Newsletter | Vol. 3, Issue 23
Beginning on Friday (6-12), and continuing through the following week, we’ll pour Flights of Minassian Young Wines and Pinot Grigio (mostly).
Our Minassian Young Wines Flight will include:
- 2008 White Rhonoceros Paso Robles
- 2006 Grenache Paso Robles
- 2006 Tempranillo Paso Robles
- 2006 Malbec Paso Robles
- 2006 Estate Zinfandel Paso Robles
- 2006 1000 Vines Zinfandel Paso Robles
Our (mostly) Pinot Grigio Flight will include:
- Minassian Young 2008 White Rhonoceros Paso Robles
- Kenneth Volk 2007 Pinot Grigio Sierra Madre Vineyard Santa Maria Valley
- Pavi 2007 Pinot Grigio Napa Valley
- Pavi 2007 Pinot Grigio Venezie Italia
- Pt Concepcion 2007 Celestina Pinot Grigio Santa Barbara Co
New Wines:
- Minassian Young 2006 Tempranillo Paso Robles @ $22.00
- Minassian Young 2006 Malbec Paso Robles @ $22.00
- Minassian Young 2006 1000 Vines Zinfandel Paso Robles @ $23.00
- Pavi 2007 Pinot Grigio Napa Valley @ $16.00
- Pavi 2007 Pinot Grigio Venezie Italia @ $16.00
Returning to the Racks:
- Minassian Young 2008 White Rhonoceros Paso Robles (New Vintage) @ $16.00
- Minassian Young 2006 Grenache Paso Robles @ $22.00
- Thorne 2005 Pinot Noir Rio Vista Vineyard Santa Rita Hills @ $33.00
- Deerfield Ranch 2005 Red Rex North Coast @ $28.00 (New Vintage)
Based on bottle sales last week, the best selling red wine was the Hall 2005 Merlot Napa Valley, while the Hall 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley was a run away hit among the whites. Additional cases of both were ordered and arrived on Tuesday.
Early Notice: We will be closed on Father’s Day, June 21.
We will be joined by Winemaker David Young this Friday evening. We’ll be pouring six of David’s wines and he’ll be meeting with guests that evening to talk about his wines.
Father’s Day is just around the corner. Nothing says Father like Athair Pinot Noir. For those many of you who do not speak Irish, Athair is the Irish word for father. Another possibilty would be Tal Padre, Tal Figlio, which in Italian is “Like Father, Like Son.” It’s from the Donati Family Vineyards and is a blend of 49% Petit Verdot, 32% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Check out the West Wall and enjoy the recently installed art featuring photographs by Frank Zgonc. His last show here included a number of pieces created in his watercolor photography format. Now he has ventured into creating photographs in the “Orton” style. Depending on your proximity to the picture, you see an image either slightly out of focus, or exceptionally sharp. It involves a layering process of two separately shot images. Frank has recently change a few of the pictures and we will be holding a Meet and Greet with Frank on Friday, June 19, from 5:30 to 8:30pm.
Last week, I announced we would finally get a Wine 101 class up and running. I have since learned that Larry Lanzetta, our instructor, is now working at a restaurant in Costa Mesa and the logistics are not going to work. A good friend and neighbor, as well as one of the very few Master Sommeliers in this part of the world, Elizabeth Schweitzer, has agreed to teach our next Wine 101 Class. It will be scheduled for a week from Saturday, June 20, at 4pm. If those who have signed up for this will please email me with a confirmation, I will appreciate it. Others who may wish to sign can likewise email me. We have room for about four more guests. The class will cost $30. and will include five wines during the class.
Stop by Sunday afternoons when we’re joined by Norman Davis who will play classical and light jazz pieces for a couple hours. His guitar playing provides a relaxing back drop to the whole wine and cheese experience. The music starts at 3:30PM.
The Cheese Corner
Testun al Barolo, also known as Testun Ciuc, is a classic mountain toma style cheese from Northern Italy. It is made with sheep and cow’s milk in Piedmont and is enhanced by a coating of Nebbiolo grape must which gives it a “Tetsun,” which means “big hard head” in Italian. It’s an exclusive and very original interpretation of an ancient Italian mountain gourmet cheese recipe. Tetsun al Barolo was awarded first prize in 1999 by experts on Slow Food for the best “drunken” cheese in Italy.
Upcoming Events:
Look for a mid week visit by Dave Corey in early July when we’ll pour five of his wines. Details to follow.
Cafe Massilia, offers a Wine Dinner on the first Wednesday of each month. The dinner prices vary depending on the region of France on which the meal is based. In speaking with Phillipe last week, I learned they will not do these dinners during the summer months. The next dinner will be on both September 2 and 3 and the food and wines will be native to the Bordeaux region of France. The reason for doing it on two evenings is because he is almost completely booked on the 2nd already!! Call the restaurant at 626-471-3588 for details (Located at 110 E. Lemon Ave).