Check, Please! Bay Area: Season 2: Episode 6 (206)

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My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I’m the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I will be sharing my tasting notes about the wine the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. Also, in my "What to Sip" suggestions, I choose one restaurant from each show and offer tips for selecting libations to enjoy with your meal.

Wine of the Week:

2005 Beauzeaux, Red Wine, California $10
Pronounced just like the clown -- BOZO -- this eclectic blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Charbono, Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Lagrein is made by Napa's Beaulieu Vineyard. Soft, juicy, and sippable (reminds me of Kool-aid for adults), it's a top choice for affordable Turkey Day wine. I like it even more because it's bottled with the tin roof of progress -- a screwcap.

What to Sip: Chez Nous

Small plates are the hallmark of this bustling, French-inspired spot. Whether you're nibbling on the lamb "lollipops" (small chops that are so good they're like candy) with a side of pommes frites, or indulging in gnocchi, pick a silky and hearty red wine from the well-chosen wine list. My suggestion is the deliciously elegant Joseph Drouhin "Vero" Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France priced at $48 a bottle or $12 per glass. Earthy aromas underscore the food's complexity, and the wine goes with dishes from fish to meat.