Wine Games

The emperor may or may not be wearing clothes — and the nuance of that merlot may or may not be jammy. For the layperson, determining the qualities and flavors of wine can be tricky. Those wanting to test their taste buds can head to San Francisco’s RN74 for a friendly game of Flying Blind, a guided tasting of three unidentified wines served with a cheat sheet of descriptions; the goal is to match the glass with the varietal. This fruit-based fun is part of the restaurant’s new wine program, created by lead sommelier David Castleberry. “I want to offer a number of avenues for oenophiles to test and elevate their knowledge and encounter new and rare wines in a comfortable and relaxed setting,” he says. Other offerings include Magnum Mondays, when a special magnum is opened and offered by the glass; Half Bottle Hump Day, with 50 percent off certain half-bottles on Wednesdays; and Unicorn Wines, featuring rare and unique bottles by the glass. This program continues throughout the year. michaelmina.net


Mimi Towle

Mimi Towle has been the editor of Marin Magazine for over a decade. She lived with her family in Sycamore Park and Strawberry and thoroughly enjoyed raising two daughters in the mayhem of Marin’s youth sports; soccer, swim, volleyball, ballet, hip hop, gymnastics and many many hours spent at Miwok Stables. Her community involvements include volunteering at her daughter’s schools, coaching soccer and volleyball (glorified snack mom), being on the board of both Richardson Bay Audubon Center. Currently residing on a floating home in Sausalito, she enjoys all water activity, including learning how to steer a 6-person canoe for the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club. Born and raised in Hawaii, her fondness for the islands has on occasion made its way into the pages of the magazine.