Throughout the month of December, SOHO will spotlight the wines and flavors of Italy. The journey begins on flight night, Wednesday, December 1.

 Vineyards of San Gigmanano, Italy
 
 First, SOHO will pour a 2008 Cesani Vernaccia di San Gimignano from Tuscany, Italy. The wine offers fresh aromas of white flowers and pear. On the palate the Vernaccia di San Gimignano has flavors of white pear and green apple complemented by hints of white pepper.

Next, SOHO will pour a 2007 Castello di Fonterutoli "Badiola" Toscana Rosso from Tuscany, Italy. The Badiola is a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot and is produced in high altitude vineyards. A well-balanced wine, it has a smooth finish. The 2007 "Badiola" received 87 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2006 Torcicoda Primitivo Salento from Puglia, Italy. Wine Spectator noted the wine has aromas and flavors of sweet plums, with hints of fresh herbs and vanilla. The 2006 Primitivo Salento is medium-bodied, round, and fruity with a clean mineral finish.

Inspired by the flavors of Italy, SOHO's Chef Joe has created three tapas dishes to complement each wine. The following will be available until Wednesday, December 8.

2008 Cesani Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy
100% Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Steamed littleneck clams, white wine caper sauce and grilled bread

2007 Castello di Fonterutoli "Badiola", Tuscany, Italy
70% Sangiovese and 30% Merlot
Pork Milanese with arugula and shaved Asiago cheese

2006 Torcicoda Primitivo Salento, Puglia, Italy
100% Primitivo
Braised lamb and vegetable stew with a parmesan baked crouton

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses) for $13.50. Or, pair the flight with a tapas plate for $18. Try a full glass of wine and tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

SOHO will continue to showcase the wines and flavors of Australia and New Zealand on flight night Wednesday, November 17, and Wednesday, November 24.

 Vineyards in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
 
First, SOHO will pour a 2009 Three Stones Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. The Three Stones vineyards combine Marlborough's cool climate with free draining stony soils to produced balanced wine. The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc has flavors of gooseberry and kiwi, as well as a fresh acidity.

Next, SOHO will pour a 2007 Mitolo "Jester" Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale, Australia. One unique technique Mitolo uses in producing the "Jester" Cabernet Sauvignon is drying twenty percent of the grapes on racks in the traditional Amarone manner. This technique yields less juice but a more rich, complex and full-bodied wine.

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2008 Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels "Te Kahu" Bordeaux Blend from Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The 2008 "Te Kahu" is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. The Wine Advocate awarded the "Te Kahu" 92 points and noted, "The palate is tannic and very well defined, a captivating symmetry here with an irresistible velvety finish that lingers long after the wine has bid adieu."

Inspired by Australia and New Zealand, SOHO's executive chef, Joe Ahn, has prepared three tapas plates to pair with the wines. The following will be featured on SOHO's menu until Wednesday, December 1.

2009 Three Stones Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Shrimp and bay scallop ceviche with crisped plantains

2007 Mitolo "Jester" Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, Australia
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Lamb meatballs with cucumber salad and tzatziki sauce

2008 Craggy Range Gimblett Graves "Te Kahu" Bordeaux Blend, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
77% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec and 6% Cabernet Franc
Braised short rib ravioli with mushroom jus and shaved asiago cheese

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses) for $13.50. Or, pair the flight with a tapas plate for $18. Try a full glass of wine and tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

SOHO will continue to showcase the wines and flavors of Australia and New Zealand on flight night, Wednesday, November 10.

 The Lodge Hill Vineyards
 
First, SOHO will pour a 2008 Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon from Margaret River, Australia. This wine is a harmonious blend of fifty eight percent Sauvignon Blanc and forty two percent Semillon. On the palate, the wine is clean and refreshing with a lengthy finish.

Next, SOHO will pour a 2009 Saint Clair Vicar's Choice Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand. The Vicar's Choice Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied wine with supple tannins and well-balanced acidity. There are flavors of cherry and rasberry on the palate, as well as hints of redcurrant.

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2007 Jim Barry "The Lodge Hill" Shiraz from Clare Valley, Australia. On the nose, the Shiraz is aromatic and complex with a combination of fruit and spice. The Shiraz soft, elegant, and well-balanced on the palate.

Inspired by the flavors of Australia and New Zealand, SOHO's executive chef, Joe Ahn, has prepared three tapas plates to pair with each wine. The following will be featured on SOHO's menu until Wednesday, November 17.

2008 Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, Margaret River, Australia
58% Sauvignon Blanc, 42% Semillon
Pistachio mousse stuffed chicken served with beurre blanc

2009 Saint Clair Vicar's Choice Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand
100% Pinot Noir
Grilled wild salmon served with shaved fennel salad and avocado sauce

2007 Jim Barry "The Lodge Hill" Shiraz, Clare Valley, Australia
100% Shiraz
Grilled lamb chops served with fava beans and mint pesto

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses) for $13.50. Or, pair the flight with a tapas plate for $18. Try a full glass of wine and tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

This November, SOHO will showcase the wines and flavors of Australia and New Zealand. The tour begins on flight night, Wednesday, November 3.

 Mohua winery

First, SOHO will pour a 2009 Mohua Pinot Gris from Central Otago, New Zealand. The wine, 100% Pinot Gris, is balanced and complex, with flavors of citrus, melon and grapefruit on the palate. Next, SOHO will pour a 2008 Wild Rock "Cupid's Arrow" Pinot Noir, also from Central Otago, New Zealand. The Pinot Noir offers aromas of rasberry, blackberry, wild flowers, and thyme. On the palate the wine is full of sweet fruit with just enough acidity to keep it in balance. The finish is long and smooth.

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2008 Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Australia. The Woodcutter's Shiraz is produced from hand-harvested and hand-tended plots. The wine earned 91 points from "The Wine Advocate." On the palate the wine is rich with black fruit and dark chocolate flavors.

To complement each wine SOHO's executive chef, Joe Ahn, has created three tapas plates inspired by the flavors of Australia and New Zealand. The following will be featured on SOHO's menu until Wednesday, November 10.

2009 Mohua Pinot Gris, Central Otago, New Zealand
100% Pinot Gris
Baby shrimp and mussel paella

2008 Wild Rock "Cupid's Arrow" Pinot Noir, Cenral Otago, New Zealand
100% Pinot Noir
Duck confit served with puffed pastry and cherry jus

2008 Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia
100% Shiraz
Grilled marinated skirt steak with roasted butternut squash and a red wine jus

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses) for $13.50. Or, pair the flight with a tapas plate for $18. Try a full glass of wine and tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!