California Wine and Cheese

Beginning on December 17 …

tdugan — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:46:06 +0000

Our Mixed Red Flight:
- Palmina 2010 Dolcetto Santa Barbara County
- Curran 2007 Tempranillo Santa Ynez Valley
- Bourriquot 2008 Red Wine Napa Valley
- Jaffurs 2009 Petite Sirah Paso Robles
- Player to be named

Our Mixed White Flight:
- Curran 2010 Grenache Blanc Santa Ynez Valley
- Palmina 2009 Arneis Honea Vineyard Santa Ynez Valley
- Tangent 2010 Albariño Edna Valley
- Tangent 2007 Ecclestone White Blend San Luis Obispo Co
- Martin Ray 2010 Chardonnay Russian River Valley

Holiday Gift Baskets. A number of them have been already made up and are available for purchase. All you have to do is pick the wines you want inserted into the baskets and it’s practically “Grab and go!!” If we do run out, we would expect a re-supply with 24 hours. The longer you wait, the more likely, you will have to build that into your shopping strategy!

The best selling red wine last week was a (runaway) tie (15 bottles each) between Edward Sellers 2007 Red Cap Syrah and Steltzner 2008 Claret Napa Valley. The best selling white wine was the San Simeon 2010 Chardonnay Monterey

There will be a wine class on Saturday, December 17, beginning at 3:00pm. Elizabeth will focus on wines for the holiday season, and in the spirit of the holiday will charge only $30 for this session. Reservations, in advance, are required. There are four seats left at this moment. Please go to Elizabeth’s web site if you have not already spoken with me or Elizabeth. Make those reservations at Elizabeth’s web site www.winewisdomandwit.com if not already made.

The West Wall features a series of large format black, white and grey group portraits as well as colorful flower and nature pieces, and maybe, a hint of existentialism on the West Wall bump! (You’ll figure it out!). Elizabeth A Shafer, the artist,was here last Saturday evening and most of our guests had an opportunity to talk to her work. All pieces, along with a few extras in The Cellar Room will be here for a few more weeks and might make an ideal gift for someone during the holiday season.

Want to host a business seminar, but don’t want to use the same old meeting room at the local lodge? Maybe you want to host a dinner, but don’t want to be in the middle of a restaurant trying to find a waiter? Maybe you just want to party, but don’t have time to clean the house for your guests? We offer a new and different venue for that party. The Cellar Room at the back of the shop is available for private events and dinners. We’ll rent the room and provide wine service to you and your friends and we’ll also facilitate contact with three different caterers who can take you from light grazing to full five course meals. We’ve developed three different event formats and will be happy to provide that information in person or via email. Contact Janet or Tom for further information.

Tax Free Wednesdays. On Wednesdays retail purchases will be discounted to eliminate the tax. As previously noted, this discount will not compound with others already available.

Cheese Corner:

There are no new cheeses this week. We’ll plan to have a few new items next week.

Upcoming Events:

Bistro 45 in Pasadena will offer a Sparkling Wine Dinner on Monday, December 19. This will be a five course dinner, each paired with a sparkling wine. The cost of this dinner will be $65. Reservations and/or more details, are available at 626-795-2478

Noir Food and Wine will present a kick-off dinner for the 2012 PinotFest at the Altadena Country Club on January 15. The dinner will feature five courses by five top flight chefs, each of which will be paired with wines from seven top flight winemakers. This dinner will cost $149. + tax + gratuity. More details, along with reservations, can be obtained at www.noirfoodandwine.com

Noir Food and Wine will present PinotFest 2012 from January 21 through February 11, 2012. There will be tastings and wine dinners, all culminating in the Grand Tasting at the Altadena Country Club. Details are all available at www.noirfoodandwine.com .

A word about “Upcoming Events.” CWaC is not a principal or sponsor of events which take place at premises other than our own. I list these activities because they pair wine and food together and I feel they are worth knowing about.

We open at noon Tuesday through Saturday, closing at 8:00pm on Tuesday through Thursday and 9:00pm on Friday and Saturday. We are open Sunday from noon until 6:00PM. Please remember, we stop pouring 30 minutes before closing. Any questions, please call us at 626-358-6500.

Janet and Tom

And beginning on November 25 …

tdugan — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:45:36 +0000

(This was posted late to the web site – sorry) We’re sending you the Newsletter early this week because unless you’re underground in North Dakota, supporting the NORAD missile deployment system, you’re probably going to be off work on Thursday (and you’re also planning to slip out early today). We thought we better catch you now. We’re here all day Wednesday, but closed on Thanksgiving.

We’re opening at 12:01 on Black Friday. That, of course, is PM, not AM!! We’d “stack ‘em high and sell ‘em low, ” but we have wine and cheese, not ipads and monster sized TVs. If you have the day off, come on in and enjoy some wine and cheese; maybe even buy some wine to go with your “leftovers.”

It will be a “Pot Luck” Flight of reds and whites this coming weekend. We’ll open a few of each to start with and see where things go.

Did you get the word on Small Business Saturday? Unless you have stock in those big name stores at the mall, why not stick around and spend your money in Monrovia (or the town you live in). Small businesses are struggling right now. I am guessing most of the local businesses are owned by neighbors; supporting those businesses would be a good idea for them and the community. Not sure where to start? Go to https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday , enter your zip code 1/2 way down the page and get a list of participating local small businesses. You’ll probably get some good shopping ideas when you realize the variety of small businesses that are here!

Want a little bonus for shopping at the shops listed (at the above web site) and carry an American Express card? Go to https://sync.americanexpress.com/sbs2011 and register your card with the “Small Business Saturday” project. When you do this and make a purchase of $25 or more at a participating business, you’ll get a $25 credit added to tour AMEX statement. There’s not a lot of it, but read the fine print at the web site (and then go shop!)

The best selling red wine last week was Lee Family 2009 Rio Tinto Silvaspoons Vyd Alta Mesa Lodi . The best selling white wine was the Handley 2010 Gewürztraminer Anderson Valley.

The West Wall features a series of large format black, white and grey group portraits as well as colorful flower and nature pieces, and maybe, a hint of existentialism on the West Wall bump! (You’ll figure it out!). Elizabeth A Shafer, the artist, will be in the shop Saturday evening, December 3 (which is a date correction from last week’s Newsletter)..

Tax Free Wednesdays. On Wednesdays retail purchases will be discounted to eliminate the tax. As previously noted, this discount will not compound with others already available.

Cheese Corner:

King Island is one of the islands that make up the state of Tasmania, Australia. It is located in the Roaring Forties of Bass Strait, off the north-western tip of the main island of Tasmania, about half way between Tasmania and the mainland state of Victoria. Crossed by the 40th parallel south – and its infamous Roaring Forties – King Island is a grid of farmland and windbreaks. In the mid-1980s King Island Dairy shifted production from mozzerella to specialty cheeses. That includes one of our favorites, Roaring Forties Blue. It’s a creamy, mild, blue-veined cheese from pasteurized cow’s milk. If you haven’t tried it yet, you must be buying your cheese across the street!

Upcoming Events:

“The Great Sparkling Wine, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Pairing Event” will be offered at Noir Food and Wine on December 4, at 6:00pm, for $69.00 (includes gratuity; tax to be added). The event name says it all. Further information and/or reservations are at www.cawineandcheese.com

Noir Food and Wine will present Pinotfest 2012 from January 21 through February 11, 2012. There will be tastings and wine dinners, all culminating in the Grand Tasting at the Altadena Country Club. Details are all available at www.noirfoodandwine.com .

Janet and Tom

Beginning on November 11…

tdugan — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:44:33 +0000

Our Pinot Noir Flight will include:
- Healdsburg Ranches 2010 Russian River Valley
- Calstar 2008 Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Coast
- Handley 2007 Anderson Valley
- Luli 2010 Santa Lucia Highlands
- Louis Jadot 2007 Côte de Beaune Villages

Our Chardonnay Flight will include:
- Luli 2010 Santa Lucia Highlands
- Melville 2009 Verna’s Vineyard Santa Rita Hills
- Morgan 2010 Metallico Unoaked Monterey
- Player to be named!
- Louis Jadot 2007 Côte de Nuit Villages “Le Vaucrain”

The best selling red wine last week involved our first ever three way tie! They were Bodegas Paso Robles 2005 Viva Yo! Paso Robles, Maloy-O’Neill 2007 Enzo Paso Robles & Racehorse Red 2007 Chiles Valley Napa . The best selling white wine was the Handley 2009 Pinot Gris Anderson Valley Mendocino.

Give Thanks for Wine is the subject of the next Wine Class to be presented by Master Sommelier, Elizabeth Schweitzer, on Saturday, November 19 at 3:00pm. This class is designed to showcase our gratitude for wine, food, and cheese. We will taste & learn about some special wines that will pair beautifully with your holiday meal. There will be enthusiastic discussions about food and wine pairings, recipes with cheese to serve before, with or after dinner and, of course, wines to taste throughout. Elizabeth guarantees that you will learn something new! Beginners and wine experts are welcome. The class includes wines, french bread, snacks, recipe cards, hand-outs, instruction, fun and friendship. $45.00 You must make reservations at Elizabeth’s website. Sign-up here: www.winewisdomandwit.com

The West Wall welcomes back the art of Kristen Gilmartin. Kristen’s new works are small paintings using oil, acrylic, and wax on canvas. They explore the theme of floral abstraction and movement as they occur in nature. They are colorful, unpredictable, and fun (much like Kristen). We’ve added a few more (larger) paintings to the exhibit.

Just when you thought Paso couldn’t fit in another wine festival, along comes the Garagistes (gar-uh-zhe-stuh) on November 12. One of the lines in the announcement reads, “Welcome to Paso Garagiste, a place for the underground, the different, and the cutting edge of small production winemaking with no rules.” If you are curious, go to http://californiagaragistes.com/ and check it out. I’d be there myself, but in case you don’t go, somebody has to stick around and pour wine for you here!

Tax Free Wednesdays. On Wednesdays retail purchases will be discounted to eliminate the tax. As previously noted, this discount will not compound with others already available.

Upcoming Events:

At Noir Food and Wine “The Legend Lives” four course Burgundy dinner is Sold out . .

Janet and Tom

Beginning on November 4 …

tdugan — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:23:25 +0000

Our Mixed Red Wines Flight will include:
- Block Nine 2010 Pinot Noir California
- Racehorse Red 2007 Chiles Valley Napa
- Ahnfeldt 2006 Red Wine Napa Valley
- Bodegas Paso Robles 2005 Viva Yo! Paso Robles
- Maloy-O’Neill 2007 Enzo Paso Robles

Our Mixed White Wines Flight will include:
- Terlato 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley
- Kenneth Volk 2008 Pinot Grigio Sierra Madre vineyard Sta Maria Valley
- Handley 2009 Chardonnay Anderson Valley
- Handley 2010 Gewurztraminer Anderson Valley
- Ludwig 2010 Riesling Sweetwater Vineyard Monterey

The best selling red wine last week was the Dancing Coyote 2009 Petite Sirah Clarksburg. The best selling white wine was the Dancing Coyote 2009 Verdelho Clarksburg.

The West Wall welcomes back the art of Kristen Gilmartin. Kristen’s new works are small paintings using oil, acrylic, and wax on canvas. They explore the theme of floral abstraction and movement as they occur in nature. They are colorful, unpredictable, and fun (much like Kristen). On Friday, we’ll add a few more (larger) paintings to the exhibit. There will be an Artist’s Reception on November 5, 4:30 to 8:30pm.

Short Notice Just when you thought Paso couldn’t fit in another wine festival, along comes the Garagistes (gar-uh-zhe-stuh) on November 12. One of the lines in the announcement reads, “Welcome to Paso Garagiste, a place for the underground, the different, and the cutting edge of small production winemaking with no rules.” If you are curious, go to http://californiagaragistes.com/ and check it out. I’d be there myself, but in case you don’t go, somebody has to stick around and pour wine for you here!

Tax Free Wednesdays. On Wednesdays retail purchases will be discounted to eliminate the tax. As previously noted, this discount will not compound with others already available.

Cheese Corner

Moliterno is a cheese we have often carried. It is a sheep’s milk cheese from Sardinia, Italy. The cheese is aged for about about a year during which it develops a very nutty flavor. At that point, the cheese is injected with truffles, creating large veins throughout the wheel. The truffle adds a very earthy flavor to the cheese well beyond the injection points. It’s a great cheese for full bodied red wines.

Upcoming Events:

Noir Food and Wine will offer a four course Burgundy “The Legend Lives” dinner on November 20. Highly sought after wines from the Côte d”Or and Chablis will be paired with each course. These wines are expensive and difficult to obtain, hence the dinner, at $265, reflects the higher cost of the wines. Go to www.noirfoodandwine.com for more details .

Janet and Tom

Beginning Oct 28…

tdugan — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 20:07:46 +0000

Wine Classes are back and we’re starting with a Halloween theme. See details below.

Beginning on Friday, October 28,

Our Mixed Red Wines Flight will include:
- Casa Torres 2006 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara Co
- Demuth 2004 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
- Boyd 2007 Big Ranch Cuvee Napa Valley
- Sunset Cellars 2006 Petite Sirah Suisun Valley
- Dancing Coyote 2009 Petite Sirah Clarksberg

Our Mixed White Wines Flight will include:
- Grayson 2010 Chardonnay California
- Stephen Ross 2007 Chardonnay Oliver’s Vineyard Edna Valley
- Beckmen 2009 Le Bec Blanc
- Dancing Coyote 2010 Verdelho Clarksburg
- Lone Madrone 2008 Points West White Paso Robles

The best selling red wine last week was the DeRose 2007 Cabernet Franc Cienega Valley. The best selling white wine was the Trajarinho 2010 Vinho Verde Minho.

Wine Classes are back and Elizabeth is starting with a Wine 101 class with a Halloween theme, Witch Wine is Witch?”. This class will be this Saturday, October 29 from 3 to 5:00pm in The Cellar Room. In addition to learning all about wine, the class will be followed by a blind tasting. Will it be a Ghostly Grenache, a Creepy Chardonnay, a Scary Sangiovese, the Vampire Viognier or some other ghoulish potions?? Plan on a bewitching and magical afternoon. MAKE YOUR RESERVATION at www.winewisdomandwit.com Free gift for the first ten people to sign up! Masks and costumes are optional!!

The West Wall welcomes back the art of Kristen Gilmartin. Kristen’s new works are small paintings using oil, acrylic, and wax on canvas. They explore the theme of floral abstraction and movement as they occur in nature. They are colorful, unpredictable, and fun (much like Kristen). There will be an Artist’s Reception on November 5, 4:30 to 8:30pm.

Tax Free Wednesdays. On Wednesdays retail purchases will be discounted to eliminate the tax. As previously noted, this discount will not compound with others already available.

Cheese Corner

Every Thursday, we receive the bulk of our cheese orders. I think it is safe to say that Belletoile is the single most popular cheese we offer. It seems like this two foot wheel of triple creme disappears faster than any other cheese in the case. It was developed in 1922 by Henri Hutin in the hills of Lorraine near Verdun, France. It’s a cheese which contains roughly 40% fat overall, which is similar to the fat content of extra-heavy liquid cream. This might explain why it seems to melt in your mouth!!

Upcoming Events:

Beginning on October 21…

tdugan — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:20:11 +0000

Wine Classes are back and we’re starting with a Halloween theme. See details below.

Our Mixed Red Wines Flight will include:
- Treasure Hunter 2009 Pinot Noir Sonoma Valley
- Hullabaloo 2009 Zinfandel Lodi
- Clos de Cal 2009 Zinfandel California
- De Rose 2007 Cabernet Franc Cienega Valley
- De Rose 2007 Continental Cabernet Sauvignon Cienega Valley

Our Faraway White Wines Flight will include:
- Loriella 2010 Pinot Grigio della Venezie
- Traharinho 2010 Vinho Verde Minho
- Roccafiore 2010 Bianco Fiordaliso Umbria
- Roccafiore 2009 Fiorfiore Grechetto Umbria
- Les Gras Moutons 2009 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Loire Valley

The best selling red wine last week was the Bourriquot 2008 Red Wine Napa Valley. The best selling white wine was the Stephen Test 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley.

Wine Classes are back and Elizabeth is starting with a Wine 101 class with a Halloween theme, Witch Wine is Witch?” This class will be on Saturday, October 29 from 3 to 5:00pm in The Cellar Room. In addition to learning all about wine, the class will be followed by a blind tasting. Will it be a Ghostly Grenache, a Creepy Chardonnay, a Scary Sangiovese, the Vampire Viognier or some other ghoulish potions?? Plan on a bewitching and magical afternoon. MAKE YOUR RESERVATION at www.winewisdomandwit.com Free gift for the first ten people to sign up! Masks and costumes are optional!!

So Dave stopped in Wednesday evening and shared the following insight from a recent business encounter. “Never argue with a fool. Someone watching may not be able to tell the difference!”

The West Wall welcomes back the art of Kristen Gilmartin. Kristen’s new works are small paintings using oil, acrylic, and wax on canvas. They explore the theme of floral abstraction and movement as they occur in nature. They are colorful, unpredictable, and fun (much like Kristen). There will be an Artist’s Reception on November 5, 4:30 to 8:30pm.

Tax Free Wednesdays. On Wednesdays retail purchases will be discounted to eliminate the tax. As previously noted, this discount will not compound with others already available.

Upcoming Events:

On October 29, Winemaker Joshua Klapper of LaFenetre Winery, will be presenting five of his wines at a dinner at Bistro 45 in Pasadena. These wines will be individually paired with each course. This diner will cost $80 and reservations can be made at 626-795-2478

Janet and Tom

Beginning on October 14…

tdugan — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:34:09 +0000

We are CLOSED this SUNDAY. We recommend you spend the late afternoon at the “Taste of Old Town.” Myrtle Ave will be the site of wine and food tasting opportunities from 5 to 8:00pm. Tickets are available at the Santa Anita Family YMCA on Mountain, at the City of Monrovia Community Center on Palm and at the Chamber of Commerce office. $50 pre-purchase or $60 “at the door.”

Our Bordeaux Varietals Flight will include:
- Bourriquot 2008 Red Wines Napa Valley
- Carr 2008 Cabernet Franc Santa Ynez Valley
- Obsidian Ridge 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Hills Lake Co
- Esoterica 2007 Cabernet Franc Mt Veeder Napa
- Opaque 2007 Petit Verdot Paso Robles

Our Sauvignon Blanc Flight will include:
- Line 39 2010 Lake County
- Schug 2010 Sonoma Coast
- Stephen Test 2010 Russian River Valley
- Easton 2010 Monarch Mine Vyd Sierra Foothills
- Salvestrin 2010 LeBlanc Crystal Springs Vyd St Helena

The Clesi 2008 Convivio is back! This very popular Super Tuscan style wine from Chris Ferrara disappeared Tuesday evening when Dave discovered it and grabbed the last few bottles! We just received a case, so grab it while you can.

Many thanks to Chris Ferrara for spending last Friday evening in the shop and leading us on a tasting of five of his Italian style wines. We filled The Cellar Room (as well as the front of the shop) with quite a few Clesi converts. The wines were well received and generated additional orders for the Dolcetto and Convivio.

The best selling red wine last week was the Clesi 2008 Convivio Paso Robles. The best selling white wine was the Clesi 2010 Malvasia Bianca San Bernabe Vyd San Benito.

Wine Classes will be back on the agenda in the next week or two. Elizabeth Schweitzer wrapped up her summer as the Wine Director at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island and will once again be calling Monrovia home! I am sure we will start with a Wine 101 class within the next week or two. A separate announcement will be posted soon.

The West Wall will feature a temporary show of oil paintings by Kristen Gilmartin. This is sort of a “place holder” until we install all new art from Kristin in about 10 days.

Tax Free Wednesdays. On Wednesdays retail purchases will be discounted to eliminate the tax. As previously noted, this discount will not compound with others already available.

The Cheese Corner

So the Cheese Meister is out of town on vacation and left no instructions!! I was offered a deal on some aged velveeta, but a two year old sell by date didn’t sound right! I noticed that Jeff stocked up on Delice D’Argental, Humboldt Fog, Belletoile and Roaring Fourties, to name a few, so I’m sure we’ll have something you like!

Upcoming Events:

On October 29, Winemaker Joshua Klapper of LaFenetre Winery, will be presenting five of his wines at a dinner at Bistro 45 in Pasadena. These wines will be individually paired with each course. This dinner will cost $80 and reservations can be made at 626-795-2478

Janet and Tom

Beginning on October 7…

tdugan — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:32:27 +0000

Winemaker Chris Ferrara will join us in The Cellar Room this Friday evening beginning between 5:30 and 8:30pm. While his Italian style wines will be offered in both the front an back of the shop, those joining us in the back will also have an opportunity to sample a not yet released Sangiovese from the Luna Matta Vineyard in Paso.

We’ll offer the following two groups of wine to taste as a Flight or individually:

Our Clesi Flight will include:
- 2009 Dolcetto Juan Nevarez Vineyard Paso Robles
- 2009 Barbera Siletto Ranch San Benito Co
- 2009 Convivio Paso Robles
- 2009 Sangiovese Paso Robles
- 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

Our Mixed White Flight will include:
- Cannonball 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
- Mary’s Cuvee 2009 Pinot Blanc Sierra Madre Vyd Santa Maria Valley
- Tangent 2010 Viognier Edna Valley
- Trenza 2009 Blanco Edna Valley
- Clesi 2010 Malvasia Bianca San Bernabe Vyd

The best selling red wine last week was the Beckmen 2008 Syrah Purisima Vyd Santa Ynez Valley. The best selling white wine was the Dancing Coyote 2010 Verdelho Clarksburg.

The West Wall will feature a temporary show of oil paintings by Kristen Gilmartin. This is sort of a “place holder” until we install all new art from Kristin in about 10 days.

Tax Free Wednesdays. On Wednesdays retail purchases will be discounted to eliminate the tax. As previously noted, this discount will not compound with others already available.

The Cheese Corner

Trois Laits is made from a blend of cow, sheep and goat’s milk. This cheese has a washed rind that has been lightly brushed with saltwater. It has a biscuity and floral flavor, is semi-soft in texture, and meaty in aroma. It is produced by Pascale in the Midi-Pyrénnés area of France (the region around Toulouse).

Upcoming Events:

In case you missed it at the top of the Newsletter, we’re hosting a visit by winemaker Chris Ferrara on October 7th from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Chris will be in The Cellar Room pouring five Clesi Wines. With one exception, these will all be Italian varietals. While the wines will be available in both the front and back of the shop, those who join us in The Cellar Room will also be have an opportunity to sample a pre-release Sangiovese from the Luna Matta Vineyard in Paso Robles.

On Sunday, October 9, Noir Food and Wine will feature a “Big Red Wine Dinner.” The wine list isn’t out yet, but two of those reds will be a Ladera Cabernet and a Williams-Selyem Pinot Noir. Six others will be poured. Arrive at 6:30 and dine at 7:00pm. Pre-pay via the Noir web site $89., which includes your gratuity (tax is separate). www.noirfoodandwine.com

October 16, 2011
5-8 pm on Myrtle Avenue
between Lime and Olive Avenues

The Kiwanis Club will be sponsoring the
“Taste of Old Town.”
A gathering of restaurants and vintners on a Sunday
afternoon.

Tickets $50 pre-sale and $60 at the door.
ALL ATTENDEES MUST BE OVER 21

Tickets are available at the Santa Anita Family
YMCA on Mountain, at the City of Monrovia
Community Center on Palm and at the Chamber of
Commerce office.

Janet and Tom

Beginning on September 30 …

tdugan — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:03:35 +0000

As noted in our announcement two weeks ago, we have reverted to our original Tuesday through Thursday closing time of 8:00pm.

Be sure you have next Friday evening, Oct. 7, set aside on your calendar. Chris and Adrienne from Clesi Wines will be in the shop pouring five of their small production wines in The Cellar Room.

Beginning on Friday, September 30,

Our Mostly Syrah Flight will include:
- Inocencio 2008 Syrah Santa Barbara Co
- Novy 2007 Amber Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley
- Novy 2008 Santa Lucia Highlands
- Beckmen 2008 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Santa Ynez Valley
- Margerum 2008 M5 Rhone Blend Santa Barbara Co

Our Mixed White Flight will include:
- Dancing Coyote 2010 Chenin Blanc Clarksburg
- Dancing Coyote 2009 Pinot Grigio Clarksburg
- J Vineyards 2010 Pinot Gris California
- Dancing Coyote 2010 Verdelho Clarksburg
- Deodoro 2010 Euphoria Central Coast

The best selling red wine last week was the Ludwig 2009 Pinot Noir-Dornfelder Santa Lucia Highlands. The best selling white wine was a tie between the Dancing Coyote Albariño and the Dancing Coyote Gruner Veltliner. The popularity of the Dancing Coyotes is the reason we’re featuring three more this coming weekend.

This is the last weekend the West Wall will feature the photographs of Anna Antonowich. Stop by and check out these flowers which burst with color and overwhelm the wall.

Tax Free Wednesdays. On Wednesdays retail purchases will be discounted to eliminate the tax. As previously noted, this discount will not compound with others already available.

The Cheese Corner

Looks like Jeff wants you to step outside your comfort zone! The bulk of our European originating cheeses are from countries we all learned about in school (when geography was still taught!!). This morning, I was signing off on our cheese delivery when I discovered Paski Sir a sheep’s milk cheese from Pag, Croatia!! No reason to think they didn’t produce cheese there, but in our five years we’ve been open, this is a first. Pag happens to be a speck of an island in the Adriatic. The cheese is similar to Parmigiano-Reggiano with a scent described as sheepy with a hint of butterscotch, and nutty flavors, a hint of whiskey and finishing with a touch of sweetness.

Lets double (maybe) your Croatian knowledge base!. Marco Polo is generally believed to have been born in Venice, but did you know that Korkula, Croatia was a possession of the Venetian Republic? There is an argument for him being born there where his father lived and worked for many years.

Upcoming Events:

Join us in The Cellar Room on October 7th and visit with Adrienne and Chris Ferrara when we present five of their Clesi Wines. These are all Italian varietals, one or two of which may have been featured previously in the shop. While the wines will be available in both the front and back of the shop, those who join us in The Cellar Room will also be have an opportunity a pre-release wine or a barrel sample.

Janet and Tom

Beginning on September 22 …

tdugan — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:18:42 +0000

We have reverted to our original Tuesday through Thursday closing time of 8:00PM. Still open until 9:00pm on Friday and Saturday

Our Mixed Red Flight will include:
- Bokisch 2008 Monastrell Belle Colline Vyd Clement Hills
- Lone Madrone 2007 Points West Red Paso Robles
- Ludwig 2009 Pinot Noir-Dornfelder McIntyre Vyd Santa Lucia Highlands
- Cass 2009 Mourvedre Paso Robles
- Cambiata 2007 Tannat Monterey

Our Mixed White Flight will include:
- Cambiata 2009 Albarino Monterey Co
- Dancing Coyote 2009 Albarino Clarksburg
- Dancing Coyote 2010 Gruner Veltliner Clarksburg
- Manifesto 2009 Sauvignon Blanc North Coast
- Player to be named

The best selling red wine last week was the Bradford Mountain 2007 Zinfandel Dry Creek . The best selling white wine was the Marimar Torres 2007 Acero Chardonnay Don Miguel Vyd Russian River Valley.

The West Wall features photographs of individual flowers which burst with color. The Roses will draw you into their many shades of pink, yellow and white, but will hide their heart with inner petals. The Plumeria, on the other hand, are wide open pinwheels of color. And then there is the lone Violet, covered in morning dew. These photos, printed on canvas, demand your attention. West wall, what wall? Anna Antonowich will be in the shop for an Artist Reception on September 24 from 5:30 to 8:30pm.

Tax Free Wednesdays. On Wednesdays retail purchases will be discounted to eliminate the tax. As previously noted, this discount will not compound with others already available.

The Cheese Corner

No new cheeses this week. Our cheese cases are full right now with really good selections, so I think you’ll be okay.

Upcoming Events:

On September 26, Bistro 45 will offer a spirits and wine paired dinner. Cocktails from Paqui Reposado and wines from Ken Forrester of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Something beyond the usual wine pairing!! Dinner is $65 pp. Book at bistro45pasadena@yahoo.com

Join us in The Cellar Room on October 7th and visit with Adrienne and Chris Ferrara when we present five of their Clesi Wines. These are all Italian varietals, one or two of which may have been featured previously in the shop. We’ll add a few new releases, as well as a pre-release or barrel sample. Additional details to follow.

On Sunday, October 9, Noir Food and Wine will feature a “Big Red Wine Dinner.” The wine list isn’t out yet, but two of those reds will be a Ladera Cabernet and a Williams-Selyem Pinot Noir. Arrive at 6:30 and dine at 7:00pm. Pre-pay via the Noir web site $89., which includes your gratuity (tax is separate). www.noirfoodandwine.com

Janet and Tom