Category Archive:
Posted by Greg Schroeder on January 9, 2012 at 4:37 pm
It’s morning and my mind is on breakfast so I thought I’d take a moment to share with you a new suggestion to start your day! I’m talking beer with breakfast, but more specifically, BananWeisse for breakfast!
This has got to be my favorite “mixed drink” now. You take Looza Banana Juice, which you can find at any Albertson’s Grocery Store in the natural foods aisle and mix it with a good, German Hefe Weisse (wheat beer), like the Schneider Hopfen Weisse we carry at Amazing Grapes Wine Store.
Proportions: Fill a glass like the one in the photo about a 1/3 of the way full and top it off with the beer.
I know this isn’t original, but I’ve never had it before and I shared it with my serious beer drinking son and his friends, who had never had it before, so I’m sure this will be new to most of you.
The Heffe Weissen beer has a hint of banana in it already so the combination just works. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to enjoy this – too easy in fact.
FYI – This is a common breakfast drink in Germany. Did you know that beer is considered, and licensed, as a food in Munich? This allows children to purchase and drink beer. Not condoning childhood drinking by any means.
Enjoy!
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Posted by Greg Schroeder on January 5, 2012 at 5:46 am
Tajarin
Seems like the only articles I write are about Seattle eateries. Well, it just so happens that I really like Seattle eateries!
Our most recent trip was to Seattle to celebrate New Years eve. The fact that I even made it to midnight is a feat all on its own, but I did – and had a blast doing it!
Spinasse
1531 14th Ave., Seattle, WA; 206-251-7673
We ate at Spinasse on the night before New Years. This was our second trip to this Capital Hill restaurant. Their website sums it up – they’ve been labeled as producing Pasta Porn! All of their pastas are handmade at the restaurant and the quality comes screaming through on all of their dishes.
My wife and I shared the Tajarin. A signature of the restaurant since it opened, this egg-y Piemontese pasta comes simply dressed with butter and sage, or (as in the photograph) topped with ragu. We’ve had both, but prefer the ragu version. I know this will invoke fights at the restaurant, but . . .
The other dish was the Pansoti con noce, their winter green “potbelly” ravioli with walnuts. We also shared the Cavoletti di Bruxelles - Brussel sprouts with pine nuts and Carote al forno – Red Scarlet Nantes carrots roasted with sage. Our starter was a plate of oven roasted leeks swimming in a Bechemel sauce. Seriously, if you were a vegetarian, you would call this place “Veggie Porn” – they were all that!
Since this is technically an Italian restaurant, their entire wine list is comprised of Italian wines. Trust your server to find something that will compliment all of the foods at the table. You won’t be disappointed. We weren’t!
Lark
926 12th Ave., Seattle, WA; 206-323-5275
New Years eve had us dining at Lark. It’s a quaint, house-type structure that is very cute inside – warm and comfortable. They had a prix fixe meal this evening so I won’t go over the entrees as I’m not sure they’re offered on their regular menu. Needless to say, each of the four courses were magnificent. They also have a decent wine selection with $$ selections that won’t break the bank.
Cannon: Whiskey and Bitters Emporium
928 12th Ave., Seattle, WA
After our dinner, the icing on the cake this evening was a stop next door at Cannon: Whiskey and Bitters Emporium. This is one for the Bucket List! If you want a really, really well made cocktail, by people who give a damn about what you are going to drink - it doesn’t get any better than this. Check out this photo show to see what I mean. Best Whiskey Sour I’ve ever had – period! A special thank you to our hostess who found me at the door pouting and let the four of us in. (We found a sign on the door that said it was closed to reservations that evening). She happen to have 3 seats at the bar.
NOTE: This bar is serious fun for serious drinkers. If you are a Bud Light guy – fugettaboutit!
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Posted by Greg Schroeder on September 22, 2011 at 11:06 pm
My wife turned 50 last Friday and the 2003 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon we’d been saving for just the right occasion – her birthday . . . not so good!
The wine was a huge disappointment. What was even worse was my behavior at the restaurant, Osteria Mozza.
We were greeted at the door and our bottle was quickly whisked away to the Sommeliers table for “preparation.” Honestly, I’ve never experienced this type of wine prep before as it is usually done table side. You can imagine my panick that my $1500 bottle of Screaming Eagle was out of my site and was being attended to by someone I had yet to meet. It simply looked like the Somm’s where all getting free tastes of my expensive wine! After raising my voice to our server to get my wine to my table and tell those guys to quit drinking it, it was presented to us by Taylor, Mozza’s Wine Director. Whether Taylor had heard my tirade I’m not sure, as he was calm and collected while he explained what he was experiencing with our wine and that he had been “seasoning” our glasses for us. Nice touch! Boy did I feel like an idiot! Just know everyone, that if you bring your own wine to Mozza and they ask you if you’d like it prepared by their wine experts – you’re in good hands!
Our expectations were much higher than the actual wine in the glass turned out to be. I had the privilege of experiencing a 1999 Screaming Eagle about 7 years ago and was mesmerized by it. I really expected something along those lines with the 2003 vintage but sadly . . . I didn’t get the “wow” I expected. Oh well, I took comfort in not paying anything for this wine as it was a gift to me some years ago. Although the wine had been properly stored in our cellar, it was clearly past its prime. In fact, it didn’t drink like a Napa Cab at all. It was much more akin to a Bordeaux in style and taste. In my opinion – not worth the price whether you got it directly from winery or not. There are boat loads of Napa Cab’s in the $100/bottle range that would blow this away.
So let’s forget about the wine and talk about the food at Mozza. Taylor and Sarah, our Sommelier and table server were terrific in their recommendations. Taylor highly touted the Prime Rib Eye, which was rubbed with a mixture of dried Porcini mushrooms, pepper and salt. At first I thought it was too salty, but the sweetness of the meat overcame that issue quickly. Honestly, it was THE best steak I’ve ever had. The chef prepared it perfectly. My wife and I split the steak and still had quite a bit to take home – it was that big.
But up first was the appetizer from their mozzerella bar. Both Sarah and Taylor pushed the Burrata Puglia. This cheese, which resembles a small bag purse, is flown in overnight from Puglia and has a very short shelf life. They serve this for two nights and that’s it – sold out or not. The cheese sat atop braised leeks and a small pool of olive oil. The leeks were amazing. You eat this dish with the yummiest pieces of bread I’ve ever had – an obvious contribution from baker and restaurateur Nancy Silverton (of La Brea Bakery and Campanile fame). The bread was about 3 inches thick, had been rubbed with garlic and toasted on one side. It appeared to have about a 1/4 inch saturation of olive oil on the toasted side which was out of this world. Cut a piece of bread and spoon on a piece of oozing Burrata with the olive oil and leeks – we’d have been happy if this was all we ordered!
Second course consisted of a shared plate of their Duck Ragout Gnocci. Soft as pillows with a beautiful duck meat sauce. Paired perfectly with the Screaming Eagle.
Then came the rib eye. Whatever shortcomings the wine had were made up for with the meat. Pure elegance!
Lastly, we treated ourselves to dessert. Olive Oil Gelato with Olive Oil and Rosemary Muffins called to us and we gladly answered. What an amazing combination! Who knew – olive oil ice cream!
Taylor and Sarah – again my apologies for my behavior about our wine. Whether or not the wine lived up to the hype, I wrongly assumed you were consuming my wine for your pleasure and I apologize. You two will bring us back to Osteria Mozza – many times I hope!
Greg
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Posted by Greg Schroeder on July 2, 2011 at 12:59 am
I have been on Paul’s mailing list for a couple of years now as this was the only way you could obtain these coveted, high scoring gems. During these years, I’ve been begging Paul for an allotment at my store so that I could share these with you because I think his list is closed and there is a long wait now.
My patience, and begging, has been rewarded. Our first allotment has arrived. I know they’re pricey but we’re no more than what you’d pay for them on the mailing list. We don’t have many, so get them while we have them!
Paul Lato 2009 Chardonnay Le Souvenir
Rating: Robert Parker 95 Points
Fresh scents of acacia blossoms with notes of lemon zest and spring mountain flowers on the nose. A touch of vanilla and wet stone. This wine is dry, zesty and vibrant with plenty of refreshing acidity and a long pleasant finish.
Buy It Now: $54.98/bottle
Paul Lato 2009 Pinot Noir Suerte
Rating: Robert Parker 94 Points
Winemakers Notes: This vineyard is going from strength to strength. As the vines mature, I was also able to obtain the lease of the best parcels. It is a new expression of Santa Maria Pinot. Elegant and fine with velvety texture, full body and a long finish with assertive tannins
Buy It Now: $68.98/bottle
Paul Lato 2009 Pinot Noir Hillliard-Bruce Vineyard Alegria
Demure aromatics showing darker well-spiced cherry, berry and currant fruits with an underpinning of forest floor and underbrush. Earthy and mysterious on the palate with firm ripe tannins, a silky mouth feel, and some persistence on the aromatic finish. A lot to like in this young vines offering.
Buy it Now: $74.98/bottle
Want more proof that these are wines you need to have in your cellar? Consider this prestigious list of restaurants that serve his wines and what they must charge for them:
- Bouchon, Santa BarbaraBoulevard, San Francisco
- Campanile, Los Angeles
- Craft, Los Angeles
- Farallon, San Francisco
- Frascati, San Francisco
- The French Laundry, Yountville
- Grace, Los Angeles
- Michael Mina, San Francisco
- Per Se, New York
- Napa Rose, Anaheim
- Roys, Honolulu, Kapolei, Kihei, Lahaina
- Sona, Los Angeles
So ask around, ask any wine geek who knows who is the hot ticket in Paso Robles these days and they’ll all tell you . . . Paul Lato!
Cheers,
Greg
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Posted by Greg Schroeder on June 13, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Special Order Your Wine!
Have you ever perused our store or website hoping to find the wine you consumed at your favorite restaurant the night before…only to find that we don’t carry it? No wine store can possibly stock every wine that is made – but, we can source it for y
ou and order it.
Keep in mind, many of the finer restaurants stock exclusive bottles of wine, sold only to them. Retailers are often shut out from these allocations so ordering them is difficult at best – but we’ll try! Most orders arrive in a day or two, unless of course we’re getting it from overseas.Special ordering can be fun and just as rewarding as finding it in stock somewhere. There’s a certain anticipation of an order that is more gratifying once it arrives!
So the next time you are intent on finding a certain wine, pick up the telephone and give us a call. Chances are good that we’ll have the wine you want in stock. If not, well, you’ll get to talk to one of the friendly and knowledgeable people on our wine staff!
Better yet, visit our store in beautiful Rancho Santa Margarita, California and we’ll personally hook you up.
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Posted by Greg Schroeder on November 18, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Well here it is, the long awaited (and sober) review of Elemental in Seattle. Silvia and I learned of this really hard to find restaurant from a local waitress (I’m not saying server! There’s nothing wrong with waitress, so save the hate mail!) at Cafe Campagne. She overheard where we were going to dinner and had to interject with her “locals” only list. Fine by us as we love this kind of intell.
Elemental was one of 6 restaurants she recommended we try and for the following reasons:
- They have no menu.
- You get what they feel like cooking.
- They serve the meal all inclusive of booze, food and tip for $85/person.
- The husband handles the front of house, including mixing you a cocktail with your favorite liquor.
- They don’t take reservations.
- And lastly, the food is supposed to be amazing.
Good enough reasons for us, so we got there plenty early to secure our spot as we were told it was first come-first seated. Apparently, Wednesday nights are not that crowded, so we got there way too early. Only problem with that was we (OK . . . I) got drunk pretty quick. After a mulled wine was served, just warm enough to thaw us out from the Seattle storm we were caught in, front of house guy mixes us each a cocktail per our preferred liquor. Mine was Bourbon. I usually like my Bourbon with a sour mix, but he gave it to me with some blend of other liquors instead and it dropped me on my butt in a hurry. If you saw my Facebook posts – you’ll now understand why I was rallying for a Monkeescomeback. I was jamming to Daydream Believers while my wife died laughing watching me get drunk for the first time in our 17 years of marriage! Did I mention the cool music they play here?
Front of house guy, who wouldn’t tell us his name when we inquired – telling us it was “Unnecessary,” was either rude or this was his charm. We’re still not quite sure. One thing is for sure, this guy can pair wine. Every course we had, there were 6 of them, was paired with a separate wine and every one was spot on perfect.
And now for the food review but first, it must be noted that this is not a typical restaurant, at least from Orange County health code standards. They had no hood or ventilation which means there is no flame to cook with. They solved this issue with a portable gas camping stove, but it did the trick. They are classified as a wine bar which apparently in Seattle allows for different rules. Cool for them and great for us! The restaurants decor is as basic as you can get. I’ll bet their entire tenant improvement bill totaled $1,500, but we weren’t there for the ambiance, we were there for the food.
Since there was no menu, and front of house guy (FOHG) wasn’t talking the whole night, we had to guess at some of the entrees and every wine. The first course we think was a tomatillo soup with hominy, tortilla strips, a big slice of jalapeno that threatened your spoon every time you dove in. We knew the rest of the night was going to be special. This soup was delicious and the pairing we swore was a Sauvignon Blanc. We stopped FOHG to see if we were right and he smugly answered - “No” and walked away. We finally got him to tell us it was a Italian wine called a Ribolla Gialla, or so I think he said. Remember, I was drunk already! Anyway, the wine was perfect with the soup and it did taste like a mild Sauv Blanc. This was to be the way the rest of the night would go – we guess, FOHG smirks in denial and we beg for the answers.
The next course was a plate of poached shrimp with bok choy. The flavors the chef evoked in this dish were terrific. This course, and all the rest, were served on one plate for Silvia and I to share. Good thing as we would have been packed! Sorry, don’t recall the white wine he served, but again it was perfect.
Course #3 was a poached white fish stuffed with sauteed spinach. Amazing what they could do with a hot plate and a camping stove. The wine pairing turned out to be a Roussanne after I swore it was a Chablis. This guy was really pissing me off!
Course #4 was my personal favorite and the subject of a drunken Facebook post mid-dinner. It was black trumpet mushrooms with gnoche. I would eat this for the rest of my life and be content with every serving. This is my new favorite mushroom. Sorry Chantrelle. The wine pairing turned out to be a Barbera from Italy. I would have bet my house I was drinking an old world Syrah, but nope, it turned out to be a beautiful Barbera. I’ll have a new appreciation for Barbera if they all taste like this.
Course #5 was a fillet of beef, cooked perfectly, which sat upon a bed of pureed parsnips. There was some other unidentified sauce as well that rocked. Confident that this courses wine pairing was a Cote du Rhone because of the heavy white pepper overtones, FOHG laughed mockingly and said - “Not even close. Wrong country.” Turns out it was a syrah from Chile. I would have sworn this was French all day long, and so would many others I’m sure. What a delight this Chilean syrah was. We’re researching it now to see if we can get any for the store. Stay tuned.
The last course was a cheese course. Nice selection of 4 cheeses, all of which we serve or have served at our wine bar, which were paired with an unidentified Sauvignon Blanc and a Four Vines Old Vine Zinfandel. Too tired, or too humiliated at my inability to correctly guess anymore, Silvia announced with confidence what the wines were to FOHG and he nodded, smirked and said “Yup.” Final score: Silvia was 2 for 2, I was 0 for 5. Normally this performance would ruin my night, but the Bourbon and The Monkees saw to it that I had a great time at Elemental. It was everything our waitress friend said it would be!
I had my humble pie and I loved every bite of it!
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Posted by Greg Schroeder on November 2, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Hidden in an obscure, barely noticeable strip center in Tustin/Santa Ana, lies Pina’s Bistro, a small, completely typical, family owned Italian restaurant that is very reminiscent of bistro’s in Italy. This is my wife’s and I’s favorite restaurant in The OC and until now, our closely held secret.
We kept it a secret so that we didn’t have to fight the crowds for “our” table. But the secret is out. Yelpers know about it, and so do several other social websites. And now Pina has been solicited by Groupon to make an offer so it’s time we came clean and told you about our little secret.
What you’ll find at Pina’s is a small storefront of seating area. Between the sidewalk seating and the restaurant itself, I think they can seat 50 people. Pina is the owner and chef and is joined by her two daughters who handle the front of house, for the most part. Everything is homemade. That includes her own sausage, bread and desserts. If you’ve ever been to Italy, you’ll love the quaint atmosphere and the lack of frills. This place is about the food – period. In the 17+ years I’ve been married to my Italian wife, I’ve never heard her admit that anyone’s sauce was better than her mom’s, until we met Pina.
The dishes are huge and you certainly get your money’s worth. My wife loves to talk but when we eat here, there’s only silence and moaning while we devour our dishes. The talking comes after we’re finished and we pay proper homage to Pina, gushing over her food. I won’t review all of the dishes as we’ve settled on some favorites. For my wife it’s Pina’s Aurora sauce with sausage crumbed over soft pillows of gnochi. For me, I love the Veal Chop. It’s as good as anything you’d get at the big guys meat markets. Cooked to perfection, it’s an incredible piece of meat. It’s so tender and flavorful.
Every dinner comes with an ice cold side (huge) salad. Very simple and exactly what you get in Italy. The dressing is my favorite. We don’t normally have room for a dessert treat afterword but this time we had her cinnamon bread pudding with vanilla gelato. It’s made with her dinner bread loaves which makes for a unique texture and taste. Simple. but oh so delicious.
We just celebrated our 17th anniversary and for the first time ever, we were introduced to Pina’s Christmas cookies. I have never liked Italian cookies, as I think they’re too dry and not sweet enough, but that wasn’t the case here. These have to be the best Christmas cookies I’ve ever had. Sorry mom! Pina says she’s taking orders now and I’d hurry if I were you!
Other than the need to bare my soul over our hoarding of this place, my wife and I would like to host a wine dinner with Pina. We’re inviting you to join us at Pina’s in early December. It’ll be great! Our stomachs will be stretched out from Thanksgiving allowing us to gorge ourselves on Pina’s dishes! She’s going to take care of the food and I’ll pick the perfect wines.
All I need to know is are you interested in joining us? If so, let me know by sending me an email with your name and phone number. I’ll get back to you shortly with the details. Send your email to greg.s@amazinggrapeswinestore.com.
See you soon!
Greg
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Posted by Greg Schroeder on August 4, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Always one of the most anticipated Italian wine releases every year, the 2007 Flaccianello is a blockbuster! We at Amazing Grapes have a limited number of cases at the exceptional price of $79.98 (normal retail price is $109.98 – a $30 savings!). When they are gone, they’re gone.
Robert Parker wrote, “The 2007 is old, extroverted Flaccianello that sweeps across the palate with sensual layers of candied cherries, violets, spices and minerals. Dark, mentholated notes develop in the glass, adding further dimensions of inner sweetness, weight and complexity to this Tuscan thoroughbred.”
The latest blockbuster from the Benchmark Tuscan Producer!!
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Posted by Greg Schroeder on July 21, 2010 at 7:53 pm
So you’ve been affected by the recent economic slowdown…who hasn’t? Your $30+ weeknight selection has been reduced by half – say, to an under $15 “gem?” Let’s face it – most of us have been affected by a diminished wine budget at one time or another. One of the best and most challenging aspects of my job is to find those ‘diamonds in the rough’ and recommend them to my customers.
Well, you’re in luck! This week, per our very own Amazing Grapes’ Steve’s recommendation, I discovered the 2007 Hahn Estate Meritage Table Wine. At Amazing Grapes, we sell this wine for an unbelievable $12.98 per bottle. (FYI, I was in Chicago today and purchased the same bottle for $14.99…just sayin’!) This blend is Hahn’s successful attempt at an everyday table wine that you would be comfortable serving to your most discerning wine snob friends, or to a newbie who has not yet had the pleasure of experiencing and pairing a wine with your delicious culinary creations!
I decided a thin crust cheese and sausage pizza when I stumbled on a little wine shop that just so happened to carry the very same wine I sampled just a few days prior at Amazing Grapes. This is a zesty little red, with black cherry and graphite aromas and appealing, sleek plum, spice and espresso flavors. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2015. My first sip proved to be a bit effervescent. However, after aerating the wine and letting it breathe in my glass for only a few minutes, I discovered this wine was an amazingly smooth and approachable and paired very well with the garlic-forward pie I was enjoying. (Yes, it is absolutely acceptable to be a pizza critic as well as a wine blogger when you are a pizza connoisseur, too!)
So the next time you are perusing our website looking for that deal, I suggest you consider the Hahn ’07 Meritage. At this price, it won’t last long. Cheers!
P.S. The word “Meritage” is pronounced mare-i-tij and rhymes with “heritage.” It is a combination of the words “merit” and “heritage” and is a proprietary term used to denote red and white Bordeaux-style wines without infringing on the Bordeaux region’s legally protected designation of origin.
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Posted by Greg Schroeder on May 23, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Bummed that you can’t take a bottle of wine with you on the airplane? That’s solved now with the VinniBag Reusable Travel Storage Bag. Granted, you still can’t carry on your wine and you’ll have to trust the workers who handle your baggage, but you’ll never have to wrap that precious bottle of Brunello you are trying to bring home from Italy with your clothing anymore. Just bring along the VinniBag!
The VinniBag was engineered specifically to withstand air travel and high altitudes. The design and materials allow for significant changes in air pressure and temperatures. Sophisticated testing was done at an independent test lab using altitude chambers that surpass normal conditions in aircraft cargo holds. Designed to optimally protect standard 750ml wine bottles, VinniBag can accommodate many other types of bottles including champagne, olive oil, and certain distilled spirits. Contents are isolated, immobilized and cushioned by the air chambers, and sealed with a specially designed closure. Simply insert a bottle into the center of VinniBag, inflate by mouth or with a hand pump, roll up the bottom flap to form a leak proof seal, and snap the buckle closed. If, God forbid, your Brunello was to break, your clothing and suitcase will stay dry!
Plastic wine glasses up until now have been pretty bad, if not downright embarrassing to bring out for your guests. Introducing the GoVino “Go Anywhere Wine Glass” 4 Pack Tote! Offered in an attractive tote, each tote contains a set of four crystal-clear shatterproof GoVino “glasses” that are perfect for indoors or out, at a picnic, an outdoor party, or at poolside. Get multiple totes for that next party and don’t worry about anyone dropping or breaking them!
The GoVino shatterproof wine glass was originally created as a trade tool to help professional salespeople showcase their wines whenever and wherever proper stemware isn’t accessible – which as they learned firsthand, is often! Once testing began in the market, it was realized there was an even bigger need for GoVino in the consumer sector, particularly at settings where breakable glass is an issue.
Looks and performs like crystal! The GoVinowine glass is made from a proprietary, food/pharmaceutical safe polymer, only it is superior in that it reflects the wine’s color and aromatics much like crystal. It is recyclable (#1) but better yet it is reusable.
Both items are in stock now at our website.
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It’s morning and my mind is on breakfast so I thought I’d take a moment to share with you a new suggestion to start your day! I’m talking beer with breakfast, but more specifically, BananWeisse for breakfast!
