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).


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.