SJ Wine List

What Your Wine Says About You

What you order
Cabernet Sauvignon

What it means
This is the conservative power-broker wine. Full-bodied with dark fruit such as black currants, plums, and blackberries, this wine goes well with your pricey black pantsuit and expense account. If you order a Cab, you’re here to do business.

One to try
2002 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon ($96)

What you order
Chardonnay

What it means
Domestic Chardonnays are generally very full-bodied and have a higher alcohol content than other white wines. Chardonnays are also barrel-aged, which gives them an oaky wood flavor that overpowers most food and dominates the palate. If you’re a Chardonnay drinker, you like to be in control of any situation.

One to try
2008 Domaine Chêne Mâcon-La Roche Vineuse ($52)

What you order
Pinot Grigio

What it means
Pinot Grigios (also known as pinot gris in France) generally have little in terms of body and character. Most of the Pinot Grigio in American restaurants is a distinctly commercial wine whose only redeeming quality is that it’ll get you drunk. When made well, it shows a lightly aromatic fruitiness and mineral notes. If you order a P.G., you give off the vibe that you like to play it safe-you know what works well and you stick to your guns (or grapes, in this matter). Hey, if I ain’t sober, why fix it?

One to try
2009 San Pietro Pinot Grigio ($55)

What you order
Pinot Noir

What it means
Since Miles pooh-poohed merlot in the smash hit Sideways, Pinot Noir has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. Somehow, though, this wine balances trendiness with a great deal of class. Think Jackie O in Paris Hilton’s clothes. A Pinot Noir in a fine-dining restaurant exudes sophistication. The Pinot Noir drinker is warm but has very high standards for quality-and is willing to pay for it.

One to try
2009 The Pinot Project Pinot Noir ($52)

What you order
Sauvignon Blanc

What it means
This wine is distinctly racy. It attracts more attention than if you were to show up at the office in your new lingerie. With mouth-watering acidity and tropical fruit flavors (think of a ripe kiwi and pineapple salad), these wines are for the outgoing types who like to make their presence known at any room, meeting, or table.

One to try
2009 Bailly Reverdy Sancerre-Chavignol ($52)

What you order
Riesling

What it means
With its bright acidity, pronounced minerality, and stone fruit flavors like white peaches and pears, sommeliers love Rieslings because they are some of the most food-friendly wines. From hot dogs to haute cuisine, we depend on Rieslings to make us look good. If you order a Riesling, it gives off the vibe that you are a dependable people person, someone who can relate to anyone and be counted on to seal the deal. These wines, like their drinkers, are often refreshing and unabashedly sweet, and (because of their lower alcohol levels and food pair-ability) can be enjoyed throughout the entire evening.

One to try
2008 Selbach-Oster Riesling Spatlese ($82)

Our suggestion is this

Try a wine you’ve never heard of from a place you couldn’t locate on a map. You just might find a side of yourself you like very much and never knew existed. And whatever you do, when you’re out with a boss, co-workers, or clients, make sure they drink as much or more than you.