Last week, I posted impressions from my first couple days in SF. Since then, I’ve had a chance to visit some of the destinations (still only a fraction) I’ve been wanting to and very few have disappointed. Thanks to those that have emailed and commented on suggestions of places I try.

Since Terroir has been closed this past month (due to flooding in the building), I’ve been forced to search around and find other shops stocking interesting wine. Two great places within a 15 minute walk from my apartment are the Jug Shop (a big store with an awesome selection) and Biondivino (a beautiful little shop with a focus on off the beaten track and small production Italian wines).

From Biondivino, I picked up a wine from a producer I’ve been looking forward to trying - COS. The Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG is their entry level red from a blend of Frappato and Nero d’Avola grown in South East Sicily and made with natural methods. The most notable thing about this wine is the amount of elegance it has for being from a place that gets as much heat and sun as Sicily does. The ‘06 has a very fresh and clean nose - wild strawberry and other red fruits, basil and black olives characters with a flinty minerality finish. Good bright acidity, light grippy tannins with a decent lengthy finish. Enjoyable wine indeed, yet for $30 in this market, it’s teetering on the edge of what constitutes good value for me.

My other new favourite place to buy wine is Arelquin Wine Merchant in Hayes Valley, where I picked up a bottle of Parigot Crémant Rosé de Bourgogne and stayed to have a glass of Francois Mikulski ‘06 Passetoutgrain (which hit the spot). A good selection of natural wines as well as the option to stick around and have a glass from a small tasting list. I think I’ll head back on Thursday for a Burgundy tasting with Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants. The Parigot Crémant had awesome acidity - characters of strawberry, orange, and peach iced tea, with biscuity hints. A great bottle of bubble for $24.

On the restaurant front, there is still much to be explored. Yesterday we went to the very old (like ninety seven years old, old) and very charismatic Swan Oyster Depot where, despite its rough edges and the fact that I saw one of the servers smoking in the dish area from our seat, I absolutely loved. Last night we went to Nopa for wine and dinner at the bar. It confirmed all the great things I’ve been hearing - the food was excellent and the wine list was fantastic. Next to Salt Tasting Room, it has the best Sherry selection I’ve seen - not as many options, but well chosen examples. An Almacenista Oloroso from Lustau was my favourite glass of the night. I’ll definitely be back for more!

For some unrelated stories check out the new humorous read from Jurgen Gothe about tasting Cellared in Canada wines from virtual wineries, if you haven’t already. Also Shea at Just Grapes has a new post about the City of Vancouver taking two steps back by throttling restaurateurs with more ridiculous laws.

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