Not Nouveau, Friday Night Wine School

Join us for our attendance-limited, proof of vaccine, signup-only Friday night tasting!  Tastings are held on the back patio with a max of 8 people per time slot.

As a wine professional, I have to say that the novelty of the Beaujolais Nouveau parties in the US are lost on me. But you have to hand it to George Duboeuf, the marketing genius who took a local celebration of the harvest and turned in in to an international event to sell more wine. You know the Duboeuf bottles, the ones with the flowers on the labels that you'll see stacked in grocery stores from November to January? Made with Gamay juice that's has literally been bottled only six to eight weeks after the grapes were picked, the result is basically under developed alcoholic grape juice that will get worse as it sits in the bottle. And unfortunately many Americans still believe that this represents Beaujolais as a region as a whole.

Cru Beaujolais is the stuff I get excited about - in fact they are some of my favorite red wines in the store. Each with their own AOC, cru Beaujolais comes from 10 named villages within Beaujolais and represent the region's very best vineyards. Wines from Morgon, Brouilly, Julienas and more have their own very distinct personalities and offer high quality, structured, age worthy alternatives to Beaujolais Nouveau and are becoming increasingly popular with Pinot Noir drinkers looking for something more friendly and affordable.

Want to find out which Cru best suits your palate? Next Wednesday Dave Sobiesk will pour a "Not Nouveau" tasting of Cru Beaujolais and Beaujolais Village to introduce you to our favorite AOC's and producers.

Here's how it will work: 
-Proof of vaccination or negative covid test are required to attend.  We highly recommend using the LA Wallet app for proof of vaccine.
-You sign up for a time slot where you will taste with 9 other people. It is $8 to attend but you will receive that $8 back with the purchase of a bottle of any of the wines presented. If you are a couple or with a group, you can purchase up to 8 spots for a time slot if available. Use the green button above to reserve your spots.  $8 refund is one per attendee per bottle from the event only.
-We will hold our tasting outside on the patio from 5:30 PM to 8 PM on Fridays weather permitting. Otherwise we will gather in the back of the shop.
-Please arrive 5 minutes early for you time slot as we may not be able to move you to another spot.
-No waiting in line for your taste of wine in a plastic cup and snippet of info. During your time slot you will have the presenter's undivided attention as you learn about and taste the wines from Riedel glassware.
-When your tasting is over you can browse and shop or enjoy a glass or bottle at our indoor and outdoor tables.