Alameda Wine Company opens its doors next to Alameda Theater

Welcome, Alameda Wine Company!

Alameda, we have arrived!

For all oenophiles in Alameda, this is wonderful news indeed!

It was a guilty pleasure to go to the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant at the Ferry Terminal in San Francisco, but we now have our own wine bar next to the Alameda Theater.

Today, a friend and I wanted to take a break after hours so we walked to Alameda Wine Company. That's one of the benefits of being downtown --- we walk everywhere. We were greeted by the very friendly Sal Lirosi and owner Karen Ulrich with whom we chatted up a storm. Although the Alameda Wine Company has been open only for about 18 days, they said they have a very steady stream of people who come before going to the movies, and end up skipping the movies and staying at the wine place instead.

Tonight, I picked the Malbec (this particular vintner is from Argentina). Fabulous!

Oh yes, did I mention that there are several choices of snacks to complement your wine? Pick the cheese....

Karen was opening several wheels of cheese most of which will be served by tonight. There are so many selections that this is as much a cheese tasting as it is wine tasting. As Karen was cutting the wheels, she would slice a piece for the three of us who were lucky enough to be sitting at the bar. There was one particular cheese with mustard seed that was incredibly yummy.

Note their latest newsletter

• Saturday Tastings of the latest and greatest in stock. $6 buys six one-ounce tastes and "stalwart and savory nibbles". 11:00 am - 5:00 pm.
• Sunday Tastings. According to their newsletter. Karen pairs the best tunes of that most introspective, moody juazz artist, Miles Davis, with the favorite, philosophical grape of Mile of "Sideways" movie fame, Pinot Noir. Karen is offering three unique examples of the variety from different parts of the globe, and she will give a 15% discount on her usual by the glass price that day.

Because we came early, there were only a few of us there....but gosh, it felt like a party because we were all talking with each other, raving about the wines and the cheese that we were enjoying. Alameda Wine Company is going to be a favorite destination.