{"product_id":"rays-texas-bbq-tasting","title":"RAY'S TEXAS BBQ TASTING","description":"\u003cp\u003eIntroducing \u003cstrong\u003eRay's Texas BBQ Tasting\u003c\/strong\u003e, a\u003cstrong\u003e limited-edition Private Reserve collection\u003c\/strong\u003e inspired by one of the most memorable experiences from \u003cstrong\u003eThe Food \u0026amp; Wine Classic in Aspen\u003c\/strong\u003e. Created to celebrate our multi-year collaboration with\u003cstrong\u003e Ray Isle, Executive Wine Editor of Food \u0026amp; Wine Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e, this exclusive flavor captures the bold spirit of Texas barbecue while bringing a taste of Aspen's premier culinary event directly to your table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeveloped alongside \u003cstrong\u003eRay Isle\u003c\/strong\u003e, our \u003cstrong\u003eBoard of Master Sommeliers\u003c\/strong\u003e, and our \u003cstrong\u003eBatch Masters\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eRay's Texas BBQ\u003c\/strong\u003e delivers a rich balance of smoky, savory, sweet, and tangy flavors inspired by authentic Texas barbecue traditions. Every crunchy bite offers layers of wood-fired character, subtle sweetness, and slow-smoked depth, creating a gourmet snacking experience designed specifically for wine lovers and adventurous pairing enthusiasts alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis special Private Reserve release was featured during the acclaimed \u003cstrong\u003eSake vs. Wine seminar at The Food \u0026amp; Wine Classic in Aspen\u003c\/strong\u003e, where \u003cstrong\u003eLucy Simon\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eMonica Samuels\u003c\/strong\u003e (Sake Samurai - approx. 100 individuals globally hold this rare rank) faced off in a spirited and educational pairing competition. Guests became the judges as premium wines and sake competed side-by-side to discover unexpected and delicious pairing combinations. Ray's Texas BBQ was selected as one of the featured Wine Chips pairings, helping demonstrate how thoughtful snacking can elevate both wine and sake experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo preserve the authentic Aspen experience, the official pairings featured on each tube remain exactly as presented during the seminar: \u003cstrong\u003eShiokawa Nopa Sake\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eFrog's Leap Zinfandel\u003c\/strong\u003e. Together, these pairings showcased the remarkable versatility of Ray's Texas BBQ, highlighting both the savory umami qualities of premium sake and the fruit-forward richness of \u003cstrong\u003eCalifornia Zinfandel\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond the Aspen pairings, our Master Sommeliers also recommend exploring Ray's Texas BBQ alongside \u003cstrong\u003eSyrah\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eGSM blends\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eGrenache\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ePetite Sirah\u003c\/strong\u003e, and other \u003cstrong\u003efruit-forward red wines\u003c\/strong\u003e. The smoky sweetness of the chip beautifully complements wines with ripe fruit, gentle spice, and balanced structure, creating an approachable yet memorable pairing experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProduced in extremely limited quantities to commemorate \u003cstrong\u003eThe Food \u0026amp; Wine Classic\u003c\/strong\u003e in Aspen, each tube in this collection has been individually hand-signed by Ray Isle. Ray's Texas BBQ Tasting is more than a limited-edition flavor—it's a celebration of friendship, craftsmanship, and one of the wine world's most iconic gatherings. Whether you're reliving your Aspen memories or discovering these pairings for the first time, each bite offers a delicious reminder that great wine, great conversation, and great snacks are always better together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRay's Texas BBQ Tasting Includes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(6) Hand-Signed Ray's Texas BBQ Private Reserve 1oz Tubes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOfficial Food \u0026amp; Wine Classic Aspen Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Shiokawa Nopa Sake\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Frog's Leap Zinfandel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdditional Sommelier Recommended Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Syrah\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• GSM Blends\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Grenache\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Petite Sirah\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Fruit-Forward Red Wines\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wine Chips","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48894576787675,"sku":null,"price":42.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0584\/3147\/1813\/files\/Ray_s_Half-Dozen.png?v=1782104636","url":"https:\/\/winechips.com\/products\/rays-texas-bbq-tasting","provider":"Wine Chips","version":"1.0","type":"link"}