderate chill, serve it from the fridge after about 45 minutes (55-60 degrees).

Also, try it with a simple selection of light cheeses as an appetizer and the nicely balanced acidity will shine for your company.

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.