Things will be different this week, very different!! Normally, we start a new set of Wine Flights on Friday evening and continue those Flights for one week. This week, however, we have two winemakers arriving on Saturday and we’ll kick-off a week of their wines beginning Saturday between 5:30 and 6:00pm. So what about Friday evening? Well, it won’t be lemonade! We’ll feature two wine flights that will continue to be available through the following week as individual pours or glasses.
So here are the details:
On Friday (February 19), we’ll pour the following two flights:
A Mixed Red Flight which will include:
- Anaba 2007 Coriel Red Wine Sonoma Valley
- Laird 2004 Syrah Dyer Ranch Napa Valley
- Battaglini 2004 Zinfandel Proprietor Reserve Russian River Valley
- Vergari 2007 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
- Silver Horse 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles
A Mixed White Flight which will include:
- La Sirena 2007 Moscato Azul Napa
- Pomelo 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Oakville
- Deep Sea 2007 Viognier Central Coast
- Laird 2007 Chardonnay Red Hen Vineyard Napa Valley
- Omega 2008 Mosaic Chardonnay Mokelumne District Lodi
Beginning Saturday evening, we’ll welcome Winemakers Kris Curran and Bruno D’Alfonso and we will be pouring the following two flights:
Some Red:
- Badge 2006 Pinot Noir Sta Rita Hills
- Come in and find out
- Di Bruno 2005 Sangiovese Stolpman Vineyard Santa Ynez Valley
- Curran 2005 Sangiovese Bruce Vandal Reserve
- Curran 2005 Syrah Reeves Ranches Reserve
And some white:
- Di Bruno 2008 Pinot Grigio Sanford & Benedict Sta Rita Hills
- Curran 2007 Gewurztraminer Santa Barbara County
- Curran 2007 Grenache Blanc Santa Ynez Valley
- Badge 2006 Chardonnay Rancho Santa Rosa Sta Rita Hills
- Curran 2008 Grenache Rose Santa Ynez Valley
Two powerhouse winemakers on one evening! We suspect it may be crowded, but we do not take reservations. Please remember that out last pour is 20 minutes before closing. Can’t make it on Saturday evening. They’ll be at Noir Food and Wine in Pasadena on Sunday evening (details are below in “Upcoming Events.”)Also, we will be accepting orders for the wines poured Saturday evening with discounts at the six and twelve bottle levels. All orders will be available within four business days.
Based on bottle sales last week, the best selling red was the Vie 2006 “Les Amours” Syrah Santa Barbara County. The best selling white was the Kiamie 2007 White Kuvee Paso Robles.
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. Seating is usually limited to 12 persons and reservations are necessary. You can either go to Elizabeth’ Schweitzer’s site at www.winewisdomandwit.com, where you can click on “C W&C Class” and pre-pay via Paypal or call 626-358-6500 and reserve your space in the class. Or call the shop and make your reservation. In that instance, please plan to pay at the class by check or cash directly to Elizabeth.
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
Leave it to teIrish to create Cahill’s Whiskey Cheddar. Mike and Marion Cahill of County Limerick have gone beyond their Porter version of this tangy cheddar. It has a light golden tint, and is softer than one might expect from a cheddar, breaking apart almost like a feta. It’s a simple vintage cheddar entwined with Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey to give a fabulous savory tang.
Joe and Mary Matos grew up on the lush volcanic island of San Jorge in the Portuguese Azores. It happens to be an island known for its delicious cheeses. When they relocated to Santa Rosa, CA, in the 1970s, they carried the recipe for their homeland’s native cheese with them. Putting their own personal American spin on the original recipe, St George- named for the island – is a full flavored cow milk cheese with a cheddary depth and rich texture.
Upcoming Events:
As noted above, we will be joined by Winemakers Kris Curran and Bruno D’Alfonso on the evening of February 20, from 6 to 9:00pm (last pour at 8:40) . Many know Kris as the the person who put Sea Smoke wines 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. The line-up has been listed at the top of this Newsletter. (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’Alfonso-Curran 2006 Pinot Noirs, along with the 2006 Badge Pinot and a several other wines. All of these will be perfectly paired with dinner by Chef Claud Beltran. Go to www.noirfoodandwine.com for additional details.
