Perfect Pairings: Ridge, Three Valleys, 2008, Sonoma County, California, 3447765

Cocoa Chili

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef
3/4 pound beef sirloin, cubed
1 (14.5 ounce) can peeled and diced tomatoes with juice
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle dark beer
1 cup strong brewed coffee
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
4 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans
4 fresh hot chile peppers, seeded and chopped

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook onions, garlic, ground beef and cubed sirloin in oil for 10 minutes, or until the meat is well browned and the onions are tender.

2. Mix in the diced tomatoes with juice, dark beer, coffee, tomato paste and beef broth. Season with brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, cocoa powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, coriander and salt. Stir in 2 cans of the beans and hot chile peppers. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

3. Stir in the 2 remaining cans of beans, and simmer for another 30 minutes.







					Cocoa Chili 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 onions, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 pound ground beef 3/4 pound beef sirloin, cubed 1 (14.5 ounce) can peeled and diced tomatoes with juice 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle dark beer 1 cup strong brewed coffee 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste 1 (14 ounce) can beef broth 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 3 1/2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon cumin seeds 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon salt 4 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans 4 fresh hot chile peppers, seeded and chopped 1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook onions, garlic, ground beef and cubed sirloin in oil for 10 minutes, or until the meat is well browned and the onions are tender. 2. Mix in the diced tomatoes with juice, dark beer, coffee, tomato paste and beef broth. Season with brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, cocoa powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, coriander and salt. Stir in 2 cans of the beans and hot chile peppers. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. 3. Stir in the 2 remaining cans of beans, and simmer for another 30 minutes.



	Ridge Three Valleys • 2008 • Sonoma County, California • 3447765 Grape: Zinfandel 78%, Petite Sirah 11%, Carignan 5%, Syrah 3%, Grenache 3% appearance - bright, clear color : deep purple aroma - strong flavors (smell + taste) sweetness - dry, slight sweetness acidity - defined oak - burnt wood, cedar fruit - blackberries, black cherries, plum earth - cinnamon, licorice, clove body - medium-full alcohol - 14.2% tannins - moderate additional notes - decant and allow at least one hour before serving.				• Even though the California wine industry began in Sonoma, it's Napa that has been garnering most of the attention and praise. The countryside of Sonoma is more modest and rural than its impressive neighbor. The Sonoma Valley extends from San Pablo Bay to Mendocino and is divided into 11 clearly demarcated appellations or AVA's - American Viticultural Areas. But a greater understanding of how grapes work with their terrain has brought several Sonoma regions into international renown.