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LASplash.com: Los Angeles Restaurant Reviews Urraca Winery's New Wine Collection at Froma on Melrose -- Rich and Tasty Vino Treats By Joe Wehinger . Former Freelancer Urraca Winery showcased their new exquisite wine collection at Froma on Melrose in West Hollywood. One of the pleasures of Los Angeles is finding a great little gem to visit. There’s Larchmont, there’s Montana Avenue. But now, in a neighborhood that you’re already in all the time, there’s a great place to find some food and a delicious glass of wine.
When you arrive, the place feels familiar and cozy. You have a seat by the window and give it a look over. Woodsy, quaint, with a European feel. Usually Francine ( Diamond, one of the managing partners) is there with another worker in the back. You don’t realize just how special the restaurant is until your first bite of food. Today, however, it’s crowded. Francine has a busy smile on her face. The window seating is filled, so is the counter and now that you look around, even most of the standing room is gone.
Today Urraca Winery will showcase the new exquisite wine collection from the Urraca label. Maximiliano Bozoghlian, the Sommelier from Carlitos Gardel (just across the street) is narrating the journey. He’s passionate and yet has fun with it. He doesn’t just tell you what it is, he gives you an idea of what to expect then asks what you taste. Then as you answer, he actually explains what about it is giving you that test. Impressive.
The first wine is 2007 Urraca Chardonnay. 100% Chardonnay exclusively from the winery’s Agrelo vineyard and was aged six months in new French Oak. Suggested bottle retail price: $39.00. It’s fruity and tingly to your palate. Light and fresh. With each sip and a bite of some tasty samples, more kudos go to Francine. She picked out the food and prepared it. A fine wine is more than acceptable by itself. But when you pair it with the food, it’s amplified. And my goodness, so far so good. Let’s see if she can keep us dazzled. Next is 2005 Urraca Primera Reserva. Partially produced from locally-sourced grapes the red wine is a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Merlot to create a unique expression of two of Argentina’s most popular grapes.
By now there’s smiles everywhere. People love a new taste and the Urraca wine is exciting. Plus, we’ve each now had two glasses in about twenty minutes. We end in style. 2005 Familia Langley Reserva. Partially produced from locally sourced grapes this red wine is a traditional Bordeaux blend of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Malbec, 17% Cab Franc and 11% Merlot. Made exclusively from premium grapes, this special blend was aged for 18 months in French oak.
So, yeah it’s good. Delicious. I’m a red wine guy and this will send me home happy. Let’s re-visit Francine. Through three flights of very different wines, she’s managed to not only keep the tasty food coming. But each time it suits the beverage perfectly. She has a gift. Maybe she is the gift. She’s modest about it though. She gives all the credit to the food. High quality delivers a better taste. Froma on Melrose; 7960 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046 (323) 653-3700; www.Fromaonmelrose.com Maximiliano Bozoghlian is the sommelier at Carlitos Gardel 7963 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046 Published Nov 27, 2008 © Copyright 2003-2004 by LA Splash.com |
