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My brother is a wine snob. What I love about him though, with all his tattoos and his refusal to wear anything other than shorts and flip-flops regardless of weather, is that he isn't a real snob. He knows good wine. He seeks it out. But he's all about finding the best wine at a great price.
When he's in town, he wants to visit every wine bar, wine boutique and wine warehouse in LA. I tag along and spend far too much money on wine I don't know much about. I only know how to drink it!
I have learned something, though, in the past few months of his wine-soaked visits: Los Angeles is filled with excellent wine merchants and aficionados! Many of whom are delightful and down-to-earth and...not snobs.
So, join me as I dive headfirst into the crush -- as I learn the difference between a Pinot and a Pinotage, the importance of a Riedel glass or a crappy one from Target, how to say a wine has "great legs" and has "notes of fig" without sounding like an ass, and if I can drink my favorite port with something other than chocolate and Stilton.
I've got my trusty tools ready - the "must-read" reading is slowly taking root and I'm eager for my first "real" wine novice adventure. I have an exceedingly long list of wine shops, wine courses, wine bars and wine masters in our fair city. I plan to visit them all and share what I've learned. Where would you like me to go? What would you like to know?
I'll be back next week with my first LA wine story.
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hmm. Some great wineries in Temecula if your bro is up for a little day trip and some truly great California wine.
My favorite winery is the smallish Palumbo Family Vineyards. Yum.
Also, Frangipani is a nice spot to end a day of tasting... beautiful outdoor space and some good old world juice.
And when in South Pasadena, visit Chris Meeske at Mission Wines and talk wine -- he was previously sommelier at Patina and Charlie Trotters among other fine spots.
That said, I have to mention my two fave tasting shops -- Silver lake Wine and Colorado Wine Co. in Eagle Rock.
i know the day is quickly approaching when charles shaw is no longer acceptable to offer company, so i look forward to this journey!
ooooh...Andy just gave me a great idea...LAist road trip to Temecula! We can do one of those wine-party busses.
And how about the Baron Herzog winery in Oxnard?
Sternberg is reading my mind! Every place I was going to suggest he already did. We met Chris at Mission Wines and he was probably the nicest wine vendor we've ever met.
Since I've moved to the eastside, I've discovered a number of good wine shops/bars in the Pasadena area:
Chronicle Wine Cellar: If the sign is out, the place is open. That means in the past 10 months, we've managed to find it open about 4 times, but it's been worth it.
The Nose Wine Cellar good wine, though the guy (owner maybe?) who is there usually could stand with an attitude adjustment.
And a suggestion, do not ever, never, ever take suggestions from the guy at Gerlach's on Fair Oaks. Every wine we've bought from that place on his suggestion has been utter piss.
Wine Expo off of Santa Monica(and Berkeley, I think? Somewhere in that neck of the woods).
Check it out, the guys that work there are crazy nice, informative, and have great recommendations.
is the new bodega in santa monica open? i ve been meaning to check it out but im broke...
Ya, a whole article series that started because of me.
@Andy: I have had a few Temecula wines and so far I have not been impressed with them. I have not had the ones you mentioned however and will at some point have to make the trek back up there for them. I did however have one out in Escondido, Belle Marie that was quite outstanding, but a bit high priced.
Callie, I hope you can remember those two wine shops you took me to that had quite the selections. I cannot unfortunately, it has been sooo long. You will need to take me around to all the new places you have been to next time I come up.