Kevin Anderson, Tucson’s own AJ’s Fine Foods Cellar Master, offers up two new easy at home cuisine and wine pairing suggestions drawing from their fresh food entrée selections and Summer Wine Spectacular.  And if you are out on the town this week, owner Brian Metzger of Jax Kitchen on North Oracle, suggests one of his mouth watering entrées with a style of wine I’ll bet you’ve never tasted.

From AJ’s Fine Foods, Kevin recommends that you try their fresh chicken, cut into cubes and kabobed and marinaded in their Norman Bishop lemon/lime sauce.  Pair this citrusy entrée with the affordable Summer Spectacular New Harbor Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2008.  The citrus character of the both play beautifully off of one another, according to Kevin.

The second suggestion pairs AJ’s pork chops on the grill marinaded with AJ’s Sesame Teriyaki sauce with the Summer Spectacular Campus Oaks Old Vine Zinfandel 2006.  The deep jammy and classic raisin scents of the wine balances the texture of the pork and works perfectly with the sauce.

If you are out on the town this week, visit Jax Kitchen on N. Oracle Road (www.jaxkitchen.com).  Jax is a relatively new addition to the local restaurant scene over the last year and offers a variety of delicious dishes from pan-seared tuna and duck leg confit salad to Colorado Ruby Trout and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin (which I ordered and was out of this world!)  Ribeye steak, kobe burgers and pasta are offered as well.  Brian suggests the roasted whole natural chicken for two with veggies and salt crusted fries.  His suggested wine pairing is the 2007 Rhone White “la redonne” cotes du rhone from Jean-Luc Columbo.  The wine is a delicious blend of Viognier and Roussane.  Viognier is a grape that portrays a floral, allspice, and peachy character with nice acidity; a little “fatter” than that of a Sauvignon Blanc.  The Roussanne grape is often described as emitting an herbal tea aroma.  In cooler climes it may produce soft floral scents whereas a warmer environment results in more of a pear and honey aroma.  All in all, the two grapes when blended produce a wonderful white with moderate acidity, some floral notes and peachy notes.   Enjoy!!

Tags: AJ's Fine Foods, Jax Kitchen, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Summer Wine Spectacular, Viognier, White Rhone, Zinfandel