Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Paired with Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc #SonomaStrong #WinePW

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail paired with a glass of crisp, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc is one of many memories I have from when I lived in Sonoma County. My husband and I had moved to California after living five years in Germany; we were ready for a new adventure and a change of pace. We settled in Healdsburg, just as Healdsburg was emerging on the trendy tourist scene. Within walking distance from our house and my work was a small Mexican restaurant known mostly by the locals. It was there that I had my first Mexican Shrimp Cocktail. That Mexican Shrimp Cocktail would forever be impressed in my memory, the freshness and flavor combination of tomato, cilantro, lime juice, avocado and big succulent shrimp.  I was amazed this simple (not at all fancy) restaurant offered such a fresh and delicious appetizer.

I paired my Mexican Shrimp Cocktail with my newly discovered favorite California white wine, a light, crisp Sauvignon Blanc. While most people were drinking Chardonnay, I was more accustom to lighter more acidic white wines while living in Germany like Silvaner. Sauvignon Blanc would be my replacement white wine and paired well with so many of the foods I was discovering and eating in California…like goat cheese, fresh vegetables, seafood, and chicken. To this day, I tend to often reach for a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.

This happy food memory came back when the #WinePW bloggers chose Sonoma wines as our January theme. One of the Sonoma wineries collaborating with the #WinePW bloggers is Geyser Peak Winery, and Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc has been a long time favorite.

 2016 Geyser Peak River Ranches Sauvignon Blanc

13.5% ABV  | $22.00 SRP (sample)

The 2016 River Ranches Sauvignon Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from the Russian River Valley, known for its cool climate. Two different clones make up the wine; Clone 1 used for its bright aromatics and Clone 376 adds a gooseberry note. The wine was fermented in 100% stainless steel tanks and inoculated with specialty yeasts known for imparting grassy notes, guava, passionfruit, lime, and mint characteristics.

My Tasting Notes

Pale straw in color with a hint of a green hue. Crisp and fresh on the palate with balanced acidity. Light in body with lime, mineral, and grassy notes. A nice lingering finish.

The River Ranches Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect pairing for the Mexican Shrimp Cocktail. The crisp acidity of the wine is a nice textural contrast to the richness of the shrimp and avocado. Lime juice brings out the different characteristics of the wine and cilantro reinforces the wine’s herbaceous notes. A deliciously refreshing and light pairing to start a meal.

Check out my fellow #WinePW bloggers and their Sonoma wine discoveries. Follow our #WinePW conversation on Sonoma wines Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 11:00 AM ET on Twitter.

Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla dazzles with > Za’atar-Crusted Rib-Eyes with 2014 Geyser Peak Walking Tree Cab.

Ellen from Family Around the Table tempts with a pairing for > Rosemary Roasted Cornish Hens

Gwen from Wine Predator asks readers to > Be #SonomaStrong: Drink Wine! Here’s Why and 5 to Try #WinePW

Lori from Dracaena Wines gets into the spirit with > #WinePW Shows We Are #SonomaStrong

Jeff from FoodWineClick! celebrates with > #SonomaStrong with Two Shepherds and Roast Chicken à la Alice Waters

Cindy from GrapeExperiences asks readers to > Taste Sonoma – Wines from Kunde Family Winery (and recipes for pairing)

Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm is > Celebrating Sonoma

Nicole from Somm’s Table shows us > Cooking to the Wine: Covenant Neshama Sonoma County with Smoky Beef Goulash

David from Cooking Chat makes a pairing of > Shrimp Pesto Pasta & #SonomaStrong Wine

Nancy from Pull That Cork shares her > #SonomaStrong Pairing: Jordan Chardonnay and Jalapeño Popper Dip #winePW

Jane from Always Ravenous has prepared >Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Paired with Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc #SonomaStrong #WinePW

Lauren from The Swirling Dervish shares inspiration with > #WinePW Celebrates #SonomaStrong: Roasted Halibut with Grapefruit-Fennel Salsa and Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc

Here on L’Occasion we are getting into > Eat & Drink Local in Sonoma

Sonoma County continues to recover from the devastating wildfires this past Fall. To donate to the fire victims check out the “Press Democrat’s” suggested fire relief funds here. Sonoma County is #SonomaStrong!