Those looking for a fun day of tasting and wine education need not drive 90 min to Temecula, or 2 hours to Santa Barbara. Simply look in your own backyard. At San Antonio Winery, located just steps north of Downtown LA, is surrounded by light industry and artists lofts. Their quaint (and free!) tasting room is open 7 days a week from 9am-7pm, with complimentary tours offered throughout the day.
Dig Lounge recently checked out “Wine 101″ Introduction to Wine with host Michael Papalia. We were treated to a generours sampling of 8 different wines paired with a 4 course meal. We started off with the Duval-Leroy Brut Champagne a big, full-bodied bubbly, featuring faint notes of toast and lemon with nutty aromas and flavors. Well balanced, with an assertive finish. This was an excellent Champagne for $30.
The wines for the day.
Isn't it a wonderful sight?
Our menu for the day.
Our first course was a Puma Goat Cheese, Orange and Roasted Eggplant Salad. It was drizzled with a French Vanilla glaze, Basil Oil, and microgreens.
The second course, A Broiled Miso Alaskan Black Cod on Potato and Chive Pancake with a Miso Glaze.
Paired with the second course was three different wines. First the 2009 Frog’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc. Frog’s Leap is widely regarded as a great value at $15, but I’m not a big fan of this Sauvignon Blanc. The second wine was our first wine from the winery itself, the 2006 San Simeon Chardonnay at $17 a bottle. The nose reveals bright fruit and oak toast with hints of vanilla and spice, with flavors of citrus and pear. Also paired with this course was the 2008 Maddalena Vineyard Riesling for $11. I dread Rieslings, overly sweet, with floral bouquets, apricot, and honey. We move on quickly.
A Roasted Ancho Pepper Crusted Rack of Lamb on Roasted Wild Mushroom Risotto, and Pinot Noir Coriander Sauce.
Our main course was served with 3 wines. The 2005 Maddalena Merlot at $14 a bottle, it a great every day wine with soft tannins, and a mouthful of ripe blackberry and plum jam. Our second glass, the 2006 Luigi Bosca Malbec for $20 a bottle. A juicy wine with a mix of vanilla, blueberry, raisin and toast notes. A wine very much ready to drink now. Our final red, is the best of the bunch. The San Antonio “Cask 520″. At $28 a bottle, its one of their more expensive wines, but it’s worth it. Featuring grapes from Paso Robles, this wine reveals ripe flavors of blackberry and raspberry with touches of spicy vanilla. The structured tannins provide texture and depth with a long finish.
Dessert was a wonderful Island Mango Mousse with Candied Macadamia Nuts and Toasted Coconut. It was served with a La Quinta Syrah Port ($17).
Our host and teacher Michael Papalia.
The “Wine 101″ class is only $55 and the next intro class is on May 15 and 16. Or for those with more advanced knowledge, “Wine 102″ is on February 21 will explore the wines of California, then Understanding Bordeaux Varieties on March 20. A full list of events can be found here.
2. February 2010 at 1:09 pm
sounds like a great experience, which was your favorite wine?
2. February 2010 at 1:22 pm
Probably the The San Antonio “Cask 520?, but the Malbec was very good too.