- September
18, 2008
- September
11, 2008
- September 4, 2008
- August 28, 2008
- August 21, 2008
- August
14, 2008
- August
7, 2008
- July
31, 2008
- July
24, 2008
- July
17, 2008
- July
10, 2008
- July
3, 2008
ISSUE DATE: September 18, 2008
* Posted September 19, 2008
Hey - just checking to make sure you know it's Friday not Thursday! Actually,
the winE-Letter was already to shoot out into your inboxes when the power went
out - just for two seconds - and then came back on again. Hardly a blink but
then again, long enough to lose the entire winE-Letter! Note to self: hit the
'save' button more often while typing. Ah well, this is why we have wine. It's
been a tough week for financial news, eh? I'm advocating turning off the telly,
stop surfing the internet and only enjoying Basset walks, slow cooked meals and
great glasses of vino! Speaking of slow cooked meals, Bogart has turned his
recipe attention to Fall and is busy looking for comfort food. I think we could
use a little comfort food right now! We've got a full tasting schedule this Fall
with all sorts of great vendors in the store just about every Saturday starting
next Saturday, the 27th, with Ted Plemons of Cass Winery. Cass Winery is located
in Paso Robles and they are turning out some rockin' wines...come on in and
check them out and guess if Ted is really Richard Branson or not!! Our next Wine
Class is on Tuesday the 30th and we'll be tasting some outstanding Sherries like
you've never tried before. There are still a few seats left so if you're
contemplating coming to the class, please come join us! Don't forget our tour to
Gray Ghost Vineyards on the Columbus Day weekend - it'll be a beautiful ride and
we'll get to try some fantastic Virginia wines. And to all the quizzers out
there...we've been boning up on some good quiz questions so get ready! Enjoy the
delightful weather outside this weekend and if you're in the mood for
interesting wines, reasonably priced...come on by and check out all of our
selections!
Wines for Fall
Cousino Macul 'Dona Isidora' Riesling 2007 - We've seen several nice productions
of Riesling coming out of South America and this wine is certainly one of them.
Hints of rose petal and a delightfully light viscousness on the palate make for
a nice rendition of Riesling from south of the border. An excellent wine
selection for pork dishes. Normally $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per
bottle.
Domaine Roger Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone 2007 - An absolutely perfect red
wine to enjoy as we switch to fall weather! This winery always makes one of the
best Cotes du Rhone in the market today. It's fleshiness and meatiness gives it
a terrific mouthfeel yet the wine is round and supple on the finish. An
excellent red for grilled meats or game dishes as well as tomato based Italian
dishes. $15.99 per bottle.
Evesham Wood Pinot Will Arriving Soon.....Reserve Your Wine Now!!!
This is a house favorite here at The Wine Seller and even though we increase the
amount we purchase of this wine each year, we still sell out of this wine within
24-48 hours. This is a truly amazing Pinot for the price and it drinks like it
cost far more than it does. We are still awaiting a firm price for this vintage
but expect it to be in the $22 to $25 per bottle range. It has a terrific
fleshiness on the palate with great balance between fruit and terroir. If you
are interested in purchasing any of this wine, please email Lucinda at Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Please include a phone # along with how much Evesham Wood Pinot you wish to
purchase. She will call to confirm orders the week of September 15th and will
also collect credit card info if we don't already have it on file.
Upcoming Events
Bus Trip to Gray Ghost Vineyards! Join us on Sunday, October 12th as we board a
bus a travel to Amissville outside of Warrenton to tour and taste at Gray Ghost
Vineyard. It'll be a perfect time of year with the leaves beginning to turn and
there's nothing prettier than the Virginia countryside in the Fall. The bus will
leave the parking lot at the store at 11:00am sharp, the tour & tasting will be
from noon to 2:00pm and we anticipate returning to the parking lot around 3:30
to 4:00pm. Food will be provided during the tasting at the winery. Seating is
very limited. Price per person is $75 inclusive of bus ride, tour, tasting and
lunch. If you are interested in joining us, please email Lucinda at Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Fall Wine Tastings
Saturday, September 27th - Ted Plemons, Winemaker at Cass Winery in Paso Robles,
will be back in the house. We had a lot of fun the last time Ted was here, not
to mention we sold all the wine he had to sell, so come on in and check out some
seriously great wines. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 4th - Italian Wine Tasting with Alberto Panella of Grappoli
Imports. Grappoli has some of the very best Italian selections in the Virginia
market and we'll try some unusual gems from all over Italy. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 18th - Fall Wines with Tony Roddy of Select Wines. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, October 25th - Italian Standouts with Todd Ruby, National Sales
Manager for the Marc deGrazia Portfolio. Todd represents some truly outstanding
wines including perhaps the best Falanghina we've ever had as well as a Piedmont
blend red which drinks like a $40 bottle but sells for just over $20. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 1st - Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports will be here
showing off their French and Argentinean portfolios. If you have an oenophile on
your holiday gift giving list, this is a tasting not to be missed! 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 8th - Values and Jewels with David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, November 15th - Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, November 20th - 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of
The Country Vintner. Whether you're serving two or twenty two, we'll have a wine
for you on the table to try! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, November 21st - Sparkling Cider Tasting (for Adults!) with Amy Evans of
Dionysos Imports. Last year, this tasting was such a big hit, we were sold out
of the sparkling ciders in about an hour! We'll have more this year and there is
one caveat to this tasting - we are still awaiting confirmation that the ciders
will arrive here in time for Thanksgiving. If not, we'll reschedule this one for
December. The Pear Cider just rocked!! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, November 22nd - Alsace and Rhone Tasting with Brian Forsgren of
Potomac Selections. An excellent array of choices perfect for the Big Bird.
12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Tuesday, November 25th - Turkey Day Wine Tasting. 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Friday, December 3rd - Bill McKenney of Michael Downey Selections. 4:00pm to
7:00pm.
Saturday, December 4th - Cindy Yim of Elite Wines. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, December 11th - 7th Annual 'All That Sparkles' Bubbly Tasting with
Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. Think you don't like bubbly? We're sure we
can convince you otherwise! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, December 12th - John Grimsley of Billington Imports will be here showing
off some of the best German wines imported into the U.S. as well as some tasty
finds from South of the Border. 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, December 13th - 'We're Just Wild About Harry' Holiday Wine Tasting
with Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company. Since Harry represents many of
the excellent Oregon Pinot Producers in his portfolio, feel sure that some
Pinots will make their way onto the tasting table. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, December 18th - 7th Annual 'Wines You Give As Gifts But Wish You'd Get
As A Gift' Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. A tasting not to
be missed! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, December 19th - Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports will have some new
additions in his portfolio and we'll have on the tasting table to try. 4:00pm to
7:00pm.
Saturday, December 20th - Holiday Wines with Brian Forsgren of Potomac
Selections. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, December 27th - Holiday Wines with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Tuesday, December 30th - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne Tasting
with Mr. Champagne, Peter Gaylor, of William Harrison Imports. 12:00pm to
5:00pm.
Wednesday, December 31st - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne
Tasting with Jim Futrell of Republic National Distributing. 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 28th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
I got to go to the beach (for the first time) last week! It was fun running in
the sand alongside the waves. But I really enjoyed being up on the top deck,
stretching out on the chaise lounge (yes, I can find a chaise lounge in all 50
states!) and surveying the territory below. Not to mention, it was fun barking,
I mean talking, with my dog neighbors on the balconies on either side. But now
I'm ready for comfort food, specifically, CHEESE! How about a fondue on the deck
or patio with a nice glass of red wine? From the cookbook, Fondue, here's my
recipe pick for this week.
Blue Cheese Fondue
Serves 4-6
½ cup unsalted butter
2 shallots, very finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 cup dry white wine
1 lb blue cheese, crumbled
3 egg yolks
½ cup meat stock, heated
½ tsp dried tarragon
1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground pepper
Rye bread and/or Sourdough bread cubes
In a medium heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium low heat. Saute shallots and
garlic until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add white wine, increase heat to
medium and cook to reduce to a glaze, about 20 minutes. Sit the pan over a pot
of simmering water. Stir in cheese until melted. Whisk egg yolks with hot stock
then stir briskly into the melted cheese; add remaining ingredients. Continue
cooking until slightly thickened; do not overcook or boil or it may curdle.
Immediately strain into a warm fondue pot and place over very low heat to keep
warm. Serve with bread.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· The classic match for Blue Cheese is a Port or a Sauternes. You could also do
an aged Madeira as well or a botrytis dessert wine. If you're gunning for a
still wine which isn't in the dessert category, a full bodied red from Italy
such as Nebbiolo would work as would a very rich, exotically styled Sauvignon
Blanc.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: It's a food question this week...what is a filbert?
Answer: A filbert is a hazelnut. (And no, it's not Dilbert's cousin!!)
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Anne Statland, Michael Fredericks
and Hema Mangatoo.....come on in and collect your prize!
This Week's Quiz Question: What is a Mistelle?
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: September 11, 2008
Wine Finds
Cousino Macul 'Dona Isidora' Riesling 2007 - We've seen several nice productions
of Riesling coming out of South America and this wine is certainly one of them.
Hints of rose petal and a delightfully light viscousness on the palate make for
a nice rendition of Riesling from south of the border. An excellent wine
selection for pork dishes. Normally $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per
bottle.
Domaine Roger Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone 2007 - An absolutely perfect red
wine to enjoy as we switch to fall weather! This winery always makes one of the
best Cotes du Rhone in the market today. It's fleshiness and meatiness gives it
a terrific mouthfeel yet the wine is round and supple on the finish. An
excellent red for grilled meats or game dishes as well as tomato based Italian
dishes. $15.99 per bottle.
Evesham Wood Pinot Will Arriving Soon.....Reserve Your Wine Now!!!
This is a house favorite here at The Wine Seller and even though we increase the
amount we purchase of this wine each year, we still sell out of this wine within
24-48 hours. This is a truly amazing Pinot for the price and it drinks like it
cost far more than it does. We are still awaiting a firm price for this vintage
but expect it to be in the $22 to $25 per bottle range. It has a terrific
fleshiness on the palate with great balance between fruit and terroir. If you
are interested in purchasing any of this wine, please email Lucinda at Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Please include a phone # along with how much Evesham Wood Pinot you wish to
purchase. She will call to confirm orders the week of September 15th and will
also collect credit card info if we don't already have it on file.
Upcoming Events
Bus Trip to Gray Ghost Vineyards! Join us on Sunday, October 12th as we board a
bus a travel to Amissville outside of Warrenton to tour and taste at Gray Ghost
Vineyard. It'll be a perfect time of year with the leaves beginning to turn and
there's nothing prettier than the Virginia countryside in the Fall. The bus will
leave the parking lot at the store at 11:00am sharp, the tour & tasting will be
from noon to 2:00pm and we anticipate returning to the parking lot around 3:30
to 4:00pm. Food will be provided during the tasting at the winery. Seating is
very limited. Price per person is $75 inclusive of bus ride, tour, tasting and
lunch. If you are interested in joining us, please email Lucinda at Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Fall Wine Tastings
Saturday, September 27th - Ted Plemons, Winemaker at Cass Winery in Paso Robles,
will be back in the house. We had a lot of fun the last time Ted was here, not
to mention we sold all the wine he had to sell, so come on in and check out some
seriously great wines. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 4th - Italian Wine Tasting with Alberto Panella of Grappoli
Imports. Grappoli has some of the very best Italian selections in the Virginia
market and we'll try some unusual gems from all over Italy. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 18th - Fall Wines with Tony Roddy of Select Wines. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, October 25th - Italian Standouts with Todd Ruby, National Sales
Manager for the Marc deGrazia Portfolio. Todd represents some truly outstanding
wines including perhaps the best Falanghina we've ever had as well as a Piedmont
blend red which drinks like a $40 bottle but sells for just over $20. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 1st - Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports will be here
showing off their French and Argentinean portfolios. If you have an oenophile on
your holiday gift giving list, this is a tasting not to be missed! 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 8th - Values and Jewels with David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, November 15th - Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, November 20th - 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of
The Country Vintner. Whether you're serving two or twenty two, we'll have a wine
for you on the table to try! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, November 21st - Sparkling Cider Tasting (for Adults!) with Amy Evans of
Dionysos Imports. Last year, this tasting was such a big hit, we were sold out
of the sparkling ciders in about an hour! We'll have more this year and there is
one caveat to this tasting - we are still awaiting confirmation that the ciders
will arrive here in time for Thanksgiving. If not, we'll reschedule this one for
December. The Pear Cider just rocked!! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, November 22nd - Alsace and Rhone Tasting with Brian Forsgren of
Potomac Selections. An excellent array of choices perfect for the Big Bird.
12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Tuesday, November 25th - Turkey Day Wine Tasting. 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Thursday, December 11th - 7th Annual 'All That Sparkles' Bubbly Tasting with
Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. Think you don't like bubbly? We're sure we
can convince you otherwise! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, December 12th - John Grimsley of Billington Imports will be here showing
off some of the best German wines imported into the U.S. as well as some tasty
finds from South of the Border. 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, December 13th - 'We're Just Wild About Harry' Holiday Wine Tasting
with Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company. Since Harry represents many of
the excellent Oregon Pinot Producers in his portfolio, feel sure that some
Pinots will make their way onto the tasting table. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, December 18th - 7th Annual 'Wines You Give As Gifts But Wish You'd Get
As A Gift' Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. A tasting not to
be missed! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, December 19th - Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports will have some new
additions in his portfolio and we'll have on the tasting table to try. 4:00pm to
7:00pm.
Saturday, December 20th - Holiday Wines with Brian Forsgren of Potomac
Selections. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, December 27th - Holiday Wines with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Tuesday, December 30th - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne Tasting
with Mr. Champagne, Peter Gaylor, of William Harrison Imports. 12:00pm to
5:00pm.
Wednesday, December 31st - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne
Tasting with Jim Futrell of Republic National Distributing. 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 28th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
The fact that I enjoy bacon probably comes as no surprise to anyone! And one of
my Mom's favorite vegetables is asparagus. So this seemed like a good recipe we
could both enjoy! (Hint Hint, Mom). It comes from the magazine Cook's
Illustrated in their Fall 2008 issue. If you've never checked out this magazine,
you really should. It's one of the smartest magazines for cooking tips and
tricks in the market today, not to mention they put out some great recipes. And
since we're enjoying the last bits of bounty from the garden, this is a perfect
recipe to use up the basil and tomato!
Asparagus with Tomato-Basil Vinaigrette
Serves 6-8
1 medium ripe tomato, cored, seeded and minced (about ½ cup)
1 medium shallot, minced (about 1-1/2 tbsp)
1-1/2 tbsp juice from one lemon
1 tbsp minced fresh basil leaves
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 recipe Simple Broiled Asparagus (recipe below)
Whisk together tomato, shallot, lemon juice, basil and olive oil in a small
bowl. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Drizzle vinaigrette over
asparagus and serve immediately.
For Simple Broiled Asparagus:
2 lbs thin asparagus spears, tough ends trimmed off
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Adjust oven rack to uppermost position and heat broiler. Toss asparagus with
olive oil and salt and pepper. Lay spears in a single layer on a heavy rimmed
baking sheet. Broil about 4 inches from the heating element, shaking pan halfway
through to turn spears, until asparagus is tender and lightly browned, about 8
to 10 mins. Cool 5 minutes and arrange on serving dish.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· Sauvignon Blanc is the way to go for a white wine pairing with asparagus. A
Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc would be our first pick but California would be
another solid region to choose from for a good match. An Albarino from Spain
would also work well here.
· For a red wine, a Pinot Noir works and works well. A nice fleshy one from
Oregon or a cool climate Pinot from Santa Barbara County would pair well with
the earthy asparagus and the vinegar in the dressing.
Quiz Corner
This Week's Quiz Question: It's a food question this week...what is a filbert?
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: September 4, 2008
Oom pa pa, oom pa pa that's how it goes....and hopefully
everybody knows we're celebrating Oktoberfest this weekend here at the BB&T
Shopping Center!! Euro Bisto promises food, fun and entertainment out front in
the parking lot under the tent (so no need to worry about the remnants of
Hanna!) and we promise to have two tasty wine samplings here at the store.
Lederhosen will surely be spotted. Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will be
here pouring on Friday evening from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and Jim Futrell of Republic
National Distributing will be sampling on Saturday afternoon from 2:00pm to
5:00pm. (We promise that neither Jason nor Jim will be in the lederhosen!!) We
also have our Fall Tasting Schedule listed below so check it out...we'll have
some great wines to try! And we've organized a bus trip to Gray Ghost Winery in
Amissville for October - just in time to try the new fall releases at the winery
and to soak in the beautiful Virginia fall weather. Seating is limited so
reserve your spot early! Our Fall Classes are also filling up although there are
a few seats left for each of the classes. So if you're pondering about attending
a class or two, we'd recommend that you sign up soon rather than later. Bogart
is switching gears into his 'Fall Menu' ideas and has a new recipe for you this
week on the Recipe Board. And the Quiz Corner is taking a vacation this week but
will be back quizzing away next week. We hope to see you sometime this weekend
so come on down and enjoy the seasonal fun of Oktoberfest!!
Danger Will Robinson, Danger Will Robinson...the Oktoberfest Beers are Arriving!
A sure sign that Fall is approaching! It's that time of year again!! The
Oktoberfest Beers from many of the micro breweries are starting to arrive in our
supplier's warehouses and are making their way to our fridges and eventually to
yours! Dogtoberfest from Flying Dog Brewery is in the house as is Lancaster
Beer's Oktoberfest beer and Hofbrau's Oktoberfest. Pumpkin Ales and other
seasonal beers will keep coming in so keep your eye on the beer cooler!
New Wine Finds
Cousino Macul 'Dona Isidora' Riesling 2007 - We've seen several nice productions
of Riesling coming out of South America and this wine is certainly one of them.
Hints of rose petal and a delightfully light viscousness on the palate make for
a nice rendition of Riesling from south of the border. An excellent wine
selection for pork dishes. Normally $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per
bottle.
Domaine Roger Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone 2007 - An absolutely perfect red
wine to enjoy as we switch to fall weather! This winery always makes one of the
best Cotes du Rhone in the market today. It's fleshiness and meatiness gives it
a terrific mouthfeel yet the wine is round and supple on the finish. An
excellent red for grilled meats or game dishes as well as tomato based Italian
dishes. $15.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Events
Oktoberfest Celebration at the BB&T Shopping Center - The bratwursts, funny
costumes and beer will be out in full force under a big tent in our parking lot
as Euro Bistro hosts an old fashioned Oktoberfest Celebration on Friday,
September 5th through Sunday, September 7th. We'll join in the fun with wine
tastings on both Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Times for the
Oktoberfest are 4:00pm to 10:00pm on Friday the 5th, 3:00pm to 10:00pm on
Saturday the 6th and 12:00pm to 8:00pm on Sunday the 7th. Our Wine Tastings will
be:
Friday, September 5th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm - Jason Bise of The Country Vintner
will be here pouring some tasty selections from his portfolio.
Saturday, September 6th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm - Jim Futrell of Republic National
Distributing will show off some great value wines for Fall.
Come Join In on the Fun!!!
Bus Trip to Gray Ghost Vineyards! Join us on Sunday, October 12th as we board a
bus a travel to Amissville outside of Warrenton to tour and taste at Gray Ghost
Vineyard. It'll be a perfect time of year with the leaves beginning to turn and
there's nothing prettier than the Virginia countryside in the Fall. The bus will
leave the parking lot at the store at 11:00am sharp, the tour & tasting will be
from noon to 2:00pm and we anticipate returning to the parking lot around 3:30
to 4:00pm. Food will be provided during the tasting at the winery. Seating is
very limited. Price per person is $75 inclusive of bus ride, tour, tasting and
lunch. If you are interested in joining us, please email Lucinda at Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Fall Wine Tastings
Saturday, September 27th - Ted Plemons, Winemaker at Cass Winery in Paso Robles,
will be back in the house. We had a lot of fun the last time Ted was here, not
to mention we sold all the wine he had to sell, so come on in and check out some
seriously great wines. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 4th - Italian Wine Tasting with Alberto Panella of Grappoli
Imports. Grappoli has some of the very best Italian selections in the Virginia
market and we'll try some unusual gems from all over Italy. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 18th - Fall Wines with Tony Roddy of Select Wines. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, October 25th - Italian Standouts with Todd Ruby, National Sales
Manager for the Marc deGrazia Portfolio. Todd represents some truly outstanding
wines including perhaps the best Falanghina we've ever had as well as a Piedmont
blend red which drinks like a $40 bottle but sells for just over $20. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 1st - Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports will be here
showing off their French and Argentinean portfolios. If you have an oenophile on
your holiday gift giving list, this is a tasting not to be missed! 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 8th - Values and Jewels with David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, November 15th - Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, November 20th - 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of
The Country Vintner. Whether you're serving two or twenty two, we'll have a wine
for you on the table to try! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, November 21st - Sparkling Cider Tasting (for Adults!) with Amy Evans of
Dionysos Imports. Last year, this tasting was such a big hit, we were sold out
of the sparkling ciders in about an hour! We'll have more this year and there is
one caveat to this tasting - we are still awaiting confirmation that the ciders
will arrive here in time for Thanksgiving. If not, we'll reschedule this one for
December. The Pear Cider just rocked!! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, November 22nd - Alsace and Rhone Tasting with Brian Forsgren of
Potomac Selections. An excellent array of choices perfect for the Big Bird.
12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Tuesday, November 25th - Turkey Day Wine Tasting. 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Thursday, December 11th - 7th Annual 'All That Sparkles' Bubbly Tasting with
Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. Think you don't like bubbly? We're sure we
can convince you otherwise! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, December 12th - John Grimsley of Billington Imports will be here showing
off some of the best German wines imported into the U.S. as well as some tasty
finds from South of the Border. 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, December 13th - 'We're Just Wild About Harry' Holiday Wine Tasting
with Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company. Since Harry represents many of
the excellent Oregon Pinot Producers in his portfolio, feel sure that some
Pinots will make their way onto the tasting table. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, December 18th - 7th Annual 'Wines You Give As Gifts But Wish You'd Get
As A Gift' Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. A tasting not to
be missed! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, December 19th - Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports will have some new
additions in his portfolio and we'll have on the tasting table to try. 4:00pm to
7:00pm.
Saturday, December 20th - Holiday Wines with Brian Forsgren of Potomac
Selections. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, December 27th - Holiday Wines with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Tuesday, December 30th - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne Tasting
with Mr. Champagne, Peter Gaylor, of William Harrison Imports. 12:00pm to
5:00pm.
Wednesday, December 31st - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne
Tasting with Jim Futrell of Republic National Distributing. 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 28th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
The picture of this salad recipe just screamed Fall seeing as how it has both
hazelnuts and pears in it. There's nothing like a colorful salad to start a
meal! I'm not much of a salad eater but surprisingly enough, I do enjoy my
veggies. It's how I keep my svelte figure! From Williams Sonoma: Thanksgiving
cookbook, here's my recipe pick for this week.
Watercress, Endive & Pear Salad
Serves 8-10
2/3 cup of hazelnuts
3 large bunches watercress, tough stems removed
3 heads Belgian endive cored and separated into leaves
5 tbsp hazelnut oil or extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tbsp pear vinegar or white balsamic vinegar
3 small ripe but firm pears, preferably red Bartlett (Williams)
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a shallow metal pan, toast the hazelnuts,
stirring once or twice, until crisp, fragrant and brown, about 10 minutes. Wrap
the hot nuts in a clean kitchen towel and let steam for about 1 minute, then
vigorously roll the wrapped nuts between the palms of your hands until most of
the dark brown skins are removed. Pick the nuts out of the debris of the peels
and coarsely chop them.
In a large bowl, toss together the watercress and endive. Drizzle with the oil
and toss again. Add the hazelnuts, vinegar and ½ tsp pepper and toss well. Taste
and adjust the seasoning.
Divide the greens among individual plates. Halve and core the pears and cut each
half lengthwise into eighths. Garnish each plate with wedges of pear, tucking
them into the greens. Serve immediately.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· Hazelnut oil is rich so if you utilized that oil, a West Coast Chardonnay from
Oregon or Santa Barbara County would work well or a richer Spanish white such as
Verdejo would also be a solid choice. Because of the vinegar in the dish, you
could do a weightier Sauvignon Blanc - preferably from the Loire Valley.
· For a red wine, a Cotes du Rhone would be an excellent selection or a Pinot
Noir from either Oregon or Burgundy.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: Match the appellation to the region.
a) Burgundy 1) Eola - Amity Hills
b) Napa Valley 2) Chablis
c) Loire Valley 3) Chiles Valley
d) Bordeaux 4) Margaret River
e) Willamette Valley 5) Sauternes
f) Western Australia 6) Vouvray
Answer: a - 2; b- 3; c - 6; d - 5; e - 1; f - 4
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Jose Fernandez and Bill Haskitt!
This Week's Quiz Question: The quiz is taking a vacation this week. Bring your
quiz answering hats to the winE-Letter next week!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner
Saturday from 2:00pm to 5:00pm with Jim Futrell of Republic National
Distributing
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
http://www.thewineseller.com/
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: August 28, 2008
I think we have a new slogan. How about an 'Easy Button' for
wine buying?! That's how one of our customers described us last
weekend...shopping at The Wine Seller is the Easy Button for selecting wines
because we make it so easy to find interesting wines at reasonable prices!! YEE
HAW....Now that's an endorsement that makes us smile!!! If you've never come in
with a recipe to have us help you find a wine to pair with it for a memorable
meal or never test driven one of our famous and tasty mixed cases of wine (which
start at $68 a case!) - come on in and see what we're all about! There's some
fun stuff brewing at our shopping center as the Euro Bistro restaurant is
hosting a big Oktoberfest celebration next weekend (Sept 5 through 7) and we'll
be joining in with some wine tasting fun. I wonder if there will be any yodling
contests?! Hmmm....maybe best not to suggest that idea out loud. And the Town of
Herndon is hosting a Jazz Concert and Wine Tasting (Virginia wineries will be
pouring their wares) this coming Monday which is Labor Day. We're going to keep
the wine-Letter short and sweet this week. After all, it's the last week
(unofficially) of summer. The good news about next week is that the kids go back
to school and I'm sure many Moms and Dads are ready for the kids to go back! The
bad news about next week is that we all know what traffic will be like on
Tuesday morning!! So kick back, pour yourself a glass of wine, smile because we
finally got some rain and enjoy the long weekend!
Three Summer Special Reds...A 'Last Hurrah of Summer' Red for the BBQ!
Lincourt Santa Barbara County Syrah 2005 - Here's a treat in the red wine
category which is just brimming with flavor. The grapes are sourced from both
cool climate vineyards close to the Pacific Ocean as well as from vineyards
farther inland which have warmer days and nights and thus, riper fruit. The
result is a Syrah which is rich, elegant and balanced - perfect for any kind of
meat off the grill, an Italian dish based in tomato sauce or even hearty fish
such as tuna or swordfish. Only 983 cases produced. The taste profile includes
flavors of boysenberry, black raspberry, bacon fat and black pepper. Umm, umm
good! $22.99 per bottle.
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Ehrhardt 'Old Vine' Merlot Clarksburg 2006 - I'm not usually a big fan of
Merlots as they can tend to show tendencies towards greenness (which is
typically a sign of under ripe fruit), this Merlot is tasty and well priced. The
Clarksburg appellation is located in the Sacramento River Delta - it is rich
farm country. The wine is soft on the palate full of cherries and chocolate. A
delightful find without breaking the piggy bank. $16.79 per bottle.
Danger Will Robinson, Danger Will Robinson...the Oktoberfest Beers are Arriving!
A sure sign that Fall is approaching! It's that time of year again!! The
Oktoberfest Beers from many of the micro breweries are starting to arrive in our
supplier's warehouses and are making their way to our fridges and eventually to
yours! Dogtoberfest from Flying Dog Brewery is in the house as is Lancaster
Beer's Oktoberfest beer and Hofbrau's Oktoberfest. Pumpkin Ales and other
seasonal beers will keep coming in so keep your eye on the beer cooler!
Upcoming Events
We're working on finalizing our Fall Tasting Line-Up so stay tuned...
Herndon Labor Day Jazz & Wine Festival - Monday, September 1st is the annual
Jazz and Wine Festival held in downtown Herndon at the Town Green. Regional and
National jazz performers will entertain you and several Virginia wineries will
be holding wine tastings along with local artists displaying their wares. The
event is held from 12:00pm to 6:00pm and tickets are either $5 or $15 depending
upon whether you are going to be wine tasting or not. Pick up a brochure about
the event on the counter near the register for more information.
Oktoberfest Celebration at the BB&T Shopping Center - The bratwursts, funny
costumes and beer will be out in full force under a big tent in our parking lot
as Euro Bistro hosts an old fashioned Oktoberfest Celebration on Friday,
September 5th through Sunday, September 7th. We'll join in the fun with wine
tastings on both Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Times for the
Oktoberfest are 4:00pm to 10:00pm on Friday the 5th, 3:00pm to 10:00pm on
Saturday the 6th and 12:00pm to 8:00pm on Sunday the 7th. Our Wine Tastings will
be:
Friday, September 5th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm - Jason Bise of The Country Vintner
will be here pouring some tasty selections from his portfolio.
Saturday, September 6th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm - Jim Futrell of Republic National
Distributing will show off some great value wines for Fall.
Come Join In on the Fun!!!
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 28th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
In case you didn't know, I'm a Sunny Boy and I like summer. One of my favorite
things to do in the nice weather is to sit outside on the lounge chair and soak
up the sun. My Mom tells me I act like a C-A-T. Humpf. I resemble, er, I mean
resent that comment. Anyhow, I'm sad to see summertime come to a close so I want
to do a recipe this week for the grill. How about a recipe for duck? Everybody I
know seems hesitant to cook duck but it's really, really easy (not to mention
tasty) and there are loads of great red wines to go with duck. From Grilling:
Where There's Smoke There's Flavor, here's my recipe pick for this week.
Crispy Balsamic Duck
Serves 4
5 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
4 duck breast halves, scored (with a sharp knife, cut diagonal slashes in the
fatty side of the duck making X's)
Salt
Black Pepper
1 tbsp extra Balsamic Vinegar for drizzling
Put 5 tbsp vinegar in a shallow dish just wide enough to put the 4 duck breasts.
Add the duck breast halves, skin side up. Cover and leave to marinate for 20
minutes at room temperature. Grill over medium coals, skin side down until the
skin is crispy, about 5 minutes. Turn duck breast halves over and grill 8 more
minutes for medium rare, 10 more minutes for well done. Cover with foil and let
rest for 5 minutes before cutting into thin slices. Sprinkle with salt and
pepper. Drizzle over remaining balsamic vinegar (not the marinade though!!).
Serve hot.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· If you're really gunning for a white wine, since duck is gamey, a white Cotes
du Rhone would be a good place to go for a glass of white or a Spanish Verdejo.
· Duck just screams for red wine so think anything from the Rhone Valley, an
Oregon Pinot Noir or Red Burgundy or a Piedmont red from Italy would all work
well with duck.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: The name of the grape I am drinking translates into
'lime leaf'. What am I drinking?
Hint: While the grape can be (and often is) vinified in a dry manner, it's most
important role is in the making of a famous dessert wine.
Answer: Harslevelu (a grape in Hungary which can be made in a dry, still manner
but if used in the prized Tokaji Aszu dessert wine)
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Bob Puckett!
This Week's Quiz Question: Match the appellation to the region.
a) Burgundy 1) Eola - Amity Hills
b) Napa Valley 2) Chablis
c) Loire Valley 3) Chiles Valley
d) Bordeaux 4) Margaret River
e) Willamette Valley 5) Sauternes
f) Western Australia 6) Vouvray
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
Holiday Hours
Just a reminder....this weekend is Labor Day Weekend. We'll have normal hours on
Saturday (10:00am to 6:00pm) and Sunday (12:00pm to 4:00pm). On Labor Day,
Monday, September 1st, we will be open from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
That's it for this week! Have a Great Holiday Weekend Everybody!!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
http://www.thewineseller.com/
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: August 21, 2008
Is there a channel or an hour when the Olympics are not
playing 24/7?! It's ok though since there have been so many great events to
watch! It's hard to believe the Olympics are almost over and the kids will be
back in school in just another week and a half. In another couple of weeks,
we'll start hearing about how many days of shopping we have until Christmas!! In
the meantime, I'm going to head to the patio with a glass of wine in hand and
enjoy the absolutely fantabulous weather we have been enjoying all summer.
Please don't let it ever stop!! We've got a couple of new wine vines this week
which are both excellent for this transitional time of year. We've also got a
new Rosé of the Week. What can I say? We're not ready to give up the Rosés quite
yet! We've still got loads of choices in the bins for Patio Whites, Rosés and
BBQ Reds so for any of you who are still finishing up summer vacations or
enjoying BBQs and picnics for the Labor Day Weekend next weekend....come on in
and check out all of interesting wines, reasonably priced. Bogart has been
chaise lounging and leafing through more cookbooks to find a recipe for this
week's Recipe Board and we have a new quiz question for you this week to make
sure your brain doesn't take a vacation! The Oktoberfest beers are coming too so
check out the beer fridge next time you're in the store! And if you're looking
for something to do locally on the holiday weekend, you might want to check out
the Herndon Jazz & Wine Festival held in Old Town on Labor Day. We've got
brochures in the store you can pick up if you're interested in finding out more
information. Have a great weekend everybody and we'll see you soon!
New Vino Finds
Domaine La Manarine Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2006 - A white Cotes du Rhone from the
South of France is a perfect transitional white wine to enjoy as the weather
starts to turn cooler. This one from Domaine La Manarine is one of the best
we've tasted over the years. It's a blend of Clairette and Bourboulenc and the
taste profile shows off nice layers and depth of fruit on the palate. There are
hints of light citrus, almonds and apples in the glass. A perfect white for any
kind of grilled fish or chicken. $14.99 per bottle.
Guilhem Moulin de Gassac Vin de Pays de l'Herault 2006 - Besides making some
tasty wines, the owner of this winery made his film debut in the movie Mondovino.
This wine is a little bit rustic but is well balanced by a juicy mouthfeel on
the palate. The grapes are the Rhone varietals of Grenache, Carignan, Counoise
and Syrah and the result is a perfect fall red glass of vino. Excellent for
grilled or roasted meats or slow cooked one pot wonders. $10.99 per bottle.
Rosé of the Week
Le Caprice de Clementine Cotes du Provence Rosé 2007 - This is classic Provence
Rosé at its best. It's bone dry and medium weight made with Grenache, Cinsault
and Syrah grapes. This is thirst quenching and tasty - just searching for a
entrée fish salad or chicken salad to mate with for a meal. $18.99 per bottle.
Three Summer Special Reds...Perfect for Steaks and Lamb Chops!
Lincourt Santa Barbara County Syrah 2005 - Here's a treat in the red wine
category which is just brimming with flavor. The grapes are sourced from both
cool climate vineyards close to the Pacific Ocean as well as from vineyards
farther inland which have warmer days and nights and thus, riper fruit. The
result is a Syrah which is rich, elegant and balanced - perfect for any kind of
meat off the grill, an Italian dish based in tomato sauce or even hearty fish
such as tuna or swordfish. Only 983 cases produced. The taste profile includes
flavors of boysenberry, black raspberry, bacon fat and black pepper. Umm, umm
good! $22.99 per bottle.
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Ehrhardt 'Old Vine' Merlot Clarksburg 2006 - I'm not usually a big fan of
Merlots as they can tend to show tendencies towards greenness (which is
typically a sign of under ripe fruit), this Merlot is tasty and well priced. The
Clarksburg appellation is located in the Sacramento River Delta - it is rich
farm country. The wine is soft on the palate full of cherries and chocolate. A
delightful find without breaking the piggy bank. $16.79 per bottle.
Patio Whites and BBQ Reds
Broadbent Vinho Verde NV - What's summertime without a little Vinho Verde from
Portugal?! We've decided this is the best Vinho Verde we've had anytime recently
and it will definitely get your taste buds going! It's crisp, refreshing and
with just a hint of effervescence, it's exactly what the wine doctor ordered for
the weather in August. $11.99 per bottle.
Cielo Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2007 - A delightful new find in the world
of Pinot Grigio, this easy drinking white offers a lot of quality for the price.
IGT wines from Italy represent wines which are 'typical of the geographic
region' and usually, they pony up a lot of bang for the buck. They are seen as
being of better quality than a table wine but don't have the pedigree of a DOC
or DOCG wine so they don't have the big price tag. A touch of melon and apple, a
delightful Patio White. $8.99 per bottle.
Silene Terre di Chieti IGT Cococciola 2007 - Cococciola is a white grape
indigenous to the region of Abruzzo in south central Italy along the Adriatic
Sea. This is a quintessential summer quaffer. It's light, crisp and refreshing -
perfect by itself or with light snacks such as cheese or fruit. $7.99 per
bottle.
El Paso Jumilla Monastrell 2005 - This tasty red was just screaming for a BBQ to
go to - juicy not jammy, soft tannins on the back end nice layers of red and
blue fruits. It's 85% Monastrell (the Spanish word for Mourvedre) and 15% Syrah
which adds some nice depth on the palate. Arriving Friday and normally priced at
$10.99, specially priced at $8.99.
Adras Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2004 - This wine is actually from the
Bierzo region and typically, wines from this area are made with the Mencia
grape. Because the winemaker wanted to blend in some other grapes from the area,
the label can't read Bierzo. It's made with 70% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 10% Mencia (pronounced Men-thee-a) and it evokes more of an Old
World style on the taste profile. It's rustic and hearty, just looking for a
piece of aged beef, some meat ragu or a beef stew. Normally $13.79, on a special
deal at $9.99 per bottle.
Pampano Rueda 2007 - A blend of 80% Macabao and 20% Verdejo grapes, this white
wine just screams Springtime! It's crisp and refreshing and an all around
perfect Patio White. $10.99 per bottle.
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - A perfect BBQ Red at an exceptional price just in
time for all those backyard BBQs! Bonarda is a grape which originated in the
Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. It's a softer grape - typically used for
blending in a Gattinara wine. In Argentina, like Malbec, Bonarda grows quite
well and shows well bottled by itself. This is a juicy, easy drinking red -
perfect for quaffing or enjoying with burgers off the grill or BBQ'd chicken.
Normally priced at $9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no
more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Malbec - This is a Malbec made for an American summer
holiday!! Ripe blueberry fruit alongside creamy vanilla notes from the oak
barrel aging, this wine is just hunting for some BBQ Ribs. Normally priced at
$9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Reserve Torrontes - Torrontes is a prevalently grown white
grape in Argentina and taste profilewise, Viognier seems to be like a cousin.
Torrontes is aromatic and floral with refreshing acidity on the palate. It's a
perfect patio quaffer in the hot weather or would work well with Latin foods.
Normally priced at $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per bottle.
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - Here's an easy drinking, very tasty
Pinot Noir made from grapes across California. It shows light raspberries and
cherries on the palate and makes for an excellent table red. It'll work with
just about anything off the grill! $9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - This wine from the same winery was just as
tasty as the Malbec. A line of red currants definitely runs through the taste
profile and it is a well structured but not overly tannic Cabernet. A value for
$9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - You don't find values like this wine
everyday. The balance in this wine is spot on - the oak is well integrated and
while a round and supple wine, there are lovely notes of dark red and black
fruits. A mouthful of wine for $9.99 per bottle.
Nobilissima Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006 - This is exactly what you want when
you're looking for an everyday Pinot Grigio to sip on or enjoy with a light meal
or salad. Crisp acidity shows on the palate with some light notes of melons and
lemon. $10.99 per bottle.
Danger Will Robinson, Danger Will Robinson...the Oktoberfest Beers are Arriving!
A sure sign that Fall is approaching! It's that time of year again!! The
Oktoberfest Beers from many of the micro breweries are starting to arrive in our
supplier's warehouses and are making their way to our fridges and eventually to
yours! Dogtoberfest from Flying Dog Brewery is in the house as is Lancaster
Beer's Oktoberfest beer and Hofbrau's Oktoberfest. Pumpkin Ales and other
seasonal beers will keep coming in so keep your eye on the beer cooler!
Upcoming Events
We're working on finalizing our Fall Tasting Line-Up so stay tuned...
Herndon Labor Day Jazz & Wine Festival - Monday, September 1st is the annual
Jazz and Wine Festival held in downtown Herndon at the Town Green. Regional and
National jazz performers will entertain you and several Virginia wineries will
be holding wine tastings along with local artists displaying their wares. The
event is held from 12:00pm to 6:00pm and tickets are either $5 or $15 depending
upon whether you are going to be wine tasting or not. Pick up a brochure about
the event on the counter near the register for more information.
Bus Trip to Gray Ghost Vineyards! Join us on Sunday, October 12th as we board a
bus a travel to Amissville outside of Warrenton to tour and taste at Gray Ghost
Vineyard. It'll be a perfect time of year with the leaves beginning to turn and
there's nothing prettier than the Virginia countryside in the Fall. The bus will
leave the parking lot at the store at 11:00am sharp, the tour & tasting will be
from noon to 2:00pm and we anticipate returning to the parking lot around 3:30
to 4:00pm. Food will be provided during the tasting at the winery. Seating is
very limited. Price per person is $75 inclusive of bus ride, tour, tasting and
lunch. If you are interested in joining us, please email Lucinda at Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, November 11th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
I like the picture of this recipe. Not that my Mom will let me eat beans -
something about until she figures out how to bottle and sell BoGAS, there will
be no beans for Bogart - but it sure does look tasty. From Grilling: Where's the
Smoke there's Flavor.
Smoky Black Bean Salad
Serves 4
1-1/3 cups dried black beans or 2 14oz cans of black beans drained and rinsed
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 chipotle chile, seeded and finely chopped or 1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp ground coriander
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
¼ cup olive oil
1-2/3 cup of fresh salsa fresca
6 tbsp crumbled feta cheese
If using dried beans, place in a large pan with cold water to cover by 2 inches.
Bring to a boil. Boil hard for 10 mins. Lower heat and simmer until the beans
are tender, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. If necessary, add hot water to keep beans
covered throughout the cooking time. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
For dressing, combine garlic, chipotle or chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt,
pepper, vinegar and oil. If using dried beans, pour dressing over hot cooked
beans. If using canned beans, place dressing in a small pan, bring to a boil and
pour hot dressing over rinsed canned beans. Mix gently to coat beans. Add salt,
pepper and more chili powder to taste. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow flavors
to combine.
Pour salsa fresca over beans. Sprinkle with feta. Serve chilled or at room
temperature.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· Feta cheese is a strong flavor and beans have a dense texture, not to mention
the flavorful spices, so you will want to look for a white or red wine which is
bold enough to stand up to all the flavors. For a white, a Cotes du Rhone Blanc,
a not overly fruity or overly oaky Chardonnay or an Albarino from Spain would
all be good choices. For a red, a California Zinfandel, any type of Cotes du
Rhone Red (or Rhone red grape combo from anywhere in the world) or a
not-too-much-of-a-fruitbomb Shiraz from Australia would be good matches.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: In my glass, I have a base of dry white wine (except
for the Rose variety) with the addition of extracts, herbs, spices and other
flavorings. There's also a fortification of grape brandy as part of this wine
and one of the ingredients in the mix is wormwood. What am I drinking?
Answer: Vermouth
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Diane Whitmoyer, Bob Puckett and
Bill Haskitt...come on down and collect your prize!
This Week's Quiz Question: The name of the grape I am drinking translates into
'lime leaf'. What am I drinking?
Hint: While the grape can be (and often is) vinified in a dry manner, it's most
important role is in the making of a famous dessert wine.
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
http://www.thewineseller.com/
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: August 14, 2008
Go Michael Phelps!! Between Phelps' record breaking feats
between medals and race times along with a bit of white knuckling while watching
the Women's Gymnastics finals the other night, it's time to celebrate with a
glass of Patio White, Rosé or a BBQ Red! And with the absolutely stupendous
weather we've been having, roll that telly out to the patio to watch the
athletes!! No matter what your fancy in the wine department, we've got you
covered with loads of choices of interesting wines, reasonably priced. No need
to break the bank when you shop at your local independent wine shop....US!
Bogart has even taken the cookbooks outside to read through them in his search
for a recipe this week. The recipe he found for this issue uses a market veggie
which is at peak right now...tomatoes. We've got quiz winners from last week and
a new query for this week. And we've got a special tasting this Saturday when
Ron Sweatman will be here sampling out some really tasty wines at very
reasonable prices including our two 'special summer reds' listed below - the
Hans Fahden Cabernet and Erhardt Old Vines Merlot. Plus, Ron is bringing with
him a new product which he is carrying from Chile, an Avocado Oil. Did you know
avocado oil is full of the 'good' kind of fat like you find in olive oil? I've
never had avocado oil but I can't wait to try it! So ask the dog to mow the lawn
or do the yard chores and come on by on Saturday afternoon - we'll whet your
whistle with some tasty treats!
New Vino Finds
Lincourt Santa Barbara County Syrah 2005 - Here's a treat in the red wine
category which is just brimming with flavor. The grapes are sourced from both
cool climate vineyards close to the Pacific Ocean as well as from vineyards
farther inland which have warmer days and nights and thus, riper fruit. The
result is a Syrah which is rich, elegant and balanced - perfect for any kind of
meat off the grill, an Italian dish based in tomato sauce or even hearty fish
such as tuna or swordfish. Only 983 cases produced. The taste profile includes
flavors of boysenberry, black raspberry, bacon fat and black pepper. Umm, umm
good! $22.99 per bottle.
Broadbent Vinho Verde NV - What's summertime without a little Vinho Verde from
Portugal?! We've decided this is the best Vinho Verde we've had anytime recently
and it will definitely get your taste buds going! It's crisp, refreshing and
with just a hint of effervescence, it's exactly what the wine doctor ordered for
the weather in August. $11.99 per bottle.
Two Summer Special Reds...Perfect for Steaks and Lamb Chops!
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Ehrhardt 'Old Vine' Merlot Clarksburg 2006 - I'm not usually a big fan of
Merlots as they can tend to show tendencies towards greenness (which is
typically a sign of under ripe fruit), this Merlot is tasty and well priced. The
Clarksburg appellation is located in the Sacramento River Delta - it is rich
farm country. The wine is soft on the palate full of cherries and chocolate. A
delightful find without breaking the piggy bank. $16.79 per bottle.
Patio Whites and BBQ Reds
Cielo Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2007 - A delightful new find in the world
of Pinot Grigio, this easy drinking white offers a lot of quality for the price.
IGT wines from Italy represent wines which are 'typical of the geographic
region' and usually, they pony up a lot of bang for the buck. They are seen as
being of better quality than a table wine but don't have the pedigree of a DOC
or DOCG wine so they don't have the big price tag. A touch of melon and apple, a
delightful Patio White. $8.99 per bottle.
Silene Terre di Chieti IGT Cococciola 2007 - Cococciola is a white grape
indigenous to the region of Abruzzo in south central Italy along the Adriatic
Sea. This is a quintessential summer quaffer. It's light, crisp and refreshing -
perfect by itself or with light snacks such as cheese or fruit. $7.99 per
bottle.
El Paso Jumilla Monastrell 2005 - This tasty red was just screaming for a BBQ to
go to - juicy not jammy, soft tannins on the back end nice layers of red and
blue fruits. It's 85% Monastrell (the Spanish word for Mourvedre) and 15% Syrah
which adds some nice depth on the palate. Arriving Friday and normally priced at
$10.99, specially priced at $8.99.
Silene 'Cococciola' Terre di Chieti IGT 2007 - It's always fun to discover new
regions and new grape varietals. The Terre di Chieti appellation is located in
the Abruzzo region of Southeastern Italy and it is only place where the
Cococciola grape grows. It is definitely the quintessential summer sipper.
Crisp, light, a touch of lemon and very refreshing, it's perfect for the patio,
the beach or the boat. Shrimp cocktail come to mind for a snack! $7.99 per
bottle.
Adras Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2004 - This wine is actually from the
Bierzo region and typically, wines from this area are made with the Mencia
grape. Because the winemaker wanted to blend in some other grapes from the area,
the label can't read Bierzo. It's made with 70% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 10% Mencia (pronounced Men-thee-a) and it evokes more of an Old
World style on the taste profile. It's rustic and hearty, just looking for a
piece of aged beef, some meat ragu or a beef stew. Normally $13.79, on a special
deal at $9.99 per bottle.
Pampano Rueda 2007 - A blend of 80% Macabao and 20% Verdejo grapes, this white
wine just screams Springtime! It's crisp and refreshing and an all around
perfect Patio White. $10.99 per bottle.
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - A perfect BBQ Red at an exceptional price just in
time for all those backyard BBQs! Bonarda is a grape which originated in the
Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. It's a softer grape - typically used for
blending in a Gattinara wine. In Argentina, like Malbec, Bonarda grows quite
well and shows well bottled by itself. This is a juicy, easy drinking red -
perfect for quaffing or enjoying with burgers off the grill or BBQ'd chicken.
Normally priced at $9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no
more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Malbec - This is a Malbec made for an American summer
holiday!! Ripe blueberry fruit alongside creamy vanilla notes from the oak
barrel aging, this wine is just hunting for some BBQ Ribs. Normally priced at
$9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Reserve Torrontes - Torrontes is a prevalently grown white
grape in Argentina and taste profilewise, Viognier seems to be like a cousin.
Torrontes is aromatic and floral with refreshing acidity on the palate. It's a
perfect patio quaffer in the hot weather or would work well with Latin foods.
Normally priced at $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per bottle.
Colombelle Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - A blend of Colombard and Ugni
Blanc, it's back and as fantastic as ever! Crisp, refreshing and just brimming
with citrus fruit and a refreshing mouthfeel, this is an exemplary wine for the
Patio! $8.49 per bottle.
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - Here's an easy drinking, very tasty
Pinot Noir made from grapes across California. It shows light raspberries and
cherries on the palate and makes for an excellent table red. It'll work with
just about anything off the grill! $9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - This wine from the same winery was just as
tasty as the Malbec. A line of red currants definitely runs through the taste
profile and it is a well structured but not overly tannic Cabernet. A value for
$9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - You don't find values like this wine
everyday. The balance in this wine is spot on - the oak is well integrated and
while a round and supple wine, there are lovely notes of dark red and black
fruits. A mouthful of wine for $9.99 per bottle.
Nobilissima Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006 - This is exactly what you want when
you're looking for an everyday Pinot Grigio to sip on or enjoy with a light meal
or salad. Crisp acidity shows on the palate with some light notes of melons and
lemon. $10.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, August 16th with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports
Ron, one of the owners of Graystone Imports, will be back with us as we try some
new vintages of old favorites plus a few new items in their portfolio. Included
in the tasting lineup will be the Hans Fahden Cabernet Sauvignon, the Ehrhardt
'Old Vine' Merlot, the new vintage of In Situ Chardonnay (which is fantastic!)
and the Graystone Pinot Gris from Moldova. In addition, we'll be trying some
Avocado Oil from Chile. Complimentary. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, November 11th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
Back to the grill! While my Mom actually does the grilling, I have a supervisory
role which involves me sitting regally on the chaise lounge in the backyard
while overseeing all the cooking. Call it the 'smell test' for knowing when the
food is ready to come off of the grill! This recipe uses an ingredient which is
in the peak of summertime glory right now - tomatoes. And if you like garlic,
you're really in for a treat. For all of the CSA participants, get your garlic
out of the bag (doesn't Potomac Vegetable Farms have the best garlic?!)! From
the cookbook, Grilling: Where There's Smoke There's Flavor, here's my recipe for
the week:
Slow Roasted Tomato Salad
Serves 4
6 tomatoes, halved
2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt
Black pepper
1 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley
Extra balsamic vinegar and olive oil to drizzle
You can either cook these indoors or out. If you cook the tomatoes outdoors,
don't place them directly over the coals. You want a slow, lower heat cook on
the tomatoes. If you're cooking them indoors, preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Place tomato halves cut side up in an oven tray. Place a garlic slice on top of
each half. Drizzle over honey, vinegar and olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and
pepper. Roast until very soft and lightly charred, about 1 hour (remember - away
from directly over the coals on an outdoor grill!). Sprinkle with parsley and
drizzle vinegar and olive oil on top. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· Grab yourself a glass of white wine - this dish is just screaming for an
Italian white...Erbaluce, Vernaccia, Verdicchio, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, you
name it!
· If you're feeling like red wine - a Barbera from the Piedmont, a Syrah from a
cool climate area (like the Lincourt!) or a Pinot Noir from Oregon would be a
perfect match.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: Name one of the oldest white grape varieties found in
Spain, specifically in the Valdeorras region in eastern Galicia, which is
documented back to Roman times. Hint: the answer is not Albarino which typically
comes from the Rias Baixas D.O.!
Answer: Godello (prounounced go-DAY-o)
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Amy Evans, Lyn Jennings and Brandon
Skall...come on down and collect your prize!
This Week's Quiz Question: In my glass, I have a base of dry white wine (except
for the Rose variety) with the addition of extracts, herbs, spices and other
flavorings. There's also a fortification of grape brandy as part of this wine
and one of the ingredients in the mix is wormwood. What am I drinking?
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: August 7, 2008
Grab a glass, move the telly outside and pull up a chair as
it's time to watch the Olympics! How did it get to be August already?! The
summer is zooming along but there's still plenty of time left to enjoy some
Patio Whites, Rosés and BBQ Reds! Plus, it looks like we are in for some really
fantastic weather over the next several days...and we'll take it! Perhaps a
glass of our new Rosé of the Week on the patio this weekend? Or one of our new
Patio White finds?! Bogart even has an ultra easy recipe on his recipe board
this week - a chilled soup using all the bounty of summer veggies. There were no
quiz winners last week but the Quiz Corner has a new quiz question so put on
your thinking caps! And our next 'big' tasting will be a week from Saturday, on
the 16th, with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports. A cool item we'll be trying
with Ron is an Avocado Oil from Chile and we can't wait to check that out! There
will be some of our new wine finds open this weekend to try so come on by the
store for a sip. We'll see you soon!
New Vino Finds
Cielo Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2007 - A delightful new find in the world
of Pinot Grigio, this easy drinking white offers a lot of quality for the price.
IGT wines from Italy represent wines which are 'typical of the geographic
region' and usually, they pony up a lot of bang for the buck. They are seen as
being of better quality than a table wine but don't have the pedigree of a DOC
or DOCG wine so they don't have the big price tag. A touch of melon and apple, a
delightful Patio White. $8.99 per bottle.
Silene Terre di Chieti IGT Cococciola 2007 - Cococciola is a white grape
indigenous to the region of Abruzzo in south central Italy along the Adriatic
Sea. This is a quintessential summer quaffer. It's light, crisp and refreshing -
perfect by itself or with light snacks such as cheese or fruit. $7.99 per
bottle.
Rosé of the Week
Tres Ojos Calatayud Rose 2007 - Made from a blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo,
this juicy Rose is as tasty as its red wine cousin. The wine shows red berries
on the palate and is a perfect aperitif wine or works well with salad entrees or
fish dishes. $7.99 per bottle.
Two Summer Special Reds...Perfect for Steaks and Lamb Chops!
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Ehrhardt 'Old Vine' Merlot Clarksburg 2006 - I'm not usually a big fan of
Merlots as they can tend to show tendencies towards greenness (which is
typically a sign of under ripe fruit), this Merlot is tasty and well priced. The
Clarksburg appellation is located in the Sacramento River Delta - it is rich
farm country. The wine is soft on the palate full of cherries and chocolate. A
delightful find without breaking the piggy bank. $16.79 per bottle.
Patio Whites and BBQ Reds
El Paso Jumilla Monastrell 2005 - This tasty red was just screaming for a BBQ to
go to - juicy not jammy, soft tannins on the back end nice layers of red and
blue fruits. It's 85% Monastrell (the Spanish word for Mourvedre) and 15% Syrah
which adds some nice depth on the palate. Arriving Friday and normally priced at
$10.99, specially priced at $8.99.
La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rosé 2007 - A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and
Syrah, this dry Rosé is juicy and easy drinking on the palate. An excellent
quaffer or perfect with any kind of salad entrée, chicken dish or seafood dish.
$9.99 per bottle.
Silene 'Cococciola' Terre di Chieti IGT 2007 - It's always fun to discover new
regions and new grape varietals. The Terre di Chieti appellation is located in
the Abruzzo region of Southeastern Italy and it is only place where the
Cococciola grape grows. It is definitely the quintessential summer sipper.
Crisp, light, a touch of lemon and very refreshing, it's perfect for the patio,
the beach or the boat. Shrimp cocktail come to mind for a snack! $7.99 per
bottle.
Adras Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2004 - This wine is actually from the
Bierzo region and typically, wines from this area are made with the Mencia
grape. Because the winemaker wanted to blend in some other grapes from the area,
the label can't read Bierzo. It's made with 70% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 10% Mencia (pronounced Men-thee-a) and it evokes more of an Old
World style on the taste profile. It's rustic and hearty, just looking for a
piece of aged beef, some meat ragu or a beef stew. Normally $13.79, on a special
deal at $9.99 per bottle.
Terras Garnacha Tinto Carinena 2007 - Spain keeps on delivering with flavor and
value so we keep on buying them! Carinena is up in the northeastern part of
Spain and Garnacha is the Spanish name for Grenache, a Rhone varietal. This is
an easy drink and would work with anything off the grill including salmon,
chicken, pork or steak. In addition, it would be perfect with light tapas just
to nosh on while kicking back and enjoying summertime. $8.99 per bottle.
Domaine des Cassagnoles Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - This crisp,
refreshing white wine is a blend of Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Gros Mensang from
the Gascony region in Southwest France. Amazingly for this inexpensive table
white, the grapes are all estate grown. This is a perfect summertime white to
drink alone or have with cheeses, salads or light antipasto. It's quite
reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc. For all of you Colombelle lovers out there,
since the new vintage isn't out yet, this is a great white to give a try. $9.99
per bottle.
Pampano Rueda 2007 - A blend of 80% Macabao and 20% Verdejo grapes, this white
wine just screams Springtime! It's crisp and refreshing and an all around
perfect Patio White. $10.99 per bottle.
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - A perfect BBQ Red at an exceptional price just in
time for all those backyard BBQs! Bonarda is a grape which originated in the
Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. It's a softer grape - typically used for
blending in a Gattinara wine. In Argentina, like Malbec, Bonarda grows quite
well and shows well bottled by itself. This is a juicy, easy drinking red -
perfect for quaffing or enjoying with burgers off the grill or BBQ'd chicken.
Normally priced at $9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no
more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Malbec - This is a Malbec made for an American summer
holiday!! Ripe blueberry fruit alongside creamy vanilla notes from the oak
barrel aging, this wine is just hunting for some BBQ Ribs. Normally priced at
$9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Reserve Torrontes - Torrontes is a prevalently grown white
grape in Argentina and taste profilewise, Viognier seems to be like a cousin.
Torrontes is aromatic and floral with refreshing acidity on the palate. It's a
perfect patio quaffer in the hot weather or would work well with Latin foods.
Normally priced at $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per bottle.
Colombelle Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - A blend of Colombard and Ugni
Blanc, it's back and as fantastic as ever! Crisp, refreshing and just brimming
with citrus fruit and a refreshing mouthfeel, this is an exemplary wine for the
Patio! $8.49 per bottle.
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - Here's an easy drinking, very tasty
Pinot Noir made from grapes across California. It shows light raspberries and
cherries on the palate and makes for an excellent table red. It'll work with
just about anything off the grill! $9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - This wine from the same winery was just as
tasty as the Malbec. A line of red currants definitely runs through the taste
profile and it is a well structured but not overly tannic Cabernet. A value for
$9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - You don't find values like this wine
everyday. The balance in this wine is spot on - the oak is well integrated and
while a round and supple wine, there are lovely notes of dark red and black
fruits. A mouthful of wine for $9.99 per bottle.
Nobilissima Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006 - This is exactly what you want when
you're looking for an everyday Pinot Grigio to sip on or enjoy with a light meal
or salad. Crisp acidity shows on the palate with some light notes of melons and
lemon. $10.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, August 16th with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports
Ron, one of the owners of Graystone Imports, will be back with us as we try some
new vintages of old favorites plus a few new items in their portfolio. Included
in the tasting lineup will be the Hans Fahden Cabernet Sauvignon, the Ehrhardt
'Old Vine' Merlot, the new vintage of In Situ Chardonnay (which is fantastic!)
and the Graystone Pinot Gris from Moldova. In addition, we'll be trying some
Avocado Oil from Chile. Complimentary. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, November 11th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was "I'm seeing
stars!&#xu201D; We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic
bubblies from around the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and
sparkling wines from America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll
see how various foods just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
You should see all the veggies my Mom is getting each week in her CSA bag from
Potomac Vegetable Farm! Amazingly enough, I really like peas as well as
beans...I know, a bit crazy that a Basset Hound would eat such things. Don't get
me wrong though, lamb chops and CHEESE are still at the top of my list but those
fresh veggies are pretty tasty. Here's a recipe which utilizes all of the summer
bounty currently available in your local supermarket or at Farmer's Market. From
the cookbook, Lemon Zest, a summertime soup!
Zesty Summertime Garden Soup
Makes about 7 cups
4 cups buttermilk (not unsalted)
2 cups seeded and chopped ripe tomatoes (about 2 large tomatoes)
2 cups fresh corn kernels (3 to 4 ears)
1 cup finely chopped fresh fennel or seeded English cucumber
18 fresh Basil leaves, finely shredded, plus tiny sprigs fresh basil for garnish
1-1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Stir together the buttermilk, tomatoes, corn, fennel or cucumber, basil, lemon
zest, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 2
hours or until very cold, up to 24 hours.
Serve the soup chilled, garnished with the Basil sprigs, if desired.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· For a white wine to pair, you could go all sorts of places - Italian whites,
Albarino or Godello from Spain or a Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris or Auxerrois from
Alsace or Oregon.
· For a red wine to pair, Pinot Noir or Gamay would be a good choice as would
just about any Spanish Garnacha or Monastrell.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What is the term used in the appellations of Rioja
and Ribera del Duero to describe a young wine with little (less than one year)
or no barrel aging?
Answer: Joven
Sorry, no quiz winners this week.
This Week's Quiz Question: Name one of the oldest white grape varieties found in
Spain, specifically in the Valdeorras region in eastern Galicia, which is
documented back to Roman times. Hint: the answer is not Albarino which typically
comes from the Rias Baixas D.O.!
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
http://www.thewineseller.com/
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: July 31, 2008
I think the Dog Days of Summer have officially arrived! All in
all, we've had a pretty easy summer, at least for around here. And I'll take the
warm weather any day! So, how do you keep hydrated, cool and relaxed during
these dog days? Why, with a refreshing glass of Patio White, Rosé or BBQ Red
from The Wine Seller of course...and we've got plenty to choose from in the
store! We do have a new Rosé of the Week this week along with a tasty new
Spanish red which would be an excellent match for anything off of the BBQ. The
Quiz Corner is back in action with a new quiz question and there was one quiz
winner from last week. Bogart has been leafing through the cookbooks again for a
new recipe to put on his recipe board and we hope if you're in town this weekend
that you'll stop by and taste some of the uber delicious wines Gray Mosby will
have out on the tasting table. No surprise here....there will definitely be some
fantastic Pinot Noirs to try!! If you are thinking of coming to our next Wine
Class next Tuesday, there are still a couple of seats available so sign up soon.
Caprese salads and peaches will be involved for food to pair with some of the
wines. If you're looking for some interesting wines, reasonably priced, to take
with you to the beach or out to your backyard, we look forward to seeing you
soon!!
New Vino Finds
El Paso Jumilla Monastrell 2005 - This tasty red was just screaming for a BBQ to
go to - juicy not jammy, soft tannins on the back end nice layers of red and
blue fruits. It's 85% Monastrell (the Spanish word for Mourvedre) and 15% Syrah
which adds some nice depth on the palate. Arriving Friday and normally priced at
$10.99, specially priced at $8.99.
Rosé of the Week
La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rosé 2007 - A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and
Syrah, this dry Rosé is juicy and easy drinking on the palate. An excellent
quaffer or perfect with any kind of salad entrée, chicken dish or seafood dish.
$9.99 per bottle.
Two Summer Special Reds...Perfect for Steaks and Lamb Chops!
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Ehrhardt 'Old Vine' Merlot Clarksburg 2006 - I'm not usually a big fan of
Merlots as they can tend to show tendencies towards greenness (which is
typically a sign of under ripe fruit), this Merlot is tasty and well priced. The
Clarksburg appellation is located in the Sacramento River Delta - it is rich
farm country. The wine is soft on the palate full of cherries and chocolate. A
delightful find without breaking the piggy bank. $16.79 per bottle.
Patio Whites and BBQ Reds
Silene 'Cococciola' Terre di Chieti IGT 2007 - It's always fun to discover new
regions and new grape varietals. The Terre di Chieti appellation is located in
the Abruzzo region of Southeastern Italy and it is only place where the
Cococciola grape grows. It is definitely the quintessential summer sipper.
Crisp, light, a touch of lemon and very refreshing, it's perfect for the patio,
the beach or the boat. Shrimp cocktail come to mind for a snack! $7.99 per
bottle.
Adras Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2004 - This wine is actually from the
Bierzo region and typically, wines from this area are made with the Mencia
grape. Because the winemaker wanted to blend in some other grapes from the area,
the label can't read Bierzo. It's made with 70% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 10% Mencia (pronounced Men-thee-a) and it evokes more of an Old
World style on the taste profile. It's rustic and hearty, just looking for a
piece of aged beef, some meat ragu or a beef stew. Normally $13.79, on a special
deal at $9.99 per bottle.
Terras Garnacha Tinto Carinena 2007 - Spain keeps on delivering with flavor and
value so we keep on buying them! Carinena is up in the northeastern part of
Spain and Garnacha is the Spanish name for Grenache, a Rhone varietal. This is
an easy drink and would work with anything off the grill including salmon,
chicken, pork or steak. In addition, it would be perfect with light tapas just
to nosh on while kicking back and enjoying summertime. $8.99 per bottle.
Domaine des Cassagnoles Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - This crisp,
refreshing white wine is a blend of Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Gros Mensang from
the Gascony region in Southwest France. Amazingly for this inexpensive table
white, the grapes are all estate grown. This is a perfect summertime white to
drink alone or have with cheeses, salads or light antipasto. It's quite
reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc. For all of you Colombelle lovers out there,
since the new vintage isn't out yet, this is a great white to give a try. $9.99
per bottle.
Pampano Rueda 2007 - A blend of 80% Macabao and 20% Verdejo grapes, this white
wine just screams Springtime! It's crisp and refreshing and an all around
perfect Patio White. $10.99 per bottle.
Atmosphere Vin de Pays du Var Rosé 2007 - This is always one of our favorite
Rosés each summer and it doesn't disappoint. It's a perfect dry Rosé with a
beautiful, pale pink color. It's made with the kitchen sink mix of Rhone
varietal grapes - Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and a little Cabernet Sauvignon
thrown in for good measure. An excellent Pink for chicken or fish off the grill
or entrée salad dishes. Close your eyes and pretend you are in Southern France!
$12.99 per bottle.
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - A perfect BBQ Red at an exceptional price just in
time for all those backyard BBQs! Bonarda is a grape which originated in the
Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. It's a softer grape - typically used for
blending in a Gattinara wine. In Argentina, like Malbec, Bonarda grows quite
well and shows well bottled by itself. This is a juicy, easy drinking red -
perfect for quaffing or enjoying with burgers off the grill or BBQ'd chicken.
Normally priced at $9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no
more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Malbec - This is a Malbec made for an American summer
holiday!! Ripe blueberry fruit alongside creamy vanilla notes from the oak
barrel aging, this wine is just hunting for some BBQ Ribs. Normally priced at
$9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Reserve Torrontes - Torrontes is a prevalently grown white
grape in Argentina and taste profilewise, Viognier seems to be like a cousin.
Torrontes is aromatic and floral with refreshing acidity on the palate. It's a
perfect patio quaffer in the hot weather or would work well with Latin foods.
Normally priced at $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per bottle.
Colombelle Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - A blend of Colombard and Ugni
Blanc, it's back and as fantastic as ever! Crisp, refreshing and just brimming
with citrus fruit and a refreshing mouthfeel, this is an exemplary wine for the
Patio! $8.49 per bottle.
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - Here's an easy drinking, very tasty
Pinot Noir made from grapes across California. It shows light raspberries and
cherries on the palate and makes for an excellent table red. It'll work with
just about anything off the grill! $9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - This wine from the same winery was just as
tasty as the Malbec. A line of red currants definitely runs through the taste
profile and it is a well structured but not overly tannic Cabernet. A value for
$9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - You don't find values like this wine
everyday. The balance in this wine is spot on - the oak is well integrated and
while a round and supple wine, there are lovely notes of dark red and black
fruits. A mouthful of wine for $9.99 per bottle.
Nobilissima Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006 - This is exactly what you want when
you're looking for an everyday Pinot Grigio to sip on or enjoy with a light meal
or salad. Crisp acidity shows on the palate with some light notes of melons and
lemon. $10.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, August 2nd with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs Showing Off Some Nice,
New-to-the-Market Wines!
Join us on Saturday, August 2nd as Gray pours some of the new, cool wines in the
Nice Legs portfolio. Complimentary. 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Some of the wines we'll
be trying are:
Panacea Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Hammer California Red Wine 2005
David Noyes Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2006
Laura Volkman 'Rachel's Vineyard' Pinot Noir 2006 (only 100 cases produced!)
Natalie's Estate 'The Pines' Columbia Valley Merlot 2005
Saturday, August 16th with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports
Ron, one of the owners of Graystone Imports, will be back with us as we try some
new vintages of old favorites plus a few new items in their portfolio. Including
in the tasting lineup will be the Hans Fahden Caberent and the Ehrhardt 'Old
Vine' Merlot. Complimentary. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, August 5th - Summer Bounty
Corn, tomatoes, peaches - these are the hallmark foods of summertime. We'll
taste several wines which work with the bounty from the garden, along with the
bounty itself - and you'll shine like a rock star at your next BBQ. Jason Bise
of The Country Vintner will be back in the house for this class along with
Lucinda. $40 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, September 2nd - Introduction to Wine
Have you been bitten by 'the wine bug' and want to learn more about wine? We'll
take you a Tour de Force around the wine world as we discover grape varietals,
wine growing regions and vinification processes. We'll try the basic grape
varietals and discover stylistically what flavor profile of wines you enjoy
which will in turn, make you a more savvy shopper and diner. $35 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Bogie's Recipe Board
I love chops. Lamb chops, pork chops...anything with a bone in it. My Mom tells
me I look like a totally thief when I make off with a chop in my mouth - which
does happen from time to time. This recipe, from The Flavors of Bon Appetit
2006, looked perfect to cook on the grill. I'm not sure my Mom would let me eat
one of these due to the spices involved but the picture sure does look good!!
Grilled Pork Chops with Chunky Andouille Barbecue Sauce
6 servings
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1-1/2 cups diced andouille sausage (about 7 oz)
1-1/2 cups chopped onion
2 cups tomato sauce
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp dark brown sugar
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
6 one inch thick rib pork chops
Additional chili powder and ground cumin
Spray grill rack with nonstick spray and prepare barbecue (medium heat). Saute
sausage and onion in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat until onion
begins to brown, about 8 minutes. Add tomato sauce, vinegar, sugar, 2 tsps chili
powder and 1 teaspoon cumin. Bring to boil; remove from heat.
Meanwhile, sprinkle chops on both sides with salt then chili powder and cumin.
Grill chops until cooked through but not dry, about 9 minutes per side. Serve
with sauce.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
