Wine Events: Week of Mar. 19

I’m sure I’ve said this time and again, but I feel lucky to live in a city that has such a tremendous group of wine professionals.  Every time I’m at a tasting, I find myself impressed by the sharp and engaging sommeliers, retail staff, winemakers, and importers — all of whom are more than willing to pour something special for you.

This bonhommie was evident at Monday’s In Pursuit of Balance event.  While I enjoyed tasting through the stellar line-up of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from some exciting California wineries, I was simply floored by the camaraderie displayed by the winemakers and professionals in the room for the trade tasting.  In one corner, you have Josh Jensen (Calera) pouring a 1998 Reed Vineyard Pinot and chatting with David Hirsch.  In the other, you have Ross Cobb (Cobb and Hirsch Vineyards) and Pax Mahle (Wind Gap) exchanging notes.  And the mix of new up-and-comers and legends was astounding.  When you find yourself tasting Pinot and Chard from Tyler Winery (founded in 2005) , and then chase that down with wines from Littorai, you’re in a pretty happy spot.

A few things that stood out for me:  Arnot-Roberts (I may be biased b/c I worked harvest there, but the 2011 Trout Gulch Chardonnay from the Santa Cruz Mountains is crazy energetic, and the 2011 Peter Martin Ray Vineyard Pinot Noir was also showing well (pre-release)); Ceritas Wines (if there was one lineup that was across the board stellar, it was Ceritas.  Well done, John Raytek!); Chanin Wine Company; Kutch Wines; Mount Eden; Sandhi; Tyler; Wind Gap.

While it was a great event, I am definitely ready to switch gears, and there’s plenty of opportunity this week.  In addition to the events below, don’t forget that it’s Rhone Rangers weekend in San Francisco!  Full details on the event here.  And congrats to our ticket contest winner, Colleen!!!

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Wed., Mar. 21:  German Wines @ Arlequin (Hayes Valley)

Arlequin Wine Merchants
384 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA

6:00pm – 8:00pm – $20

Dinner on Monday night involved a lot of spicy food, and some killer German Riesling.  Because acid does a body good, and because I need an excuse to learn more about German wines, I’m thinking of heading over to Arlequin to check out Tom Elliot’s import portfolio.  Each of these producers will be there, and will be bringing two wines each (including a few reds):

Frank Heyden of Dr. Heyden
Ulrike Muller of G.A. Schneider
Achim Eberle of  Fitz Ritter
Paul Anheuser
Stefan Bollig of Bollig Lehnert
Tilbert Nagler of Dr. Nagler
JJ Karp of Karp Schreiber
Karin Fischer of Dr. Fischer
Barbara Rundquist of Dr. Thanisch

On a total aside, you really need to check out this video of the Mosel from the Guild of Sommeliers.  You’ll see why I fell in love with this region when I visited last summer.

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Wed., Mar. 21:  Dom. Rouge Bleu @ The Punchown (Oakland)

The Punchdown
2212 Broadway
Oakland, CA

5:30pm – 8:30pm – $15

Blog-savvy winemaker Jean-Marc Espinasse will be pouring three wines from his vineyards from his organic vineyards in the Côtes du Rhône.  You’ve only got to look at the pics of the vineyard to get me on board to try out these wines.

 Three two-ounce pours of the following for $15:

-2010 Domaine Rouge-Bleu “Dentelle Rosé” (Grenache/Carignan)
-2010 Domaine Rouge-Bleu “Dentelle Rouge” (Carignan/Grenache)
-2009 Domaine Rouge-Bleu “Le Mistral” (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre/Roussanne)

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Sat., Mar. 24:  Loire/Alsace Wine Tasting @ K&L Wines (SoMa)

K&L Wine Merchants
638 4th Street
San Francisco, CA

noon – 3:00pm – $15

K&L’s Eric Story has selected some Loire wines, and a splash of Alsatian wines, to kick-start your spring weekend.  I’m particularly psyched about the ’85 Huet Moelleux (see full lineup below).

Francois Chidaine Touraine Pétillant Rosè $18.99
2009 Bechtold “Obere Hund” Pinot Noir $25.99
1976 Couly Dutheil “Baronnie Madeleine” Chinon $54.99
2007 Jean-Maurice Raffault “Clos des Capucins” Chinon $26.99
2009 Pithon-Paille “Les Graviers” Bourgueil $26.99
2009 Martin Schaetzel Pinot Blanc Reserve $14.99
2009 Domaine Stoeffler Muhlforst Riesling $27.99
2010 Jean Pabiot Pouilly Fumé $19.99
2007 Alphonse Mellot “Les Pénitents” Chardonnay Côteaux Charitois $28.99
2008 Marc Tempé Zellenberg Gewurztraminer $32.99
1995 Domaine du Viking “Aurélie” Vouvray $49.99
1985 Huet “Le Clos du Bourg” Vouvray Moelleux $84.99

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Sat., Mar. 24:  Corsican Wine Tasting at SF Wine Trading Co. (Bernal)

San Francisco Wine Trading Co.
250 Taraval
San Francisco, CA

2:00pm – 5:30pm – $10

I’ve only had a handful of Corsican wines, mainly from Domaine Abbatuccci, but it’s enough to make me want to explore the island a bit more.  Taste through some Corsican wines from the Kermit Lynch portfolio at SF Wine Trading Co. this Saturday.

For a general overview on Corsican wines, please see this write up from Kermit Lynch Imports.  https://kermitlynch.com/media/RVF%20Corsica%20Article%20Translation.pdf

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Sun., Mar. 25:  Champagne Jacquesson Tasting @ Terroir (SoMa)

Terroir SF
1116 Folsom
San Francisco, CA

7:00pm – 9:00pm

Co-owner and former chef de cave John-Herve Chicquet of Jacquesson will be on hand to pour his Cuvée 735.  Details a bit hazy, but hey — it’s Champagne.  What’s there not to love?  Here’s an entertaining video interview of John-Herve Chicquet.  

As for the picture here — I took it while passing through Dizy last July.  Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to stop by the winery.

Wine Events: Week of Mar. 12

IPOB Public Tasting at RN74 (2011)

While everyone else is guzzling green beer on Saturday, I’ll be prepping my liver for the second installment of In Pursuit of Balance.  Last year’s inaugural event brought together a mind-blowing assortment of talented Pinot producers (Ted Lemon, Ross Cobb, Gavin Chanin, John Raytek, and Pax Mahle to name a few), and  this year brings more of the same PLUS some well-regarded Chardonnay producers.  That’s right, I said California Chardonnay. There will be plenty of wines that will defy the buttery, pour-me-over-the-popcorn style that has dominated supermarket shelves. And you folks in the “Anything But Chardonnay” crowd might just find something you’ll enjoy drinking.

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Thurs., Mar. 15:  IPOB Preview @ Arlequin (Hayes Valley)

Arlequin Wine Merchants
384 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA

6:00pm – 8:00pm – $20

Can’t wait to taste some lean, nervy California Pinot and Chardonnay?  Get a jump on the festivities by attending this preview tasting at Arlequin.  Here are the wines they’ll be pouring:

2009 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
2009 Hirsch Vineyards Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
2009 Hirsch Vineyards ‘San Andreas’ Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
2008 Cobb ‘Coastlands’ Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
2008 Cobb ‘Rice-Spivak’ Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
2010 Calera ‘Mt Harlan’ Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
2009 Calera ‘Ryan Vineyard Mt Harlan’ Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
2008 Ojai ‘Bien Nacido’ Santa Barbara Chardonnay
2008 Ojai ‘Bien Nacido’ Santa Barbara Pinot Noir

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Sat., Mar. 17:  Bordeaux Tasting @ K&L Wines (SoMa)

K&L Wine Merchants
638 4th Street
San Francisco, CA

noon – 1:30pm – $50 (tickets here)

I admit it:  I know next to nothing about Bordeaux.  But the staff at K&L surely does.  Join them as they open up the following wines:

2009 Ch. Le Gay
2009 Ch. Pichon Lalande
2008 Hosanna
2008 Ch. Leoville Las Cases
2008 Ch. Pichon Baron
2008 Ch. Pape Clement
2006 Ch. Haut Brion
2008 Ch. Montrose
2007 Ch. D’Yquem Sauternes

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Mon., Mar. 19:  In Pursuit of Balance (Financial District)

Julia Morgan Ballroom
465 California St.
San Francisco, CA

6-9pm – $75

See above.

NOTE:  The March 20 IPOB dinner at Heirloom Cafe featuring Ceritas and Chanin Wine Co. is now sold out.

Participating wineries:
Alta Maria / Anthill Farms Winery / Arnot-Roberts / Au Bon Climat Winery/ Calera Wine Company / Ceritas / Chanin Wine Company / Cobb Wines / Copain Wine Cellars / Evening Land Vineyards / Failla / Flowers Winery / Freeman / Freestone / Hirsch Vineyards / Kutch Wines / LIOCO / Littorai Wines / Miura / Mount Eden Vineyards / Native9 Wines / Peay Vineyards / Red Car / Sandhi Wines / Soliste Cellars / The Ojai Vineyard / Twomey Cellars / Tyler Winery / Wind Gap Wines

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Mon., Mar. 19:  Finding Values in Wine  @ 18 Reasons (Mission)

18 Reasons
3674 18th Street
San Francisco, CA

7-9pm — $60 per person

18 Reasons is hosting a series of classes aimed at providing attendees with “tips and tools to find and identify high quality, reasonably priced wines in wine shops and at restaurants.”  This class will focus on wines for long-term aging.

Wine Events: Week of Dec. 5

All roads lead to bubbles this week.  Lots and lots of bubbles.

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Thurs., Dec. 8:  Champagne Tasting @ Arlequin (Hayes Valley)

Arlequin Wine Merchants
384 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA

6:00pm – 8:00pm – $50

Start figuring out what you’ll open up to ring in the new year, and taste Champagne from over 40 producers.  I know you may have some ticket sticker shock, but given the quality of the Champagne on the Arlequin shelves (in particular the outstanding grower producers they carry), $50 is reasonable.  Need more convincing?  Check out the line-up.

Vilmart, Larmandier-Bernier, Paul Bara, Pierre Moncuit, Cedric Bouchard, J. Lasalle,Vouette & Sorbee, Pol Roger, Jacques Lassaigne, Agrapart et Fils, Jose Dhondt, Pierre Peters, Jacquesson, Serge Mathieu, Marie Courtin, Benoit Lahaye and more!

For more information on grower Champagne, see this recent article from the SF Chronicle.  

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Thurs., Dec. 8:  Nombe Wine Dinner w/ Rajat Parr (Mission)

Nombe Restaurant
2491 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA

$75 per person – 4 courses w/ wine & sake pairing

The pop-up craze has hit the sommelier world.  Rajat Parr, wine director at the Michael Mina group restaurants, will be doing pairings at Japanese Izakaya hot-spot, Nombe.  The menu includes:  Nombe Kamo Nassu (Duck & Eggplant), Grilled Lamb Chop with Shiso Pesto, Salmon Ceviche, and Sake Choppino.  Call the restaurant for reservations:  415-681-7150.

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Thurs. Dec. 8 – Sun. Dec. 11:  Bi-Rite Wine Blitz (Mission)

Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th Street
San Francisco, CA

Another chance to stock up on wine.  How can you say no when there’s 20% off a mixed case and free delivery in SF?  Here’s a pic of what I picked up during the Nov. wine blitz (DeMoor Aligote, Van Volxem Riesling, Coenobium Bianco, Bea Sta. Chiara, Vins Contes Poivre et Sel, Clos Rougeard), and I plan on picking up some Sanguineto Bianco , Thurnhof Lagrein, and the 2010 Dom. Huet Le Mont this time around.

Also, if you’re looking for a great holiday gift for your favorite foodie, pick up a copy of BiRite’s boo, titled Eat Good Food, while you’re wine blitzing. 

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Fri., Dec. 9:  Champagne Tasting at Vintage Berkeley (East Bay)

Vintage Berkeley
2949 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA

8:00pm – $20

More bubbles to kick off the weekend, this time brought to you by Vintage Berkeley.  A diverse lineup of 25 different types of bubbles, including Champagne, Cava, Prosecco….shoot, they even have some Hungarian sparkling in the mix.  Click here to see the full lineup.  PLUS, you’ll get 10% off of a purchase of 6 bottles, and 15% off of a full case.

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Sat., Dec. 4:  Champagne Tasting @ K&L Wines (SoMa)

K&L Wine Merchants
638 4th Street
San Francisco, CA

1:00pm – 4:00pm – $50 – tickets here

Yup.  You guessed it.  More Bublé.  I mean bubbles.  They’ll be pouring:

2000 Robert Fleury “Robert Fleury”
NV Ariston Cepages d’Antan
2000 Billecart-salmon Nicolas Francois NFB
2002 Bollinger Grand Anee
2002 Bruno Michel “Pauline” Blanc de Blanc
2004 Perrier Jouet “Belle Epoque”
1998 Krug
1998 Clicquot Grande Dame

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Sat., Dec. 4:  Skrewcap  Tasting @ Blanc et Rouge (Financial District)

Blanc et Rouge Wine Bar
2 Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA

1:00pm – 4:00pm – $25 in advance / $30 at the door

Hosted by Pamela Busch (formerly of CAV wine bar), this event will feature some of my favorite local importers, including Joli Vin, Terrell Selections, Blue Danube, and others.  Plus, local winery Birichino will be there.  Haven’t tried their wines, but these Bonny Doon alums made the Chronicle’s Top 100 Wines.

2010 Birichino Monterey Malvasia Bianca ($15, 13%): This new effort from Bonny Doon veterans John Locke and Alex Krause hit the ground running, with a batch of this aromatic Italian variety found near the Santa Lucia range. Savvy winemaking brings a dense texture to rich orange and pear fruit, just the thing to give depth to Malvasia’s heady floral and nutmeg aromas, which burst from the glass.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/01/CMN21M0TMN.DTL&ao=5#ixzz1fp9TKDY7

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Sat., Dec. 4:  Heart Wine Closing Party  (Mission)

Heart Wine Bar
1270 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA

The last night, sadly, to try wines from Heart’s eclectic list.  We’ll miss you, Jeff & Co.!

Wine Events: Week of Nov. 27

Hope everyone had a fun Thanksgiving and found a few new favorite wines along the way.  I know I did.  A Thanksgiving guest brought along a bottle of the 2009 Foradori “Fontanasanta” Nosiola (Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT).  This Italian white wine was fermented on its skins for 8 months and aged in clay anfora, adding a extra texture and tannins to go along with some zippy acidity.  This is not a shy wine, and it easily stood up  to a rich, butter-bathed turkey.  I *heart* guests with great palates!

It seems that every retailer in the city is hosting some wine tasting event this week, hoping to inspire you to buy a few bottles for your holiday parties.  The fun begins tomorrow!

PS – Broc Cellars and Edmunds St. John — two of my favorite Berkeley-based wineries — will be pouring at an event in the East Bay on Sunday from noon – 5pm at Gillman & 9th Street in Berkeley (Emmett Eiland’s Oriental Rug Company).  I’ll post the details as soon as I get them.  

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Wed. Nov. 29:  Bi-Rite Wine Blitz Tasting @18 Reasons (Mission)

18 Reasons
3674 18th Street
San Francisco, CA

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – $10 for members / $15 for non-members

Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror, but Christmas and New Years are only a few weeks ahead, so its time to restock the cellar.  Thankfully, Bi-Rite’s second Holiday Wine Blitz (20% off a mixed case) is taking place next week.  Preview some of the goods this Wednesday, and start setting aside a few bottles for your holiday festivities.

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Wed. Nov. 29:  La Clarine Farm Dinner @ Local Mission Eatery(Mission)

Local: Mission Eatery
3111 24th Street
San Francisco, CA

Four courses for $36 / add’l $18 for three-wine pairing

Hank Beckmeyer has built up quite a name for himself as the owner/winemaker of La Clarine Farms. Often cited as one of the best examples of quality wines coming from the Sierra Foothills, LCF has garnered geek status for its minimal intervention practice.  Menu here.

Check out this entertaining and informative write up about LCF.  

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Thurs., Nov. 30:  Sherry Tasting @ Arlequin (Hayes Valley)

Arlequin Wine Merchants
384 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA

6:00pm – 8:00pm – $20

I admit that I know next to nothing about Sherry.  But hey, it’s what all the hep cats in New York are drinking, so I’m down with checking out this tasting.  More importantly, when else are you going to have a full range of different Sherry in front of you to be able to tell the difference?  I’ll be the dork in the corner furiously scribbling notes.

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Fri., Dec. 3:  SFWTC Calvados Tasting / Charles Neal Book Signing (Bernal)

San Francisco Wine Trading Co.
250 Taraval
San Francisco, CA

Add Calvados (brandy distilled from apples) to the list of things I’ve been meaning to learn more about.  Thankfully, all-star importer Charles Neal recently penned a book, Calvados:  The Spirit of Normandy, which has some useful information to brush up on the subject.  He’ll be on hand to sign copies and there will be a Calvados seminar starting at 6:45pm.

For more on Calvados, check out this NYTimes article.  

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Sat., Dec. 4:  Kermit Lynch Tasting @ Solano Cellars (East Bay)

Solano Cellars
1580 Solano Ave.
Albany, CA

2:00pm – 5:00pm – $20 ($10 for extra VIP wines)

You’ve heard me rave about Kermit Lynch’s portfolio before.  We are truly lucky to have such a noted importer in our back yard.  This Saturday, Solano Cellars pays tribute to Kermit, hosting a tasting of the following 18 wines, and offering you 10% off of 6 bottles, 15% off a case.

White/Rose
2010 Meyer Fonne Pinot Blanc Vielles Vignes, Alsace $20
2009 Domaine de la Cadette Vezelay Blanc, Burgundy $22
2010 Regis Minet Pouilly-Fume, Loire Valley $23
2010 Domaine de Terrebrune Rose, Bandol, Provence $30

Sparkling
NV Meyer Fonne Cremant d’Alsace Brut $24
NV Veuve Fourny Blanc de Blancs Champagne $47
2002 Paul Bara Grand Cru Brut Champagne $68 

Red
2010 Guy Breton Morgon, Beaujolais $32
2010 Thivin Brouilly, Beaujolais $23
1999 Gombade-Guillot Pomerol, Bordeaux $62 
2009 Regis Bouvier Montre-Cul, Burgundy $26
2009 Follin-Arbelet Aloxe-Corton, Burgundy $57
2009 Baudry Grezaux Chinon, Loire Valley $28
2007 Domaine de Terrebrune Bandol Rouge, Provence $34
2009 Telegramme Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Southern Rhone $44
2009 Faury Saint Joseph Rouge, Northern Rhone $29 
2010 Domaine Durban Beaumes-de-Venise Rouge, Southner Rhone $19

Dessert
2009 Roumieu-Lacoste Sauternes 375ml, Bordeaux $24

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Sat., Dec. 4:  Holiday Wine Tasting @ K&L Wines (SoMa)

K&L Wine Merchants
638 4th Street
San Francisco, CA

noon – 3:00pm – $12

Try some of the wines from K&L’s holiday buying guide, then stock up in time for the holidays.  BTW – K&L carries some different ciders made by Eric Bordelet, which I served to top-off my Thanksgiving meal.  Delicious stuff!

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Sat. Dec. 4:  A Tribute to Grace Tasting @ Arlequin (Hayes Valley)

Arlequin Wine Merchants
384 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA

3:00pm – 6:00pm – $15

Need a post-holiday shopping drinking session to calm those nerves?  Join owner/winemaker Angela Osborne on Saturday afternoon at Arlequin to try her praise worthy Grenache — one of the SF Chronicle’s 10 most memorable wines of 2010.

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Sun. Dec. 5:  Heirloom Cafe Wine Dinner (Mission)

Heirloom Cafe
2500 Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA

5:30pm – call 415.821.2500 for ticket information ($125 pp, 6 courses)

Matt Strauss has really done a great job pulling together a fascinating wine list at Heirloom, including old vintages of some fine wines.  He’ll be digging deep, and opening some fun bottles this Sunday, including:  2004 Riesling Kabinett ‘Musbacher Eselshaut,’ Muller-Catoir; 2004 Cour-Cheverny ‘Cuvee Renaissance,’ Cazin; 2002 Chardonnay, Hanzell; 1996 Rioja Reserva ‘Vina Bosconia,’ Lopez de Heredia; 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon, Hafner; 1964 Gattinara, Antoniolo.

Full menu and wines here.