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Check, Please! Bay Area Season 15 episode 9 airs Thursday, May 28 at 7:30pm on KQED 9. See other television airtimes. And never miss an episode by subscribing to the video podcast.

We begin at San Francisco’s Crustacean where Vietnamese flavors have been perfected in a secret kitchen by three generations of the An family. Then, we head north to Yountville for masterfully-crafted Puerto Rican cuisine. With a hyper-seasonal menu that changes daily, the passion is palpable at Protéa.

Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 9. (Anthonia Onyejekwe/KQED)

Get Restaurant Information:

* Crustacean

* Protéa [CLOSED]

Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine (Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)

My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.

Marqués de Cáceres Brut Cava

La Rioja, Spain, $13

As a fan of Rioja, I consistently recommend the well-made and well-priced wines from Marqués de Cáceres. Founded in 1970, it’s now the fifth generation of the Forner family at the helm. From their elegant reds to refreshing rosado, this is a name to seek out for sheer deliciousness. Their Cava is one of the best sparkling values on the market today. Crafted with traditional Spanish varieties for Cava – Xarel.lo, Macabeo and Parellada – from 25-year-old vines in the famed Penedès area, it’s made in the traditional method. Crisp and classy, I call it a “stock-up sparkling star.”

2017 Domaine Matrot Bourgogne Blanc

Burgundy, France, $29

The Matrot family has been iconic in the Burgundy region of France for more than a century. Today, it’s run by Thierry and Pascale Matrot who are working alongside their daughters, Adèle and Elsa. Located in the heralded white-wine mecca, Meursault, their organically farmed vineyards represent some of Burgundy’s best. This white is made with Chardonnay grown near the appellation of Meursault from 30-year-old vines. It sports a kiss of creamy complexity from barrel fermentation, but the lemony ping and purity of fruit are what shine through. A gorgeously affordable version of white Burgundy.

2018 Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc

Napa Valley, California, $40

Blueprint is a stylish wine label making a statement. Created by Napa Valley wine royalty, Robin Daniel Lail, it honors climate change pioneers who according to the winery, “put the health of our planet ahead of quarterly reports and the bottom line.” Robin grew up as part of the family behind the legendary, Inglenook winery. She also co-founded two benchmark wineries: Dominus with Christian Moueix and Merryvale Vineyards with Bill Harlan. In other words, she knows Napa Valley. So does winemaker, Philippe Melka, who has crafted a white of precision and purity. A serious Sauvignon Blanc that doesn’t sacrifice juicy citrus succulence and pure drinking pleasure.