KK Raghava will do a cartoon workshop activity for kids. He is one of the show’s featured artists and was previously a well-known cartoonist in India, where he ran children’s programs through support from the Robin Hood Foundation.

Wine Tasting: 3-6pm

NV Familia Schroeder ‘Deseado’ Sparkling Torrontes – Patagonia, Argentina – $17

Unique Charmat-method, sweet 100% Torrontes from the southernmost region of Argentina – Patagonia. Fruity and elegant, with aromas of flowers and citrus fruits, with good acidity for balance.

2008 Semeli ‘Mountain Sun White’ Moschofilero – Nemea, Greece – $12.50

Moschofilero is an ancient white wine grape with elegant floral and spice aromas. The flavors are sweet peach, orange blossom, and rose petal with mineral notes and crisp acidity.

2008 Chateau Kefraya ‘La Dame Blanche’ – Bekaa Valley, Lebanon – $16

40% Ugni Blanc, 30% Bourboulenc, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Chardonnay, 5% Clairette. Aromas of lemon, grapefruit, white flowers and pear. An ideal accompaniment to Middle Eastern food, this white would also work nicely with grilled fish or raw clams and oysters.

2008 Pago de Valdoneje Bierzo – Mencia, Spain – $14

These Mencia grapes come from 50-100 year old vines, providing rich and robust dark fruit. A modern-style full-bodied Spanish wine with delicious, ripe blackberry flavors, firm structure and medium body.

2001 Cantarutti Schioppettino – Collio Orientali del Friuli, Italy – $38

Dark color, deep fruit and black pepper flavors – the 2001 is now perfectly ready to drink. Lovely flavor, medium body, with a ferociously dry finish. A real ‘foodie’ wine served almost exclusively in restaurants.

Reminder: Tastings This Thursday & Friday

Italy III: Alois Lageder Thursday, October 22, 6-9pm

Lageder wines are produced in balance with nature — with biodynamic techniques, renewable energy sources and a holistic approach to managing the vineyards. No pesticides or herbicides are used. The wines are very expressive of the hilly Alpine region in Alto Adige, Northern Italy where they are made.

Calera Wines Friday, October 23, 6-9pm

In the late 1970s, Josh Jensen returned from a winemaking stint in Burgundy, France and with a bottle of hydrochloric acid began testing the soil in his native California! His chemistry tests found rare patches of alkaline limestone soil in California on Mt. Harlan – a geographic characteristic that makes Burgundy-style wines possible there. Check out Calera’s Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, plus two new Halloween-themed wines from Washington state we think you’ll love.

Coming Up…

Vya Vermouth Cocktail Tasting Next Thursday, October 29, 6-9pm

California winemaker Andrew Quady will be on-hand sampling his amazing sweet and dry Vya Vermouths. His innovative spirits will change the way you think of Vermouth – herbs from the Sierra Foothills make a pure, tasty flavor you’ll want to savor on the rocks, not just rinse in your martini glass!

Vya Sweet Vermouth – California – $14 (375ml)

Vya Extra Dry Vermouth – California – $14 (375ml)

Husband and wife team Steve & Chrystal Clifton make the best wines from Italian-varietals outside of Italy period. These new world wines made in a traditional style are true to their varietals while expressing the terroir of Santa Barbara County and reflecting Steve and Chrystal’s passion for Italian food, wine and culture. Absolutely fabulous!

10% off prices listed below during the tasting!!!

• 2007 Palmina Malvasia Bianca Larner Vineyard – Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, CA

  Amazing aromatics of ginger, orange blossom, jasmine and honeysuckle, yet this wine is bone-dry with lively citrus notes, a silky texture and beautiful balance.   – $32

• 2008 Palmina Dolcetto – Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, CA

  Medium to light bodied, rustic yet ripe Dolcetto. Deep plummy aromas and flavors in a juicy, tasty wine with a firm, dry finish.  - $21

• 2007 Palmina Barbera – Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, CA

  Lush red fruit aromas with bright, fresh cherry and raspberry flavors. The wine is impressively crisp and light at 14.8% alcohol, and the finish is dry with medium tannins and lingering oak and spice.   – $25

• 2005 Palmina Nebbiolo – Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, CA

  Gorgeous, elegant Nebbiolo with pure deep blackberry fruit, hints of violet and firm tannins. It’s not a heavy or overly tannic wine, but has great finesse and balance.  - $32

Opening Reception and Wine Tasting

2007 Arche Trebbiano d’Abruzzo – Abruzzo, Italy – $7.50

Very light-bodied Trebbiano with soft peach and melon fruit flavors.
If you like Pinot Grigio, check out this grape.

2008 Arche Sangiovese Rubicone – Abruzzo, Italy – $8

An easy drinking Sangiovese with plenty of jammy fruit flavors.
Nicely balanced with soft tannins.

2006 Vistamar ‘Sepia’ Pinot Noir – Casablanca Valley, Chile – $10

A light, very peppery Pinot with some wild flower aromas and savory flavors.

Vertical Vodka (1 Ltr) – France – $26

Premium, smooth French vodka in a liter size.
Distilled from grain four times, at the distillery where Chartreuse is made.
Tres chic.

Vya Extra Dry Vermouth (375 ml) – California – $14

Vya premium dry vermouth is made from Colombard and Orange Muscat wine infused with
whole dried herbs: lavender, elecamanu, galangal, angelica, orris and linden.
A great martini mixer, but be sure to add more than the traditional “splash.”

Two Popular Wines From New Zealand

2007 Glazebrook Ngatarawa Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, New Zealand – $15

A New Zealand Sauv Blanc that drinks almost like a Sancerre with passionfruit and grapefruit flavors
that are tempered by a slightly grassy note. Crisp and penetrating.

2005 Glazebrook Ngatarawa Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon – Hawkes Bay, New Zealand – $24

Bottle aged and drinking beautifully! Bordeaux blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Deep plum/raspberry flavors and a hint of oak.

Works by J. Furyk Clark Opening Reception Friday, July 31, 6-9pm

Spanish Wines to be Featured at Tonight’s Tasting

2006 Llopart Rose Brut Reserva Cava – Penedes, Catalonia, Spain – $22.50

Sparkling rose that’s bright, lively and sustainably-produced. A blend of lightly-pressed Monastrell, Garnacha and Pinot Noir with fine bubbles, subtle berry flavors and a nice, clean finish.

2008 Muga Rose – Rioja, Spain – $13

A fairly pale, salmon-hued blend of 60% Garnacha, 30% Viura and 10% Tempranillo. Fresh, fruity aromas, crisp, citrusy flavors and distinct mineral notes.

2007 Vina Godeval Godello – Valdeorras, Spain – $21

This forgotten white wine varietal is enjoying a renaissance! A light-bodied, fairly complex white with intriguing herbal notes.

2007 Can Blau Montsant – Montsant, Spain – $19

Carignan, Syrah, Grenache blend from the relatively new DO of Monsant. Inky ruby/purple color with deep berry, plum and woodsy notes. Very nice minerality and tannic structure followed by a nice, long finish.