Petra at Northstar: Wine and Dine on the Slopes

Alice Baldwin pours Easton wine for tasting

If you are not going to Northstar, I suggest you make the trip to enjoy Petra anyway.  This is a wine tasting room, restaurant, and retail wine shop all in one,  opened under the tutelage of Kali Kopley, proprietor of 3 other good wine shops: “Uncorked” Tahoe City, Squaw and Truckee.  She knows what she is doing in her wine selection and pricing.

The “Taste Three” program is a wonderful way to experience the diversity of Petra’s wine offerings.  For $12 you enjoy 2 ounces of 3 wines.

 In the Sparkling category, the Cava Pino Noir Rose Brut, Aria, Torrelavit from Spain was a good choice.  This has cherry and berry aroma, toasty edges, is full in the mouth, and fresh.  The finish of cherry was a bit chocolately too, and very nice.  12 percent alcohol.   $7/glass,  $18/bottle.

Lana enjoys Qupe Marsanne

In the white wine group, I tasted a 2011 Marsanne from Qupe,  Santa Inez Valley (Santa Barbara).    This organic wine is a classic French blend of white Rhone varietals, 80 percent  Marsanne and 20 percent Roussanne.  It is crisp and floral, light and vibrant.  An intense but refreshing wine, it has flavors of lemon, honey, and notes of pineapple and peach.  13 percent alcohol.  $9/glass, $21/bottle.  Yummy.

In the red wine group, the choice was hard to make.   When in doubt, I will always choose a Sierra Foothills wine.  The 2010 Zinfandel from Easton, Amador County, a Beaujolais-style wine, is a winner.  It has bright cherry and blackberry fruit aromas, and a beautiful balance with a great juicy mouthfeel.  This Zin has a nice creamy texture from ten months in French oak barrels, and a toastiness and spiciness that is complex and scrumptious.   14.5 percent alcohol.  $9/glass, $18/bottle.   Learn more about Easton wines at the website www.terrerougewines.com .

Brent enjoys Syrah
with crispy broccolini

 The 207 Syrah from Sequel, Columbia Valley, is deep purple in color, and has complex aroma of smoked meat, pepper, plum.  The flavor of plum and spice dominates, and it has a nice tannic structure.  14.7 percent alcohol.  $18/glass, $60/bottle.

For foods to pair, Petra’s many shareable plates are great.  Try the crispy broccolini, the risotto cakes, and any of the pressed sandwiches.  The charcuterie and cheese choices are fabulous too.  If you like sweets, go for the dark chocolate pecan caramel tort:  heavenly.

Dine on the Patio, summer or winter

 

Petra's beautiful indoor space

Petra is located in the village at Northstar, 3001 North Village Drive, Suite 3112.  Hours are generally noon to 8 p.m. , but call 530.562.0600 to verify.   Hey, take a bottle back to your hotel or condo!

This information first appeared in The Tahoe Weekly newspaper, where I write the Wine Time column, on January 16, 2013