So go on- go taste some!
Monday nights are ALWAYS half price wine night at James Beach (hooray!), and this week will be followed by another chance to "taste" some more....just up the beach at Il Forniao in Santa Monica. Starting at 5 in the evening  and they will be serving up flights from Maddallena Vineyards, one of the oldest wineries on the planet. What I love about these guys is that they celebrate a region of Italy every month for about 15 days. Not one or two days, or even a week- but 15 DAYS. 
And lest you forget ... every weekend you can stumble over to El Vino, where they do wine tastings all day and into the evening.

IT STOPPED RAINING. OHHHH  LORD we are so excited!  Get ready for some run-on sentences- Cause when I get excited... the fingers start a flyin!! Honestly, I was begining to feel like I was back in London- and unless you prefer me disguised as a slightly puffy, pasty-white, clammy, city-dweller- It AINT GOOD!
So on Sunday, two thrilled girls with the "strange glowing orb" in the bright blue sky, skipped/jumped down AK Blvd =  R.A. (Research Assistant) Eva & I went to  3 Square Cafe and sat in the barely 60 degree sunshine to drink Prosecco  & Elderflower and eat solid German food. DELICIOUS. Not entirely cheap... but hell- we hadn't been out for like a week- so we saved up- RIGHT? Done with that, we crossed the street and "Oh what do ya know? It's El Vino!" WINE TASTING!  The most beautiful girl who couldn't have embodied the colour  palatte of a Rose more perfectly,  poured us 3 delightful Slovenian wines from Ivan and Miha Batič of Batič Winery.
Yes. Yum. More please- didn't quite get that raspberry licorice note...hmmmm...swirl swish gulp...
And again, as I always do love about Wine Tastings... she made us feel smart and educated as we enjoyed some thoroughly abused grapes. Deliriously Happy. Someone bottle Sunshine!- we will buy a lifetime supply.

Funny how dramatic we Venetians can get when the rain finally arrives. I mean, hell, we've had 8 months of straight sunshine, but who's counting?....this stuff sucks! Makes you want to hole up with a nice bottle of wine, some warm snacks and a couple of great friends. Well, get your umbrella, cause you are heading to El Vino to do just that. Its a Sparkling Weekend ( I love this!) at El Vino. Saturday you can try three bubblies for $12, all fancy from France and even a red fizzy one - SO HOLIDAY "SPIRIT"!
Sunday, a fellow named Jeff Nelson from Henriot Champagne will be there, pouring the drinks and the knowledge from the 16th Century winemakers for $15 bucks. I have to say, that's what I adore about wine tasting, they sort of make you feel like you are CLEVER and gaining a great education while you listen intently, alternately tilting your head back , then extending your glass. El Vino is super snug and beautifully cave-like, the perfect little spot to hide out on Abbot Kinney during the rainy season. After all, it will all be over on Monday- so use the excuse while we've got it!

My favorite email this weekend comes from El Vino- these guys really know how to get ready for the Monday blues....

THIS SUNDAY IS SPARKLING SUNDAY!!!
As some may know, every second Sunday of the month is Sparkling Sunday here at Elvino!!! 
Step up to the counter and let us pour some bubbles for you:

 
Try All Three For Only  $12

 
2008 Bellenda Prosecco
 
NV Castell Roig Cava
 
Agrapart & Fils -Les 7 Crus-  Champagne

 

 


Step On Up and Enjoy!
                    
Fresh baked breads provided by 3 Square Café + Bakery & gourmet items from Market Gourmet