Wine Events: Week of Nov. 7

Every now and then, an oddball bottle gets thrown into a tasting lineup and steals the show.  This past Thursday, I strolled over to Arlequin for the LIOCO tasting, looking forward to tasting their well-respected Chard and Pinot, but was happily surprised by their Pinot Blanc sourced from the Chalone AVA.  A real, mineral-driven head turner.  Put it on your “to do” list.

Get your liver ready:  here’s this week’s event list!

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Wed. Nov. 9:  Oliver McCrum Tasting @18 Reasons (Mission)

18 Reasons
3674 18th Street
San Francisco, CA

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – $40 for members / $50 for non-members (tix here)

Importer Oliver McCrum is getting you ready for the change of seasons by walking you through wines that pair well with Fall / Winter cuisine.  Plus, you can figure out how to properly pronounce some of these Italian varietals, such as Lagrein and Aglianico.

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Wed., Nov 9: Sicily’s Vinicola Benati @ Biondivino (Russian Hill)

Biondivino
1415 Green Street
San Francisco, CA

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – $10 for a pre-selected taste of 6 wines / $25 for the whole shebang.

It’s true:  I am a big fan of anything Biondivino.  But how can you blame me when they keep bringing in interesting producers and give you the chance to try some older vintages?  26 wines being poured, including some from the mid/late 1990s.  More details here.

NOTE:  Benati is also doing a wine dinner on Tuesday, November 8 at Farina in the Mission!

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Thurs., Nov. 10:  Paolo Bea Tasting at Arlequin (Hayes Valley)

Arlequin Wine Merchants
384 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA

6:00pm – 8:00pm – $20

BEA!  I get giddy just saying it.  So I’ll say it again.  BEA!!!  I have a soft spot in my heart for these wines, as they helped introduce me to wines from Umbria.  For more info on Bea, check out this write up from Master Somm Jesse Becker of PWM Wine.

UPDATE – Here’s the lineup

2009 Coenobium Lazio Bianco
2009 'Rusticum' Coenobium Lazio Bianco
2007 'San Valentino' Umbria Rosso
2005 'Signa San Valentino' Montefalco Rosso
2005 'Pipparello' Montefalco Rosso Riserva
2005 'Rosso de Veo' Umbria Rosso

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Thurs., Nov. 10 – Sun., Nov. 13:  Bi-Rite’s Wine Blitz (Mission)

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

I’ll be stocking up on wine at Bi-Rite this week, and hope you’ll do the same.  Remember:  20% off if you buy a case or more, and free delivery in SF.  If you’re looking for a lighter bodied red wine to throw in the mix, pick up a bottle of Olivier Lemasson’s Vins Contés Poivre et Sel (a blend of Gamay and Pineau d’Aunis from the Loire).  It was a stand out wine from last week’s preview tasting.

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Mon., Nov. 14:  The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine at Omnivore Books (Mission)

Omnivore Books
3885 Cesar Chavez
San Francisco, CA

6:00pm – 7:00pm – FREE

Join authors Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg as they discuss their latest book, The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine.  Per the publisher:

“At the heart of this indispensable reference, formatted like the authors’ two previous bestsellers The Flavor Bible and What to Drink with What You Eat, is an encyclopedic A-to-Z guide profiling hundreds of different wines by their essential characteristics-from body and intensity to distinguishing flavors, from suggested serving temperatures and ideal food pairings to recommended producers (including many iconic examples). The book provides illuminating insights from dozens of America’s best sommeliers via informative sidebars, charts and boxes, which complement the book’s gorgeous four-color photography. Another groundbreaking work from two of the ultimate culinary insiders, this instant classic is the perfect gift book.”

Wine Events: Week of June 20

So much to discuss, and so little time! I’m sorry for not providing a full recap of a wine soaked trip to New York, but promise to do so soon. Let me just throw one wine pairing suggestion out there for you (a highlight from my east coast swing): aged Riesling & Pork Belly. BOOM! It’s like a party going on in your mouth and the whole world is invited: Acid, fat, flavor, sweet. I got my fix last week at momofuku ssäm bar, stumbling distance from my old apartment on 10th Street between 1st and A.

Hate to cut this short, but I’m running out the door to catch some burgers & Balkan wines from Blue Danube Wine. The event is taking place at Bistro SF Grill on California & Divisidero tonight. $10 / 5 wines. Say hi to my friend Eric while there, and pester him for stories about Teatro ZinZanni.

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Wed., June 22: Summer of Riesling @ Heart Wine (Mission)

Heart Wine Bar
1270 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA

The Summer of Riesling is upon us! A few years back, Paul Grieco from New York’s Terroir Wine Bar dedicated himself to spreading the gospel of Riesling — a high acid wine that had become much maligned in consumer circles for being “too sweet.” Now Summer of Riesling has become an annual event, highlighting the diversity and complexity of the varietal. Join the crew at Heart Wine as they open up Riesling from Germany, Austria, Alsace, Australia, New Zealand, New York, Tasmania, and some other places, too.

ALSO – Litquake is putting on an event that same night from 6-8pm, featuring works by authors Seth Harwood and Anne Marino.

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Thurs., June 23: Ridge Vineyards Tasting at Arlequin (Hayes Valley)

Arlequin Wine Merchants
384 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA

6:00pm – 8:00pm – $15

Paul Draper of Ridge Vineyards is one of the most revered winemakers in California. For over forty years, Ridge has produced high quality Cabernet and Chardonnay from their Monte Bello properties in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and Zinfandel from multiple locations in California. Save yourself some gas money and head over to Arlequin this Thursday for a Ridge tasting.

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Thurs., June 23: Paolo Bea Flight @ Solano Cellars (East Bay)

Solano Cellars
1580 Solano Avenue
Albany, CA

“Bea! BEA!” [To be read out loud, in your best Marlon Brando impersonation (Streetcar, not Godfather)]

Now THIS is a tasting you absolutely should not miss! “Love” is not a strong enough word for my feeling towards the Paolo Bea wines. These are unbelievably expressive, unique, and structured wines that will leave you wanting more. But don’t just take this lowly blogger’s word for it. Here’s what The Wine Advocate has to say about this producer:

“Giampiero Bea is one of Umbria’s leading producers. The wines are made in a totally natural, non-interventionalist style, with no temperature control in fermentation, only natural yeasts and no added sulfites. At their best, these are wonderfully pure, expressive wines loaded with character. Because Bea lets nature runs its course, the wines are highly vintage sensitive. In great years the wines are typically fabulous (…) there is no mistaking that when Bea has ideal conditions to work with his wines are stellar.”

Solano Cellars is pouring a broad selection of Bea wines, and as an added bonus, SC is having a sale on 2005 Bea wines if you buy multiple bottles – details here.

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Fri., June 24: Spanish Wine Night @ Solano Cellars (East Bay)

Solano Cellars
1580 Solano Avenue
Albany, CA

Details TBD

Oh, those cheeky folks at Solano Cellars. They sent out the following tweet yesterday: “FRIDAY: We’re launching a flight of aged Rioja that will be accompanied by jamon and manchego. 1st 10 ppl get 1972 vina valoria added, free!” What a tease! I’ll provide more details when available.

UPDATE – the event runs from 5pm-9pm (drop-in tasting) and is $20 per person.

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Sat., June 25: French Burgundy Tasting @ K&L Wine. (SoMa)

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

12:00pm – 3:00pm – $20

K&L”s Burgundy buyer, Keith Wollenberg, will hand pick a selection of red and white Burgundy to taste, including new releases and cellar selections.

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Sat., June 25: Pink Party @ Solano Cellars (East Bay)

Solano Cellars
1580 Solano Avenue
Albany, CA

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – $20 (tix here)

A full selection of rosés from around the world, selected by the good folks at Solano Cellars. Now that sounds like a worthy way to spend a summer weekend. And here’s an added bonus: people wearing pink will get a $5 credit towards the rosé of their choice (one side note: the event organizers have stated that this is limited to people “wearing pink outer garments,” so save the pink boxers for another occasion).