Popular Northstar Village Wine Bar serves Sierra Foothill Wines

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 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 .

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