Crush Kitchen 2009 Red Angel on the Moonlight Pinot Noir with Beet Salad:
The sip: Legend has it, Italian winemaker Silvio Jermann’s red-headed daughter was born on the evening of a full moon, hence the name “Red Angel on the Moonlight.” With a distinctive, light-ruby color, the wine’s nose is rich in alcohol with a grassy flavor and the typical Pinot Noir perfumes of berries and black currant. The taste is delicate, fresh and light on tannins. Because the wine is rich in flavor and texture, Warren says it softens the dish and enhances the salad’s natural flavors.
Where to find it:
The eatery Crush Kitchen is located at 115 South School Street in Lodi (crushkitchen.com).The seating: Crush Kitchen and Bar is located inside Woolworth Place on South School Street in Lodi (crushkitchen.com). The wine list is 168 bottles deep and includes a wide selection of European and Lodi varietals.
What to eat with this wine:
The salad: Chef Warren and his partner have a home garden wherein more than 80 percent of the vegetables used at Crush Kitchen are grown. The beet salad includes organic greens and red and gold beets topped with balsamic vinaigrette, toasted almonds and herbed goat cheese balls rolled in fennel pollen, paprika and organic thyme.