Shopping in San Fran

Click here for great shopping information about the district where we’ll be staying.

New San Francisco Museum

The California Academy of Sciences opens September 27, 2008.

Decoding Winespeak

Check out this article on wine tasting terms.

San Francisco Highlights

Cable Cars – the country’s only moving National Historic Landmark

You’ve already seen them (on the big screen, in magazines, and, admit it, on the Rice-a-Roni ™ box). And considering a ticket costs $5 a pop, do you really need to ride a cable car? Yes, you do, at least once during your visit. Flag down a Powell-Hyde car along Powell Street, grab the pole, and clatter and jiggle up mansion-topped Nob Hill. Crest the hill, and hold on for the hair-raising descent to Fisherman’s Wharf, with sun glittering off the bay and Alcatraz bobbing in the distance. Don’t deny it — this would be a deal at twice the price.

Ferry Building

Foodies rejoice! The historic Ferry Building is stuffed to the brim with all things tasty, including cafés, restaurants, a farmers’ market, and merchants peddling everything from wine and olive oil to oysters and mushrooms. The building backs up to the bay, so the views are great — but they’re even better from the decks of the departing ferries.

Lombard Street

25th Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival

Location: Various venues.
When: October 17-November 3
Cost: $25-$64

Celebrating 25 years, the The San Francisco Jazz Festival will once again, infuse the city with the melodies of jazz. One of the city’s largest music festivals, look for a terrific lineup of local, national, and international artists, including the star-studded opening week with Pharoah Sanders, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra.

Wine Tasting Napa/San Francisco Interest Event

On Thursday, July 10, come sample California’s wines at 6:30pm in the Chancellor’s Suite, University Center on the South Orange Campus.

Enjoy the fruits of the Napa Valley without leaving New Jersey. Join Seton Hall alumni and friends for an exclusive evening of wine tasting and appreciation. Learn more about the upcoming October tour of San Francisco and Napa/Sonoma counties. This introduction to the many varieties and flavors will whet your appetite for the experience awaiting you in the Wine Country.

Seton Hall’s Pirate Adventures is taking alumni and friends on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of California vineyards, including special dining and elegant receptions. Enhance your understanding and appreciation of fine food and wine in one of America’s gourmet destinations. This Oct. 16-20 tour is certain to sell out and the reservation deadline of July 31 is fast approaching. If you haven’t sent in your deposit, act soon as space is limited. Full details at:

 

http://www.shu.edu/events/napa-valley.cfm

This wine tasting event is free, but space is limited. Please contact me at

bakeseli@shu.edu to let me know your plans to attend by Monday, July 7. I hope you’ll join us!

Three Simple Steps to Wine Tasting

Swirl Swirl the wine vigorously in the glass. As the wine coats the sides of the glass, it releases its aroma of bouquet.

Sniff Insert your nose into the glass and inhale by taking quick, full sniffs. The aromas can be quite different depending on how far into the glass your nose goes. At the top of the glass, they are more floral and fruity; deeper in teh glass, they are richer. Try to detect the full range of scents from berry to floral to spicy to woody…and so on.

Taste sip a small amount of wine and move it over your entire tongue so that all your taste buds come in contact with it. Taste for sweetness or dryness. Or is it flat and flabby? Tannins (used in red wines to keep them from spoiling) will feel sort of prickly on your tongue. The ideal touch is a mellow softness – a velvety feeling in your mouth.

Wine Touring 101

Tasting Rooms You may want to start with dry wines, then reds, followed by sweeter wines.

Ask Questions Be sure to ask the tasting room staff any questions regarding their products. They are there not only to pour wines, but also to educate you about them.

Spit Spitting is an acceptible part of tasting room etiquette. The technique is simple: when you have finished tasting your wine, lean forward and spit into the bucket provided.

Experiment Try wines you have never tasted before to widen your range and surprise yourself. Ask the staff which of their wines the vintner is best known for.

Take Notes Be sure to take tasting notes, you will appreciate them at the end of the day or when you get home.

Wine Club & Buying Wine If you find a winery that you really like, join its wine club. The discounts and availability of wines allows you greater access to what you like at a price reduction. Many of the wines you taste at wineries will not be available at your local stores.

Eating Always plan to eat somewhere along the way and have some non-alcoholic drinks available. Wine, like other alcoholic drinks, tends to dehydrate you.

Walking Through Vineyards If you are permitted to walk through the vineyard, you are in for a real treat. Few things compare to holding a wonderful glass of wine in your hand, as you stroll past the very grapes that make that wine possible.

Ordering Wine at a Restaurant

The Bottle’s Arrival When the wine is presented to you, examine the label to make sure it is what you ordered. Specifically, check the producer and vintage.

Cork Presentation After your waiter or sommelier opens the bottle of wine, check to make sure the cork is wet, a sign that the bottle was stored properly.

Smelling and Tasting Once you have approved the cork, your waiter’s next step is to pour a small splash of wine for you. Smell and taste are the best indication that the wine is sound. So gently swirl the wine in the glass to release the aroma, give it a sniff, and then taste it. If the wine does not put offa ny off odors such as vinegar, chances are it is fine. Remember the flavor and aroma of wine will expand and develop as it aerates. It is not appropriate to return a wine simply because you don’t like it as much as you thought you would. Upon approval, the waiter will pour wine for everyone in your party.

Did You Know?

• Wine is fat-free and contains no cholesterol.
• A six ounce glass of wine contains approximately 130 calories.
• California produces approximately 77% of the U.S. wine grape crop.
• Although red wine can only be produced from red grapes, white wine can be produced from nboth red and white grapes.
•  Compared to beer and liquor drinkers, and even non-drinkers, wine drinkers tend to have a healthier lifestyles.