GÉRARD BERTRAND WINE IMPORTER DINNER WITH MARK FEIN

RSVP: (619) 295-3939

$39.50 + tax and gratuity

Wednesday, December 09, 2009 at 6:30

Pre-Dinner Reception with Mark Fein from 5:45 to 6:30

Dinner starts promptly at 6:30

Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a new 6-course wine importer dinner featuring the southern French wines of Gerard Bertrand.  These are 100% across the board amazing wines at amazing prices.  Even though every single wine is well under twenty bucks, they all taste like they cost a lot more.

Bertrand uses the time honored skills of traditional southern French winemaking methods combined with contemporary innovations and improvements.  After tasting his wines, we think you'll agree that he's doing something right!

Mark Fein, US Sales Director will be here in person to host this dinner.  We're featuring a bubbly, a Chard and four traditional southern French red blends.  Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement if you're interested.  Here's the line-up:

Seared Hamachi | Fennel | Green Apple | Pomegranate Vinaigrette

2007 Gerard Bertrand Cremant De Limoux (5 oz. pour)

Roasted Beets | Caramelized Pine Nut Puree | Goat Cheese Pannacotta | Micro Arugula

2008 Gerard Bertrand Chardonnay (5 oz. pour)

Musque de Provance Soup | Braised Bacon | Cardamom Mascarpone | Maple Syrup

2006 Gerard Bertrand Minervois (3 oz. pour)

Roasted Duck Breast | Garnet Yam Puree | Spiced Cranberries | Natural Jus

2006 Gerard Bertrand Corbieres (3 oz. pour)

Lamb Osso Buco | Soft Polenta | Braised Lecano Kale | Gremolata

2005 Gerard Bertrand Pic Saint Loup (3 oz. pour)

Hoisin Glazed Beef Shortribs | Scallion Cake | Brussel Sprout Kimchee

2007 Gerard Bertrand Chat L'Hospitalet Rouge (3 oz. pour)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

RSVP ~ (619) 295-3939

Please make your reservations directly with Wine Vault & Bistro at 619-295-3939.  We're very good about returning calls promptly, so please leave a message with the best time to return your call if you get the dreaded voice mail.  Due to limited seating, CREDIT CARD RESERVATIONS ARE AN ABSOLUTE MUST.  Sales tax and an 18% gratuity will be added to the cost of all dinners.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

If you have special dietary requests, please let us know when you RSVP, not when you arrive!  We're pretty flexible (within reason!) with substitutions and can usually accommodate most special dietary requests if given advance notice.

CANCELLATION POLICY

You may cancel your reservation up to 72 hours in advance without penalty.  NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED WITH LESS THAN 72-HOUR NOTICE unless we are able to replace your cancellation at the last minute.  (See below for groups over 4 people.)

LARGE GROUPS (OVER 4)

If you want to come with a group of friends, please make one reservation for your entire party so we can reserve a block of seats for you ... however, in the interest of fairness to others, we reserve the right to limit the number of people on a single reservation at our discretion.  The cancellation period for canceling the ENTIRE reservation without penalty is doubled from the standard 72 hours (see above) to 144 hours (6 days).  If you need to cancel only 1 or 2 people, the standard 72-hour notice still applies.

WHEN

The bar will open at 5:45 for a pre-dinner reception with Mark until 6:30.  Dinner will then begin promptly at 6:30, but we HIGHLY recommend that you arrive well before then to better your chances of getting a closer parking space and to beat the last minute rush.

WHERE

Wine Vault & Bistro is located in the heart of San Diego between Little Italy and Old Town at 3731-A India Street on the upper terrace.  Follow the black handrail from the sidewalk up the stairs to our front door.

PARKING

On-street parking is usually available within a 3-block radius.  Remember that it’s OK to park in yellow commercial zones after 6:00 and that meters are also free after 6:00.  You can also park in the lot behind Shakespeare Pub two doors down, but do not park in El Indio's lot unless you want your car towed!  If you can’t find parking next to the restaurant, there’s always LOTS OF PARKING on San Diego Avenue and the adjacent side streets just past the Chevron station across Washington Street.  There's also a huge pay parking lot ($1 per hour) at the Mission Brewery Building two blocks south at the corner of Washington & Hancock.  (You'll have to take San Diego Avenue to Noell to Hancock to get there due to the one-way streets.)  So please don't drive yourself crazy endlessly going around in circles waiting to pounce on that perfect spot when there's TONS OF PARKING less than three blocks away!

WINE QUANTITIES

We'll be pouring 3-5 ounce tasting portions of wine (see the line-up above) totaling 25 ounces, or the equivalent of a full bottle of wine per person.  Pour buckets are provided for designated drivers.

WINE SALES

Although some wines may be in limited quantities, all wines poured at this dinner will be available for purchase at the restaurant until sold out.  We reserve the right to limit sales of any rare or allocated wines at our discretion.

WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

2007 Gerard Bertrand Cremant De Limoux ~ $14

(Limoux ) Winemaker's Notes: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Mauzac.  Bright apple and crisp acidity with well balanced fruit qualities as the zip of bubbles bounce on palate. (5 oz. pour)

2008 Gerard Bertrand Chardonnay ~ $12

(Vin de Pays D'OC) Winemaker's Notes: Apple and pear with minimal oak influence.  Bright acidity adding balance and roundness.  (5 oz. pour)

2006 Gerard Bertrand Minervois ~ $13

(Minervois) Winemaker's Notes: Syrah and Carignan.  Aromas of black raspberry jam, vanilla, fresh milled oak, with pungent spice. (3 oz. pour)

2006 Gerard Bertrand Corbieres ~ $13

(Corbieres) Winemaker's Notes: Syrah and Mourvedre.  Scented with clove, cherry candies, prunes and resin.   Persistent sweet fruit and undertones of chocolate and smoke. (3 oz. pour)

2005 Gerard Bertrand Pic Saint Loup ~ $15

(Pic Saint Loup) Winemaker's Notes: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.  Jellied black fruits, tar and vanilla tinged oak with brown spices reminiscent of "terroir". (3 oz. pour)

2007 Gerard Bertrand Chateau L'Hospitalet Rouge ~ $17

(La Clape) Winemaker's Notes: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.  Smoky Dried Black Fruit with candied black raspberry and cherry vanilla, cinnamon, juniper and rosemary. (3 oz. pour)

THE FINE PRINT