Once again, as we enter 2016, steakhouse icon Ruth’s Chris kicks off their national wine pairing dinner series with the first of six events, starting with the “Taste of Spain” wine dinner on February 25 at 95 participating restaurants across the United States. This international food and wine event will feature a specially created Ruth’s Chris menu, paired with wines from the legendary Spanish winemakers, The Torres Family.
“Our founder, Ruth Fertel, had a wonderful sense of adventure and love of travel which inspired this tasting tour through the Torres family vineyards in Spain. From Rias Baixas to Ribera del Duero to Priorat and Catalunya, guests will sample wines from one of the world’s most admired wine brands,” said Michael O’Donnell, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. “We look forward to an evening of engaging with our guests through an interactive, educational and delicious five-course dinner.”
The featured “Taste of Spain” menu includes:
First Course – Kumato Tomato & Herbed Goat Cheese Salad with Arugula and White Balsamic Vinaigrette
paired with Pazo das Bruxas Albariño
Second Course – Lobster Paella with Black Mussels, Chorizo and Peas
paired with Celeste Tempranillo
Third Course – Sherry BBQ Glazed Pork Tenderloin “Tortilla Española” de Patatas with Avocado Salsa
paired with Salmos Red Blend
Entrée Course – Filet Mignon, served sizzling with Piquillo Pepper Butter
paired with Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon
Accompaniments: Green Beans with Toasted Almonds and Lyonnaise Fingerling Potatoes
Dessert Course – Tres Leches Cake with Orange Whipped Crema and Chocolate Turron
paired with Torres Orange Liqueur Cocktail, Torres 20 Brandy
The “Taste of Spain” dinner pricing, times and dates vary by location with an average price of $95 per person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required for this event. For a complete list of participating restaurants, and to make reservations, visit: http://www.ruthschris.com/promotions/tasteofspain/.
Additional national pairing dinners in 2016 include:
Veuve Clicquot – Wednesday & Thursday, March 30 & March 31
Spring Cocktail Dinner Party – Thursday, April 28
Cakebread Cellars – Thursday, June 16
Grey Goose Cocktail Dinner – Thursday, August 18
Stags’ Leap Winery – Sunday, October 16
Guests attending the pairing dinners are invited to share their experiences at #ThisIsHowItsDone.
Tasting notes for the featured wines are as follows:
Torres Pazo das Bruxas Albariño
An intensely aromatic wine displaying distinctive fruit notes of green apple and lemon peel with clean undertones of hay. Fresh on the palate, sweet and soft upon entry and culminating in a long, elegant finish. White peach, high minerality typical of Albariño grapes.
Torres Celeste Crianza Tempranillo
Intense aromas of wild blackberries and blueberry jam with toasted and spicy notes, such as pink peppercorn, and exciting undertones of hot wax and exquisitely fine oak. Round, velvety and mature, it envelops the palate in its perfume.
Torres Salmos Red Blend
Grape Types:
- Cariñena
- Syrah
- Garnacha tinta
Dark ruby red. Rich, and well framed by French oak. Elegant, subtle midpalate, very finely structured tannins. Intense on the nose, with predominant notes of dark cherry and plum jam, against camphor and notes of toast. Sweet on entry, very velvety palate, and well structured, culminating in an elegant, fresh finish.
Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon
The intense aroma displays the classic typicity of the Mas La Plana terroir, along with notes of toast, white chocolate, and spices such as clove and pepper. Full, voluminous, and lively on the palate. Mature tannins promise a bright future and excellent aging potential.
Torres 20 Brandy
Fine, dark amber-colored. A deep, warm aroma, with traces of dried fruit and nuts. It exhibits elegant hints of spices such as vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. It is round, intensely velvety and lush on the palate, with a lingering aftertaste typical of its noble origin and aristocratic ageing.
