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Even after ten years of tasting, I'm still fascinated by the sheer volume and differences of expression that wine can have. Unfortunately, until recently I never took notes, preferring to just purchase the wines I loved. You'll find many of them here, as well as everything else I just had to try. Along with tasting notes for specific wines, each section gives basic info about the grape varietal and what the wine should taste like. Most wines can be found under their specific varietals. Blends by the style – Bordeaux or Rhone – or under Others if it's a random mix. My main assessment is focused on the quality for the price, which is a fairly big factor in one's expectations and enjoyment of a particular wine. Though every time I've done a blind tasting, one of the least expensive bottles is the group's favorite. Go figure.
| BY WINERY: | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N
O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
WHITE WINES: |
Chardonnay | Chenin Blanc | Gewurztraminer | Italian Whites
Muscats | Pinot Blanc | Pinot Grigio/Gris | Riesling
Rhone Blends | Sauvignon Blanc | Sparkling | Viognier | Others |
RED WINES: |
Barbera | Bordeaux Blends | Cabernet Franc |
Cabernet Sauvignon | Dolcetto | Grenache | Italian Reds
Malbec | Merlot | Mourvèdre | Nebbiolo | Petite Sirah
Pinot Noir | Rhone Blends | Rosé | Sangiovese | Syrah | Tempranillo | Zinfandel | Others |
DESSERT WINES: |
White | Red | Port | Sparkling |
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning,
that's as good as they're going to feel all day."
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| LATEST WINE BAR REVIEW: |
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California Wine and Cheese
Monrovia, CA
[ Website ]
115 W. Foothill Blvd.
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 358-6500 |
Ever since meeting owner Tom Dugan at the Family Winemakers Tasting in Pasadena this past summer, I've wanted to stop by his store/wine bar. I finally took the plunge when I saw one of my winery finds from that event, Thompkin Cellars, were going to be pouring their wines at the bar. CA Wine & Cheese is both a retail outlet carrying wines from mostly small California producers, it does have a fairly large wine bar and seating area for you to try the weekly flight or just sit back and relax with a glass of wine and a cheese flight (which was yummy for $10).
Tom and his staff are very knowledgable about the wines they carry and choose to pour and the locals, who filled out most of the bar, have clearly taken this place to heart. Believe me, if it wasn't a 40-minute drive, I'd be there every week, too. It's a bright, friendly, casual place that serves hard-to-come by wines at decent prices and generous pours. There are no specific tasting hours. If the store is open, you can try what their pouring, which makes stopping in there for a sip a real no-brainer for wine lovers. Since the selections change from week to week, boredom will not be a problem. Plus, if you find a wine you love, you can take a bottle or two home as well. Despite the distance, I will be back.
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