Newsletter | Vol. 4, Issue 3
Beginning on Friday (January 22), and continuing through the following week, we’ll pour Flights of Grenache and Mourvedre and White Rhones.
Our Grenache and Mourvedre Flight will include:
- Anglim 2006 Anglim Grenache Paso Robles
- Jaffurs 2007 Grenache Santa Barbara CA
- Kaena 2007 Grenache Larner Vineyard Santa Ynez Valley
- Oso Libre 2007 Bendicion Mourvedre Paso Robles
- Villa Creek 2007 “La Boda” (Grenache-Mourvedre) Paso Robles
Our White Rhone Flight will include:
- Sancha 2008 Marsanne Derby Vineyard Paso Robles
- Marilyn Remark 2008 VMR Loma Pacific Vineyard Monterey Co
- Stolpman 2007 La Coppa Santa Ynez Valley
- Tablas Creek 2008Cotes de Tablas Blanc Paso Robles
- Graves 2007 Monkey Wrench (Grenache Blanc) Paso Robles
Based on bottle sales last week, the best selling red was the Bodegas Paso Robles Solea (Tempranillo & Graciano) Central Coast. The best selling white was the Bodegas Paso Robles Dona Blanca (Grenache Blanc and Albarino) Paso Robles.
Our thanks to everyone who came in last Friday evening to meet winemaker Dorothy Schuler and sample her Bodegas Paso Robles wines. It was, sales wise, the best night we’ve had since Phantom Rivers was last here in July. A lot of people obviously enjoyed Dorothy’s take on Spanish and Portuguese style wines as bottles throughout her price range sold more or less equally.
“Chasing Lions” is back in stock. This has to be one of the best “budget conscious” wines we have carried. It’s a blend of 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cab Franc, 7% Syrah and 3% Petit Verdot. It’s dense and medium bodied, with flavors of licorice, mocha and black cherry.
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 displays the work of Artist Beth Butterfield. She has a dozen 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
Bleu des Basques Brebis is an artisan sheeps milk blue cheese made in the Pyrenees mountains, a region of the French Basque country. These verdant hills are full of wildflowers and fresh grass that give the milk it’s complexity, subtlety and lightness. Bleu des Basques has a wonderful combination of earthy spiciness and hints of apricot. Pair this with Sauternes or Port.
Upcoming Events:
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
Bistro 45 will celebrate it’s 20th Anniversary on Sunday, January 31. They promise prodigious portions of casssoulet, steamed mussels, sliced leg of lamb, Provencale chicken, grilled veggies, calamari and French fries. Likewise, they’ll offer unlimited amounts of four California and French wines. To wrap up the evening, there will be a melange of profiterole pastries. Unlike the wine dinners we tell you about at Bistro 45, this is more of an introduction opportunity if you have not been to the Bistro before. This dinner is offered at $50 pp + tax and tip. Call for reservations at 626-795-2478.