Newsletter | Vol. 4, Issue 1
Beginning on Friday (January 8), and continuing through the following week, we’ll pour a Flights of Mixed Reds and Mixed Whites.
Our Mixed Red Flight will include:
- Boeger 2004 Majuere (Syrah) El Dorado
- Cameron Hughes 2005 Meritage Alexander Valley
- Cana 2007 Proprietary Red Contra Costa Co
- Spann 2005 Charbono Napa Valley
- Carr 2006 Cabernet Franc Three Creeks Vineyard Santa Ynez Valley
Our Mixed White Flight will include:
- Palmina 2007 Tocai Friuliano Hone Vineyard Santa Ynez Valley
- DiBruno 2007 Pinot Grigio Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta Rita Hills
- Pavi 2007 Pinot Grigio Napa
- Curran 2007 Grenache Blanc Santa Ynez Valley
- Cleb 2008 Vino Blanco Santa Ynez Valley
Based on bottle sales last week, the best selling red was the Oso Libre 2008 Por Vida (Cabernet Blend) Paso Robles. The best selling white was the Beringer 2007 Alluvium Napa Valley.
Our Wine Classes will resume on February 6 with a session titled “Super Wines for the Super Bowl.” Elizabeth Schweitzer will pair a variety of wines with several of the favorite game watching munchies. Yes, there is an alternative to drinking a beer with your Buffalo Wings! The class will cost $35.00 and start at 3:00pm, lasting about two hours. Seating is limited to 12 persons and reservations are necessary. You can either go to Elizabeth’s site at www.winewisdomandwit.com, where you can click on “C W&C Class” and pay via Paypal or call 626-358-6500 and reserve your space in the class. In that instance, please plan to pay at the class by check or cash directly to Elizabeth.
More information about Wine Classes. We are planning to offer more Wine 101 classes. The next two such classes will be on February 27 and May 15. Additional 101 classes will be in August and November. These classes will cost $35.00. In between these classes, we will schedule a variety of “Subject Specific”classes. Some of these classes may cost more than $35.00 depending on the wines/curriculum. We’ll update you on those classes as they are developed.
The West Wall now displays the work of Artist Beth Butterfield. She has returned with a dozen new “paintings.” You may recall that her art consists of cut pieces of paper that close up provide texture and depth, but with a few steps back appear more like an oil or watercolor painting.
Stop by Sunday afternoons when we’re joined by Norman Davis who plays 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.
Tax Free Wednesdays. On Wednesdays, all retail purchases will be discounted 9.75%. As previously noted, this discount will not compound with others already available.
The Cheese Corner
ColRouge is a natural rind cheese that is reddish-orange in color with a slight white finish. It starts with pasteurized whole milk, obtained from a local diary. The cheese curd is gently ladled by hand into forms that give the cheese it’s size and shape. During the two week aging period the cheese is turned and “smeared” by hand. Smearing is a process by which each cheese is rubbed to help along the development of the special rind characteristics.
The ColoRouge is then wrapped in a special foil imported from Europe that allows it to “breathe” oxygen, thus allowing it to keep the cheese “alive” and fresh during it’s entire life. The flavor changes as it ages. Soft and creamy with mild buttery overtones give way to complex spiciness. Each cheese is marked with a date code. if you like the cheese a bit more firm, or maybe a bit more soft, or maybe even…WAY SOFT, then you can discern this off your individual cheese by using their inventive date code system.
Upcoming Events:
Join us in the shop on Friday evening, January 15, when we host Dorothy Schuler, Winemaker / Owner of Bodegas Paso Robles Winery. Dorothy will offer a line of Spanish and Portuguese influenced wines. The wines to be poured include: 2008 Dona Blanca (Garnacha Blanca and Malvesia Bianca), 2005 Viva Yo! (90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon), 2005 Solea (90% Tempranillo, and 10% Graciano), 2003 Iberia (a blend of Tempranillo, Garciano, Tinta Cao and Touriga Nacional). This event begins at 5:30pm and continues to 8:30pm.
Bistro 45 will offer a Wine Dinner on Sunday, January 17 at 6:30pm. The wines paired with the dinner will be five Zinfandels as follows: Trinchero 2006 Napa Cellars, Julie Johnson’s Por que no, Signorello’s 2006 “Luvisi,” Outpost 2007 Howell Mountain from Thomas Brown and Larry Turley’s Napa Moore/Earthquake. Call now for reservations at 626-795-2478 (and remember, those of you who “Fed” holidays, will be off the next day). $85 pre-paid
Noir Food and Wine in Pasadena is planning a wine dinner with Brian Loring on January 24. Eight to ten different Pinots will be sampled, all with perfectly paired small plates from Chef Claud Beltran. The cost will be $129 (includes tax and gratuity). Make your reservations at www.noirfoodandwine.com
On January 30, from 3 to 6pm, Noir Food and Wine will offer a Grand Pinot Noir Tasting. Thirty or more Pinots will be available for tasting for $75. prepaid. Contact Noir at www.noirfoodandwine.com Seating starts between 5:30 and 6pm. Servers will provide unlimited amounts of cassoulet, steamed mussels, sliced leg of lamb, Provencale chicken, grilled veggies, calamari and french fries. Unlimited supplies of four American and French wines will be poured along with a bounty of profiterole pastries to cap the evening. Reservations can be made at 626-795-2478 or bistro45pasadena@yahoo.com