Good morning wine lovers,
I trust all of you will have a safe and happy new year and come to see us next year!!!  
Always sounds strange to say 'see 'ya next year', no?  Anyway, on to the business at hand.  Starting in 2002, I am going to experiment with something.  It seems that all of you on our email list are quite regular with your visits to our tastings.  Therefore, I will be announcing the weekly wine seminars through this service only.  Sending our schedule in the mail just doesn't seem nearly as cost effective as this email service.  So, starting now, I will inform everyone of the Thursday topic on Monday.  Let's see how it goes.
Immediately following the Thursday wine tasting topic you will find an awesome sampler case.  This case contains the winners from last week's tasting with a special price.  If we can continue to stock the best wines from the Thursday tastings, this trend will continue.  That is, the sampler will contain the highest scoring wines from the previous week's Thursday night tasting, unless we sell out of those wines in the tasting.  

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3RD, 2002
THURSDAY NIGHT TASTING SERIES:
Topic:  The Great Estates of Italy
Please join us as we taste through, study and discuss 8 wines from the best estates in Italy.
Scheduled estates to taste include:
BROVIA (PIEDMONTE); PRADI PRADIS (FRIULI); CAPPONI (TUSCANY); SOLARIA (TUSCANY);
LE MANDORLAE (TUSCANY); CASINA DEL GIGLIO (TUSCANY);
CELLOLE (TUSCANY); DACAPO (PIEDMONTE)
These estates are well-known, yet small producers, focused on estate-bottled wines ranging from 
Montalcino to Asti and from white wines to full bodied reds, as well.
This class will be limited to 20 participants, so please RSVP ASAP.
Reservation details: 
Reservations are required 
Time: 5:30 Champagne reception 
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM: tasting of the 8 wines 
Price per person: $35 plus tax 
RESERVATIONS LIMITED TO 2 PER PERSON 
Please call 713-524-9144 to sign up 
No cancellations accepted after 6 PM on Wednesday 
CALL SOON, LIMITED SEATING!!! 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4TH, 2002:
WINE BAR AT CHRISTOPHER'S
We offer 45 wines by the glass to include reds, whites, sparkling wines & after dinner wines, too.
Our amazingly talented Chef prepares 4 new menu items each week.
In addition to the wines by the glass list, you may choose ANY wine in the store 
to enjoy with your foods or friends.
BEST PART???
Retail prices for all wines, NOT restaurant prices!!!
Our wines by the glass range from $4 to $15 &
Our Chef's specials range from $10 to $22.
No reservations are needed.
Get here early for the best seats.
Time: 6-10 PM Friday nights
Location: here at Christopher's 
CHRISTOPHER'S CABERNET SAMPLER (2 BTLS EACH): 
La Palma Reserve Cabernet Chile 1999 (French oak aging, very smooth, minty) 87 points 
Riverside Collection California Cabernet 1999 (easy drinking Cab, some spice, too) 85 points 
Poppy Hill California Cabernet 1998 (surprising depth and richness) 86 points 
Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet Alexander Valley 1998 (first place winner in our tasting!) 88 points 
Domaine du Barrail Bordeaux 1999 (MY favorite, rich, plums, currants, oak) 88 points 
Domaine Tuilleries Bordeaux 2000 (ripe, juicy, wonderful finish) 87 points 

Normally priced (and already a bargain): $170
SPECIAL EMAIL CASE PRICE: $144.50 PLUS TAX
As always, please call to reserve: 713-524-9144.
Well, let's see, did I cover everything?  Thursday night tasting, Friday WINE BAR, sampler case...
I guess that about covers it for this week.  Call us as soon as you can to reserve seats for the Thursady tasting or to order your sampler case(s).
And, again, HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Your friend in wine,
Christopher
"BEST WINE STORE" HOUSTON PRESS 2001
2516 Times BLVD
Rice Village
713-524-9144www.christopherswine. com