Wine is not simply a perfect complement to great food; it is also a social lubricant and the best aid to seduction known to man. It is a beverage whose benefits are amplified by the surroundings in which it is enjoyed and the friends with whom it is shared. We believe in wine and its many benefits, and we’ve hired a sommelier to help us put together a list of exciting food-friendly wines from around the world that you probably haven’t had elsewhere. We’ve listened to guest comments and criticisms and put together a by-the-glass program that will make most people happy. It seems few people agree on the appropriate volume of a glass of wine, and nothing appears to be enough in our 14 oz. glasses. So we will serve 16 wines in 250 ml carafes. (Dessert and sparkling wines will still be served by the glass.) 250 ml is exactly one-third of a bottle, so it is a fair amount to share or a pleasant evening for one.
REDS
Cabernet Sauvignon, Ehlers Estate, St. Helena Napa Valley $50/$18 carafe
Cot (Malbec), In Cot We Trust, Touraine, France 2010 $50/$18 carafe
Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon, Lafite/Catena, Mendoza, Argentina 2011 $50/$18 carafe
Merlot, Freemark Abbey 2009 $45
Meritage, Kenefick Ranch, Pickett Road Red, Napa 2007 $60
Pinot Noir, Hocus Pocus, Thomson Vineyard, Carneros 2010 $50/$18 carafe
Syrah, Cambria, Tepusquet Vineyard 2009 $35/$14 carafe
Tempranillo, Verasol, Navarra, Spain 2010 $35/$14 carafe
Blend, Dexter Lake, Mustache, California $35/$14 carafe
Carnignan, Les Heretiques, Pays d Herault-Languedoc, France $35/$14 carafe
Zinfandel, Oak Ridge Winery, Old Vine Zin, Lodi $35/$14 carafe
Rose, La Carline Farm, Sierra Foothills $35/$14 carafe
Bondarda, Reunion, Mendoza, Argentina $35
Grenache, T-Vine, Calistoga, Napa Valley $60
Gropello, Provenza, Garda Classico DOC, Italy $35
Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, Clarendelle, Bordeaux, France $35
Mourvedre, ‘The Prospector’ Donky & Goat, El Dorado, California $50
Petite Sirah, ‘Les Deux Mathieux’ Forlorn Hope, Suisun Valley, California $55
Syrah, Eric Texier, St Julien en St Alban, Rhone, France $60
WHITES
Chardonnay, Reata, Carneros $35/$14 carafe
Gruner Veltiner, Goblesburger, Kamptal, Austria 2011 $35/$14 carafe
Melon, Chateau de la Ragotiere, Muscadet-Sevre-et-Maine, France 2010 $35/$14 carafe
Riesling, Jakob Schneider, Kabinett, Nahe, Germany 2011 $35/$14 carafe
Roussane, Holus-Bolus, Camp 4 Vineyard, Santa Ynez 2011 $50/$18 carafe
Semillon, Saxon Brown, Casa Santinamaria, Sonoma 2008 $50/$18 carafe
Torrontes, Altos de San Isidro, Argentina 2011 $35/$14 carafe
Chardonnay, Hartford Court, Russian River, Sonoma $50/$18 carafe
Chardonnay, Matthiasson, Sonoma Coast $70
Malvasia Bianca, Birichino, San Bernabe Vineyard, Monterey $35
Riesling, Spatlese, Jakoby Mathy, Mosel Saar Ruwer $40
Sauvignon Blanc, Clos Roche Blanche No. 2, Touraine, Loire, France $40
Vermentino, ‘Hers’ Ryme, Las Brisas, Carneros $45
Vermentino, ‘His’ Ryme, Las Brisas, Carneros $65
SPARKLING
Aglianico, Grotta del Sole, Gagnano dell Penisola Serrentina DOC, Italy $35
Hou Hou Shu Sparkling Sake, Okayama, Japan $25
Tissot, Cremant du Jura, Extra Brut, Jura, Franc $45
Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Roederer, L’Ermitage, Anderson Valley, California 2002 $70
Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Lamandier-Bernier, Premier Cru Champagne, France NV $95
Glera, Tenuta Santome, Prosecco DOC, Treviso, Italy NV $30/$8 glass
DESSERT
Amontillado Sherry, Lustaur, Jerez, Spain $8 glass
Late Harvest Riesling, Arrowood, Saralee Vineyard, Sonoma 2007 $8 glass
Corkage Policy
We’ve done our best to provide a number of excellent and affordable wine options for you. If none of these meets your mood or if you think that The Playground is just the place you want to crack open that ’61 Chateau Latour your dad gave you when you graduated from college, then bring your own wine. There is no corkage fee.
