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Explore Italy at the B-21 Italian tasting For hidden treasures like a Piedmont white
Look at the wine map of most countries and you’ll see patches of purple for the lucky regions and plain-colored stretches that grow no wine. Not Italy, where wines and vines are all over the map in every region, the whole boot, from Alps to Sicily, drenched in purple.
Taste this Arneis and other wines from Italy this Sunday, June 13th from 2-5pm. Click here to make a reservation.
To sort out this delicious confusion, come to B21’s grand Italian tasting June 13 with 100 some wines from grapes and regions throughout Italy. You’re bound to find a new treasure.
One of mine is Arneis, a white wine of the Piedmont. I used to think only red Barolos and Barberas when I looked that way. Maybe because the Piemontese used Arneis largely to soften those big reds, like the Aussies mixing Viognier in Shiraz.
Now Arneis gets attention on its own as a lively white with flavors from the stone fruit and nut spectrum.
Its home is in Roero, northwest of the Barolos, heading toward the French border. One of the top producers is Vietti, which will be featured in seminars on their great Barberas and Nebbiolo.
Make reservations now to start your trip to Italy this Sunday, and expect to spend some time in the northwest with the reds .
And whites like Vietti’s arneis.
This bright young 2009 ($17.99) has won 90s and up from every taster in our shop.
Why? “Fresh floral, citrus and melon aromas with hints of almonds. An unoaked, dry, medium bodied white wine with crisp acidity, well-balanced, elegant wine.”
You may find the perfect little white something for summer. Say you got it in Italy.
- Chris Sherman, The Blogging Nibbler
On the Diagonal; From Snoqualmie to St. Pete Beach
2008 Snoqualmie Chardonnay (Columbia) $8.99
The Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival last weekend brought in another big crowd of outdoor tasters and partiers. It’s the rare wine festival that lets you get sand in your shoes, sun on your face and a workout for your personal dehydration system.
It also brought a big group of chefs to the St. Pete Beach’s pink wedding cake hotel, the Don Cesar Loews Resort. Southern Wine & Spirits, Brighthouse and Loews are the big sponsors, with top chef Eric Neri coordinating the food and a cadre of top chefs from Loews’ properties around the country. Also on deck was Nathan Lippy, a home grown punkstar chef determined to be the next Guy Fieri; besides rocking out on the guitar he cooks New Wave Southern shtick like candied bacon and bananas.
One of the winemaking stars was Washington state enologist Meryl Rickey who works with pioneering winemaker Joy Andersen at Snoqualmie, a special property of Chateau Ste. Michelle. Snoqualmie’s chardonnay is a regular best buy at $10 to $11; at B-21, it‘s $8.99. And the dry reisling, a Northwest forte, is only $6.99.
- Chris Sherman, The Blogging Nibbler
The French are coming, The French are …
NOT (all of them) but B-21 still had a barrel of fun!
B-21's Dinner with Jeffrey Davies at Currents in Tarpon Springs
The ash cloud over Iceland cast its long shadow even over the Tampa Bay area last weekend. Flight cancellation to the U.S. grounded some special guests coming to the annual Bordeaux tasting, both celebrated winemakers and consultants, and their infant prodigies, barrel samplings of the beloved new 2009 vintage.
Several stalwarts were in the U.S. before flights stopped including Coralie de Bouard of Chateau Angelus, negociant Jeffrey Davies and Emilie Riebel-Dombey representing Chateau Le Gay.
And the 2009’s arrived in spirit and starred in the table talk at the Bordeaux dinner at Seasons 52. “Good as they say?”, “That’s not what I read.” “I’m absolutely going to buy,” but when and at what price? Will the prices be highest for the first futures or later tranches? Will the dollar buy more now or later?
Actually if the samples had arrived, they might have distracted our conversation.
Besides we had 2005s in our glasses and they were not abstractions. They set a high standard for the ’09s to match and sparked their own debate.
Smith Haut Lafitte (Pessac-Leognan) $89.99
The winners were Smith Haut Lafitte ($89.99) and La Gaffeliere. ($99.99) I put the left-banker first because it was so big and smoky and friendly like a coat by the fire. Smart and passionate tasters went for the La Gaffeliere from St. Emilion, with more berries and chocolate, in five years I may switch sides. A strong minority report supported the neighboring Canon La Gaffeliere ($109.99), which was the sleekest and most approachable. If you ask one to dance tonight, the Canon is your partner.
Seasons 52, Tampa’s “it” restaurant of the moment and the newest location of the Orlando concept was luminous that night and the menu had all its vaunted style and spunk. “I‘ve been to many wine tastings in my career but I’ve never had chiles relleno,” confessed importer Greg Miller, “and I think the Bordeaux stood up well.”
He’s right. Nothing timid about husky smoky ancho chiles with goat cheese and punchy pico de gallo, smoke fire and a pinch of sour. Yet first quality right bank 2006’s were bold enough. My choice was the 2006 La Croix St. Georges, ($59.99) from Pomerol, a spiced creamy fudge that made a mole with the chiles.
But as a Tuesday night go-to Bordeaux for Mexican spice and big flavors like Seasons 52’s crackling flatbreads , the 2008 Croix Mouton ($10.99) has value and excitement. Jean-Philippe Janoueix makes this in the Bordeaux Superieur appellation on the left bank; a merlot for all seasons with more guts and finish than you expect.
- Chris Sherman, The Blogging Nibbler
Back label secret comes to life: Jeffrey Davies in person
2007 Chateau Rigaud $11.99
One of the tricks to sorting out unfamiliar bottles is to turn them around to see if the name of the importer in small print is a name you trust.
Like Jeffrey Davies.
If you don’t know the vineyard or the appellation, Davies does and you’re set. I first sipped with him a few years ago and realized he knew everything I needed to know. A sunny Californian AND a 20-year resident of Bordeaux, he has a nose for the underappreciated cru or the one that needs a only a small touch to elevate it.
You can find out yourself when he comes to Tarpon to host a Grand Dinner and a Tasting of 2009 barrel samples during B-21’s star-studded celebration of Bordeaux and Beyond this month.
Life has changed since 1855 and Davies knows it.
From the right bank he has revived and promoted names like Ch. Valandraud and La Gomerie and he’s found even more treasures in the lands beyond Lalande: the Cotes de Bordeaux, Blaye , Bergerac, Fitou and Minervois. All the places I wish I knew better, Davies has already explored and found the best.
There are still a few tickets left for the April 17th dinner and barrel sampling at Currents in Tarpon with Davies and two of our other star guests from France, Jean Christophe Meyrou and Francois Villars. It kicks off at 4 p.m. with twelve count ‘em, 12 barrel samples from the much-buzzed 2009 vintage, followed by a grand dinner at 5 p.m. The price for the evening is $65.
If you can’t make the dinner, come to Sunday’s tastings and seminars. If you miss them both, buy a bottle of 2007 Ch. Rigaud, a Davies prize from Faugeres, made from syrah, grenache and the help of Claude Gros. Not the usual ingredients, but unusual quality: earthy black fruit and smoke and satiny on the palate. Maybe the best of the southwest — and a taste of Davies’ imagination. ($11.99).
Saturday Saturnalia: Free Tastings 1pm-5pm at B-21
Now, you can taste and learn from the best every Saturday, from 1 to 5 p.m. every week. Tastng are free, focused and led by people who know wine at its best. Just bring your nose and your tongue . The schedule so far this spring:
March 20: The wines that made Ridge famous.
March 27: Kermit does France, Part Deux
April 3: Spanish values from importer Eric Solomon.
April 7: Great Burgundies with importer Jean Marie de Champs.
Please call ahead! Reservations appreciated.
Come one come all to the best Pre-Game Party Around!
I am so stoked about our Wines of Spain Grand Tasting and Sale! It truly will be the best Superbowl Tailgating Party in Tampa Bay. With seminars starting as early as 12:00 noon, the afternoon will be filled with a ton of great Spanish wine from Priorat to Ribera del Duero to Rioja and on and on. Wines from Vega Sicilia, Muga, Emilo Moro, Mas Doix, Alto Moncayo, El Nido and Numanthia to name a few.
Did I forget to mention that Juan Muga, Proprietor of Bodegas Muga will be in the house? So will David Espinar, the Winery Director of Emilio Moro. They will be here in person signing bottles.
Top top it all off, we will be tasting more portugal wines and ports than we’ve ever had available to taste before. Yes, even ports from the amazing 2007 vintage which Wine Spectator has said is “A Classic Year” and been praised by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Jancis Robinson, and more.
The grand tasting begins at 2:00pm with seminars starting as early as 12:00pm. And for those of you who are worried about getting back before the Big Game, no worries the events end at 5pm with plenty of time to get back for the big game.
Check out these Seminars:
12pm-12:45: The Schistes Show with Anthony Pannone of European Cellars (Priorat wines)
1pm-1:45pm: La Rioja with Juan Muga of Bodegas Muga - SOLD OUT!!!
2pm-2:45pm: Ribera del Duero with David Espinar of Emilio Moro
3pm-3:45pm: Amazing old ports from Gould Campbell (1980, 1983, 1985, & 1994 vintages)
Sign up today! Time is running out!
Click here to make a reservation.
B-21 Hosts a Wine Dinner at Currents
Currents Restaurant in Tarpon Springs
We are excited to be hosting a wine dinner at Currents Restaurant in Tarpon Springs on February 8th with Proprietor Juan Muga of Bodegas Muga and David Espinar, the Winery Director for Bodegas Emilio Moro. Currents is a restaurant that recently opened here in Tarpon Springs and has become a hometown favorite. Laura Riley, food critic for the St. Pete Times has been by to visit and wrote a glowing review. (Click here to read Currents review in the Times.)
Unfortunately, the wine dinner was sold out within 2 weeks of announcing it! But, no worries, you can catch up with the winemakers the day before on Sunday, February 7th from 2pm – 5pm at our Annual Wines of Spain & Portugal Grand Tasting & Sale! Both Juan Muga and David Espinar will be here to share their wines and sign bottles, plus you’ll have the chance to taste from 75-100 wines from Spain and Portugal (yes even some of those amazing 2007 Ports!) This is an event you don’t want to miss! (And men no worries, its over in plenty of time to get home and watch the big game!)
The tasting also includes entrance to 1 seminar (if you want to taste in a smaller seated setting). But signup soon! Seats are filling up fast and it is first come first server on reservations.
Its only $25 in advance ($30 at the door if space available) Click here to make a reservation.
For more on this event or to see pictures from previous tastings click here.
- Summer Martin
You say rioja, I say ribera: Muga or Moro… Taste the best of both in Tarpon
Spain is the home of great modern reds and the most delicious new debate: Grand old Rioja and the brave new (to us) Ribera del Duero. It’s better than Burgundy v. Bordeaux, and we’ll have great exponents of each in the flesh and in the bottle in Tarpon next month.
From the Ribera, Emilio Moro’s David Espinar will be here to talk about a place where innovation never quits and the latest super-Riberos, Cepa 21 and the lush Mallelous (why call them Crianzas or gran reservas). In the Rioja corner, none other than Juan Muga of Bodegas Muga, who embodies the greatest Rioja traditions as well as modern techniques in Rioja winemaking. They include the bright new Torre Muga and the just released 2005 Aro showpiece, a must for any Spanish cellar.
They’ll pour these fineries in a three-flight dinner at Currents restaurant in Tarpon Springs, unfortunately now sold out… but thats ok! Because both Muga and Moro will be in attendance on Sunday, February 7th at B-21′s Wines of Spain & Portugal Grand Tasting and Sale from 2pm-5pm for another of B-21’s famous afternoons of seminars, tasting and learning. I call it the “immersion method.”
This grand tasting will cover the whole Iberian peninsula from the Douro (the Portuguese end of the Duero) to the slatey hillsides of Priorat, thanks to special guests from top importers.
Port – Get in on the wines of Gould Campbell, a small distinctive port house, presented by Bob Bulifant from Stacole.
Priorat– Enjoy that Schistes Show from the high schist/slate vineyard of Catalaonia’s remote Priorat, as explored by Eric Solomon. Anthony Pannone will teach Geology 101.
To attend the tasting (and 1 seminar) the price is $25 per person. The seminars begin at 12pm and the Grand Tasting is 2pm to 5pm. To attend a seminar you must sign up for a seminar ahead of time.
The glory that is Spain will not be at the same table anywhere near you again.
Click here for more details about this event.
Click here to make a reservation.
Perrin’s Tour de Rhone by fork not bike
Mathieu Perrin of Perrin & Fils
The parade of wine superstars never stops. This week Matthieu Perrin of the new generation of Perrins took B-21 fanciers at Currents restaurant in Tarpon Springs on a grand three-course, three flight tour of the southern Rhone. It’s the home country of Perrin & Fils and the grand Beaucastel.
For starters, the group wheeled their way through the simple Cotes of 2007, CdR ($9.99) then Cotes du Rhone Villages ($10.49), and the Perrin’s Nature ($10.49) a GSM which is certified organic as well as the family’s own biodynamic principles. Best food match of the appetizers was just as earthy – bruschetta with mushrooms, thyme and goat cheese.
2007 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape ($79.99)
More exciting was the roast pork-fueled middle stage through the Perrin’s favorite villages, Vacqueyras and Gigondas (mine too) and the far northerly commune of Vinsobres. Heckuva name for a place that is #89 on the Top 100. It is a luscious blend of Syrah and Grenache, but I think the licorice and pepper of that latter show best. Maybe the name scares people off, it’s still a bargain at $19.99.
The climax was Chateau Beaucastel CDP itself from the last two fabulous vintages (2006 and 2007). Beaucastel follows the old 13-grape step because it works, making a well-structured wine that is richly complex in flavors. More so in 2006, a voluptuously thick, dense wine, and at Currents a taste of the even more sumptuous 2007; best southern Rhone year in a decade.
Sherry on the rise: Attention must be paid
Sherry, a triumph of Spanish winemaking, is at last on the rise, yet it is not being dumbed down. If anything, it is the complexity of the best that adds to their rewards. Glasses in which you can taste the sea, the almond groves, and even evolving and downright split personalities.
A private group of aficionadoes, winemakers and critics decided to celebrate this national treasure by seeking out the finest odd bin butts in sherry country. They watched them evolve and then issued small exclusive bottling under the name “Equipo Navazos.’’
Those I saw were all pale from green straw to a light tawny, but their bouquets were full of more color and complexity than a Pedro Almodovar movie .
La Bota de Palo Cortado ($99.99, 375ml)
Equipo Navazos has brought about 20 to market, and B-21 seminarians were lucky to taste four. One was a delicate Fino and another a sea-breezy Manzanilla. Then, confusions set in.
By all rights, these two sherries are separate from nutty Amontillado and caramelized Oloroso. That’s too simplistic for a shape-shifting, gender-bending millennium.
So Equipo found a Manzanilla Pasada #10, ($54.99) a very old Manzanilla so tasty it’s almost cross-dressing as an Amontillado, a delicious conflict you can taste all the way through.
Their richest oddity was La Bota de Palo Cortado #17, ($99,99, 375 ml) and a complete trans-gender, seeming both Fino and Oloroso. Think of it as a nutty caramel distilled into a fine brandy.