Check, Please! Bay Area is KQED Public Television’s local series featuring regular people reviewing San Francisco Bay Area restaurants. Find out more about this KQED series at: kqed.org/checkplease.
Our season finale begins in West Oakland with central Texas barbeque meets Italian delicatessen. With a beer garden, pinball machines and games, Stay Gold Deli has something for everyone. Then, we head to San Francisco’s Sunset District for expertly crafted brews and tasty bar bites. Outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds drop their surfboards and bikes for a seat at Sunset Reservoir Brewing Company. Finally, we journey to San Francisco’s Financial District for a turn-of-the-century-inspired American tavern experience. Tyler Florence’s famously flaky popovers and fried chicken satisfy travelers and locals alike at Wayfare Tavern.
Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 20. (Maya Wise/KQED)
Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine (Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)
My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.
Dopff & Irion Brut Rosé Crémant d’Alsace, France, $20 If you love pink sparkling wine like I do, you will want to scoop up bottles of this beautiful bubbly. Hailing from the Alsace region of France, it’s NOT Champagne rather a French style of sparkling called Crémant. This dry, pale-garnet hued wine is crafted with Pinot Noir grapes that showcase delicate red berry fruitiness. It’s a very well-priced fizz that will take you from A to D to D (that’s Appetizers through Dinner and Dessert) with ease.
2018 Raeburn Chardonnay Russian River Valley, California, $18 A superbly balanced Chardonnay that wraps a crisp core with a creamy texture. Juicy aromas and succulent stone fruit flavors are supported by zesty acidity from grapes grown in the cool Russian River Valley. With barrel fermentation and sur lie ageing layering on lightly-lush complexity, this affordable white is a must buy worth twice the price.
2016 Primrose Primitivo Solano County-Green Valley, California, $40 Primitivo is Zinfandel with what I like to call an “Italian soul.” This California-grown version of southern Italy’s famed grape variety (genetically identical to Zinfandel), is lush and spicy with a richness tempered by earthy notes. Whip up a bowl of pasta with long-simmered meat sauce and uncork this stylish red.
Benham’s Sonoma Dry Gin California, $35 Gin is a spirit with personality. Each one is a blend of botanicals that impart unique character. This upcoming-star bottling from founder Derek Benham, uses local Sonoma County ingredients such as Meyer lemon and Buddha hand citrus, combined with exotic coriander seed, cardamom, peppermint and juniper berries to take the ‘London Dry’ style to a deliciously new level. As a drinker of gin on a regular basis, Benham’s is my new favorite.
Wine and spirits guests drank on the set of season 15 episode 20. (Maya Wise/KQED)
Thirsty for more beverage advice? You can find more of my wine, beer and spirits tips for you here.
This week, it’s all plant-based plates for our vegetarian guests! In San Francisco’s Mission District, Curry Up Now dishes out fast-casual Indian street food in funky packages: fried ravioli, sexy fries, and loaded burritos. Then, we devour fried falafel and freshly baked pita made from imported Israeli dough at Sunnyvale’s Falafel Stop. Finally, in South San Francisco, sisig, lumpia, and other Filipino classics are given the meatless treatment at Nick’s On Grand.
Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 14. (Olivia Won/KQED)
Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine (Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)
My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.
2018 Umani Ronchi Pecorino ‘Vellodoro’ Terre di Chieti IGT Abruzzo, Italy, $17 I’m a fan of Italian white wines – especially those made with obscure grapes like Pecorino. The name of the variety refers to the “grape of the sheep” because it traditionally comes from areas in central Italy where sheep-farming and agriculture dominate. Pecorino (yes, there is a sheep’s milk cheese with the same name) is a deliciously crisp, high acid wine that still carries roundness and weight on the palate. The Vellodoro is one of the best white wines I’ve sipped all year long.
Frank Family Vineyards ‘Rouge’ Sparkling Wine Carneros, California, $55 Sparkling red wines have a rich history, but they’re enjoying a renaissance of sorts with examples from around the globe. This one from bubbly superstar, Frank Family Vineyards, is deep ruby in color with succulent, layered flavors. Made in the traditional method from a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with the intense color and dark-berry character coming from Petite Sirah grapes, it’s a unique fizz that will surprise and delight. Try it alongside dark chocolate raspberry tart or a selection of cheeses served with plum jam. Deliciously decadent.
Jardesca Red Apertiva Sonoma County, California, $35 Aperitifs are classic before-dinner sippers in Europe, but the tradition is just developing here. This delicious drink falls somewhere between a wine and a spirit in terms of richness and alcohol levels. Jardesca Red Aperitiva blends three different California red wines with Zinfandel as the main variety. It’s then fortified with Eau de Vie and soaked with a selection of ten botanicals such as ginger, tangerine and cardamom. I like to drink it simply poured over ice with a twist of lemon, but it’s also stellar with a splash of soda or tonic. Red AND refreshing!
2018 Raeburn Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, $22 As a Pinot Noir lover, I’m always on the hunt for affordable treasures. The Raeburn is one of them. The name refers to an Olde English saying meaning “the river where one goes to drink.” The river that influences these wines is the Russian River. Warm days and cool coastal breezes combine to get Pinot Noir fruit growing there ripe yet maintain its vibrancy. This wine captures the best of the grapes and drapes them with a touch of new oak barrel ageing to keep balance and elegance in the final wine.
2017 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, California, $40 For car and wine aficiandos, this is a bottle to seek out. The founder of Silver Ghost, Weston Eidson, has a deep family history with world-famous automobiles and wanted to honor that background through wine. This Cabernet bottling is a nod to the 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost – a family favorite. Hailing from Napa Valley, it’s a classic style with complexity, structure and lushly intense dark fruit notes. It will age beautifully for years, but with such a silky texture is ready to uncork and enjoy now.
Wine and spirits guests drank on the set of season 15 episode 14. (Olivia Won/KQED)
Thirsty for more beverage advice? You can find more of my wine, beer and spirits tips for you here.
First, let’s take a stroll through North Beach for Neapolitan pizza at Il Casaro Pizzeria & Mozzarella Bar, which translates to “cheese maker” in Italian. Then, we may have died and gone to noodle heaven at Soba Ichi, where handcrafted soba noodles are made onsite with traditional practices.
Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 19. (Olivia Won/KQED)
Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine (Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)
My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.
Conte Collalto Brut ‘San Salvatore’ Millesimato Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Italy, $11 What a fantastic deal! If you are a Prosecco fan (and let’s face it…who isn’t?) this is a sparkler you’ll want to purchase by the case. Light, refreshing and crafted in a dry style, it hails from the steep, hilly region of northeastern Italy called Conegliano Valdobbiadene. Anchored by two towns of the same names, it’s an historic wine area blanketed with vineyards planted primarily to Glera grape vines. This version from Collalto is named for an historic castle – San Salvatore — located on the highest part of the vineyard. When you see the words “Prosecco Superiore” is signifies quality and affordability rolled into one bottle.
2018 The Larsen Projekt Grenache Rosé Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, California, $22 Attention lovers of pink wine…this is one you’ll want to seek OUT and sip IN. I adore the Grenache-based wines of The Larsen Projekt, which is a boutique Sonoma producer. This garnet-hued rosé is succulent and crisp with enough freshness and complexity to pair poolside and tableside. The wine’s label depicts a time the owners went to an outdoor café in Provence, France, and saw buckets of rosé sitting in a nearby the fountain ready to pour for thirsty diners. Hmm…I think I need one of those fountains in my backyard.
2017 Trinity Hill ‘Gimblett Gravels’ Chardonnay Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, $40 New Zealand is known for Sauvignon Blanc, but for those who delve into the small country’s great wines know it’s also a place for world-class reds and Chardonnay. Hawkes Bay is on the north island (two islands comprise the country) and is a spot that makes famed Bordeaux blends and Syrah. It’s also home to this full-bodied Chardonnay from one of New Zealand’s star producers, Trinity Hill. The vines come from a uniquely stony area called the Gimblett Gravels. This imparts taut minerality to the wine, which is wrapped with ripe fruit flavors, exotic aromas and a lush texture. I call it finely focused yet fleshy – the best of both Chardonnay worlds.
2017 Scattered Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, California $40 An impressive Napa Cabernet at an impressively affordable price. Winemaker Joel Aiken is a California icon formerly of legendary Cab house, Beaulieu Vineyard, whose deft touch help create stylish classics. He and owner, Derek Benham, have sourced fruit from top Napa Valley areas to blend into this beautifully designed wine. It’s structured and plush with dark fruit intensity and supple tannins. Built to be cellar worthy and age for a decade or more, it’s also delicious to drink now alongside a simple grilled steak. Perfection.
Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey Small Batch Rye Ireland, $35 Whiskey fans, take note. Versions from Ireland are undergoing a renaissance and this spirit brings to life the motto “what’s old is new again.” The Kilbeggan Distillery began producing whiskey in 1757 then changed hands and closed for a time but is now back and stronger than ever under the ownership of Suntory. Their Rye is crafted with a centuries-old recipe that uses 30 percent of the spicy grain in the mash bill. Though that’s less than in typical American versions, it still sports rye’s telltale toe-curling spiciness coupled with hint of ginger and orange zest wrapped in a silky texture. It falls on the lighter, elegant side of the whiskey scale as opposed to the rich, sweet styles of Bourbon whiskeys. Take a trip to the Emerald Isle in a glass.
Wine and spirits guests drank on the set of season 15 episode 19. (Olivia Won/KQED)
Thirsty for more beverage advice? You can find more of my wine, beer and spirits tips for you here.
Check, Please! Bay Area KIDS Special: For our first course, an avid reader strikes gold with fresh bites and stunning views at Treasure Island’s Mersea. Next up, a tennis champ hits an ace with rich khinkali and khachapuri at Bevri, Palo Alto’s first Georgian restaurant.
Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 18. (Maya Wise/KQED)
In the Tenderloin, Ethiopian cuisine shines in the orange oasis of San Francisco’s Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen. Across the Bay in Alameda, Afghan and Mediterranean flavors combine into unique delights at Angela’s Kitchen. Finally, two born and raised South Bay chefs deliver a rotating farm-to-table menu at Braise in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood.
Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 17. (Olivia Won/KQED)
Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine (Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)
My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.
Olema Brut Rosé Crémant de Loire, France, $25 A light and lovely sparkling wine that will make summer sipping a joy. This is not Champagne, rather a bubbly from the Loire Valley of France called Crémant. Crafted with mostly red Cabernet Franc grapes, it’s a dry-styled fizz with red-berry fruitiness making it ideal to serve before, during and after any meal.
2018 B.R. Cohn Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County, California, $17 B.R. Cohn’s Silver Label is consistently one of the best values in California Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a wine that looks and tastes like it should cost twice the price. This bottling is crisp and juicy with citrusy freshness. Try it with spicy Thai takeout or cooked-at-home vegetable pasta topped with lemon-infused olive oil. It’s also a perfect wine for simply enjoying in your patio lounge chair.
2017 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon, $45 Argyle is an iconic winery from Oregon having established itself in 1987 as a pioneer in sparkling wine. They also craft classic styles of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This bottling is part of their Master Series blending two select blocks of Chardonnay from their Lone Star Vineyard. It showcases a core of minerality wrapped in succulent fruit then layered with richness from barrel fermentation. A balanced beauty.
2014 Futa Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley, Chile, $65 As a long-time fan of the wines of Viñedos Calcu from Chile, I tend to cover their affordably delicious bottlings, which always over-deliver in quality. This wine, however, is the peak of their offerings and deserves a place in any wine lover’s cellar. The stunning label brings to life the meaning of the word Futa, which is “big and magnificent” in the indigenous Chilean Mapuche language. The complex Cabernet Sauvignon is structured and built to age beautifully, but it also offers a lush texture making it ready to drink now. A wine to seek out as you explore the world of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.
2016 Silverado Vineyards ‘GEO’ Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville, Napa Valley, California, $75 Silverado Vineyards has always been one of my Napa Valley favorites. With a rich history spanning nearly 40 years, the family-owned winery produces classic wines with great care. This collectible bottling is a pinnacle for Silverado as it’s made with 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon from their heralded Mt. George Vineyard. Named for the Greek word for Earth (and also a playful nickname for George), it’s powerful and concentrated with balanced plushness. A gorgeous Cab to uncork now and pair alongside a grilled filet mignon, or age for a few more years and be rewarded with elegant intensity.
O. Vine Red Wine Essence Gently Sparkling Water, $5 A fun way to imbibe and refresh without the alcohol of wine. This drink is berry-scented sparkling water that captures the fruitiness of red wine grapes like Merlot and Syrah. It’s delicious by itself, but I use it as a cocktail mixer poured over a splash of vodka on ice, too.
Wine and spirits guests drank on the set of season 15 episode 17. (Olivia Won/KQED)
Thirsty for more beverage advice? You can find more of my wine, beer and spirits tips for you here.
This week, we celebrate teachers with three teacher guests! First up, the flavors of the Amalfi coast bloom at a cozy pizzeria in Danville: Locanda Ravello. Next, Oakland’s Cafe Umami is the perfect spot for nourishing grain bowls crafted by a former microbiologist and brimming with fermented flavor. The final course: seasonal and sophisticated offerings at Walnut Creek’s welcoming Main Street Kitchen.
Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 16. (Maya Wise/KQED)
Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine (Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)
My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.
Maison Bruno Paillard ‘Première Cuvée’ Champagne France, $45 The style of Bruno Paillard captures the elegance and complexity of world-class Champagne. It’s about the assemblage with this producer. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes from more than 30 Cru vineyards and more than 25 vintages are blended to create this stylishly dry, deliciously layered sparkling. Open the bottle for a splurge night with shellfish, or splurge on yourself and simply pour a glass to savor.
2018 Tornatore Etna Bianco Sicily, Italy, $30 If you haven’t explored wines made in Sicily, this is a white to seek out. Hailing from the eastern side of the island in the shadow of the volcanic Mt. Etna, it’s made with a local white grape variety named Carricante and crafted in stainless steel to maintain its citrusy freshness. Pair it with anything fresh from the sea or garden. A unique wine with Sicilian flair.
2018 Landform Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, Oregon, $25 The name of this wine tells the story. It’s all about the ground as the Grounded Wine Company’s focus is on showcasing a sense of place in each glass. Owner, Josh Phelps, grew up in a family dedicated to wine. His Landform Pinot Noir brings the essence of Oregon’s Willamette Valley to life. It’s sophisticated yet fun with bright red fruit notes shining through. Sure…it’s great with food, but just sip it on your porch with a view of the sunset for an ideal pairing.
2016 Adobe Road Winery ‘The 24’ Red Blend Sonoma County, California, $66 In my hometown of Petaluma, California is a place where wine is celebrated and enjoyed. The Adobe Road Winery is the destination, but their wines are the journey. This Rhone-style blend is Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre and is spicy and rich. The winery’s roots are in the car racing world and the label pays homage to Rolex, which is the timekeeper for famed car races.
Bodega Gonzalez Byass ‘La Copa’ Vermouth, Extra Seco Spain, $25 Vermouth is an underappreciated yet historic wine style. It can be red or white, dry or sweet, but it’s always delicious. Fortified wine is aromatized with botanicals from flowers to roots and spices, making for a soothing, satisfying sip. It’s certainly delicious in cocktails, but I enjoy styles like this alone as a pre-dinner drink. From the famous Spanish Sherry producer, González Byass, La Copa is crafted from a family recipe dating to 1896.
Wine and spirits guests drank on the set of season 15 episode 16. (Maya Wise/KQED)
Thirsty for more beverage advice? You can find more of my wine, beer and spirits tips for you here.
Check, Please! Bay Area Kids reviews: Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar, La Note Restaurant, Magnolia Street Wine Lounge & Kitchen
Jul 10, 2020
Show notesSupport Season 15 Restaurants From Home Check, Please! Bay Area Season 15 episode 15 airs Thursday, July 9 at 7:30pm on KQED 9. See other television airtimes. And never miss an episode by subscribing to the video podcast.
Check, Please! Bay Area KIDS Special: It’s time for another trip to the kid’s table! Up north in Windsor, a programming whiz kid savors the hallmarks of Southern comfort food at Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar. Next, a second-generation Check, Please! guest reviews his Berkeley spot that’s been serving French brunch for the past two decades: La Note Restaurant. Finally, after competitive swim meets, there’s nothing a young swimmer would rather eat than creative soul food blending Cajun and Asian flavors at Oakland’s Magnolia Street Wine Lounge & Kitchen.
Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 15. (Maya Wise/KQED)
From Season 13, Berkeley’s La Marcha Tapas is a festive ode to Spanish Nightlife, where Taberna classics are given a distinct California twist. Next, from Season 12, it’s off to The Brazen Head in San Francisco, an old-school neighborhood bar that serves nothin’-fancy pub grub late into the night. Finally, from Season 11, experimental dishes blossom from a chef’s poetic inspiration at Atelier Crenn.
Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine (Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)
My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.
2019 Apaltagua Reserva Carmenere Rosé Maule Valley, Chile, $12 This zesty pink from Chile is one I highly recommend every year around this time. It’s ideal for summer sipping with its pale-rose hue, pink grapefruit juiciness, and affordable price tag. A dry rosé made primarily from Chile’s signature red grape, Carmenere, with a dash of Syrah, it’s crisp, succulent and goes down easy. It’s also pretty to look at from the label to the wine. Pair alongside anything casual eaten al fresco from grilled fish to chips and salsa.
2019 Mettler Family Vineyards Albariño Lodi, California, $20 Though Mettler is a historic grape-growing family in California, one of their newest releases is made with a grape variety that hails from Spain. Albariño is known in western Spain’s Galicia region for producing crisp yet complex whites. In California there are only a few hundred acres planted. Mettler’s version is one of the best. Crisp, aromatic and still sporting a rich texture, it’s a wine to pour in place of Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Salud!
2017 La Crema Chardonnay Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, $30 La Crema is a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir specialist. Though crafting numerous versions of both varieties from various wine-growing regions, this Chardonnay is my favorite. It captures both richness coming from oak barrel fermentation and aging, but with a core of citrus-scented minerality and freshness to balance. It’s an excellent choice to serve as a cocktail on its own, but with food it shines. Scallops, lobster in butter, pasta in cream sauce with mushrooms and soft cheeses are all ideal partners to this elegant pour. (2018 is the current vintage)
2017 Mettler Family Vineyards Petite Sirah Lodi, California, $25 When you want a powerful, jammy red look no further than Petite Sirah…it’s anything BUT petite. This red from the lauded grape-growing Mettler family, is unapologetically lush and saturated with dark fruit flavors. It ends with a kick of black pepper notes on the finish that keeps the full-bodied fruitiness in check. Grab a rack of ribs and settle in with a glass of this wine for a decadent night.
2017 Three Finger Jack ‘East Side Ridge’ Cabernet Sauvignon Lodi, California $22 What a fun wine. The appealing bottle is what first catches your eye as its shape harkens to another era. It’s named for an outlaw, Three Finger Jack, who roamed California during the Gold Rush. Crafted from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon accented by Petite Sirah, Malbec and Merlot, it’s an offbeat blend with a bold taste. Hearty, spicy, full-bodied and ultra-smooth, you can saddle up next to a steak, pour yourself a glass, and toast the old days.
Wine and spirits guests drank recommended by host Leslie Sbrocco. (Maya Wise/KQED)
Thirsty for more beverage advice? You can find more of my wine, beer and spirits tips for you here.
For a meal unlike any other, we start in a Richmond warehouse for a multi-course, farm-to-table communal dining experience at Anaviv’s Table. Then, tucked away in an El Cerrito stripmall, Larb Thai Food & Tapas concocts traditional Issan-style delicacies that are hard to find in the Bay Area. For our final course, we head to Mister Jiu’s in San Francisco’s historic Chinatown, where chef Brandon Jew celebrates Chinese cuisine with seasonal California ingredients and upscale sensibilities.
Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 12. (Olivia Won/KQED)
Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine (Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)
My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.
Faire La Fête Crémant de Limoux Brut France, $19 For affordably delicious bubbly, seek out Faire La Fête. It’s not Champagne (that only comes from the region of the same name in France), rather it’s French Crémant, which refers to sparkling wines made from around the country. This one happens to hail from the southern part of France where sparkling wine originated in 1531. Faire La Fête basically means having a party, so whether you’re toasting Tuesday night takeout for yourself or a Saturday soirée with friends, raise a glass of this crisp, fruity fizz.
2018 Emeritus Vineyards, ‘Hallberg Blanc’ Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, $40 Emeritus is a new class of classic when it comes to California Pinot Noir. It was founded in 1999 by famed vintner, Brice Cutrer Jones, after he sold Sonoma-Cutrer and bought Hallberg Ranch. A Pinot Noir master, Jones has crafted a version like no other with the Hallberg Blanc. It represents the best of both worlds because he’s made a white wine from red grapes. How? The juice is gently extracted from the red Pinot Noir grapes with little skin contact, which is the thing that imparts the purple hue to red wines. With melon and peach aromas, a kiss of oak richness and a sultry texture, it’s one of the best wines I’ve sipped all year.
2018 Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay Burgundy, France, $16 When it comes to well-priced Chardonnay with finesse, you can’t beat this wine from the noted house of Louis Jadot in Burgundy, France. Coming from the south of Burgundy in an area called the Mâconnais, it’s a fruit-driven Chardonnay capturing a streak of minerality from the vineyards’ limestone soils. No oak is used to make the wines making the purity of the citrus and stone fruit shine through. An all-purpose white, you can pair it with a brunch egg casserole, a lunch goat cheese salad or dinner rotisserie chicken.
2016 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, $225 Spottswoode ranks among the top wine producers in the world. For four decades they have consistently crafted cellar-worthy, but still enjoyable-upon-release Cabernets that define the best of Napa Valley. Their 2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is no exception. Uncorking it now allows for immediate indulgence in this silky red with seamless balance. But, aging for a few years will help the wine open up gracefully exposing even more complexity and elegance. The Novak women – Mary and Beth and Lindy – have been an inspiration to so many in the wine business. Not only did founder Mary Novak pass on her love of Spottswoode to her daughters, Beth and Lindy, who are now in charge, but with quiet strength she helped shape the historic property into the lauded star it is today.
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin Germany (375 ml), $45 As a gin lover, I appreciate the character of each gin. Much like a beautiful necklace crafted with a variety of stones pieced together to make a whole, gins use various blends of botanicals to achieve their final style. That’s why I adore Monkey 47 Gin. It’s exotic and distinct, but also simply delicious to sip. Made in Germany’s Black Forest using natural spring water from the area, they also utilize local ingredients such as lingonberries, angelica root and acacia flowers. These are only some of the 47 botanicals used, which impart its powerful and magnetic charm. Though it’s a serious spirit, the name and label are an ode to Max the Monkey who dominates the whimsical website and brand story.
Wine and spirits guests drank on the set of season 15 episode 12. (Olivia Won/KQED)
Thirsty for more beverage advice? You can find more of my wine, beer and spirits tips for you here.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
