Beginning on Friday (7-3), and continuing through the following week, we’ll pour Flights of Napa & Sonoma Reds and Mixed White & Rosé Wines.
Our Napa & Sonoma Red Flight will include:
Our Mixed White & Rosé Flight will include:
New Wines:
Returning to the Racks:
We will be open our regular hours throughout the 4th of July weekend.
Based on bottle sales last week, the best selling red wine was the Christian Lazo 2006 Zinfandel Paso Robles, while the Bridesmaid 2007 Napa White Napa Valley was the big winner among the whites.
We were joined by Dave Corey for a rare mid-week tasting last night. Dave poured five wines from his Core Wines three label line up. A small, but lively crowd tasted through his wines and peppered Dave with questions about the them. The big hits of the evening were his 2008 Kuyam Sauvignon Blanc and the 2007 Grenache. Most of his wines will continue to be available for tasting through the weekend.
Tax Free Wednesdays are here. The most recent local tax increase has brought us to a 9.75% tax as of July 1. So, to the degree that we can, we’ll “share your pain.” On Wednesdays, all retail purchases will be discounted 9.75%. Our crack team of attorneys have told me to note that this discount will not compound with others already available.
Check out the new show on the West Wall and enjoy the unique letter / sign art of Mindy Martinsen. Mindy is a native of Monrovia, but has travelled extensively photographing letters or letter-like impressions that she uses to build words which express places or themes. We installed the show on Tuesday and plan to add a few pieces over the weekend. An Artist’s Reception is set for Saturday evening, July 18.
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
Crottin de Chavignol arrived today. This goat’s milk cheese is probably the most famous cheese of the Loire Valley. Crottin de Chavignol has been produced since the 16th century in the village of Chavignol, near Sancerre where good wine is made. It has a pale ivory rind. It’s moulded for about 12 to 24 hours, then salted, dried and ripened at least ten days. Crottin de Chavignol can be eaten at various stages of the maturity process. After 8 days it weighs 140 grams and has a strong nutty taste. After four months, the cheese weighs only 40 grams and has turned into a richer cheese.
Upcoming Events:
Winemaker David Vergari will join us on the evening of Friday, July 10. David will present a line up which will include at least 4 Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon.
On Saturday, July 25, we will support an American Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser. 10% of all retail purchases on that day will be donated to the American Cancer Society.
On July 27, Richard Frank, proprietor of Frank Family Wines, will be at Bistro 45 pouring their tasting-room-only sparkling Signature Brut, along with the Lewis Vineyard 2007 Carneros Reserve Chardonnay, the 2006 Napa Zinfandel and the 2005 Napa Cabernet. As an added bonus, winemaker Todd Graff’s own multi-vintage Zinfandel Port will be served. Each of these wines will be paired with vibrant farm to table dining selections. Five wines and five courses at $80. Bistro 45 is located at 45 S. Mentor Av, Pasadena. Call 626-795-2478 reservations.
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, 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).
Here’s something a little different . On August 8, the Paso Robles Rotary will host a Winemaker’s Cook off. Thirty (30) wineries will be serving “gourmet” foods right off the grill which will be paired with “some of their best wines.” This will be an evening event which will take place between 6 and 9pm at the River Oaks Hot Springs (just north of Paso Robles). See details at http://www.winemakerscookoff.com/
The Rhone Rangers Annual Trade and Consumer Tasting is set for August 9 at Pier 59 Studios West in Santa Monica. There will be 100 wines. along with appetizers, available for sampling. The trade portion of the event runs from noon until 2:00pm, when it is then opened to the public. General Admission is $35., if purchased before July 31. Go to www.rhonerangers.org and check their calendar for more details.
Please visit our shop at 115 W. Foothill Blvd., Monrovia, CA 91016. Tastings occur whenever the door is unlocked!! That would be Tuesday through Thursday, 11:00am to 8:00pm; Friday and Saturday, 11:00pm to 9:00pm; and Sunday from noon until 6:00pm. Cheese plates designed to complement the wines are always available.