My Two Loves

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love my Wine & Cheese! 

I could live on the two.  And I don't really care (or knew) what cheese goes best with what wine.  To me it's all good!  When asked, "What wine do you like best"?  I always reply, "I like them all!  After 3 sips they all taste the same anyway"

But then I was introduced to this great little cheese shop by my friends at "Picasso and Wine".  You can read my story about painting and drinking wine HERE.  I have returned to Picasso and Wine for happy hour since my painting lesson and though Alanna and Alissa serve nothing but fabulous wine, they suggested going next door for some cheese to bring back and enjoy with my glass of wine.  Cool! 

Well, this is when I discovered the "Wedge". 

 

Oh my!  This is not a place you send a girl who has an addiction to cheese!  I was overwhelmed by the wonderful aromas of all the different varieties of cheese from all over the World!

 

 

They even have a small deli

 

 

You can create a "Wedge Plate" to try a cheese that maybe you've never had (or an old favorite) and some pate', salami, crackers and even a bottle of wine and viola' you have a picnic in the making!  Just add a red checkered tablecloth and wicker basket!

 

 

Just when I thought I'd seen it all.....I see this......

 

 

 

I could stand to be a little more polished when it comes to drinking wine and eating cheese.  So I didn't hesitate at all when I stumbled upon a flier as I was paying for my cheese to eat next door with my wine.  Remember, I was next door for happy hour?  hehe

 

The flier had all the information regarding, believe it or not, a "Wine and Cheese Pairing Class"!  Where's the pen? Where do I sign?  Here's my money!!

 

So on May 27th I arrived for my lesson on how to choose the right cheese for the wine I'm drinking.  Is there a wrong cheese?

 

 

Eight different cheeses set on a plate representing a clock and five wines were set in front of us in an orderly fashion.

 

 

We began sipping and tasting after listening to how different wines can compliment cheese, OR how a certain cheese can make a wine taste so much better!

I have a confession here.  I really don't like Chardonnay.  However, after sampling several of the cheeses on my plate I discovered that a Voucheron MontChevre'  (Goat Cheese) from California all the way to a Fourme d'Ambert from France make a 2011 Chardonnay from Mendocino California taste yummy!

 

 

Or was it because I had more then 3 sips?

 

Cheers! Sante', Salute!

 

 

Painting and Wine! Or is it Wine and Painting?

A few months back I was asked by a dear friend, Leila if I would like to join her for a night of painting and wine.  Well this invitation took me all of 2 seconds to respond....YES!!!

This is when I discovered another great reason why I love living in Reno!

Picasso & Wine is located in Reno's Midtown District in one of the many historic buildings that make up this fun and unique part of Reno.

So here is how this works.  You pick a class that you would like to attend.  Now what's great about this is that you don't need one ounce of talent to be able to leave at the end of the class with your work of art!  Your class includes the canvas, brushes, paints and the lesson on how to create your masterpiece!  But the BEST part for me was that great glass of wine that is included with your lesson!!! 

 

Does it get any better then this??

 

Owners Alissa and Alanna have created their own masterpiece in coming up with this amazing idea of painting and serving wine.

 

 

Alissa's background and experience in Art along with Alanna's career in the bar and restaurant business and knowledge of the wine industry is what makes a perfect combination for such an amazing and unique business!

 

While Alissa helps you create.........

 

 

 

......Alanna pours the wine!

 

 

 

And in the end you go home with your masterpiece!

 

 

As you can see you are also free to express your inner Picasso like Leila did with her painting on the left.

 

I've taken some painting classes before and they were very frustrating and I have never been able to complete one painting!

 

This was a first for me.......and I'm sure it had something to do with the wine!