HoPo PN

Since it is my blog, I suppose it's time for a little self-promotion. Hocus Pocus Pinot Noir is now released! It's from Willamette Valley, Oregon is 12.18% alcohol and I think it's super delicious and refreshing for summer sipping. (That sounds uber-cheesy, but I'm sticking to my guns here). Just lots of bright cherry fruit, it's lean and elegant.

Check it out at Rosso Wine Shop, CheeseStore of Silverlake, Colorado Wine Company and the upcoming Venokado on Fountain in Hollywood (opening predicted for end of May, delayed due to my wedding - that's how important I am). It retails for around $23.

Support my wedding fund. Buy HoPo Pinot.

Like I said, he's a perfectly nice guy...

...as long as you don't drink Rombauer.

A ten year for 2 tenners.

Richter, Veldenzer Elisenberg, Riesling, Kabinett, 1997. Stunningly Delicious and Refreshing!!! I love that you can buy this at K&L for $19.99. I'm going back to buy more because when's the last time you drank a KILLER bottle of 10-year-old wine for two tenners???

JulesHarrison at aoc.

JulesHarrison, Santa Maria, Soloman Hills, Pinot Noir, 2005.

I love this wine, and not just because its Caroline's wine! Caroline Styne co-owns aoc and Lucques with Suzanne Goin, of course, and is an amazing wine person. She makes JulesHarrison with Katherine Strange, a wine distributor. Joe Davis from Arcadian consults on the wine making. It's very elegant with dark brooding cherry fruit, dried roses and other perfumey floral elements. If I could afford to drink it every night I would! It's $90 on the list and $24 a glass in the cruvinet. I think its always good to splurge every now and then, and you won't be disappointed in this one. Not sure where it can be found retail, but you can find it at Spago too!

Pictured again is Rick, your friendly neighborhood bartender!!

Jeepers Creepers.

Even though Jeff at Rosso Wine Shop looks creepy in this picture, he's really quite normal (he will not murder you in your sleep). He recommended this terrific little Spanish wine from Jumilla. Altos de la Hoya, 2006.

Frequently those Jumilla wines are made in a new world style, so oaky and intense. But this wine has that chalky texture and dark dried fruit flavor profile that I love. You know I'm an acid freak and it's got that too!

It's all Monastrell (Mouvedre to you Francophiles) at the rock bottom price of $12.99.

Please drive to Glendale and check out his shop. He also has great eco-friendly wine bags for $2!! It's the only bag he offers. It has little compartments so the wine doesn't slide all around. I love myself a green minded retailer.

Surya, samosas and cheap corkage.

We had Indian Food at Surya on 3rd Street (at Crescent Heights) and it's one of my favorite places to go for a low key dinner. We went with 2 friends and everyone brought a bottle. Corkage is $15 - a deal!

We had a Huber-Bleger, Gewurztraminer, Alsace, 2006. My friend, Rebecca, bought it for $21.95 at Flask in Studio City.It was recommended by Ryan, the owner of the store, and was really great with the samosas.


Then we moved on to Rioja, which didn't really make sense, but still I love Artadi, Vinas de Gain, 2005. It has such great texture, moderate acidity and lots of dried red fruits. Just one of my favorites. You can get it at K&L for $27.99.

The tangy butterfly.

Domaine du Baumard, Savennieres, Clos du Papillon, 2004. 100% Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley in France. I love the packaging on this wine (the butterfly in particular) but the stuff inside the bottle is delicious too and perfect poolside or just in your backyard.

Peter blind tasted me on it and I thought it was Riesling, it's not obviously, but the wine has no oak influence and (for those of you who care) did not undergo malolactic fermentation. That makes it tangy and tart like biting into a green apple and very refreshing.

It's $25.99 at Wine Pavilion in the OC and Bristol Farms in Palm Springs. Or you can pay a lot more at Wally's ($32.99) if you don't feel like making the drive to either of those places. Haysus! I personally would be disappointed to pay that much for this wine. It's good at $25, not so good over $30.