Chianti Classico Reserva Melini La Selvanella, 2006, Italy.Medium minus tannins with a hint of cocoa on the finish. Medium body, dry with juicy black cherries, cassis, and vanilla. This wine has a light chocolate and dark fruit nose. Penfolds Koonunga Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010, Australia.Understated tropical fruit, peach, and vanilla on the palate. Medium body, soft mouthfeel with a lower acidity. This is a step up in body and weight over the pinot blanc. Mission Hill Chardonnay Reserve, 2010, BC.Citrus and green apple flavours, which lead to tropical fruit on the finish. Medium body, some acidity balanced with some roundness. It had a light nose with flowers, citrus and lime.

There are wines from around the world, as well as from here in BC. The bottles are neatly lined up in the glass front of the WPS, for you to see as your glass is drawn for you from the bar. The wines are kept at the perfect temperature in a wine preservation system (WPS). I am also impressed with their wide selection of red and white wines by the glass. He is proud of the antipasto plate ($12), where you can select 5 items from a selction of 5 different meats (salami and sausage), 5 different cheese, and 5 different antipasti (marinated vegetables).

He is very passionate about it, and told me how he tried all the items that you find on the menu, before putting it on the menu. I spoke with co-founder, Steve Punzo, about the cafe. As I mentioned there is the daytime crowd, so you can enjoy various sandwiches, muffins, and of course coffees made the way you prefer, from a simple espresso shot to chai latte to cappuccino. I was invited to attend their grand opening this past week to see what they have to offer, and there is quite a range for you.

Cordoba, in Gastown offers both to their customers. By day you would think coffee shop, but by night a wine bar.

Take five cafe