Tag Archives: German wine

My Cellar Master

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This just in…Talk about a great holiday gift for the novice or well-aged wine aficionado.  A group of local San Diego wine masters have created a wine club that goes beyond all the others you may know about.  My Cellar Master brings together the collective palates and knowledge of Eddie Osterland (America’s first master sommelier), Brian Donegan  (advanced sommelier at Market) and Truly Fine Wine for a new wine club that offers more than just bottles arriving every month. Don’t want a club? Check out the themed wine tasting kits.  Information is on the website or at (858) 270-WINE (9463).


Bits and Bites: Upcoming Events

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Treat yourself to a sumptuous dinner featuring truffles in dishes paired with German wines at 1500 Ocean at the Hotel Del Coronado on November 12. Chef Brian Sinnott and the boutique wine merchant, Truly Fine Wine created a five course menu that includes veal cheeks, halibut and more along with a reception.  Among the wines there is a  Barth Spatburgunder Rose, Brut from the Reingau and a yes, there are fabulous dry German wines, that, contrary to what you might think, are quite dry…not sweet.  The cost of the dinner is $130 and includes tax and gratuity. For reservations and menu information:  Call 619-522-8490.

The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival has events, tastings, and enough food and wine to satiate a novice or gourmand.  It’s all happening November 12 to 16.

Celebrate the end of a long election year and support Taste of Little Italy on Wednesday, November 5.

Some of the best value wine dinners happen at Wine Vault & Bistro.  Get on their mailing list and learn about upcoming dinners and events.

German Wine and a Celebration of Chefs

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If you’ve never tried German wines (and no, they are not all sweet), do yourself a favor and go the dinner at Avenue 5 Restaurant & Bar on September 23.   Truly Fine Wine will host the wine side of the evening.  As a newbie to German wines myself, I have tasted, bought and love the dry wines that Truly Fine Wine imports.  The menu sounds great and the cost of the dinner and wine is $75.  For reservations and information:  619-542-0394.

Chef Celebration is in its 13th year as a collaborative effort of more than 50 award-winning chefs who give their time and expertise, in partnership with  Napa’s Culinary Institute of America, to raise scholarship money for young chefs.  Every Tuesday during October, you can join many of San Diego’s top chefs as they prepare a course for a five-course dinner at one of five restaurants:  Terra, Bernard’O, Pamplemousse Grille, Trattoria Acqua and Thee Bungalow. Check our each restaurant for the menu and chefs who will be participating.  This year the dinners hope to raise $18000.  Of the $65 donation for the dinner, $35 goes towards the nonprofit scholarship fund so make your reservations and support young chefs.  For information: www.chefcelebration.org.

It’s Time for White Wine with Red Meat

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Heresy you may say to drink a white wine with a gutsy red meat.  Not so as Buzz learned during a couple of dinners that featured dry German wines not usually found here in San Diego.  One dinner paired a dry Riesling from the Rheingau area of Germany with braised lamb shanks and the diners were happily surprised with the duo.  If you’re one who thinks (as many do) that all German wines are sweet, prepare yourself for a great awakening.  While many fall into that taste category, many others are dry and quite comparable to those from France, California and Australia. 

Where can you find such wines and have a quick German wine 101 tutorial while you taste?  Right here at Truly Fine Wine, Inc. on Morena Boulevard (just south of Costco).  Owners Damon and Sabrina import a select group of high quality, small production German wines that include pinots, Rieslings and even some very good sparklers.  Buzz dragged a couple of skeptical pals (they were sure all the wines would be sweet) to meet Damon and Sabrina at the shop.  We tasted and talked and the skeptics became believers!  

Still not a believer?  Then trust your taste buds and come try the wines this Saturday, February 9 at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center. Truly Fine Wine will present a tasting on the wines they import.  Golden Gourmet Mushrooms is also a part of event where the fun runs from 4:00pm to 6pm. For more information call 619-231-6400.  If the 9th doesn’t work, Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas will host a German wine dinner on February 19th.  Call the restaurant for reservations: 760-635-1066.