Capital Grille offers wine samples with 'generous pour'

The Capital Grille in Downtown Pittsburgh returns its summer wine-pairing experience to diners, with its “The Generous Pour — Legends of the Land,” available through Sept. 1 at the 301 Fifth Ave., Piatt Place restaurant.

They’re here: stories you can sip. Stop in and taste the legends this summer during this year’s The Generous Pour.

Learn More: https://t.co/z08J01B0TI pic.twitter.com/BHpDLj5KZy

— The Capital Grille (@CapitalGrille) August 9, 2019

Patrons may sip on any combination of seven select wines from California’s Jackson Family Wines, including: Stonestreet, Alexander Valley, 2015 Sauvignon Blanc; Nielson, Santa Barbara County, 2016 Chardonnay; Copain, Mendocino County, 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir; Maggy Hawk, Anderson Valley, 2015 Pinot Noir; Cenyth, Sonoma County, 2015 Red Blend; Arrowood, Sonoma County, 2013 Red Blend; and Freemark Abbey, Rutherford 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Capital Grille is in the 11th year of its Generous Pour event, with its advanced sommelier Brian Phillips selecting this year’s wines.

“The Capital Grille chose to partner with the renowned Jackson Family not only because of their varied and intense wine selections, but also their history, commitment and stewardship to the land across California’s wine country,” Phillips says in a release.

Nickolas Hickton, managing partner with the Pittsburgh restaurant, says the $38 per person option with dinner pairing gives patrons numerous tasting options.

“Our goal would be to craft a wine pairing experience for (diners) — which wine pairs best with our menu items,” Hickton says.

Guests may try any one of the seven select wines, or choose their favorites from among the offerings, he adds.

“The best way to think about it is, with so many people enjoying wine with dinner, it can be intimidating to know what wine to choose,” Hickton says. “Once (diners) choose (a menu item), we craft a wine pairing around that.”

Patrons can then “compare and contrast more than one varietal,” Hickton says.

Diners also learn some of the “legends” accompanying each of the wines as they sip.

“The spirit of the program is to introduce them to varietals or labels they might be unfamiliar with,” Hickton says. “We like to make suggestions. But if somebody has their heart set on a particular glass of wine, we will pour it for them.

“The idea is to explore and try new things,” he says.

The annual event brings the restaurant a blend of repeat and curious visitors.

“We meet new people every year. … I have yet to find someone the program does not appeal to — avid drinkers, sommeliers or (casual) wine drinkers,” Hickton says.

Details: 412-338-9100 or thecapitalgrille.com