LUCKY us. Mugsy at El Rio next Friday, May 31st we’ll be joined by Fox and Lion Bread to go with the wine, salami, more…
Join us at El Rio, your dive 5:30-8:30.
May 31, 2013 – Mugsy pop-up wine bar at El Rio (5:30-8:30) on the back patio.
Wine term of the week: “Shep Naches” it’s Yiddish for deriving pleasure from someone else’s success. Which we do — from Bayview’s own Gratta Wines, a double gold recipient out of 3,500+ entries at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.
Oh, we’re also saying “I told you so.”
Why? Because we said it was good and now Gratta’s 2010 Sonoma Cabernet is one of only TWO Cabernets in that competition to receive double gold – no small shakes for wine from a tricked out garage.
Fine, fine, wait to hear from the international judges. But there’s not much of that Cabernet and you can enjoy it at Mugsy’s.
We’re gearing up for a Mugsy reunion with more highbrow wine drinking on the patio of San Francisco’s favorite dive bar venue (google it if you don’t trust me)… And Barbara Gratta will be there in a tiara with a limited amount of her fancy Cabernet plus new and delicious offerings available in a tasting flight or by the glass.
We’ll also serve some bubbly. Because bubbles give me naches. A sparkling wine, Comte de Bailly Rosé made by the French with grapes from the Spanish: let’s call it Frenchie La ‘spana, and local Rock Wall Wine’s winning Blanc de Blancs and perhaps a bit of White or Rosé Betelgiuse from Brown Estate.
Sound good? I thought so. All you have to do is show up at El Rio on Friday, May 31 between 5:30-8:30 at the back patio of El Rio. We’re working on the food, but think Salumi and it may come true.
Mugsy focuses on women, urban and people of color winemakers as well as all around enjoyment of wine. Glasses $7-8 and we’re thinking once a month.
Contact: mugsyawinebar@gmail.com
Knocked over by a feather…
This beauty, Jacques Lassaigne Les Vignes de Montgueux Blanc de Blancs, served at Bar Agricole is “Extra Brut” Champagne which for the French (AOC) means very mild residual sugar, higher in acidity and slightly lighter in alcohol. Light and impactful at the same time.
Delicious wines from Damas Vineyard in Amador County. Grape growers and wine producers, Mara and Deborah, are local San Franciscans producing award winners…
The key to a good Mimosa = fresh tangerine or mandarin orange juice you squeeze yourself. Believe me I am as lazy as you are, but those “cutie” brand mandarins are readily available, a decent price, AND fit in a lemon squeezer (the easy flip-over bar ones) so that you don’t have to invest in any new equipment or use more energy than your own tired hands.
Use just enough of the freshly squeezed juice, unless you have a cold like me.
xoG
P.S. Don’t skimp too much on the pour or the price with the sparkling… Prosecco is probably too sweet. Try a dry Cava or Cremant from your local wine shop, or trusted sparkling from a California winery.
X-mas meh list
1. Mimosas – xmas morning deserves better. Working on this because Bellinis no better really unless you’re crushing your own peach juice.
2. Eight dollar wine.
3. Thinking that the brand will make the wine good.
4. Prosecco everywhere but hardly any of it worth crowing over.
5. Dissing a varietal as low-brow because you don’t like it.
FROM the NYT: ”Think it’s easy to make a good sparkling wine? Many American winemakers try, but few can produce anything that can come close to competing with Champagne.”
I don’t know if I agree with all their choices btw. Love Iron Horse but J didn’t make it in there… Their affordable choice, Scharffenberger made me go out and buy it and try it again but didn’t think it was all that. Sort of like how someone described Carmen Diaz to me one time: ”She’s no Farrah, not even close.”
Franciacorta!
Italy’s answer to Champagne.
This one is Ca’ del Bosco Cuvee Prestige Brut - and is smooth and light with Chardonnay (75% ), Pinot nero (Pinot Noir) (15% ) e Pinot Bianco (10%). A splurge but worth it.
Champagne cocktail for Thanksgiving? Yes!
Use a soft persimmon (Hachiya, tear drop shape, make sure it’s not bitter) add a little fresh orange juice (or not) for interest and to liquify. Stir or shake. Pour into your glass and fill with a dry sparkling. Gloria Ferrer Brut would be good for this. A Cava would work better than Prosecco I think..
Enjoy a pretty cocktail and take a break from the cranberry/pumpkin.
Some photos from the October 19th release party for Gratta Wines Garage Blend at El Rio. Last Mugsy’s on the patio for the season. Cheers!
The Weekend Guide
Take the A train.
WATCH
San Francisco Trolley Dances
What: Local dance companies go off the rails in this annual dance celebration inside Muni stations and on the T line.
Why: Admission sets you back no more than the $2 Muni fare.
When: Sat. & Sun., 11 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Tours leave every 45 minutes.
Where: Intersection for the Arts/5M Project, 925 Mission St., at 5th St. (415-626-2787).
MEET
Magnus Nilsson
What: The man behind Sweden’s critically acclaimed restaurant Fäviken Magasinet promotes his new cookbook, Fäviken, at Omnivore.
Why: Can’t jet-set to northern Sweden for a taste of Nilsson’s daring cuisine? His first cookbook offers an insider’s look plus take-home tips.
When: Tonight, 6-7 p.m.
Where: Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez St., at Church St. (415-282-4712).
SIP
Mugsy
What: The pop-up wine bar closes out the year with a special treat — Barbara Gratta’s award-winning cabernet blend, made in her Bayview garage.
Why: Arrive early to snag a few of El Rio’s free Friday oysters or grab an Italian flatbread sandwich from La Piada Randagia.
When: Fri., 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: El Rio, 3158 Mission St., at Precita Ave. (415-282-3325).
SHOP
This Old Bag: the Power of the Purse
What: It’s handbag heaven — bid on more than 250 purses (some autographed) donated by top designers, athletes, and A-list actors.
Why: All proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, which keeps low-income individuals battling cancer afloat when they’re too sick to work.
When: Fri., 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: The St. Regis San Francisco, 125 3rd St., b/t Mission & Howard Sts. (415-284-4000). Tickets ($125) at givedirect.org.
Photo: Courtesy of Epiphany Productions
From Mugsy - by the way… Gratta Garage Blend is just releasing - so not award winning - YET!
Barbara Gratta’s garage offers a Cabernet blend created in ninja-like fashion in the Bayview.
Gratta’s new release is a 2011 blend of Sonoma Cabernet, Zinfandel and Petit Sirah. Mugsy had the distinct pleasure of tasting this bold mouthful in the fabled garage and can tell you that we are all in for a treat.
Gratta Wines started making wine about 5 years ago and it turned out so amazing that it won an award in an international wine competition.
Now the Bayview’s Gratta Wines is building a bit of a cult following. You can find the wines in various upscale venues including Radio Africa, or you can join us for this young beauty on the back patio of El Rio and become part of the early-adopters of “Gratta’s Garage Blend.”
We will also have bubbly, “West O” from the barrel at Urban Legend Cellars in Oakland and even some fcking Merlot… wines are $7-$8.
Stay tuned at Mugsy’s (www.mugsy.tumblr.com).
Finite batch of oysters courtesy of El Rio at 5:30 and Piadina (homemade Italian flatbread) available after 6 – both pair nicely.
SPOILER ALERT: Could it be the last Mugsy for the season at El Rio? Yeah, probably. Mugsy’s is a “bar within a bar” offering wines primarily from urban, women and people of color winemakers (French and Italian bubbly and other imports when the occasion calls for it).
