May 2016 Wine Bar

We have lots of great tastings this month at the wine bar... hope to see you here!

[click the calendar to see a larger version]

Wednesday Wine Workshop March 16th: California Rhone Rangers!

Up for some adventure, some excitement?!?
Wednesday Wine Workshop, Wed. March 16th
California's Rhone Rangers with Dan Williams!

  
What's the difference in flavor and body between Syrah and Petite Sirah? Why is Viognier
the Chardonnay drinker's alternative? Why is Grenache an alternative to Pinot Noir?
Our California Wine Buyer (the guy on the bike!) is going to talk about Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah and more during this class! He'll focus on wines from Paso Robles and Santa Barbara for this tasting, and since these are some of his favorite varietals, you can bet that he'll pour some fantastic wines! 7-8:30pm, $20.

Wine Bar: This Week (Through 2/28)

by Tobin Sharp

Once again we have another excellent lineup of events and tastings at our wine bar.

Tuesday, Feb. 23rd: Ten Dollar Tuesday!
6-8 p.m. and only ten bucks-- this week we have Epic Wines with Mona so there should be some good sippers in this mix.

Wednesday, Feb. 24th: Peter Neptune Wine Class - Burgundy - SOLD OUT!
This class is sold out but we have more scheduled through July of this year!
*** Peter Neptune is one of only 147 individuals in North America to hold the wine industry's most prestigious title: Master Sommelier.  He is a 31-year veteran of the wine business, beginning as a sommelier in New York City, where he trained and worked for 10 years. Upon returning to his native California (he was born on 10 July 1956 at Newport Beach, CA), Peter entered into Wine Education full time, and has established a nationwide reputation as one of the premier wine educators in the USA. In addition to his MS Diploma, Peter holds the title of Certified Wine Educator with the Society of Wine Educators (for which he was recognized with the Banfi Award for Excellence in 2003), holds a Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust in London, and is an Associate of the Institute of Wines and Spirits. He also holds the credential French Wine Scholar, with Highest Honors. Peter is one of the teaching Masters at the Court of Master Sommelier Intro and Advanced Courses, and is an examiner at the Certified, Advanced, and Master Sommelier Examinations.

Class Schedule -  Classes run from 6:30-8:00 and cost $30.00 - Reservations Required
2/24 Burgundy
3/30 Rhône Valley
4/27 Bordeaux

5/25 Loire Valley
6/22 Sud
7/27 Champagne/Alsace

Thursday, Feb. 25th - Australia: New Arrivals
Taste wines from a land down under-- where women glow and men plunder! $25, 4:30-8:30pm.

Friday, Feb. 26th
Kiss Kiss Bangs Bangs Trivia Night
With wines from around the world. STAR WARS NIGHT! $25, 4:30-8:30pm

Saturday, Feb. 27th
California Cabs & Blends
This time around we’ll focus on regions outside of Napa Valley, like Sonoma and Paso. We’ll pour the likes of Mount Eden, Denner, St. Jean Cinq Cepages and Halter Ranch Ancestor! $30. 2-8:30pm.



Sunday, Feb. 28th - German BEER Tasting
It's out monthly beer tasting and we're looking to old world Germany to get into some tasty lagers and who knows what else?!? 1-5 p.m., $25.

This Week's Wine Bar at Hi-Time: February 10-13

We always have something going on at the wine bar and this week's lineup looks fantastic-- including our pre-Valentine's Day Deluxe Champagne tasting on Saturday featuring The Champagnes of Aurélien Suenen (hint: ladies love bubbles!).

Tonight (2/10) we start with our Wednesday Wine Workshop: "Under the Radar" Spanish wines with Connor Clarke. $20, 7-8:30 p.m. Come learn and taste!

Thursday 2/11, 4:30-8:30pm: Oregon Wine Trail
Oregon is on a hot streak of vintages, and we’re going to pour some show stoppers tonight! Mostly Pinot Noirs, but a few whites to start. $20

Friday 2/12, 4:30-8:30pm: Loire Valley, France
This French region along the Loire River is mostly known for white wines from the Chenin blanc, Sauvignon blanc and Melon de Bourgogne grapes, there are excellent red wines made (especially around the Chinon region) from Cabernet franc.  We will try a mix of whites & reds. $25.

Saturday 2/13, 2-8:30pm: The Champgnes of Aurelien Suenen
"...one of the up and coming stars in the world of grower Champagne." -John Gilman, View From the Cellar. Aurélien will be here (from 2 to 5 p.m.) to pour and discuss his Champagnes; we will taste seven in all. $25

About Aurélien
Semi-pro basketball player Aurélien Suenen made an about-face in the mid-2000s, leaving basketball and returning to the family estate to help his ailing father. And he hasn’t looked back since. He farms five hectares of Chardonnay vines in the Côte des Blancs (in grand cru AOCs Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry), and Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay in the St. Thierry hills, due northwest of Reims. Approaching sustainable viticulture with the same zeal as his athletic training, he has been seeing to the revitalization of his soils—implementing mostly organic practices.

Heavily influenced by Burgundian winemaking, as well as the savoir-faire of mentors Anselme Selosse and the Agrapart brothers, he seeks slow, gentle, temperature-controlled vinifications and a separation of cuvees by individual parcel to achieve rich, ripe, layered, vibrant and mineral-driven champagnes. Beyond those memorable traits, Aurélien’s wines are filled with a character that goes beyond mere taste. Seeing how ardently he directs his passion, it is clear that these wines are destined for greatness.

Peter Neptune Teaching Six Wine Classes at Hi-Time, February through July

by Tobin Sharp

We will be starting our wine education program back up this month at the wine bar. Our own Connor Clarke will be teaching a class on Wednesday, February 10th ("Under the Radar" Spanish wine, 7-8:30pm, $20) and we will have one class each month taught by the Hi-Time staff as Master Somm and store friend Peter Neptune will be teaching one class a month starting this month through July. See the schedule at the bottom of the page to see what he will be covering.

The bio below is from Peter's website (neptunewine.com) where you can find more information about furthering your wine education.

Peter Neptune is one of only 147 individuals in North America to hold the wine industry's most prestigious title: Master Sommelier. He is a 31-year veteran of the wine business, beginning as a sommelier in New York City, where he trained and worked for 10 years. Upon returning to his native California (he was born on 10 July 1956 at Newport Beach, CA), Peter entered into Wine Education full time, and has established a nationwide reputation as one of the premier wine educators in the USA.

In addition to his MS Diploma, Peter holds the title of Certified Wine Educator with the Society of Wine Educators (for which he was recognized with the Banfi Award for Excellence in 2003), holds a Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust in London, and is an Associate of the Institute of Wines and Spirits. He also holds the credential French Wine Scholar, with Highest Honors.

Peter is one of the teaching Masters at the Court of Master Sommelier Intro and Advanced Courses, and is an examiner at the Certified, Advanced, and Master Sommelier Examinations. In 2003 Peter began the first WSET school in Southern California. Currently, Neptune School of Wine administers the WSET Level 2 Intermediate, Level 3 Advanced, and Level 4 Diploma Certification programs, as well as the French Wine Scholar program and exam. To date we have taught over 500 students at the various levels.

Peter Neptune Wine Classes At Hi-Time!

2/24 Burgundy
3/30 Rhône Valley
4/27 Bordeaux
5/25 Loire Valley
6/22 Sud
7/27 Champagne/Alsace

Classes run from 6:30-8:00 and cost $30.00.  We will have room for 35 people per class so please plan accordingly! You can purchase online, by phone or in-store; your receipt is your ticket to the class.