Our Guide To The 2012 Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, Taking Over Six Blocks Of Walnut Street This Saturday, May 19 With Fashion, Music And 40 Top Restaurants Serving Delicious Food

Posted by Allison Stadd

Filed in:Dining Events

The annual Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival attracts thousands of people from across the region, with a festival filled to the brim with delicious food, great drinks, live music, fashion, shopping and much more. (Credits: bottom right photo by J. Smith for GPTMC, all other photos by E. Mencher for GPTMC)

One of the entire year’s most anticipated festivals, the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, is back this Saturday, May 19, with brand new restaurants, celebrity meet-and-greets, a live Starr chef cook-off, fashion, dessert tent, music on two stages and more.

As all-around awesome as it is, the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival is just one of a solid 10+ major spring events happening this weekend, so you’ll want to refer to our guide to the fest, below, to make sure you’ll be able to fit it all in!

The Layout

The festival closes down Walnut Street from Broad to 19th, packing the sidewalks with food vendors, boutique booths, stages and more. There’s something to do every inch of the way.

And back by popular demand will be the 18th Street “outdoor cafe” featuring extra tables and chairs set up outside Rouge, Devon and Parc on 18th between Locust and Walnut Streets. So you can grab a bite and drink and take a load off while you people-watch and enjoy the great spring weather.

Check out a block-by-block rundown of which vendors will be situated where, at the bottom of this post.

The Food

A solid 40 restaurants in the Rittenhouse Square area will be setting up along Walnut dishing up samples for a song. The Starr restaurant enclave is on the 18th Street block of Walnut, with eight restos representing plus a new dessert tent.

Insider tip: get to the fest early; many (read: most) of the restaurant booths are so popular, they’ve been know to run out of their dishes by 3 p.m.

A few food highlights to look out for:

• Oyster House: $15 lobster rolls (normally $26 at the restaurant, and they will be the same portion size!)
• Square 1682: Braised Pressed Pork Confit in Steamed Bao Buns, with Vietnamese Caramel and Spicy Pickled Vegetables
• Shake Shack: unfortunately no Shackburgers yet, but you can cool down with fresh frozen custard
• Smith & Wollensky: wash down your filet platter with free Cintron
• Di Bruno Bros.: Cherry Pepper Poppers, Mini Muffaletta Sliders, three types of Grilled Cheese and Risotto Rice Pudding with First of the Season Strawberry Compote

Much more, below.

Starr Restaurants:

• Alma de Cuba: pulled pork sandwich, mojitos, sangria
• Barclay Prime: Kobe beef sliders, watermelon juleps
• Butcher and Singer: crab cake sandwich, peach bourbon iced tea, beer
• The Dandelion: roast beef slider, cranberry soda, lemonade soda
• El Rey: chicken or pork tacos, Mexican coke & apple soda, watermelon agua fresca
• Continental: cheesesteak egg rolls, three types of popsicles
• Parc: hot dogs, French hoagies, Orangina, beer, Kir Royale
• Il Pittore: Sicilian meatballs
• Starr Dessert Tent: Alma de Cuba guava bars and Mexican chocolate brownies; Butcher and Singer peanut butter cookies; The Dandelion Chocolate Bouchons; Parc macarons; Il Pittore Pine Nut Brittle and Sambuca Pine Nut Biscotti; and Wild Blueberry, Georgia Peach and Lemon Snow Cones.

The Drinks

Some of the booths, as detailed above, sell drinks, but there are also tasting areas for Peroni wines and Captain Morgan black spiced rum.

The Entertainment

Enjoy all-day live music from Norma Michaels Entertainment as you shop the spring fashion booths from Rittenhouse Row’s most chic boutiques. There will be great sales in honor of the festival, like Joan Shepp’s John Wind “Charm Bar,” 10% of sales of which will benefit Linda Creed Breast Cancer.

Plus, stop by the Infiniti Lounge to engage with a luxurious lineup of cars and with one of Philadelphia’s most popular chefs, Kevin Sbraga, former Top Chef contestant and Executive Chef/Owner of Sbraga, who will be available for a meet & greet.

And there will be culinary demonstrations by Starr Restaurant chefs, a cook-off judged by Foobooz editors and mini-workshops by mixologists on how to make Starr’s most delicious cocktails.

Finally, the Center City District children’s area will feature free family activities including face-painting and balloon giveaways.

It’s an absolutely knockout festival for one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, with throngs of festival-goers taking in the sights, sounds and smells of a great spring day in Rittenhouse Square. Be there.

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
When: Saturday, May 19, noon-5 p.m.
Where: Along Walnut Street between 19th and Broad Streets
Cost: Free
More info: www.rittenhouserow.org

A sampling of the many great wineries from across the state together with live music and fresh food. Purchase a wine sampling pass to enjoy nearly limitless samples in your souvenir wine glass from 1-6pm or usher in the evening with a tour of the rich history of PA brews from 6-9pm in the Yorktoberfest Beer Garden.

home tickets about sponsors wines vendors merch bands media directions contact

Erna Schein-Everything But The Kitchen Sink-Syrah-Petite Sirah-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-California-2006-$42.50-A nose of rich dark fruits and spice, dark black purple in color.  A full bodied kitchen sink red blend with blackberry, dark cherry, herbs and minerals on finish, very good but the 2003 was much better.                   RP-94              WS-92             CR-90              Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Peirano Estate Vineyards-Cabernet Sauvignon-The Heritage Collection-Lodi-California-2009-$12.00-A nose of some fruit and heat, dark garnet in color.  A medium bodied Cab with cherries, plum, and some spice on finish, nothing complex, average at best.                 NR                 CR-84                 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Hello, Friends of Pinot Days,

Steve and I help produce the Marin Greek Festival, and thus the Marin Greek Festival now has a Wine Tasting Night (no coincidence there). The event is on Friday, May 25th, and is aptly named, Food of the Gods, Fruit of the Vine. Pinot Days is offering a very limited number of tickets to our local list. When you look over the lineup of wineries below, you will want to come, so please act quickly! Steve and I hope to see you there. Greek circle dancing is optional, so I cannot vouch for Steve, but I’ll be dancing!

DETAILS

The Wineries: We have invited Small Vines, Keller Estate, Suacci Carciere, Mahoney Ranch, Roessler Cellars, Fotinos and Ravenswood to pour their incredible wines to you in an absolutely gorgeous setting.

THE FOOD: The food will be unparalleled – old world, legendary family recipes skillfully prepared by the Yia Yias (that means grandmothers) especially for this dinner. You just can’t find food like this, except maybe in a village in Greece where the wine….well, it’s not so good.

The Time: Friday, May 25th, 5:30-8:30pm.

Where: Under the Oak Trees on the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church grounds: 1110 Highland Avenue, Novato, CA.

The Price:The tasting ticket is $15; the food is a la carte, with a suggested pairing menu. You can also buy the featured wines by the glass if you wish. Buy tickets by clicking HERE.

We hope to see you there!

Our very best to you,
Steve & Lisa Rigisich
Producers
Pinot Days
(415) 382-8663
www.pinotdays.com

Blues & Wine Festival
Saturday May 26 – Gates open at 11:30am – Sampling from 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Sunday May 27 – Gates open at 11:30am – Sampling from 12:00pm – 5:00pm
(Rain Date – May 28)

Musical Entertainment
Saturday – Slackjaw Blues Band featuring Nasty Ned: www.slackjawbluesband.com
Sunday – Shade Tree Mechanics Band: www.shadetreemechanicsband.com

ANNUAL BLUES & WINE FESTIVAL USHERS IN SUMMER SEASON AT NATIRAR PARK
IN SOMERSET COUNTY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND (MAY 26-27)
OVER 20 WINERIES TO EXHIBIT

May 10, 2012 – Looking for the perfect way to usher in the summer season? Look no further than beautiful Natirar Park in Peapack-Gladstone in Somerset County when the Garden State Wine Growers Association (GSWGA) hosts their annual Blues & Wine Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-27 from Noon-5 p.m. each day.

Click here to read the complete release

Tickets

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A Sampling Ticket can be purchased at the Admissions Tent for $25 from 11:30 am until 4:30 pm each day of the festival for those 21 and older. (CASH ONLY at the Admissions Tent). Advance Tickets can also be purchased online ahead of time and are valid either Saturday or Sunday.

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Those sampling will receive a wine glass and wristband – this allows sampling of the numerous wines available at the festival.

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2-Day pass is offered for $40 – this allows admission entrance both Saturday and Sunday. Passes can be purchased online or at the Admission Tent on Saturday (until 4:30pm). You will obtain a "Sunday" ticket when you receive your wristband on Saturday.

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Anyone under 21 is FREE

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Designated Drivers are FREE

General FAQ’s

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Majority of the wineries accept credit cards.

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There are NO ATM’s on site (except for Cape May inside the Ferry Terminal – ATM’s located on premise not at admission tent).

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Sampling Ticket Sales end at 4:30pm EACH DAY – this way patrons are able to savor and enjoy the numerous wines available to sample.

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Discounted group tickets can be purchased in advance for groups of 16 or more. Please contact wineinfo@newjerseywines.com to coordinate tickets for your group! Group rate tickets will not be sold at the door – all group rate tickets must be purchased in advance. In order to receive this discounted group rate ($18/person), your entire group must enter the festival at the same time.

Permitted Items

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Picnic baskets and coolers – we reserve the right to check these items upon entry.

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Blankets and/or chairs

Items NOT Permitted at any Garden State Wine Festival

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No Outside Alcohol is permitted

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Pets – however Pets are permitted at events taking place on State Property: Allaire Village, Waterloo Village and Cape May. All pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Assisting animals are permitted however you must provide proof.

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Pop-up tents and large beach or patio style umbrellas

FAQ’s About Our Festivals – click here
Any other questions, leave a message on our wine line at (609) 588-0085 or e-mail us at wineinfo@newjerseywines.com. We look forward to seeing you at any of our upcoming wine festivals!

April showers bring May flowers, and boy do we have ‘em! Roses and Chinese dogwoods are bursting out all around the Hatton Victorian in Saint Helena. The weather is beautifully temperate, making life in the Napa Valley simply irresistible.

If you cannot visit us now, the best we can do is bottle the climate and send it to you. In time for summer enjoyment we offer you our most immediately gratifying wines: the Arietta White Wine "On The White Keys" 2011, and the Arietta Red Wine "Quartet" 2010. Orders for these offerings will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through May 5.

Please click here to purchase online.

The blends of these two Ariettas are now assembled, and we are thrilled with the results. The Arietta White Keys 2011 marries the intensity and nervosity of the 2010 (catnip to many subscribers who have drained all the stocks of this vintage) with the lusher qualities of the 2009. The Arietta Quartet 2010, on the other hand, is majestic and broodingly deep compared to the 2009, reflecting the success we had with Cabernet Sauvignon (50% of the blend) in the long, cool 2010 growing season. The wine is exciting to drink now but has the grip and density to improve in bottle for ten years and last for twenty.

Arietta White Wine "On the White Keys" 2011
Tasting notes from winemaker Andy Erickson: "…lemon curd, citrus zest, grapefruit. Mouthwatering acidity, but with juicy, tropical fruit flavors. Cool growing season with long hang time meant full ripeness with purity of aromatics, and generous acid. Late-harvested Semillon, affected by botrytis, contributes caramel and flint notes, as well as a broad dried fig character to the palate that adds to the length."

Arietta Red Wine "Quartet" 2010
Tasting Notes from winemaker Andy Erickson: “The 2010 Arietta Quartet is marked by substantial power and structure, which underpin the dark, concentrated, plush core of ripe fruits. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc seem to be driving the overall impression of the wine, with cassis, bramble and sage riding on a solid chassis of carefully extracted tannin and dense color. The framework is balanced and rounded by soft, supple flavors and textures brought by the addition of Merlot."

If you would like to enjoy these wines over the summer months, please select one day overnight shipping and we will ship to you the week of July 9. Otherwise, your wines will ship at the end of October 2012.
We enjoy hearing from you and welcome your inquiries by email to vanessa@ariettawine.com and fritz@ariettawine.com, and by phone 707-963-5918.

Happy summer!

Fritz and Caren Hatton, Proprietors
Andy Erickson and Morgan Maureze, Winemakers
Vanessa Conlin, Director of Sales and Administration
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Arietta White Wine "On the White Keys" 2011
The Arietta White Keys 2011 is a blend of 79% Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma Mountain and 21% Semillon from both Carneros and Calistoga. Approximately 450 cases will be bottled on June 27.
Arietta White Wine On The White Keys, a white Bordeaux-inspired blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, is Arietta’s first and only white wine. In 2005 Arietta’s winemaker Andy Erickson sourced three outstanding blocks of hillside Sauvignon Blanc on Sonoma Mountain, and with the addition of two tiny blocks of old vine Semillon farmed by the highly respected Napa/Carneros grower Larry Hyde, fashioned a wine of remarkable complexity. The brilliance and pungent vibrancy of the Sauvignon Blanc has been preserved by fermentation of a substantial portion of the Sauvignon Blanc in stainless steel barrels. The balance of the Sauvignon Blanc, as well as the Semillon, was fermented in new Chateau oak barrels, an important factor in achieving length and ageability. The Sauvignon Blanc provides rich citric mouth watering acidity. The Semillon provides viscosity, lengthens and polishes the wine, and gives it a sheen of beeswax and floral scents. Arietta On The White Keys shares with the red wines Arietta’s goals of quality, depth, vibrancy, and complexity, with much credit due to extreme care in vineyard selection and blending.
Arietta Red Wine "Quartet" 2010
The Arietta Quartet 2010 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Grapes were sourced from Arietta’s three-acre block of Bordeaux varietals in Coombsville (planted by David Abreu in 2003), the Hudson vineyard in Carneros, and the Kenefick Vineyard in Calistoga. The Quartet 2010 merited aging in a higher percentage of new oak (77%) than the 2009. We will bottle approximately 650 cases of the Arietta Quartet 2010 on June 27.
The origins of the Arietta Quartet were wines under the label "Arietta Claret" made in 2004 and 2005 from Bordeaux varietals grown at the top of Howell Mountain by noted viticulturist David Abreu. In 2006 we changed the name of the wine to Arietta Quartet, allying the four Bordeaux varietals in the wine (everything except Malbec) to the musical subtext of the brand. Since 2007 we have created Arietta Quartet from first class blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot sourced from several of the finest growers in Napa. Most lots are kept separate for the first fifteen months after harvest, at which time blending commences in earnest, the wine continually "tweaked" over a five month period thereafter. In 2009 a superb close-spaced three acre vineyard in Coombsville, planted to the four Quartet varietals by David Abreu in 2003, became the new core of the Arietta Quartet. Since 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon has been the dominant variety in the Quartet, along with generous amounts of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and a hint of Petit Verdot. The percentage of new oak employed is usually 50-60% lower than the other Arietta red wines, making the Arietta Quartet the most approachable upon release.

info@ariettawine.com
telephone 707 963 5918
facsimile 707 963 5919

Arietta
P.O. Box 349
Oakville, CA 94562

ariettawine.com

A Toast to Kathleen Our Rising Star: Celebrate With Us!

Since Kathleen is too modest to toot (or should it be tweet?!) her own horn, I thought I should do so.

Last weekend, Kathleen received the Rising Star Award at the Women for WineSense Grand Event at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena.

The Rising Star Award is presented annually to women with 12 or fewer years in the wine industry who demonstrate leadership in their field, are considered innovators, serve as role models, and display a commitment to continuing their career in the wine business. Past recipients have included such esteemed winemakers as Celia Welch of Corra Wines and Scarecrow, Cathy Corison of Corison Winery, and Retour Wines proprietor Lindsay Woodard.

Kathleen does a remarkable job, not only making our wines and growing the grapes but dealing with all of the other aspects of running our business. We often joke about her also being the sales & marketing department, the IT help desk, CFO and forklift driver, but this is no joke – she does it all and, to coin a phrase, "I don’t know how she does it" especially when you remember that on top of all this she has also been a mother to our two girls. Not a day goes by when I do not think how lucky I am to have this truly remarkable woman as my wife of nearly 28 years.

Now you may think that this is nothing unusual when it comes to running a small business and you would be right up to a point. But how many people also have to juggle choosing an outfit that will be suitable for working in the vineyard, meeting a septic consultant, selling wine to a restaurant and hosting a winemaker dinner all in the same day. You men out there may fear being consulted on fashion choices but you will not have experienced anything like this!

There is an old adage in the wine industry that it takes 10 years to be an overnight success so I guess that this award proves the point as we celebrate the 10th year of making Pinot Noir from the Olivet Grange Vineyard this year!

So join me in congratulating Kathleen on being recognized for all that she has achieved (and, of course, order some wine to celebrate!). If you need more wine, place your order online or by phone before the end of May and receive an additional 10% off our 12 bottle mixed case discount of 10% and if you are a club member you get an extra 10% off your club discount too!

Best wishes,

Simon

Inman Family Wines
707 293 9576
3900 Piner Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

8th Annual Pinot Days San Francisco
June 9th-16th

Pinot Days San Francisco features intimate tastings around the Bay at places like Vine at Bridges, Dixie Restaurant, Press Club, California Wine Merchant and Ottimista Enoteca, and culminates with our Grand Festival at Fort Mason, featuring over 200 pinot producers and over 500 celebrated wines. Click Here to View All the Events.

How to find the Best Pinots in the room?

You can’t taste every pinot – don’t try – it’s not the point! The point is to follow your palette like a North Star, and experience this beautiful little grape in as many forms and styles as compel you. Rule #1: Ignore the critics! They have a different tongue than you do. Instead, taste and decide for yourselves. You will know what you like when you taste it.

A Big Gathering Around a Tiny Grape.

Pinot Days is the biggest Pinot Noir tasting in the world. It has to be! Pinot’s greatest asset is its stylistic diversity, and we aim to give you a place to experience pinot noir in any style and from any region you choose. They will all be there. Come marvel at the vast range of very pretty forms this little grape can embody, and the fascinating, very different artistic visions of its winemakers. Open-minded when it comes to pinot? Good! You can taste, and quite possibly fall in love with, regions and styles that are new to you.

Still reading? You must be hungry by now.

Because pinot is the most versatile grape on the planet, you can find a pinot to match any food under the San Francisco sun. We’ll prove it once again at our Winemakers "Table Hop" Dinner at Dixie Restaurant, where unusual pinot pairings will knock your socks off.

What to wear at Pinot Days?

We recommend that you wear a smile and if you don’t present one at entry, it’ll be our mission to give you one to take home. If our winemakers set the dress code, you will want to be in jeans with a little bit of vineyard soil on your knees. Avoid white because the wines are red. And very, very good.Click Here to View All the Events.

Our mantra is "Serious Wine, Serious Fun."

Pinot is seriously diverse, offering a breadth of styles and quality that no other variety matches. So tasting a number of different pinots side by side is fun in and of itself, but what pushes "fun" over the top is the people behind the tables, who are some of the most colorful and charming characters you will meet. Bring friends along and the "fun" is a guarantee.

Our Pinot Principle

Pinot Days is the largest gathering of Pinot Noir producers in the world. It has to be; pinot noir is exceptionally stylistically diverse, and our aim is to give every pinot lover a place to "go deep" within the style you love. And, if you’re open to venturing outside of your comfort zone, you can experience, and quite possibly love, other styles as well. To this end we gather hundreds of pinot noir winemakers to pour hundreds of pinots that range from the picture of elegance to forward and "wow." You can’t try them all – don’t try – it’s not the point! The point is to follow your palette like a North Star, and experience this beautiful little grape in as many forms and styles as compel you. Ignore the critics; ask folks in the crowd, "Who have you tried? What do you like? " Pinot noir is way more than a grape variety –it’s an art form. It is an endlessly fascinating intellectual and aesthetic pursuit for people who want to savor the good things in life. So we invite the world to Pinot Days, because pinot noir can change the world, one pretty, little, thin-skinned grape at a time.

2012 Pinot Days San Francisco
(Click HERE to see all the Grand Festival Exhibitors)

• Grand Festival Tasting
  Saturday June 16th, 2012 2-5pm $50
  Fort Mason, San Francisco
  Over 150 Producers from California, Oregon, New Zealand and Burgundy
• Grand Festival VIP Seminar and Early Access
  Saturday June 16th, 2012 Noon-5pm $100
  Fort Mason, San Francisco
  For pinot lovers who want to experience our Grand Festival’s diverse, comprehensive pinot offering but prefer a quieter, more intimate experience. We invite you to come early, sit down and go deep with 4 artisan producers at our VIP "Depth and Diversity" Tasting. From 12:00-1:00pm you will get to know these winemakers and their stories as you taste two limited-production wines from each. At 1:00pm, after the VIP Hour, you are welcome to roam the festival and taste along with the Trade. This will enable you to taste what you like in a quieter setting, before the public is admitted at 2:00pm. You may continue to taste once the Public enters – we will leave that decision up to you! Click here to learn more.
• Winemakers "Table Hop" Dinner at Dixie Restaurant
  Thursday June 14th, 2012 6:30-10pm $140
  Dixie Restaurant – San Francisco @ The Presidio
  Pinot Days joins forces with the American Institute of Wine and Food to offer you a spectacular Pinot Days Winemaker Dinner: Fourteen wines, fourteen winemakers and incredible one-night only menu specially designed to highlight pinot noir’s great stylistic versatility and pairing ability at the brand new Dixie in the Presidio by Executive Chef/Owner Joseph Humphrey, previously of Murray Circle Restaurant and The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley. Click here to learn more.
• Pinot Days Kickoff Tasting at the Vine at Bridges
  Thursday June 14th, 2012 5-8pm $25
  West Restaurant at Hotel Angeleno, Santa Monica
  Six prized California pinot noir producers will pour their celebrated pinots to interested customers and will talk about their labors of love making wine from this noble grape. This is an opportunity to taste some of the most acclaimed pinots on the market today, and to meet and talk with the people who create them. Pay at the door but you may call to reserve a spot: contact The Vine here at (925)820-7210. Click here to learn more.
• Pinot Days Pinot Pairing at Ottimista Enoteca
  Tuesday June 12th, 2012 6-8pm $40
  Wine House, Los Angeles
  Five pinot producers will pour their finest to those interested in tasting and celebrating pinot noir, as paired with pinot-centric foods. Ottimista Enotecca-Cafe is known for its pairings; this is a tasting you do not want to miss. RESERVE A SPOT BY CALLING OTTIMISTA ENOTECA AT 415-674-8400, or take your chances and pay at the door (though this event usually sells out early). Call to reserve a spot at 310-479-3731, ext. 0. Click here to learn more.

Moet et Chandon-Cuvee Dom Perignon-Champagne-France-1995-$149.00-A nose of sweet citrus and bubbles, light straw in color.  A light to medium bodied Champagne,  with apple, light lemon, and minerals, good acidity.  Had for NYE, not a big bubbly drinker but this was good.                  RP-94                 WS-90                WE-93                CR-90                 Good with cheeses, salads. 

Bonterra Vineyards-Cabernet Sauvignon-Organic-Mendocino and Lake County-California-2008-$10.99-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.  A medium to full bodied Cab, black currants, blackberries, some herbs, some smoke, not as good as the 2006 but a easy drinker, very good QPR.              WS-81             WE-92             CR-87                 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.