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Steve's Blog

Steve Severance
 
October 1, 2024 | Steve Severance

October 1 Email

#DentonHalloween is Here!!

Good Tuesday afternoon!

We hope you have heard about how Denton is officially the Halloween City of Texas! We have 31 days of spookiness ahead of us here in the Downtown area and we hope you will come on down and check out all the fun!

We are participating in the excitement with special wines, a special weekend beverage, and all-around fun. We will have our skeleton friends, Stephen and Stephanie, here to take pictures with you and your friends. 

Our featured wines for the month lean heavily into the Halloween theme through the names and labels of the wines. These are now available for you to enjoy by the glass today! Check out our Blog for the October Wine Club Wines to learn more about each of these fun wines.

The special "cocktail" created for our weekend fun is lovingly named, "The Bloody Spritz". It will be served on the weekends through October. A sparkling wine spritzer with a sugared rim and drowning in the glass is an eyeball!!! Well...a gummy eyeball. ;-)


Tonight, come over for a special musical experience with Lady Cass and the Fellas as we hit Halloween with their fun and spooky night of music. It's also a costume party and for those ready to get out and show off their character, there will be prizes for the best costumes.


Thursday nights, all month long, we have free music on Industrial with Twilight Tunes. We have set up the opportunity for you to reserve your seats at tables we are placing out front. Reservations will include your seat and your first beverage from a select list of wines and beers. Visit our Reservations page to reserve your seats in advance.

We also have 10 select wines we are doing at Half Price each Thursday to enjoy during your visit. 


Monday Night Live Music on the 7th, with the great Brad Leali Tentet and Carla Helmbrecht featured on vocals. Brad is off on another gig that night, but the band will be swinging without him 

You can still reserve your seats for tonight and Monday's musical events.

Steve's Events Page

Reserve your seats online at RESERVATIONS.


It's Festival Month here in Denton and this weekend starts off with the Arts and Jazz Fest. We hope you will make Steve's your stop before, during, and after your time at the park. We have wine and beer to go by the bottle and the glass. Yes, you can grab a glass of something from Steve's to walk with here in Downtown Denton. Bring your cooler by and let us fill it with chilled beer and cool wines, and we'll toss in some beverage cups in case you forgot yours. :-)

October 12th is Geezer Palooza, aka Industrial Street Pop Fest. We will have our large tent set up on the street for our customers to come and sit in the shade and enjoy the festivities.

October 25th - 27th is Day of the Dead. Saturday the 26th we will have a tent out front serving ice-cold beers and chilled wines to walk with. Of course we will have our full menu available inside. And we will be showing the Coffin Races on our TV's inside and on the back patio for those who don't want to stand in the crowd.


Did you know that Steve's was voted as having the best wine list in Denton,

as well as a top shop for wine. 


Have a great week and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Cheers! From all of us here at Steve's Wine Bar.

Time Posted: Oct 1, 2024 at 10:00 AM Permalink to October 1 Email Permalink
Steve Severance
 
September 23, 2024 | Steve Severance

Heading Into October, Ahhhhhh.....

Happy Wet Monday!

We hope you had an amazing weekend and are enjoying this cooler weather!

Some of you will read the subject line one way, and some will read it another.

Are you the one reading it as relaxed anticipation of "Ahhhh.....finally we are into the fall."?

Or, are you one reading it as "AHHHHHHHHHHHH.....NO. I can't believe October is here already!"?

We are looking at it both ways. We can't believe it's October as it came way too fast. But on the other hand, it's patio weather.  It's festival season, and Denton is officially Halloween City of Texas! We have Jazz Fest, Industrial Street Pop Fest, Day of the Dead Fest, and there are likely other events we are not including.

October tends to be our second busiest month of the year next to December with the help of all the festivals happening, and much nicer weather to enjoy on the patio here in Downtown Denton.

We hope you will use Steve's Wine Bar as your base of operations when visiting Downtown for any, and all festivals and activities. With wine and beer to go, specials with a Halloween them, and just great tasting beverages, we hope you will make us your first stop before wandering around Denton. And YES, you can walk with a beer or a glass of wine in your hand while you enjoy the sights and sounds of Downtown Denton.

I mentioned in the last email that the roads around us are no longer blocked off due to construction. When you come down to Steve's, parking will be a little easier without the barriers. We suggest that if you can't find parking right in front or back of the wine bar, park at the church lot half a block away. It's super convenient and as long as you have your car out of the lot by midnight, everything should be fine.

So let's talk about the start of the next season here at Steve's.

Tonight at 7:00, we have another amazing guest vocalist, with Alyssa Allgood visiting from Chicago. If you attended our special "concert" back in February with Nicole Zuraitis, we think you will have a similar experience tonight. We still have a few reserved seats at $15, but when they are sold out, the cover charge tonight will be $20. So jump online ASAP before the reserved seats are sold out. 

Tomorrow night, we have Shelly Denning in-house doing a special arts and crafts program 6:30 to 8:30.

Wednesday evening we have a new talent to Steve's Wine Bar with Alexandra Tayara hosting a solo show.

Saturday afternoon at a special time, 5 pm, we have another solo act with Júlia Coelho with a very special musical program on vocals, gothic harp, loop pedal, and psaltery. $10 reservations are still available.

Sunday is Birthday Sunday from 5 - 7 pm. Did you or a family member have a birthday this month? Come on down and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or beer for the birthday person, and light snacks and sweets to enjoy with your beverages. Please reserve your spots as it will help us plan on the right amount of food to have for everyone.

Monday night is another special concert with Award Winning Saxophonist, Jack Lanhardt.

Tuesday is the first day of October, and it's the kick-off of Halloween here in Downtown Denton. We have a special evening planned with Lady Cass and the Fellas. Join us as we start the fun for October with some fun and "spooky" music with Cassandra Berry.

With all the events happening in Denton, rather than compete with them, we are keeping our event schedule on the lighter side for the month of October.

Every Thursday in October there will be live music right across the street from us in the park with the return of Twilight Tunes. Industrial Street will be closed on Thursday nights and we will be putting tables and chairs out front for our customers to sit and enjoy the music. Every Thursday is our Half-Price bottles, so come on down and take advantage of that along with any of the specials we will have for October.

Monday the 7th we will have the Brad Leali Tentet back for another amazing night of music. 

Saturday the 19th we will have The Cats back for another special concert.

Stay tuned as we sprinkle in more solo performances and special afternoon experiences for you to enjoy.

Steve's Events Page

Reserve your seats online at RESERVATIONS.


People have been asking about Cigars. We had neglected to renew our Permit on time and are now waiting for the updated Permit to be delivered. As soon as that is done, we will move our Humidor back out to the main space and be ready to support your cigar needs when visiting Steve's. 


Steve and Karen will be away from the bar for most of October. The staff here at Steve's look forward to serving you, your friends, and your family while they are away. They have put a lot of trust in the team to keep the business rolling, and we hope you will be here to support the team. With your help, we can continue to make October the second busiest month of the year here at Steve's.  


Have a great week and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Cheers! From all of us here at Steve's Wine Bar.

Time Posted: Sep 23, 2024 at 12:30 PM Permalink to Heading Into October, Ahhhhhh..... Permalink
Steve Severance
 
August 9, 2024 | Steve Severance

Dinner au Rouge

We have been working with our friends at Mays Eats here in Corinth, TX to craft a fun dinner for our customers. 

We have entitled the evening, "Dinner au Rouge" as all the wine we serve will be wines based on red wine. We will have a sparkling Rose, a still Rose of Pinot Noir, a Washington Red Blend, a Napa Zinfandel, and an Italian Red, sparkling and lightly sweet to enjoy with dessert. 

Check out the menu!

Reserve Your Seats Today!


 

Time Posted: Aug 9, 2024 at 9:23 AM Permalink to Dinner au Rouge Permalink
Steve Severance
 
April 22, 2024 | Steve Severance

Thin Line Film Festival

Thin Line Fest starts Wednesday! This year's festival is jam packed with high-level content. We've got 60 documentaries including 22 Texas Premieres. Most films will be followed by a QA with the filmmaker(s). There are 85 bands across 7 stages with as diverse a lineup as we've ever had. And Thin Line Photo continues to grow with 2 downtown galleries featuring 175 printed works from 48 photographers. Plus the return of Denton Makers Fest on Saturday with 100 art and maker vendors on the Denton Square.  

As always, General Admission to the festival is completely free. Reserve your wristband at thinline.us/passes and then check-in at a festival venue. Once you've got your wristband you get full access to all festival programming! If you want an elevated experience, reserve a VIP wristband. You will get priority access to all venues and access to the festival Green Room where we will be serving up food and beverages throughout the fest!  New this year is the Daily VIP. You can now buy VIP privileges for any day (or days) you wish. That means you can do General Admission Wed-Fri but then on Saturday upgrade to VIP! Explore all the options by visiting the link below.

Steve's has three nights of live music in conjunction with Thinline. Thursday - Saturday, join us at 7:30 for some great music.

www.thinline.us


 

Time Posted: Apr 22, 2024 at 2:40 PM Permalink to Thin Line Film Festival Permalink
Steve Severance
 
April 18, 2024 | Steve Severance

Best of Denton

Steve's has been honored with Best of Denton awards over the years and we hope to continue that success with your help.

Visit the Denton RC Best of Denton site and nominate us in three major categories:
Bar and Night Life
Best of the Best
Shopping
It's always an honor to be recognized by our friends in the community, and we hope that you feel we have earned that recognition through our efforts to make Steve's a great place to visit when you are in need of a fun and relaxed experience.
Thanks for your support!

 

Time Posted: Apr 18, 2024 at 6:03 AM Permalink to Best of Denton Permalink
Steve Severance
 
March 14, 2024 | Steve Severance

The Legendary Clarence Johnson III

Time Posted: Mar 14, 2024 at 12:29 PM Permalink to The Legendary Clarence Johnson III Permalink
Steve Severance
 
April 28, 2023 | Steve Severance

Arbor Day - Steve's Wine Bar

 

Partnership

Through our partnership with non-profit environmental conservation organizations, Vina Robles plants trees with a portion of the proceeds from every bottle of The Arborist sold.

Partnering with One Tree Planted and the Arbor Day Foundation is a natural extension of the winery’s passion for trees and sustainable viticulture. One Tree Planted is a non-profit organization on a mission to make it simple for everyone to help the environment by planting trees. Founded in 2014, One Tree Planted has doubled the number of trees it has planted every year.

 

 

The Vision

"The Arborist, a dynamic red blend, is dedicated to our founder Hans Nef, and named for the arborist who saved the life of the iconic 300+ year-old oak tree featured on our label. Mr. Nef was known for his love of trees; he named the winery for them (robles is Spanish for “oaks”) and put an oak tree on the first Vina Robles wine label. That same tree still exists and is rooted in our estate Jardine Vineyard. Which is rather profound, as its health was declining when Mr. Nef purchased the vineyard in 1997. We are grateful to the arborist who was able to save it in 2014, allowing us all to continue to benefit from its beauty and positive environmental impact."

Join us on this Arbor Day and toast the world with a glass and/or a bottle of the Arborist.


 

Time Posted: Apr 28, 2023 at 8:41 AM Permalink to Arbor Day - Steve's Wine Bar Permalink
Steve Severance
 
April 7, 2023 | Steve Severance

April 2023 Wine Club Wines

April Wine Club 2023: Picnic Weather!

Hacienda Uvanis Garnacha Blanca – Navarra – SP (Gold)

Garnacha Blanca is a drought-resistant, warm-weather grape that is a mutation of the Grenache Noir grape we all know and love, heavily grown in the southern Rhône as well as Spain. This wine from Navarra, Spain, is more precisely from the tiny area of San Martin de Unx, an idyllic town with an alabaster church on a hill. While the region boasts a handful of wineries, Hacienda Uvanis is a boutique winery operating under the larger label of Bodegas San Martin. This Garnacha Blanca is light and fruity, with an abundance of white floral notes on the nose along with stone fruits, green pear, and minerality on the palate. It will be delightful paired with an ahi tuna poke bowl from Po-K Loco.

Bruno LaFon Le P’tit Chardo – Vin de France (Gold)

Some people buy wines just because of the famous wine distributor on the label. We chose this wine because of the name (Bruno LaFon) and the desire to bring an unoaked, clean Chardonnay to the wine club since it’s been a minute! While we know many will choose almost any wine but a Chard, we want you to give one of the most widely planted grapes in the world a shot today, especially with warmer weather ahead. The P’tit Chardo has a playful label, but the wine itself is crisp, tangy, and on the cusp of elegant. It hits you with citrus and tropical notes of pineapple and peach, finishing with some nutty flavors. The next time you head to Shuck Me, try their chilled boiled shrimp with a glass of Le P’tit Chardo.

Salt Rock Pét Nat Rosé– Stellenbosch – SA (Platinum)

Winemakers Xander Grier and Nathan Valentine named their label “Salt Rock” to denote the coastal influence of the South Atlantic ocean on Stellenbosch. Pét nats (pétillent naturel) are the “cool kids” of the sparkling world because they are bottled before the first fermentation is complete, and the wine is left to do its thing, unveiling flavors that literally change from day to day (but beware: pét nats should be drunk within a few months). The Salt Rock pét nat is a delightful pink-salmon color, and it a swirl of watermelon, raspberry, strawberry in the glass, with more sophisticated notes of Country Time lemonade and a bit of salinity. It is the perfect picnic wine (you only need a bottlecap opener!) and would be fabulous paired with minty tabbouleh from Layalina Mediterranean Restaurant.

Mommessin Beaujolais – Beaujolais-Villages – FR (Platinum)

The House of Mommessin just exudes fancy French winemaking from their logo, a crest with a golden key, and their austere website which boasts that “exactitude, respect, [and] transparency are the crucial principles of our philosophy.” This particular wine, made from the “sovereign” Gamay grape, is from a Beaujolais-Villages, a vast area that surrounds that 10 cru of Beaujolais. Mommessin strives for minimal intervention in their winemaking techniques (hence, exactitude, respect, and transparency). Prominent Beaujolais techniques include hand-harvesting the grapes, semi-carbonic maceration, and a devatting during fermentation to gently extract flavors. The wine shines with red and black fruits, alongside subtle spice. While a charcuterie board would be a great pairing, something more substantial like a rotisserie platter from Cowboy Chicken would certainly hold up to the Beaujolais.

Torre dei Giganti Nero d’Avola – Sicilia DOC – IT (Platinum)

Picture it—Sicily…hopefully, you get the reference (or maybe “The Golden Girls” is on my TV too often)! The most widely planted grape in Sicily is Nero d’Avola, locally known as Calebrese. This wine has an interested story as it uses partially withered grapes in its second fermentation. This process contributes some body and flavor to the wine while not adding excess alcohol (this one clocks in at 13.5%). Mulberry is a key descriptor for Nero d’Avola. Also present are notes of dried fig, prune, vanilla, and something close to “fruit roll up.” The next time you are in Aubrey, head to the World Famous Moms, and grab some of their meatloaf to try along side the Torre dei Giganti Nero d’Avola.

Avignonesi Cantaloro Rosso – Toscana IGT – IT (Gold)

Verdant landscapes abound in Tuscany, of course, and the wine producer Avignonesi wants to ensure that the rolling hills stay green. The company boasts multiple certifications that show their dedication to eco-progress, including organic, biodynamic, and vegan production; they were also named a Certified B Corporation (a global movement supporting inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economic systems). The Cantaloro Rosso, a Super Tuscan, is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. While the Sangiovese weighs in at 57%, the Bordeaux varietals amp up the flavors, contributing cherry, blueberry, menthol, and sweet spices. A glass of the Cantaloro Rosso would measure up to the decadent meatballs (or beyond meatballs if you want to go vegan!) from Graffiti Pasta.  

Zolo Reserve Malbec – Mendoza – ARG (Platinum)

The Zolo Signature Red flew off our shelves several months ago, so we wanted to entice you with the Mendoza’s most popular grape variety, a Malbec from Zolo head Patricia Ortiz. A former endocrinologist, Ortiz is also president of Bodegas de Argentina, a sort of wine chamber of commerce. She enlisted big names Fabien Valenzuela and Jean Claude Berreout, of Petrus fame, to work their winemaking alchemy. Dark and rich, the Malbec does not disappoint with its in-your-face black cherry, blueberry, and plum flavors that are harmonized with sweeter notes of violet and mocha. This Reserve Malbec would pair amazingly with spicy and umami-rich food; try it with the California Black Bean Burger from Seven Mile Café (yes, it’s okay to have some wine for lunch!).

Shannon Ridge ‘High Elevation’ Cabernet Sauvignon – Lake County AVA – CA (Gold)

The Shannon Family of Wines owns some pretty well-known brands: Ovis, Clay Shannon, Buck Shack, the more restrained Steele, and, of course, Shannon Ridge. The Shannon Ridge ‘High Elevation’ Cabernet utilizes several different appellations to bring ripe, bright fruit together in a mix of phenolic euphoria. The mission of the Shannon Family is to focus on organic and sustainable farming, which is never easy at 2,600 feet above sea level! This Cabernet, with touches of Malbec and Petite Sirah, plays into the decadent nature of the fruit and oak: cranberry, blackberry, black cherry complemented by sweeter allspice, black pepper, and toast. It is time to take out your wet naps because this wine could definitely benefit from a plate of St. Louis style ribs from Juicy Pig Barbecue (or for our vegetarians, try it with the smoked jackfruit sandwich).

BIG DOG/BONUS WINE: Vignoble Vellas ‘It’s So Good to Be Bad’ Double Ripasse – Languedoc – FR (Platinum)

If you like richly hued, concentrated wine and really cool label art, you will love this wine! We have had the “I’m the Boss” Chardonnay at the bar in the past, and this cheeky wine is a fun addition to our portfolio. It is technically an “SGM” because there is a predominance of Syrah (60%), along with 30% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre. The “double ripasse” from the title—not a common wine term—is in reference to an extended maceration on the pomace (basically the deflated grape skins after the pressing) to get as much color and flavor as possible (it is probably a naughty pun as well, given the title). The wine gratifies with smoke, pepper, chocolate, and dried herbs along with juicy black and red fruits. It will stand up to a bold beef entrée, like brisket burnt ends from Prairie House. This wine is limited in quantities as only 10 cases made it to the United States. We have committed to 5 of those cases and may be able to get our hands on a couple more if we run through our inventory early in the month. For those who have not been around for our Big Dog wines in the past, this is an $80 bottle of wine and you will be able to take one of these as your club wine for the month. 

Time Posted: Apr 7, 2023 at 6:00 AM Permalink to April 2023 Wine Club Wines Permalink
Steve Severance
 
March 21, 2023 | Steve Severance

Steve's Wine Bar Updates for the Week of March 21

So….how are we doing?

Is the new format of the email working well for you?

Are you finding the information you are most interested in more quickly?

There is so much going on and so little “time” to share the details.

So here we go….


 

Upcoming Events

  • Tonight, 7pm: Blind Tasting #4 - Our last in the series and we still have some room for a few more people. Tonight we open 4 bottles of wine that range in price from the $30 to over $100. The challenge is to identify which wine falls into a defined price range. Get your reservation in ASAP if you are interested. We will be ordering food from 10:1 Artisan Cheese around 4pm or so. 
  • March 22, 7:30pm: Rich DeRosa Presents – a special concert with two special performers in town from Maui, HI.
  • March 25, 3pm: It's our Irish Pub Experience
  • March 25, 7:30pm: The Cat's are Back! Special guest, Cassandra Berry!
  • March 26, 5pm - 7pm: March Birthday Bash! Is your birthday in March. Come join us Sunday afternoon and we will raise a glass to you. The first glass or wine or beer is on us as a birthday gift!
  • Monday 3/27 7pm: Enjoy an evening here at Steve's as we have another Monday night listening experience, with Rosana Eckert and special guest artist Brazilian Pianist, Jeff Gardner
  • March 29, 7:30pm: Phelps Family Band - first time at Steve's Wine Bar!
  • March 30, All Day - Women in Wine - we have crafted a tasting that has 6 wines from 3 wineries led by women. $20 for the tasting, $15 for our club members. 

Get your advance seating online.

You can learn more about all that is happening this month online at Events.


Cigars: We have restocked the humidors with many of the customer favorites we were either out of or very low on inventory. With the weather improving, we are ready for those wine lovers who enjoy a nice cigar on the patio. Smoking is available on our Russell Street patio.


Speaking of Patio Weather….we have our outdoor glass covers available for sale to keep those annoying critters out of your glass of wine or beer. You can pick up a single cover or a set of 4. Come check them out here at the bar, or order online for pick up here at Steve's. Our-Wines-and-Products/Merchandise 


Travel Events: We are excited to be working with Walter and Kim Eagleton on a trip to France in 2024 for Steve's Wine Bar guests. Specifically to the Burgundy and Beaujolais regions. We have booked the chateau for two weeks. There is still room available for those interested in spending the first week of the trip with us in October of 2024. You can learn more online at Artistic Gourmet Travel October 2024.

Paso Robles Tastings: We are headed to Paso Robles the week of June 4 - 10. We have been in contact with some of our favorite wineries plus several we have not yet visited. If you are interested in joining us for tastings in Paso, send us an email and we will let you what the plans are as of the time of the email. 


March Birthdays: We are going to add a little more fun to this month. March is Steve's birth month and we want to invite everyone who has a Birthday in March to come out on Sunday, March 26th from 5 to 7pm for a Birthday drink. We will have select wines available to enjoy as a complimentary glass of wine for your Birthday. Prefer a beer? You can enjoy a beer on us for your Birthday as well. So mark your calendars and come join us for a Sunday afternoon party.


In closing, we thank you for your amazing support! And to all the new (and old) customers visiting us for the first time here on Industrial, thanks for visiting with us. We are so pleased to hear all the positive comments about the space from those who are seeing the space for the first time. The patio on the front and back, the space in general, and how much everyone appreciates the musical experiences we have put together.


Have a great day and we'll see you soon!

Cheers!

Steve, Karen and the entire Steve’s Wine Bar Team.

Time Posted: Mar 21, 2023 at 11:40 AM Permalink to Steve's Wine Bar Updates for the Week of March 21 Permalink
Steve Severance
 
March 6, 2023 | Steve Severance

March 2023 Wine Club Wines

March Wine Club 2023: Because Steve Said So!

José Maria da Fonseca ‘Twin Vines’ Vinho Verde – Minho, POR (Gold)

When people consider Vinho Verde, they usually think of a unique style of zesty wine associated with the northernmost region of Portugal (technically, it is named after the physical location itself, not the wine). The Minho and the Lima flow through the area (also named the same as nearby locations—yikes!), and verdant hillsides abound throughout Vinho Verde. Geography lesson aside, this wine spotlights the indigenous grapes of Loureiro, Trajadura, Pedernã, and Alvarinho. Pale straw-green in hue and slightly effervescent, there are aromas and flavors of lemon, verbena, gooseberry, and grapefruit. An order of Baja shrimp tacos from Rusty Taco would complement this easy-drinking white from Portugal.

Olema Sauvignon Blanc – Loire Valley, FR (Gold)

Highly rated by James Suckling, the Olema Sauvignon Blanc is both quintessential and unique. Olema’s goal is to feature well-known regions like the Loire and Sonoma which produce solid varieties without sticker shock. They market their wines as suitable for both everyday imbibing and special occasions, and the Sauvignon Blanc does not disappoint! Teeming with zippy acidity, the wine is aged in stainless steel to maintain the aromatic quality of the grape. On the nose, citrus, and jasmine emerge upfront, culminating in a balance of lemon-lime-kumquat goodness on the palate. Sauvignon Blanc can withstand an equally high-acid partner in cuisine, like the Insalata Caprese from Giuseppe’s.

Cielo Rosso – Veneto – IT (Gold)

It’s a love story for the ages: in 1908, founder Giovanni Cielo became smitten with a small estate overlooking the castles of Romeo and Juliet in the Veneto region near Verona and Vicenza. Three generations later, the Cielo family has grown the business into a success story. Displaying love for their community, the Cielo family gives to the charitable organization winetowater.org with every bottle purchase. The Rosso, a proprietary red blend, is a lighter, fruit-driven red, with an ABV of 14%. With medium tannins and medium acidity, the Rosso pops with red fruits: red currant, raspberry, and red cherry delight the senses, with additional notes of violet, mushroom, and walnut on the finish. Enjoy this red blend with the Meat Me pizza from Crooked Crust.

Chåteau Bentéjac Bordeaux Blend - Bordeaux AOC – FR (Gold)

It’s an oversimplification to say the French know a little something about wine. Bordeaux, off of France’s Atlantic coast, encompasses over 50 appellations and crafts 65 different wine styles. The Gironde Estuary, north of the city, has created the concept of “left bank” and “right bank” wine. This blend consisting of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon is decidedly “right bank.” The Merlot contributes blueberry, plum, black cherry, and mint, while the Cab balances the vintage by adding a bit more body, tannin, tobacco, and spice. A Bordeaux blend is as classic as a wine lover can get for a bolder red. Sip this wine with an entrée of Chicken Biryani from Green Zatar Mediterranean Cuisine.

Tenuta Foresto ‘La Ideale’– Piedmont – IT (Platinum)

Husband and wife Francesco and Pauline head up Tenuta Foresto, a vineyard set in the idyllic Asti hills. They farm in Nizza Monferrato, a UNESCO heritage site, in Piedmont. This 100% Barbera is unfined, unfiltered, and aged in both cement and old oak as the winemakers prize holistic and organic practices. In fact, they promote Raw Wine fairs, which are two-day events where hundreds of like-minded grape-growers, vintners, and wine lovers get together to showcase low-intervention, biodynamic, and natural wines (the next fair is in Los Angeles on April 23-24!). Delicate wild red cherry, strawberry, and herbal notes permeate ‘La Ideale.’  On the palate, flavors of blackberry jam, plum, violet, and rosemary abound. While Barbera easily marries with Italian food, experience ‘La Ideale’ with a GreenHouse’s seasonal salad, a tangy mix of greens, goat cheese, cherries, walnuts, and roasted sweet potatoes.

Elizabeth Rose ‘Chockablock’ Red Blend – Yountville AVA – CA (Platinum)

Elizabeth Rose is part of a family-run empire that also includes Oakville and Ghost Block. The namesake is a reference to managing partner and grape grower Andrew Hoxsey’s eldest daughter (her husband is the winemaker, so they really keep the business in the family!). Cooled by the San Pablo Bay, the vineyards are swathed in generous sunlight, resulting in balanced, ripe fruit. The ‘Chockablock,’ a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec, is certified organic and aged in neutral oak for 12 months. On the nose, the wine offers a bouquet of strawberry, red cherry, rose, and violet. Once tasted, the ‘Chockablock’ expands into a dark fruity delight with hints of vanilla, cedar, and mocha. If you’re wanting some soul food to enjoy with this wine, order a chopped beef sandwich combo from Clara’s Kitchen, and smile as you imbibe.

Glaetzer ‘Wallace’ Red Blend – Barossa Valley – AUS (Platinum)

Following up the huge success of December’s the ‘Bishop’ Shiraz (Svetlana and Matt’s choice) comes the ‘Wallace,’ a Shiraz and Grenache blend from Barossa Valley. These two varieties naturally complement each other: Shiraz brings power and body while Grenache, a workhorse of a grape, adds softness and juicy fruit. The ‘Wallace’ is named after Colin Glaetzer’s wife, whose ancestors hail from Fife, Scotland; thus, the Celtic cross, thistle, and knot on the label are an homage to her Celtic roots. The Shiraz is matured in old oak barrels for 16 months, but to preserve the structure of old vine Barossa Grenache, oak contact is avoided. Red fruits from the Grenache dominate the nose, rounded out by licorice, star anise and smoke from the Shiraz. Bright red cherry and red plum give way to blackberry, currant, and black pepper on the palate. Chargrilled veggies are a perfect pairing for the ‘Wallace,’ so swing by Café Brazil and try it with their Southwest vegan burger.

Vina Robles ‘The Arborist’ Red Blend – Paso Robles AVA – CA (Platinum)

People love their Paso Robles wines, and this one in particular has an environmental and philanthropist twist: as of the writing of these notes, 32,727 trees have been planted in a partnership between Vina Robles and a non-profit with the goal of preserving the planet. Vina Robles specializes in Rhone and Bordeaux varieties due to proximity to the Santa Lucia Mountains, which trap heat during the afternoons, resulting in ample sunshine in the vineyards and ripe, juicy fruit. ‘The Arborist,’ so named for a horticultural magician who saved the tree featured on the label, is a unique blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Tannat. The wine is aged for 18 months in small- and large-format French, Hungarian, and American oak to smooth out the tannins. Notes of blackberry, black plum, strawberry, mocha, black pepper, and cedar dominate the palate. Pair this with something as equally decadent, a black and blue ribeye from Cartwright’s Ranch House.

Time Posted: Mar 6, 2023 at 9:52 AM Permalink to March 2023 Wine Club Wines Permalink