Interesting little tastes here and there.

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. We've been short staffed at POP, and I haven't had much down time. It's a good thing. We have been really busy with hundreds of new customers.

Last weekend we hosted two after parties for the Action On Film Festival in Pasadena. It brought in a lot of film industry people and it was quite interesting. We even had the pleasure of hosting a couple of celebrities. Ron Perlman enjoyed our "Irish Flatbread" but not our red wines, joking about the cabbage. Kim Coates enjoyed our red wine and Perrier Jouett for his guests. It was a great weekend.

This week was equally busy but under-staffed. We hosted a wedding party and many soccer fans in town for the Barcelona Galaxy game. I even provided quarters for the uber-sexy Denzel Washington and his signature melting smile (probably the first time I have been *struck*). Sunday was the return of the Joel Porter Quartet and they did a lively set of jazz standards, can't wait to have them again. Our Speakeasy Sunday went so well that we started running out of things to pour at the end of the evening.

Matt came up with a new promo for Thursdays and so far it is going great! 33-thirsty-Thursdays! 33% off ALL bottles every Thursday at 33. E Union! A great excuse for some bubbles during the week.

We celebrated Chef Emily's 25th birthday in style at LudoBites (post coming soon), and at Montrose Bowl.

So as I said things have been busy, so busy in fact that I haven't had a chance to write about some fun tastes I have had lately.

Bagrationi Sparkling Wines (Georgia - the country not the state)- Brut - using native grapes, it produced a steely, green fruit mildly acidic sparkling wine. The Extra Dry - as Ralph described it was reminiscent of Korbel Brut.

I was really curious about these wines, and I know that they make more cuvees, I would love to try those. We probably won't add them at this time, but it doesn't hurt to taste (most of the time).

S. Anderson Blanc de Noirs 1999 -

This had all the richness and toastiness on the nose of a well aged sparkler but it fell apart on the palate. I could smell that wine all day, but once I tasted it I knew it was over the hill. It lacked balance it had a hint of blackberries/strawberries and a little brioche but the acidity was off and it was very muted in the mouth. I think it was good a few years ago.

I hadn't hear of S. Anderson before, and haven't seen anything since, but maybe we will find some soon.