Calling all Santa Barbara oenophiles… Over the next two weeks there are three events that I can’t choose between so they all ended up pencilled in on my calendar. A few blocks away from the winery, the Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro will hold two tastings next week – the Bottle Shock screening (Monday, February 2) followed by a blind tasting and the monthly Passport to the World of Wine (Wednesday, February 4).
This month’s Passport theme is Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are unfamiliar with this monthly themed tasting held at the restaurant, each one features a particular varietal from different areas of the world. This theme captures what is to me one of the most intriguing aspects of a wine’s expression – how the same grape can take on particular characteristics depending on the weather and area that it was grown in. Passport tastings are $25 and include a tasting of 5 wines and paired appetizers, by chef Nathan Heil, that always fill me up. Reservations are required 962-1455.
Following this theme of varying expression of the same grape, Spiritland Bistro puts on one of my favorite themed dinners. This Wednesday January 28 will mark the first Wednesday Wine & Dine at Spiritland and will feature Shiraz from the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, South Africa, and South America). Our tasting room neighbors, Seth Kunin of Kunin and Westerly Wines, and Martin Brown of Kalyra will be the speakers.
The tasting portion of the dinner occurs during the stand up cheese course, followed by a sit down dinner that will include a wild mushroom fricassee over polenta to start, braised lamb shank as a main, and an apricot marzipan tart for dessert. Email lesliewine@aol.com for reservations. $45 all inclusive, just bring a bottle of Shiraz.
Hope to see some familiar faces at each of these events.
Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery
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