Category Archives: Restaurants

Food pairings: Freixenet’s Cava and other wine

Posted on August 20, 2014 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Recently I spent several days exploring Spain’s Cataluña winemaking region. I learned about the region’s famous Freixenet Cava as well as many other beautiful wines being produced there. (This post is Part IV about the visit; other posts’ links are … Continue reading →

Posted in Cava, Food, Restaurants, Spain, Tempranillo, Travel | 3 Comments

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Klinker Brick 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi. 15.8%, $13.95 and up.

Posted on September 20, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

My favorite way to try new wines is to go to a wine bar. Generally these are boutique yet friendly establishments that have wines on pour-it-yourself systems (you buy a card and dispense your own samples), as well as a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Restaurants, Tastings, Tips, Zinfandel | 7 Comments

Two Kilts Brewing Company, Portland, OR, 8/16/12

Posted on September 7, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

While the artisinal winemakers in the Portland area blew my mind, “kindred spirits” are burgeoning as well, from craft bourbon and other spirits to craft beer/ale/stout breweries. According to the Brewers Association, by the end of 2011, there were 1,938 … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Oregon, Pale Ale, Restaurants, Stout, Travel | Leave a comment

Seven-course winemakers dinner, 1910 Main, Forest Grove, Willamette Valley, OR.

Posted on September 3, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

“It’s Willamette, dammit!” I don’t think I’ll ever mispronounce “Willamette” again; ditto for “Meritage.” (“Meritage” rhymes with “heritage.”) But I digress … Stop Three of this wonderful excursion, hosted by the Washington County Visitors Association, was dinner: a seven-course Winemakers … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Restaurants, Tastings, Travel | 1 Comment

Notes from the Road: Saké afternoon, wine dinner

Posted on August 16, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Here’s your loyal correspondent speaking to you from Portland. I know, it’s nearly 4 in the morning for most of you but it isn’t quite 1 here. Today we visited SakeOne. (Saké is pronounced Saw-kay, btw, not sah-key. ‘s okay.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Restaurants, Saké, Tastings, Travel | 2 Comments

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Domaine Juliette Avril 2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone. 14.5% ABV, $30-55.

Posted on March 12, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

We don’t normally review wines that cost more than $20, but this one was so remarkable, we HAD to say something. If you can find this wine on sale, pick it up. It’s a marvelous blend of Grenache, Syrah, and … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Grenache/Garnacha, Mourvedre, Restaurants, Syrah/Shiraz | 2 Comments

A Tale of Two Rieslings. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: BEX 2010 Riesling, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany. Less than $10, 11% ABV. RECOMMENDED: Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Riesling, Columbia Valley, WA. 11% ABV.

Posted on January 3, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

When dining out, instead of ordering a bottle of wine, or two glasses of the same wine, I like to create my own flight by ordering glasses of different wines to compare and contrast. This is especially fun when dining … Continue reading →

Posted in Germany, Restaurants, Riesling, Tastings, Washington | 1 Comment

WINE TASTING. Two strong recommendations, lots of education.

Posted on December 6, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

On November 19, we attended a wine tasting hosted by Cuvée, Ocala’s wine bar and bistro (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). The wines were presented by Tom Tiley, wine consultant with Coastal Wine & Spirits. Tom’s background includes 15 years as a Level … Continue reading →

Posted in Argentina, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, France, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Red Blend, Restaurants, Sauvignon Blanc, Tastings, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

Hey, kids! Check out this restaurant’s wine list: It’s the Frugal Wine Snob’s dream come true.

Posted on October 4, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

In Gainesville, FL, The New Deal Café is the sister (and next-door) restaurant to Mildred’s Big City Food. Mildred’s has a fairly extensive wine list and they sponsor tastings from time to time. The New Deal Café is less expensive, … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Restaurants, South Africa, Syrah/Shiraz, Tastings, Tips | 1 Comment