Wino Abroad : California wine shops

Showing posts with label California wine shops. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

The Spanish Table, Berkeley

The Spanish Table
www.spanishtable.com

FB
Berkeley, CA, Store
1814 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 548-1383

Other Locations
San Francisco, CA
130 Clement St.
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 702-6199

Mill Valley, CA
800 Redwood Hwy 123
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 388-5043

Hours:
Monday-Saturday 10AM-6PM
Sunday 11AM-5PM

Spanish food, wine, and cookware galore.
This little store has a lot going on when it comes to their Spanish, Portuguese, and South American wine selection. The Sherry, Port and Madeira selection is also wonderful! I couldn't help but leave with a few bottles.

There are only a few books on Spanish wines, but plenty of books to get lost in about Spanish cooking.

Spanish ciders

So many spices!

Dry Sherry and olives =) one of Spain's many gifts to the world.

Fortified Wines

What is Madeira?

WineFolly breaks it down

I couldn't help but try this as soon as I could!

I got a nose full of candied walnuts, toffee, and dried fruits. This wine displayed a full body with tangy notes of dried apricots, spices, and a nutty finish. Next time I'll pour a bit on ice cream =)

What is Port?

The Cheese Factory Sonoma

By winoabroad 1:50 PM // No comments

The Cheese Factory Sonoma

sonomacheesefactory.com
FB
Sonoma Cheese Factory
2 Spain Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: (707) 996-1931

Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9AM-6PM
Friday-Sunday 9AM-7PM

I love wine, and I love cheese, so.... I love this place!
Recommended by a family member as a must see if you are tasting in Sonoma Valley; beer, wine, pickled goods, sandwiches, and cheese! lots of cheese, and even better....lots of cheese samples!
This place also features lots of local wine producers and beer.
Drink a little wine learn a little history: "Located on Sonoma's beautiful and historic Plaza, site of the Bear Flag Revolt and home of California's last mission, our store is the perfect point of departure for a tour of nearby shops, wineries and historic sites - including the Sonoma Mission and Barracks, the nearby home of General Vallejo, and Jack London's Beauty Ranch." ~SCF

The cheese fridge in the back and front are massive! Look carefully there are loads of samples to taste.

Wine Deals: Buy 2 get the 3rd bottle half off, or buy 1 get the 2nd one 25% off.

There's also an array of locally produced craft beers available here.

The Bottle Barn Sonoma

By winoabroad 1:58 AM // 1 comment

The Bottle Barn Sonoma, California

www.bottlebarn.com

3331 Industrial Dr, Ste A

Santa Rosa, California 95403

Phone: (707) 528-1161

Hours:

Monday-Saturday 9AM-7:30PM

Sunday 9AM-6PM

Call me fanciful, but before I even got the chance to check this place out, I was already in love!
This warehouse of delights has been a long time favorite of my great grandfather's, as well as for the wine lovers in my family residing in Sonoma.
The Bottle Barn boasts that this is "where wine country buys wine." My uncle brags that this shop has the best deals, unique finds, and is the best place to pick up the Sonoma County Harvest Fair wines. For me, this treasure trove of wine, beer, spirits, and wine accessories had me wandering around in awe for hours.
If you happen to be wine touring in Sonoma, I highly recommend checking this place out! The locals love this place, the prices are amazing, and the selection is unrivaled.

Big reds, Famous reds, Napa reds, Amador reds....and of course, Sonoma reds!
There are many brands here that have quite the following in Asia! But my interest was geared towards tasting the unfamiliar, trying bottles from AVAs not easily found, or not available at all in Asia, and giving some lesser known grape varieties a try.
My desires were realized!

Zinfandel is starting to gain popularity in Asia, but many of the Zins available are only from Lodi.
Want to taste test Zin, sip wine from different AVAs, and embody the idea of terroir "the taste of a place"?
Compare Zinfandels: Try Sonoma's Dry Creek and Alexander Valley vs. Lodi Zins.

Driving along the Russian River, misty one minute, then seeing the sun beam down the next, has left me with a picturesque memory and a deep longing to return to this place, and to drink more Pinot of course.
If you are a Pinot Noir lover, there are plenty of bottles to choose from.
When in California do what Californians do...Drink Russian River Valley Pinot Noir!
Displaying multiple terroirs and giving diversity in each glass, this AVA can keep any Pinot lover entertained.

Oregon also makes beautiful Pinot Noir. The first time I tried Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley was while living in Taiwan; I've been hooked ever since.
Keep an eye out for these sub-regions to taste just how terroir expressive Pinot Noir can be in Oregon.
~Chehalem Mountains, Ribbon Ridge, Dundee Hills, Yamhill-Carlton, McMinnville, Eola-Amity Hills~