While wine tasting at Ralph’s supermarket may not be glamorous, it is a regularly scheduled event and one of the only wine tasting shows in town. Some nights can be more quiet than others, but in general these events have built up a decent crowd over the past few months. It is a good place to hobnob with fellow members of the community and is frequented by many regulars.

The range of attendees includes USC students, employees of the housing authority and local residents among others. The atmosphere is jovial, even more so after the tasting commences. The last two times I’ve attended definitely had a sense of community and camaraderie.

Several tastings are held each week from 5-8pm in the little easy-to-miss eating area behind the deli. The events range from $8-$15 depending on the prices of the 4 wines featured.

An interesting selection of cheeses is provided for counterpoint (or just noshing). The cheeses can be absolutely fantastic. You may find yourself going home with a block as well as a bottle. Occasional passer-bys trying to help themselves to the cheeses are politely informed there is a fee for the cheese and tasting. Free loaders, you are not welcome.

The tasting area is a tiny wooden booth next to an office desk. Most people choose to congregate around the booth instead of sit at tables. It does make for a more intimate and energetic atmosphere although you never quite forget you’re in a grocery store.

Wine education plus a cracker-jack prize

Wine steward Mike Berger is knowledgeable, very willing to offer suggestions and advice or simply converse with you about the virtues of wine. Ask him any question about how a particular wine is made and what makes it taste the way it does. He will probably know the answer.

The pours are generous and if you need to contemplate that Chardonnay or Pinot Noir a second or third time Mr. Berger is more than happy to oblige. Did I mention the cost of the wine tasting includes the glass with the Ralph’s logo emblazoned on the front? You get to keep it although most people end up leaving their glasses on the counter.

Expand your palate with other tasting opportunities

Ralph’s also hosts occasional sake, beer and ice wine tastings. The sake tasting seems particularly attractive as it is accompanied by platters of sushi and tempura. Who knew sake comes in such lip-smacking flavors as pear, orange-ginger, yuzu and lemongrass? Ice wines are pure sugary heaven and can cost $45-$75 for a half-bottle. If you can attend an ice wine tasting the $15 fee is definitely worth it.

Here’s a tip: instead of discarding all the left-over cheese and bread at the end of the night the wine steward may let you doggie-bag it if you stay until 8pm. Why let a good thing go to waste?

Email Mike Berger at winesteward-9thStreet@stores.ralphs.com to receive the monthly schedule. The tasting schedule can also be found posted by the front entrance to Ralph’s.

Stay tuned for future installments of The Wine Chronicles. Next up, “Learning to be less of a wine retard.”

-the wine chronicles episode 1: a wine enthusiast’s hope and heartbreak

angelenic.com is the neighborhood resource for Downtown Los Angeles and environs.

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