Viva La Santa Monica | BAR PINTXO

In my last post Viva La Santa Monica | Monsieur Marcel, I told you about the very progressive town of Santa Monica. This is where I would want to settle down if I were to move to California, close enough to LA, right on the ocean and right in the middle of the majestic Santa Monica Mountains.

So back to where I left off in my last post, Josh had friended me when I was eating at Monsieur Marcel and joined me. After finishing my wine, closing out my bill and taking a doggy bag because the cheese and charcuterie plates were too big for my tummy, Josh and I headed to the beach. We walked around for several hours talking and checking things out. It was like I had my own private tour guide showing me all of Santa Monica. I got to see things I probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise. It was the insider tour. After walking for what seemed like hours it was getting late and I needed to get back home and pack so we headed back towards down town Santa Monica. Heading down Santa Monica Blvd Josh got really excited about a bar that he had forgotten about until we walked by it. He exclaimed, “You’ve got to check this place out! It is so cool.” As soon as I walked in I was like, “I’ve got to stay and have a drink and try this food!” It was a very progressive Spanish Tapas joint. Everyone knows how much I love Spanish wines, the food, the people and their lifestyle.

I was so excited about this little find, just like the rest of my trip it was so unexpected and spontaneous!

BAR PINTXO. This was such a fantastic place and very authentic. We got there right on time because after we sat down the crowd came and the wait was long but totally worth it. Kinda like finding Mr. Right only to discover he will be gone for a month or two…you wait! This was not Mr. Right now…this was Mr. Right and I would have waited.

To start out with the olives they brought to the table were over-the-top. They added their own unique spices and marinated them in something special and I couldn’t help but eat them like candy…the best olives I’ve ever tasted. Marieke, the general manager, was a great at assisting us in our wine choice. After asking her a million questions about the bar, I told her what I liked and asked her to surprise us. She brought us a seductive little number; 2008 Luberri Carbonica Maceration from none other than Rioja…my favorite Spanish wine region. Most of the wines that BAR PINTXO carries are unique and difficult to find anywhere else.

Wine Fact: Traditional method of carbonic maceration which implies the transformation of the grape into wine without prior crushing. The bunches of grapes are put into stainless steel containers whole, with the greatest of care being taken not to burst the fruit.

Joseph Miller is the owner of this progressive tapas bar, but also is owner of the elegant and well known Joe’s Restaurant in Venice. Joe happened to be at BAR PINTXO that night and I was lucky enough to chat with him. What a great guy. He spent a lot of time in Spain, in Basque Country, where pintxos (finger foods) are like tapas but better. Some even say that pintxos are the best Spanish tapas in Spain.  He fell in love with the Spaniards, the wine, the food, the culture and their way of life and wanted to bring a taste of Spain back to California.

Since the concept is based on small plates (check out the history of tapas! Very interesting) we ordered several small plates:

Sopa Del Dia – Spanish Soup,
Espinacas a la catalana – wilted spinach, garlic, pinenut, raisin
Endive – endive, valdeon cream, anchovy, walnut
Gambas Al Ajillo – white shrimp, garlic, lemon and parsley

I must say each plate was delicious…over the top. I especially loved the soup. Many of the ingredients are used from the local farmers market so everything is very fresh. I loved that the kitchen is up front so you can watch the chef while he is creating each of his Spanish masterpieces. It was a hopping place with lot’s of vibrant energy and good feelings floating around (My friend Matt would say it was because I was there. He kids me and says when I leave Chicago I take 90% of the energy with me). Over all it was a fantastic end to my three week trip and I was delighted to find BAR PINTXO and meet Joe and discover his passion was similar to mine! Once you go to Spain you are hooked and changed forever.

Don’t Assume & She Will Swoon

Okay guys this tip is for you. Your on your first date, some guys still make this mistake even after being married for ten years, and you somehow think that it’s the mans job to order the wine. I know you really want to impress your little lady but I’m telling you if you do this it could be looked upon as a fatal flaw. If you really want to impress her, hold your tongue, forget about spatting off a bunch of wine facts, definitions, all the wine knowledge you learned at your wine 101 class and just sit back relax and do what I’m about to tell you. You will  not only impress her but I bet she will find you a lot more interesting too!

As a woman, I hate when guys assume they know what wine I like and and don’t bother asking me. I want to be involved in my wine drinking decisions. Although I am very open to trying new wine and certainly don’t blame a guy or hold him in contempt for being excited about wanting to turn me on to something he really likes…but I hate when I’m not included in the process. I dislike when people make assumptions about me without asking me. My dad had a saying when we were kids, “When you assume you make an ass out of you and me both.” I don’t know why but that has stuck with me and it is very true!

If you want her to think highly of you and respect you, a gentleman–and I might add a very intelligent, savvy man– take the time to find out more about your little lady by asking her what she likes in a wine. Ask her questions like: Do you prefer white over red? Do you like sweet or dry? Do you like lighter or heavier wines? Do you have a preferred varietal that you like or perhaps a blend? As you get to know wine more there are other questions you can ask too.

Don’t do it in a demeaning or snobby way, like, “I know more than you do” or “I know better than you do,” attitude because you won’t get to first base let alone hit a home run! I’d be sick before the appetizers came and would get the first cab home.

Wine seems to be a big ticket item purchase for many men. It is like buying a car or a house. The man who asks his woman friend about her desires in wine will go along way because he is saying to her, “I care about what you think and your opinions and thoughts matter to me.” In her mind she things, “Geese, if he is willing to ask me what I want in wine, he’s totally gonna ask me what I want in bed, a car and house!” Ah, you know how we think men and we know how you think too!

All kidding aside, this display of humility shows her just how strong and secure you are and how thoughtful you are. More importantly, you are taking the time to really get to know more about her and help her explore her own desires…even if it is just wine for the time being. It is quite possible that she has never thought of any of those questions because none of the other guys ever bothered to ask her what she liked in her wines. Not to mention that many wine drinkers don’t think about those things until someone asks them, they just find something they like and stick with it not really knowing why they like it.

If after all of that she still doesn’t know what she likes then I would ask her if she would open to trying something you think she would like or even better use this as an opportunity to show her your more adventurous side and tell her your going to do your own little blind tasting. Choose several wines on the menu and discuss the differences and what she likes or doesn’t like and you share your thoughts too. This is actually very fun and interesting and could lead down other exciting paths. Some restaurants offer 4oz glasses for this very reason or a quartino, while other places have wine flights where you get three to six different wines served in two to three ounce portions. They are usually themed and can make for interesting conversation and an interesting learning experience and some big points.

In Santa Monica I visited a wine bar called Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar and they had a very cool enomatic system that allows you to have one-ounce tastes so you can really explore wines. They offer up to forty different wines from all over the world and it is always changing. Very progressive machine and concept.

If she knows what she likes in her wine, she probably knows what she likes in her men and a lot of other things too. Don’t be intimidated by her confidence and knowledge. She probably will be very interesting and have much to talk about. If you are a super smart guy, you will use this to your advantage and ask her a lot about how she knows so much and really listen to her. A woman who is heard by a man is a happy woman in deed and vice versa. You are showing her you are open to her suggestions and not afraid of her strength. She is your equal, a partner and possibly your best friend. Remember this isn’t a battle to prove your ego, save that for the guys. Be open to the idea that you will learn something from her and together the two of you will embark upon a fun evening and interesting conversation. You will get more bang for you buck!

All I’m saying is that you should really involve her in ordering the wine instead of manhandling her and the wine list. By the end of the night you will be her hero and you just might get lucky too (more bang for your buck) for the mere fact that you took the time to ask her what she liked! I’m not kidding!

Wench It Up, Wino and Join The Wine Club!

I am excited to announce that starting in March we will be wenchin it up a notch and launching our wine of the month club.

Join me, The Wine Wench, each month in my exploration of wine, food, people and adventure from around the world. I’ve teamed up with some real wine rebels who know where to find the best booty around the world (get your mind out of the gutter). They comb the globe in search of the most unique vineyards and vintners and make nasty, dirty deals in order to bring you some pretty damn good loot! They don’t come home until they piss red! Like my friend Randy says, “We swallow so you don’t have to spit!” (Now that’s what I call drinkin! I say better them than you!)

Each month you will receive 2 bottles of unique wines from various parts of the world tasted and selected by Freda, The Wine Wench, from Spain to Portugal to Italy to France to Australia to New Zealand to South Africa to Napa Valley…these bad boys pillage and raid where most men fear to go…no winery is safe from these wine warriors…aka winos, drunks, lushes, friends of Bill W.

Experience firsthand the country, culture and people behind the wine without ever leaving your home and with no guilt because the prices are just damntastic! Winos also receive delicious recipes or food pairing ideas from our chef (the maintenance guy) that compliment the wine selections received. You can also arrange a gift membership for a loved one, a friend and or business associate (fellow friends of Bill W’s). Simply specify the length of your desired gift membership with their name and address and we will handle the rest!

We’re so confident that you are gonna love developing your palate and exploring the world with us that you can pay-as-you-go and quit anytime! Join today! It’s easy.

Wine Warrior Club
$34.95 + tax S&H
- 1 Red / 1 White each month

Rebel Red Club
$59.95 + tax S&H
- Two Red wines each month

So get on deck and have some fun! Find out more and join here.

In APRIL we really wench it up a notch further and really get salty when we launch DEAL OF THE DAY!

Viva La Santa Monica | Monsieur Marcel

I spent much time in Santa Monica while I was in L.A.. I fell in love with this dynamic little town conveniently located on Los Angeles’ western border. On the few visits that I was there I discovered downtown 3rd street and Main Street, oh and the beach!

They had some very progressive restaurants that I discovered while walking around exploring. After enjoying the local farmers market on this beautiful day, I wanted to find a place to have some wine and people watch. Since it was so sunny, I really wanted a place that had outdoor seating. Besides the typical places you would expect to see, I found  some really cool concepts that completely reminded me of my trips to Europe!  The first was Monsieur Marcel: pain vin et fromage which is a petit bistro. Pain vin et fromage translates to bread, wine and cheese, probably why their website is called BreadWineAndCheese.com. In any regard, I officially arrived in heaven. It is truly the European way of life, “We embody the idea of leisure time spent with friends, nibbling on cheese, charcuterie and a glass of wine!” That’s me! That’s the way I live my life! I wasted no time ordering, the wine first of course, and decided on a 2007 Winner’s Tank “Eskadale Vineyard” Shiraz from Langhorne Creek South Australia. It was a delightful wine fit for the perfect day and paired well with the cheese and charcuterie plates that accompanied my wine. You see I never buy wine that pairs well with my food! Uh Uh! Wine is a food to me. In fact, I think it belongs on the food pyramid…at the top! I buy food to pair well with my wine.

I digress…

Highly complex bouquet displays cherry, candied licorice, wintermint, camphor and smoked meat. Weighty and deep, with sweet but energetic dark berry and cherry flavors, good mineral lift and a late note of bitter cherry skin. Impressively fresh shiraz with a firm, youthful bit and good finishing lift. This wine is made by Reid Bosward, of Kaesler. -Epicurean Wines

The cheese plate consisted of two cheeses of my choice: humboldt fog and aged cheddar. For the charcuterie plate I chose the charcuteries italiennes which consisted of:  molinari salami, mortadella, d i parma proscuitto and bresaola. With all cheese plates include dry fruits, quince paste, sliced apple and pear, nuts and bread! As I used to say when I was a little tyke in diapers…YUMMY FOR MY TUMMY! Menu I should mention that they have an additional bistro in L.A. too!

As I indicated earlier, I was in European heaven. I was sitting there all by myself, basking in the sun, taking in the people, relaxed, sipping my wine, enjoying my cheese, truly living in the moment…not a care in the world. I watched many people walk back and forth and it was as if me sitting there delighting in my experience was giving them permission or at least the idea that they should be doing this too. I should have been compensated for every person that walked by and decided on that bistro because of what I was eating and the enjoyment I was having. People would stop and ask me what I was having and give me a kudos for enjoying myself in such a way. I got such a kick out of it as I sat around a bunch of lemon water drinkers and salad eaters. I wanted to shout, “Dummy, take a look around, your in the middle of a Saturday afternoon, the sun is out, life is good…what the hell are you waiting for to start enjoying yours?” I guess I couldn’t understand why anyone would go to such an amazing place with all these amazing dishes, with perfect out door dining only to have a salad and some lemon water? Boring! That is like going to the sundae shop and asking for a fat free yogurt. I simply don’t get it.

What was even more interesting was the chap that stopped and literally stood there while I ate and started chatting me up. I didn’t know if he was a homeless man or for real. I was polite, felt him out, asked some leading questions and based on his responses I figured he was okay. Turns out his name was Josh and he was a transplant from New York. His family owns a silk business and sells high-end silks all over the country. Very interesting fellow I must say. He asked if he could join me and I accepted.

We ended up hanging out the entire day, it was my last, and I saw so much of Santa Monica that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. I was very appreciative to meet his acquaintance and delighted that I had someone to talk to. I learned much about the silk industry. Not to mention that he introduced me to the coolest little Spanish Tapas wine bar in Santa Monica which I will blog about next.

Needless to say even though it was a great way to end my stay in L.A., Josh and I are just friends. No hot passionate stories to share here.

Some fabulous places to stay in Santa Monica located on the beach: Casa Del Mar and Shutter’s on the Beach! Wow these places were really unique and awesome.

Next Post: The Illusion of Busyness

To Cork or Not To Cork: The Cork Controversy!

Yesterday as I was surfing the web researching some information for one of  my blogs and I came across this article on corks. I know all you professional fishers of men–ladies you know who you are– you might be wondering where the connection to fishing comes in, but I can assure you when I am talking about cork or cork taint…I’m not referring to fishing bobbers or men!

As of the past few years using cork as wine stoppers has been frowned upon and more and more wine makers are switching to synthetic aluminum screwcaps or other alternatives due to the pressure and as a result this has caused the great cork controversy.

Was a it a quick judgment call gone bad without the facts by our noble green friends?

On that note cork manufacturer Amorim conducted a study “Analysis of the life cycle of Cork, Aluminum and Plastic Wine Closures,” which resulted in findings that cork is the most environmentally responsible stopper!

The study “Analysis of the life cycle of Cork, Aluminum and Plastic Wine Closures,” commissioned by cork manufacturer Amorim and made public in December 2008, concluded that cork is the most environmentally responsible stopper, in a one-year life cycle analysis comparison with the plastic stoppers and aluminum screwcaps. -Compliments of Wikipedia

I found the entire article incredibly interesting, yeah I know I am a geek, and educational. For example, did you know that 50% of all cork comes from Portugal? Or that while screwcaps eliminate trichloroanisole (TCA/cork taint), it reduces oxygen exchange to zero. Everyone knows that in order for wine to age correctly it needs to interact with oxygen. Essentially what they are saying is that not only are screw caps environmentally unfriendly they reduce the quality in your yummy wines.

Go ahead read the article for yourself and share what you learned: Wikipedia! Makes for great wine trivia!

Be cork responsible and recycle! Take your used corks to the nearest Whole Foods where they go to great extents to have a recycle bin just for corks in their wine section! Thanks Whole Foods!

Additional Comments from Lucia an Italian Vintner:
Quercus suber. The cork tree grows naturally in a region bordering the western Mediterranean Sea. The major cork producing countries include Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy in Europe; and Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia in Africa.

Without a doubt, cork stoppers are the best solution for wines that need some ageing. For very young wines, wines that are to be consumed within a year or two, the screw caps could be just fine. Amorin which is a very good and serious cork producer does well in advocating the use of the cork; they are always doing valid research. However, there is so much wine being made now that whereas years ago the cork used to be harvested every 9 to 7 years, now (for most corks) is down to even 4. Corks are getting very expensive, they cost as much as a bottle and producers are often faced with cork problems. Perhaps, if screw caps were used for younger wines (vini d’annata in Italian) the wine would not suffer and there would be a greater supply of really good corks for the wines that need and merit aging. Compliments of Lucia, Vintner at  Villa Monteleone Winery in Italy

Kunde Family Estate 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

One of my many day trips while I was in L.A. was Santa Barbara. About 90 minutes north of Los Angeles (less than 100 miles) it is worth the trip, especially if you take the scenic route, highway 1 and/or the Pacific Coast HWY, with breathtaking views of the ocean on your left and the mountains on your right for most of the drive. There were so many places along the way that I wanted to stop and explore or hike. Great national parks abound with some of the best hiking trails along highway 1. Santa Barbara is also a great get away from the hustle, bustle, noise and pollution of LA and it is right in the back yard.

A day trip doesn’t even scratch the surface of what is to discover and explore in Santa Barbara. From the beautiful Sterns Wharf landmark, to the vast shopping and dining establishments in downtown Santa Barbara to my most favorite, the wineries and tasting rooms, there is something here for everyone. It is a place I would either live or visit often for long weekends. A day visit didn’t even wet my whistle.

Since I’m from the windy city and it is freezing, cold, dismal and full of snow the beach is the first thing I sought out in Santa Barbara. The sun was in full blaze and the beach was calling my name. My little feet were screaming with excitement when they hit the beach. Together, my feet and I, walked for over an hour on the beach. Listening to the waves crash against shore, the seagulls squall, watching people sail–can you believe they sail all year round–I felt right at home.

After my walk, I jumped back into my car and did a quick zip through town to get a feel of the lay of the land. Once parked, I walked up and down State Street to find some seafood soup. When I say there are a lot of fine dining choices, I am not kidding. On a 2 mile stretch there were almost three Starbucks and three Subway’s to give you an idea on how seriously they are about making sure people find what they are looking for, either that or people just don’t want to walk!

What was really fascinating was the mission style architecture that prevailed through the entire town and provided visual cohesiveness. It truly is a beautiful town.

After searching for about twenty minutes and on choice overload, I stopped at Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood and asked if they had seafood soup.  They had a seafood soup they called Cioppino but unfortunately for me they were on the lunch menu and that was only served on the dinner menu, not to mention that the portion size was massive. I could have shared it with four people! I was so disappointed because I had a a strong craving for seafood soup and the chef must have noticed it in my face because he quickly took stock of his kitchen and agreed with the waitress to make a half order–still huge–and threw something together for me and added some big yummy shrimp! It was finger licken good and I mean that literally. There was no pretty way to eat this meal. There I was in the middle of Santa Barbara with a huge smile on my face living the life! If that isn’t customer service I don’t know what is!

Cioppino: One half Maine lobster, calamari, clams, mussels and fish of the day served in a spicy tomato sauce with roasted crostini. $38.00

My waitress Karly followed her boyfriend to Santa Barbara from Oregon…I think. They are both attending The University of California and she was very excited about being in Santa Barbara. Different scene from Oregon I’m sure. Bright, funny and optimistic she was interesting to talk to. I asked her what wine she thought would contemplate my Cioppino. She suggested a few, I tasted a few but didn’t really like any and then she brought out one that just nailed it!

A 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon by Kunde Family Estate. The aromas of raspberry and sage combine with a mouthful of chocolate richness this wine has made it’s way into my life and onto my top pick list. Made in Sonoma Valley the varietal mix is: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Syrah, 1% Petit Verdot

Interesting Fact about Kunde Family Estate Winemaking:
Wine Aging Caves – In 1989, our family undertook an enormous commitment to ensure the quality of our estate wines—the development of extensive aging caves deep in the hillside behind the winery. More than 32,000 square feet of tunnels with a storage capacity for 5,500 barrels run through the five million year old volcanic lava flows that are the bedrock of our vineyards. These geologic formations are ideal for aging wines, with year-round temperatures a constant 62 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity 90-95%. At the furthest reaches of the aging caves, a VIP dining room lies 175 feet below the surface of our Kinneybrook Syrah vineyards.

I highly recommend Santa Barbara, Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood and this gorgeous 2006  Cabernet Sauvignon.

On my way home, I accidentally ended up on the 405 instead of highway 1  or the Pacific Coast HWY. Realizing halfway back to LA what had happened I quickly jumped off the 405 and headed west. My Garmin got the picture real quick–I LOVE my Garmin! This detour turned out to be the highlight of that day because I ended up on  Kanan – Dume Road which takes you through the Santa Monica Mountains and the Zuma/Trancas Canyons. It was absolutely breathtaking. I was overcome with emotion as I caught the sunset falling into the ocean at the peak of the mountains. This scene made me realize just how amazing life is and how the God that created these mountains, valleys, this ocean I was looking at, and the big ball of fire that was setting and does so day in and day out, is pretty damn extraordinary. Also check out

I stopped at a little place in Malibu on highway 1 called Beach Combers Cafe to wait out traffic. It’s located on the ocean and is a really cute establishment. It’s a real fooler from the outside but don’t let the tacky sign or the white stucco appearance throw you off–I drove by it twice thinking it was a dive bar–because the inside is elegant with a great outdoor patio right on the ocean! It was happy hour so I had some beef sliders and a nice glass of wine and talked to the staff. The people were incredibly friendly and fantastic.

Next Post: Viva La Santa Monica – Part 1!

2007 H3 Merlot & 2006 Tikal Patriota

So in my last post, Simply Divine | RED 2006 by St. Francis, I ended with “Next Post: A delightful discovery in Anacortes, Wa followed by a great story about acquiring a taste for great love like fine wine.” In order for me to do that we need to rewind to the week of January 10th. I was still involved in my internship at Pransky and Associates and thought I wanted to go into business consulting. I got to sit in on these great sessions and watch people go from being really intense and caught up in their concern about their life or corporations to getting way more philosophical and coming up with solutions once they stopped worrying and being concerned. That is another blog all together.

Half way through my week I realized that consulting wasn’t for me. That being said, I learned so much from George Pransky and his team over the past 7 months which has completely enhanced my life in far to many ways to even mention. After embarrassingly admitting I wasn’t cut out for consulting in that way, I realized two things: I wanted to work with people but in a completely different capacity and I was seriously going to pursue wine.  All that out of the way, I now had a lot of time on my hands and when I’ve got time on my hands I do what I do best…I set out to explore.

On that note I happened into the next town over from La Conner to Anacortes. If you ever get the opportunity in your life to visit Washington, I highly recommend visiting in the fall to catch the changing of the leaves! It is spectacular. Stay a few nights in La Conner at  La Conner Channel Lodge and from there take day trips to the San Juan Islands, Victoria B.C., Anacortes and a few more quaint and cute towns. It is so peaceful, quite and rejuvenating.  There are so many scenic back roads to explore and the fall foliage is brilliant and breath taking. Make sure to visit Nell Thorn and have a hamburger or my favorite, Beach Bowl Soup – A big bowl of fresh Mussels, Clams, Prawns and Fin Fish poached in a Herb & Fennel Seed-scented Tomato Broth for $24.00!

In Anacortes there is a cute grocery store called  The Market, similar to Whole Foods. I love shopping there and they have a great wine selection. I just happened to pick up 2 spectacular wines and I was delighted that I found them. They are so good they made Freda’s Cellar List!

The first wine is by Ernesto Cantena from Mendoza, Argentina. Tikal, the name of his vineyard, is named after his son. The wine is Tikal Patriota 2006 Red Table Wine from Argentina. I loved this wine! It is fruit forward but not sweet and it smelled wonderful.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Aromas of bright berry/cherry fruit and electric-purple color. Like swallowing a whole bowl of mixed ripe berries at once. Big body yet very balanced, with luscious layers of raspberry, cherry, and cocoa flavors. Just a hint of baking spice at the end brings it all together.

Pairs With:
Grilled meats such as beef and pork, smoked ham, and even pizza with meat toppings. Incredibly fun to drink!

Critical Acclaim:
The 2006 Patriota is composed of 60% Bonarda and 40% Malbec. It has greater depth and a longer finish than its 2005 counterpart.

The second is as equally pleasurable, a 2007 Horse Heaven Hills (H3) Merlot by Columbia Crest. Wine Spectator gave this sexy little number 91 points and I can see why! This is a full bodied, bright and complex wine explodes in your mouth. I don’t like many things exploding in my mouth but I can assure this is a good one!

The H3 (an abbreviation for Horse Heaven Hills in Wa) Merlot entices the nose with spicy blackberry aromas and then explodes across the palate with slight dusty, earthy, and rich berry notes which cumulate in the seductive, velvety, cocoa finish. -Ray Einberger, Winemaker

Grapes were crushed at 30% whole-berry to retain the fruit quality. Fermentation lasted 7-14 days on the skins to extract optimum fruit and structural components. Malolactic fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. I never thought such talk could turn me on!

H3 Blend: 79% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon,6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Syrah

It was a wine drinking frenzy for me because I drank both of these at the same time–no I wasn’t double fisting it–I’m more elegant than that…I put one glass down while I picked the other up!

A note on art and history: I’m not going to lie…I really like labels and like Alpana Singh says you experience a little bit  of art and history through well done wine labels. Many wineries hire professional artists to create their original wine labels and I reward them for their effort. These two are no exception! While sipping on a glass of great wine you can find yourself contemplating history and appreciating the labels as if they were Picasso paintings in a museum.

I also want to mention that I had a variety of cheeses, olives and salami. Next time I will write that down too! That’s a typical dinner for me.

Next Post: I forgot to tell the story of how great love is an acquired taste like fine wine!

Simply Divine | RED 2006 by St. Francis

So Chloe and I headed out to check out the chic, sophisticated Stone Rose lounge located inside Hotel Sofitel Los Angeles.  I love the Sofitel in Chicago and heard great things about Sofitel in Beverly Hills including the restaurant and lounge. I love the laid back atmosphere of lounges with big comfy couches, a nice bar. Hotel bars are a great place to meet people because typically people seem to be very friendly. I love a good conversation and I’ve found some of the best just hanging out a bar. I’ve met some pretty damn cool people that I’ve kept in contact with through out the years. I really enjoyed The Bazaar at SLS Hotel so I was willing to take my chances and continue my search for great red wine at another hotel lounge.

I am so glad I did. We had a great time. We were greeted right away and somehow our original bartender got busy and was quickly replaced by another young woman, Destinee. She was absolutely awesome. It didn’t take long before we were all swapping stories and I was asking her how she ended up in L.A.. She had a great story. It is amazing how things always seem to turn out the way that they do.

Destinee went to great lengths to make sure we were well taken care of. Not only was she a beautiful person but she was incredibly intelligent and by the end of the evening we had heard a good portion of her story and her life. An artist who ended up managing a renowned bar chain in various cities who recently demoted herself so she can get back to pursuing her passion of art and fashion. I have a feeling we will see Destinee’s fashion on a runway soon.

Of course the question always comes up even before you figure out what you want to eat, “What would you like to drink.” I never ask for a wine by name unless I am craving it. In that case I just buy it from a store and stay in and drink it. I like to go into restaurants, lounges, essentially anywhere with a child-like ignorance because I lear

n a lot,  in addition to developing my palate. I go in with an open mind, an open palate, describe what I like and then ask to be surprised. It hasn’t failed me yet.

Destinee recommended two wines and the moment I stuck my nose into the glass of RED, took one whiff and my lips met the bursting fruit forward, jammy fluid in the glass…I instantly knew that RED and I were meant to be and she would be another one of my trophy wines added to my collection of recommendations.

RED is produced by St. Francis which is located in the heart of  Sonoma county. St. Francis is well known for their big, bold, full-bodied wines that over deliver on flavor.

Each wine is made from 100% hand-picked, Sonoma County fruit and represents our philosophy of maximizing the true expression of both grape variety and terroir.

St. Francis - RED 2006

St. Francis achieves critical acclaim from the wine media who refer to it as “The House of Big Reds.” Among its many accolades, St. Francis was recently named “International Red Wine Maker of The Year” by the London International Wine Challenge.

St. Francis spent the past three decades acquiring and developing over 600 acres of prime Sonoma

County vineyards, carefully selecting diverse vineyards with varying soil compositions of loam, clay, and volcanic soils in a range of microclimates that vary from direct sunlight of high hillside slopes to the cooler regions of the valley floor.

The fruit from these superior vineyards along with the fruit from our family of growers is used in the Sonoma County and Reserve wines.

RED is  a succulent blend of 48% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 3% Zinfandel and 6 % Mixed Blacks (Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Alicante, Malbec). RED is lush with succulent ripe red fruit flavors and spicy aromas. Full-bodied and versatile, RED pairs with a variety of foods for any occasion.

Wine Makers Notes: Red, ripe and robust fruit flavors with spicy aromas make this a wine that pairs well with a variety of foods. Great with grilled foods and pizza or pasta dishes with red sauce. The perfect wine to serve at a cocktail party or backyard barbecue.

RED is for all red wine lovers who simply want a tasty bottle of wine with a fun package at a great value. It’s my job to worry about clones, soil conditions, vintage and Vinification so that the consumer doesn’t have to. We’ve created a dependable, versatile wine – No lessons needed – uncork and enjoy. -St. Francis Winemaker Tom Mackey

Click here to locate RED near you

Recipes just for RED

So if you’re ever in L.A. and want a friendly bartender, drop by Stone Rose Lounge and say hello to Destinee. Tell her Freda sent you and for goodness sake try a glass of RED! Oh before I forget, I had a fresh fruit plate, a cheese plate and Chloe enjoyed fresh salmon bedded in delicious saffron rice all covered with a divine sauce.

Next Post: A delightful discovery in Anacortes, Wa followed by a great story about acquiring a taste for great love like fine wine.

Vina Sastre Roble Ribera del Duero 2000 – Spain

So the story goes…I’m in L.A. by myself and on a hunt to find some fabulous red wine. I heard amazing things about The Bazaar which is a combination of both traditional and avant-garde Spanish fare. The Chef is none other than the popular Jose Andreas. He was the guy who brought tapas or hot plates to the United States.

Rewind. There are two things I don’ t do well in, cold and rain. It had been raining all day and I really didn’t feel like putting a lot of effort into getting ready as I was in search for the best red wine not a man but my son pushed me and I made a bit of effort to dress up. I ended up looking pretty sharp. So I saunter into The SLS Hotel, find the bar and chat up the bar tenders. I have one thing and one thing on my mind…to find another great bottle of red wine and tonight I am craving cheese. After describing what I am looking for, Rob the cute and friendly mixologist, makes two recommendations and I chose the Tempranillo called Vina Sastre Roble Ribera del Duero 2000.

I had a cheese plate but I can’t remember what it was. I let them surprise me and I wasn’t terribly impressed but not because it was bad but because the portion was soooooo small. I mean I just had visions of cheese chunks running through my head and this was more like a mouse size portion. I mean I am certainly not a rat but I had a man size appetite that night. That being said, I managed to eat it all and I even shared with my two new friends.

Sitting next to me were two guys who just seemed really interesting. I couldn’t help but listen in on some of their conversations and finally after about 30 min I introduced myself and chatted them up. They were both private chef’s working for, eh hem, people in L.A. and were out for a drink. Martin was a native of New Zealand and Sergio was a native of Spain both living in the U.S. for about ten years. I had so many questions and was fascinated with them both. Their travel stories were very inspiring. They both cooked and traveled all over the world before ending up here as private chef’s. We talked about everything. As we sat there talking my mind started dreaming and visions of wine went running through my head and that night a concept was born.

Then I met Ken the other mixologist at Bazaar who was also incredibly friendly and happens to be very connected. He is the event planner for clubs in L.A.. Again we chatted about business. I love talking business and hearing people’s ideas, hopes and dreams. I find it very exhilarating and inspiring.

Everything was great until Martin and Sergio left and some interesting characters replaced them. I was lucky that Zac and Chloe came to my rescue. The highlight of the night was when Sergio and Martin told me I had a rockin body! I was floating…

Back to the wine:
Wow this is a fab Tempranillo. It is full bodied, fruit forward, not to sweet, jammy, plummy, full of berries and a nice finish. It comes from Ribera del Duero, Spain’s most revered wine region and has a fantastic story behind this family owned and operated winery:

The Story: Hermanos Sastre is a family-run winery in the heart of the Ribera del Duero, Spain’s most revered wine region. Sastre boasts some of the oldest and finest vines in the entire Ribera del Duero Denominacion de Origen (D.O.), a region whose wines are the most expensive in Spain and the most widely sought on the international market.

Until recently, the Sastre brothers, Pedro and Jesus, ran Sastre. They inherited their prime vineyard sites in the Burgos region of Ribera del Duero from their father and grandfather. Tragically, Pedro died suddenly in December of 2002, leaving Jesus with the family winery and a great store of wine that he and his brother had worked so hard to create.

Pedro was Sastre’s primary winemaker and its window on the world, while Jesus had always tended the vineyard and overseen the agricultural side of winemaking. By all accounts, Pedro was a true bon vivant. He loved to take special visitors through an extensive barrage of barrel tastings, followed by memorable meals that even the most committed gourmands have described as incredible. His brother and all who knew him sorely miss him. Yet, it seems that most great artists, poets, writers, and even scientists become more known to the general public in death than in life. They leave a legacy for the rest of us to treasure and a spirit to savor, and indeed this scenario is once again being played out in the case of Pedro Sastre, whose treasure trove of magical wines are becoming increasingly popular and highly sought after since his untimely death. We invite you to taste and see the goodness of Vina Sastre, while you rest secure in the knowledge that this winery will continue to put out pure, flavorful wines of distinction under brother Jesus’s tutelage.

Although often in the background in the old days, Jesus is and has always been a driving force in the success of Vina Sastre. He is committed to organic farming and biodynamic agricultural principles and is considered and expert in the field of sustainable viticulture. In addition, the wines at Vina Sastre are never fined or filtered, nor are they artificially cold stabilized; all stabilization is done naturally by moving the wine from the barrel room to separate tanks in a part of the winery where the temperature is naturally regulated by the outdoor temperatures.

Tasting Notes: Charming, elegant, and impeccably balanced, the 2000 Vina Sastre Roble is pure charisma in a glass, and a veritable crowd pleaser, too. Exhibiting a seductive array of beguiling scents and flavors, the Vina Sastre is eminently drinkable and just about impossible to resist. Ripe current fruit, an expressive cigar box scent, and that oh so much more the French refer to as je ne sais quoi make this medium-bodied, unfiltered, purebred Tempranillo a clear standout among its peers. Unequivocally, the Roble is one of the most irresistible Spanish reds we have encountered in quite some time… and we haven’t even mentioned the Roble’s well-integrated cachet of new oak and its alluring, utterly satisfying finish. We suggest serving the Vina Sastre Roble at about 65º F, after allowing it to breathe for a half hour. Since the Roble has been bottled unfiltered, some may prefer to decant it, as some harmless, natural sediment may form with additional time in the bottle.

Accompaniments: del Duero, lamb seems to be the traditional favorite of the local cognoscenti and not surprisingly the tasting panel echoes those sentiments when pairing the 2000 Vina Sastre Roble with food. However, as tasty as chops, legs, shanks (and as pleasurable as this wine is, perhaps, even the wool, too) of lamb may be in the company of the Roble, there is no need to typecast this rising star. A good old-fashioned steak from the grill, sizzling fajitas, a spicy black bean and chicken chili, a brick oven baked calzone, or Veal Pizzaiola (veal in a cherry tomato and Kalamata olive sauce) all provide diverse but equally memorable complements to the Vina Sastra Roble. In fact, most grilled meats and vegetables pair well with the Roble. One of the panel’s favorites is Portabella Mush-rooms that have been marinated in high quality balsamic vinegar, then lightly grilled with a little rosemary and thyme. Come to think of it, just about everything we have tried so far with the Roble has been a hit, even no accompaniment at all. Typically, Spanish reds require food to shine, but the 2000 Vina Sastre Roble needs no additional accoutrements or support, save for a clean glass. Enjoy! by Wine of the Month Club

Next post – St. Francis RED, Destinee and Hotel Sofitel

Las Rocas Garnacha & Nine Stones Shiraz

This week my love affair continues. As I get more entangled in this web of lust, my passion grows, my palate develops and I have a voracious appetite that just can’t seem to be satisfied. Maybe that is why I stepped out this past weekend on the Spaniards and flirted with the Australians? What are we talking about here, sex or wine? Wine of course!

This week I am excited to share with you two wines. One of which I accidentally stumbled upon while out at D.O.C. Wine Bar this past Saturday. This wine was fantabulous but I can’t get over the mark-up! I digress…will share shortly.

The first wine I would like to bring to your attention is Las Rocas de San Alejandro. The grapes from this vineyard are 100% Granacha and are sourced from 70 to 100 years old vines that are located in Calatayud, Spain (northeast Spain). This wine explodes with dark, ripe berries like black cherries, plum, and currants, hints of mocha and licorice followed by undertones of spices. You can purchase this at Whole Foods for about $10.00. In my opinion this is bargain buy!

Just when I thought the Spaniards could hold my attention and keep me satisfied…I ran into an Aussie. Maybe it was his accent, maybe it was his taste or smell…not sure, but I couldn’t resist him. I was tempted and gave into my desire and cheated on the Spaniard. Shhhh, no one needs to know but us! This next wine is a 2004 Shiraz called Nine Stones from the Barossa Valley region located in Southern Australia. Not surprising at all, “The vineyards are mostly to the South East of Young, which is known as ‘The Cherry Capital of Australia’”. This wine is hand-crafted made from selected low-cropping fruit. This easy to drink, full bodied wine explodes with yummy fruit flavors like ripe blackberry, dark cherries with undertones of luscious chocolate, mocha and macerated fruit.

Now, what ticks me off is that we ended up paying $30.00 per bottle, we bought three, and I have discovered that it only costs $13.00 per bottle on-line. I am feeling gouged! Ouch. They really emptied our pocket books! We could have had three bottles for the price of one!

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