Tag: wine

Sacramento’s Urban Winery

I was pleased to find a winery two blocks from my house, and hope that I continue to find new wineries throughout Midtown, but that seems unlikely. Too bad, as I can imagine an urban wine country running through Downtown and Midtown, up to the North Sacramento Wineries in Del Paso Heights. Call them microwineries. Sacramento can become California’s Urban Microwinery Country. Say it aloud, and feel it just roll off the tongue!

But, enough of my dreams. Revolution Wines is tucked behind a hair salon on P and 21st. You may have already enjoyed the 2004 vintages that were poured at various Sacramento area charity events during the past year. With a tasting room that opened in July, Revolution is pouring three of Winemaker Jason Fernandez’s 2005 vintages: The Pinot Grigio, that is grown in Clarksburg, an Amador Zinfandel, and Renzo, a red blend. All three are excellent, and I look forward to the December release of a Clarksburg Syrah. Four more vintages will be introduced over the next year.

Revolution Wines
2114 P Street
Thursday 4 PM – 7 PM
Friday & Saturday 11 AM – 9 PM
Sunday 11 AM – 5 PM

Your Unofficial Apple Hill Guide: New, Updated, Now With More Apple Flavor

It’s that time of year again when the leaves start turning, the kids go back to school and the Eats household celebrates anotherNo, the other kind of apple. birthday.  In what is becoming an annual tradition, the Mrs. and I played hooky and headed up the hill midweek to sup full of apple flavored delights.  In the process, we found some new delights, and wound up finding out a few new things about our old favorites.  Follow me, won’t you, as we trip the apple fantastic to find the best of the ‘Hill for 2007.

Rainbow Orchards– There are few reason to hang around Rainbow Orchards other than to consume the finest doughnuts you will ever have, apple cider doughnuts, that is.  Freshly made, piping hot, covered with sugar, and crisp yet chewy, these doughriffic bites of heaven are the main attraction in the cavernous barn that makes up the whole of Rainbow Orchards commercial enterprise.  They sometimes have bluegrass music in the orchard, which is a nice offering, and the Mrs. and I found a beautiful selection of decorative pumpkins in a kaleidoscope of shades (including blue) but really, we’re all just going there for the doughnuts.  Did I mention the doughnuts?  And yes, I still refuse to spell it “donuts.”  Caution:  Mill View Farms produces and sells a similar apple cider doughnut, but be warned, this is an inferior product and not worth your doughnut calories.  The proprietor is very sweet though, bless her heart.    Continue reading “Your Unofficial Apple Hill Guide: New, Updated, Now With More Apple Flavor”

L Wine Lounge & Zocalo

Last night found the Mrs. and me sampling the new L Wine Lounge and Urban Kitchen. We had been invited to an opening event for the joint and thought it an interesting destination for a Sunday night. We arrived at the location (18th and L St. in midtown) around 7pm and gave the place a once over; decorations were sparse but tasteful, very modern and angular (and almost 100% purchased from this catalog ). We were plied with wine immediately and given the broad choice of “white or red.” We went for the red which was an unpresumptuous shiraz/cab blend that followed a little gravelly and finished with a Jeff Gordon-like flare that one usually associates with only the finest clamatoes. (Honestly, the wine was fine, not particularly memorable, but pleasant enough to drink.)

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Don’t Like the Heat? Try 58°.

I am not a “wine snob.” I am not even a “wine connoisseur.” (so much so that I had to spellcheck “connoisseur” (and lookup the symbol for ° (which I’ve now assigned to a shortcut key (ctrl+D, if you’re ever using my computer)))) What I am is a “wine drinker.” This is not a specialized classification nor a advanced designation. I just know that there are some wines that I like and some that I’m not a big fan of; which is why, 58° is such a wonderful place. Without knowing much of anything about wines, you can go there, taste a variety of different mashups and not break the bank. They thoughtfully offer wine by the glass (6oz.), the taste (3oz.) or by the bottle (750ml).
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Clarksburg Wines

This past weekend, I went down to Clarksburg to do some drinking. Sacramentans are still largely unaware of the burgeoning wine scene in Clarksburg, only seven miles south from West Sac on Hwy 160. Clarksburg has ten wineries and dozens more vineyards dotted across the Delta landscape. Wines in the Clarksburg appellation are typically fruity and bold due to the prime growing environment. This is a great time of year to visit the area as the weather is mild and the cherry blossoms that line the road have perfumed the air with a scent that makes me want to drink.
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