Ramey Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2007

Silver Springs, a Maryland suburb just north of DC, is not what one would normally consider a fine dining destination, but thanks the guidance of a local foodie we wound up delighting in the excellent fare at 8407 Kitchen Bar.

The food is American artisanal and we opted for a selection of the enticing appetizers. A good choice. From the imaginative conception to the flawless execution of the salmon tartare, ricotta stuffed squash blossoms, grilled baby octopus and coriander-crusted pork belly, I could have been in New York or San Francisco.

And the whole delightful experience was enhanced by the wine, a Ramey Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2007. David Ramey makes some of the finest California chard, and this was another winner – lush and rich with ripe tropical fruit but with a balancing touch of crisp, lemony acidity.

Yes, there was plenty of oak but amazingly, when tasted with the food, it disappeared and the plush, crisp chardonnay fruit just exploded in my mouth. It was especially remarkable with the fatty, slightly sweet pork. A divine combination.