Pinot 911, Pretty in Pink, and Sake to Me 

     Pine cones.  That is the one thing all true Pinot grapes have in common.  The grapes grow in clusters shaped like pine cones, hence the origin of the name.  Pinot Noir is basically a tramp.  It produces mutations more readily than any other grape variety which is why we get Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio), Pinot Blanc, Pinotage (more of a forced hybrid), etc, etc.  This Friday in our tasting, we will be focusing on only Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.  Pinot Noir has been a complete media whore these last couple of years but Pinot Gris is only now getting some real recognition in the U.S..  And not attention in the way that any child with the name Spielberg in Hollywood would get a 5 picture deal just for breathing, attention because winemakers and wine drinkers are discovering the range and great potential of this grape as a primary varietal, rather than a blending grape.  For reasons unclear to modern science, Pinot Gris only shows itself after a cluster of Pinot grapes ripens and side by side you can have a pale brown/grey group of Pinot Gris grapes and a cluster of Pinot Noir grapes.  Wouldn't make a thrilling documentary but is odd, nonetheless.  Pinot Gris, like many travelers to the Pacific Northwest, found a home in Oregon, attracted to the long, temperate days and cool nights.  Since the 60's, Oregon winemakers have been producing medium-bodied Pinot Gris with that great balance of crisp, bright flavors and creamy tastes of melon and pear.

     Give us a call or email to reserve your spot in Pinot 911 , this Friday night. 

Tasting Schedule

Pinot 911

This Friday the 12th

5:30-8:30pm

(but you can show up anytime before 8pm)

$15/person

5 wines, cheeses, breads

Reserve a spot: info@cowineco.com or (323) 478-1985

Wines

A to Z Pinot Gris 2004, Oregon

Westrey Pinot Gris 2002, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2004, Monterrey County, California

Campion Pinot Noir 2001, Edna Valley, California

La Bete Pinot Noir Selection du Cave 2003, Oregon

Sake to Me  

This Sunday the 14th

1:00-4:00pm

$12/person

4 Sakes, edamame, rice crackers

No reservations necessary

Yes, our second Sake tasting has finally arrived.  We've got a selection of cold sakes that will squash any case of the Sunday blues. 

Sakes  

Meibo "Midnight Moon" Junmai Ginjo Sake

Nishinoseki "Champion of the West" Tezukuri Junmai Sake

Hitori Musume Junmami Nigori Sake (unfiltered, cloudy style)

Tenpai Mugi Shochu (technically not "sake" but barley-based, with quite a kick)

The August 4-pack is in! 

$37.99/box

Each month we select 4 diverse wines (see below) that are great with a variety of cuisine to make your wine buying easy for the week (see wines below).  

(It’s a quick way to stock up and save a few bucks, too.)

Rock Rabbit Sauvignon Blanc 2004, Central Coast, California
Since we opened six months ago, this has consistently been our go-to Sauvignon Blanc for under $10.  This is a straight-forward, crisp Sauv Blanc with flavors of grapefruit and melon.  It’s well-balanced and doesn’t see a hint of oak allowing it to be what Sauv Blanc fans want -- a light, crisp white full of citrus flavors.  Try this with grilled whitefish, sushi or goat cheese salad. 

Crios Malbec Rose 2005, Mendoza, Argentina
So far, nearly everyone we’ve introduced to this hard to find, dry, medium-bodied Rose out of Argentina has returned for another bottle or five.  Though not quite as nuanced as the ’04 of the same name, we would still challenge you to find a better Rose than this under $10.  We get big, juicy strawberry flavors and spice carried by a surprising weight and the right amount of acidity to finish dry.  Try this with pork tenderloin or a steak salad.  Give pink a chance!  It’s not just for retirement homes anymore. 
Evans & Tate Gnangara Shiraz 2001, Western Australia
Evans & Tate winemakers believe the palate should be soft, rich and ripe without any overt herbacousness and that’s just what they’ve given us with their ’01 Shiraz.  This is a big, round, dark chocolately Shiraz with notes of raspberry, cherry and only a hint of spice.  The nose is huge and the texture is velvety soft so if you’re into bigger California Pinots and California Cabs, this probably will be right up your alley.  Try this with sweet ribs, pizza or veal.
McManis Syrah 2003, California
The McManis Syrah scores in the high 80s in the larger wine magazines almost every year and though we don’t put too much stock in point systems, when a wine is universally agreed on, getting scores like this AND is under $9, it deserves attention.  We get smokiness, a certain bacon element, dark fruit and spice all wrapped in a package of very soft tannins.  Try this one with gamey dishes like lamb, duck and pheasant.

New Arrivals!

Bishop's Creek Pinot Noir 2002, Central Coast, California -- $14.99

Bishop's Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Paso Robles, California -- $13.99

2004 Verget Côtes du Luberon Rose, Provence, France -- $10.99

Pretty in Pink

     You may not know that the ending of the 80's classic teen movie Pretty in Pink was changed. Originally, Andie was supposed to end up with Duckie but test audiences reacted negatively so the studio recut the movie allowing Andie to end up with the rich guy, Blaine.  This was a serious blow to nerds around the world who wanted to believe that-- 1. nerds can get the prom queen, and 2. no one named "Blaine" should get a date at all.  So, here's the far-reaching tie-in to wine...In the 80's and 90's, White Zinfandel made the U.S. wine drinking population believe that anything pink in a wine-shaped bottle was candy cane sweet, even though in other countries all over the world, Roses had always been well-respected, fun, dry wines.  Well, a small group of winemakers in the U.S. are determined to alter the public's mind about pink wines and are changing the finish from sweet to dry.  From dry Rose books to dry Rose festivals, there is undoubtedly a newfound respect for pink at the American dinner table.  Now if we could only get Jon Cryer and Molly Ringwald together, the world would be right again.

     Here are some selections from our store including one, dry French Rose featured in yesterday's LA Times editorial on Rose wines:

2004 Verget Côtes du Luberon, Provence, France  -- $10.99/bottle.

"A clear coral-pink wine from an appellation within Provence. Simple and delicious, with intense ripe cherry and apricot blossom aromas; perfectly balanced. The screw-top makes it a great picnic wine. At Colorado Wine Co. in Eagle Rock, (323) 478-1985"

- From Shades of Summer , LA Times, 8/10/05

Solo Rosa Rose 2004, California -- $12.99/bottle

Solo Rosa was Gourmet Magazine’s #1 pick from 50 international Rose’s this year and has been critically hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle and USA Today’s wine columnists.  The big, less common blend of Napa Sangiovese and Lodi Merlot makes this rose’ a buffet for the senses, and an ideal food-pairing wine with a very wide array of foods.

Crios Malbec Rose 2005, Mendoza, Argentina -- $9.99/bottle

Susana Balbo’s Mendoza, Argentina rose’ shows off big, juicy strawberry flavors and spice carried by a surprising weight and the right amount of acidity to finish dry.

See You Soon,

John and Jen

~ from "Lucy's Italian Movie", I Love Lucy , 1956