A happenin’ place
I’m waaaay behind on local happenings due to vacation. (And thank you for asking, New Orleans was fabulous.) There are a raft of deals and events in the coming weeks; among the best:
*Chiang Mai Thai has three days to go on its 10th-anniversary celebration, through Wednesday night. All entrees are $10, and anyone purchasing a bottle of wine gets a free glass, Besides the wonderfully priced regular wine list, there are quite a few 1998 California red wines at more than reasonable tariffs. To wit: Fisher “Coach Insignia” cab at $75, Newton “Special Cuvee merlot at $65, Shafer Hillside Select at $198 and my personal favorite, the Lail J. Daniel Cuvee at $98.The 1998 vintage was slammed by critics – unduly, it says here – and by most accounts (in my circles, at least) is aging a LOT better than the vaunted 1997s.
*One of the true emerging stars in California winemaking, Adam Lee, will appear at Sam’s Wine Shop Tuesday night at 6:30. His 90-minute session will be all about the beloved and often befuddling grape, pinot noir. Lee’s Siduri winery sources grapes from all over California and Oregon, and the man know shat to do with them. Blessedly, he will be pouring some of his wines at tomorrow night’s tasting. Cost is $15 (a steal, I say); call 612-455-1045.
*Speakling of pinots, one of the best I’ve had recently was from Goldeneye in Mendocino’s Anderson Valley. That winery is an offshoot of Duckhorn, and a representative of both outfits, Judi Britt, will be pouring and discussing the wines at 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at the always-engaging Wine Geeks Anonymous gathering at South Lyndale Liquors /Cost is $29; call 612-827-5811
*Last but far from least, Buon Giorno’s 12th annual fall tasting is set for 3 p.m. Nov. 23. More than 80 Italian wines will be poured, and antipasti, salumi and cheeses will be served. I tasted some of these wines recently, and they’re indicative of the phenomenal progress being made in Italian winemaking. Fascinating varietals + vintners who know what to do with them = YUM.Tickets are $45; call 651-905-1081, ext. 7. Oh, and a designated driver is not the worst idea ever.
