Welcome to the weekend. The cup runneth over with wine this weekend. Pinot Days pays a visit to LA for the first time ever with a series of tastings and events. Plus, check out the Wines of Malibu at Pourtal wine bar. Make a play date with the girls and check out the Girls Only Cooking School at LearnAboutWine or hang out with Evan Kleiman at her rooftop cooking demo in Beverly Hills. And finally for the serious wine lovers, get your French Wine Society Certificate at the Wine House.
Friday, Jan 15
Pinot Days Wine House Tasting
West Los Angeles (7-9pm)
As part of the Los Angeles Pinot Days sample Suacci Carciere Wines, MacRostie Winery, Carr Vineyards & Winery, Fess Parker Winery , August West, and Lachini Vineyards all for just $25. The tasting will take place at the Wine House in West LA.
Made in Malibu
Santa Monica
Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar is presenting a “Made in Malibu” wine tour and tasting series that explores Malibu’s wine region, featuring a flight of nine wines crafted solely from grapes grown in the Malibu AVA. They will be available by-the-taste through Pourtal’s Enomatic machines through the end of January. Each wine is priced per one-ounce pour.
Saturday, Jan 16
Girls Only Cooking School
Downtown Los Angeles (12-3pm, 4-7pm)
The delicated Parisian treats are back at LearnAboutWine – this time with a twist! We will make a fresh batch of these trendy cookies and play with some decadent fillings for a pretty sweet day of baking. Make Vanilla Bean Macarons, Salted Caramel Cream, Meyer Lemon Cream, and Candied Violets. You and your girlfriends will learn and practice the techniques developed by French Pastry Chef Clemence Gossett. Of course, you’ll also enjoy a few treasures from the wine cellar that enlighten your wine enjoyment and create a fun experience for ladies only. Everyone goes home with a box of macarons! Advance purchase for $45 here.
French Wine Society Certificate
West Los Angeles (9am)
Regardless of your personal wine route, the French Wine Academy offers you a starting point to a wonderful journey of discovery. The French Wine Academy is the official consumer-oriented curriculum for French wine as endorsed by Wines of France/French National Wine Office. It was designed to provide current, accurate information on the wine regions of France to serious wine hobbyists in a fun and informative format. Wine professionals and enthusiasts, who follow this in-depth curriculum on the wines of France and pass the exam, earn the resume-building French Wine Scholar (FWS) post-nominal. The course is 4 weeks long and will set you back $695. Call the Wine House at 310-479-3731 for more info and to reserve your seat.
Sunday, Jan 17
Pinot Days Grand Tasting
Santa Monica (1-5pm)
Pinot Days brings their Pinot loving events to So Cal for the first time ever. The main event is Sunday’s Grand Tasting, showcasing over 75 phenomenal producers of pinot noir. Sample up to 400 pinots from every important domestic pinot noir region, from the Russian River Valley to the Santa Lucia Highlands, Oregon to Carneros, the Anderson Valley to the Sonoma Coast to the Santa Rita Hills. The event, happening at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, is from 1-5pm and is a mere 50 bucks.
Rooftop Cooking Demo with Evan Kleiman
Beverly Hills (3-5pm)
Evan Kleiman, host of Good Food Live! and renowned Aussie chef Curtis Stone will conduct a rooftop cooking demo at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. They’ll be joined by fish expert Peter Evans, mixologist Gus McShane and wine aficionado James Gosper. Taste, drink and smell the flavors that make Australian and Californian cuisines delicious together. Have a glass of Aussie wine and a special cocktail with a small audience at this exclusive rooftop cooking show. The fun begins with a culinary showcase from 3 to 4 pm, followed by a reception from 4 to 5 pm featuring a hosted beer, wine and special cocktail reception, along with light bites. Tickets are $30.
Continuing:
Chill at the W Hotel
Westwood
The outdoor pool at the W has been transformed into a winter wonderland and covered with a synthetic hybrid ice. Sip on hot cocoa or specialty winter cocktails, admire the skaters go ’round or take a spin yourself on Chill. Indulge at their Snowy Snack Bar, where Executive Chef Monique King offers winter bites and warm comfort foods that will satisfy your taste buds.
palate food + wine Sunday Session and Supper
Glendale (12-5pm & 5-9pm)
This Sunday at palate food + wine try the featured “Single Dish” at Sunday Session for $12. Or do the full Sunday supper for $35 which includes an appetizer, a main course, and dessert. Wine flights available for $12.
Little Dom’s Monday Night Supper
Los Feliz (6pm-11pm)
On Monday nights Little Dom’s if offering a $15 prix-fixe supper featuring seasonal dishes like Shrimp & Whitebean Brushetta , Grilled Albacore w/ Roasted Peppers & Oregano,
Cranberry & Chocolate Chunk Rice Pudding. Bottles of Dago Red or White are $10, and Peroni beer is $2. Sounds like the perfect recession buster to us.
Wine Pairing Wednesday at Upstairs2
West LA (7:30pm)
Upstairs 2, located above the massive Wine House, offers a four-course dinner prepared by chef Todd Barrie every Wednesday, paired with four wines from around the world selected by sommelier Marilyn Snee. Each week will showcase a different wine region, and there will be a brief discussion of each wine and its pairing. The cost is only $55 per person. Make your rezzy here.
Friday Night Sessions @ California Plaza
Downtown Los Angeles (7pm)
Free concerts return to California Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles on the 2nd Friday of every month. The program includes performances by local emerging indie bands. The Friday Night Sessions concert series is a collaborative effort by lafreebee, Isgoodmusic, SideCho Records, Heart Music Group, Casa Downtown, Grand Performances and the artists themselves. This Friday’s performers include Under the Asbury, Garland, Lady Katherine, and Bright Million.
Upcoming:
January 24-29, January 31-February 5 – Taking place over two consecutive weeks, this winter’s dineLA Restaurant Week offers diners the opportunity to indulge in specially priced three-course menus from a variety of LA restaurants. Stay tuned for more details.
January 30 – The Pechanga Wine Festival takes place at the Pechanga Resort and Casino from 1-5 pm. Come sample over 100 different wines from Napa, Sonoma, Temecula Valley and beyond. In addition, the award winning chefs of Pechanga will be preparing tastes from our fine dining restaurants.
January 31 – At the Loyola Marymount University Wine Classic enjoy more than 150 wines from 46 boutique California wineries. A Silent auction that includes specialty wines and products. Tickets are $90 ($80 if purchased by January 15). Proceeds benefit LMU student scholarships.
Thu, Jan 14, 2010
City Beat