Newsletter | Vol. 4, Issue 2
Beginning on Friday (January 15), and continuing through the following week, we’ll pour a Flights of Bodegas Paso Robles wines and Mixed Whites with Cheese.
Our Bodegas Paso Robles Flight will include:
- 2008 Dona Blanca Paso Robles
- 2005 Solea Central Coast
- 2003 Iberia California
- 2006 Graciano Central Coast
- 2005 Viva Yo Paso Robles
Our Mixed White and Cheese Flight will include:
- Groth 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
- Twisted Oak 2007 Verdelho Silvaspoons Vyd Alta Mesa
- Lava Cap 2008 Reserve Chardonnay El Dorado
- Babcock 2008 Identity Crisis Santa Barbara Co
- La Tur, a mixed milk cheese from Piemonte
Based on bottle sales last week, the best selling red was the Cana 2007 Proprietary Red Wine Contra Costa . The best selling white was the Di Bruno 2006 Pinot Grigio Sanford & Benedict Vyd Sta Rita Hills.
Join us this Friday evening when we welcome Dorothy Schuler, winemaker and owner of Bodegas Paso Robles Winery. Dorothy makes wines inspired by those of Spain and Portugal. Our flight will start with a blend of Grenache Blanc and Malvasia Bianca (Dona Blanca), followed by a strong line up of reds as follows: Solea blends Tempranillo and Graciano; Iberia blends Touriga, Graciano, Tempranillo and Tinto Cao, Graciano is it’s own single varietal, and Viva Yo is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dorothy will be in the shop from 5:30 to 8:30. Stop in and explore a unique flight of wines.
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
To lose weight (especially some of those pounds added during the holiday season), it’s not always a matter of eating less, but eating better. According to “Men’s Health Magazine,”full fat cheese is an excellent source of cassein protein — one of the best muscle building nutrients you can eat. Danish researchers found that even men ate 10 ounces of full fat cheese a day for three weeks, their LDL (bad) cholesterol didn’t budge.
The same article also noted that in their survey of the “125 best Supermarket Foods,” the Cypress Grove Fresh Chevre was the best all purpose cheese. I could also tell you about the best bacon or oatmeal, but we don’t carry those items. We carry cheese, and a number of Cypress grove cheeses in particular.
Upcoming Events:
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 Porque 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