Wine and Food Tasting at D’VINE Lounge & Bar – Monday Jan. 30, 2017

With each and every tasting I do, part of the fun for me is getting there. If the venue is off of the Metro rail line, the better for me. You can take the Red line from Wilshire and Western to 7th street metro station and walk a block and a half and be at D’Vine. It just makes life so much easier having to not worry about parking and leaving the driving to someone else.

This is downtown Los Angeles at its best, classy upscale. It is a little bit New York and San Francisco’s Union Square, but it’s really all Downtown Los Angeles.

When you arrive you go downstairs into the basement of this stellar old building, it has speakeasy vibe, with a very elegant wine tasting bar. The wines are the star of the show. You can taste a glass of 2011 Henri Clerc, Puligny Montrachet, for $37.00 a glass, truly super elegant wines that you’re able to taste, what a concept.

This is a one of a kind French-style “hidden” wine cellar, a paradise for wine aficionados. Romantic, dim-lit date spot – for Valentine’s Day, February – the month of love, weekends, any night of the week, unique private event venue, intimate live music / jazz events – artists include jazz saxophone player & electronic violinist

Here is what I tried:

Wines:

Argentina – Santa Julia, Malbec, Mendoza, 2015, rich bold, drink this wine with meat or any or the cheeses.

Spain – Muga, Rioja, Reserva, 2012, nice earthy nuances, I would try this one with the cured meats.

Italia – Argiano Brunello di Montalcino, well this wine will knock your socks off, it will go with anything.

California – Carpe Diem Cabernet, Sauvignon, Napa, 2013. I liked this wine with the pate; it can stand up to the pepper in this great dish.

Italy – Anselmi, Garganega Blend, Veneto, 2014. This is a bright herbal wine; with the cheeses you will be pleasantly surprised.

California – Backstory Chardonnay, Napa, 2013. A nice subtle Chardonnay with not a lot of oak, it will enhance any of the cheeses.

Prisoner Blindfold, White Blend, 2014, this was my favorite wine; it has butter and oak and will go great with the Tataki.

France – Domaine Schlumberger, Riesling, not a big fan, but it will work with any of the cheese as well.

Domaine des Ducs, Pouilly-Loche, 2012. This is an earthy wine with lots of mineral terroir, also great with the salads.

Henri Clerc, Puligny Montrachet, 2011, I only got very small sip, but this wine will outshine everything else.

Selection of Charcuterie and Artisanal Cheeses: Fellino Salami, Spicy Soppressata, Prosciutto di Parma, Pamploma Chorizo, Speck, Bresaola. Brie, Cabra Romero, Humboldt Fog, Aged Vermont Cheddar, St Agur, and Aged Gouda. The presentation is astounding, done on wood platters, very rustic. The cheeses are really the highest quality, and so delicious with the wines. The meats are also a feast for your eyes and palate, adding to the overall excitement of all of these great tastings.

House Made Snacks: Marinated Roasted Peppers, Garlic confit, and Oregano, very light and delicious.

Tataki: Tuna, Salsa crudo, and Avocado puree, a nice way to enjoy a light savory menu item.

Black Pepper pate, pickled celery, Apple mustard, and Cornichons. A very wonderful menu option, this is a pork-based pate with nice herbal overtones, one of my favorite things I tried.

Marinated Baby Artichokes: Caper berries, and Herbs. This is just so simple, but really amazing. Everyone at my table loved this dish.

Salads:

Kale Caesar, Ciabatta croutons, and Parmigiano-Reggiano, I was head over heals about this salad, with the fantastic crouton and this tangy, cheesy dressing.

Chopped Salad, Iceberg Salad, Soppressata, Parmesan Chips, Tomato, and Balsamic Vinaigrette, a bit too much vinegar for my taste, but the Soppressata is reason to try it out.

Tartines:

Provençale, Olive tapenade, Goat Cheese, Herbs, and Walnuts, this is a great combination.

Oceane, Poached Albacore tuna, Crème franche, Cornichons, and Boiled eggs, kind of like tuna salad, simple and direct, the egg is the show stopper for me.

Sucrèe-Salée, Pear, Brie, Walnuts, and Balsamic reduction, you can’t go wrong, all ingredients are perfect together.

Sweet:

Maple Pecan Bread Pudding, the crunchy nuts make for one heavenly dessert.

Previously known as D’Vine Wine Cellar, new owner Gerald Ferrante renovated the existing space to have an old-world charm with new wines where time is measured by the glass. The below ground location is key to storing wine properly in a cool, controlled-climate, and creates the ideal setting for pouring, swirling, and toasting. Served by the glass or bottle, whites, reds, rosés, champagnes, sparkling wines, and on-tap labels, from 10 different countries with over 50 varietals, satisfy all varieties of aficionado. “As a Frenchman and Angeleno, wine is always a pleasure,” says Ferrante. “The space has good vibrations and we wanted our guests to feel cozy and comfortable, and to feel as if they were at home. Except here, they have many more choices of wine than they would have at home with experts to help them choose. Ferrante adds, “People are curious about wines. Our expert stewards specialize in wine, not just pouring. They have a great deal of wine knowledge to advise our guests on new wines and tastes, how wine feels when tasting and drinking so they enjoy what they drink.” With the new renovation, Ferrante also installed special equipment that enables guests to enjoy even the most expensive wines by the glass. The bottle usually sells high-end wines as they spoil with oxidation more easily, and therefore guests could not sample these specialties by the glass. However, with this new tool, D’Vine can indulge guests with a wider selection of wine offerings. D’Vine staff sommeliers can help guests choose their wines based on what they have liked and would like according to their preferences. D’Vine guests can purchase by the glass, by the bottle and by “wine flights” – a three-wine sample customized per guest’s request or with consultative help by D’Vine’s expert wine stewards.

Fun, lively and great wine, how could you go wrong, this is one wine bar I highly recommend, a truly great find in a sea of establishments in Downtown Los Angeles. Next time your in the mood for great food and perfect choices of wine try D’Vine, you will be glad you did.

They also have a great Happy Hour from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

D’VINE:
821 South Flower St
Los Angeles, CA • 90017
(213) 262-8517
* Note some content was taken off of their website.

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