Be classy, one flight of wine at a time
By Caroline Mooser
Wine Affairs offers a relaxing ambience for those looking to wind down on a chilly January night.
Encouraging one to forget the stress of the day and escape into the world of viticulture, Wine Affairs offers a wide selection of wines from vineyards from around the globe.
Guests may pick from the high-class wines that adorn the wall opposite the bar, or seat themselves at any of the cozy tables or booths and browse the menu.
Wine Affairs offers a selection of mainstream brands, but 90 percent of the wines on the menu are from smaller vineyards, said owner and sommelier Diane Chang-Laurent, who attended the Professional Culinary Institute in Campbell.
The peeling, whitewashed brick walls, hardwood floors and dim lighting create the feel of a dining room and warehouse simultaneously, and there is a loft upstairs that caters to private parties.
The lively conversation competes with live musical performances. Upon entry, guests may saunter past an acoustic band jamming away to classic rock favorites such as "Desperado" and "Tiny Dancer." Jazz is featured at the bar on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Other events include Mystery Fridays, when a guest's sommelier skills are challenged as participants guess the color, origin and year, with a three-year margin of error, of the night's mystery wine. Reward: A 5 percent discount for each correct answer is applied to the night's bill.
When sampling a flight of wine, tasters experience the flavors of three different wines categorized according to geographic region, style -- the vintner's "personal touch" in creating the wine -- or varietal -- specific grape from which the wine is made.
The "Bold New World" flight features a 2006 Shiraz from South Australia, a 2005 Malbec from Argentina and a 2005 Zinfandel from Napa. The menu describes this flight as "big, fruity and oaky," to be enjoyed "by itself." The wines may also be ordered by the glass for $9 to $15, or by the bottle for $26 to $50.
The "Down to Earth" flight includes old world European wines from France -- Bordeaux from Chateau du Courlat -- and Italy -- the highly acidic Sangiovese grape from Tuscany and the tobacco, cedar and tar-flavored Nebbiolo grape from Piedmont. Other flights include "Tour of Spain," "Trip to California" and "Taste of South America."
Knowledgeable waiters are on hand to suggest the pairing of a Riesling -- white dessert wine -- with the Kafelua Krunch Torta Gelati, made with Kahlua coffee ice cream, or the Marquise au Chocolate, which the menu describes as "dark truffle chocolate topped with baked hazelnuts and chocolate leaf," to accompany a full-bodied Ridgefield from Bordeaux. Body refers to the weight of the wine on your palette.
The menu lists both cool and sizzling tapas such as a choice of Basque, Manchego, Grana Padano, Hunstman, Gruyere, Brillat Savarin, Couturier or aged Gouda cheeses, and the spicy lemon chicken wings with tarragon for $7.95 that will elicit the best flavors in the wine.
After her first visit, senior Sasha Kanick gave a positive review of Wine Affairs. "I thought Wine Affairs was a convenient and chic place to go with a group of close friends for a fun night out without going too far from school," she said, adding that the prices were great for the variety of wine offered. "The live musicians played a good selection of classic rock songs, but made conversation a bit difficult."
Providing classy service in a laid-back setting, Wine Affairs lacks the snootiness sometimes associated with wine and its connoisseurs.
It also appeals to couples looking to avoid the crowds while out on a date at hectic locales such as Santana Row, where parking may be troublesome. There is parking located in the lot across from Wine Affairs as well as on the street.
Contact Caroline Mooser at cmooser@scu.edu.