D'Vine Wine delights at Taste of Downtown Appeal Staff Writer June 18, 2007
There were some old favorites and some surprises among the winners of 14th annual Taste of Downtown on Saturday night.
More than 5,000 people flooded the streets of downtown Carson City, searching for samples from many of the CapitalCity's stores and eateries. The event is a fundraiser for Advocates to End Domestic Violence.
"It started off as a cute little idea with five restaurants and has become one of our biggest fund-raisers," said Lisa Lee, AEDV director.
Thirty-eight restaurants and stores took part, including several new additions that were looking to make a splash at their first Taste of Downtown.
"D'Vine was participating for the first time and they tried really hard," Lee said. "They won Best Taste and almost won atmosphere, so they had a good first experience."
It was the samples from such a variety of restaurants that brought Ron and Rene Radil, of Carson City, downtown on Saturday night.
"This is just our second stop so far. I can tell it's going to be a very fulfilling night," Mrs. Radil said.
Megan Heckart, of Reno, said this is her fourth year coming to the event.
"It's absolutely amazing, you can walk around and taste all kinds of food and find out what everyone has to offer," Heckart said.
The event featured 11 live bands and was staffed by 154 volunteers. The total amount raised by the event won't be available until later this week. Other winners were Tahoe Dance Band for Best Band, Alyssa's Desserts and Bakery for Best Discovery, Molly's Gourmet Catering for Best Atmosphere, Purple Avocado for Best Shop and B'Sghetti's for Best Overall.
Tastings bigger in Reno, but our D'Vine has peopleSam June 28, 2007
ět seems like Carson's D'Vine is on the same tasting track as some of the big boys in Reno, like Reno's Grand Sierra Resort, formerly the Hilton. Friday night the resort invited some of the media to sample their new room, The Reserve (and Wine belongs in the title somehow, but no one was quite sure).
The Reserve is a large open area just off the casino play area. It's all neat tables with a center desk, where guests go to purchase a plastic ticket for whatever amount they wish to spend tasting wines.
And what they can buy are wine tastings from 80 electronically operated founts, each displaying the bottle it serves and the prices. Insert your card and select a wine, push one of the three buttons and out comes the wine. The price is listed above the buttons, and the buttons control size of the testing: One ounce, three ounces or five. The cost is deducted from the purchased card. Drink until you've drunk up your card. But use caution. Tastings cost from 50 cents to $15 per ounce.
Wine selection is by sommelier Alain Gregoire, pro when it comes to varieties. He says, "Wine is live and like a person, it changes with age and origins." Also available are a wide selection of cheeses (maybe even brie that hasn't been pasteurized into tastelessness as most brie in the USA is), deserts and snacks.
The Reserve is posh, but not as intimate as our own D'Vine, where human hands still do the pouring and the check. Besides, D'Vine is right here in town.Bauman,sbauman@nevadaappeal.com
A new and very smart wine bar cum bistro has opened in Carson City at 200 N. Stewart. It's about as far removed from a casino or a locals' bar as you can get, and it is as tastefully modern as anything in San Francisco.
The name pretty much says it all - D'Vine Wine Tasting. Of course, there's more to it than just wine. For lunch, there is a limited menu, soon to be expanded, said Eugene Donner, with whom I worked in Europe. He has joined his son in the venture, and if class means anything, this is going to be a winner.
I tried a Greek salad and a glass of chardonnay (no retsina wine available) and found it a fine place to lunch. In the evening, Gene said, there will be a selection of tapas-type appetizers along with, of course, a fine selection of wine. Next time, I'll ask for a glass of sancerre. That ought to be a test of the cellar.
Thanks Sam
For the nice write up and we will work on the the Wine
