Crostini with Pointe Reyes Blue Cheese & Fig Jam

Thin-Crust Pizza Squares with Caramelized Onions, Figs & Manchego Cheese

Salmon Cakes with Caper Aioli

Pear-Pecan and Cambozola Canapes

Tasting lead by Francois Cinq-Mars

Pear-Pecan and Cambozola CanapesDomaine de Pouy Ugni Blanc 2004

Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne Blanc, Gascony, France Drinking this zippy white wine bargain from southwest France makes my mouth come alive and wakes me up better than grapefruit juice in the morning! A blend of Colombard and Ugni Blanc-think of Sauvignon Blanc transformed into electricity!

St. Francois Chardonnay 2006

Fruit and pear aromas are offset on the palate by hints of oak and vanilla. Medium- to full-bodied, this Chardonnay has ripe fruit flavors, crisp high acid in the mouth, and a rich lingering finish.

Rockblock Viognier 2006

Effusive aromas of d’anjou pear, fresh apricot, honeydew melon, star anise and lychee. The palate is full and supple, showing lots of pear, kiwi, candied lime, and apricot with an incredibly long finish.

Casa Lapostolle Cabernet 2006

Intense nose with an array of spices (such as black and white pepper), and delicate red and black fruit combined with a touch of smoke at the finish from the barrel ageing. A pleasant medium body with good concentration and structure. Well balanced with smooth tannins, a lively acidity, and a long and enjoyable finish.

Strong Arms Shiraz 2006

"The 2006 Shiraz is composed of 46% McLaren Vale, 44% Riverland, and 10% Barossa Valley fruit. It was aged in seasoned French and American oak for 12 months. Opaque purple-colored, it has a nose of cedar, spice box, and blueberry. Fruit-driven, supple-textured, rich, and easygoing, the wine has remarkable class for its giveaway price. It actually has 2-3 years of aging potential but no one that I know is going to defer their gratification. Strong Arms has been bottled with 6 different but similarly themed labels."

91pts.