ONLINE EDITION!
PRINT
DIGITAL
EAT, DRINK & PLAY   -   WHAT TO ORDER NOW
In Pursuit of the Perfect Pour
A User's Guide to Santa Clarita's Finest Wine Purveyors
October, 2008 - Issue #48
Six different reasons to RAISE YOUR GLASS and toast the fermented grape.

All Corked Up
If All Corked Up was a wine, it would be... Sea Smoke 2006, because it's a highly-sought-after, small-production wine that's a juicy red and reasonably priced.
Best buy... Score a great-tasting pinot noir that drinks like others twice the price: Poppy Pinot Noir 2006 ($13.99).
Money is no object... Even the anti-wine set (gasp!) make their way to All Corked Up to experience their famous New York Steak ($15.95).
The big draw... ACU's weekly wine tasting events are super affordable ($20) and give both novices and experienced aficionados the chance to taste and learn about world-class wineries.
Why they're different... You won't find a wine bar like this anywhere else. Under one roof, you'll find an award-winning wine selection, food, live music, cooking and wine education classes, plus state-of-the-art wine storage and more. 26340 Diamond Pl., 799-7979




Vino 100
If Vino 100 was a wine, it would be... Cabernet sauvignon because it's elegant, complex and ages really, really well.
Best buy... In October, Vino 100 will donate 10 percent of sales of Hope Wine's California Chardonnay to the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center ($16 per bottle).
Money is no object... Vino 100 carries over 100 labels priced at $25 or less, but they also carry high-end wines to entice even the most serious collector. Sea Smoke Cellars Pinot Noir ($72 a bottle) is a store favorite. Known as one of the most temperamental grapes, it's a rare talent and show of true mastery for a vineyard to turn out an excellent pinot noir.
Why they're different... Wine has traditionally been a man's world, but Vino 100 is owned by two women who are passionate about wine. The store is well-lit, warm and inviting. It's the type of place that customers can feel comfortable asking questions. A trademarked wine barometer accompanies every bottle in the store, indicating where a particular wine falls on the fruity to dry scale and light to full-bodied. 28112 Newhall Ranch Rd.,
294-6886

Lee's Wine Bistro
If Lee's Wine Bistro were a wine, it would be... A worldly pinot noir. The bistro boasts over 25 varieties of pinot by the glass that you'd usually need a passport to enjoy. The top picks call France and New Zealand home. (Soon, 100 to 150 varietals will be available by the glass, ranging from $5 to $30 a pour.)
Best buy... Louis Latour Grand Ardeche Chardonnay can be had for $6 a glass. It's earthy, crisp, clean, dry - and tastes like it should be way more expensive.
Money is no object... If you have an extra $2,500 burning a hole in your (probably leather-lined) pocket, then the 1996 Screaming Eagle is for you.
What sets Lee's apart... While the modern, chic interior and ridiculously comfortable, expansive patio will surely be part of the reason that SCVians flock to the newest bistro on the block, Lee himself is really the biggest draw. Like Norm from "Cheers," but markedly more sophisticated, everyone knows his name - and he's at the bar every day of the week. A long-time fine-liquor purveyor, Lee has been studying wine for 28 years - and he still gets excited when playing the role of sommelier. Ask him to mix you up something special; you won't be disappointed. 24510 Town Center Dr., 259-7754

Wine 661
If Wine 661 was a wine, it would be... the Beaujolais Nouveau that arrives each year from France, because Wine 661 is new and youthful, too! A change in ownership has brought with it new hand-selected wines, rare beers from all over the world and an appetizer menu that's one of the best around. The new Wine 661 has the same spirit of France's famed wine arrival - amazing when first opened but even better with age.
Best buy... The best deal going is the 2007 Foley Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills, California. Winemaker Kris Curran, formerly with Sea Smoke Cellars, has created an unbelievable pinot noir that's far less expensive than her award-winning Sea Smoke Pinot. At just $45 per bottle, this earthy, jammy pinot is amazingly balanced and the best bang for your buck.
Money is no object... Look no further than the artisanal cheese and charcuterie plate. It features gourmet cheeses and meats from all over the world. The Cave-Aged Blue is made by Spanish monks who've been making cheese the same way for over 2,000 years, and the dry-cured Beef Brasaola will melt
in your mouth. A three-cheese or three-meat plate starts at $12; try all five cheeses or meats for $15. 24268 Valencia Blvd., 288-2980

Valencia Wine Company
If Valencia Wine Company were a wine, it would be... "The wine of the moment." When you choose a wine, it should be selected because of the mood, the company and the food. Valencia Wine Company is equally adaptable, always exceptionally in tune with the atmosphere.
Best buy... Wines from Argentina, Chile and Australia offer extremely high-quality options with great complexity and variety. Kaiken Ultra Malbec from Argentina is a steal at $26.99 a bottle.
Money is no object... Here, celebrations call for a 2005 bordeaux; that was a phenomenal year for the classic blend. They start at $75 a bottle.
The draw... Exceptional service, a large selection (over 600 wines usually in stock) and an ultra-convenient location on Town Center make Santa Clarita's first wine store an undoubtedly popular spot. Casual and informative Saturday afternoon tasting classes run an hour and a half for $30, and the monthly wine club always offers something unique. However, it's Valencia Wine Company's events which stand out most remarkably. There's the six-yearly series of wine dinners at Tournament Players Club (October 9 is the "Champagne Dinner") that are must-attends for
wine lovers and foodies alike. And November 15, the store will host its annual Holiday Wine Tasting at TPC, where hundreds of high-end varietals will be poured by the finest suppliers. 24300 Town Center Dr., #105, 254-9300

Salt Creek Grille
If Salt Creek were a wine, it would be... A Miner Cab, because like the ever-popular restaurant and bar, both are independent companies that are simultaneously casual, upscale and affordable.
Best buy... Get yourself over to Salt Creek on Mondays; from 5 p.m. to close, all bottles priced $100 or less are half off.
Money is no object... Silver Oak Napa Valley has produced one of the best cabs for years ($167 a bottle). 24415 Town Center Dr., #115, 222-9999

Redefining Wine Storage
Note to "cramped" homeowners: You do have room for a wine cellar, and you don't need to kick your "boomerang" kid out of their childhood bedroom to install one, either.
With Closet Wine Cellars you can convert your closet, pantry or any given space into a wine cellar. A beautiful addition to any home, their work adds value without having to add space (an itty-bitty coat closet can hold about 125 bottles). Closet Wine Cellars offers an innovative, patented wine racking system that showcases wine bottles in a secure, neck-down position - with the labels facing out, unlike traditional wine racks. Of course, they are a full-service company, from design to installation - but you can also use your own contractor or, better yet, do it yourself.
Find your ever-elusive tape measure and determine the size of your extra closet, then call for a complimentary quote right over the phone.
Closet Wine Cellars is open by appointment only at 21170 Centre Pointe Parkway, Suite 210; 297-1935


Below you will find an extensive calendar filled with tastings, dinners and more.

Saturday, September 20
Inaugural TPC/West Ranch Art & Wine Gala at TPC

Benefiting the arts in SCV. Reception, dinner, wine, art, live entertainment, auction by Sotheby's, Inc. Roy E Disney, Honorary Chair. For more information contact Lesley Jacobs at 661-254-9300

Cooking Class & Wine Pairing
Hosted by All Corked Up; $45.00 per person; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.;
799-7979 or visit www.allcorkedup.com

Wednesday, September 24
2002 California Wine Tasting

Hosted by All Corked Up; $20.00 per person; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.;
799-7979 or visit www.allcorkedup.com

Thursday, September 25
Stag's Leap Wine Pairing Dinner

From 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy a delicious four course meal perfectly paired with fine wines from Stag Leap's Vineyard at All Corked Up; $69.00 per person;
799-7979 or visit www.allcorkedup.com

Saturday, September 27
Tasting Class on Italian Wines

Presented by Valencia Wine Company; With this class, you will learn your Pinot Grigio from your Soave Classico and your Barolo from you Brunello. Conquer the wines of this country that exported grape growing to the world and you'll never look back! Held at Valencia Wine Co, in Valencia, Reservations required;
254-9300 or visit www.valenciawine.com

Wednesday, October 1
Tobin James Wine Tasting

Hosted by All Corked up; $20.00 per person; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.;
799-7979 or visit www.allcorkedup.com

Saturday, October 4
Education Class Series: Gourmet Chocolate

Hosted by All Corked Up; Taste decadent chocolate while learning how to pair them with excellent wines. Members are free and non-members can enjoy the evening for only $20 per person; 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.;
799-7979 or visit www.allcorkedup.com

Wednesday, October 8
Spain Wine Tasting

Hosted by All Corked Up; $20 per person; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
799-7979 or visit www.allcorkedup.com

Women on Wine
Vino 100 celebrates Women On Wine the third Wednesday of every month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Join other wine-loving women for the ultimate girls' night out complete with wine tasting, food and loads of fun. $20;
294-6886; www.vino100valencia.com

Saturday, October 11
Meet the Winemaker Series

Where there's wine, there's hope. Where there's Hope, there's Vino 100. Join the fight against breast cancer as Vino 100 partners with Hope Wines to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation and the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center. Ten percent of October's Hope Wine Chardonnay sales will be donated locally. Special sales event on October 11 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. will support the breast imaging center with ten percent on all store purchases.
294-6886; www.vino100valencia.com

Thursday, October 16
Wines of the United States

Vino 100 explores the New World wines of North America from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. $15;
294-6886; www.vino100valencia.com

Tuesday, October 21
"Black Bag" Wine Club Members' Preview Night

You decide. That's the philosophy behind Vino 100's monthly wine club offering and preview event. Each month Vino 100 will pour four select wines that are not yet available in the store. Members can taste all four wines then decide which two they would like to take home that month. No cost for members; all others $15/person;
294-6886; www.vino100valencia.com
EMAIL SIGNUP
- What is the sum of 8 + 9?
This is a required value
to protect against spam
community events
08
01
16
23
04
13