W inE-Letter

703.471.9649

Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

ISSUE DATE: June 19, 2008

It's been a pretty spectacular sports week and how appropriate that it jived with Father's Day this past weekend! The Celtics won!! And how 'bout the Tiger and Rocco showdown and sudden death on Monday? Now, that was some game!! Now, if you can just figure out how to jerry-rig the telly outside on the patio, you can pour yourself a glass of Patio White and go flop outside. Life doesn't get any better with the weather we've been having this week! Coming next weekend, we'll have winemaker and owner Mac McDonald of Vision Cellars here to show off his wines. Like a proud Papa, his children are his many Pinot Noirs several of which we'll be sampling that afternoon. In the meantime, we have plenty of value Patio Whites, Rosés and BBQ Reds to keep you in good stead and your thirst quenched. We pride ourselves on finding the jewels and gems in the wide world of wine which offer a lot of complexity and interest in the glass but won't wipe out all the dead presidents in your wallet. I like to call it excellent 'bang for the buck'. We have two seats left for our July 1^st wine class on Mediterranean Wines & Foods and a few seats left for our August 5^th class on Summer Bounty and Wines to Pair with it. Lots of quiz winners from last week's quiz question and we have new quizzer this week. And a week without a Rosé of the Week at The Wine Seller would be like a week without sunshine. No worries mate - one of our favorites from the South of France just shipped into port and this is as classic a Rosé as it gets! Enjoy the sunshine and seasonable weather and we'll look forward to seeing you soon!

New Vino Finds

La Cappuccina Soave 2007 - An old favorite is back and it's mighty tasty in the 2007 vintage. Melons and light peaches abound in the glass. It's a very satisfying glass of vino alone not to mention it's a perfect wine for all the summertime BBQs and trips to Wolf Trap. $9.99 per bottle.

Lancatay Mendoza Malbec 2005 - This is a richer, darker styled Malbec than most at this price point. It's really looking for a piece of beef hot off the grill or a burger with all the toppings. Filled with blue and black fruits and just a hint of smokiness which isn't overdone or overblown. This is a 'big boy' wine. $11.99 per bottle.

Rosé of the Week

Domaine Saint Andre de Figuiere 'Magali' Cotes de Provence Rosé 2007 - This Rose is always one of our favorites year in and year out. It's comprised of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Grenache, 15% Cinsault and 30% Syrah. It's a classically styled dry Rose from the South of France showing off notes of roses and dried fruit. An excellent pairing for a salad with grilled salmon on top or salad nicoise - not to mention by itself watching the sun set. $15.99 per bottle.

Patio Whites and BBQ Reds (and some Pinkies thrown in for good measure...)

Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon NV - Black currants and cassis with a firm roundness on the palate. A kicker of a value red for $7.99 per bottle.

Mar & Tierra Curico Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006 - We are always looking for tasty Patio Whites this time of year and this Sauvignon Blanc from south of the Equator quenched our thirst. Crisp, refreshing acidity with each sip, this is a perfect quaffer or excellent with soft cheeses or light snacks. $9.99 per bottle.

Hammer California Red Wine 2005 - A red blend from Panacea Wine Company in California, this is a tasty BBQ Red....think kabobs! This is an uber tasty red for summertime and the winery is already sold out of it. A blend of 50% Petite Sirah from Sonoma County, 35% Zinfandel from Howell Mountain & Rutherford and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, this red is a party in a glass. Supple on the palate showing lots of warm spices but still retains a nice backbone of minerality for its framework. $15.99 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.

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.

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.

Pares Balta Penedes 'Ros de Pacs' Rosé 2007 - This is a very pleasant Rosé comprised of a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot coming from the northeastern part of Spain near the Coast by Barcelona. Can't you just picture yourself on the beach in Barcelona now with a glass of Rosé in hand?! The wine is dry with a supple, round mouthfeel. Perfect by itself or with light snacks or salads. $11.99 per bottle.

Upcoming Events

The Winemaker & Owner of Vision Cellars will be in the house on Saturday, June 28^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Winemaker Mac McDonald of Vision Cellars will be here to show off his wines which just happen to include several award winning Pinot Noirs. Hey, the Pinot Heads need to stick together, don't they?! Many of Mac's wines are made with fruit sourced from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Mendocino County. He does make a Rose but unfortunately, it is already sold out for the season. So, we'll peddle through many of his Pinots and perhaps a white or two. While Nice Legs distributes Mac's wines, we will schedule another Saturday date with Nice Legs for July when we'll show off many of the new wines they've picked up which are mighty tasty. As always, our tastings are complimentary.

Upcoming Wine Classes

Tuesday, July 1^st - Mediterranean Discovery...there are a couple of seats left!

Tuesday, August 5^th - Summer Bounty

For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.

Bogie's Recipe Board

This recipe is an adaptation hijacked from watching Good Morning America a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I do watch the morning shows. I really can't help it because my Mom is a self-confessed news junkie. One of my favorite chefs was on GMA a week or two ago - Mario Batali. Now, I could hang out with Mario anytime and maybe I'd get some of the really good Italian cured meats! Anyhow, back to the recipe which is perfect for summer. It involves a favorite of everybody's in the summertime, corn.

Roasted Corn on the Cob with Balsamic & Parmesan

Ear of corn

2/3 olive oil mixed with 1/3 balsamic vinegar

Grated Parmesan

Chiffonade slices of fresh basil

Mario grilled his ears of corn on the grill after husking; my Mom usually keeps the corn in the husks. Really depends upon whether you want the grill marks on the corn or not. Mix a ratio of 2/3 olive oil and 1/3 balsamic vinegar together and put in a shallow bowl or plate so you can roll the ear of corn in it. If you'd like, you can add a little sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to the olive oil and balsamic vinegar mix. In another shallow bowl or plate, place the grated Parmesan. After the ear of corn comes off the grill, first roll it in the olive oil & balsamic vinegar mixture. Then, move over to the plate with the grated Parmesan. Top of which slivers of fresh basil and enjoy.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

· Since the corn will most likely be a side dish to something else you're eating, an all purpose white or red is probably in order here. Since you do have some vinegar in the mix, a wine with some good acidity would pair well to stand up to the vinegar. Italian whites or reds would be good matches as would Spanish whites or reds. Another option would be either a white Rhone or red Rhone.

Quiz Corner

Last Week's Quiz Question: True or False: The invention of the potato chip was a mistake. Bonus points if you know in what State it was invented!

Answer: True. From Sante magazine's June, 2008 edition: The potato started out as a mistake 155 years ago. Chef George Crum received a complaint that his French Fries were too thick. In response, he sent out thin, crispy slices of potato. The location of his Saratoga, New York based restaurant meant that his chips fell into the mouths of Vanderbilts, Jay Gould and Henry Hilton. The rest is history!

Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Krista Bush, Nadine Dallitis & Cary Boshamer. Come on and collect your prize! And kudos to the many, many people who submitted correct answers this past week!

This Week's Quiz Question: Why are there often rose bushes planted at the ends of the rows of grapevines?

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, Susan & 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

703.471.9649

Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

ISSUE DATE: June 12, 2008

Wow. I don't know where to start this week. The tomato scare? The Celtics/Lakers matchup? How to bottle BoGAS? (Read on below if you're not familiar with our plan for BoGAS). As far as the tomato scare goes, if you haven't read or heard about in the news yet, check out the FDA's website for the latest list of tomatoes to stay away from when eating out or shopping at the grocery store. One of my reps slyly stated this week that in order to get in his daily tomato allowance, he was going to take up drinking Bloody Marys! Hey, as long as keeps to wine in the evenings!! I'll be glad when they figure this whole tomato thing out because for me, tomatoes are a desert island item - you know, things you couldn't live without on a desert island? My list would be short - tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, wine (please don't make me be specific but Champagne and Pinot Noir would be involved!), reading materials and a Basset. Hey, wait a minute, who put the Basset on the list?! Of course I couldn't be on a desert island without the d-a-w-g. Speaking of Bogart, we're back to thinking about how we can bottle up Bogart's odiferous 'perfume' and use it in lieu of petrol for all of our cars. Something along the line of - 'with every mix/match case of wine bought at The Wine Seller, get a tank of BoGAS free'!!!!! I know there's a millionaire plan in these thoughts somewhere. Not to mention, it's about time Bogart earned his keep. And how 'bout those Celtics? GO CELTICS!!! This Beantown girl is very happy to see the home team in the playoffs and is cheering them on to victory. (Sorry all you Lakers fans!) Lastly, don't forget Dad this Sunday...it's Father's Day and hey, wine makes a great gift. We've got a deal on a Pinot from California which would make a perfect gift along with all sorts of wines from around the globe. Keep cool and we'll see you soon!

A Perfect Pinot for Dad

Hug Cellars 'Cedar Lane Vineyard' Pinot Noir 2006 - Hug is located in the Arroyo Seco appellation in Monterey County, California. Hug Cellars is a very small production winery who specializes in Pinot Noir and also makes some very nice Rhone blends. Most of the wines they make are 45 cases of this, 115 cases of that, etc. so availability of these wines are hard to come by - they definitely aren't available all year. We were fortunate enough to be able to get a small amount more of the Cedar Lane Vineyard Pinot and we are offering it again at a special price. Only 115 cases of this wine were made. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for eleven months, ten percent of which was new oak. The result is what Hug Cellars calls 'one of the most Burgundian-styled wines' in their portfolio. For the money, this is a great Pinot. It has a great, fleshy mouthfeel to it hinting at earth notes but there are also hints of red and purple flowers such as violets and roses along with rich red fruits of raspberries and wild cherries. The wine is seamless and held up for hours as it was tasted throughout the day - some might argue it tasted even better that night! Normally $34.99, a special Father's Day deal at $31.50 net.

New Vino Finds

Rosé of the Week

Casa do Lago Touriga Nacional Rosé 2007 - From Portugal, this pink baby has loads of watermelons and cherries on the palate but retains a dry finish. An excellent summer Rosé! $9.99 per bottle.

Patio Whites and BBQ Reds (and some Pinkies thrown in for good measure...)

Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon NV - Black currants and cassis with a firm roundness on the palate. A kicker of a value red for $7.99 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.

Upcoming Events

Malcolm Riddle of International Cellars is Back on Saturday, June 14^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Make no mistake about it. Malcolm has a cult following! He'll be back in the house on the second Saturday in June pouring some new vintages of old favorites along with some new wine finds. We'll be trying the new vintage of the Nyakas Sauvignon Blanc from Hungary which is always a favorite along with the killer Soltano Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina. This is a killer Cab! We'll also try a new Minervois made with the usual suspects from the Rhone Valley mixed together as well as the Terrazzo, our long time running Pinot Grigio-ish in taste (but made with Trebbiano and Verdicchio) white from Italy. A Barolo will be on the table as well and perhaps, a surprise or two. Come join the fun and taste some wines on Saturday afternoon!

Mr. Nice Legs himself, Al McCosh, will be in the house on Saturday, June 28^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

But as he always states, he won't be showing his legs! Al keeps finding the coolest, neatest wines from the West Coast and it doesn't hurt around here that he is as much of a Pinot lover as the Pinot Queen!! He'll show off some of his latest new wine finds here on the last Saturday in June.

Upcoming Wine Classes

Tuesday, July 1^st - Mediterranean Discovery...there are a couple of seats left!

Tuesday, August 5^th - Summer Bounty

For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.

Bogie's Recipe Board

My Mom had a party a couple of weekends ago and the recipe I'm going to post for this week was a big hit with everybody. She used as a dip for the roasted veggie platter but you could also drizzle it over roasted or grilled veggies if you wanted. And don't be scared of the anchovies - just grind them up and you'll never see them but they add a ton of flavor to the recipe. This recipe comes from Susan Branch's The Summer Book which she wrote while being inspired by being on Martha's Vineyard. There are loads of great recipes and good ideas for entertaining in this book! Of course, the best inspiration for a Basset Hound in one involving supervision while lying down on the couch. It's the best position for getting the 'big picture' of what's going on in the kitchen.

Roasted Veggie Dressing

¼ cup Balsamic Vinegar

2 anchovies, mashed

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 Tbsp Parsley, minced

1 Tbsp fresh Rosemary leaves

½ cup olive oil

Whisk together vinegar, anchovies & Dijon mustard. Add garlic, Parsley & Rosemary. In a thin stream, whisk in the olive oil. Drizzle over veggies. Veggie selections include roasted tomatoes, carrots, rosemary potatoes, onions, portabella mushrooms, summer squash, zucchini, peppers or whatever you like.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

· Anchovies are potent so you need a wine which will stand up to the flavors whether white or red. Italians use anchovies a lot in their recipes (just think of Caesar salad!) so any Italian white wine would work well - Erbaluce, Gavi, Verdicchio or even a Pinot Grigio with some weight or a Pinot Grigio blend. Whites for Northern Italy would be a preference because of their acidity.

· For a red, a Spanish Garnacha or Garnacha/Tempranillo blend would be nice as would a Pinot from New Zealand or Oregon. If you choose to go the Pinot route, try to get an earthier Pinot over a fruit bomb as you've got a lot of earthy flavors on this menu.

Quiz Corner

Last Week's Quiz Question: What is the term used to describe the traditional method of clarifying wine whereby certain substances (such as egg whites or whole milk) are added to the barrel, vat or tank and then gradually settle at the bottom taking with it, suspended particles in the form of sediment and leaving the wine clear?

Answer: Fining

Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Robert Scharrer, Mike Flaherty & Mark Snyder. Come on and collect your prize! And kudos to the many, many people who submitted correct answers this past week!

And a correction to the quiz question from two weeks ago on Estufagem. We did have a correct quiz winner in Jose Ignacio Fernandez. His answer was the Portuguese spelling called Estufado. Clearly, I need to brush up on my Portuguese!

This Week's Quiz Question (and it's a food question this week): True or False: The invention of the potato chip was a mistake. Bonus points if you know in what State it was invented!

That's it for this week! Happy Birthday Elizabeth! And Happy Father's Day to all of our Dads out there in winE-Letter world....relax, pour yourself a glass of vino, head for the hammock and enjoy!!

Regards,

Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Susan & Bogart

This Week's Tastings: Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Malcolm Riddle of International Cellars

304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170

703.471.9649

Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

ISSUE DATE: June 5, 2008

Wow. That was some weather yesterday!! Let's hope we don't see any more weather of that intensity level for the rest of the summer. It sure looks like we are in for some humidity this weekend though so we've got a bunch of Patio Whites, Rosés and BBQ Reds lined up to keep you hydrated and happy including a new Patio White to add to our growing list. We've got a pretty full house for Sunday's wine dinner at Catina d'Italia but there are still a few seats available if you haven't signed up yet. A week in the summertime at The Wine Seller wouldn't be balanced without a Rosé of the Week find which we've got. A huge 'thank you' to Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports who came to help run our Herbs & Wine Class. It was a great class and the food Peter made was outstanding! We're going to have to swindle the tomato tapanade recipe out of Peter before the summer passes!! Malcolm Riddle of International Cellars will be in the house next Saturday, the 14^th, pouring some of the wines in his portfolio which have proved to offer some terrific value. Bogie has a dessert recipe up on this week's recipe board and there's a new quiz question up in the Quiz Corner. Pfew! The season already seems likes it's zipping along so welcome summertime!!

New Vino Finds

Huber 'Hugo' Gruner Veltliner 2007 - Nothing says summertime like a glass of Gruner Veltliner (use your best Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonation to say it properly!!) Gruner Veltliner is to Austrians what Pinot Grigio is to Italians - the perfect patio quaffer and a wine which works with everything. $11.99 per bottle.

Rosé of the Week

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Value Wines for the Patio...and we've got lots of 'em!!

Bodegas Agapito Rico 'Carchelo' Jumilla 2006 - This old vine Monastrell from the Jumilla region in Spain is a perfect BBQ Red. There is just a touch of Syrah in the mix and the style is a lush mouthfeel - perfect for BBQ Chicken or ribs. $11.99 per bottle.

Kanu Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2007 - This kind of white wine is the perfect white to work with all sorts of meals off the grill or all the salads we tend to eat as entrees this time of year. Perfect with fish and chicken, it even has enough weight that is can work with something like flank stead salad. It's 83% Chenin Blanc, 10% Sauvignon Blanc and 7% Viognier and it's a voluptuous mouthfeel when drinking the wine. Supple, round and with loads of melons and pears, this is a great summertime wine. $10.99 per bottle.

Sea Ridge California Zinfandel 2006 - This red definitely shows sweeter, riper red fruits on the palate and isn't overly briary but definitely tastes like Zinfandel. While fruit forward, it's still a dry red and tasty for $5.99 per bottle.

Sea Ridge California Syrah 2006 - This is a very tasty, all around table red. In a blind tasting, I might not necessarily guess it was the Syrah grape but it's a solid glass of red for the price at $5.99 per bottle.

Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon NV - Black currants and cassis with a firm roundness on the palate. A kicker of a value red for $7.99 per bottle.

Upcoming Events

Malcolm Riddle of International Cellars is Back on Saturday, June 14^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Make no mistake about it. Malcolm has a cult following! He'll be back in the house on the second Saturday in June pouring some new vintages of old favorites along with some new wine finds. The tasting menu will be posted next week and it will include some old favorites offering excellent value not to mention some new wines like a delicious Minervois we just discovered.

Mr. Nice Legs himself, Al McCosh, will be in the house on Saturday, June 28^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Upcoming Wine Dinners

Italian Wine Dinner at Cantina d'Italia this Sunday, June 8^th - There are a few seats left!! Commencing at 3:00pm, join the Chef of Cantina d'Italia for a culinary delight of 5 courses. The Italian wines paired with each course are from the portfolio of distributor Bravo Cellars. Cantina d'Italia is a long time old Herndon favorite located at 150 Elden Street just off of the Fairfax County Parkway. There is limited seating and reservations are required. Please call 703-318-7171. Chef Antonio will be creating the menu that day based upon what fresh ingredients are available in the market. Here are the wines which will be served that evening.

Silene Cococciola (Abruzzo)
I Mori Chianti Colli Fiorentini (Tuscany)
Sannino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Bianco (Campania)
Sylla Sebaste Barolo (Piedmont)
Taliano Birbet (Piedmont)

Upcoming Wine Classes

Tuesday, July 1^st - Mediterranean Discovery

Tuesday, August 5^th - Summer Bounty

For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.

Bogie's Recipe Board

Strawberries are in season so I'm picking a dessert recipe this week. Not to mention, the herbs are really popping in the garden. This recipe would be great for an easy, light dessert - especially if you are cooking for a crowd. From the cookbook, Perfect Vinaigrettes:

Red Wine-Thyme Dressing for Strawberries

Serves 4

4 cups strawberries, hulled and halved

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup fresh orange juice

½ tsp freshly minced thyme

1 cup fruity young red wine such as a Beaujolais, Spanish red or Zinfandel

Gently toss the strawberries and sugar together in a medium bowl. In another bowl, combine the orange juice, thyme and wine. Pour the mixture over the strawberries and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve in stemmed glass or clear glass bowls.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

A slightly sweet sparkling wine would truly be an excellent match here - something in the 'Extra Dry' category (which actually means it's a little bit sweeter than a Brut). Prosecco or a California sparkler would be terrific.
A light dessert Moscato would also be a superb match - either white or red.

Quiz Corner

Last Week's Quiz Question: What is the name of the process where a wine is heated (for a minimum of 90 days) and causes maderization of the wine which, in this case, is the desired result?

Answer: Estufagem

Sorry, no quiz winners this week.

This Week's Quiz Question: What is the term used to describe the traditional method of clarifying wine whereby certain substances (such as egg whites or whole milk) are added to the barrel, vat or tank and then gradually settle at the bottom taking with it, suspended particles in the form of sediment and leaving the wine clear?

Send your quiz answers in to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and select up to three winners out of all the correct quiz replies.

That's it for this week!

Regards,

Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Susan & 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

703.471.9649

Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

ISSUE DATE: May 29, 2008

So, has everybody been enjoying an actual season called 'Spring' around here this year?! After growing up in New England (where, I can assure you, we see all the seasons, for better or worse) and living here for twenty years, I think this is the first year we've actually had a real honest-to-goodness Spring! You just can't beat all the fantastic cool, sunny days we've had so far sprinkled appropriately with enough rain to keep everything nice and green. While you're outside enjoying your lush surroundings on the patio or deck, we have already found some fantastic Patio Whites, Rosés and BBQ Reds for you to enjoy this summer. This week, we've got a new find in the Pinot Grigio department along with a deliciously juicy red from Jumilla in Spain. Last week's new vino find, the Domaine des Cassagnoles was a humongous hit! We'll have more of that arriving tomorrow. We've got our Herbs and Wine Class coming up next Tuesday with Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports. We'll be pairing wines with herbs and seeing how herbs dramatically influence dishes when you cook. There are a couple of seats left so please come join us! A week from Sunday on the 8th, there will be an Italian Wine Dinner at Café Antonio's just up the block from us near the intersection of Fairfax County Parkway and Elden Street. Wine dinners are always a great way to try some new wines, discover some great food and wine pairings and meet others who share the passion for good food and wine. The Quiz Corner is back in action this week with a new quiz so put your thinking cap on see if you know the answer! And The Social Basset Hound (aka, Bogart), attended a few backyard BBQs this past holiday weekend and is providing the salad recipe which his mother brought to one of the get togethers. If he had his way, he'd be describing in detail the cheese and charcuterie platter! And don't forget it's Rosé season...we have our Rosé of the Week pick listed below. Enjoy the start of the summer season and we'll look forward to seeing you soon!!

New Vino Finds

Rosé of the Week

Domaine Pierre Guindon Coteaux d'Ancenis Gamay Rosé 2007 - This is old school Rosé with a touch of white pepper some nice wild raspberry fruit. Quite dry on the palate. This would be a perfect match for a salad with salmon or tuna. $12.99 per bottle.

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Value Wines for the Patio

Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon NV - Black currants and cassis with a firm roundness on the palate. A kicker of a value red for $7.99 per bottle.

Upcoming Events

Malcolm Riddle of International Cellars is Back on Saturday, June 14^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Mr. Nice Legs himself, Al McCosh, will be in the house on Saturday, June 28^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Upcoming Wine Dinners

Italian Wine Dinner at Cantina d'Italia on Sunday, June 8^th - Commencing at 3:00pm, join the Chef of Cantina d'Italia for a culinary delight of 5 courses. The Italian wines paired with each course are from the portfolio of distributor Bravo Cellars. Cantina d'Italia is a long time old Herndon favorite located at 150 Elden Street just off of the Fairfax County Parkway. There is limited seating and reservations are required. Please call 703-318-7171. Chef Antonio will be creating the menu that day based upon what fresh ingredients are available in the market. Here are the wines which will be served that evening.

Silene Cococciola (Abruzzo)
I Mori Chianti Colli Fiorentini (Tuscany)
Sannino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Bianco (Campania)
Sylla Sebaste Barolo (Piedmont)
Taliano Birbet (Piedmont)

Upcoming Wine Classes

Tuesday, June 3^rd - Herbs & Wine...there are a couple of seats left

Herbs are one of the most important components in matching foods with wine. We'll see how several of the herbs found in every kitchen (Sage, Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, Oregano) work well with different wines. This will help you in choosing wines to go with meals you prepare at home. $40 per person. 7:00pm.

Tuesday, July 1^st - Mediterranean Discovery

Tuesday, August 5^th - Summer Bounty

For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.

Bogie's Recipe Board

There was a lot of BBQ activity last weekend and I even got to go to some with my Mom. While I was much more interested in the cheese and chorizo platter that was being served as an appetizer at Sunday night's bash, a lot of the humans wanted the recipe of the salad my Mom brought to the party. Why would people be so excited about salad when there is CHEESE in the room?! She said she kind of winged the recipe for the actual components of the salad but the dressing recipe came from a cookbook called Salad Dressings (hey, an original concept!).

Avocado Vinaigrette

Makes 1 cup

2 medium garlic cloves

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1-1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar

2-1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Dash of Worcestershire sauce

1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced into quarters

Dash of cayenne pepper

½ tsp sea salt

¾ cup virgin olive oil

1 tsp lemon zest

Freshly ground black pepper

Put all the ingredients except the olive oil, zest and black pepper into a blender or a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Blend. Add the olive oil in a steady stream until the dressing emulsifies. Transfer to a medium bowl Fold in the zest with a large spoon. Season with pepper. The vinaigrette keeps refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.

For the salad, here were the components used:

Mache (lamb's lettuce)

Fresh corn off the cob (cook as usual and take off the ear w/ a knife)

Fresh slices of avocado

Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Manchego cheese (shredded)

Serano Ham or Prosciutto cut into strips

Diced fresh tomatoes (optional)

Wine Pairing Suggestions

While this is a vinaigrette, it is pretty rich and even somewhat creamy because of the avocado and the emulsified olive oil. For a white, you'll want a wine which is rich enough and not over acidic but still with a backbone of acidity. Albarino would work well here as would a Pinot Blanc or Tocai Fruliano from Northern Italy. Chardonnay could also work nicely as long as it isn't heavy handed on the oak.
For red, something from Spain would fill the bill nicely here - a Tempranillo, a Grenache or even an old vine Monastrell from Jumilla would all work well with this dish.

Wine for Weddings, Graduations and Summer BBQ Parties

It is the time of year where life becomes a string of festivities to celebrate. If you're planning some sort of a get together and would like some assistance in calculating how much wine to buy for an event and/or what wine to buy for an event, come see us.....we can definitely help no matter what the budget or how many people are attending! If you have a menu, bring that in and we can assist in pairing wines to go with your culinary picks. We'll make sure you look like a wine rock star without breaking the budget!!

Quiz Corner

This Week's Quiz Question: What is the name of the process where a wine is heated (for a minimum of 90 days) and causes maderization of the wine which, in this case, is the desired result?

Send your quiz answers in to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and select up to three winners out of all the correct quiz replies.

That's it for this week! Happy Birthday Val!!

Regards,

Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev, Susan & 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

703.471.9649

Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

ISSUE DATE: May 22, 2008

This weekend brings the 'unofficial' kickoff of summertime so you know what means around here....it's Rosé time!! Our first 'Rosé of the Week' kicks off in this newsletter with a pink wine that's just begging to be a guest on your patio this weekend. If you've never ventured into the Pink Pool of Vino, we invite you to try one...you just might like it! After all, there's nothing like a crisp, dry, refreshing Rosé to accompany a salad or cheese platter in the great outdoors. Please don't mistake our 'Rosés of the Week' for any White Zinfandel!!! There's a world of difference in the taste profile. We've got some great new vino finds this week also perfect for the patio including a couple of new wines for our 'Six Bucks and You Won't Upchuck' section...come on in and check them out! A big thanks to Jason Bise for co-piloting our Wine & Cheese Class earlier in the week. It was another full house for this class and we'll try to repeat it again before the year is out. Our next class will be on Wine & Herbs with Peter Gaylor, another of our knowledgeable sales reps who, like Jason, has a chef-ing background which includes working under Yannick Cam at Le Pavillon. We're finalizing the herbs and wine pairings now for the class which will be a week from Tuesday on June 3^rd. Bogie has a recipe for summertime on this week's Recipe Board. He is looking forward to the arrival of Summer because in his world, this means Mom cooks a burger on the grill for him each Sunday night. I know, what a life!! There are quiz winners from last week and for this week, the Quiz Corner is taking a long weekend...but it'll be back in action in the next winE-Letter. We're open all weekend, including Memorial Day, so for our long weekend hours, please scroll on down to the end. Whatever plans you have for the weekend, we hope it'll be fun, festive and raise a glass of wine to toast the Father of American Wine, Robert Mondavi. There wasn't a bigger advocate in America for the enjoyment of fine food, fine wine and fine arts shared among friends and family. Salute!

New Vino Finds

Labbe 'Abymes' Vin de Savoie 2006 - This is a dry white from an unusual area called the Savoie which is down near where the border of France and Switzerland meet. There are some interesting, off-the-beaten path wines from this region and this wine has always been one of our favorites. It's made from the Jacquere grape and the taste profile is similar to a good Sauvignon Blanc from the Touraine or Sancerre appellations in the Loire Valley. An excellent summertime white. $12.79 per bottle.

Rosé of the Week

Roque Martin Cotes de Provence Rosé 2007 - Perhaps there is no better place for a Rosé wine to come from than the Cotes de Provence region. Glass of Rosé on outdoor dining spots abound in this region in the summertime - a perfect accompaniment to a seafood salad or chicken with pesto. This Rosé is always one of our favorites and because of the shape of its bottle, we love referring to it as the 'Mae West' Rosé! It's very dry with crisp, refreshing acidity and notes of watermelon and a hint of white pepper. An excellent Rosé to kick of the Summer! $10.99 per bottle.

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Value Wines for the Patio

Pierre Henri Vin de Pays d'Oc Chardonnay 2006 - This Chardonnay from the South of France could easily become your house Chardonnay for the summer. It shows notes of white fruits such as pear alongside Granny Smith apple. Neither oaky nor buttery, this is just a clean, refreshing glass of Southern French Chardonnay at a value price of $8.99 per bottle.

Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon NV - Black currants and cassis with a firm roundness on the palate. A kicker of a value red for $7.99 per bottle.

Upcoming Events

Malcolm Riddle of International Cellars is Back on Saturday, June 14^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Mr. Nice Legs himself, Al McCosh, will be in the house on Saturday, June 28^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Upcoming Wine Dinners

Upcoming Wine Classes

Tuesday, June 3^rd - Herbs & Wine

Tuesday, July 1^st - Mediterranean Discovery

Tuesday, August 5^th - Summer Bounty

For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.

In the Pantry

We have some fabulous gourmet foods worth discovering. Some of the items we carry include:

Tea Forte Tea Bags
Mayorga Coffee
Gourmet Olive Oils
Balsamic Vinegars and Sherry Vinegars
Martin Pouret Orleans Vinegars
Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses
Special Order Items Available from Galletta's Italian Market (email for details)

Bogie's Recipe Board

I'm going to go with a classic recipe for the holiday weekend this week, BBQ Chicken. This recipe is from Good Times, Good Grilling and I'm ready for my Mom to cook up a bunch of these recipes this summer!! I hope you get to enjoy some grilling time this weekend because I know I'm going to!

All-American Barbecued Chicken Breasts

Serves 4

Sauce

1 cup ketchup

¼ cup molasses

2 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp butter

1-1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp prepared yellow mustard

1 tsp onion powder

¼ tsp freshly milled pepper

¼ tsp chili powder

3 to 4 tbsp bourbon

4 medium to large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded ½ inch thick

½ cup Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp vegetable oil

½ tsp table salt

Combine the ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, butter, 1-1/2 tbsp Worcestershire, mustard, onion powder, pepper and chili powder in a saucepan with ½ cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer and cook for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the bourbon and simmer another couple of minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside about one half of the sauce to serve with the chicken at the table.

Place the chicken in a zippered plastic bag and pour ½ cup of the Worcestershire sauce over it. Add the oil and salt and seal the bag. Toss back and forth to coat the chicken evenly. Let sit for 20 to 30 mins at room temperature.

Fire up the grill bringing the heat to medium. Drain the chicken and discard the marinade. Pat any liquid standing on the surface with a paper towel. Grill the chicken for 10 to 12 mins total. Turn onto each side twice, rotating the breasts a half-turn each time for crosswise grill marks. After each side of the chicken has faced the fire once, begin brushing the sauce over the breasts. The chicken is ready when it is white throughout but still juicy and the surface is a bit chewy and caramelized in spots.

Serve the chicken with the reserved sauce.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

There are strong flavors in the dish including Worcestershire, mustard, chili powder, bourbon and the like. For a white, go with something which will have enough weight and a lot of fruit since this is a sweet dish. A Chenin Blanc would be perfect or a rich, Oregon or Alsatian Pinot Gris would be an excellent match as well.
For red, this dish seems to scream for a Zinfandel or a California Syrah. It definitely needs a red with lots of forward fruit and a little bit of spice won't hurt!

Wine for Weddings, Graduations and Summer BBQ Parties

Quiz Corner

Last Week's Quiz Question: The white grape, Macabeo, grown primarily in Spain, is also known by another name in that country. What is it?

Answer: Viura

Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Judy Burleson, Nadine Dallitis and David Morrill. Come on in and collect your prize!

This Week's Quiz Question: The Quiz Corner is on vacation for the long weekend! See you back here next Thursday.

Send your quiz answers in to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and select up to three winners out of all the correct quiz replies.

Memorial Day Weekend Hours

We will be open for a bit on Memorial Day and here are our hours for the holiday weekend:

Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Sunday: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Monday, Memorial Day: 11:00am to 4:00pm

That's it for this week! Welcome Summertime!!

Regards,

Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev, Susan & 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

703.471.9649

Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

ISSUE DATE: May 15, 2008

I think I'm clairvoyant. I know who's going to win American Idol this year. Or at least I know the winner's first name. It's David! Hmmm, if you buy this premonition, we should probably talk! In the meantime, looking for an ark might not be a bad idea. Now that our drought situation has abated, I'm ready for some sunshiny weather!! Maybe Mother Nature is storing up a really beautiful weekend for Memorial Day weekend which is just around the corner as it's next weekend. Yup, the unofficial start to summertime is almost here! Speaking of summertime, The Round Mound of Hound's nose is still stuck in a cookbook full or grilling recipes and he's got a new recipe this week to go as a side to your grilling item of choice. For all of the Cantina d'Italia fans out there, there will be a wine dinner with Bravo Cellars (a distributor) at the restaurant on Sunday, June 8^th. Details are below. There's a new quiz question this week and a quiz winner from last week. Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company will be in the house of Saturday tasting out some of the superb wines in his portfolio...come on by and meet Harry and try the wines! And there are still a couple of seats left for Tuesday night's Wine & Cheese class so if you've been pondering whether you can come or not, please join us. Stay dry everybody and we look forward to seeing you soon!!

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Value Wines for the Patio

Chateau Chavrignac Bordeaux Blanc 2006 - This organic white Bordeaux is made with 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon grapes. Classically styled for a white Bordeaux, it has flavors of mowed hay and melons with solid acidity and a lengthy finish. Perfect for roasted poultry, salads and delicate fishes. $13.99 per bottle.

Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon NV - Black currants and cassis with a firm roundness on the palate. A kicker of a value red for $7.99 per bottle.

Upcoming Events

'We're Wild About Harry' Wine Tasting with Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company on Saturday, May 17^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Join us on Saturday afternoon in the middle of May when we have Harry Tatian, our rep from Roanoke Valley Wine Company, in the house pouring some of his fine wines for us. Harry represents many fantastic portfolios - Eric Solomon Selections, Louis Dressner's portfolio and Negociants USA to name just a few. Here's what we'll be tasting on Saturday and as always, the tasting is complimentary.

Lois Gruner Veltliner 2007

Montinore Gewurztraminer 2006

Domaine Sorin 'Terra Amata' Cotes du Provence Rose 2007

Coastal Vines Pinot Noir 2007

Sass 'Christi's Cuvee' Pinot Noir 2006

Upcoming Wine Dinners

Upcoming Wine Classes

Tuesday, May 20^th - Wine & Cheese: Build a Better Cheese Platter...there are a couple of seats left!

Everybody loves to put together a cheese platter when they entertain. What cheeses work best together on a cheese platter? And how do you figure out what wines work best with all the different cheeses? We'll show you how to put together a delectable cheese platter and taste some wine options which will make you sing. Cheeses will be from Cowgirl Creamery. $40 per person. 7:00pm.

Tuesday, June 3^rd - Herbs & Wine

Tuesday, July 1^st - Mediterranean Discovery

Tuesday, August 5^th - Summer Bounty

For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.

In the Pantry

We have some fabulous gourmet foods worth discovering. Some of the items we carry include:

Tea Forte Tea Bags
Mayorga Coffee
Gourmet Olive Oils
Balsamic Vinegars and Sherry Vinegars
Martin Pouret Orleans Vinegars
Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses
Special Order Items Available from Galletta's Italian Market (email for details)

Bogie's Recipe Board

I still have my hound nose stuck in the The Black Dog: Summer on the Vineyard cookbook. Between being full of good summertime recipes and the fact that the cookbook is named after my canine brethren, this is a good cookbook. Since my Mom likes salads so much, I decided to do a salad recipe this week. Plus, since she goes to Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings, I know beets are in season. Here's my healthy pick for a recipe this week:

Beet, Orange & Feta Salad

Serves 4

¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

1 sprig fresh Rosemary

8 oz feta cheese cut into ½ inch cubes

3 medium size beets

2 seedless oranges

8 oz mixed salad greens

Chill four salad plates.

Place olive oil, vinegar, the leaves of the Rosemary and feta cubes into a small bowl. Toss together and set aside.

Boil beets covered in water for ½ hour. Drain and cool. Peel and cut into ¼ inch slices.

Peel and segment the oranges removing all the white membranes.

To assemble the salads, take four chilled plates and cover each with tossed mixed greens. Top the greens with beets, orange segments and seasoned feta dressing.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

This salad is just screaming for a Sauvignon Blanc, perhaps from the Loire Valley, or a high acid white from Italy such as a Gavi or Verdicchio. A Greek white, such as one from Santorini, would also be quite delicious.
For a red, a light Rhone would work well and Pinot is another solid choice. This salad would also work extremely well with a Rosé!

Wine for Weddings, Graduations and Summer BBQ Parties

Quiz Corner

Last Week's Quiz Question: What do you call the rim of the wine in a glass?

Answer: Meniscus

Congratulations to this week's quiz winners... John Grimsley. Come on in collect your prize!

This Week's Quiz Question: The white grape, Macabeo, grown primarily in Spain, is also known by another name in that country. What is it?

Send your quiz answers in to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and select up to three winners out of all the correct quiz replies.

That's it for this week!

Regards,

Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev, Susan & Bogart

This Week's Tastings: Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company

304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170

703.471.9649

Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

ISSUE DATE: May 8, 2008

Don't forget guys...it's Mother's Day this Sunday! Today's the day to make sure the reservations are made, the flowers are ordered or come on by and pick up a bottle of wine or bubbly for the Mom in your life...Mom deserves a toast! Has everybody been enjoying us having an actual Spring this year? It's been some fantastic weather we've been enjoying! And that means Bogart has been out lounging on the chaise, supervising lots of grilling in his 'test kitchen'. Hmmm. Isn't that a vision? He does have another grill recipe for his recipe board this week. And we've got a terrific lineup of value wines on the tasting table this Saturday when Jeremy Sutton of Sevier Imports is in the house sampling some of his wares between 12:00 and 4:00pm. And if you are really in the grilling weather mood, check out some of our upcoming wine classes this summer - Herbs & Wine, Mediterranean foods and wines and Summer Bounty. We also have our Wine & Cheese class coming up a week from Tuesday which was a big hit when we did this class last December. There are a few seats left in each class so please consider joining us for a fun evening! We've got quiz winners from last week's quiz (kudos to all the correct quiz answer submitters!) and a new quiz this week to puzzle your brain. And don't forget, it is the time of year for parties so if you're looking for some food & wine pairing assistance and help in figuring out how much wine to buy for an event, come on and tell us all about your party plans. Just give us the number of people attending the event, what kinds of foods will be served and a budget and we'll do the rest!

New Vino Finds

Value Wines for the Patio

Pampano Rueda 2007 - A blend of Macabao and Verdejo grapes, this white wine just screams Springtime! It's crisp and refreshing and an all around perfect Patio White. $10.99 per bottle.

Serenissima Soave 2006 - An excellent springtime white that's at a perfect picnic wine price. A touch of light melon dances on the palate and while the wine is dry and crisp, the acidity isn't overbearing and sharp. It's a mellow white wine for a mellow afternoon. $8.99 per bottle.

Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon NV - Black currants and cassis with a firm roundness on the palate. A kicker of a value red for $7.99 per bottle.

Upcoming Events

Value Wine Tasting with Sevier Wines on Saturday, May 10^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Come Jeremy Sutton of Sevier Wines - the new kid on the block. Sevier's specialty is high quality, excellent value wines with a focus on French wines for the most part. Sevier's portfolio is an excellent example of extremely reasonable prices for good drinks and still having money in the 'ole pocketbook for gas. We'll try a white Burgundy, a Viognier from the countryside, an Alsatian Gewurztraminer, a Cotes du Rhone and a rockin' Soave from Italy.

'We're Wild About Harry' Wine Tasting with Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company on Saturday, May 17^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Upcoming Wine Classes

Tuesday, May 20^th - Wine & Cheese: Build a Better Cheese Platter

Tuesday, June 3^rd - Herbs & Wine

Tuesday, July 1^st - Mediterranean Discovery

Tuesday, August 5^th - Summer Bounty

For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.

In the Pantry

We have some fabulous gourmet foods worth discovering. Some of the items we carry include:

Tea Forte Tea Bags
Mayorga Coffee
Gourmet Olive Oils
Balsamic Vinegars and Sherry Vinegars
Martin Pouret Orleans Vinegars
Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses
Special Order Items Available from Galletta's Italian Market (email for details)

Bogie's Recipe Board

I have an affinity for this particular cookbook called The Black Dog: Summer on the Vineyard. Maybe it's a dog thing. After all, the restaurant and the cookbook are named after a Black Lab and there's a drawing of a Black Lab on the front of the book. In any case, there sure are a lot of tasty recipes in there, particularly for humans and Basset Hounds! This week's recipe pick is for the grill.

Grilled Checken with Cilantro Marinade

Serves 8

1 to 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1 clove of garlic, minced

Zest of one lime

2 to 3 tbsp fresh lime juice

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

4 boned and skinned chicken breasts, about 8 oz each.

Mix together the marinade ingredients in a deep bowl. Add the chicken breasts and turn to coat completely. Cover the bowl and refrigerate. Marinate for about one hour. You can leave the chicken in the marinade longer but because the mixture is very acidic, the chicken will begin to appear poached.

Preheat your grill. Cook the chicken over medium hot coals for about three to five minutes per side. Serve warm, tortillas optional.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

Cilantro is a pronounced flavor so your wine choice will need to be able to stand up to it. There is also some acidity in this marinade so a wine with some acid is in order. An Italian white such as a Verdicchio, Vernaccia or a Gavi would be good choices. Richer styled Sauvignon Blancs from California would also be a good choice.
For a red wine, a red Burgundy or a Pinot Noir from Oregon would be solid choices. Garnacha from Spain would be another good match.

Weddings, Graduations and Summer BBQ Parties

Quiz Corner

Last Week's Quiz Question: There are five tastes your mouth experiences and each hits in different parts of the mouth. Four of the five senses are bitter (tannins), sour (acidity), sweet and salt. What is the name of the fifth sense?

Answer: Umami (essentially, the translation is savory)

Congratulations to this week's quiz winners... Rick Fifield, Carl Sulzbach and Joe Lebo. Come on in collect your prize!

This Week's Quiz Question: What do you call the rim of the wine in a glass?

Send your quiz answers in to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and select up to three winners out of all the correct quiz replies.

That's it for this week! Happy Mother's Day to all of our Moms out there!!

Regards,

Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev, Susan & Bogart

This Week's Tastings: Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Jeremy Sutton of Sevier Imports

304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170

703.471.9649

Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

ISSUE DATE: May 1, 2008

Happy May Day! It's hard to believe it's already May...the calendar certainly is speeding along this year. In our minds, May means Rosé, Patio Whites and BBQ Reds...bring on the outdoor weather!! We're just about ready to kick off our Rosé of the Week for the summertime and if we haven't made you into a Pink Convert yet, we're out to accomplish it this year! We've got some new value priced vino finds this week as well as a bunch of our favorite everyday drinks for the patio. Bogart has a new recipe this week which is destined for al fresco dining. We had lots of correct answers to last week's quiz question so scroll down and see if our Scarf Wearing Prize Picker (the Hound Dog) chose you as one of this week's winners. Plus, we have a new tongue twister quiz this week. There are two wine classes being offered this month so if you've been thinking of coming to one, we hope you'll join us. And since May seems to kick off the season of parties, graduations, weddings and anniversaries, if you're planning a special event and need some wine assistance, give us a call! We'll be happy to guide in the wonderful world of wine.

New Vino Finds

Vins Julien Schaal Alsace Gewurztraminer 2005 - This is a well balanced value Riesling from Alsace. Notes of slate and stone with a hint of floral traits, this is a clean and not overly sweet Riesling. Very pretty indeed. $12.99 per bottle.

Pampano Rueda 2007 - A blend of Macabao and Verdejo grapes, this white wine just screams Springtime! It's crisp and refreshing and an all around perfect Patio White. $10.99 per bottle.

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Value Wines for the Patio

Arabella South Africa Chenin Blanc 2006 - One of three new additions to our 'Six Bucks and You Won't Upchuck' section...the Arabella wines represent taste and value. The Chenin offers a nicely ripe style while still retaining its status as a dry wine. An excellent food white for all sorts of salad, poultry and fish. $5.99 per bottle.

Arabella South Africa Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - More value from South Africa! Just as good as our Chilean Sauvignon Blanc in the 'Six Bucks' section. A little bit of citrus and a little bit of grass. When the leaves start busting out shortly, take this wine to the patio! $5.99 per bottle.

Arabella South Africa Shiraz 2006 - And still more value from South Africa! We popped this bad boy open for last Friday night's tasting and I swear this wine had wings on it since it flew out of here so fast. Ripe black cherries, a little bit of vanilla, a hint of earth and mocha and some spicy tannins make this red a winner. $5.99 per bottle.

Vins Julien Schaal Alsace Gewurztraminer 2005 - Calling all Gewurz lovers! This wine is truly amazing for the money - we don't find true Alsatian wines at such a reasonable price thanks to the dollar/euro exchange rate. Classic, spicy Gewurztraminer fruit with just a touch of exotic spices and rose petal, this would be a perfect accompaniment to any spicy or moderately hot dish, not to mention that Gewurztraminer makes me think Spring! $13.99 per bottle.

Sauvion Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2006 - As one of the best-known Muscadet producers, Sauvion has long been established in the Loire Valley. Jean-Ernest (often referred to as the 'Wizard of the Loire') and Yves Sauvion have carefully put together a range of delicious and diversified wines that have set the tone for much of the Loire Valley. Château du Cléray-Sauvion, located in the heart of the Nantes region, is one of the oldest estates of the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine region and serves as the home to the Sauvion family. It is also one of the few Muscadet-producing Châteaux. Light and easy to drink, this Muscadet is a perfect accompaniment to shellfish or light salads as well as Japanese cuisine. A perfect porch drinking wine and value priced at $7.99 per bottle.

Terre des Lauzeraies Cotes-du-Rhone 2006 - This is one of those reds which is perfect to drink alone or you could have it with just about anything. It's a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Carginan - your classic cast of characters from the Rhone Valley for red grapes. It's a little bit earthy but just a touch with some soft red and blue fruits on the palate and just a hint of spice. $9.99 per bottle.

Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon NV - Black currants and cassis with a firm roundness on the palate. A kicker of a value red for $7.99 per bottle.

Roncier White NV - I think this is what the French mean when the say a 'house white' or a 'house white blend'. I vote it sure is delicious for the money! A blend of Chardonnay, Aligote and a touch of Columbard from the Burgundy region of France, this tasty number is perfect alone or with all sorts of appetizers, salads, seafood or chicken dishes. The bright acidity keeps it sharp but the combination of the grapes keeps the mouthfeel full and round. Excellent value at $8.99 per bottle.

Upcoming Events

Value Wine Tasting with Sevier Wines on Saturday, May 10^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

'We're Wild About Harry' Wine Tasting with Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company on Saturday, May 17^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Join us on Saturday afternoon in the middle of May when we have Harry Tatian, our rep from Roanoke Valley Wine Company, in the house pouring some of his fine wines for us. Harry represents many fantastic portfolios - Eric Solomon Selections, Louis Dressner's portfolio and Negociants USA to name just a few. We're deciding the tasting lineup now and we'll have it published in next week's winE-Letter!

Upcoming Wine Classes

Tuesday, May 6^th - Introduction to Wine Class

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, May 20^th - Wine & Cheese: Build a Better Cheese Platter

Tuesday, June 3^rd - Herbs & Wine

Tuesday, July 1^st - Mediterranean Discovery

Tuesday, August 5^th - Summer Bounty

For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.

In the Pantry

We have some fabulous gourmet foods worth discovering. Some of the items we carry include:

Tea Forte Tea Bags
Mayorga Coffee
Gourmet Olive Oils
Balsamic Vinegars and Sherry Vinegars
Martin Pouret Orleans Vinegars
Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses
Special Order Items Available from Galletta's Italian Market (email for details)

Bogie's Recipe Board

My Mom had a dinner party on Sunday night and as usual, I make out pretty well at these events. One of the main courses was a shrimp and orzo dish. Now, she never lets me has seafood but the guests were raving about it and one of them asked me to write up the recipe in this week's winE-Letter. It's from a woman called the 'Barefoot Contessa' and the recipe is in her Barefoot Contessa at Home cookbook.

Roasted Shrimp & Orzo

Serves 6

Kosher salt

Good olive oil

¾ lb orzo (rice shaped pasta)

½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)

Freshly ground black pepper

2 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined (16 to 18 count)

1 cup minced scallions, white and green parts

1 cup chopped fresh dill

1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled and medium diced

½ cup small-diced red onion

¾ lb good feta cheese, large-diced

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Fill a large pot with water and add 1 tbsp salt and a splash of oil and bring the water to a boil. Add the orzo and simmer for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked al dente. Drain and pour into a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, ½ cup olive oil, 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper. Pour over the hot pasta and stir well.

Meanwhile, place the shrimp on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and spread out on a single layer. Roast for 5 to 6 minutes until shrimp is cooked through. Do not overcook!

Add the shrimp to the orzo and then add the scallions, dill, parsley, cucumber, onion, 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper. Toss well. Add the feta and stir carefully. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend or refrigerate overnight. If refrigerated, taste again for seasoning and bring back to room temperature before serving.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

This dish has some spice to it so a fuller bodied wine is in order. For white, a dry but rich Gewurztraminer from California or Oregon would make a nice pairing as would an Alsatian white such as Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris or Riesling.
For a red wine, try a spicy red Zinfandel or if you wanted a red that's a little bit lighter, a Beaujolais or a Loire Gamay would pair nicely.

Quiz Corner

Last Week's Quiz Question: What is a pupitre?

Answer: A riddling rack (specifically, a two sided rack whose shape resembles the letter A and is used during the making of Champagne and other fermented sparkling wines)

Congratulations to this week's quiz winners... Joe Biggins, Diane Whitmoyer and Robert Mandel. Come on in collect your prize! And congratulations to all the correct quiz answerers - we had a lot of them this week!

This Week's Quiz Question: There are five tastes your mouth experiences and each hits in different parts of the mouth. Four of the five senses are bitter (tannins), sour (acidity), sweet and salt. What is the name of the fifth sense?

Send your quiz answers in to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and select up to three winners out of all the correct quiz replies.

That's it for this week!

Regards,

Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev, Susan & Bogart

This Week's Tastings: Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170

703.471.9649

Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

ISSUE DATE: April 24, 2008

Good Morning Everybody! Somebody we all know and love (with four paws) had a BIG birthday hangover after his party!! A little too overindulgent in treats, I'd say, not to mention getting a very tiny smidgen of birthday cake. A humongous 'thank you' to everyone who came and celebrated the Elder Statesman birthday and Bogie says 'thanks for all the treats and gifts'. Thank goodness birthdays only come once a year!! No quiz winners from last week but we have a new quiz question this week to challenge the wine part of your brain. Bogie mustered up enough energy to leaf through a cookbook to find a recipe...but that was while he was lying on the cool tile of the bathroom floor to make himself feel better after all that hard partying. Why he'd pick a spicy recipe after his weekend, I have no idea! Our annual Spanish wine dinner is coming upon us quickly as Chef Eduardo at Jasmine Café will be cooking up a storm in the kitchen next Thursday night (one week from today). Joining us will be Manuel Otaro-Gudino, winemaker of Agro de Bazan of Spain. Bring your castanets! And our road trip to Fabbioli Cellars is quickly coming up on us a week from Sunday. Make your reservations and join in on the fun, good food and good wine. The May wine classes are beginning to fill up so if you are thinking about coming to either of those, make your reservations sooner rather than later. Last but not least, we've got a list of our favorite Spring wines to drink so we'll see you soon and enjoy the sunshiny day!

Favorite Spring Wines for the Patio

Arbanta Rioja 2007 - An excellent example of a well made Rioja at a reasonable price. Soft and supple on the palate with just a moderate amount of warm spices, this is an engaging red - perfect by itself or with anything off the grill. After all, we're back to grill time! It's fermented in all stainless steel tanks and comes from a biodynamic winery. $13.99 per bottle

Vins Julien Schaal Gewurztraminer 2005 - Calling all Gewurz lovers! This wine is truly amazing for the money - we don't find true Alsatian wines at such a reasonable price thanks to the dollar/euro exchange rate. Classic, spicy Gewurztraminer fruit with just a touch of exotic spices and rose petal, this would be a perfect accompaniment to any spicy or moderately hot dish, not to mention that Gewurztraminer makes me think Spring! $13.99 per bottle.

Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon NV - Black currants and cassis with a firm roundness on the palate. A kicker of a value red for $7.99 per bottle.

Upcoming Events

Field Trip to Fabbioli Cellars in Leesburg on Sunday, May 4^th from 11:30am to 3:30pm

A field trip for adults! Join us as we spend an afternoon in Virginia Wine Country at Fabbioli Cellars in Loudoun County. We'll meet at the store (304 Elden Street in Herndon) and Reston Limo will bus us from the store to the winery and back. Once we arrive at the winery, owner Doug Fabbioli will give us a tour of the facilities, let us 'thief' into a barrel or two, taste through his wines and answer any questions you ever had about winemaking. Then we'll sit down to lunch with Doug and taste three of his wines with our meal which will be catered by Galletta's of Leesburg - mixed gourmet Italian sandwiches, Basil Pesto Pasta Salad and a Mixed Berry Tart. Departure time from The Wine Seller is 11:30am sharp. Return to the store will be at 3:30pm. Price is $70.00 per person inclusive. For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649. Credit Card guarantee is required at the time the reservation is booked. No cancellations after Wednesday, April 30th, 2008.

Value Wine Tasting with Sevier Wines on Saturday, May 10^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Upcoming Wine Dinners

Wines of Spain Wine Dinner with the Winemaker from Agro de Bazan at Jasmine Café on Thursday, May 1^st at 6:30pm

Ole! And Happy May Day!! We are thrilled to have the winemaker from the Agro de Bazan winery, Manuel Otaro-Gudino, as our guest host for the evening to guide us through several of his wines. And Chef Eduardo has screamed up another tantalizing menu for us to enjoy! Agro de Bazan was founded in 1992 in the Val do Salnes area in northwestern Spain. And Manuel was making Albarino before it was a fashionable, international hit in the wine world! Small plates abound as we take our culinary tour for the evening. Here is what Chef Eduardo has on the menu for the evening:

Hola

Novo Bazan Maceracion Carbonica Bobal/Syrah 2006

Primer Plato

Torta de Cebollas, Pimientos junto con

una Ensalada de Berros con Vinagreta de Anchoa

Caramelized Onion & Red Pepper Tart with Watercress & Anchovy Dressing

Agro de Bazan 'Contrapounto' Rias Baixas Albarino 2006

Segundo Plato

Butifarra 'Longaniza' con Berenjena y Tomates al Horno

Homemade Rosemary 'Longaniza' Sausage with Grilled Eggplant & Tomato

Mas de Bazan Rosado 2006

Tercer Plato

Pescado Monje con Pimentón y Arroz al Azafrán

Monkfish with Paprika & Saffron Rice

Mas de Bazan Tempranillo 2004

Quarto Plato

Cochinillo Asado con Naranjas y Cidra

Roasted Suckling Baby Pig with Orange-Cider Sauce

Mas de Bazan Crianza 2004

Postre

Flan del Gran Flanero

Rich Caramel Custard

Moscatel de Alehandra NV

Bring your appetite! Dinner starts at 6:30pm and price is $68 per person plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, please call Jasmine Café at 703-471-9114.

Upcoming Wine Classes

Tuesday, May 6^th - Introduction to Wine Class

Tuesday, May 20^th - Wine & Cheese: Build a Better Cheese Platter

Tuesday, June 3^rd - Herbs & Wine

Tuesday, July 1^st - Mediterranean Discovery

Tuesday, August 5^th - Summer Bounty

In the Pantry

We have some fabulous gourmet foods worth discovering. Some of the items we carry include:

Tea Forte Tea Bags
Mayorga Coffee
Gourmet Olive Oils
Balsamic Vinegars and Sherry Vinegars
Martin Pouret Orleans Vinegars
Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses
Special Order Items Available from Galletta's Italian Market (email for details)

Bogie's Recipe Board

I love cookbooks with pictures. Maybe that's why I enjoy leafing through The Flavors of Bon Appetit 2006 so much. Their pictures make me drool. But they have a picture with just about every recipe! Since the weather has turned so nice and I'm back out on the patio on the lounge chair (yes, you should see me in pictures), I'm voting for a grilling recipe for this week's recipe board. Here's my pick for this week:

Cilantro-Lime Chicken Fajitas with Grilled Onions

Serves 6

1-1/4 cups coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

¾ cup olive oil

5 tbsp fresh lime juice

2-1/2 tsp ground cumin

1-1/4 tsp ancho chile powder

6 skinless boneless chicken breast halves

3 large fresh poblano chiles seeded, cut into ¾ inch wide strips

3 large yellow bell peppers cut into ¾ inch wide strips

2 red onions sliced into ½ inch rounds

12 8 inch flour tortillas

Optional toppings: salsa, guacamole, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions and chopped Serrano chiles

Prepare barbeque (medium heat). Puree first 5 ingredients in food processor. Season marinade with salt and pepper.

Place chicken breast halves in 13x9x2 inch glass baking dish. Pour 1/3 cup marinade over top; turn to coat. Arrange Poblano chiles, bell peppers and onions on large rimmed baking sheet. Pour ½ cup marinade over top; turn to coat. Sprinkle chicken breast and vegetables with salt and pepper. Reserve remaining marinade.

Grill chicken until cooked through, about 7 minutes per side. Grill vegetables until tender, turning frequently, about 15 minutes for onions and 12 minutes for Poblanos and bell peppers. Grill tortillas until charred, about 1 minute per side.

Transfer chicken to work surface; slice crosswise into strips. Fill tortillas with chicken and vegetables; drizzle with reserved marinade. Serve with toppings.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

This dish has some spice to it so a fuller bodied wine is in order. For white, a dry but rich Gewurztraminer from California or Oregon would make a nice pairing as would an Alsatian white such as Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris or Riesling.
For a red wine, try a spicy red Zinfandel or if you wanted a red that's a little bit lighter, a Beaujolais or a Loire Gamay would pair nicely.

Quiz Corner

Last Week's Quiz Question: In France, a wine bottled by the same person or enterprise where the grapes grew would be known by what term?

Answer: Domaine bottled

Sorry, no quiz winners this week.

This Week's Quiz Question: What is a pupitre?

Send your quiz answers in to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and select up to three winners out of all the correct quiz replies.

That's it for this week!

Regards,

Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev, Susan & Bogart

This Week's Tastings: Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170

703.471.9649

Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

http://www.thewineseller.com

ISSUE DATE: April 17, 2008

The Birthday Boy is all pumped up to celebrate his big day this Saturday....he hopes to see you at the wine (and cake!) tasting.　 Of course, he'll be looking for the cake and he'll want it all for himself.　 Not to worry...we'll have plenty of tastes to tantalize your tastebuds!　 Well, it looks like Spring has finally sprung and boy, haven't we had some nice days in the last week?　　　We've got some new wine finds this week to whet your palate on the patio along with some wines worth mentioned twice.　 We've got our 'Wines of Spain' wine dinner at Jasmine Café coming up in two weeks with Chef Eduardo and the winemaker from Agro de Bazan will be our guide for the evening.　 If you'd like to tour and dine with a local winemaker, join our field trip to Fabbioli Cellars in Loudoun County just north of Leesburg on Sunday, May 4^th - details are below.　 Kudos to all the correct quiz winner submittals last week and we've got a new quiz question this week.　 Since Bogart is watching his svelte, manly figure in his older age, he's got a healthy fish recipe on his Recipe Board this week.　 We look forward to seeing you at the Birthday Bash!

New Vino Finds

Arbanta Rioja 2007 - An excellent example of a well made Rioja at a reasonable price.　 Soft and supple on the palate　with just a moderate amount　of warm spices, this is an engaging　red - perfect by itself or with anything off the grill.　 After all, we're back to grill time!　 It's fermented in all stainless steel tanks and　comes from a biodynamic winery.　$13.99 per bottle　

Josef Bauer Gruner Veltliner 2007 - Can you say 'snappy'?!　 This is just what the Wine Doctor ordered for a refreshing white for the patio once the weather has broken in the springtime, not to mention an excellent all-purpose picnic wine.　 Juicy with refreshing acidity, this tasty white quaffer rings it at　$9.99 per bottle　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　&n bsp;　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Our 'Don't Forget' Department...Values Worth Mentioning Twice

Pierre Henri Vin de Pays d'Oc Chardonnay 2006 - This Chardonnay from the South of France could easily become your house Chardonnay for the summer.　 It shows notes of white fruits such as pear alongside Granny Smith apple.　 Neither oaky nor buttery, this is just a clean, refreshing glass of Southern French Chardonnay at a value price of $8.99 per bottle.

Ken Forrester Stellenbosch Petit Chenin 2007 - This easy drinking white from South Africa is as tasty as it's ever been.　 Reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc (but not showing any grapefruit/citrus fruit), this is the all purpose white - perfect for drinking by itself but an excellent accompaniment to salads, poultry and fish.　 $9.99 per bottle

Conquista Mendoza Malbec 2006 - An excellent value Malbec which is juicy but not jammy and super tasty.　 Definitely a winner in the 'two glass' theory...you will want a second glass!　 Loads of blueberries, blackberries and a touch of spice abound in the glass.　 It's a mouthful of wine at a tasty price.　 $9.99 per bottle

Serenissima Soave 2006 - An excellent springtime white that's at a perfect picnic wine price.　 A touch of light melon dances on the palate and while the wine is dry and crisp, the acidity isn't overbearing and sharp.　 It's a mellow white wine for a mellow afternoon.　 $8.99 per bottle.

Arabella South Africa Chenin Blanc 2006 - One of three new additions to our 'Six Bucks and You Won't Upchuck' section...the Arabella wines represent taste and value.　 The Chenin offers a nicely ripe style while still retaining its status as a dry wine.　 An excellent food white for all sorts of salad, poultry and fish.　 $5.99 per bottle.

Arabella South Africa Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - More value from South Africa!　 Just as good as our Chilean Sauvignon Blanc in the 'Six Bucks' section.　 A little bit of citrus and a little bit of grass.　 When the leaves start busting out shortly, take this wine to the patio!　 $5.99 per bottle.

Arabella South Africa Shiraz 2006 - And still more value from South Africa!　 We popped this bad boy open for last Friday night's tasting and I swear this wine had wings on it since it flew out of here so fast.　 Ripe black cherries, a little bit of vanilla, a hint of earth and mocha and some spicy tannins make this red a winner.　 $5.99 per bottle.

Upcoming Tasting Events

'Bogie's Birthday Blowout Bash' Tasting (with cake!) this Saturday, April 19^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Bogart turns 11 (!) on April 19^th and since it's a Saturday, we decided to turn our 'regular' complimentary Saturday tasting into a blowout bash!!　 We'll have Brian Forsgren here from Potomac Selections (some of the coolest, most unusual wines in the market which are just fantastic) along with Bill McKenney of Michael Downey Selections (great Italian wines, always spectacular Kermit Lynch wines and some other goodies from France) and Amy Evans from Dionysos Imports (who will be pouring our house pick for Prosecco, among other things).　 Cake and party hats will be supplied!

With Bill McKenny from Michael Downey Selections

Adami 'Giradino' Prosecco Brut NV

Domaine St Nicolas 'Les Clous' Fiefs Vendeen Brem 2005

Domaine Fontsainte　Corbières Gris de Gris Rose 2007

J-F Merieau 'Le Bois Jacou' Touraine Gamay 2006

Domaine St Nicolas 'Jacques' Fiefs Vendeen Brem Rouge 2005

With Amy Evans from Dionysos Imports

Casabianco Prosecco Brut NV

Carmim Terras d'el Rei Alentejo Vinho Tinto

Arbanta Rioja 2007

Terre des Lauzeraies Cotes-du-Rhone 2006

Burmester 10 Year Old Tawny Port

With Brian Forsgren of Potomac Selection

Mikael Bouges 'La Pente de Chavigny' Sauvignon Blanc Touraine 2006

Domaine la Manarine Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2006

Klemens Weber Pfalz Riesling Halbtrocken 2006

Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol 2004

Wall Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Field Trip to Fabbioli Cellars in Leesburg, Virginia on Sunday, May 4th

A field trip for adults!　 Join us as we spend an afternoon in Virginia Wine Country at Fabbioli Cellars in Loudoun County.　 We'll meet at the store (304 Elden Street in Herndon) and Reston Limo will bus us from the store to the winery and back.　 Once we arrive at the winery, owner Doug Fabbioli will give us a tour of the facilities, let us 'thief' into a barrel or two, taste through his wines　and answer any questions you ever had about winemaking.　　Then we'll sit down to lunch with Doug and taste three of his wines with our meal which will be catered by Galletta's of Leesburg - mixed gourmet Italian sandwiches, Basil Pesto Pasta Salad and a Mixed Berry Tart.　 Departure time from The Wine Seller is 11:30am sharp.　 Return　to the store will be at 3:30pm.　 Price is $70.00 per person inclusive.　 For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649.　　 Credit Card guarantee is required at the time the reservation is booked.　 No cancellations after Wednesday, April 30th, 2008.

Upcoming Wine Dinners

Wines of Spain Wine Dinner at Jasmine Café with Winemaker Manuel Otaro-Gudino

Ole!　 We are happy to have the winemaker from the Agro de Bazan winery, Manuel Otaro-Gudino, as our guest host for the evening to guide us through several of his wines.　 And Chef Eduardo has screamed up another tantalizing menu for us to enjoy!　 Agro de Bazan was founded in 1992 in the Val do Salnes area in northwestern Spain.　 And Manuel was making Albarino before it was a fashionable, international hit in the wine world!　 Small plates abound as we take our culinary tour for the evening.　 Here is what Chef Eduardo has on the menu for the evening:

~　 Hola ~

Novo Bazan Maceracion Carbonica Bobal/Syrah 2006

~　 Primer Plato　 ~

Torta de Cebollas, Pimientos junto con

una Ensalada de Berros con Vinagreta de Anchoa

Caramelized Onion & Red Pepper Tart with Watercress & Anchovy Dressing

Agro de Bazan 'Contrapounto' Rias Baixas Albarino 2006

~　 Segundo Plato　 ~

Butifarra "Longaniza&#xu201D; con Berenjena y Tomates al Horno

Homemade Rosemary 'Longaniza' Sausage with Grilled Eggplant & Tomato

Mas de Bazan Rosado 2006

~　 Tercer Plato　 ~

Pescado Monje con Pimentón y Arroz al Azafrán

Monkfish with Paprika & Saffron Rice

Mas de Bazan Tempranillo 2004

~　 Quarto Plato　 ~

Cochinillo Asado con Naranjas y Cidra

Roasted Suckling Baby Pig with Orange-Cider Sauce

Mas de Bazan Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

~　 Postre　 ~

Flan del Gran Flanero

Rich Caramel Custard

Bring your appetite!　 Dinner starts at 6:30pm and price is $68 per person plus tax and gratuity.　 For reservations, please call Jasmine Café at 703-471-9114.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　&n bsp;　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　&nbs p;　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

IN THE PANTRY

Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses

Don't forget we carry the fantastic cheeses provided through Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses.　 If you haven't tried them yet, you should!　 Customers are getting hooked!!　 Cheeses are located in the beer cooler in the back of the store.

Order Galletta's Italian Food Specialties for Pickup at The Wine Seller

Order some specialty foods for your Easter Dinner from Galletta's!　 Galletta's is a family owned and operated Italian store located in the heart of downtown Leesburg.　 We take orders for Galletta's products and pick them up and bring them to the store for pickup after 11:00am on Saturdays.　 Items available include cheese, charcuterie, pastas, sauces and pantry items.　

For the list of what is available, please email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.　

Ordering Guidelines

All meats and cheeses are available to order in ¼ lb increments

All orders must be placed by 2:00pm on Friday for delivery to the store on Saturday morning

All orders will be available for pickup after 11:00am on Saturday morning

Please email orders to Lucinda@thewineseller.com.　 Written orders lessen the chances for errors!　 Please include your phone # as well - if we do not have your credit card # on file, we will need it before we can place the order with Galletta's.

Once the order is placed, it cannot be cancelled or refunded.

DeBaggio's is Open!!

Our favorite local source for fresh herbs just opened for the season...DeBaggio's.　 If you're not familiar with DeBaggio's, it's a family owned and operated herb growing farm.　 And you'll love the fresh herbs you'll get out of your garden all summer long when the plants come from DeBaggio's!　 Check out their website at:　 http://www.debaggioherbs.com.　

Wine Classes

Our wine classes are a great way to have some fun, meet other people sharing your interest in wine and learn something new about wine.　 Seating is limited and classes have been popular.　 Here are the next upcoming classes:

Tuesday, May 6^th - Introduction to Wine Class

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, May 20^th - Wine & Cheese:　 Build a Better Cheese Platter

Everybody loves to put together a cheese platter when they entertain.　 What cheeses work best together on a cheese platter?　 And how do you figure out what wines work best with all the different cheeses?　 We'll show you how to put together a delectable cheese platter and taste some wine options which will make you sing.　 Cheeses will be from Cowgirl Creamery.　 $40 per person.　 7:00pm.

Tuesday, June 3^rd - Herbs & Wine

Herbs are one of the most important components in matching foods with wine.　 We'll see how several of the herbs found in every kitchen (Sage, Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, Oregano) work well with different wines.　 This will help you in choosing wines to go with meals you prepare at home.　 $40 per person.　 7:00pm.

Tuesday, July 1^st - Mediterranean Discovery:　 Tour the Wine of the Countryside from Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Lebanon

We'll tour the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea - Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Lebanon - and try some of their wines and foods which are enjoyed during the summer months.　 I strongly suspect a Rose might worm its way into our tasting lineup!　 $40 per person.　 7:00pm.

Tuesday, August 5^th - Summer Bounty & Wines to Pair

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.　 $40 per person.　 7:00pm.

If you are interested in signing up for any of our Wine Classes, please email Lucinda@thewineseller.com or call 703-471-9649.

Bogie's Recipe Board

My Mom made this recipe this week and boy was it colorful and it looked fantastic.　 Seemed pretty easy too although she'd argue that everything is easy for me since I don't cook, just supervise.　 Hey, a watchful Basset eye never hurt anyone cooking in the kitchen.　 I've taken up the job title of Official Taste Tester.　 From The Flavors of Bon Appetit 2006, here's a my healthy fish recipe for this week:

Baked Halibut with Orzo, Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes

Serves 2

4 tbps Extra-Virgin olive oil

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 6 to 7 oz halibut fillets

1 cup orzo

1 garlic clove, minced

4 cups (packed) baby spinach

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.　 Whisk 2 tbsp of the oil and the lemon juice in a bowl; season dressing with salt and pepper.　 Place halibut on a rimmed baking sheet; sprinkle with salt and pepper.　 Drizzle with some of the dressing.　 Bake until just opaque in the center, about 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the orzo in a saucepan of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite; drain.　 Add 2 tbsp oil and the garlic to the same saucepan, sauté over medium heat about 1 minute.　 Add drained pasta, spinach and tomatoes and stir to coat.　 Season with salt and pepper if needed.　 Remove from heat.　 Cover, let stand 1 minute (spinach will wilt).　 Divide between two plates.　 Top with halibut and remaining dressing.　

Wine Pairing Suggestions

Firm, white fishies are always a good match for White Burgundies or with Chardonnays from other parts of the world as long as they are not too heavy or too oaky.　 Italian whites would also work well with this kind of dish, particularly with the tomatoes in the mix.　 An Oregon Pinot Gris would also be another possibility.

You can never go wrong with Pinot Noir and fish.　 So, a Red Burgundy, something from Oregon or a Pinot from New Zealand would work well here.　 If you're looking for something different, a softer-styled Malbec from Argentina would be another option as would a Barbera or Dolcetto from the Piedmont area of northern Italy.

Quiz Corner

Welcome to our weekly wine (and sometimes food) quiz!　

Last Week's Quiz Question:　 If I've been to the Potter Valley,　Anderson Valley and McDowell Valley, where am I?

Answer:　　 You're in Mendocino - a wine area north of Sonoma in California that runs along the rugged coastline.　

Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Stephen Justice, Alan Seldin and Jim Harvey..........come on in and collect your prize!

This Week's Quiz Question:　 In France, a wine bottled by the same person or enterprise where the grapes grew would be known by what term?

Send in your answer to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on Monday.　 Bogart will then put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three winners out of the pool of correct answer.

That's it for this week!　 Happy Birthday Susan and Happy Birthday Bogart!!

Regards,

Lucinda, Vaughn, Dan, Nancy, Bev, Susan and Bogart

This Week's Tastings:

Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Bogie's Blow-Out Birthday Bash on Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

　304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA　 20170　 703-471-9649

Monday through Friday:　 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturday:　 10:00am to 6:00pm　　　　Sunday:　 12:00pm to 4:00pm

ISSUE DATE: April 10, 2008

A very big 'thank you' to Jan Brissette, Chef Extraordinaire, who showcased her cooking talents at last week's big Burgundy tasting. And a 'thank you' to Paul Everitt as well for being a great guide of some fantastic wines! It was so much fun (and so tasty), we'll have to do it again in the fall! Well, it looks like we're finally going to see a little sunshine today. It's about time! I think we are all ready and long overdue to see that big ball of fire in the sky. We've got a couple of new wine finds this week and some new values worth mentioning again. Bogie's Birthday Bash is next weekend as is our Italian Wine Dinner with Zeffirelli's next Thursday. If you are contemplating going on the Road Trip to Fabbioli Cellars, don't delay in signing up as we have a limited number of seats on the bus/room at the winery. We look forward to seeing you soon and I think you might just get some patio time in the coming days to kick off the season. It's a perfect time of year to kick open a bottle of wine, go out to the deck or patio and absorb nature's rebirth. Have a great weekend!!

New Vino Finds

Pierre Henri Vin de Pays d'Oc Chardonnay 2006 - This Chardonnay from the South of France could easily become your house Chardonnay for the summer. It shows notes of white fruits such as pear alongside Granny Smith apple. Neither oaky nor buttery, this is just a clean, refreshing glass of Southern French Chardonnay at a value price of $8.99 per bottle.

Ken Forrester Stellenbosch Petit Chenin 2007 - This easy drinking white from South Africa is as tasty as it's ever been. Reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc (but not showing any grapefruit/citrus fruit), this is the all purpose white - perfect for drinking by itself but an excellent accompaniment to salads, poultry and fish. $9.99 per bottle

Conquista Mendoza Malbec 2006 - An excellent value Malbec which is juicy but not jammy and super tasty. Definitely a winner in the 'two glass' theory...you will want a second glass! Loads of blueberries, blackberries and a touch of spice abound in the glass. It's a mouthful of wine at a tasty price. $9.99 per bottle

Our 'Don't Forget' Department...Values Worth Mentioning Twice

Upcoming Tasting Events

'Bogie's Birthday Blowout Bash' Tasting (with cake!) on Saturday, April 19^th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Bogart turns 11 (!) on April 19^th and since it's a Saturday, we decided to turn our 'regular' complimentary Saturday tasting into a blowout bash!! We'll have Brian Forsgren here from Potomac Selections (some of the coolest, most unusual wines in the market which are just fantastic) along with Bill McKenney of Michael Downey Selections (great Italian wines, always spectacular Kermit Lynch wines and some other goodies from France) and Amy Evans from Dionysos Imports (who will be pouring our house pick for Prosecco, among other things). Cake and party hats will be supplied!

Adami 'Giradino' Prosecco Brut NV

Domaine St Nicolas 'Les Clous' Fiefs Vendeen Brem 2005

Domaine Fontsainte Corbières Gris de Gris Rose 2007

J-F Merieau 'Le Bois Jacou' Touraine Gamay 2006

Domaine St Nicolas 'Jacques' Fiefs Vendeen Brem Rouge 2005

Casabianco Prosecco Brut NV

Carmim Terras d'el Rei Alentejo Vinho Tinto

Arbanta Rioja 2007

Terre des Lauzeraies Cotes-du-Rhone 2006

Burmester 10 Year Old Tawny Port

Mikael Bouges 'La Pente de Chavigny' Sauvignon Blanc Touraine 2006

Domaine la Manarine Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2006

Klemens Weber Pfalz Riesling Halbtrocken 2006

Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol 2004

Wall Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Field Trip to Fabbioli Cellars in Leesburg, Virginia on Sunday, May 4th

Upcoming Wine Dinners

Vernal Equinox Wine Dinner at Zeffirelli's in Herndon next Thursday, April 17th

We will be having a wine dinner at Zeffirelli's in Old Town Herndon with John Grimsley of Grappoli Imports. As many of you know, Zeffirelli's is an Italian institution in Herndon. And Grappoli Imports offers some of the best Italian wines in the marketplace. Here's the menu:

Greeter

Gemin Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Vino Spumante Brut NV

First Course

Calamari Fritti with Marinara Sauce

Marco Felluga 'Molamatta' Bianco Collio 2006

Second Course

Beef Carpaccio with Lemon, Truffle Oil & Parmesan Cheese

Bastianich Tocai Friulano Colli Oriental del Friuli 2006

Third Course

Linguini Carbonara

Garofoli 'Colle Ambro' Rosso Piceno 2004

Fourth Course

Lamb Chops with Balsamic Vinegar Sauce

Inama 'Bradisismo' Veneto IGT 2003

Dessert

Tirimisu

Coffee & Tea

Cost is $75 per person plus tax & gratuity. For Reservations, please call Zeffirelli's at 703.318.7000. Zeffirelli's Ristorante is located at 728 Pine Street in Herndon.

Save The Date...Thursday, May 1^st is our Spanish Wine Dinner at Jasmine Café

Mark your calendars for our next Wine Dinner with Chef Eduardo. You know how much Eduardo loves to cook Spanish food and how fantastic the results are!! We've picked the wines and the winemaker will be in here from Spain to guide us through the evening. Eduardo is putting the finishing touches on the menu and in the next week or so, it will be published in the wine-Letter and on our website shortly. For reservations, please call Jasmine Café at 703-471-9114.

IN THE PANTRY

Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses

Cowgirl Creamery originated in Marin County in California and a couple of years ago, the owners opened up a second location in downtown D.C. Simply put, the cheeses are divine and the best to be found anywhere in the area. Cowgirl Creamery makes their own cheeses but also sells artesian cheeses from around the world. We currently have the following cheeses for sale:

Point Reyes Farmstead Blue Cheese Wedges
Old Chatham Sheepherding Company's Hudson Valley Camberbert
Cowgirl Creamery's Mt. Tam (a triple cream)
Cowgirl Creamery's St. Pat (a seasonal cheese for Spring rinsed in nettles - a very mild, light cheese)
Cypress Grove Fog Lights (thick, compact disk of goat cheese wrapped in organic ash)

We are also carrying the fantastic flatbread crackers carried by Cowgirl Creamery in Sea Salt, Sweet Onion & Crème Fraiche and Wild Mushroom.

Order Galletta's Italian Food Specialties for Pickup at The Wine Seller

Order some specialty foods for your Easter Dinner from Galletta's! Galletta's is a family owned and operated Italian store located in the heart of downtown Leesburg. We take orders for Galletta's products and pick them up and bring them to the store for pickup after 11:00am on Saturdays. Items available include cheese, charcuterie, pastas, sauces and pantry items.

For the list of what is available, please email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.

Ordering Guidelines

All meats and cheeses are available to order in ¼ lb increments
All orders must be placed by 2:00pm on Friday for delivery to the store on Saturday morning
All orders will be available for pickup after 11:00am on Saturday morning
Please email orders to Lucinda@thewineseller.com. Written orders lessen the chances for errors! Please include your phone # as well - if we do not have your credit card # on file, we will need it before we can place the order with Galletta's.
Once the order is placed, it cannot be cancelled or refunded.

DeBaggio's is Open!!

Our favorite local source for fresh herbs just opened for the season...DeBaggio's. Got my catalog in the mail at the end of last week. If you're not familiar with DeBaggio's, it's a family owned and operated herb growing farm. And you'll love the fresh herbs you'll get out of your garden all summer long when the plants come from DeBaggio's! Check out their website at: http://www.debaggioherbs.com/.

Wine Classes

Our wine classes are a great way to have some fun, meet other people sharing your interest in wine and learn something new about wine. Seating is limited and classes have been popular. Here are the next upcoming classes:

Tuesday, May 6^th - Introduction to Wine Class

Have you been bitten by "the wine bug&#xu201D; 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, May 20^th - Wine & Cheese: Build a Better Cheese Platter

Tuesday, June 3^rd - Herbs & Wine

Tuesday, July 1^st - Mediterranean Discovery: Tour the Wine of the Countryside from Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Lebanon

Tuesday, August 5^th - Summer Bounty & Wines to Pair

If you are interested in signing up for any of our Wine Classes, please email Lucinda@thewineseller.com or call 703-471-9649.

Bogie's Recipe Board

Jan is my food heroine. She is such a good cook and I love going to visit her and her husband with my Mom. While Pinot Noir is busy being exalted by all of the humans, I find my nose guiding me into the kitchen area and just going into overdrive because the smells are so good. Hmmm, back to the task at hand....coming up with a recipe for this week's newsletter. I think I'm going to go with one which involves CHEESE. I know, what a surprise! From Kathy Casey's Northwest Table cookbook, here's my recipe pick for this week:

Chicken Parmesan Penne Bake with Fresh Herbs & Artichokes

Serves 6 to 8 servings

4 tbsp (1/2 stick) butter

2 tbsp olive oil

1-1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces

1-1/2 tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms (about 10 oz)

2 tbsp minced fresh garlic

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

6 tbsp flour

5 cups milk

1 lb dried penne pasta

1 can (about 14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped

1 tbsp minced fresh thyme

1 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil

1 tbsp thinly sliced fresh chives

2 cups (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup (4 oz) grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9x13 baking pan or dish.

In a large, heavy skillet, melt the butter with the oil over medium-high heat. Saute the chicken, sprinkling with the salt and pepper, for about 3 minutes, until the chicken turns opaque. Add the mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes more or until the mushrooms are limp. Add the garlic and cayenne and stir for about 20 seconds; do not let the garlic brown. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Immediately add the milk, whisking vigorously. Bring to a simmer and cook, whisking occasionally, for about 6 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened. Remove from the heat and set aside and let cool slightly.

Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to the package directions or until just al dente. Drain well.

In a very large bowl, mix the pasta and sauce. Fold in the artichokes, herbs, mozzarella and ¾ cup of the Parmesan until well combined. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the pasta is heating through, the sides are slightly bubbling and the top in golden brown.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

This dish has butter and milk in it so with that creamy sauce, you're going to need a wine with a creamier texture instead of a sharper, more acidic texture. Think Chardonnay, but nothing too oaky, a French white Burgundy would be nice. Also, several Italian Whites would work well such as a Vernaccia, Gavi or Erbaluce.
For a red, something supple and mild would work well. An Italian table red would match the dish nicely, such as something from the Piedmont or Tuscany. A Malbec from Argentina would be another option for a red.

Quiz Corner

Welcome to our weekly wine (and sometimes food) quiz!

Last Week's Quiz Question: What is a 'toji'?

Answer: A Sake Brewmaster

Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Tiffany Gates, Bill Haskitt & Jim Harvey..........come on in and collect your prize!

This Week's Quiz Question: If I've been to the Potter Valley, Anderson Valley and McDowell Valley, where am I?

Send in your answer to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on Monday. Bogart will then put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three winners out of the pool of correct answer.

That's it for this week!

Regards,

Lucinda, Vaughn, Dan, Nancy, Bev, Susan and 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 703-471-9649

Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am to 6:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

http://www.thewineseller.com

ISSUE DATE: April 3, 2008

No newsletter issued for this date.