Newsletter | Vol. 4, Issue 5
Beginning on Friday (February 5), and continuing through the following week, we’ll pour Flights of Mixed reds and Whites.
Our Mixed Red Flight will include:
- Lava Cap 2006 Reserve Barbera Sierra Foothills
- C. Donatiello 2006 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
- Corison 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
- Hall 2005 Merlot Napa Valley
- Huber 2006 Dornfelder Sta Rita Hills
Our Mixed White Flight will include:
- Groth 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
- Pavi 2008 Pinot Grigio Napa Valley
- Kenneth 2008 Verdelho Starr Ranch Paso Robles
- Cordon 2008 Chardonnnay Kick-on Ranch Santa Barbara Co
- Gary Farrell 2007 Chardonnay Russian River Valley
Based on bottle sales last week, the best selling red was the Van Ruiten 2008 Petite Sirah Lodi. The best selling white was the Walter Hansel 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley.
Super Bowl Sunday is just around the corner. Many football fans will be watching the big game at party’s or favorite bars. CWaC, of course, is the refuge for those who don’t want to watch the game or get caught up in all of the craziness! However, you should know that I am a football fan and will be plugging in 12″ black and white Zenith that my parents gave me for my 20th birthday! (half the guests in our shop were not old enough to watch TV then, so please don’t do the math!) Out of respect for the non-fans, the sound will not be turned on. Come in and enjoy the wine, cheese and from 3:30 to 5:30pm, the light jazz and classical sound of Norman’s guitar.
Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year. We have not yet worked out the details, but it seems like it would be a good day for a sparkling wine, cheese and chocolate. We are waiting for that crack squad of PR folks over at Toyota to give us some guidance on how to make you feel good and then we’ll release more details.
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 Bj Lane. Her show is titled “a European Vacation.” There are ten richly colored scenes from France, Amsterdam and Germany. Painting with oilbars and oil paint, her paintings display both canal and street scenes, along with the Eiffel Tower. An Artist’s Reception is set for the evening of February 27.
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
Echo Mountain Blue is our newest edition to the Cheese Corner. A blend of raw goat and cow’s milk, the flavor is crisp and complex in it’s subtle hint of the goat’s milk. Brilliantly hued veins traverse the body of this cheese, infusing it with a bold, earthy flavor. A unique and subtle balance comes from blending the finest goat and cow’s milk, not to mention a creaminess that continues forever.
Jeff is also introducing Rosso di Langa, a cheese from Northern Italy. It’s a washed bloomy-rind cheese from a blend of sheep and cow’s milk. The paste is supple, almost squishy, with muted washed rind aromas. Not as intense as the garlicky, barnyard smells of a ripe Taleggio, but a mild introduction to that category of cheeses.
Upcoming Events:
Bistro 45 will celebrate it’s 20th Anniversary on Sunday, January 31. They promise prodigious portions of cassoulet, 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.
We’re very excited to announce that on the evening of February 20, from 6 to 9:00pm (last pour at 8:40), we will be joined by Winemakers Kris Curran and Bruno D’Alphonso. Many know Kris as the the person who put Sea Smoke wine on the map, but her own Curran Wines repertoire includes several top flight wines. Bruno was the winemaker at Sanford for over 20 years, but is best known now for his Badge and Di Bruno labels. I do not have the line-up yet, but that should be worked out shortly. (Pricing for the flight will be contingent on what wines they wish to pour.)
How about a “Double Header.” On the following evening, Kris and Bruno will be at Noir Food and Wine. There they will be pouring a line-up that will include D’Alphonso-Curran 2006 Pinot Noirs, along with the 2006 Badge Pinot and a few additional wines. All of these will be perfectly paired with dinner by Chef Claud Beltran. Go to www.noirfoodandwine.com for additional details.