Andrew Hilton Wine Tastings/Events
- Check out our Calendar for a full listing of our upcoming Events.
- Free weekend Wine Tastings every Friday and Saturday after 2 PM.
- Our Free Fall Whiskey Weekends
- Our tremendously popular course in Scotch appreciation that runs generally from the last weekend in September thru the second weekend in December, now entering its 8th season.
- Book Your Own Tasting: Wine tasting parties are a fantastic way to get people together, and we make planning them a breeze. We are available for private tastings January thru May, and September thru November. We will deliver the wines, and one of our experts, anywhere in the city to deliver an educational and entertaining talk for anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The number of wines, the subject matter, red or white, wine, scotch, rum or beer, its all up to you and we will do all the legwork and research to make the event a success. Owing to a lack of space in the store, we are generally unable to book private tasting events in the store, but exceptions have been made in the past, so feel free to inquire.
Free Friday Tastings: January 6th & 7th
Owen Roe Portfollio Tasting
Owen Roe is one of our newest, and most interesting wineries. Sourcing fruit from the cooler American regions of Washington State and Oregon, the wines are softer, lighter, and far more food-friendly than your typical Californian offering. We wil;l be tasting the full range, including the Mirth Chardonnay from thier side-project Corvidae Wines. This is an exciting new winery for us, and a great way to start off the New Year.
Free Friday Tastings run from 2:30 until close on a drop-in basis every Friday night. The wines will also generally be available on a limited basis the following Saturday
The Wines:
Owen Roe Mirth Chardonnay
Owen Roe Sharecropper Cabernet Sauvignon
Owen Roe Ex Umbris Syrah
Owen Roe Abbot's Table Red Blend.
Owen Roe Sinister Hand Red Blend.
Free Friday Tastings: January 13th & 14th
Obscure White Grapes
Well, it's official. I'm allergic to Chardonnay. I'm not trying to be funny, or make a point here. Shortly before Christmas, a glass of Chardonnay landed me in the Emergency Room. That means no Californian Chards, no Chablis, no Champagne... So I'm going out looking for some new white grapes.So join me on my hunt for new favorites, from Italy's ancient pre-Roman grape Falanghina, to France's Melon de Bourgogne (the foundation of Muscadet) to Portugal's Rabigato (not in a Vinho Verde, but this time oak-aged and creamy!). I'm exploring other avenues, some of which will be excellent, and some of which will turn out to be dark and strange. Either way, it 's going to be a fun tasting.Free Friday Tastings run from 4:30 until close on a drop-in basis every Friday night. The wines will also generally be available on a limited basis the following SaturdayThe Wines:Cusumano InsoliaMuscadet Cotes de GrandlieuLa Selve FalanghinaCARM Douro White Reserva
Free Friday Tastings:January 20th & 21st
Our Top Ten of 2011: Part One
As we do every year, we have voted on out Top Ten wines of the past year, and now is our chance to show off our very best. This first week features our Top 5: Our new Wine of the Year, along with two past champions (The Mr. Black's and the Goulart) will be open this weekend, along with two other wines that finished in the Top 5. The upper half of the list is very New World focused, but don't let that scare you off. Big fruit and power ahead!
Free Friday Tastings run from 4:30 until close on a drop-in basis every Friday night. The wines will also generally be available on a limited basis the following Saturday
The Wines:
St. Clair 'Pioneer Block' Sauvignon Blanc
Woodstock Shiraz/Cabernet
Small Gully 'Mr. Black's Concoction' Shiraz/Viognier
Some Young Punks 'Passion Has Red Lips Shiraz/.Cabernet
Heartland Shiraz
Monthly Mocha Tasting: February 6th, 2012
'Sexy' Wines
I'm not honestly sure how I got talked into this one, but I'm pretty excited to try it. This being an "open concept" tasting, we'll do some wines that I feel are sexy, like really good Spoanish Rioja, some wines with sexy labels, and perhaps a bit of something really sexy, like a Port or Champagne. Totally open concept here, but I think it's going to be a fun time. What I'm going to talk about here, I have no idea. Some come watch me make a fool of mysellf. I'm going to enjoy it, so you should you!
The Monday Mocha Tasting is held the first (non-holiday) Monday of every month at Mocha Cabana (317 - 4 Street South), at 7PM. This is a light, guided tasting of 4 wines, with appetizers prepared by Mocha Cabana. The cost is always $20, tickets available at the door or by calling 403-329-6243
The Wines:
Some Young Punks 'Passion Has Red Lips'
Trentadue Chocolate Amore
Some Young Punks 'Fierce Allure'
Some Young Punks 'Lust Coillides'
Free Friday Tastings: January 27th & 28th
Top Ten Wines of 2011: Part Two
So week two is as Old-World heavy as Week One was New World heavy. Lots of big, bold reds from France and Spain, with the CARM coming back to the list from Portugal after a couple years off. I'm actually tremendously happy with this many Old-World wines making the list, as previous years have been very New-World focused.
Free Friday Tastings run from 4:30 until close on a drop-in basis every Friday night. The wines will also generally be available on a limited basis the following Saturday
The Wines:
Goulart Reserve Malbec
Les Vins de Vienne St. Joseph
Vina Real Crianza Rioj
CARM Douro Classico
Les Vins de Vienne Cotes du Rhone Rouge