April 14, 2009

Don’t blame me if you come back to the office toasted, but here goes: ~PALIO D'ASTI~ is offering $1 martinis (Stoli or Hendrick's) from 11:30am–2pm throughout the month of April. At half the price of iced tea, it becomes the most rational choice. 640 Sacramento St. at Montgomery, 415-362-6003.

~CORTEZ~ is offering 50% off of most of their wine list on Monday nights with a new promotion called Cellar Select Mondays. They also have a selection of bar bites paired with a signature cocktail for just $13 (offered in the bar and lounge). 550 Geary St. at Jones, 415-292-6360.

Yo winos, on Friday April 24th, the ~VERY VERI VINI~ wine tour comes to SF. The wines of Louis/Dressner Selections, presented by Farm Wine Imports, will be featured at three locations from 6pm–8pm. There will also be 20 winegrowers present!

Arlequin Wine Merchant will feature Catherine and Claude Maréchal from Burgundy, Pierre and Pierre-Marie Luneau of Luneau-Papin in Muscadet, Eric Texier from the Rhone Valley, François Pinon of Vouvray, and Claude-Emmanuelle and Louis-Benoît Desvignes from Beaujolais. $15. 384 Hayes St. at Gough, 415-863-1104.

Biondivino Wine Boutique will feature Mauro Vergano of Chinati Vergano, Alessandra Bera of Vittorio Bera in Asti, Arianna Occhipinti from Sicily, Silvio Messana of Montesecondo in Tuscany, Cristiano Guttarolo from Puglia, and Francesca Padovani of Fonterenza in Montalcino. $10. 1415 Green St. at Polk, 415-673-2320.

Bi-Rite Market is hosting their event at 18 Reasons, featuring Christine and Eric Nicolas of Domaine de Bellivière in Jasnières, Jean-Paul Brun of Domaine des Terres Dorées in Beaujolais, Franck Peillot from Montagnieu in the Bugey, Christian Chaussard of Domaine le Briseau in Jasnières, and Evelyn de Jessey of Domaine du Closel in Savennières. $10 public/$5 members. 593 Guerrero St. at 18th St., 415-241-9760.

Now here’s a way to gear up for Earth Day: a number of restaurants will be participating in ~CELEBRATE EARTH DAY WITH GREEN VALLEY~, featuring Iron Horse by the glass for the week of Thursday April 17th–Wednesday April 22nd (actual Earth Day). Iron Horse has pledged $1 a glass to go to the green non-profit of the restaurant's choice. Some are featuring the 2006 Estate Chardonnay, the 2005 Wedding Cuvee, or the 2003 Blanc de Blancs. So far, the list includes: Ame, Epic Roasthouse, Farmhouse Inn (in Forestville), Farallon, Jack Falstaff, Luce, Silks, Scopa (in Healdsburg), Sonoma Mission Inn, Urban Tavern, and Zazu (Santa Rosa). Cheers.