Bring Out the Barrel (01-30-10 - 01-31-10)

El Dorado County has a great little event this weekend. Bring Out the Barrel lets you taste the new vintages right out of the barrel for about twenty of the El Dorado County wineries. El Dorado has some altitude, which is one of the great aspects of being in Sacramento. We can have wineries that get a little snow - something you'd expect in the northeast, yet it's only an hour from town. Get up there and get your futures lined up for what might be a great season.

Sibling Rivalry

We've gone a little out of the Sacramento region for this one...or have we? One of the great things about Sacramento's Winescape is that Napa Valley is just as close as parts of El Dorado County. Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley have always competed, and now it's on full swing for the public to decide. A set of official judges preside over the tastings, but all are invited to make their own decisions on the best wines. Twenty-six wines in all. Sibling Rivalry, which takes place in Rutherford in Napa Valley, is set to become a monthly event. This month is zinfandel, next month will be cabernet sauvignon. Find Small Lots Big Wines on Facebook so that you'll be sent an eVite to the next tasting.

58 Degrees & Holding Co.

Wednesday nights are the day of the week for 58 Degrees and Holding Company's weekly tastings. The tastings are designed around a theme, and at $10.00, very reasonably priced. It goes well here to say that some of the best food for wine is made at 58 Degrees, and it's easy to settle in and have a round of appetizers and then hang around for dinner. The spot is excellently put together, and adjoining the wine bar is a full wine shop so you can buy what you like after tasting. Great way to spend the middle of the week, and say "hi" to Gabe if you see him.

Selland's

Continuing the off-season theme, Selland's Market Cafe has a weekly dinner special available Monday-Saturday. Dinner for two and a bottle of wine. All for $25.00. Not bad if you're looking for a good way to enjoy a little wine, have some good food and watch your wallet at the same time. Selland's, for such a small place, has a great wine selection that's constantly changing. A good mix of California wine and wine from around the world - so keep going back for something new all of the time. Remember, Sacramento is in the center of wine country! You never have to go without.

Tasting Room Tuesdays

While the vineyards are in winter and the wine world is (a little) quieter, there's still plenty of wine-to-do around Sacramento. Now is a great time to get out to some of the local restaurants and wine bars that do regular tastings and see what's being offered. Arden Fair's California Cafe has Tasting Room Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 each Tuesday. The tastings feature California wines (naturally) poured by local wine reps. The tasting fee of $10.00 is waved if you stay for dinner, so make an evening of it.