ISSUE DATE: December 25, 2008
So, the let's blame the Basset. He woke me up late this
morning! MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!!
Upcoming Events...
Saturday Afternoon, 12/27 Complimentary Tasting from 12:00pm to 4:00pm - Cameron
Cate, of JAO Imports, who distributes wonderful Burgundies to some of the very
best restaurants in the DC area, will be here pouring a Champagne, two white
Burgundies and two red Burgundies. Pull up a chair and enjoy!!
Tuesday Afternoon, 12/30 Complimentary Tasting from 12:00pm to 5:00pm - Peter
Gaylor (aka 'Mr. Champagne') will be here pouring some fantastic bubblies for
the holidays including value sparklers from France as well as the Real McCoy.
Wednesday, 12/31 Complimentary Tasting from 11:00am to 3:00pm - A Double
Hitter!!! Jim Futrell of Republic National Distributing will be here pouring all
sorts of bubbly (including a bottle of Dom Perignon until we run out...) as well
as Doug Fabbioli, owner and winemaker of Fabbioli Cellars, a local owned and
operated winery in Loudoun County. Doug will be pouring his uber, uber fabulous
Raspberry Merlot (which, Chef Bogart, will be serving for the dessert course on
New Year's Eve for a dinner party!). Yum. Keep your chair at the table from
Saturday!!
Champagne Special
You know us....we love Champagne (and all bubbles for that matter)!! We've got a
spectacular Champagne special on for the holidays from a tried and true
producer, Heidsieck & Co. It's the Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Champagne Brut NV
- a classically styled Champagne that doesn't get any more 'old school' or text
book than this example. Beautiful floral notes on the nose with a touch of toast
and pear on the palate finishing with a hint of biscuit of the finish. Normally
$44.99 per bottle, specially priced for the holidays at $39.99 per bottle.
Dessert Wine Feature
Our feature pick for a dessert wine is one of the best we've ever had and even
better, it's locally made! If you haven't tried Fabbioli Cellars Raspberry
Merlot, it's a must try for the holidays...it really is delicious. The winery
was recently sold out of it but they just made more this week in time for
Thanksgiving! The raspberry fruit is grown on the property of the winery and
blended with Merlot to make for heck of a dance party going on in your mouth! If
you think you don't like dessert wine, we encourage you to try this one because
we think it'll change your mind. And if you enjoy dessert wines, you're going to
absolutely fall in love with this one. $23.99 per bottle.
Chocolates Galore
Chocolates are back in stock from our friends at Chocolaterie Wanders just in
time for the holidays! We've got 4 pk and 12 pk gift boxes of mixed chocolates
along with chocolate covered almonds and dried pears and dried apricots dipped
in fresh chocolate. These make for perfect hostess gifts as well as stocking
stuffers!
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, January13th - Bordeaux Basics SOLD OUT!
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert
Bordeaux(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as
he has one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington,D.C. area. $50 per
person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, February 3rd - Burgundy Unveiled
Paul Everitt of JAO Imports will be here to unravel the mysteries of Burgundy.
We'll tour the area and learn about the nuances of the different appellations
along the importance of the geography as well as the geology. In addition, we'll
taste several white and red Burgundies and JAO Imports distributes some of the
very best Burgundies in the Washington, D.C. area, and most of their wines are
sold at the most revered restaurants in the area. $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, March 3rd - Piedmont Wines
Bill McKenney of Michael Downey Selections will be back to share his wealth of
knowledge of Italy and in particular, of the Piedmont. Gavi, Barbera, Dolcetto,
Nebbiolo...all the usual suspects will be present and accompanying nibbles of
food to see how they eat and drink in Northwestern Italy! $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Don't forget...Gift Certificates are available for Wine Classes and they make a
great gift!!
Bogie's Recipe Board
I'm keeping it simple today. Not much of a day for cooking....I spent all day in
the kitchen yesterday well, er, supervising. Remember...lots of things aren't
good for my canine friends this time of year - poinsettias, raisons, grapes,
holly berries...so keep all these holiday goodies out of doggie reach.
ARRROOOOOO!!!!! Merry Christmas everyone!
Galletta's Italian Gourmet Food - Perfect for your Holiday Menu!
A reminder to all of our winE-Letter readers that we offer Galletta's products
for sale and pickup at the store. Galletta's is family owned Italian gourmet
shop located in Leesburg and they make homemade pasta daily, have some of the
best charcuterie and cheeses in the area (including unbelievable Parmesan!) and
other gourmet items. Many of the Italian gourmet items come from the Italian
market in Philadelphia as Mark Galletta goes up there every other week. For a
list of available products, please check out at http://www.thewineseller.com/inthepantry.htm.
Please Note: Prices may vary and we will be updating the pricing from Galletta's
and accordingly, updating our website. Prices are based upon market rates.
Pickup: If you are interested in ordering any items from Galeltta's, pickup will
be available after 11:00am on Wednesday, December 31st. Orders for Galletta's
pickup must be submitted by Tuesday, 12/30, by 3:00pm. Please submit your order
via email and include your phone #. If we do not have your credit card info on
file, we will contact you for that information to confirm the order.
Holiday Hours
Week of 12/26 - 1/4
Friday, 12/26: 12:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday, 12/27: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday, 12/28: 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Monday, 12/29 and Tuesday, 12/30: 10am to 8pm
Wednesday, 12/31: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Thursday, 1/1: CLOSED
Friday, 1/2: 12:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday, 1/3: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday, 1/4: 12:00pm to 5:00pm
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings Featuring More Holiday Wines!!!!
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Cameron Cate of JAO Imports
Tuesday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm with Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports
Wednesday from 11:00am to 3:00pm with Jim Futrell of Republic National
Distributing & Doug Fabbioli of Fabbioli Cellars
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
back to top
ISSUE DATE: December 18, 2008
The final push is on! Christmas is a week away and the next
time you get a winE-Letter in your inbox, the days will already be getting
longer!! Not that balmy days will necessarily be ahead in the near future as the
winter solstice arrives but we can at least make your holiday shopping more
enjoyable while you finish up those remaining gifts on your gift list or perhaps
are planning your upcoming holiday meals. We’ve got tastings galore over the
next several days including our 7th Annual Tasting of ‘Wines You Give as Gifts
But Wish You’d Get as a Gift’ with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner happening
this evening. The tastings continue on Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and
most of the day next Tuesday so come on by and relax just a bit and check out
our wine related gift items as well as our wine selections. Don’t forget if you
want to order items from Galletta’s, please email your order by Monday, December
22nd. And for any last minute gift basketers out there, orders need to be in by
this Sunday, December 21st. Whether you’re looking for assistance in picking out
a gift wine or looking for the perfect bottle of wine to go with your holiday
meal, we’re here to help and happy to do so!
Upcoming Events...
TONIGHT!! 7th Annual ‘Wines You Give as a Gift But Wish You’d Get as a Gift’
Wine Tasting from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Another favorite tasting of the holiday season, come on by and see what Jason
Bise of The Country Vintner has lined up on the tasting table for us tonight! A
German Riesling from one of the top vineyard sites, a biodynamic Napa Valley
Chardonnay, a California Pinot and a Mount Veeder Cabernet from the same
winemaker and an outstanding red Bordeaux will all be available to try this
evening. We always enjoy this tasting just as much as you do!
Friday Night, 12/19 Complimentary Tasting from 4:00pm to 7:00pm – Ron Sweatman
of Graystone Imports will be here pouring some new bubblies from Italy along
with two long standing favorite reds from California that won’t break the
budget.
Saturday Afternoon, 12/20 Complimentary Tasting from 12:00pm to 4:00pm – Brian
Forsgren of Potomac Selections will be pouring some holiday selections to try
while you contemplate how to finish all of your holiday shopping.
Tuesday Afternoon, 12/23 Complimentary Tasting from 11:00am to 4:00pm – Amy
Evans of Dionysos Imports will be here pouring a sparkling apple cider and a
sparkling pear cider from France along with some other favorite holiday gems.
The pear cider is just out of this world delicious!
Saturday Afternoon, 12/27 Complimentary Tasting from 12:00am to 4:00pm – What to
do with a houseful of guests who have been here for a few days? Come on by and
try some fantastic Champagne and Burgundies from one of the best suppliers in
the state! Cameron Cate of JAO Imports will be here pouring a Champagne, two
white Burgundies and two red Burgundies…we’re sure one will grab you for your
New Year’s Eve meal!
Party Wines
Having a holiday party and trying to stick to budget but want some tasty vino?
The Wine Seller is your answer. Our bins and stacks are FULL of excellent
selections for parties starting at $5.99. Wine served at parties don’t have to
be the usual suspects found at the bix box stores or grocery stores…we have all
sorts of interesting wines, reasonably priced, which will peak the curiosity and
taste buds of your guests. Just bring in your menu and your budget requirements
and we’ll make your holiday wine shopping a snap. We promise to hook you up with
crowd pleasing wines which will impress your guests!!
Champagne Special
You know us….we love Champagne (and all bubbles for that matter)!! We’ve got a
spectacular Champagne special on for the holidays from a tried and true
producer, Heidsieck & Co. It’s the Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Champagne Brut NV
– a classically styled Champagne that doesn’t get any more ‘old school’ or text
book than this example. Beautiful floral notes on the nose with a touch of toast
and pear on the palate finishing with a hint of biscuit of the finish. Normally
$44.99 per bottle, specially priced for the holidays at $39.99 per bottle.
Dessert Wine Feature
Our feature pick for a dessert wine is one of the best we’ve ever had and even
better, it’s locally made! If you haven’t tried Fabbioli Cellars Raspberry
Merlot, it’s a must try for the holidays…it really is delicious. The winery was
recently sold out of it but they just made more this week in time for
Thanksgiving! The raspberry fruit is grown on the property of the winery and
blended with Merlot to make for heck of a dance party going on in your mouth! If
you think you don’t like dessert wine, we encourage you to try this one because
we think it’ll change your mind. And if you enjoy dessert wines, you’re going to
absolutely fall in love with this one. $23.99 per bottle.
Chocolates Galore
Chocolates are back in stock from our friends at Chocolaterie Wanders just in
time for the holidays! We’ve got 4 pk and 12 pk gift boxes of mixed chocolates
along with chocolate covered almonds and dried pears and dried apricots dipped
in fresh chocolate. These make for perfect hostess gifts as well as stocking
stuffers!
Gifts Galore
We all have sorts of gift goodies as well! A fresh supply (as well as some new
titles) of The Box Girls gift box set of questions just arrived and did some
very savvy wine t-shirts. Wine Away, wine openers, drip rings, coasters,
decanters, glassware…you name it, we’ve got all sorts of paraphernalia related
to wine available for sale in the store!
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, January13th – Bordeaux Basics SOLD OUT!
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert
Bordeaux(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as
he has one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington,D.C. area. $50 per
person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, February 3rd – Burgundy Unveiled
Paul Everitt of JAO Imports will be here to unravel the mysteries of Burgundy.
We’ll tour the area and learn about the nuances of the different appellations
along the importance of the geography as well as the geology. In addition, we’ll
taste several white and red Burgundies and JAO Imports distributes some of the
very best Burgundies in the Washington, D.C. area, and most of their wines are
sold at the most revered restaurants in the area. $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, March 3rd – Piedmont Wines
Bill McKenney of Michael Downey Selections will be back to share his wealth of
knowledge of Italy and in particular, of the Piedmont. Gavi, Barbera, Dolcetto,
Nebbiolo…all the usual suspects will be present and accompanying nibbles of food
to see how they eat and drink in Northwestern Italy! $45 per person. 7:00pm.
* Don’t forget…Gift Certificates are available for Wine Classes and they make a
great gift!!
Bogie's Recipe Board
Instead of a recipe this week, I'm going to show off my dancing skills. Plus, I
figure people could really use some humor. Ssshhhhhhh, don't tell anyone
(including my Mom) but I'm auditioning for the next run of 'Dancing With The
Stars'. After all, I am a star in my own mind...or so my Mom likes to remind me
(frequently). Seriously, I think I am a fantastic dancer and I certainly would
win all the popular votes!
In any case, enjoy my dance moves (and silly outfit) and have a Merry
Christmas!!
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/tMjZ8Olxl1h0ToAc
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What is autolysis?
Answer: A decomposition of dead yeast cells which occurs when wine sits on the
lees. For sparkling wines made via the methode champenoise, yeast cells combine
with a mixture of sugar and wine (the dosage) which are added to create a
secondary fermentation in the bottle. As the sparkling wine is aged on the dead
yeast cells, it gathers more complexity and richness.
Congratulations to this week's winner Cindy Stewart! Also, the scribe made an
error in last week's newsletter as Bill Haskitt submitted a correct answer!
This Week’s Quiz Question: On vacation for the holiday break. See you in the New
Year!!
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prizepicking' scarf and pick up to three winners
out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Basset Hounds consider
bribery perfectly legit!
Case Discounts
Mix or match a case (12 bottles or more) and take 10% off any day of the week.
Mix or match 3 cases (36 bottles or more) and take 15% off any day of the week.
Call Ahead
In a hurry? Or planning to come by later in the week? Just call ahead
(703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and give us your order
and payment information and we'll take care of the rest. Your wine will be
waiting for you when you pull into the parking lot!
Wine Delivery
As a reminder, particularly with the holidays coming up, we deliver wine!
Whether you are giving a gift of wine and need it delivered or wish to purchase
wine via phone or email and have us bring it to you, we deliver! All wine
deliveries must be signed for by an adult who is age 21 or older and a picture
ID such as a license or passport must be provided to verify age. Business
addresses are preferable to home addresses.
Galletta’s Italian Gourmet Food – Perfect for your Holiday Menu!
A reminder to all of our winE-Letter readers that we offer Galletta’s products
for sale and pickup at the store. Galletta’s is family owned Italian gourmet
shop located in Leesburg and they make homemade pasta daily, have some of the
best charcuterie and cheeses in the area (including unbelievable Parmesan!) and
other gourmet items. Many of the Italian gourmet items come from the Italian
market in Philadelphia as Mark Galletta goes up there every other week. For a
list of available products, please check out at http://www.thewineseller.com/inthepantry.htm.
Please Note: Prices may vary and we will be updating the pricing from Galletta’s
and accordingly, updating our website. Prices are based upon market rates.
Pickup: If you are interested in ordering any items from Galeltta’s, pickup will
be available after 11:00am on each Saturday except for the week of Christmas and
New Year’s when pickup will be on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. All items
will be picked up fresh that morning at Galletta’s and delivered to The Wine
Seller. Pickup is available at The Wine Seller after 11:00am each Saturday as
well as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Orders for Galletta’s pickup must be
submitted by Thursday each week by 7:00pm. For Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
pickup, orders must be submitted by Monday of each week by 12:00pm. Please
submit your order via email and include your phone #. If we do not have your
credit card info on file, we will contact you for that information to confirm
the order.
Holiday Gift Baskets
We make custom gift baskets to order! Just call ahead with the amount you’d like
to spend along with any preferences on how many whites and/or how many reds and
we’ll do the rest. Gift Baskets start at $50 and orders need to be made 48 hours
in advance of desired pickup. Order cutoff is Saturday, December 20th. Email
(Lucinda@thewineseller.com) or call at 703-471-9649.
Private Wine Tastings & Personal Sommelier Services
Looking for a different idea for a party or something a little more low key but
still fun? How about a wine tasting party with your own personal wine guide? We
do private wine tastings all the time, both in-home as well as for corporations,
and would be happy to help you plan your event.
Or perhaps you have a special dinner planned for the holidays or would like to
plan a dinner party for next year? Maybe a gift of a personal sommelier for the
evening for a wine and food event? We can do that too!
For more information, please email or call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or
Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates make the perfect hostess gift or holiday gift and we’ve got
them! Gift certificates are available in any denomination and are valid for six
months from the date of purchase. And if you need a gift certificate mailed to
the recipient, we’re happy to put it in the mail for you!
Holiday Hours
Week of 12/15
Monday, 12/15 thru Friday, 12/19: 10am to 8pm
Saturday, 12/20: 10am to 6pm
Sunday, 12/21: 12pm to 5pm
Week of 12/22
Monday, 12/22 and Tuesday, 12/23: 10am to 8pm
Wednesday, 12/24: 10am to 3pm
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings Featuring More Holiday Wines!!!!
Thursday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner – 7th
Annual Gift Wines Tasting
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Brian Forsgren of Potomac Selections
Tuesday from 11:00am to 4:00pm with Amy Evans of Dionysos Imports
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
back to top
ISSUE DATE: December 11, 2008
We've got so many wine tastings coming up for the rest of the
month they'll really give your palate a workout! Starting with our 7th Annual
'All That Sparkles' Bubbly Tasting with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. Cava,
Prosecco, sparkling wine from France and two Grower Champagnes will all be on
the tasting table this evening. Come on by and forget that it's raining (again)
today! Did we all move to Seattle and no one told us?!? John Grimsley of
Billington Imports will be here tomorrow evening for a tasting lineup spanning
the globe and on Saturday, Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company will be
pouring a killer Pinot and a couple more Grower Champagnes. You will find my
chair pulled up to that table between the hours of 12 and 4! Gift Shopping?
Besides wine, we have gift certificates (for wine, wine classes or wine
tastings), all sorts of wine related gift items, gift baskets (custom ordered),
gourmet foods and all sorts of cool gifts. Forget the mall - parking couldn't be
easier at The Wine Seller and we'll help you get all of your gift shopping done
in no time! Bring your shopping lists, bring your holiday menus, bring your
taste buds for taste testing...we look forward to seeing you soon!!
Upcoming Events...
TONIGHT!! 7th Annual 'All That Sparkles' Wine Tasting on Thursday, December 11th
from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
This is always one of our most popular holiday tastings. After all, how can one
resist bubbles? Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will be here to pour several
different bubblies from around the globe including Champagne, California
sparkling, Cava and more. We are positive there will be something on the table
you'll want to drink for New Year's Eve! Come on by and try...it's the best way
to find what you like before committing to buying!
Friday Night, 12/12 Complimentary Tasting from 4:00pm to 7:00pm - John Grimsley
of Billington Imports will be here showing off some of the best German wines
imported into the U.S. as well as some tasty finds from South of the Border -
not to mention an excellent value Chardonnay from the West Coast. 4:00pm
to7:00pm.
Saturday Afternoon, 12/13 Complimentary Tasting from 12:00pm to 4:00pm - 'We're
Just Wild About Harry' Holiday Wine Tasting with Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley
Wine Company. Since Harry represents many of the excellent Oregon Pinot
Producers available in Virginia, one of our favorites, the fantastically
outstanding Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir, will make its way onto the tasting table.
In addition, we'll have two grower Champagnes to try which represent terrific
value. And come see the wine named after Harry! 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Wednesday Evening, 12/17 Complimentary Tasting from 4:00pm to 7:00pm - Jim
Futrell of Republic National Distributing will be pouring some gift selections
from his portfolio including an Oregon Pinot Gris which is a beauty, a Spanish
red which offers a lot of taste for the price, a hallmark Cabernet from
California and a couple of other gems.
Thursday Evening, 12/18 from 4pm to 7pm - 7thAnnual 'Wines You Give As Gifts But
Wish You'd Get As A Gift' Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner.
As always, we'll be opening wines which we normally don't get to open and which
will be a treat to try. A tasting not to be missed! 4:00pm to7:00pm.
Holiday Food & Wine Event at Fiore di Luna on Saturday, 12/13
We'll be helping to celebrate the holidays next Saturday, December 13th, from
5:00pm to 7:00pm at Fiore di Luna in Great Falls. Come join us for some holiday
merriment! There will be three vendors there pouring some of their tastiest
wines for the holidays along with a spread of food from the Chef at Fiore di
Luna. Pouring will be Heather Fay of Grappolli Imports with Italian wines,
Dmitrii Curbet of Graystone Imports with wines from Hungary and California and
Gray Mosby of Nice Legs who will be pouring some artisan wines from California
and the Pacific Northwest. The menu is:
Carpaccio of Beef with Parmesan Toast
Mushroom Stuffed with Spinach and Three Cheeses
Oriental Marinated Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Mini Beef Filets with Horseradish Cream
Fine Italian Cheeses
Apricots stuffed with Cream Cheese and topped with Walnuts
The cost is $22.95 per person. Fiore di Luna is located at the corner of
Georgetown Pike (Rt. 193) and Rt. 7 in Sterling. For more information and
directions, please call Fiore di Luna at 703-444-4060.
Party Wines
Having a holiday party and trying to stick to budget but want some tasty vino?
The Wine Seller is your answer. Our bins and stacks are FULL of excellent
selections for parties starting at $5.99. Wine served at parties don't have to
be the usual suspects found at the bix box stores or grocery stores...we have
all sorts of interesting wines, reasonably priced, which will peak the curiosity
and taste buds of your guests. Just bring in your menu and your budget
requirements and we'll make your holiday wine shopping a snap. We promise to
hook you up with crowd pleasing wines which will impress your guests!!
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership - Books Available through The
Wine Seller
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership was formed by local resident
Cate Magennis Wyatt of Waterford, VA, who became inspired to preserve the
historical land along Rt.15 from Gettysburg, PA to Charlottesville, VA. One of
the projects the Partnership got involved with along with the help of National
Geographic was to create a coffee table picture book describing the journey
along Rt. 15 in pictures. The proceeds of the sale of this coffee table book go
to the Partnership whose work continues to be preserving the history along this
winding country road. There are a few autographed copies still available (around
12 copies) so if you are interested, we are taking names and contact info and we
will get the books to the store before Santa comes down the chimney. Email
(Lucinda@thewineseller.com) or call (703.471.9649).
For more information on the Partnership, click here: http://www.hallowedground.org/
To read Cate's message of thanks about her project published in this week's
Loudoun Times Mirror, click here: http://www.loudountimesmirror.com/letter/1299
Champagne Special
You know us....we love Champagne (and all bubbles for that matter)!! We've got a
spectacular Champagne special on for the holidays from a tried and true
producer, Heidsieck & Co. It's the Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Champagne Brut NV
- a classically styled Champagne that doesn't get any more 'old school' or text
book than this example. Beautiful floral notes on the nose with a touch of toast
and pear on the palate finishing with a hint of biscuit of the finish. Normally
$44.99 per bottle, specially priced for the holidays at $39.99 per bottle.
Dessert Wine Feature
Our feature pick for a dessert wine is one of the best we've ever had and even
better, it's locally made! If you haven't tried Fabbioli Cellars Raspberry
Merlot, it's a must try for the holidays...it really is delicious. The winery
was recently sold out of it but they just made more this week in time for
Thanksgiving! The raspberry fruit is grown on the property of the winery and
blended with Merlot to make for heck of a dance party going on in your mouth! If
you think you don't like dessert wine, we encourage you to try this one because
we think it'll change your mind. And if you enjoy dessert wines, you're going to
absolutely fall in love with this one. $23.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, January13th - Bordeaux Basics 2 Seats Left!
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert
Bordeaux(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as
he has one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington,D.C. area. $50 per
person.
Tuesday, February 3rd - Burgundy Unveiled
Paul Everitt of JAO Imports will be here to unravel the mysteries of Burgundy.
We'll tour the area and learn about the nuances of the different appellations
along the importance of the geography as well as the geology. In addition, we'll
taste several white and red Burgundies and JAO Imports distributes some of the
very best Burgundies in the Washington, D.C. area, and most of their wines are
sold at the most revered restaurants in the area. $50 per person.
Don't forget...Gift Certificates are available for Wine Classes and they make a
great gift!!
Bogie's Recipe Board
Since a lot of people might be trimming their trees this weekend or throwing a
Christmas party or three, I'm going with an appetizer menu this week which is
seasonally appropriate. Naturally, this recipe involves CHEESE...no shock to
anyone who knows me. Don't forget to drop a few scraps of CHEESE on the floor
while you're making these tasty snacks! From Williams-Sonoma Dinner Parties,
here's my recipe for this week:
Gorgonzola Bruschetta with Figs
Serves 6-8
20 baguette slices, ¼ inch thick
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
½ lb Gorgonzola Cheese at room temperature
10-12 ripe, soft figs, coarsely chopped
Fig leaves for garnish
Prepare a charcoal or gas grill (or use a grill pan indoors) for direct grilling
over high heat. Lightly oil the grill rack. Drizzle one side of the baguette
slices with the olive oil and place, coated side down, on the grill. Grill until
lightly golden, 3-4 minutes. Turn and grill until the 2nd side is dry, about 1
minute longer. Remove from the grill. (You can complete this part up to one day
in advance)
Spread each slice with about 1 tbsp of the Gorgonzola and top with about 1 tbsp
of the chopped figs. Place fig leaves on a platter and arrange the bruschetta on
top.
Optional: place a thin small slice of Prosciutto between the layer of Gorgonzola
and the chopped figs and garnish the platter with extra slices of Prosciutto.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
Have we mentioned previously that this time of year, bubbles work with
everything!
For a white, try a fruit driven Chardonnay from the West Coast, an elegant White
Burgundy or Chenin Blanc.
For a red, a Rhone red blend would work nicely as would a voluptuous Pinot from
Oregon.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: Grand Cru vineyards are the highest quality vineyards
found in Champagne and there are a limited number of them. How many are there?
Answer: 17
Sorry, no quiz winners this week.
This Week's Quiz Question: What is autolysis?
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prizepicking' scarf and pick up to three winners
out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Basset Hounds consider
bribery perfectly legit!
Case Discounts
Mix or match a case (12 bottles or more) and take 10% off any day of the week.
Mix or match 3 cases (36 bottles or more) and take 15% off any day of the week.
Call Ahead
In a hurry? Or planning to come by later in the week? Just call ahead
(703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and give us your order
and payment information and we'll take care of the rest. Your wine will be
waiting for you when you pull into the parking lot!
Wine Delivery
As a reminder, particularly with the holidays coming up, we deliver wine!
Whether you are giving a gift of wine and need it delivered or wish to purchase
wine via phone or email and have us bring it to you, we deliver! All wine
deliveries must be signed for by an adult who is age 21 or older and a picture
ID such as a license or passport must be provided to verify age. Business
addresses are preferable to home addresses.
Galletta's Italian Gourmet Food - Perfect for your Holiday Menu!
A reminder to all of our winE-Letter readers that we offer Galletta's products
for sale and pickup at the store. Galletta's is family owned Italian gourmet
shop located in Leesburg and they make homemade pasta daily, have some of the
best charcuterie and cheeses in the area (including unbelievable Parmesan!) and
other gourmet items. Many of the Italian gourmet items come from the Italian
market in Philadelphia as Mark Galletta goes up there every other week. For a
list of available products, please check out at http://www.thewineseller.com/inthepantry.htm.
Please Note: Prices may vary and we will be updating the pricing from Galletta's
and accordingly, updating our website. Prices are based upon market rates.
Pickup: If you are interested in ordering any items from Galeltta's, pickup will
be available after 11:00am on each Saturday except for the week of Christmas and
New Year's when pickup will be on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. All items
will be picked up fresh that morning at Galletta's and delivered to The Wine
Seller. Pickup is available at The Wine Seller after 11:00am each Saturday as
well as Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Orders for Galletta's pickup must be
submitted by Thursday each week by 7:00pm. For Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
pickup, orders must be submitted by Monday of each week by 12:00pm. Please
submit your order via email and include your phone #. If we do not have your
credit card info on file, we will contact you for that information to confirm
the order.
Holiday Gift Baskets
We make custom gift baskets to order! Just call ahead with the amount you'd like
to spend along with any preferences on how many whites and/or how many reds and
we'll do the rest. Gift Baskets start at $50 and orders need to be made 48 hours
in advance of desired pickup. Order cutoff is Saturday, December 20th. Email
(Lucinda@thewineseller.com) or call at 703-471-9649.
Private Wine Tastings & Personal Sommelier Services
Looking for a different idea for a party or something a little more low key but
still fun? How about a wine tasting party with your own personal wine guide? We
do private wine tastings all the time, both in-home as well as for corporations,
and would be happy to help you plan your event.
Or perhaps you have a special dinner planned for the holidays or would like to
plan a dinner party for next year? Maybe a gift of a personal sommelier for the
evening for a wine and food event? We can do that too!
For more information, please email or call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or
Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates make the perfect hostess gift or holiday gift and we've got
them! Gift certificates are available in any denomination and are valid for six
months from the date of purchase. And if you need a gift certificate mailed to
the recipient, we're happy to put it in the mail for you!
Holiday Hours
Week of 12/8
Monday, 12/8 thru Friday, 12/12: 11am to 8pm
Saturday, 12/13: 10am to 6pm
Sunday, 12/14: 12pm to 5pm
Week of 12/15
Monday, 12/15 thru Friday, 12/19: 10am to 8pm
Saturday, 12/20: 10am to 6pm
Sunday, 12/21: 12pm to 5pm
Week of 12/22
Monday, 12/22 and Tuesday, 12/23: 10am to 8pm
Wednesday, 12/24: 10am to 3pm
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings Featuring Holiday Wines!!!!
Thursday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner - 7th
Annual 'All that Sparkles' Bubbly Tasting
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with John Grimsely of Billington Imports
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company
Wednesday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with Jim Futrell of Republic National
Distributing
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
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ISSUE DATE: December 4, 2008
We hope you've recovered from the tryptophan. And the football
wins and losses. And that extra piece of pie you ate which you now wish you
didn't. We're off and running to 2009!! It'll be here before you know it. And
Champagne Girl's favorite holiday is New Year's Eve because it's a fantastic
excuse to drink lots of bubbles!! We've got all kinds of events happening this
weekend so we're going to hop to it right away. Complimentary tastings both
Friday night and Saturday afternoon as well as an autographed book sale on
Saturday during the tasting give you lots of reasons to swing by the store. Read
on below for all the details. Not to mention where else can you find interesting
wines, reasonably priced?! Plus, next Saturday on the 13th, we'll be helping out
at a Food & Wine Event at Fiore di Luna in Great Falls. After all of the holiday
shopping, you'll be ready to treat yourself to a tasty sampling of food and wine
at a super sampler price. Plus, we have all sorts of creative ideas for gifts to
give to the wine lover in your life so read on below and see how easy we can
make your shopping this season!
Happenings this Weekend...
Friday Night Complimentary Tasting from 4:00pm to 7:00pm - Bill McKenney of
Michael Downey Selections will be back holding tasting court fresh from his trip
to Italy for Thanksgiving. How did I miss getting in that suitcase?! Luca
Currado, owner and winemaker of Vietti Winery, visited us about two weeks ago
and we tasted through many of the wines in his portfolio - many of which were
just positively lovely. We'll be tasting Luca's rich Barbera (the only Barbera
where the grapes are grown in the Barolo appellation!), his full throttle
Nebbiolo and his extremely elegant Moscato d'Asti. In addition, our 'go to'
white to serve with red wine dishes, the Erbaluce di Caluso, will be back on the
tasting table...a perennial favorite.
Saturday Afternoon Complimentary Tasting from 12:00pm to 4:00pm - We couldn't
have more punch packed into an afternoon if we tried! Cindy Yim, co-owner of
Elite Wines, will be here pouring some lovely Burgundies as well as a tasty
value Garnacha from Spain. If you've got a holiday party coming up with a buffet
table in the mix, this is your red wine! In addition, Remy Drabkin of Remy Wines
and Three Wives Winery will be here from Oregon pouring some of her productions.
Remy is a 27 year old winemaker breaking new ground out in Oregon by not making
any Pinot Noirs (gasp!). Clearly, she's in love with Italian varietals and we'll
get try some of creations. And lastly, we'll have Jaime McClug here from The
Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership selling their beautiful coffee table
books outlining the preservation area created along Rt. 15 from Gettysburg to
Charlottesville. Jaime will have autographed copies of their book to sell and
they'd make a great holiday gift for the history buff or photography lover on
your list.
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership - Book Sale at The Wine Seller
on Saturday, 12/6
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership was formed by local resident
Cate Magennis Wyatt of Waterford, VA, who became inspired to preserve the
historical land along Rt.15 from Gettysburg, PA to Charlottesville, VA. One of
the projects the Partnership got involved with along with the help of National
Geographic was to create a coffee table picture book describing the journey
along Rt. 15 in pictures. The proceeds of the sale of this coffee table book go
to the Partnership whose work continues to be preserving the history along this
winding country road. Jaime McClug of the Partnership will be here on Saturday,
12/6, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, with signed copies (by the photographer) of the
coffee table book for sale. They would make for great holiday gifts for any
photography lover or history buff on your gift list!
For more information on the Partnership, click here: http://www.hallowedground.org
To read Cate's message of thanks about her project published in this week's
Loudoun Times Mirror, click here: http://www.loudountimesmirror.com/letter/1299
Shop while you taste on Saturday afternoon...that sounds like a plan!
Holiday Food & Wine Event at Fiore di Luna on Saturday, 12/13
We'll be helping to celebrate the holidays next Saturday, December 13th, from
5:00pm to 7:00pm at Fiore di Luna in Great Falls. Come join us for some holiday
merriment! There will be three vendors there pouring some of their tastiest
wines for the holidays along with a spread of food from the Chef at Fiore di
Luna. Pouring will be Heather Fay of Grappoli Imports with Italian wines,
Dmitrii Curbet of Graystone Imports with wines from Hungary and California and
Gray Mosby of Nice Legs who will be pouring some artisan wines from California
and the Pacific Northwest. The menu is:
Carpaccio of Beef with Parmesan Toast
Mushroom Stuffed with Spinach and Three Cheeses
Oriental Marinated Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Mini Beef Filets with Horseradish Cream
Fine Italian Cheeses
Apricots stuffed with Cream Cheese and topped with Walnuts
The cost is $22.95 per person. Fiore di Luna is located at the corner of
Georgetown Pike (Rt. 193) and Rt. 7 in Sterling. For more information and
directions, please call Fiore di Luna at 703-444-4060.
7th Annual 'All That Bubbles' Wine Tasting on Thursday, December 11th from
4:00pm to 7:00pm
This is always one of our most popular holiday tastings. After all, how can one
resist bubbles? Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will be here to pour several
different bubblies from around the globe including Champagne, California
sparkling, Cava and more. We are positive there will be something on the table
you'll want to drink for New Year's Eve! Come on by and try...it's the best way
to find what you like before committing to buying!
Champagne Special
You know us....we love Champagne (and all bubbles for that matter)!! We've got a
spectacular Champagne special on for the holidays from a tried and true
producer, Heidsieck & Co. It's the Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Champagne Brut NV
- a classically styled Champagne that doesn't get any more 'old school' or text
book than this example. Beautiful floral notes on the nose with a touch of toast
and pear on the palate finishing with a hint of biscuit of the finish. Normally
$44.99 per bottle, specially priced for the holidays at $39.99 per bottle.
Dessert Wine Feature
Our feature pick for a dessert wine is one of the best we've ever had and even
better, it's locally made! If you haven't tried Fabbioli Cellars Raspberry
Merlot, it's a must try for the holidays...it really is delicious. The winery
was recently sold out of it but they just made more this week in time for
Thanksgiving! The raspberry fruit is grown on the property of the winery and
blended with Merlot to make for heck of a dance party going on in your mouth! If
you think you don't like dessert wine, we encourage you to try this one because
we think it'll change your mind. And if you enjoy dessert wines, you're going to
absolutely fall in love with this one. $23.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, January13th - Bordeaux Basics 2 Seats Left!
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert
Bordeaux(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as
he has one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington,D.C. area. $50 per
person.
Tuesday, February 3rd - Burgundy Unveiled
Paul Everitt of JAO Imports will be here to unravel the mysteries of Burgundy.
We'll tour the area and learn about the nuances of the different appellations
along the importance of the geography as well as the geology. In addition, we'll
taste several white and red Burgundies and JAO Imports distributes some of the
very best Burgundies in the Washington, D.C. area, and most of their wines are
sold at the most revered restaurants in the area. $50 per person.
Don't forget...Gift Certificates are available for Wine Classes and they make a
great gift!!
Bogie's Recipe Board
Can we have Thanksgiving once a week? Oh that's right, I live the life of a
spoiled dog so that is like having Thanksgiving every week! I hope everybody
enjoyed their Big Food Holiday. The good news is, there's still plenty of yummy
eating in all of our futures for the next several weeks culminating in New
Year's Eve. So, I'm going to keep going with the holiday recipes. Here's my pick
for this week, an appetizer in case you're throwing a party in the upcoming
weeks. From Seriously Simple Holidays:
Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates
Serves 6-8
18 large medjool dates
18 pieces parmesan cheese, each about an inch by ¼ inch
6 slices apple-cured bacon, each cut into thirds
1 bunch parsley, stems removed, for garnish
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Slit each date along one side and carefully
remove the pit. Insert a piece of Parmesan into each slit. Wrap a piece of bacon
around each stuffed date and secure with a toothpick. Place the dates on a
baking sheet.
Bake for about 5 minutes or until the bacon on top is crisp. Using tongs, turn
the dates and bake for another 5 minutes or until the bacon is crisp. Transfer
the dates to a double layer of paper towels to drain.
Place the parsley bunch in the center of a round serving platter and arrange the
dates around the parsley. Serve immediately.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
This time of year, bubbles work with everything!
For a white, try a Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley, a Vernaccia from Tuscany
or a clean, white Burgundy - maybe a Macon, a St. Veran or a Givry.
For a red, Spanish reds would work well such as a Garnacha or a Tempranillo or a
combination of the two as well as a lush Pinot Noir from Oregon or New Zealand.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: Grand Cru vineyards are the highest quality vineyards
found in Champagne and there are a limited number of them. How many are there?
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prizepicking' scarf and pick up to three winners
out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Basset Hounds consider
bribery perfectly legit!
Case Discounts
Mix or match a case (12 bottles or more) and take 10% off any day of the week.
Mix or match 3 cases (36 bottles or more) and take 15% off any day of the week.
NEW!!!
Call Ahead
In a hurry? Or planning to come by later in the week? Just call ahead
(703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and give us your order
and payment information and we'll take care of the rest. Your wine will be
waiting for you when you pull into the parking lot!
Wine Delivery
As a reminder, particularly with the holidays coming up, we deliver wine!
Whether you are giving a gift of wine and need it delivered or wish to purchase
wine via phone or email and have us bring it to you, we deliver! All wine
deliveries must be signed for by an adult who is age 21 or older and a picture
ID such as a license or passport must be provided to verify age. Business
addresses are preferable to home addresses.
Galletta's Italian Gourmet Food - Perfect for your Holiday Menu!
A reminder to all of our winE-Letter readers that we offer Galletta's products
for sale and pickup at the store. Galletta's is family owned Italian gourmet
shop located in Leesburg and they make homemade pasta daily, have some of the
best charcuterie and cheeses in the area (including unbelievable Parmesan!) and
other gourmet items. Many of the Italian gourmet items come from the Italian
market in Philadelphia as Mark Galletta goes up there every other week. For a
list of available products, please check out at http://www.thewineseller.com/inthepantry.htm.
Please Note: Prices may vary and we will be updating the pricing from Galletta's
and accordingly, updating our website. Prices are based upon market rates.
Pickup: If you are interested in ordering any items from Galeltta's, pickup will
be available after 11:00am on each Saturday except for the week of Christmas and
New Year's when pickup will be on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. All items
will be picked up fresh that morning at Galletta's and delivered to The Wine
Seller. Pickup is available at The Wine Seller after 11:00am each Saturday as
well as Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Orders for Galletta's pickup must be
submitted by Thursday each week by 7:00pm. For Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
pickup, orders must be submitted by Monday of each week by 12:00pm. Please
submit your order via email and include your phone #. If we do not have your
credit card info on file, we will contact you for that information to confirm
the order.
Holiday Gift Baskets
We make custom gift baskets to order! Just call ahead with the amount you'd like
to spend along with any preferences on how many whites and/or how many reds and
we'll do the rest. Gift Baskets start at $50 and orders need to be made 48 hours
in advance of desired pickup. Order cutoff is Saturday, December 20th.
Private Wine Tastings & Personal Sommelier Services
Looking for a different idea for a party or something a little more low key but
still fun? How about a wine tasting party with your own personal wine guide? We
do private wine tastings all the time, both in-home as well as for corporations,
and would be happy to help you plan your event.
Or perhaps you have a special dinner planned for the holidays or would like to
plan a dinner party for next year? Maybe a gift of a personal sommelier for the
evening for a wine and food event? We can do that too!
For more information, please email or call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or
Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates make the perfect hostess gift or holiday gift and we've got
them! Gift certificates are available in any denomination and are valid for six
months from the date of purchase. And if you need a gift certificate mailed to
the recipient, we're happy to put it in the mail for you!
Holiday Hours
Week of 12/1
Monday, 12/1 thru Friday, 12/5: 11am to 8pm
Saturday, 12/6: 10am to 6pm
Sunday, 12/7: 12pm to 4pm
Week of 12/8
Monday, 12/8 thru Friday, 12/12: 11am to 8pm
Saturday, 12/13: 10am to 6pm
Sunday, 12/14: 12pm to 5pm
Week of 12/15
Monday, 12/15 thru Friday, 12/19: 10am to 8pm
Saturday, 12/20: 10am to 6pm
Sunday, 12/21: 12pm to 5pm
Week of 12/22
Monday, 12/22 and Tuesday, 12/23: 10am to 8pm
Wednesday, 12/24: 10am to 3pm
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings Featuring Holiday Wines!!!!
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with Bill McKenney of Michael Downey Selections
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Cindy Yim of Elite Wines and Winemaker Remy
Drabkin of Remy Wines....Also, Signed Book Copies from The Journey Through
Hallowed Ground
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving Everybody! By now, you should be turning on
the telly to enjoy the Macy's Day parade and perhaps have poured yourself a
glass of bubbly to enjoy while tinkering around the kitchen getting ready for
the Day of the Big Bird. We hope everyone is enjoying the American holiday of
feasting today! A shout out of 'thanks' to our troops serving both overseas as
well as stateside - we are fortunate and appreciative to have you serve our
country. Wherever you are today, we hope you are enjoying a sumptuous meal with
some equally tasty wine alongside the company of family and friends. We know
it's been a trying year for many and we at The Wine Seller are thankful to have
you as our customer!
Holiday Hours
Thursday, 11/27: CLOSED
Friday, 11/28: 12pm to 5pm
Saturday, 11/29: 10am to 6pm
Sunday, 11/30: 12pm to 4pm
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: November 20, 2008
Calling all Turkey Day Wine Tasters!!!!! Let the countdown
begin! And tonight kicks off a series of fun wine tastings which will enable you
to find just the perfect wine to go with your Big Bird (or something else if
you're on bird strike). Joining us this evening is Jason Bise of The Country
Vintner for our 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting from 4pm to 7pm. We'll have
all sorts of well priced liquid gems on the tasting table to try before you buy.
Tomorrow night, Bill McKenney of Michael Downey Selections will be here from 4pm
to 7pm pouring some samples from his portfolio including an out-of-this-world
sparkling Moscato d'Asti from Vietti. Saturday afternoon from 12pm to 4pm, Brian
Forsgren of Potomac Selections will be here with some excellent Alsatian and
Rhone wines to try. And on Tuesday afternoon from 12pm to 5pm, Malcolm Riddle of
International Cellars will be here with some Turkey wine picks from around the
globe. We'll make your holiday wine shopping unbelievably easy here at The Wine
Seller...just bring in your menu and your recipes, tell us the number of dining
guests and your budget and we'll take care of the rest! We'll hunt and gather
while you relax and try a sip or two of vino!
One way to make your Turkey Day wine buying easy is to read on below about our
famous (ok, perhaps infamous) Six Packs for the Big Bird. It's the 'Dynamic Duo'
of Nancy and Lucinda versus last year's sales champions, the 'Odd Couple' of
Vaughn and Bogart. In addition, we have a 'House Six Pack' and you won't believe
the price for that one! Check out all the details below for our Turkey Day Six
Packs this year.
Bogart has another veggie side dish recipe for the Thanksgiving table this week
and the Quiz Corner is on its Turkey Break. We'll be back quizzing during the
first week of December. Don't forget, we are taking orders for Thanksgiving for
items from Galletta's (Italian Specialty Gourmet...check out the link for the
list of goodies below) as well as we're taking wine orders for any of our Turkey
Day wine choices or six packs. Gift Certificates make for a great hostess gift
if you're going somewhere for your Thanksgiving meal and aren't sure what wine
to bring. And if you are running short on time to get all the errands done on
your list, we deliver! That makes wine shopping superbly easy at The Wine
Seller!!
Did I mention it's Jerry Lewis time?!! Yup, the Beaujolais Nouveau c'est arrive
aujourd'hui. In other words, the Beaujolais Nouveau is in the house!!! We've got
two different ones to offer again this year from the same producers as last
year. The Domaine Manoir du Carra Beaujolais Villages Nouveau 2008 is what I
would describe as a 'house beaujolais nouveau' - well made and just what you'd
expect for the fun, light red wine that it is. Price runs $13.99 per bottle. The
other Beaujolais Nouveau selection we have comes from Jean Paul Brun whose
Nouveaus have been rated as the top Nouveau of many of the last several vintages
by France's Gault Millau magazine. In addition, Robert Parker has rated Brun as
a four-start producer and the only other four-star producers among the
Beaujolais producers are in the Crus. Laissez les bon temps roulez!!
Happenings this Weekend...
Thursday Night Complimentary Tasting from 4:00pm to 7:00pm - 7th Annual Turkey
Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. On the tasting table
this evening, we'll have the best Vouvray I've ever tasted, a sparkling apple
cider for grownups, a fantastically tasty Chardonnay from California (especially
if you're looking for an American wine for our American holiday!), a beautiful
Riesling from Chile, an old vine Garnacha from the Navarra region of Spain, a
ridiculously well priced Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile ($7.99!!) and a
to-die-for Italian white which will turn your turkey day into a culinary
journey. Come on by and try!!
Friday Night Complimentary Tasting from 4:00pm to 7:00pm - Bill McKenney of
Michael Downey Selections will be here pouring a few selections from Italy and
France including our ever favorite white from Italy made from a grape called
Erbaluce, a Beaujolais (not Nouveau but a basic Beaujolais which is quite
tasty), our go-to Barbera from Italy which really has some umpf to it and an
absolutely delightful Moscast d'Asti from the oldest family owned winery in the
Barolo region, Vietti.
Saturday Afternoon Complimentary Tasting from 12:00pm to 4:00pm - Brian Forsgren
of Potomac Selections will be here pouring some of his unique and tasty wines
from his portfolio. On the table will be a fantastic Sauvignon Blanc from the
Loire Valley (perfect for oysters or for snacks before dinner), a spicy
Gewurztraminer from Alsace, one of our favorite Cuvees of Pinot Gris from Alsace
- perfect if you enjoy richly textured white wines, one of our go-to Cotes-du-Rhones
which reflects the terroir of the region where the grapes are grown perfectly
and one of the best all Napa Valley Cabernets we've found anytime recently for
the money.
Tuesday Afternoon Complimentary Tasting from 12:00pm to 5:00pm - Malcolm Riddle
of International Cellars will be here tasting some new finds and old favorites
out of his portfolio of wine goodies. Included in the tasting lineup is a new
Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, a Corbieres from the south of France, our
tried and true Terrazzo which I think has become all of our customers' house
white wine, a Pinot Noir from Oregon (you just can't escape those Pinots at
Turkey Time!!) and a late harvest Zinfandel from California...perfect for all of
those pies.
Champagne Special
You know us....we love Champagne (and all bubbles for that matter)!! We've got a
spectacular Champagne special on for the holidays from a tried and true
producer, Heidsieck & Co. It's the Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Champagne Brut NV
- a classically styled Champagne that doesn't get any more 'old school' or text
book than this example. Beautiful floral notes on the nose with a touch of toast
and pear on the palate finishing with a hint of biscuit of the finish. Normally
$44.99 per bottle, specially priced for the holidays at $39.99 per bottle.
Arriving today!!
Dessert Wine Feature
Our feature pick for a dessert wine is one of the best we've ever had and even
better, it's locally made! If you haven't tried Fabbioli Cellars Raspberry
Merlot, it's a must try for the holidays...it really is delicious. The winery
was recently sold out of it but they just made more this week in time for
Thanksgiving! The raspberry fruit is grown on the property of the winery and
blended with Merlot to make for heck of a dance party going on in your mouth! If
you think you don't like dessert wine, we encourage you to try this one because
we think it'll change your mind. And if you enjoy dessert wines, you're going to
absolutely fall in love with this one. $23.99 per bottle. Arriving Friday,
November 21st!
Turkey Day Six Packs
Returning again by popular demand, we have our Turkey Day Six Packs to go with
your Big Bird. This year, the 'Dynamic Duo' is Lucinda and Nancy and again this
year (and last year's reigning champions in sales), the 'Odd Couple' is Vaughn
and Bogart. In addition, we have a 'House Six Pack for Turkey' at the
unbelievable price of $36! The Six Packs will be ready to roll out the door
starting this weekend. So, drum roll please......here's our Six Packs for Turkey
this year!!
'Dynamic Duo' Six Pack (Nancy & Lucinda) - $60 including tax (Turkey Sticker
Box)
1 bottle of Domaine St. Vincent Brut NV (Sparkling wine from New Mexico)
3 bottles of Domaine de Coussergues Vin de Pays Viognier 2007 (aromatic & exotic
white Rhone wine)
2 bottles of Cono Sur Central Valley Pinot Noir 2007 (plush Pinot Noir from
Chile)
'Odd Couple' Six Pack (Vaughn & Bogart) - $50 including tax (Dog Bone Sticker
Box)
1 bottle of Duche de Longueville Cidre Bouche de Cru (sparkling alcoholic apple
cider!!)
2 bottles of Roncier Blanc NV (clean, fresh Chardonnay from Burgundy)
3 bottles of Bricco dei Tati Pemonte Barbera 2006 (soft red from the Piedmont
region of Italy)
House Six Pack (all of us get credit!) - $36 including tax
Mix any six wines from our 'Six Buck$ and You Won't Upchuck' Section for $36
total! WHAT A DEAL!!! There are eight different wines to choose from including a
Portuguese Red; a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile as well as a Chardonnay; a
Sauvignon Blanc, a Chenin Blanc and a Shiraz from South Africa; and a Syrah and
a Zinfandel from California.
Turkey Day Wine Picks...Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!
Whether it's an intimate dinner for 2 or the table is going out the door into
another room with 30 people seated around, The Wine Seller has you covered in
the Wine Department for Interesting Wines, Reasonably Priced. We will make you
look like a Wine Rock Star at the Thanksgiving Table! We've scoured all of our
reps' books and think we have found some great wines at all price points this
year for Thanksgiving. Of course, our first measuring yardstick is the wines on
the list have to pass our 'two glass theory'...after all, a long weekend with
family calls for at least two glasses!! All of the wines will work terrifically
with all the trimmings on the table so come on in, tell us what you're making,
we'll try not to invite ourselves to your house for dinner and we will hook you
up with some great wines, red or white (or both) from $5.99 on up. Here's our
list of picks for the Day of the Big Bird and we'll be tweaking it as we go
through the month.
Sparkling Starters
Duche de Longueville Cidre Bouche de Cru - $9.99 (classically made French
sparkling apple cider from Normandy - 4% alcohol)
Domaine St. Vincent Brut NV - $10.99 (our longstanding and uber popular American
sparkling wine from New Mexico)
Casabianca Prosecco Brut NV - $11.99 (fresh and lightly fruity, it's still dry
on the palate and incredibly refreshing)
St. Meyland Brut NV - $12.99 (sparkling wine made with the grapes of Champagne,
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir coming from Burgundy, it's a classically styled French
bubbly)
Help! My Family is the size of a merger between The Waltons and Eight is
Enough!!
Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Cortese 2007- Cortese is a white grape varietal which
grows in the Piedmont area of Northwestern Italy. It tends to show of juicy,
ripe fruit but because it is from the north where the climates are cooler, the
grape retains good acidity. This is a fantastic all purpose white - perfect for
an aperitif, serving at a pot luck dinner or with any kind of salad entrée,
chicken dish or fish. And you can't beat the price. $7.99 per bottle.
Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Barbera 2006- A tasty Italian red is the perfect glass
of vino as the weather turns cooler. This Barbera is excellent by itself as a
quaffer but would also be a great all purpose red for a banquet dinner or any
tomato based dish. And we keep looking for these value prices! $7.99 per bottle.
Borsao Campo de Borja 2007- This tried and true gem of a red wine has been
hanging out in our bins for the last several years and this vintage is just as
good as ever! It's a tasty Garnacha and it works with just about any type of
food or with nothing at all. This is what we call an 'all purpose red'! $8.99
per bottle.
Cielo Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2007 - A delightful new find in the world
of Pinot Grigio, this easy drinking white offers a lot of quality for the price.
IGT wines from Italy represent wines which are 'typical of the geographic
region' and usually, they pony up a lot of bang for the buck. They are seen as
being of better quality than a table wine but don't have the pedigree of a DOC
or DOCG wine so they don't have the big price tag. A touch of melon and apple
and all around delightful. $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 Shiraz 2006 - And still more value from South Africa! I
swear this wine has wings on it since it flies 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.
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.
We're the Brady Bunch and have a few extra Dead Presidents in our wallet...
J. Lohr 'Wildflower' Monterey Valdiguie 2006 - Valdiguie is an obscure southern
French grape and in the case of California growers, it was mistakenly identified
as 'Napa Gamay', until it was correctly ID'd to be Valdiguie. It is Gamay in
style, however, with bright red fruits and a beautiful violet color. It's a
perfect red for fall as well as for the table with turkey and all the trimmings.
$11.99 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. $9.99 per bottle.
La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rosé 2007 - A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and
Syrah, this dry Rosé is juicy and easy drinking on the palate. An excellent
quaffer or perfect with any kind of salad entrée, chicken dish or seafood dish.
$9.99 per bottle.
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.
Domaine de Coussergues Vin de Pays Viognier 2007 -This Viognier is truly a very
pleasant drink because it's not an over-the-top aromatic white. It does have the
interesting notes of exotic flowers alongside apricots and prickly pears without
the intensity turned up to ten which can sometimes be overwhelming in a Viognier.
Plus, the price is right. An excellent white for Fall. $9.99 per bottle.
Cousino Macul 'Dona Isidora' Riesling 2007 - We've seen several nice productions
of Riesling coming out of South America and this wine is certainly one of them.
Hints of rose petal and a delightfully light viscousness on the palate make for
a nice rendition of Riesling from south of the border. An excellent wine
selection for pork dishes. Normally $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per
bottle.
Cono Sur Central Valle Pinot Noir 2007 - For the third year in a row, this is
one of the best Pinot Noirs we've found from anywhere around the globe for the
money. It has a wonderful plush mouth feel to it with soft, juicy tannins on the
finish. $9.99 per bottle.
Just the Two of Us (or maybe 4) and We're Looking for a Special Bottle of
Wine...
Gray Ghost Virginia Gewurztraminer 2007 - This just might be best bottle of wine
Gray Ghost Winery has ever made...it's incredibly sumptuous! Gewurztraminer is a
classic white wine match for turkey and all the trimmings and if you're looking
for an American wine for our American holiday, this is your wine. We bought all
the winery had so once it's gone, it's all gone! $17.99 per bottle.
David Noyes Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2006 - This is a mouthful of tasty Pinot
for the money. Founder and winemaker David Noyes cut his teeth in the winemaking
business starting in 1970 at Ridge Winery. He later worked for Kunde Winery in
Sonoma and then left to start his own winery. He makes several Pinots which are
meant to reflect the unique terroir, climate and resulting grapes from each
different area. Perhaps most importantly, his winemaking focus is to make wines
to go with food and what better holiday is there for food and wine than
Thanksgiving! This wine is full of rich red and black fruit flavors intermingled
with hints of clove and cinnamon. $24.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, December2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe - 2 Seats Left!
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January13th - Bordeaux Basics 4 Seats Left!
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert
Bordeaux(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as
he has one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington,D.C. area. $50 per
person.
Don't forget...Gift Certificates are available for Wine Classes and they make a
great gift!!
Bogie's Recipe Board
Since veggies are good for you, I'm going with one more veggie recipe for the
Turkey Day meal. This one involves the jewel of the fall harvest, butternut
squash, and grapes (which aren't good for dogs as a side note). Guess I won't be
able to try this one but that's ok, I'll be busy eating turkey on Thanksgiving!
From The Flavors of Bon Appetit 2006, here's my recipe pick for this week.
Roasted Butternut Squash, Red Grapes and Sage
Serves 4-6
1 2-1/4 lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-1/2 inch pieces
1-1/2 cups seedless red grapes (about 8 oz)
1 medium onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine butternut squash, grapes, onion and sage in
large bowl. Drizzle with oil and melted butter. Season generously with salt and
pepper. Toss to coat. Spread out onto large rimmed baked sheet. Roast until
squash and onion begin to brown, stirring occasionally, about 50 mins. Transfer
to platter, sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and serve immediately.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
Come in and try some Turkey Day wines this weekend....we've got a perfect wine
match for every palate and every budget!
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: You open up a bottle of wine and out pops little
which crystal-like particles. What are they and should you go running for the
hinterlands?
Answer: They are tartrates and they are perfectly harmless.
Congratulations to this week's quiz winner Stan McLeroy! Come on in and collect
your prize.
Case Discounts
Mix or match a case (12 bottles or more) and take 10% off any day of the week.
Mix or match 3 cases (36 bottles or more) and take 15% off any day of the week.
NEW!!!
Call Ahead
In a hurry? Or planning to come by later in the week? Just call ahead
(703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and give us your order
and payment information and we'll take care of the rest. Your wine will be
waiting for you when you pull into the parking lot!
Wine Delivery
As a reminder, particularly with the holidays coming up, we deliver wine!
Whether you are giving a gift of wine and need it delivered or wish to purchase
wine via phone or email and have us bring it to you, we deliver! All wine
deliveries must be signed for by an adult who is age 21 or older and a picture
ID such as a license or passport must be provided to verify age. Business
addresses are preferable to home addresses.
Galletta's Italian Gourmet Food
A reminder to all of our winE-Letter readers that we offer Galletta's products
for sale and pickup at the store. Galletta's is family owned Italian gourmet
shop located in Leesburg and they make homemade pasta daily, have some of the
best charcuterie and cheeses in the area (including unbelievable Parmesan!) and
other gourmet items. Many of the Italian gourmet items come from the Italian
market in Philadelphia as Mark Galletta goes up there every other week. For a
list of available products, please check out at http://www.thewineseller.com/inthepantry.htm.
Please Note: Prices may vary and we will be updating the pricing from Galletta's
and accordingly, updating our website. Prices are based upon market rates.
Pickup for Thanksgiving: If you are interested in ordering any items from
Galeltta's for the Thanksgiving holiday, pickup will be available after 11:00am
on Wednesday, November 26th. All items will be picked up fresh that morning at
Galletta's and delivered to The Wine Seller. We will be open until 8:00pm so
pickup of any items ordered will be between 11:00am and 8:00pm. Orders for
Thanksgiving pickup must be submitted by Monday, November 24th by 7:00pm. Please
submit your order via email and include your phone #. If we do not have your
credit card info on file, we will contact you for that information to confirm
the order.
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates make the perfect hostess gift or holiday gift and we've got
them! Gift certificates are available in any denomination and are valid for six
months from the date of purchase. And if you need a gift certificate mailed to
the recipient, we're happy to put it in the mail for you!
Holiday Hours
Thursday, 11/20 - Friday, 11/21: 11am to 8pm
Saturday, 11/22: 10am to 6pm
Sunday, 11/23: 12pm to 5pm
Monday, 11/24 - Wednesday, 11/26: 10am to 8pm
Thursday, 11/27: CLOSED
Friday, 11/28: 12pm to 5pm
Saturday, 11/29: 10am to 6pm
Sunday, 11/30: 12pm to 4pm
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings Featuring Turkey Day Wines!!!!
Thursday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with Bill McKenney of Michael Downey Selections
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Brian Forsgren of Potomac Selections
Tuesday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm with Malcolm Riddle of International Cellars
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: November 13, 2008
Tryptophan is coming to a house near you soon!!! Yup, Turkey
Day is two weeks from today. Do you have your menu planned? Know what wines you
are going to serve? Have you done your food shopping yet? YIKES! No worries -
we'll make your wine shopping unbelievably easy here at The Wine Seller...just
bring in your menu and your recipes, tell us the number of dining guests and
your budget and we'll take care of the rest! And chances are, we'll have a
Turkey Day wine tasting going on while you're here so you can relax and try a
taste while we hunt and gather.
One way to make your Turkey Day wine buying easy is to read on below about our
famous (ok, perhaps infamous) Six Packs for the Big Bird. It's the 'Dynamic Duo'
of Nancy and Lucinda versus last year's sales champions, the 'Odd Couple' of
Vaughn and Bogart. In addition, we have a 'House Six Pack' and you won't believe
the price for that one! Check out all the details below for our Turkey Day Six
Packs this year.
Did we mention there's LOTS going on the next couple of weeks?!? Beaujolais
Nouveau will be arriving this year next Thursday, November 20th. Our 7th Annual
Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will also be next
Thursday the 20th. Bogart has another recipe for the Thanksgiving table and the
Quiz Corner has one more quiz question before it goes on a tryptophan break.
Don't forget, we are taking orders for Thanksgiving for items from Galletta's
(Italian Specialty Gourmet...check out the link for the list of goodies below),
we're taking wine orders for any of our Turkey Day wine choices or six packs and
Gift Certificates make for a great hostess gift if you're going somewhere for
your Thanksgiving meal. And if you are running short on time to get all the
errands done on your list, we deliver! That makes wine shopping superbly easy at
The Wine Seller!!
This week's Turkey Day Wine tasting involves some very highly related,
outstanding Pinot Noirs from New Zealand and we'll have the owner of the winery
here with us! You should not miss this wine tasting...it's going to be a real
treat. In addition, Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be pouring some fantastic wines
to go with turkey (he might even bring some turkey for us to try with the
wines!) including the new vintage of the Jezebel Blanc from Oregon which is just
as tasty as can be. We hope to see you at the tasting table!
Happenings this Weekend...
Friday Night Complimentary Tasting from 4:00pm to 7:00pm - Come have some
tasting fun as we have our weekly 'BFF'....Blind Five Friday! We'll have 2 to 3
wines open to try but they'll be hiding out in brown bags. You get to try them
and decide if you like them! And if you do, buy any of them and take 5% off from
bottle 1.
Saturday Afternoon Complimentary Tasting from 12:00pm to 4:00pm - Gray Mosby of
Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic mix of wines from the West Coast
alongside his Mom, owner and winemaker Judy Mundy Fowler, who will be showing
off her New Zealand Red Wines from the Puriri Hills Winery. Her Red Estate blend
just was added to the tasting menu at The Inn at Little Washington and all of
her reds have received high scores and high praise from the various trade
publications in the wine industry. These award winning Reds from Kiwi are not to
be missed! 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Champagne Special
You know us....we love Champagne (and all bubbles for that matter)!! We've got a
spectacular Champagne special on for the holidays from a tried and true
producer, Heidsieck & Co. It's the Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Champagne Brut NV
- a classically styled Champagne that doesn't get any more 'old school' or text
book than this example. Beautiful floral notes on the nose with a touch of toast
and pear on the palate finishing with a hint of biscuit of the finish. Normally
$44.99 per bottle, specially priced for the holidays at $39.99 per bottle.
Turkey Day Six Packs
Returning again by popular demand, we have our Turkey Day Six Packs to go with
your Big Bird. This year, the 'Dynamic Duo' is Lucinda and Nancy and again this
year (and last year's reigning champions in sales), the 'Odd Couple' is Vaughn
and Bogart. In addition, we have a 'House Six Pack for Turkey' at the
unbelievable price of $36! The Six Packs will be ready to roll out the door
starting this weekend. So, drum roll please......here's our Six Packs for Turkey
this year!!
'Dynamic Duo' Six Pack (Nancy & Lucinda) - $60 including tax (Turkey Sticker
Box)
1 bottle of Domaine St. Vincent Brut NV (Sparkling wine from New Mexico)
3 bottles of Domaine de Coussergues Vin de Pays Viognier 2007 (aromatic & exotic
white Rhone wine)
2 bottles of Cono Sur Central Valley Pinot Noir 2007 (plush Pinot Noir from
Chile)
'Odd Couple' Six Pack (Vaughn & Bogart) - $50 including tax (Dog Bone Sticker
Box)
1 bottle of Duche de Longueville Cidre Bouche de Cru (sparkling alcoholic apple
cider!!)
2 bottles of Roncier Blanc NV (clean, fresh Chardonnay from Burgundy)
3 bottles of Bricco dei Tati Pemonte Barbera 2006 (soft red from the Piedmont
region of Italy)
House Six Pack (all of us get credit!) - $36 including tax
Mix any six wines from our 'Six Buck$ and You Won't Upchuck' Section for $36
total! WHAT A DEAL!!! There are eight different wines to choose from including a
Portuguese Red; a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile as well as a Chardonnay; a
Sauvignon Blanc, a Chenin Blanc and a Shiraz from South Africa; and a Syrah and
a Zinfandel from California.
Turkey Day Wine Picks...Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!
Whether it's an intimate dinner for 2 or the table is going out the door into
another room with 30 people seated around, The Wine Seller has you covered in
the Wine Department for Interesting Wines, Reasonably Priced. We will make you
look like a Wine Rock Star at the Thanksgiving Table! We've scoured all of our
reps' books and think we have found some great wines at all price points this
year for Thanksgiving. Of course, our first measuring yardstick is the wines on
the list have to pass our 'two glass theory'...after all, a long weekend with
family calls for at least two glasses!! All of the wines will work terrifically
with all the trimmings on the table so come on in, tell us what you're making,
we'll try not to invite ourselves to your house for dinner and we will hook you
up with some great wines, red or white (or both) from $5.99 on up. Here's our
list of picks for the Day of the Big Bird and we'll be tweaking it as we go
through the month.
Sparkling Starters
Duche de Longueville Cidre Bouche de Cru - $9.99 (classically made French
sparkling apple cider from Normandy - 4% alcohol)
Domaine St. Vincent Brut NV - $10.99 (our longstanding and uber popular American
sparkling wine from New Mexico)
Casabianca Prosecco Brut NV - $11.99 (fresh and lightly fruity, it's still dry
on the palate and incredibly refreshing)
St. Meyland Brut NV - $12.99 (sparkling wine made with the grapes of Champagne,
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir coming from Burgundy, it's a classically styled French
bubbly)
Help! My Family is the size of a merger between The Waltons and Eight is
Enough!!
Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Cortese 2007- Cortese is a white grape varietal which
grows in the Piedmont area of Northwestern Italy. It tends to show of juicy,
ripe fruit but because it is from the north where the climates are cooler, the
grape retains good acidity. This is a fantastic all purpose white - perfect for
an aperitif, serving at a pot luck dinner or with any kind of salad entrée,
chicken dish or fish. And you can't beat the price. $7.99 per bottle.
Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Barbera 2006- A tasty Italian red is the perfect glass
of vino as the weather turns cooler. This Barbera is excellent by itself as a
quaffer but would also be a great all purpose red for a banquet dinner or any
tomato based dish. And we keep looking for these value prices! $7.99 per bottle.
Borsao Campo de Borja 2007- This tried and true gem of a red wine has been
hanging out in our bins for the last several years and this vintage is just as
good as ever! It's a tasty Garnacha and it works with just about any type of
food or with nothing at all. This is what we call an 'all purpose red'! $8.99
per bottle.
Cielo Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2007 - A delightful new find in the world
of Pinot Grigio, this easy drinking white offers a lot of quality for the price.
IGT wines from Italy represent wines which are 'typical of the geographic
region' and usually, they pony up a lot of bang for the buck. They are seen as
being of better quality than a table wine but don't have the pedigree of a DOC
or DOCG wine so they don't have the big price tag. A touch of melon and apple
and all around delightful. $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 Shiraz 2006 - And still more value from South Africa! I
swear this wine has wings on it since it flies 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.
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.
We're the Brady Bunch and have a few extra Dead Presidents in our wallet...
J. Lohr 'Wildflower' Monterey Valdiguie 2006 - Valdiguie is an obscure southern
French grape and in the case of California growers, it was mistakenly identified
as 'Napa Gamay', until it was correctly ID'd to be Valdiguie. It is Gamay in
style, however, with bright red fruits and a beautiful violet color. It's a
perfect red for fall as well as for the table with turkey and all the trimmings.
$11.99 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. $9.99 per bottle.
La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rosé 2007 - A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and
Syrah, this dry Rosé is juicy and easy drinking on the palate. An excellent
quaffer or perfect with any kind of salad entrée, chicken dish or seafood dish.
$9.99 per bottle.
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.
Domaine de Coussergues Vin de Pays Viognier 2007 -This Viognier is truly a very
pleasant drink because it's not an over-the-top aromatic white. It does have the
interesting notes of exotic flowers alongside apricots and prickly pears without
the intensity turned up to ten which can sometimes be overwhelming in a Viognier.
Plus, the price is right. An excellent white for Fall. $9.99 per bottle.
Cousino Macul 'Dona Isidora' Riesling 2007 - We've seen several nice productions
of Riesling coming out of South America and this wine is certainly one of them.
Hints of rose petal and a delightfully light viscousness on the palate make for
a nice rendition of Riesling from south of the border. An excellent wine
selection for pork dishes. Normally $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per
bottle.
Cono Sur Central Valle Pinot Noir 2007 - For the third year in a row, this is
one of the best Pinot Noirs we've found from anywhere around the globe for the
money. It has a wonderful plush mouth feel to it with soft, juicy tannins on the
finish. $9.99 per bottle.
Just the Two of Us (or maybe 4) and We're Looking for a Special Bottle of
Wine...
Gray Ghost Virginia Gewurztraminer 2007 - This just might be best bottle of wine
Gray Ghost Winery has ever made...it's incredibly sumptuous! Gewurztraminer is a
classic white wine match for turkey and all the trimmings and if you're looking
for an American wine for our American holiday, this is your wine. We bought all
the winery had so once it's gone, it's all gone! $17.99 per bottle.
Bodegas Nais 'Naisdes' Rueda Verdejo 2006 - This unique gem is from the northern
part of Spain and is made from 100+ year old Verdejo vines which were amazingly
enough, left untouched by phylloxera. It is a rich wine with amazing acidity and
shows off notes of ripe pears, honeysuckle and a touch of vanilla spice. In a
blind tasting, one might mistake it for a terrific White Burgundy. $32.99 per
bottle.
David Noyes Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2006 - This is a mouthful of tasty Pinot
for the money. Founder and winemaker David Noyes cut his teeth in the winemaking
business starting in 1970 at Ridge Winery. He later worked for Kunde Winery in
Sonoma and then left to start his own winery. He makes several Pinots which are
meant to reflect the unique terroir, climate and resulting grapes from each
different area. Perhaps most importantly, his winemaking focus is to make wines
to go with food and what better holiday is there for food and wine than
Thanksgiving! This wine is full of rich red and black fruit flavors intermingled
with hints of clove and cinnamon. $24.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Fall Wine Tastings...All Tastings Are Complimentary!
Thursday, November 20th - 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of
The Country Vintner. Whether you're serving two or twenty two, we'll have a wine
for you on the table to try! Seven tasty choices will be on the tasting table.
4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, November 21st - Turkey Day Wines with Bill McKenney of Michael Downey
Selections. Bill represents some fantastic artisanal producers from Italy as
well as some lovely biodynamic properties in France. We'll have some to try
appropriate for the Big Bird. 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, November 22nd - Alsace and Rhone Tasting with Brian Forsgren of
Potomac Selections. An excellent array of choices perfect for the Big Bird.
12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Tuesday, November 25th - Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Malcolm Riddle of
International Cellars. 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, December2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe - 2 Seats Left!
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January13th - Bordeaux Basics 4 Seats Left!
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert
Bordeaux(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as
he has one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington,D.C. area. $50 per
person.
Don't forget...Gift Certificates are available for Wine Classes and they make a
great gift!!
Bogie's Recipe Board
There's nothing better than a cookbook with pictures! My Mom won't let me eat
beans (go figure) but this recipe sure looked good. Maybe she'll let me snack on
the shallot crisps. As the Food Hound here at The Wine Seller, I'm actually a
pretty conscientious nutritionist. I know meals can't be all treats and
snacks...you need to eat your veggies too. And amazingly enough, I do like and
eat veggies! Here's my pick for a recipe this week from The Thanksgiving Table.
Stay tuned for more recipes for the Thanksgiving feast in the next couple of
winE-Letters!
Sauteed Green Beans with Shallot Crisps
Serves 8-10
1/3 cup vegetable oil
½ cup thinly sliced shallots (about 5 to 6 shallots)
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp olive oil
2 pounds green beans, trimmed
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Set a plate lined with double thickness of paper towels next to the stove. Heat
the vegetable oil in a 6 inch sauté pan over medium high heat until hot but not
smoking. Test the temperature by adding 1 slice of shallot to the hot oil. If
the oil begins to bubble and sizzle without splattering and the shallot turns
golden, then the oil is ready. Using a slotted spoon, add half of the shallots
to the oil. Fry until they are crisp and turn a dark golden brown, about 1 to 2
mins. Remove from the oil and drain on the paper towels. Repeat with the
remaining shallots. Set aside at room temperature until ready to garnish the
beans. You can make the shallot crisps several hours ahead.
Heat a 12 inch sauté pan over medium high heat. Add the butter and olive oil and
swirl to coat the pan. Then add the green beans. Saute, stirring frequently,
until the beans are bright green and crisp-tender, about 5 mins. Season with
salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the beans to a warmed serving bowl and
garnish with the shallot crisps. Serve immediately.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
On Thanksgiving, there are many flavors on the table so you need wines which
will be able to stand up to everything going on your plate. My white pick for a
busy turkey plate is the Jezebel Oregon Blanc 2007 for $15.99. This is an
incredibly tasty white as well as zesty, alive and refreshing. It'll fight off
the tryptophan in the turkey! My red pick for a busy turkey plate is the Cono
Sur Central Valley Pinot Noir 2007 for $9.99. This mouthcoating red has enough
plushness on the palate to handle all of the flavors on your plate.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: I'm a Pinot Gris grape growing in the Loire Valley
but there is only appellation where Pinot Gris is allowed to be grown and
labeled as such. In which appellation am I growing?
Answer: Reuilly in the eastern part of the Loire Valley just to the west of the
Quincy appellation.
Congratulations to this week's quiz winner Bill Haskitt! Come on in and collect
your prize.
This Week's Quiz Question: You open up a bottle of wine and out pops little
which crystal-like particles. What are they and should you go running for the
hinterlands?
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, Basset Hounds
consider bribery perfectly legit!
Special Orders
If you had a wine somewhere and you're interested in seeing if it's available
for purchase, just call us (703-471-9649) or email us (lucinda@thewineseller.com)
and we'll research it out for you. Just provide us the name of the wine, vintage
if you're looking for a particular year and your name and phone # and we'll do
the rest! If it's available in Virginia for resale, we'll let you know the price
and vintage and you can let us know if you want to order any, if so how much and
payment info. Usually, we can get what you're looking for in a week or less.
Case Discounts
Mix or match a case (12 bottles or more) and take 10% off any day of the week.
Mix or match 3 cases (36 bottles or more) and take 15% off any day of the week.
NEW!!!
Call Ahead
In a hurry? Or planning to come by later in the week? Just call ahead
(703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and give us your order
and payment information and we'll take care of the rest. Your wine will be
waiting for you when you pull into the parking lot!
Wine Delivery
As a reminder, particularly with the holidays coming up, we deliver wine!
Whether you are giving a gift of wine and need it delivered or wish to purchase
wine via phone or email and have us bring it to you, we deliver! All wine
deliveries must be signed for by an adult who is age 21 or older and a picture
ID such as a license or passport must be provided to verify age. Business
addresses are preferable to home addresses.
WOOF! Ask Bogart.
Check out our new Q&A section on our website (http://www.thewineseller.com/ask_bogart.htm).
Have a food and wine pairing question? Have a wine emergency?? We've got a new
online form you can fill out to send in your question and we'll shoot you back
an answer to get you out of a wine bind!!
Galletta's Italian Gourmet Food
A reminder to all of our winE-Letter readers that we offer Galletta's products
for sale and pickup at the store. Galletta's is family owned Italian gourmet
shop located in Leesburg and they make homemade pasta daily, have some of the
best charcuterie and cheeses in the area (including unbelievable Parmesan!) and
other gourmet items. Many of the Italian gourmet items come from the Italian
market in Philadelphia as Mark Galletta goes up there every other week. For a
list of available products, please check out at http://www.thewineseller.com/inthepantry.htm.
Please Note: Prices may vary and we will be updating the pricing from Galletta's
and accordingly, updating our website. Prices are based upon market rates.
Pickup for Thanksgiving: If you are interested in ordering any items from
Galeltta's for the Thanksgiving holiday, pickup will be available after 11:00am
on Wednesday, November 26th. All items will be picked up fresh that morning at
Galletta's and delivered to The Wine Seller. We will be open until 8:00pm so
pickup of any items ordered will be between 11:00am and 8:00pm. Orders for
Thanksgiving pickup must be submitted by Monday, November 24th by 7:00pm. Please
submit your order via email and include your phone #. If we do not have your
credit card info on file, we will contact you for that information to confirm
the order.
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates make the perfect hostess gift or holiday gift and we've got
them! Gift certificates are available in any denomination and are valid for six
months from the date of purchase. And if you need a gift certificate mailed to
the recipient, we're happy to put it in the mail for you!
Private Tastings
Always worth mentioning from time to time, we are available to do private wine
tastings in your home or business. It's a great twist on planning a party and we
can tailor the tasting to any type of event -from a client appreciation party to
a bridal shower party. Or give the gift of a private wine tasting to the
oenophile in your life as a holiday present. Call us (703-471-9649) or email us
(Lucinda@thewineseller.com) for details on how the tastings work and pricing.
Give a gift of a Private Wine Tasting! Gift Certificates are available for any
scenario - pay for the private two hour tasting with the Sommelier or include
enough to cover the cost of the wine as well.
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings Featuring
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs and Judy Mundy
Fowler of Puriri Hills Winery
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: November 6, 2008
Beaujolais Nouveau, Turkeys, Wine Tastings Galore....it's that
time of year again! Welcome to November where the air is brisk, the food is
comforting and the wine is interesting and reasonably priced here at The Wine
Seller. As always, we have lots of Turkey Day Wine Tastings going on all month
so you can 'try before you buy' as well as our famous (ok, perhaps infamous) Six
Packs for the Big Bird are unveiled today. Once again, it's the 'Dynamic Duo'
(this year, this is Nancy and Lucinda) versus last year's sales champions, the
'Odd Couple' of Vaughn and Bogart. Plus, we have a 'House Six Pack' and you
won't believe the price for that one! Check out all the details below for our
Turkey Day Six Packs this year!!
Beaujolais Nouveau will be arriving this year on Thursday, November 20th a week
before Thanksgiving...those clever French marketing mavericks (hmmm....maybe the
term 'maverick' has been overused this year). We'll have tastings of wines for
Thanksgiving going on every Saturday this month plus a few additional days just
before Turkey Day including our 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason
Bise of The Country Vintner on Thursday the 20th. Bogart has recipes for the
Thanksgiving table all month and have we mentioned we have the smartest quizzers
in the state?! We'll see if our Quiz Question can stump you this week...get out
your thinking caps (or at least go to Google!).
And kicking off our Turkey Day wines to try is David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars who will be here this Saturday from 12pm to 4pm. Come by and taste five
different wines on the tasting table including one of the best California
Zinfandels I have had in years!! Bring in your Thanksgiving recipes and we'll
get you hooked up in the Wine Department. We'll see you soon!!
Bogart's' Economic Stimulus' Plan
Just like the Federal Government, Bogart is full of ideas. I probably don't need
to tell you some of his ideas are better than others. We have, however, adopted
our own 'Economic Stimulus Plan' for Food and Wine Lovers to help that gourmet
budget. Here's how you can stretch your wine budget dollars further each day at
The Wine Seller & Vineyard Table!
Six on Sunday Special - Buy 6 Wines, get 5% off
Money Monday - Monday is Bogie Buck$ Day. Purchase between $60 and $119.99 and
earn $5 in Bogie Buck$; purchase between $120 and$199.99 and earn $10 in Bogie
Buck$; purchase over $200 and earn $15 in Bogie Buck$. All Bogie Buck$ good on
your next store purchase.
Twofer Tuesday - Buy any two wines priced at $9.99 for $17.99 plus tax
Hump Day Means Bubbles! - Take 10% any Sparkling Wine or Champagne (it's never
too early to start planning a celebration!)
Thirsty on Thursday - Take 5% off any wine in a bin
Five on Friday - It's our 'BFF' Taste Test...Blind Five Friday. Try our Blind
Wine Tastings and if you buy after you try, take 5% off!
Mix or match a case (12 bottles or more) and take 10% off any day of the week.
Mix or match 3 cases (36 bottles or more) and take 15% off any day of the week.
NEW!!!
Happenings this Weekend...
Friday Night Complimentary Tasting from 4:00pm to 7:00pm - Come have some
tasting fun as we have our weekly 'BFF'....Blind Five Friday! We'll have 2 to 3
wines open to try but they'll be hiding out in brown bags. You get to try them
and decide if you like them! And if you do, buy any of them and take 5% off from
bottle 1.
Saturday Afternoon Complimentary Tasting from 12:00pm to 4:00pm - On the tasting
table is David Bortolin of Cobblestone Cellars with some values and some gems.
David represents both Nobilissima Pinot Grigio which has been a big hit around
here and we'll have the new vintage of it open to try as well as one of the very
best Zinfandels I have had in a long, long time. A nice 'treat' wine for Turkey
Day! Plus, we'll have a pair of perfect Oregon wines to go with the Big Bird - a
Riesling and a Pinot Noir which offer a lot of value. Lastly, a red blend from
California by X Winery rounds out the lineup. Come on by and try before you buy!
Turkey Day Six Packs
Returning again by popular demand, we have our Turkey Day Six Packs to go with
your Big Bird. This year, the 'Dynamic Duo' is Lucinda and Nancy and again this
year (and last year's reigning champions in sales), the 'Odd Couple' is Vaughn
and Bogart. In addition, we have a 'House Six Pack for Turkey' at the
unbelievable price of $36! The Six Packs will be ready to roll out the door
starting this weekend. So, drum roll please......here's our Six Packs for Turkey
this year!!
'Dynamic Duo' Six Pack (Nancy & Lucinda) - $60 including tax (Turkey Sticker
Box)
1 bottle of Domaine St. Vincent Brut NV (Sparkling wine from New Mexico)
3 bottles of Domaine de Coussergues Vin de Pays Viognier 2007 (aromatic & exotic
white Rhone wine)
2 bottles of Cono Sur Central Valley Pinot Noir 2007 (plush Pinot Noir from
Chile)
'Odd Couple' Six Pack (Vaughn & Bogart) - $50 including tax (Dog Bone Sticker
Box)
1 bottle of Duche de Longueville Cidre Bouche de Cru (sparkling alcoholic apple
cider!!)
2 bottles of Roncier Blanc NV (clean, fresh Chardonnay from Burgundy)
3 bottles of Bricco dei Tati Pemonte Barbera 2006 (soft red from the Piedmont
region of Italy)
House Six Pack (all of us get credit!) - $36 including tax
Pick any six wines from our 'Six Buck$ and You Won't Upchuck' Section for $36
total! WHAT A DEAL!!! There are eight different wines to choose from including a
Portuguese Red; a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile as well as a Chardonnay; a
Sauvignon Blanc, a Chenin Blanc and a Shiraz from South Africa; and a Syrah and
a Zinfandel from California.
Turkey Day Wine Picks...Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!
Whether it's an intimate dinner for 2 or the table is going out the door into
another room with 30 people seated around, The Wine Seller has you covered in
the Wine Department for Interesting Wines, Reasonably Priced. We will make you
look like a Wine Rock Star at the Thanksgiving Table! We've scoured all of our
reps' books and think we have found some great wines at all price points this
year for Thanksgiving. Of course, our first measuring yardstick is the wines on
the list have to pass our 'two glass theory'...after all, a long weekend with
family calls for at least two glasses!! All of the wines will work terrifically
with all the trimmings on the table so come on in, tell us what you're making,
we'll try not to invite ourselves to your house for dinner and we will hook you
up with some great wines, red or white (or both) from $5.99 on up. Here's our
list of picks for the Day of the Big Bird and we'll be tweaking it as we go
through the month.
Sparkling Starters
Duche de Longueville Cidre Bouche de Cru - $9.99 (classically made French
sparkling apple cider from Normandy - 4% alcohol)
Domaine St. Vincent Brut NV - $10.99 (our longstanding and uber popular American
sparkling wine from New Mexico)
Casabianca Prosecco Brut NV - $11.99 (fresh and lightly fruity, it's still dry
on the palate and incredibly refreshing)
St. Meyland Brut NV - $12.99 (sparkling wine made with the grapes of Champagne,
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir coming from Burgundy, it's a classically styled French
bubbly)
Help! My Family is the size of a merger between The Waltons and Eight is
Enough!!
Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Cortese 2007- Cortese is a white grape varietal which
grows in the Piedmont area of Northwestern Italy. It tends to show of juicy,
ripe fruit but because it is from the north where the climates are cooler, the
grape retains good acidity. This is a fantastic all purpose white - perfect for
an aperitif, serving at a pot luck dinner or with any kind of salad entrée,
chicken dish or fish. And you can't beat the price. $7.99 per bottle.
Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Barbera 2006- A tasty Italian red is the perfect glass
of vino as the weather turns cooler. This Barbera is excellent by itself as a
quaffer but would also be a great all purpose red for a banquet dinner or any
tomato based dish. And we keep looking for these value prices! $7.99 per bottle.
Borsao Campo de Borja 2007- This tried and true gem of a red wine has been
hanging out in our bins for the last several years and this vintage is just as
good as ever! It's a tasty Garnacha and it works with just about any type of
food or with nothing at all. This is what we call an 'all purpose red'! $8.99
per bottle.
Cielo Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2007 - A delightful new find in the world
of Pinot Grigio, this easy drinking white offers a lot of quality for the price.
IGT wines from Italy represent wines which are 'typical of the geographic
region' and usually, they pony up a lot of bang for the buck. They are seen as
being of better quality than a table wine but don't have the pedigree of a DOC
or DOCG wine so they don't have the big price tag. A touch of melon and apple
and all around delightful. $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 Shiraz 2006 - And still more value from South Africa! I
swear this wine has wings on it since it flies 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.
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.
We're the Brady Bunch and have a few extra Dead Presidents in our wallet...
J. Lohr 'Wildflower' Monterey Valdiguie 2006 - Valdiguie is an obscure southern
French grape and in the case of California growers, it was mistakenly identified
as 'Napa Gamay', until it was correctly ID'd to be Valdiguie. It is Gamay in
style, however, with bright red fruits and a beautiful violet color. It's a
perfect red for fall as well as for the table with turkey and all the trimmings.
$11.99 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. $9.99 per bottle.
La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rosé 2007 - A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and
Syrah, this dry Rosé is juicy and easy drinking on the palate. An excellent
quaffer or perfect with any kind of salad entrée, chicken dish or seafood dish.
$9.99 per bottle.
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.
Domaine de Coussergues Vin de Pays Viognier 2007 -This Viognier is truly a very
pleasant drink because it's not an over-the-top aromatic white. It does have the
interesting notes of exotic flowers alongside apricots and prickly pears without
the intensity turned up to ten which can sometimes be overwhelming in a Viognier.
Plus, the price is right. An excellent white for Fall. $9.99 per bottle.
Cousino Macul 'Dona Isidora' Riesling 2007 - We've seen several nice productions
of Riesling coming out of South America and this wine is certainly one of them.
Hints of rose petal and a delightfully light viscousness on the palate make for
a nice rendition of Riesling from south of the border. An excellent wine
selection for pork dishes. Normally $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per
bottle.
Cono Sur Central Valle Pinot Noir 2007 - For the third year in a row, this is
one of the best Pinot Noirs we've found from anywhere around the globe for the
money. It has a wonderful plush mouth feel to it with soft, juicy tannins on the
finish. $9.99 per bottle.
Just the Two of Us (or maybe 4) and We're Looking for a Special Bottle of
Wine...
Gray Ghost Virginia Gewurztraminer 2007 - This just might be best bottle of wine
Gray Ghost Winery has ever made...it's incredibly sumptuous! Gewurztraminer is a
classic white wine match for turkey and all the trimmings and if you're looking
for an American wine for our American holiday, this is your wine. We bought all
the winery had so once it's gone, it's all gone! $17.99 per bottle.
Bodegas Nais 'Naisdes' Rueda Verdejo 2006 - This unique gem is from the northern
part of Spain and is made from 100+ year old Verdejo vines which were amazingly
enough, left untouched by phylloxera. It is a rich wine with amazing acidity and
shows off notes of ripe pears, honeysuckle and a touch of vanilla spice. In a
blind tasting, one might mistake it for a terrific White Burgundy. $32.99 per
bottle.
Winning Wines for Wall Street Woes
In our bins and stacks, you will mostly find tasty values in the $6 to $15 range
with a large percentage of them under $10. Mix and match a case and take 10% off
your total to boot!! Mix and match 3 cases and take 15% off!! Come in and see
all of the succulent choices and see why we live up to our mantra of
'Interesting Wines, Reasonably Priced.'
Upcoming Fall Wine Tastings...All Tastings Are Complimentary!
Saturday, November 15th - Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. These highly related,
award winning Pinots from Kiwi are not to be missed! 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, November 20th - 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of
The Country Vintner. Whether you're serving two or twenty two, we'll have a wine
for you on the table to try! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, November 21st - Turkey Day Wines with Bill McKenney of Michael Downey
Selections. Bill represents some fantastic artisanal producers from Italy as
well as some lovely biodynamic properties in France. We'll have some to try
appropriate for the Big Bird. 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, November 22nd - Alsace and Rhone Tasting with Brian Forsgren of
Potomac Selections. An excellent array of choices perfect for the Big Bird.
12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Tuesday, November 25th - Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Malcolm Riddle of
International Cellars. 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, December2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe - 2 Seats Left!
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert
Bordeaux(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as
he has one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington,D.C. area. $50 per
person.
Don't forget...Gift Certificates are available to attend Wine Classes and they
make a great gift!
Bogie's Recipe Board
Thanksgiving is three weeks away and I can't wait! Our BIG food holiday is my
favorite holiday. The house smells sooooooo good while the turkey and all the
trimmings are slowly cooking in the oven. And I seem to make out pretty well in
the Snack Department. I'm quite partial to stuffing so I'm picking a stuffing
recipe that looks pretty good to me. Anything with bacon in it always comes out
tasty. Maybe my Mom will make this stuffing recipe this year (hint, hint). From
The Thanksgiving Table, here's my recipe pick for this week. Stay tuned for more
recipes for the Thanksgiving feast during the month of November!
Bread Stuffing with Apples, Bacon and Caramelized Onions
Serves 12
1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
10 cups unseasoned dry bread cubes*
8 ounces bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
1-1/4 pounds pearl onions, peeled and halved
1 tbsp sugar
2 Granny Smith apples (about 6 oz each), peeled, cored and cut into ½ inch dice
3 large celery ribs, chopped
2/3 cup minced fresh Parsley
1 tbsp fresh Thyme leaves
1 tbsp minced fresh Sage
1 tsp salt
Freshly ground pepper
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups Chicken Stock
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a deep 9x13 pan with the butter. Place the
bread cubes in a very large mixing bowl. In a 10 inch sauté pan, cook the bacon
over medium heat until crisp. Drain and add to the bread to the bowl. Remove all
but 2 tbsp of the bacon fat from the pan, reserving the extra. Add the onions to
the pan and sauté over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until soft and
lightly browned, about 5 mins. Sprinkle the sugar over the onions and sauté,
stirring constantly, until the onions turn golden and the edges caramelize,
about 3 to 5 mins. Add to the bread in the bowl.
Return the pan to medium heat and add 2 tbsp of the reserved bacon fat and swirl
to coat the pan. Add the apples and celery and sauté, stirring frequently, until
softened, about 5 to 7 mins. Add the Parsley, Thyme, Sage, salt and pepper and
sauté 1 minute longer. Add this mixture to the bread mixture and stir to
combine. Add the beaten eggs and stock to the bowl and mix well. Place the
stuffing in the prepared 9x13 pan and bake, uncovered, until the top is lightly
browned and crusty, about 1 hour.
* To make your own bread cubes, take a loaf of artisan or peasant style bread
and trim the crusts and cut the bread into ½ inch cubes. Spread them out on a
baking sheet. Toast the cubes in a 400 degree oven until they just begin to
brown, about 10 mins. Cool completely before using.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
Stuffing, particularly bread stuffings, are rich so you need a wine which is
weighty enough to stand up to the richness of the dish. For a white, try a white
blend from Oregon which might be a mix of Pinot Gris/Pinot
Blanc/Gewurztraminer/Riesling/Muller Thurgau/Chardonnay or some combination of
those grapes or try an Alsatian white.
For a red, go for a mouth coating red wine such as a California Zinfandel or
Syrah, an Australian Shiraz or Shiraz/Grenache blend or a Malbec from Argentina.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What is an ampelographer?
Answer: An ampelographer is someone who is grapevine expert and knows the
variety of the vine just by looking at the leaves.
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Dena Contompasis, Diane Whitmoyer
and Val Winstead!! Come on in and collect your prize.
This Week's Quiz Question: I'm a Pinot Gris grape growing in the Loire Valley
but there is only appellation where Pinot Gris is allowed to be grown and
labeled as such. In which appellation am I growing?
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!
Special Orders
If you had a wine somewhere and you're interested in seeing if it's available
for purchase, just call us (703-471-9649) or email us (lucinda@thewineseller.com)
and we'll research it out for you. Just provide us the name of the wine, vintage
if you're looking for a particular year and your name and phone # and we'll do
the rest! If it's available in Virginia for resale, we'll let you know the price
and vintage and you can let us know if you want to order any, if so how much and
payment info. Usually, we can get what you're looking for in a week or less.
Call Ahead
In a hurry? Or planning to come by later in the week? Just call ahead
(703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and give us your order
and payment information and we'll take care of the rest. Your wine will be
waiting for you when you pull into the parking lot!
Wine Delivery
As a reminder, particularly with the holidays coming up, we deliver wine!
Whether you are giving a gift of wine and need it delivered or wish to purchase
wine via phone or email and have us bring it to you, we deliver! All wine
deliveries must be signed for by an adult who is age 21 or older and a picture
ID such as a license or passport must be provided to verify age. Business
addresses are preferable to home addresses.
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates make the perfect hostess gift or holiday gift and we've got
them! Gift certificates are available in any denomination and are valid for six
months from the date of purchase. And if you need a gift certificate mailed to
the recipient, we're happy to put it in the mail for you!
Private Tastings
Always worth mentioning from time to time, we are available to do private wine
tastings in your home or business. It's a great twist on planning a party and we
can tailor the tasting to any type of event -from a client appreciation party to
a bridal shower party. Or give the gift of a private wine tasting to the
oenophile in your life as a holiday present. Call us (703-471-9649) or email us
(Lucinda@thewineseller.com) for details on how the tastings work and pricing.
That's it for this week! Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings Featuring
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with David Bortolin of cobblestone Cellars
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: October 30, 2008
It’s the Tri Factor this week – we’ve got Halloween on Friday,
Daylight Standard Time returns on Sunday (YIPEE!!! We get an extra hour of
sleep!) and Election Day arrives on Tuesday (hip, hip hooray….finally, no more
political ads!). Are you going to an Election Day party on Tuesday? If you are,
come on in on Tuesday and mention you’re celebrating America and get 10% off any
wine purchase! It’s going to be a good thing we get an extra hour’s sleep on
Sunday because I think we’re going to need on Tuesday night!! The future
Secretary of the Treasury, Bogart Smith, is rolling out his new Economic
Stimulus Plan (ok, it’s just for Wine Budgets but it’s a great start!). Read on
below to get all the details of how you can save some buck$ and make your wine
dollars go further at The Wine Seller!
Friday night, we’ll kick off our weekly Blind Tasting by putting the wine
samples in a brown bag while you try them to see if you like them. If you do and
you purchase them, take 5% off Bottle One! On Saturday, we’ll have Peter Gaylor
of William Harrison Imports here sampling some tasty gems from France and
Argentina. We’ve got all sorts of great tastings during the month of November
with selections focused on wines for Thanksgiving and there will be plenty of
wines to try before you buy for the Day of the Big Bird. And don’t forget, we’ve
got a ton of wine to choose from in all the food groups – White, Rosé and Red –
for under $10 a bottle. We call them ‘Winning Wines for Wall St. Woes’! In
addition to becoming a highly regarded economic advisor, Bogart has still been
leafing through the cookbooks looking for good fall recipes and he has a new one
this week. Plus, we’ve got a new quiz in the Quiz Corner this week too. And
don’t forget, you can call ahead for wine orders, we can special order any wine
available in Virginia you might be looking for and we deliver wine as well…all
the details are below. Enjoy your extra hour of beauty sleep and we’ll look
forward to seeing you soon!
Bogart’s ‘Economic Stimulus’ Plan
Just like the Federal Government, Bogart is full of ideas. Today, he’s unveiling
his groovy marketing ideas. Read on below to see how you can stretch your wine
budget dollars further each day at The Wine Seller & Vineyard Table!
* Six on Sunday Special – Buy 6 Wines, get 5% off
* Money Monday – Monday is Bogie Buck$ Day. Purchase between $60 and $119.99 and
earn $5 in Bogie Buck$; purchase between $120 and $199.99 and earn $10 in Bogie
Buck$; purchase over $200 and earn $15 in Bogie Buck$. All Bogie Buck$ good on
your next store purchase.
* Twofer Tuesday – Buy any two wines priced at $9.99 for $17.99 plus tax
* Hump Day Means Bubbles! – Take 10% any Sparkling Wine or Champagne (it’s never
too early to start planning a celebration!)
* Thirsty on Thursday – Take 5% off any wine in a bin
* Five on Friday – It’s our ‘BFF’ Taste Test…Blind Five Friday. Try our Blind
Wine Tastings and if you buy after you try, take 5% off!
Mix or match a case (12 bottles or more) and take 10% off any day of the week.
Mix or match 3 cases (36 bottles or more) and take 15% off any day of the week.
Happenings this Weekend…
Friday Night Complimentary Tasting from 4:00pm to 7:00pm – Come have some
tasting fun as we kick off our own ‘BFF’….Blind Five Friday! Starting this
Friday and happening every Friday, we’ll have 2 to 3 wines open to try but
they’ll be hiding (in true Halloween form) in a brown bag. You get to try them
and decide if you like them! And if you do, buy any of them and take 5% off from
bottle 1.
Saturday Afternoon Complimentary Tasting from 12:00pm to 4:00pm – Join Peter
Gaylor of William Harrison Imports as we take a tasting tour through France and
Argentina. We’ll try a value sparkling wine from Burgundy as well as two whites
from Burgundy, a red Rhone and a luscious Malbec from Argentina.
Winning Wines for Wall Street Woes
Here are some examples of the types of tasty values you’ll find in our bins and
stacks in the store. As you can see, we have lots of wines to choose from in the
‘Under $10’ category. Mix and match a case and take 10% off your total to boot!!
Mix and match 3 cases and take 15% off!!
Whites
Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Cortese 2007 - $7.99
Cielo Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2007 - $8.99
Cousino Macul ‘Dora Isadora’ Riesling 2007 - $9.99
Terrazzo Marche 2007 - $8.99
Josef Bauer Gruner Veltliner 2007 - $9.99
Silene Terre di Chieti IGT Cococciola 2007 - $7.99
Arabella South Africa Chenin Blanc 2006 – $5.99
Arabella South Africa Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - $5.99
Roncier White NV - $8.99
Domaine Lalanne White Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - $9.99
La Cappuccina Soave 2007 - $9.99
Domaine de Coussergues Vin de Pays Viognier 2007 - $9.99
Bodega Lurton Mendoza Pinot Gris 2007 - $9.99
Rosés
La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rosé 2007 - $9.99
Reds
Bricco dei Tati Pemonte Barbera 2006 - $7.99
Dao Vidigual 2007 - $8.49
Cono Sur Central Valley (Chile) Pinot Noir 2007 - $9.99
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - $9.99
Borsao Campo de Borja 2007 - $8.99
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - $7.99
Terrai Carinena Garnacha 2007 - $8.99
Cellers Unio ‘Perlat’ Montsant Garnacha 2005 - $9.99
Arabella South Africa Shiraz 2006 - $5.99
Sea Ridge California Zinfandel 2006 - $5.99
Sea Ridge California Syrah 2006 - $5.99
Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Merlot NV - $7.99
Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon NV - $7.99
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - $9.99
Gouguenheim Tupungato Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - $9.99
Upcoming Fall Wine Tastings...All Tastings Are Complimentary!
Saturday, November 8th - Values and Jewels with David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars. If you like California Zinfandel, we have one for you to taste which
you should not miss! 12:00pm to4:00pm.
Saturday, November 15th - Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, November 20th – 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of
The Country Vintner. Whether you're serving two or twenty two, we'll have a wine
for you on the table to try! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, November 21st – Turkey Day Wines with Bill McKenney of Michael Downey
Selections. Bill represents some fantatic artisanal producers from Italy as well
as some lovely biodynamic properties in France. We’ll have some to try
appropriate for the Big Bird. 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, November 22nd – Alsace and Rhone Tasting with Brian Forsgren of
Potomac Selections. An excellent array of choices perfect for the Big Bird.
12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Tuesday, November 25th – Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Malcolm Riddle of
International Cellars. 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, December2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe – 4 Seats Left!
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday,January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
One of our ‘Friends of the Store’ we call English Mark emailed me a great recipe
which I just had to share. After all, it had CHEESE in it! Plus, the tart crust
recipe you could use for all sorts of items you might make during the holidays.
Tomato & Goat Cheese Tart
Serves 4-6
Filling
3 or 4 Farmers Market tomatoes peeled, seeded, diced and drained to make 1-1/2
cups of chopped tomatoes (or substitute Muir Glen Organic or Contadina Roma
diced tomatoes, drained)
3 oz soft, mild goat cheese
1-1/2 lightly beaten eggs
2 tbps heavy cream
Chopped sprig of fresh Thyme or ½ tsp dried thyme
Salt and Freshly ground black pepper
Provencal Pastry
1 cup + 6 oz all purpose flour (preferably organic)
½ tsp salt
3 tbps extra virgin olive oil
½ beaten egg
3 – 5 tbps warm water
With your knuckles, rapidly knead the flour, salt, olive oil, ½ beaten egg (save
the other ½ for the filling part) and salt in a bowl with enough tepid water to
make a fairly soft dough (it will pick up more flour when you roll it out). Let
the dough rest for 20 mins while preheating the oven to 400 degrees and
assembling the filling. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to make 10 to 11
inch circle. Line a removable bottom 8 inch tart pan with the dough and fold the
edges over to make thicker sides. Prick the bottom of the dough with a fork and
blind bake for 15 mins (press foil onto the dough and weigh down with rice or
dried beans or pie weights).
Mix the chopped tomatoes, 1-1/2 beaten eggs, cream, thyme, salt and pepper.
Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees, remove the foil and bake for 5 mins.
Brush the sides of the pastry case with the olive oil, add the tomato mixture
and dot the top with chunks of goat cheese. Bake for 25 to 35 mins until the
filling is just set. Serve warm or cold but not too chilled.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
* Sauvignon Blanc is the classic match for goat cheese and its acidity would
also pair well with the acidity in the tomato mixture. Look for a Sauvignon
Blanc from the Loire Valley preferably or second choice, from the West Coast.
* On the red side, you want a wine with good acidity and one that is not too
heavy as goat cheese is a soft cheese. Pinot Noir would be a terrific match
either from Burgundy or from Oregon. You could also do a Beaujolais (not
Beaujolais Nouveau) or a Gamay or a Valdugie.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What do you call the sword sometimes used in a showy
presentation to open a Champagne bottle?
Answer: A Sabre.
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Dena Contompasis, Diane Whitmoyer
and Val Winstead!! Come on in and collect your prize.
This Week's Quiz Question: What is an ampelographer?
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prizepicking' scarf and pick up to three winners
out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider bribery
perfectly legit!
Special Orders
If you had a wine somewhere and you’re interested in seeing if it’s available
for purchase, just call us (703-471-9649) or email us (lucinda@thewineseller.com)
and we’ll research it out for you. Just provide us the name of the wine, vintage
if you’re looking for a particular year and your name and phone # and we’ll do
the rest! If it’s available in Virginia for resale, we’ll let you know the price
and vintage and you can let us know if you want to order any, if so how much and
payment info. Usually, we can get what you’re looking for in a week or less.
Call Ahead
In a hurry? Or planning to come by later in the week? Just call ahead
(703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and give us your order
and payment information and we’ll take care of the rest. Your wine will be
waiting for you when you pull into the parking lot!
Wine Delivery
As a reminder, particularly with the holidays coming up, we deliver wine!
Whether you are giving a gift of wine and need it delivered or wish to purchase
wine via phone or email and have us bring it to you, we deliver! All wine
deliveries must be signed for by an adult who is age 21 or older and a picture
ID such as a license or passport must be provided to verify age. Business
addresses are preferable to home addresses.
Private Tastings
Always worth mentioning from time to time, we are available to do private wine
tastings in your home or business. It's a great twist on planning a party and we
can tailor the tasting to any type of event - from a client appreciation party
to a bridal shower party. Or give the gift of a private wine tasting to the
oenophile in your life as a holiday present. Call us (703-471-9649) or email us
(Lucinda@thewineseller.com) for details on how the tastings work and pricing.
That's it for this week! Happy Halloween!! And don’t forget to ‘Fall Back’ this
Sunday!!!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings Featuring
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports
304 Elden Street, Herndon,VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: October 23, 2008
Did we mention last week that wine is good for Wall Street
Whiplash??! We're going to be pouring some of our 'Winning Wines for Wall St.
Woes' this weekend so come on and try some of the wines we keep on yappin'
about! You'll have great bang for the buck in your glass and we'll keep you
coming in under budget. For the last almost 20 years (yes, our 20th Birthday
Celebration will be coming up before you can say 'Party'!), our focus has always
been to offer interesting wines at reasonable prices. It's our job to ferret out
the wines which give you the 'Wow Factor' and then make you ask us, 'It only
costs how much?!' After all, it's easy to sell fantastic wine which is
pricey...it darn well better taste good! It's harder to find value wines which
really are tasty and don't break the bank...and that has always been our
specialty. Consider us your Wine Hounds looking to find vino which pleases your
palate as well your wallet!
We tasted some great Chilean wines with the Export Director of Cousino-Macul
last Friday night - the Finis Terrae was definitely the showstopper. A big
'thank you' to Matias Ovalle for coming to the store to share his enthusiasm for
his wines. Also, kudos to Tony Roddy of Select Wines for pouring some winners on
the tasting table last Saturday...the whites were going neck and neck in
popularity! Next weekend, we'll have Peter Gaylor at the tasting table on
Saturday pouring some delicious wines from France and Argentina. And do I dare
mention that Thanksgiving will be here before we know it?! Naahh....I think I'll
save talking about The Day of the Big Bird at least until next week! In addition
to leafing through cookbooks, Bogart has now learned how to surf the Internet.
Let's hope he doesn't learn how to email! He does have a new recipe for this
week and he wanted to let everybody know that he is flattered so many of our
readers try his recipes. Not that his ego needs a boost but his chest seems to
get puffier each time he gets positive feedback on his recipe suggestions. No
wonder he's our Food Hound! He's also created his own 'Economic Stimulus Plan'
which he's outlined below. Scary, I know. And we had loads of correct quiz
answers last week...who knew there are so many placomusephiles out there! Read
on to see who Bogie picked as winners plus we have a new quiz question for this
week. Enjoy the fall weather and we look forward to serving your wine needs
soon!
Winning Wines for Wall Street Woes
Here are some examples of the types of tasty values you'll find in our bins and
stacks in the store. As you can see, we have lots of wines to choose from in the
'Under $10' category. Mix and match a case and take 10% off your total to boot!!
We'll be trying some of these wines this weekend at our Friday evening and
Saturday afternoon tastings.
Whites
Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Cortese 2007 - $7.99
Cielo Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2007 - $8.99
Cousino Macul 'Dora Isadora' Riesling 2007 - $9.99
Terrazzo Marche 2007 - $8.99
Josef Bauer Gruner Veltliner 2007 - $9.99
Silene Terre di Chieti IGT Cococciola 2007 - $7.99
Arabella South Africa Chenin Blanc 2006 - $5.99
Arabella South Africa Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - $5.99
Roncier White NV - $8.99
Domaine Lalanne White Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - $9.99
La Cappuccina Soave 2007 - $9.99
Domaine de Coussergues Vin de Pays Viognier 2007 - $9.99
Bodega Lurton Mendoza Pinot Gris 2007 - $9.99
Rosés
La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rosé 2007 - $9.99
Reds
Bricco dei Tati Pemonte Barbera 2006 - $7.99
Dao Vidigual 2007 - $8.49
Cono Sur Central Valley (Chile) Pinot Noir 2007 - $9.99
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - $9.99
Borsao Campo de Borja 2007 - $8.99
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - $7.99
Terrai Carinena Garnacha 2007 - $8.99
Cellers Unio 'Perlat' Montsant Garnacha 2005 - $9.99
El Paso Jumilla Monastrell 2005 - $8.99
Arabella South Africa Shiraz 2006 - $5.99
Sea Ridge California Zinfandel 2006 - $5.99
Sea Ridge California Syrah 2006 - $5.99
Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Merlot NV - $7.99
Mars & Venus Central Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon NV - $7.99
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - $9.99
Gouguenheim Tupungato Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - $9.99
Happenings this Weekend...
For our Friday night tasting (4pm to 7pm) and our Saturday afternoon tasting
(12pm to 4pm), we're going to be pouring some of our 'Winning Wines for Wall
Street Woes'. Come and try before you buy! We think you'll be amazed at how
tasty these wines are without spending lots of dough. You know how we love to
keep Dead Presidents in your wallet!!
Bogart's 'Economic Stimulus' Plan....Come Earn Some Bogie Buck$!!!!
I'm not sure I'd describe The Hound as 'smart' but clever he definitely is! He's
been surfing the Internet and watching the telly and wants to suggest his own
'Economic Stimulus' Plan for food and wine lovers. Come on in this weekend
between today, Thursday 10/23 through Sunday, 10/26, and earn some Bogie Buck$
as you pick up some wine values! All you have to say when you check out is 'I
want my Bogie Buck$'!! Spend between $60 and $120 and earn $5 in Bogie Buck$;
spend between $120 and $200 and earn $10 in Bogie Buck$; spend over $200 and
earn $20 in Bogie Buck$. Maybe Bogart should run for Secretary of the Treasury
instead of President!!!!!!!
Fall Wine Tastings...All Tastings Are Complimentary!
Saturday, November 1st - Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports will be here
showing off their French and Argentinean portfolios. If you have an oenophile on
your holiday gift giving list, this is a tasting not to be missed! 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 8th - Values and Jewels with David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars. If you like California Zinfandel, we have one for you to taste which
you should not miss! 12:00pm to4:00pm.
Saturday, November 15th - Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, December2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday,January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
If you're like my Mom, you have some Spaghetti Squash rolling around your
kitchen left over from Farmer's Markets this fall. Spaghetti Squash is a curious
thing to me - how it looks like squash on the outside but looks like spaghetti
on the inside when you take it out of the shell. Here's a recipe to use up some
of that Spaghetti Squash which is vegetarian to boot. From The Thanksgiving
Table, here's my recipe pick for this week:
Spaghetti Squash with Zucchini, Garlic and Tomato Sauce
Serves 4-6
1 spaghetti squash (about 3 lbs)
¼ cup olive oil
1 medium yellow onion (about 8 oz) cut into ½ inch dice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes in juice, drained
2 small zucchini (about 8 oz) trimmed and cut into ¼ inch dice
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp unsalted butter
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pierce the skin of the squash in several places
with a sharp knife or carving fork. Place the squash on a rimmed baking sheet
and bake until tender when pierced with a fork, about 45 mins. While the squash
is baking, make the sauce.
In a 10 inch sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Swirl to coat the
pan and sauté the onion and garlic, stirring frequently, until softened and just
beginning to brown, about 4 mins. Add the tomatoes, adjust the heat so the sauce
simmers slowly and cook for 20 mins. Add the zucchini and simmer 5 mins longer.
Add the parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm over very low heat.
When the squash is tender, cut in half lengthwise. Use a fork to scrape the
flesh from the skin and place the squash strands in a serving bowl. Toss with
the butter and season with salt and pepper. When ready to serve, spoon the
tomato sauce over the top and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
For a white, any type of Chenin Blanc from South Africa or the Loire Valley
would pair nicely as well as all sorts of Italian white wines - Vernaccia,
Verdicchio, Vermentino, Gavi, Erbaluce...the list is endless. Italian whites
have great acidity and will stand up well to the acidity in the tomato sauce
along with the flavor of the garlic.
For a red, Pinot Noir from Oregon would be a solid choice as would a
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from Italy or a west coast Zinfandel.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: I am a placomusephile. What am I? (Seriously, I am
this but I didn't even know there was a name for it!)
Answer: A collector of the metal caps found on stop of Champagne bottles.
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Michael Volpe, Beth Harris and Anne
Rector!! Come on in and collect your prize.
This Week's Quiz Question: What do you call the sword sometimes used in a showy
presentation to open a Champagne bottle?
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prizepicking' scarf and pick up to three winners
out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider bribery
perfectly legit!
Knowledge for This Week
I am often asked why the term Extra Dry is used to describe Champagne which is
actually sweeter, not drier, than Brut Champagne. I have the answer!!!! It is
because Extra Dry was the term originally used to describe Dry Champagne...that
is, until 1874 when Louise Pommery, the widow of Monsieur Pommery, introduced
the term 'Brut' on their inaugural release of 'Brut Royal'. The Brut Royal
actually was drier than other Extra Dry Champagnes in the market and the term
Brut stuck in the industry and came to be the standard terminology used to
describe Champagnes drier than Extra Dry. How's that for confusing?!!!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings Featuring 'Winning Wines for Wall St. Woes'!!!!!
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon,VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: October 16, 2008
We've got what you need for Wall Street Whiplash!!!! It's
called Wine and we've got plenty of choices at reasonable prices. Just look at
all the terrific wine finds we've got listed below in our 'Winning Wines for
Wall Street Woes'. (Hey, not too shabby for a slogan, eh?!) Not to toot our own
horn (well ok, maybe we are tooting our own horn but it's well earned!), but the
heart of our almost 20 year old business has always been to offer interesting
wines at reasonable prices. And we believe this value or what I like to call
'bang for the buck' has never been more important to or appreciated by our
customers. We know wine is still going to be enjoyed as a part of everyday life
and we'll keep delivering on wine values to please your palate as well as your
wallet.
On to the fun stuff! First, we'd like to say thank you to the folks at Gray
Ghost Vineyards who treated our group to a terrific time at the winery this past
Sunday. We couldn't have asked for more entertaining and accommodating hosts, we
got a great tour, had some great wines and eats and we were delightfully treated
to some sing-a-long guitar while we all sat outside and enjoyed the absolutely
spectacular fall afternoon. This weekend, we have two special events. First, on
Friday, please join Matias Ovalle, Export Manager for Cousino Macul, who is in
the States on a market tour. We'll be tasting some of the staples of the
portfolio along with a more limited release red wine from the winery. Then on
Saturday, Tony Roddy of Select Wines will be here pouring several wines from his
portfolio perfect for the cooler season. Bogart has been reading more cookbooks
and has come up with a new recipe and we've been reading more wine books to come
up with a new Quiz Question this week. We'll look forward to seeing you soon!
Winning Wines for Wall Street Woes
Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Cortese 2007 - Cortese is a white grape varietal which
grows in the Piedmont area of Northwestern Italy. It tends to show of juicy,
ripe fruit but because it is from the north where the climates are cooler, the
grape retains good acidity. This is a fantastic all purpose white - perfect for
an aperitif, serving at a pot luck dinner or with any kind of salad entrée,
chicken dish or fish. And you can't beat the price. $7.99 per bottle.
Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Barbera 2006 - A tasty Italian red is the perfect glass
of vino as the weather turns cooler. This Barbera is excellent by itself as a
quaffer but would also be a great all purpose red for a banquet dinner or any
tomato based dish. And we keep looking for these value prices! $7.99 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.
Borsao Campo de Borja 2007 - This tried and true gem of a red wine has been
hanging out in our bins for the last several years and this vintage is just as
good as ever! It's a tasty Garnacha and it works with just about any type of
food or with nothing at all. This is what we call an 'all purpose red'! $8.99
per bottle.
Cielo Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2007 - A delightful new find in the world
of Pinot Grigio, this easy drinking white offers a lot of quality for the price.
IGT wines from Italy represent wines which are 'typical of the geographic
region' and usually, they pony up a lot of bang for the buck. They are seen as
being of better quality than a table wine but don't have the pedigree of a DOC
or DOCG wine so they don't have the big price tag. A touch of melon and apple, a
delightful Patio White. $8.99 per bottle.
Silene Terre di Chieti IGT Cococciola 2007 - Cococciola is a white grape
indigenous to the region of Abruzzo in south central Italy along the Adriatic
Sea. This is a quintessential summer quaffer. It's light, crisp and refreshing -
perfect by itself or with light snacks such as cheese or fruit. $7.99 per
bottle.
El Paso Jumilla Monastrell 2005 - This tasty red was just screaming for a BBQ to
go to - juicy not jammy, soft tannins on the back end nice layers of red and
blue fruits. It's 85% Monastrell (the Spanish word for Mourvedre) and 15% Syrah
which adds some nice depth on the palate. Arriving Friday and normally priced at
$10.99, specially priced at $8.99.
La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rosé 2007 - A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and
Syrah, this dry Rosé is juicy and easy drinking on the palate. An excellent
quaffer or perfect with any kind of salad entrée, chicken dish or seafood dish.
$9.99 per bottle.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Domaine de Coussergues Vin de Pays Viognier 2007 -This Viognier is truly a very
pleasant drink because it's not an over-the-top aromatic white. It does have the
interesting notes of exotic flowers alongside apricots and prickly pears without
the intensity turned up to ten which can sometimes be overwhelming in a Viognier.
Plus, the price is right. An excellent white for Fall. $9.99 per bottle.
Happenings this Weekend...
Friday, October 17th - Wine Tasting with the Export Manager of Cousino Macul of
Chile
Come on by and try some of the well made wines from Cousino Macul. Matias Ovalle,
the Export Manager for Cousino Macul, will be here to tell you all about the
history of the winery and the wines. We'll try their Riesling, the Antiguas
Reserva Chardonnay, the Antiguas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon and the ultra
premium Finis Terrae wine which is a limited availability Bordeaux blend. 4:00pm
to7:00pm. Complimentary.
Saturday, October 18th - Fall Wines with Tony Roddy of Select Wines
We'll be tasting wines from around the globe including the fantastic
Tiefenbrunner Pinot Bianco, a tasty Vermentino from Sardinia, a Pinot Noir from
the area of Venice, a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile and super rich red Bordeaux. We
call it Global Fusion! 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Complimentary.
Fall Wine Tastings...All Tastings Are Complimentary!
Saturday, October 25th - Plan B in the works....more details next week!
Saturday, November 1st - Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports will be here
showing off their French and Argentinean portfolios. If you have an oenophile on
your holiday gift giving list, this is a tasting not to be missed! 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 8th - Values and Jewels with David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars. If you like California Zinfandel, we have one for you to taste which
you should not miss! 12:00pm to4:00pm.
Saturday, November 15th - Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, December2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday,January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
You should have seen me running around the park this past Sunday! My Mom takes
me up to Ida Lee Park in Leesburg sometimes and I love it up there. There are so
many 'newspapers to read' that it's like the Super Bowl of Smelling. Which makes
me hungry. So, that leads me to curl up on the sofa and read through some more
cookbooks. My Mom was asking for a salad recipe this week and I've picked a beet
salad since they're in season. From the cookbook, The Thanksgiving Table, here's
my recipe for this week.
Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts and Goat Cheese
Serves 6-8
½ cup walnut halves
2 tsp olive oil
1/8 tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground pepper
6 medium beets, trimmed and washed
1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh Parsley
8 basil leaves, cut crosswise into ribbons
Dressing
¼ cup plus 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
¾ tsp salt
¼ tsp sugar
Freshly ground black pepper
3 oz fresh Goat Cheese, crumbled
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the walnuts, olive
oil, salt and pepper. Mix well to coat the walnuts. Spread on a rimmed baking
sheet and bake until nicely toasted, about 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
While the walnuts are baking, wrap the beets individually in foil and place on
another rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until tender when pierced with
a fork, about 1-1/2 hours. Let cool for 20 minutes. Peel the beets by holding
them under cold running water and rubbing off the skins. Cut into ½ inch wedges
and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the walnuts, onion, parsley and basil.
In a glass dish, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, sugar and some
freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to combine. Taste and adjust the
seasonings as needed. Pour over the beet salad and mix well. Marinate at room
temperature for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, toss again and crumble the
goat cheese over the top.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
For a white wine to go with beets, you are looking for something which has
enough weight to stand up to the fleshiness and earthiness of the beets. This
would lead you to look at a Chardonnay or an Alsatian Pinot Gris or Pinot Blanc.
If you go the Chardonnay route, you don't want one which is overbearing with oak
because you need to remember goat cheese will top the salad and that is a tangy
cheese.
For a red wine, look for rich wines such as fleshy Pinot Noirs from Oregon,
juicy Zinfandels from California or Rhone blends of Syrah/Grenache/Mourvedre.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: Name the grape which came from Burgundy and is now
the main grape grown in Cour-Cheverny in the Loire Valley.
Answer: Romorantin
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Bob Puckett, Kathie Rankin and Bev
Garner!! Come on in and collect your prize.
This Week's Quiz Question: I am a placomusephile. What am I? (Seriously, I am
this but I didn't even know there was a name for it!)
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prizepicking' scarf and pick up to three winners
out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider bribery
perfectly legit!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with Matias Ovalle of Cousino Macul
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Tony Roddy of Select Wines
304 Elden Street, Herndon,VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: October 9, 2008
In 26 days, we get a reprieve from political ads for probably,
oh, about one week. HA! Wouldn't it be nice if politicians could only campaign
for say, 90 days before an election? Bogart is busy campaigning for President
but he isn't wasting any money on television or print ads. He's taking his
campaign to the people, one at a time, as they come into the store. And he's as
smooth a politician as they come, particularly with the ladies!! Anyhow, we've
got a couple of great new vino finds from Italy for $8 which are definitely
worth checking out and all sorts of interesting wines, reasonably priced, in the
bins perfect for our early Fall weather. For those of you who ordered the
Evesham Wood Pinot Noir, it should be arriving sometime this afternoon. And I
strongly suspect we'll have a bottle of it open on Saturday to try! Bogart still
has his hound nose stuck in the same cookbook as last week and he's got another
recipe up on his board. For of the quizzers out there, we have a new quiz
question for this week and some quiz winners from last week. And for Columbus
Day weekend, our hours are the same on Saturday and Sunday but on Monday, we
will be open from 11:00am to 6:00pm (instead of 8:00pm). Enjoy the long weekend
everybody...it looks like we are going to have another great weekend weatherwise!
New Vino Finds
Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Cortese 2007 - Cortese is a white grape varietal which
grows in the Piedmont area of Northwestern Italy. It tends to show of juicy,
ripe fruit but because it is from the north where the climates are cooler, the
grape retains good acidity. This is a fantastic all purpose white - perfect for
an aperitif, serving at a pot luck dinner or with any kind of salad entrée,
chicken dish or fish. And you can't beat the price. $7.99 per bottle.
Bricco dei Tati Piemonte Barbera 2006 - A tasty Italian red is the perfect glass
of vino as the weather turns cooler. This Barbera is excellent by itself as a
quaffer but would also be a great all purpose red for a banquet dinner or any
tomato based dish. And we keep looking for these value prices! $7.99 per bottle.
Wines for Fall
Stone Coast Wrattonbully Shiraz 2002- Wrattonbully is one of the newly
established wine regions in Australia located in the Limestone Coast area which
is in the South East area of the island. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely
planted grape in the region with Shiraz right behind it. This Shiraz offers up
loads of rich fruit without having a jammy style to it - it is quite elegant and
supple on the palate. $15.99 per bottle.
Masciarelli Rosé d'Abruzzo IGT 2007- I'm not ready to give up drinking Rosés
yet! This is a tasty one from Italy and it's perfect for fall weather as it's a
little bit richer on the palate. Made from the Montepulciano grape, this Rosé
shows dark cherry flavors alongside rich wild raspberries. Yum. $12.99 per
bottle.
Domaine de Coussergues Vin de Pays Viognier 2007 -This Viognier is truly a very
pleasant drink because it's not an over-the-top aromatic white. It does have the
interesting notes of exotic flowers alongside apricots and prickly pears without
the intensity turned up to ten which can sometimes be overwhelming in a Viognier.
Plus, the price is right. An excellent white for Fall. $9.99 per bottle.
J.Lohr 'Wildflower' Monterey Valdiguie 2007- This easy drinking lighter red is
always a customer favorite because of its fantastic burst of flavor and its
versatility to go with everything (or nothing). Originally mistaken for Napa
Gamay, Valdiguie is an obscure red varietal which originated in the South of
France. It does taste like a Gamay with its bright, red fruit driven flavors but
it does not have any cotton candy or bubble gum traits. A perfect red to put
just a chill on in the fridge and then take outside by the firepit. $11.99 per
bottle.
J.Lohr 'Bay Mist' Monterey White Riesling 2007- This is one of the Rieslings
that shoots down the middle of the Riesling Road- not too sweet but just the
right amount of acidity to balance the fruit. Rieslings are excellent white
wines to enjoy with the fruits of the Fall Harvest and this White Riesling from
J. Lohr is no exception. Perfect with a pork roast or any sort of Indian or
Asian dish. $11.99 per bottle.
Fall Wine Tastings...All Tastings Are Complimentary!
Friday, October 17th- Winetasting with the Export Manager of Cousino Macul of
Chile.
Come on by and try some of the well made wines from Cousino Macul. Matias Ovalle,
the Export Manager for Cousino Macul, will be here to tell you all about the
history of the winery and the wines. 4:00pm to7:00pm.
Saturday, October 18th - Fall Wines with Tony Roddy of Select Wines. We'll be
tasting wines from around the globe including a fantastic Pinot Bianco and a
delicious Pinot Noir from New Zealand. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 25th - Spectacular Spanish Wines with Todd Ruby. Todd
represents some truly outstanding wines including from the Mediterranean region
not to mention he is a walking Sherry Aficionado. 12:00pmto 4:00pm.
Saturday, November 1st - Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports will be here
showing off their French and Argentinean portfolios. If you have an oenophile on
your holiday gift giving list, this is a tasting not to be missed! 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 8th - Values and Jewels with David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars. If you like California Zinfandel, we have one for you to taste which
you should not miss! 12:00pm to4:00pm.
Saturday, November 15th - Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, December2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday,January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
I'm still reading the same cookbook this week which I was reading last week.
Boy, these pictures of the dishes are fantastic! I'm opting for a simple dish
perfect for early Fall weather this week. From Wine & Food: A New Look at
Flavor, here's my recipe pick for this week.
Roast Chicken with Mustard Cream Sauce
Serves 4
1 chicken, 4 to 4-1/2 lbs, giblets and neck removed and reserved for another
use, if desired
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon plus 1 sprig
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 or 4 cloves garlic, peeled but left whole
1-3/4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 tbsp all purpose flour
1/3 cup heavy cream
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Use your fingers to gently separate the skin
from the meat on the chicken on the breast, thighs and drumsticks. In a small
bowl, combine together 1 tbsp of the Dijon mustard, 1 tsp of the olive oil, 1
tbsp of the chopped tarragon and several generous grinds of black pepper.
Carefully push this mixture under the skin, distributing evenly over the bird
and season the cavity with salt and pepper and add the sprig of tarragon and the
garlic cloves in the cavity. Rub the remaining 1 tsp olive oil evenly over the
bird and season with salt and pepper. Place the chicken, breast side up, on an
oiled roasting rack in a roasting pan. Roast until an instant read thermometer
inserted into the thickest part of the thigh away from the bone registers 170 to
175 degrees, about an hour. Transfer the chicken to a carving board, lightly
tent with aluminum foil and let rest for 15 minutes.
Remove the roasting rack from the roasting pan and place the pan over the
burners on the stove over low heat. Pour in the broth and bring to a simmer,
scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, for 2-3 minutes.
Pouring the liquid from the pan through a fine mesh sieve and into a glass
measuring cup. Using a large spoon, skim the fat from the top of the liquid and
discard. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and
cook, stirring, until the mixture turns golden, 2-3 minutes. Gradually add the
broth mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk in the remaining 1 tbsp mustard, the
remaining 2 tbsp tarragon, ¼ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper. Bring the sauce to a
boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally
until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the cream and heat through.
Carve the chicken into serving pieces and divide among warmed plates. Spoon a
little of the sauce over the chicken pieces and serve. Oven roasted baby
potatoes would be a great side to this dish.
WinePairing Suggestions
Dijon Mustard just screams for White Burgundies, particularly some good Chablis.
You're looking for good weight on the wine here with well integrated but not
prominent oak. A richer Italian white wine would be a solid alternative as well
such as an Erbaluce, Vermentino or Vernaccia. An Alsatian Pinot Gris is another
option.
For a red wine pairing, a Red Burgundy would definitely be spot on, particularly
one from the Cote de Nuits section (northern part) of the Cote d'Or (the 'golden
slope' or area of the significant appellations in Burgundy). Think Marsannay,
Gevrey Chambertin or Chambolle Musigny. A Dolcetto from Italy would also be a
solid pairing choice here.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What name is used to describe the situation where
cold, wet weather at flowering time causes poor fruit set and thus, prevents
some of the berries from developing?
Hint: This is a different situation than coulure.
Answer: Millerandage
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Bob Puckett and Bill Haskitt!
This Week's Quiz Question: Name the grape which came from Burgundy and is now
the main grape grown in Cour-Cheverny in the Loire Valley.
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prizepicking' scarf and pick up to three winners
out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider bribery
perfectly legit!
Store Hours on Monday, Columbus Day, October 13th
On Columbus Day, Monday the 13th, our hours will be 11:00am to 6:00pm.
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon,VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: October 2, 2008
Got your popcorn ready? And your glass of wine? I just know
where you'll be tonight at 9:00pm...with a bowl of popcorn in one hand, a glass
of vino in the other and the remote control not far beyond reach! I think this
might qualify as 'must see TV'!! If you're looking for a bottle of interesting
wine, reasonably priced to enjoy while watching tonight's debate, come on in to
see us and we can hook you up. A big 'thank you' to Todd Ruby for guiding us
through the Sherry Class which we had this past Tuesday. Not only was it highly
informative, it was transforming to try the Sherries with specifically selected
foods which totally changed how the wines tasted. It was a lot of fun! We've got
some great Italian wines to try at this Saturday's tasting from 12 to 4 and
somehow, an Aussie wine made it on to the table as well! Come on by to try some
really tasty vino. Bogart has a new cookbook to read (which he is very excited
about) and he's picked out a new recipe for this week's recipe board. We've got
quiz winners from last week and a new quiz question this week. The deadline to
sign up for the Gray Ghost bus trip is next Wednesday, October 10th. And there
are still a few seats left for this Tuesday night's Pinot Class where we'll
taste not only Pinot Noir but Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris as well. And for those
of you who ordered Evesham Wood Pinot Noir, it'll be arriving next week so we'll
be contacting you as soon as it hits our doors. Have a great week everybody!
Saturday, October 4th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm - Complimentary Italian Wine
Tasting
Heather Fay will join us on Saturday to taste out some of the wines from the
fantastic Italian portfolio she represents and we've managed to throw in a wine
from Down Under as well! Here's what will be on the tasting table:
Colterenzio Alto Adige Pinot Bianco 2007
La Raia Piedmonte Gavi 2007
Colterenzio Alto Adige Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) 2007
Molino Sant' Antimo Rosso Toscano IGT 'Asso' 2006
Stone Coast Wrattonbully Shiraz 2002
New Vino Finds
Stone Coast Wrattonbully Shiraz 2002 - Wrattonbully is one of the newly
established wine regions in Australia located in the Limestone Coast area which
is in the South East area of the island. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely
planted grape in the region with Shiraz right behind it. This Shiraz offers up
loads of rich fruit without having a jammy style to it - it is quite elegant and
supple on the palate. $15.99 per bottle.
Masciarelli Rosé d'Abruzzo IGT 2007 - I'm not ready to give up drinking Rosés
yet! This is a tasty one from Italy and it's perfect for fall weather as it's a
little bit richer on the palate. Made from the Montepulciano grape, this Rosé
shows dark cherry flavors alongside rich wild raspberries. Yum. $12.99 per
bottle.
Wines for Fall
Domaine de Coussergues Vin de Pays Viognier 2007 - This Viognier is truly a very
pleasant drink because it's not an over-the-top aromatic white. It does have the
interesting notes of exotic flowers alongside apricots and prickly pears without
the intensity turned up to ten which can sometimes be overwhelming in a Viognier.
Plus, the price is right. An excellent white for Fall. $9.99 per bottle.
J. Lohr 'Wildflower' Monterey Valdiguie 2007 - This easy drinking lighter red is
always a customer favorite because of its fantatic burst of flavor and its
versatility to go with everything (or nothing). Originally mistaken for Napa
Gamay, Valdiguie is an obscure red varietal which originated in the South of
France. It does taste like a Gamay with its bright, red fruit driven flavors but
it does not have any cotton candy or bubble gum traits. A perfect red to put
just a chill on in the fridge and then take outside by the firepit. $11.99 per
bottle.
J. Lohr 'Bay Mist' Monterey White Riesling 2007 - This is one of the Rieslings
that shoots down the middle of the Riesling Road - not too sweet but just the
right amount of acidity to balance the fruit. Rieslings are excellent white
wines to enjoy with the fruits of the Fall Harvest and this White Riesling from
J. Lohr is no exception. Perfect with a pork roast or any sort of Indian or
Asian dish. $11.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Events
Bus Trip to Gray Ghost Vineyards! Join us on Sunday, October 12th as we board a
bus a travel to Amissville outside of Warrenton to tour and taste at Gray Ghost
Vineyard. It'll be a perfect time of year with the leaves beginning to turn and
there's nothing prettier than the Virginia countryside in the Fall. The bus will
leave the parking lot at the store at 11:00am sharp, the tour & tasting will be
from noon to 2:00pm and we anticipate returning to the parking lot around 3:30
to 4:00pm. Food will be provided during the tasting at the winery. Seating is
very limited. Price per person is $75 inclusive of bus ride, tour, tasting and
lunch. If you are interested in joining us, please email Lucinda at
Lucinda@thewineseller.com. DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10TH.
Fall Wine Tastings...All Tastings Are Complimentary!
Saturday, October 4th- Italian Wine Tasting with Heather Fay of Grappoli
Imports. Grappoli has some of the very best Italian selections in the Virginia
market and we'll try some unusual gems from all over Italy. 12:00pm to4:00pm.
Friday, October 17th - Winetasting with the Winemaker of Cousino Macul. 4:00pm
to 7:00pm.
Saturday, October 18th- Fall Wines with Tony Roddy of Select Wines.12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, October 25th - Spectacular Spanish Wines with Todd Ruby. Todd
represents some truly outstanding wines including from the Mediterranean region
not to mention he is a walking Sherry Aficionado. 12:00pmto 4:00pm.
Saturday, November 1st - Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports will be here
showing off their French and Argentinean portfolios. If you have an oenophile on
your holiday gift giving list, this is a tasting not to be missed! 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 8th - Values and Jewels with David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, November 15th - Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. 12:00pm to4:00pm.
Thursday, November 20th - 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of
The Country Vintner. Whether you're serving two or twenty two, we'll have a wine
for you on the table to try! 4:00pm to7:00pm.
Friday, November 21st - Sparkling Cider Tasting (for Adults!) with Amy Evans of
Dionysos Imports. Last year, this tasting was such a big hit, we were sold out
of the sparkling ciders in about an hour! We'll have more this year and there is
one caveat to this tasting - we are still awaiting confirmation that the ciders
will arrive here in time for Thanksgiving. If not, we'll reschedule this one for
December. The Pear Cider just rocked!!
In addition, Bill McKenney of Michael Downey Selections will be hearing pouring
some value French and Italian wines perfect for Thanksgiving dinner! 4:00pm
to7:00pm.
Saturday, November 22nd - Alsace and Rhone Tasting with Brian Forsgren of
Potomac Selections. An excellent array of choices perfect for the Big Bird.
12:00pm to4:00pm.
Tuesday, November 25th - TurkeyDay Wine Tasting with Malcolm Riddle of
International Wines. 12:00pm to5:00pm.
Friday,December 5th- Bill McKenney of Michael Downey Selections. 4:00pm to
7:00pm.
Saturday, December 6th- Cindy Yim of Elite Wines. 12:00pm to4:00pm.
Thursday, December 11th- 7th Annual 'All That Sparkles' Bubbly Tasting with
Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. Think you don't like bubbly? We're sure we
can convince you otherwise! 4:00pm to7:00pm.
Friday, December 12th- John Grimsley of Billington Imports will be here showing
off some of the best German wines imported into the U.S. as well as some tasty
finds from South of the Border. 4:00pm to7:00pm.
Saturday, December 13th- 'We're Just Wild About Harry' Holiday Wine Tasting with
Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company. Since Harry represents many of the
excellent Oregon Pinot Producers in his portfolio, feel sure that some Pinots
will make their way on to the tasting table. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Wednesday, December 17th - Holiday Wine Tasting with Jim Futrell of Republic
National Distributing. 3:00pm to 7:00pm.
Thursday, December 18th- 7thAnnual 'Wines You Give As Gifts But Wish You'd Get
As A Gift' Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. A tasting not to
be missed! 3:00pm to7:00pm.
Friday, December 19th- Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports will have some new
additions in his portfolio and we'll have on the tasting table to try. 3:00pm to
7:00pm.
Saturday, December 20th - Holiday Wines with Brian Forsgren of Potomac
Selections. 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Saturday, December 27th - Holiday Wines with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Tuesday, December 30th - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne Tasting
with Mr. Champagne, Peter Gaylor, of William Harrison Imports. 12:00pm to
5:00pm.
Wednesday, December 31st - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne
Tasting with Jim Futrell of Republic National Distributing. 11:00amto 3:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris...4 seats left!
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per
person.7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 28th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th -Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert
Bordeaux(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as
he has one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per
person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
I love it when my Mom buys me cookbooks with pictures in them. Sometimes I can't
help myself and I start to drool when I see the finished dishes. This week's
pick will be no surprise to those who know me...it involves LAMB! As the weather
turns cool, I like comfort food (not to mention that right now, I just want some
comfort food). From Williams Sonoma Wine & Food: A New Look at Flavor, here's my
recipe for this week.
Pappardelle with Spicy Lamb Ragu
Serves 4
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 lb ground lamb
1 yellow onion, minced
1 cup finely chopped fresh cremini mushrooms
¼ tsp red pepper flakes or to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-3/4 cups reduced sodium beef broth
¼ cup dry red wine
1 cup tomato sauce
3 tbsp tomato paste
2 small fresh Rosemary or Thyme sprigs
1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
¾ lb dried pappardelle pasta
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
¼ cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
In a non stick frying pan large enough to hold the sauce and the pasta, heat the
oil over high heat. Add the lamb and sauté, stirring to break up any clumps,
until lightly browned, about 9 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the lamb
to a plate.
Pour off all but 1 tbsp of fat from the pan and return the pan to medium heat.
Add the onion, mushrooms and red pepper flakes and sauté until the mushrooms
have released their moisture and the onion is translucent and soft, about 5-7
minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Return the lamb to the pan and add the broth, ½ cup water, the wine, tomato
sauce, tomato paste and rosemary or thyme. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to
low, and simmer gently, uncovered, until the sauce has thickened slightly, about
25-30 minutes. Add the vinegar and cook for 1 minute longer. Taste and season
with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.
About 15 minutes before the sauce is ready, bring a large pot of salted water to
a boil. Add the pappardelle and cook until al dente, 8-10 minutes or according
to the package directions.
Raise the heat under the sauce to medium. Drain the pasta, add it to the sauce,
and toss and stir to combine. Add the ¼ cup Parmesan and the parsley and toss
again to combine.
Divide pasta among warmed, shallow bowls and serve right away. Pass additional
Parmesan at the table.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· This dish is just screaming for a Piemonte Red from Italy - Dolcetto, Barbera,
Nebbiolo would all be terrific matches. Other options in the red category would
be a Malbec from Argentina or a not-too-fruity Shiraz from Australia.
· A hearty Rose would also work well here, particularly an Italiain Rose or a
Rose made from a Syrah or Malbec.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What is the word used to describe the situation where
non-pollination of some of the vine blossoms occur during flowering time usually
due to cold and/or wet weather? The result is that the grapes either fall off or
never develop.
Answer: Coulure
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Bill Haskitt, Bob Puckett and Evelyn
Phillips.....come on in and collect your prize!
This Week's Quiz Question: What name is used to describe the situation where
cold, wet weather at flowering time causes poor fruit set and thus, prevents
some of the berries from developing?
Hint: This is a different situation than coulure.
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Heather Fay of Grappoli Imports
304 Elden Street,Herndon,VA20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday throughFriday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays:10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pmto 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: September 25, 2008
We said it last week and we'll say it again this week...thank
goodness for wine!! Whew, it's been another tough week all the way around. But
we have some great new wine finds here at your local independent wine shop
(that's us!) and all sorts of complimentary wine tastings coming up - starting
this weekend with Ted Plemmons of Cass Winery who will be here at the store
showing off the latest vintages of all of his 'children'. Hey, free is good
these days, right?!!!! Plus, we have a great trip planned out to Gray Ghost
Winery in Amissville in a couple of weekends and lots of fun and educational
classes upcoming during the next several months. Our next class is this Tuesday,
Sept 30th, and we have a couple of seats left if you would like to come try some
exceptional Sherries and learn all about the World of Sherry. Bogart has a
terrific fall menu planned for a meal this week too. And speaking of Bogart,
have no fear...Bogart, The Round Mound of Hound, has his own 'Bailout Plan'
which he thinks will serve all of us very well. No doubt, it will involve good
wine, tasty food and belly rubs galore. Pour yourself a glass of vino and enjoy
some much needed humor!
Bogie's Basset Bailout Plan
Clearly, Basset Hounds just have plain more common sense than humans. Anything
can be fixed with a good meal, some good wine and a nice long nap. Bogart wants
Ben and Hank to know that he is available as a consultant but his contract will
include demands for CHEESE. Hmmm...better than some of the demands we've seen
recently. And Bogart does have a Master of Economics in Food Storage. His
philosophy in preparing for the future is dig a hole, bury a bone. Good
thinking, Bogart! Here's Bogart's Ten Point Basset Bailout Plan....
1. Eat some lamb chops. Better decisions are made on a full stomach.
2. Take a nap. Signatures are easier to get while the players are snoozing. Just
an accomplice with a pen in hand and a gentle nuzzle from a Basset Hound can get
a signature for anything, including a $700B loan.
3. Bogart has a stock tip for everybody: buy HP. This is going to take A LOT of
ink.
4. The road to energy independence involves BoGAS. Bogart feels it is his civic
duty to help contribute to the need for 'natural' gas. Plus, his fuel is
biodynamic and organic. He's a Green Dog. Ahem.
5. In order to achieve #4, CHEESE is clearly needed. Please plate up the
cheese!!
6. Hounds know how to put out fires. It just requires a little leg lifting. One
Fire Dog with Long Ears coming up!
7. Buy Duct Tape. It's a cure-all for everything...or at least that's what the
government says.
8. Buy WD-40 to 'lubricate' the economy. If you can't tape it, lube it, says
Bogart!
9. Go look under the upholstery in your cars, under your sofas and
chairs...there's gotta be that 'loose change' Bank of America always talks
about. Send it in to Uncle Sam and we'll have that $700B in no time!!
10. We've got a new (and better, says Bogart) mantra for our currency....In
Hounds We Trust!!
And in honor of Bogie's Basset Bailout Plan, come in the store this weekend on
Friday, Saturday or Sunday and confirm your support for his plan. Spend some
bucks and earn some 'Hound' Currency! If you spend between $100 and $150, you'll
earn $5 in Bogie Bucks; if you spend between $150 and $200, you'll earn $10 in
Bogie Bucks and if you spend above $200, you'll earn $15 in Bogie Bucks. But in
order to earn your currency, you must give him your support and ask for your
Bogie Bucks!!!!
Saturday, September 27th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm - Come Meet Ted Plemmons,
Co-Owner of Cass Winery in Paso Robles!
We welcome back Ted Plemmons to The Wine Seller for a complimentary tasting of
the new vintages of his wines plus some new wines from Cass Winery. Last time
Ted was here in the Spring, we sold out of just about all of his wines! They're
forecasting showers so come on in for the complimentary tasting and try some
great wines from the West Coast!
Wines for Fall
Domaine de Coussergues Vin de Pays Viognier 2007 - This Viognier is truly a very
pleasant drink because it's not an over-the-top aromatic white. It does have the
interesting notes of exotic flowers alongside apricots and prickly pears without
the intensity turned up to ten which can sometimes be overwhelming in a Viognier.
Plus, the price is right. An excellent white for Fall. $9.99 per bottle.
J. Lohr 'Wildflower' Monterey Valdiguie 2007 - This easy drinking lighter red is
always a customer favorite because of its fantatic burst of flavor and its
versatility to go with everything (or nothing). Originally mistaken for Napa
Gamay, Valdiguie is an obscure red varietal which originated in the South of
France. It does taste like a Gamay with its bright, red fruit driven flavors but
it does not have any cotton candy or bubble gum traits. A perfect red to put
just a chill on in the fridge and then take outside by the firepit. $11.99 per
bottle.
J. Lohr 'Bay Mist' Monterey White Riesling 2007 - This is one of the Rieslings
that shoots down the middle of the Riesling Road - not too sweet but just the
right amount of acidity to balance the fruit. Rieslings are excellent white
wines to enjoy with the fruits of the Fall Harvest and this White Riesling from
J. Lohr is no exception. Perfect with a pork roast or any sort of Indian or
Asian dish. $11.99 per bottle.
Domaine Roger Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone 2007- An absolutely perfect red wine
to enjoy as we switch to fall weather! This winery always makes one of the best
Cotes du Rhone in the market today. It's fleshiness and meatiness gives it a
terrific mouthfeel yet the wine is round and supple on the finish. An excellent
red for grilled meats or game dishes as well as tomato based Italian dishes.
$15.99 per bottle.
Evesham Wood Pinot Will Be Arriving Soon.....Reserve Your Wine Now!!!
This is a house favorite here at The Wine Seller and even though we increase the
amount we purchase of this wine each year, we still sell out of this wine within
24-48 hours. This is a truly amazing Pinot for the price and it drinks like it
cost far more than it does. We are still awaiting a firm price for this vintage
but expect it to be in the$22 to $25 per bottle range. It has a terrific
fleshiness on the palate with great balance between fruit and terroir. If you
are interested in purchasing any of this wine, please email Lucinda atLucinda@thewineseller.com.
Please include a phone # along with how much Evesham Wood Pinot you wish to
purchase. She will call to confirm orders the week of September 15thand will
also collect credit card info if we don't already have it on file.
Upcoming Events
Bus Trip to Gray Ghost Vineyards! Join us on Sunday, October 12th as we board a
bus a travel to Amissville outside of Warrenton to tour and taste at Gray Ghost
Vineyard. It'll be a perfect time of year with the leaves beginning to turn and
there's nothing prettier than the Virginia countryside in the Fall. The bus will
leave the parking lot at the store at 11:00am sharp, the tour & tasting will be
from noon to 2:00pm and we anticipate returning to the parking lot around 3:30
to 4:00pm. Food will be provided during the tasting at the winery. Seating is
very limited. Price per person is $75 inclusive of bus ride, tour, tasting and
lunch. If you are interested in joining us, please email Lucinda at
Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Fall WineTastings
Saturday, September 27th- Ted Plemons, Winemaker at Cass Winery in Paso Robles,
will be back in the house. We had a lot of fun the last time Ted was here, not
to mention we sold all the wine he had to sell, so come on in and check out some
seriously great wines. 12:00pm to4:00pm.
Saturday, October 4th- Italian Wine Tasting with Heather Fay of Grappoli
Imports. Grappoli has some of the very best Italian selections in the Virginia
market and we'll try some unusual gems from all over Italy. 12:00pm to4:00pm.
Saturday, October 18th- Fall Wines with Tony Roddy of Select Wines.12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, October 25th- Italian Standouts with Todd Ruby, National Sales Manager
for the Marc de Grazia Portfolio. Todd represents some truly outstanding wines
including perhaps the best Falanghina we've ever had as well as a Piedmont blend
red which drinks like a $40 bottle but sells for just over $20. 12:00pmto
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 1st- Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports will be here
showing off their French and Argentinean portfolios. If you have an oenophile on
your holiday gift giving list, this is a tasting not to be missed! 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 8th- Values and Jewels with David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, November 15th- Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. 12:00pm to4:00pm.
Thursday, November 20th- 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of
The Country Vintner. Whether you're serving two or twenty two, we'll have a wine
for you on the table to try! 4:00pm to7:00pm.
Friday, November 21st- Sparkling Cider Tasting (for Adults!) with Amy Evans of
Dionysos Imports. Last year, this tasting was such a big hit, we were sold out
of the sparkling ciders in about an hour! We'll have more this year and there is
one caveat to this tasting - we are still awaiting confirmation that the ciders
will arrive here in time for Thanksgiving. If not, we'll reschedule this one for
December. The Pear Cider just rocked!! 4:00pm to7:00pm.
Saturday, November 22nd - Alsace and Rhone Tasting with Brian Forsgren of
Potomac Selections. An excellent array of choices perfect for the Big Bird.
12:00pm to4:00pm.
Tuesday, November 25th-TurkeyDay Wine Tasting. 12:00pm to5:00pm.
Friday,December 5th- Bill McKenney of Michael Downey Selections. 4:00pm to
7:00pm.
Saturday, December 6th- Cindy Yim of Elite Wines. 12:00pm to4:00pm.
Thursday, December 11th- 7th Annual 'All That Sparkles' Bubbly Tasting with
Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. Think you don't like bubbly? We're sure we
can convince you otherwise! 4:00pm to7:00pm.
Friday, December 12th- John Grimsley of Billington Imports will be here showing
off some of the best German wines imported into the U.S. as well as some tasty
finds from South of the Border. 4:00pm to7:00pm.
Saturday, December 13th- 'We're Just Wild About Harry' Holiday Wine Tasting with
Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company. Since Harry represents many of the
excellent Oregon Pinot Producers in his portfolio, feel sure that some Pinots
will make their way on to the tasting table. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, December 18th- 7thAnnual 'Wines You Give As Gifts But Wish You'd Get
As A Gift' Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. A tasting not to
be missed! 4:00pm to7:00pm.
Friday, December 19th- Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports will have some new
additions in his portfolio and we'll have on the tasting table to try.4:00pm to
7:00pm.
Saturday, December 20th- Holiday Wines with Brian Forsgren of Potomac
Selections. 12:00pm to4:00pm.
Saturday, December 27th-Holiday Wines with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Tuesday, December 30th- Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne Tasting
with Mr. Champagne, Peter Gaylor, of William Harrison Imports. 12:00pm to
5:00pm.
Wednesday, December 31st - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne
Tasting with Jim Futrell of Republic National Distributing. 11:00amto 3:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry...2 seats left!!
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per
person.7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 28th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th -Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert
Bordeaux(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as
he has one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per
person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
Believe it or not, I do like veggies. A bit odd for a Basset Hound but I'm
mindful of my health and keeping my svelte figure. It's the season for Brussels
Sprouts and after all that talk about CHEESE, you know I had to incorporate a
recipe using some CHEESE! From Williams-Sonoma Thanksgiving cookbook, here's my
recipe for this week.
Brussels Sprouts in White Cheddar Sauce
Serves 8-10
3 lb Brussels Sprouts, stems trimmed and outer brown leaves (if any) removed
Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
6 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1-1/2 cups shredded sharp white Cheddar Cheese
Cut a shallow X in the stem end of each Brussels sprout. Bring a large saucepan
3/4ths full of water to a boil. Salt the water, add the Brussels Sprouts and
cook until tender, about 6-8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water.
When cool, drain again and thoroughly pat dry.
In a small, heavy saucepan over low heat, melt 2 tbsp of the butter. Whisk in
the flour and cook, stirring constantly for 3 mintues. Do not let the flour
brown. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually whisk in the milk. Set the pan
over medium heat. Whisk in ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper and the nutmeg. Bring to a
simmer, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially and cook,
whisking occasionally, until thick and smooth about 15 minutes. Remove from the
heat, add the cheese and whisk until the cheese is melted.
In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt the remaining 4 tbsp butter. Add
the Brussels Sprouts, cover and cook, rolling them around until they are heated
and just beginning to brown, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat,
let cool for 1 minute and then stir the cheese sauce into the Brussels Sprouts.
Set the pan over low heat and cook, stirring often, until heated through, about
2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Serve hot.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· Since a cheese sauce is creamy and rich, a buttery but not overly oaky
Chardonnay would be a good pick here, particularly a White Burgundy. White
Alsatian wines would also work well such as a Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris or
Auxxerois.
· If you're looking for a red to go with the Sprouts, you want something which
is going to have enough weight and richness. Since the Sprouts are also somewhat
earthy, a Red Rhone would be a terrific match here as would a Barbera or
Nebbiolo from the Piedmont area of Northern Italy.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What is a Mistelle?
Answer: Mistelle is another name for wines known as Vin de Liqueur. Vin de
Liqueurs are made by adding grape spirit to the must before any fermentation has
taken place. They are very sweet and usually have high alcohol levels (16% -
17%) and are typically served very chilled or on ice.
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Kathy Fontana, Kathie Rankin and Bob
Puckett.....come on in and collect your prize!
This Week's Quiz Question: What is the word used to describe the situation where
non-pollination of some of the vine blossoms occur during flowering time usually
due to cold and/or wet weather? The result is that the grapes either fall off or
never develop.
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! Happy Birthday Bruce!! Happy Birthday Dorri!!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Ted Plemmons of Cass Winery
304 Elden Street,Herndon,VA20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday throughFriday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: September 18, 2008
* Posted September 19, 2008
Hey - just checking to make sure you know it's Friday not Thursday! Actually,
the winE-Letter was already to shoot out into your inboxes when the power went
out - just for two seconds - and then came back on again. Hardly a blink but
then again, long enough to lose the entire winE-Letter! Note to self: hit the
'save' button more often while typing. Ah well, this is why we have wine. It's
been a tough week for financial news, eh? I'm advocating turning off the telly,
stop surfing the internet and only enjoying Basset walks, slow cooked meals and
great glasses of vino! Speaking of slow cooked meals, Bogart has turned his
recipe attention to Fall and is busy looking for comfort food. I think we could
use a little comfort food right now! We've got a full tasting schedule this Fall
with all sorts of great vendors in the store just about every Saturday starting
next Saturday, the 27th, with Ted Plemons of Cass Winery. Cass Winery is located
in Paso Robles and they are turning out some rockin' wines...come on in and
check them out and guess if Ted is really Richard Branson or not!! Our next Wine
Class is on Tuesday the 30th and we'll be tasting some outstanding Sherries like
you've never tried before. There are still a few seats left so if you're
contemplating coming to the class, please come join us! Don't forget our tour to
Gray Ghost Vineyards on the Columbus Day weekend - it'll be a beautiful ride and
we'll get to try some fantastic Virginia wines. And to all the quizzers out
there...we've been boning up on some good quiz questions so get ready! Enjoy the
delightful weather outside this weekend and if you're in the mood for
interesting wines, reasonably priced...come on by and check out all of our
selections!
Wines for Fall
Cousino Macul 'Dona Isidora' Riesling 2007 - We've seen several nice productions
of Riesling coming out of South America and this wine is certainly one of them.
Hints of rose petal and a delightfully light viscousness on the palate make for
a nice rendition of Riesling from south of the border. An excellent wine
selection for pork dishes. Normally $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per
bottle.
Domaine Roger Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone 2007 - An absolutely perfect red
wine to enjoy as we switch to fall weather! This winery always makes one of the
best Cotes du Rhone in the market today. It's fleshiness and meatiness gives it
a terrific mouthfeel yet the wine is round and supple on the finish. An
excellent red for grilled meats or game dishes as well as tomato based Italian
dishes. $15.99 per bottle.
Evesham Wood Pinot Will Arriving Soon.....Reserve Your Wine Now!!!
This is a house favorite here at The Wine Seller and even though we increase the
amount we purchase of this wine each year, we still sell out of this wine within
24-48 hours. This is a truly amazing Pinot for the price and it drinks like it
cost far more than it does. We are still awaiting a firm price for this vintage
but expect it to be in the $22 to $25 per bottle range. It has a terrific
fleshiness on the palate with great balance between fruit and terroir. If you
are interested in purchasing any of this wine, please email Lucinda at Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Please include a phone # along with how much Evesham Wood Pinot you wish to
purchase. She will call to confirm orders the week of September 15th and will
also collect credit card info if we don't already have it on file.
Upcoming Events
Bus Trip to Gray Ghost Vineyards! Join us on Sunday, October 12th as we board a
bus a travel to Amissville outside of Warrenton to tour and taste at Gray Ghost
Vineyard. It'll be a perfect time of year with the leaves beginning to turn and
there's nothing prettier than the Virginia countryside in the Fall. The bus will
leave the parking lot at the store at 11:00am sharp, the tour & tasting will be
from noon to 2:00pm and we anticipate returning to the parking lot around 3:30
to 4:00pm. Food will be provided during the tasting at the winery. Seating is
very limited. Price per person is $75 inclusive of bus ride, tour, tasting and
lunch. If you are interested in joining us, please email Lucinda at Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Fall Wine Tastings
Saturday, September 27th - Ted Plemons, Winemaker at Cass Winery in Paso Robles,
will be back in the house. We had a lot of fun the last time Ted was here, not
to mention we sold all the wine he had to sell, so come on in and check out some
seriously great wines. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 4th - Italian Wine Tasting with Alberto Panella of Grappoli
Imports. Grappoli has some of the very best Italian selections in the Virginia
market and we'll try some unusual gems from all over Italy. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 18th - Fall Wines with Tony Roddy of Select Wines. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, October 25th - Italian Standouts with Todd Ruby, National Sales
Manager for the Marc deGrazia Portfolio. Todd represents some truly outstanding
wines including perhaps the best Falanghina we've ever had as well as a Piedmont
blend red which drinks like a $40 bottle but sells for just over $20. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 1st - Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports will be here
showing off their French and Argentinean portfolios. If you have an oenophile on
your holiday gift giving list, this is a tasting not to be missed! 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 8th - Values and Jewels with David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, November 15th - Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, November 20th - 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of
The Country Vintner. Whether you're serving two or twenty two, we'll have a wine
for you on the table to try! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, November 21st - Sparkling Cider Tasting (for Adults!) with Amy Evans of
Dionysos Imports. Last year, this tasting was such a big hit, we were sold out
of the sparkling ciders in about an hour! We'll have more this year and there is
one caveat to this tasting - we are still awaiting confirmation that the ciders
will arrive here in time for Thanksgiving. If not, we'll reschedule this one for
December. The Pear Cider just rocked!! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, November 22nd - Alsace and Rhone Tasting with Brian Forsgren of
Potomac Selections. An excellent array of choices perfect for the Big Bird.
12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Tuesday, November 25th - Turkey Day Wine Tasting. 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Friday, December 3rd - Bill McKenney of Michael Downey Selections. 4:00pm to
7:00pm.
Saturday, December 4th - Cindy Yim of Elite Wines. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, December 11th - 7th Annual 'All That Sparkles' Bubbly Tasting with
Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. Think you don't like bubbly? We're sure we
can convince you otherwise! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, December 12th - John Grimsley of Billington Imports will be here showing
off some of the best German wines imported into the U.S. as well as some tasty
finds from South of the Border. 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, December 13th - 'We're Just Wild About Harry' Holiday Wine Tasting
with Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company. Since Harry represents many of
the excellent Oregon Pinot Producers in his portfolio, feel sure that some
Pinots will make their way onto the tasting table. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, December 18th - 7th Annual 'Wines You Give As Gifts But Wish You'd Get
As A Gift' Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. A tasting not to
be missed! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, December 19th - Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports will have some new
additions in his portfolio and we'll have on the tasting table to try. 4:00pm to
7:00pm.
Saturday, December 20th - Holiday Wines with Brian Forsgren of Potomac
Selections. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, December 27th - Holiday Wines with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Tuesday, December 30th - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne Tasting
with Mr. Champagne, Peter Gaylor, of William Harrison Imports. 12:00pm to
5:00pm.
Wednesday, December 31st - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne
Tasting with Jim Futrell of Republic National Distributing. 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 28th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
I got to go to the beach (for the first time) last week! It was fun running in
the sand alongside the waves. But I really enjoyed being up on the top deck,
stretching out on the chaise lounge (yes, I can find a chaise lounge in all 50
states!) and surveying the territory below. Not to mention, it was fun barking,
I mean talking, with my dog neighbors on the balconies on either side. But now
I'm ready for comfort food, specifically, CHEESE! How about a fondue on the deck
or patio with a nice glass of red wine? From the cookbook, Fondue, here's my
recipe pick for this week.
Blue Cheese Fondue
Serves 4-6
½ cup unsalted butter
2 shallots, very finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 cup dry white wine
1 lb blue cheese, crumbled
3 egg yolks
½ cup meat stock, heated
½ tsp dried tarragon
1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground pepper
Rye bread and/or Sourdough bread cubes
In a medium heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium low heat. Saute shallots and
garlic until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add white wine, increase heat to
medium and cook to reduce to a glaze, about 20 minutes. Sit the pan over a pot
of simmering water. Stir in cheese until melted. Whisk egg yolks with hot stock
then stir briskly into the melted cheese; add remaining ingredients. Continue
cooking until slightly thickened; do not overcook or boil or it may curdle.
Immediately strain into a warm fondue pot and place over very low heat to keep
warm. Serve with bread.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· The classic match for Blue Cheese is a Port or a Sauternes. You could also do
an aged Madeira as well or a botrytis dessert wine. If you're gunning for a
still wine which isn't in the dessert category, a full bodied red from Italy
such as Nebbiolo would work as would a very rich, exotically styled Sauvignon
Blanc.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: It's a food question this week...what is a filbert?
Answer: A filbert is a hazelnut. (And no, it's not Dilbert's cousin!!)
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Anne Statland, Michael Fredericks
and Hema Mangatoo.....come on in and collect your prize!
This Week's Quiz Question: What is a Mistelle?
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: September 11, 2008
Wine Finds
Cousino Macul 'Dona Isidora' Riesling 2007 - We've seen several nice productions
of Riesling coming out of South America and this wine is certainly one of them.
Hints of rose petal and a delightfully light viscousness on the palate make for
a nice rendition of Riesling from south of the border. An excellent wine
selection for pork dishes. Normally $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per
bottle.
Domaine Roger Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone 2007 - An absolutely perfect red
wine to enjoy as we switch to fall weather! This winery always makes one of the
best Cotes du Rhone in the market today. It's fleshiness and meatiness gives it
a terrific mouthfeel yet the wine is round and supple on the finish. An
excellent red for grilled meats or game dishes as well as tomato based Italian
dishes. $15.99 per bottle.
Evesham Wood Pinot Will Arriving Soon.....Reserve Your Wine Now!!!
This is a house favorite here at The Wine Seller and even though we increase the
amount we purchase of this wine each year, we still sell out of this wine within
24-48 hours. This is a truly amazing Pinot for the price and it drinks like it
cost far more than it does. We are still awaiting a firm price for this vintage
but expect it to be in the $22 to $25 per bottle range. It has a terrific
fleshiness on the palate with great balance between fruit and terroir. If you
are interested in purchasing any of this wine, please email Lucinda at Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Please include a phone # along with how much Evesham Wood Pinot you wish to
purchase. She will call to confirm orders the week of September 15th and will
also collect credit card info if we don't already have it on file.
Upcoming Events
Bus Trip to Gray Ghost Vineyards! Join us on Sunday, October 12th as we board a
bus a travel to Amissville outside of Warrenton to tour and taste at Gray Ghost
Vineyard. It'll be a perfect time of year with the leaves beginning to turn and
there's nothing prettier than the Virginia countryside in the Fall. The bus will
leave the parking lot at the store at 11:00am sharp, the tour & tasting will be
from noon to 2:00pm and we anticipate returning to the parking lot around 3:30
to 4:00pm. Food will be provided during the tasting at the winery. Seating is
very limited. Price per person is $75 inclusive of bus ride, tour, tasting and
lunch. If you are interested in joining us, please email Lucinda at Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Fall Wine Tastings
Saturday, September 27th - Ted Plemons, Winemaker at Cass Winery in Paso Robles,
will be back in the house. We had a lot of fun the last time Ted was here, not
to mention we sold all the wine he had to sell, so come on in and check out some
seriously great wines. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 4th - Italian Wine Tasting with Alberto Panella of Grappoli
Imports. Grappoli has some of the very best Italian selections in the Virginia
market and we'll try some unusual gems from all over Italy. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 18th - Fall Wines with Tony Roddy of Select Wines. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, October 25th - Italian Standouts with Todd Ruby, National Sales
Manager for the Marc deGrazia Portfolio. Todd represents some truly outstanding
wines including perhaps the best Falanghina we've ever had as well as a Piedmont
blend red which drinks like a $40 bottle but sells for just over $20. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 1st - Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports will be here
showing off their French and Argentinean portfolios. If you have an oenophile on
your holiday gift giving list, this is a tasting not to be missed! 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 8th - Values and Jewels with David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, November 15th - Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, November 20th - 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of
The Country Vintner. Whether you're serving two or twenty two, we'll have a wine
for you on the table to try! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, November 21st - Sparkling Cider Tasting (for Adults!) with Amy Evans of
Dionysos Imports. Last year, this tasting was such a big hit, we were sold out
of the sparkling ciders in about an hour! We'll have more this year and there is
one caveat to this tasting - we are still awaiting confirmation that the ciders
will arrive here in time for Thanksgiving. If not, we'll reschedule this one for
December. The Pear Cider just rocked!! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, November 22nd - Alsace and Rhone Tasting with Brian Forsgren of
Potomac Selections. An excellent array of choices perfect for the Big Bird.
12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Tuesday, November 25th - Turkey Day Wine Tasting. 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Thursday, December 11th - 7th Annual 'All That Sparkles' Bubbly Tasting with
Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. Think you don't like bubbly? We're sure we
can convince you otherwise! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, December 12th - John Grimsley of Billington Imports will be here showing
off some of the best German wines imported into the U.S. as well as some tasty
finds from South of the Border. 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, December 13th - 'We're Just Wild About Harry' Holiday Wine Tasting
with Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company. Since Harry represents many of
the excellent Oregon Pinot Producers in his portfolio, feel sure that some
Pinots will make their way onto the tasting table. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, December 18th - 7th Annual 'Wines You Give As Gifts But Wish You'd Get
As A Gift' Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. A tasting not to
be missed! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, December 19th - Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports will have some new
additions in his portfolio and we'll have on the tasting table to try. 4:00pm to
7:00pm.
Saturday, December 20th - Holiday Wines with Brian Forsgren of Potomac
Selections. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, December 27th - Holiday Wines with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Tuesday, December 30th - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne Tasting
with Mr. Champagne, Peter Gaylor, of William Harrison Imports. 12:00pm to
5:00pm.
Wednesday, December 31st - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne
Tasting with Jim Futrell of Republic National Distributing. 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 28th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
The fact that I enjoy bacon probably comes as no surprise to anyone! And one of
my Mom's favorite vegetables is asparagus. So this seemed like a good recipe we
could both enjoy! (Hint Hint, Mom). It comes from the magazine Cook's
Illustrated in their Fall 2008 issue. If you've never checked out this magazine,
you really should. It's one of the smartest magazines for cooking tips and
tricks in the market today, not to mention they put out some great recipes. And
since we're enjoying the last bits of bounty from the garden, this is a perfect
recipe to use up the basil and tomato!
Asparagus with Tomato-Basil Vinaigrette
Serves 6-8
1 medium ripe tomato, cored, seeded and minced (about ½ cup)
1 medium shallot, minced (about 1-1/2 tbsp)
1-1/2 tbsp juice from one lemon
1 tbsp minced fresh basil leaves
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 recipe Simple Broiled Asparagus (recipe below)
Whisk together tomato, shallot, lemon juice, basil and olive oil in a small
bowl. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Drizzle vinaigrette over
asparagus and serve immediately.
For Simple Broiled Asparagus:
2 lbs thin asparagus spears, tough ends trimmed off
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Adjust oven rack to uppermost position and heat broiler. Toss asparagus with
olive oil and salt and pepper. Lay spears in a single layer on a heavy rimmed
baking sheet. Broil about 4 inches from the heating element, shaking pan halfway
through to turn spears, until asparagus is tender and lightly browned, about 8
to 10 mins. Cool 5 minutes and arrange on serving dish.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· Sauvignon Blanc is the way to go for a white wine pairing with asparagus. A
Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc would be our first pick but California would be
another solid region to choose from for a good match. An Albarino from Spain
would also work well here.
· For a red wine, a Pinot Noir works and works well. A nice fleshy one from
Oregon or a cool climate Pinot from Santa Barbara County would pair well with
the earthy asparagus and the vinegar in the dressing.
Quiz Corner
This Week's Quiz Question: It's a food question this week...what is a filbert?
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: September 4, 2008
Oom pa pa, oom pa pa that's how it goes....and hopefully
everybody knows we're celebrating Oktoberfest this weekend here at the BB&T
Shopping Center!! Euro Bisto promises food, fun and entertainment out front in
the parking lot under the tent (so no need to worry about the remnants of
Hanna!) and we promise to have two tasty wine samplings here at the store.
Lederhosen will surely be spotted. Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will be
here pouring on Friday evening from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and Jim Futrell of Republic
National Distributing will be sampling on Saturday afternoon from 2:00pm to
5:00pm. (We promise that neither Jason nor Jim will be in the lederhosen!!) We
also have our Fall Tasting Schedule listed below so check it out...we'll have
some great wines to try! And we've organized a bus trip to Gray Ghost Winery in
Amissville for October - just in time to try the new fall releases at the winery
and to soak in the beautiful Virginia fall weather. Seating is limited so
reserve your spot early! Our Fall Classes are also filling up although there are
a few seats left for each of the classes. So if you're pondering about attending
a class or two, we'd recommend that you sign up soon rather than later. Bogart
is switching gears into his 'Fall Menu' ideas and has a new recipe for you this
week on the Recipe Board. And the Quiz Corner is taking a vacation this week but
will be back quizzing away next week. We hope to see you sometime this weekend
so come on down and enjoy the seasonal fun of Oktoberfest!!
Danger Will Robinson, Danger Will Robinson...the Oktoberfest Beers are Arriving!
A sure sign that Fall is approaching! It's that time of year again!! The
Oktoberfest Beers from many of the micro breweries are starting to arrive in our
supplier's warehouses and are making their way to our fridges and eventually to
yours! Dogtoberfest from Flying Dog Brewery is in the house as is Lancaster
Beer's Oktoberfest beer and Hofbrau's Oktoberfest. Pumpkin Ales and other
seasonal beers will keep coming in so keep your eye on the beer cooler!
New Wine Finds
Cousino Macul 'Dona Isidora' Riesling 2007 - We've seen several nice productions
of Riesling coming out of South America and this wine is certainly one of them.
Hints of rose petal and a delightfully light viscousness on the palate make for
a nice rendition of Riesling from south of the border. An excellent wine
selection for pork dishes. Normally $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per
bottle.
Domaine Roger Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone 2007 - An absolutely perfect red
wine to enjoy as we switch to fall weather! This winery always makes one of the
best Cotes du Rhone in the market today. It's fleshiness and meatiness gives it
a terrific mouthfeel yet the wine is round and supple on the finish. An
excellent red for grilled meats or game dishes as well as tomato based Italian
dishes. $15.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Events
Oktoberfest Celebration at the BB&T Shopping Center - The bratwursts, funny
costumes and beer will be out in full force under a big tent in our parking lot
as Euro Bistro hosts an old fashioned Oktoberfest Celebration on Friday,
September 5th through Sunday, September 7th. We'll join in the fun with wine
tastings on both Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Times for the
Oktoberfest are 4:00pm to 10:00pm on Friday the 5th, 3:00pm to 10:00pm on
Saturday the 6th and 12:00pm to 8:00pm on Sunday the 7th. Our Wine Tastings will
be:
Friday, September 5th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm - Jason Bise of The Country Vintner
will be here pouring some tasty selections from his portfolio.
Saturday, September 6th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm - Jim Futrell of Republic National
Distributing will show off some great value wines for Fall.
Come Join In on the Fun!!!
Bus Trip to Gray Ghost Vineyards! Join us on Sunday, October 12th as we board a
bus a travel to Amissville outside of Warrenton to tour and taste at Gray Ghost
Vineyard. It'll be a perfect time of year with the leaves beginning to turn and
there's nothing prettier than the Virginia countryside in the Fall. The bus will
leave the parking lot at the store at 11:00am sharp, the tour & tasting will be
from noon to 2:00pm and we anticipate returning to the parking lot around 3:30
to 4:00pm. Food will be provided during the tasting at the winery. Seating is
very limited. Price per person is $75 inclusive of bus ride, tour, tasting and
lunch. If you are interested in joining us, please email Lucinda at Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Fall Wine Tastings
Saturday, September 27th - Ted Plemons, Winemaker at Cass Winery in Paso Robles,
will be back in the house. We had a lot of fun the last time Ted was here, not
to mention we sold all the wine he had to sell, so come on in and check out some
seriously great wines. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 4th - Italian Wine Tasting with Alberto Panella of Grappoli
Imports. Grappoli has some of the very best Italian selections in the Virginia
market and we'll try some unusual gems from all over Italy. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 18th - Fall Wines with Tony Roddy of Select Wines. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, October 25th - Italian Standouts with Todd Ruby, National Sales
Manager for the Marc deGrazia Portfolio. Todd represents some truly outstanding
wines including perhaps the best Falanghina we've ever had as well as a Piedmont
blend red which drinks like a $40 bottle but sells for just over $20. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 1st - Peter Gaylor of William Harrison Imports will be here
showing off their French and Argentinean portfolios. If you have an oenophile on
your holiday gift giving list, this is a tasting not to be missed! 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Saturday, November 8th - Values and Jewels with David Bortolin of Cobblestone
Cellars. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, November 15th - Gray Mosby of Nice Legs will be here with an eclectic
mix of wines from the West Coast alongside his Mom who will be showing off her
New Zealand Pinot Noirs from the Puriri Hills Winery. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, November 20th - 7th Annual Turkey Day Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of
The Country Vintner. Whether you're serving two or twenty two, we'll have a wine
for you on the table to try! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, November 21st - Sparkling Cider Tasting (for Adults!) with Amy Evans of
Dionysos Imports. Last year, this tasting was such a big hit, we were sold out
of the sparkling ciders in about an hour! We'll have more this year and there is
one caveat to this tasting - we are still awaiting confirmation that the ciders
will arrive here in time for Thanksgiving. If not, we'll reschedule this one for
December. The Pear Cider just rocked!! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, November 22nd - Alsace and Rhone Tasting with Brian Forsgren of
Potomac Selections. An excellent array of choices perfect for the Big Bird.
12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Tuesday, November 25th - Turkey Day Wine Tasting. 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Thursday, December 11th - 7th Annual 'All That Sparkles' Bubbly Tasting with
Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. Think you don't like bubbly? We're sure we
can convince you otherwise! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, December 12th - John Grimsley of Billington Imports will be here showing
off some of the best German wines imported into the U.S. as well as some tasty
finds from South of the Border. 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Saturday, December 13th - 'We're Just Wild About Harry' Holiday Wine Tasting
with Harry Tatian of Roanoke Valley Wine Company. Since Harry represents many of
the excellent Oregon Pinot Producers in his portfolio, feel sure that some
Pinots will make their way onto the tasting table. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Thursday, December 18th - 7th Annual 'Wines You Give As Gifts But Wish You'd Get
As A Gift' Wine Tasting with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner. A tasting not to
be missed! 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Friday, December 19th - Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports will have some new
additions in his portfolio and we'll have on the tasting table to try. 4:00pm to
7:00pm.
Saturday, December 20th - Holiday Wines with Brian Forsgren of Potomac
Selections. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Saturday, December 27th - Holiday Wines with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs. 12:00pm to
4:00pm.
Tuesday, December 30th - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne Tasting
with Mr. Champagne, Peter Gaylor, of William Harrison Imports. 12:00pm to
5:00pm.
Wednesday, December 31st - Champagne Campaign - Sparkling Wine & Champagne
Tasting with Jim Futrell of Republic National Distributing. 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 28th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
The picture of this salad recipe just screamed Fall seeing as how it has both
hazelnuts and pears in it. There's nothing like a colorful salad to start a
meal! I'm not much of a salad eater but surprisingly enough, I do enjoy my
veggies. It's how I keep my svelte figure! From Williams Sonoma: Thanksgiving
cookbook, here's my recipe pick for this week.
Watercress, Endive & Pear Salad
Serves 8-10
2/3 cup of hazelnuts
3 large bunches watercress, tough stems removed
3 heads Belgian endive cored and separated into leaves
5 tbsp hazelnut oil or extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tbsp pear vinegar or white balsamic vinegar
3 small ripe but firm pears, preferably red Bartlett (Williams)
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a shallow metal pan, toast the hazelnuts,
stirring once or twice, until crisp, fragrant and brown, about 10 minutes. Wrap
the hot nuts in a clean kitchen towel and let steam for about 1 minute, then
vigorously roll the wrapped nuts between the palms of your hands until most of
the dark brown skins are removed. Pick the nuts out of the debris of the peels
and coarsely chop them.
In a large bowl, toss together the watercress and endive. Drizzle with the oil
and toss again. Add the hazelnuts, vinegar and ½ tsp pepper and toss well. Taste
and adjust the seasoning.
Divide the greens among individual plates. Halve and core the pears and cut each
half lengthwise into eighths. Garnish each plate with wedges of pear, tucking
them into the greens. Serve immediately.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· Hazelnut oil is rich so if you utilized that oil, a West Coast Chardonnay from
Oregon or Santa Barbara County would work well or a richer Spanish white such as
Verdejo would also be a solid choice. Because of the vinegar in the dish, you
could do a weightier Sauvignon Blanc - preferably from the Loire Valley.
· For a red wine, a Cotes du Rhone would be an excellent selection or a Pinot
Noir from either Oregon or Burgundy.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: Match the appellation to the region.
a) Burgundy 1) Eola - Amity Hills
b) Napa Valley 2) Chablis
c) Loire Valley 3) Chiles Valley
d) Bordeaux 4) Margaret River
e) Willamette Valley 5) Sauternes
f) Western Australia 6) Vouvray
Answer: a - 2; b- 3; c - 6; d - 5; e - 1; f - 4
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Jose Fernandez and Bill Haskitt!
This Week's Quiz Question: The quiz is taking a vacation this week. Bring your
quiz answering hats to the winE-Letter next week!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner
Saturday from 2:00pm to 5:00pm with Jim Futrell of Republic National
Distributing
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
http://www.thewineseller.com/
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: August 28, 2008
I think we have a new slogan. How about an 'Easy Button' for
wine buying?! That's how one of our customers described us last
weekend...shopping at The Wine Seller is the Easy Button for selecting wines
because we make it so easy to find interesting wines at reasonable prices!! YEE
HAW....Now that's an endorsement that makes us smile!!! If you've never come in
with a recipe to have us help you find a wine to pair with it for a memorable
meal or never test driven one of our famous and tasty mixed cases of wine (which
start at $68 a case!) - come on in and see what we're all about! There's some
fun stuff brewing at our shopping center as the Euro Bistro restaurant is
hosting a big Oktoberfest celebration next weekend (Sept 5 through 7) and we'll
be joining in with some wine tasting fun. I wonder if there will be any yodling
contests?! Hmmm....maybe best not to suggest that idea out loud. And the Town of
Herndon is hosting a Jazz Concert and Wine Tasting (Virginia wineries will be
pouring their wares) this coming Monday which is Labor Day. We're going to keep
the wine-Letter short and sweet this week. After all, it's the last week
(unofficially) of summer. The good news about next week is that the kids go back
to school and I'm sure many Moms and Dads are ready for the kids to go back! The
bad news about next week is that we all know what traffic will be like on
Tuesday morning!! So kick back, pour yourself a glass of wine, smile because we
finally got some rain and enjoy the long weekend!
Three Summer Special Reds...A 'Last Hurrah of Summer' Red for the BBQ!
Lincourt Santa Barbara County Syrah 2005 - Here's a treat in the red wine
category which is just brimming with flavor. The grapes are sourced from both
cool climate vineyards close to the Pacific Ocean as well as from vineyards
farther inland which have warmer days and nights and thus, riper fruit. The
result is a Syrah which is rich, elegant and balanced - perfect for any kind of
meat off the grill, an Italian dish based in tomato sauce or even hearty fish
such as tuna or swordfish. Only 983 cases produced. The taste profile includes
flavors of boysenberry, black raspberry, bacon fat and black pepper. Umm, umm
good! $22.99 per bottle.
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Ehrhardt 'Old Vine' Merlot Clarksburg 2006 - I'm not usually a big fan of
Merlots as they can tend to show tendencies towards greenness (which is
typically a sign of under ripe fruit), this Merlot is tasty and well priced. The
Clarksburg appellation is located in the Sacramento River Delta - it is rich
farm country. The wine is soft on the palate full of cherries and chocolate. A
delightful find without breaking the piggy bank. $16.79 per bottle.
Danger Will Robinson, Danger Will Robinson...the Oktoberfest Beers are Arriving!
A sure sign that Fall is approaching! It's that time of year again!! The
Oktoberfest Beers from many of the micro breweries are starting to arrive in our
supplier's warehouses and are making their way to our fridges and eventually to
yours! Dogtoberfest from Flying Dog Brewery is in the house as is Lancaster
Beer's Oktoberfest beer and Hofbrau's Oktoberfest. Pumpkin Ales and other
seasonal beers will keep coming in so keep your eye on the beer cooler!
Upcoming Events
We're working on finalizing our Fall Tasting Line-Up so stay tuned...
Herndon Labor Day Jazz & Wine Festival - Monday, September 1st is the annual
Jazz and Wine Festival held in downtown Herndon at the Town Green. Regional and
National jazz performers will entertain you and several Virginia wineries will
be holding wine tastings along with local artists displaying their wares. The
event is held from 12:00pm to 6:00pm and tickets are either $5 or $15 depending
upon whether you are going to be wine tasting or not. Pick up a brochure about
the event on the counter near the register for more information.
Oktoberfest Celebration at the BB&T Shopping Center - The bratwursts, funny
costumes and beer will be out in full force under a big tent in our parking lot
as Euro Bistro hosts an old fashioned Oktoberfest Celebration on Friday,
September 5th through Sunday, September 7th. We'll join in the fun with wine
tastings on both Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Times for the
Oktoberfest are 4:00pm to 10:00pm on Friday the 5th, 3:00pm to 10:00pm on
Saturday the 6th and 12:00pm to 8:00pm on Sunday the 7th. Our Wine Tastings will
be:
Friday, September 5th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm - Jason Bise of The Country Vintner
will be here pouring some tasty selections from his portfolio.
Saturday, September 6th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm - Jim Futrell of Republic National
Distributing will show off some great value wines for Fall.
Come Join In on the Fun!!!
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 28th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
In case you didn't know, I'm a Sunny Boy and I like summer. One of my favorite
things to do in the nice weather is to sit outside on the lounge chair and soak
up the sun. My Mom tells me I act like a C-A-T. Humpf. I resemble, er, I mean
resent that comment. Anyhow, I'm sad to see summertime come to a close so I want
to do a recipe this week for the grill. How about a recipe for duck? Everybody I
know seems hesitant to cook duck but it's really, really easy (not to mention
tasty) and there are loads of great red wines to go with duck. From Grilling:
Where There's Smoke There's Flavor, here's my recipe pick for this week.
Crispy Balsamic Duck
Serves 4
5 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
4 duck breast halves, scored (with a sharp knife, cut diagonal slashes in the
fatty side of the duck making X's)
Salt
Black Pepper
1 tbsp extra Balsamic Vinegar for drizzling
Put 5 tbsp vinegar in a shallow dish just wide enough to put the 4 duck breasts.
Add the duck breast halves, skin side up. Cover and leave to marinate for 20
minutes at room temperature. Grill over medium coals, skin side down until the
skin is crispy, about 5 minutes. Turn duck breast halves over and grill 8 more
minutes for medium rare, 10 more minutes for well done. Cover with foil and let
rest for 5 minutes before cutting into thin slices. Sprinkle with salt and
pepper. Drizzle over remaining balsamic vinegar (not the marinade though!!).
Serve hot.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· If you're really gunning for a white wine, since duck is gamey, a white Cotes
du Rhone would be a good place to go for a glass of white or a Spanish Verdejo.
· Duck just screams for red wine so think anything from the Rhone Valley, an
Oregon Pinot Noir or Red Burgundy or a Piedmont red from Italy would all work
well with duck.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: The name of the grape I am drinking translates into
'lime leaf'. What am I drinking?
Hint: While the grape can be (and often is) vinified in a dry manner, it's most
important role is in the making of a famous dessert wine.
Answer: Harslevelu (a grape in Hungary which can be made in a dry, still manner
but if used in the prized Tokaji Aszu dessert wine)
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Bob Puckett!
This Week's Quiz Question: Match the appellation to the region.
a) Burgundy 1) Eola - Amity Hills
b) Napa Valley 2) Chablis
c) Loire Valley 3) Chiles Valley
d) Bordeaux 4) Margaret River
e) Willamette Valley 5) Sauternes
f) Western Australia 6) Vouvray
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
Holiday Hours
Just a reminder....this weekend is Labor Day Weekend. We'll have normal hours on
Saturday (10:00am to 6:00pm) and Sunday (12:00pm to 4:00pm). On Labor Day,
Monday, September 1st, we will be open from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
That's it for this week! Have a Great Holiday Weekend Everybody!!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
http://www.thewineseller.com/
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: August 21, 2008
Is there a channel or an hour when the Olympics are not
playing 24/7?! It's ok though since there have been so many great events to
watch! It's hard to believe the Olympics are almost over and the kids will be
back in school in just another week and a half. In another couple of weeks,
we'll start hearing about how many days of shopping we have until Christmas!! In
the meantime, I'm going to head to the patio with a glass of wine in hand and
enjoy the absolutely fantabulous weather we have been enjoying all summer.
Please don't let it ever stop!! We've got a couple of new wine vines this week
which are both excellent for this transitional time of year. We've also got a
new Rosé of the Week. What can I say? We're not ready to give up the Rosés quite
yet! We've still got loads of choices in the bins for Patio Whites, Rosés and
BBQ Reds so for any of you who are still finishing up summer vacations or
enjoying BBQs and picnics for the Labor Day Weekend next weekend....come on in
and check out all of interesting wines, reasonably priced. Bogart has been
chaise lounging and leafing through more cookbooks to find a recipe for this
week's Recipe Board and we have a new quiz question for you this week to make
sure your brain doesn't take a vacation! The Oktoberfest beers are coming too so
check out the beer fridge next time you're in the store! And if you're looking
for something to do locally on the holiday weekend, you might want to check out
the Herndon Jazz & Wine Festival held in Old Town on Labor Day. We've got
brochures in the store you can pick up if you're interested in finding out more
information. Have a great weekend everybody and we'll see you soon!
New Vino Finds
Domaine La Manarine Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2006 - A white Cotes du Rhone from the
South of France is a perfect transitional white wine to enjoy as the weather
starts to turn cooler. This one from Domaine La Manarine is one of the best
we've tasted over the years. It's a blend of Clairette and Bourboulenc and the
taste profile shows off nice layers and depth of fruit on the palate. There are
hints of light citrus, almonds and apples in the glass. A perfect white for any
kind of grilled fish or chicken. $14.99 per bottle.
Guilhem Moulin de Gassac Vin de Pays de l'Herault 2006 - Besides making some
tasty wines, the owner of this winery made his film debut in the movie Mondovino.
This wine is a little bit rustic but is well balanced by a juicy mouthfeel on
the palate. The grapes are the Rhone varietals of Grenache, Carignan, Counoise
and Syrah and the result is a perfect fall red glass of vino. Excellent for
grilled or roasted meats or slow cooked one pot wonders. $10.99 per bottle.
Rosé of the Week
Le Caprice de Clementine Cotes du Provence Rosé 2007 - This is classic Provence
Rosé at its best. It's bone dry and medium weight made with Grenache, Cinsault
and Syrah grapes. This is thirst quenching and tasty - just searching for a
entrée fish salad or chicken salad to mate with for a meal. $18.99 per bottle.
Three Summer Special Reds...Perfect for Steaks and Lamb Chops!
Lincourt Santa Barbara County Syrah 2005 - Here's a treat in the red wine
category which is just brimming with flavor. The grapes are sourced from both
cool climate vineyards close to the Pacific Ocean as well as from vineyards
farther inland which have warmer days and nights and thus, riper fruit. The
result is a Syrah which is rich, elegant and balanced - perfect for any kind of
meat off the grill, an Italian dish based in tomato sauce or even hearty fish
such as tuna or swordfish. Only 983 cases produced. The taste profile includes
flavors of boysenberry, black raspberry, bacon fat and black pepper. Umm, umm
good! $22.99 per bottle.
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Ehrhardt 'Old Vine' Merlot Clarksburg 2006 - I'm not usually a big fan of
Merlots as they can tend to show tendencies towards greenness (which is
typically a sign of under ripe fruit), this Merlot is tasty and well priced. The
Clarksburg appellation is located in the Sacramento River Delta - it is rich
farm country. The wine is soft on the palate full of cherries and chocolate. A
delightful find without breaking the piggy bank. $16.79 per bottle.
Patio Whites and BBQ Reds
Broadbent Vinho Verde NV - What's summertime without a little Vinho Verde from
Portugal?! We've decided this is the best Vinho Verde we've had anytime recently
and it will definitely get your taste buds going! It's crisp, refreshing and
with just a hint of effervescence, it's exactly what the wine doctor ordered for
the weather in August. $11.99 per bottle.
Cielo Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2007 - A delightful new find in the world
of Pinot Grigio, this easy drinking white offers a lot of quality for the price.
IGT wines from Italy represent wines which are 'typical of the geographic
region' and usually, they pony up a lot of bang for the buck. They are seen as
being of better quality than a table wine but don't have the pedigree of a DOC
or DOCG wine so they don't have the big price tag. A touch of melon and apple, a
delightful Patio White. $8.99 per bottle.
Silene Terre di Chieti IGT Cococciola 2007 - Cococciola is a white grape
indigenous to the region of Abruzzo in south central Italy along the Adriatic
Sea. This is a quintessential summer quaffer. It's light, crisp and refreshing -
perfect by itself or with light snacks such as cheese or fruit. $7.99 per
bottle.
El Paso Jumilla Monastrell 2005 - This tasty red was just screaming for a BBQ to
go to - juicy not jammy, soft tannins on the back end nice layers of red and
blue fruits. It's 85% Monastrell (the Spanish word for Mourvedre) and 15% Syrah
which adds some nice depth on the palate. Arriving Friday and normally priced at
$10.99, specially priced at $8.99.
Adras Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2004 - This wine is actually from the
Bierzo region and typically, wines from this area are made with the Mencia
grape. Because the winemaker wanted to blend in some other grapes from the area,
the label can't read Bierzo. It's made with 70% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 10% Mencia (pronounced Men-thee-a) and it evokes more of an Old
World style on the taste profile. It's rustic and hearty, just looking for a
piece of aged beef, some meat ragu or a beef stew. Normally $13.79, on a special
deal at $9.99 per bottle.
Pampano Rueda 2007 - A blend of 80% Macabao and 20% Verdejo grapes, this white
wine just screams Springtime! It's crisp and refreshing and an all around
perfect Patio White. $10.99 per bottle.
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - A perfect BBQ Red at an exceptional price just in
time for all those backyard BBQs! Bonarda is a grape which originated in the
Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. It's a softer grape - typically used for
blending in a Gattinara wine. In Argentina, like Malbec, Bonarda grows quite
well and shows well bottled by itself. This is a juicy, easy drinking red -
perfect for quaffing or enjoying with burgers off the grill or BBQ'd chicken.
Normally priced at $9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no
more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Malbec - This is a Malbec made for an American summer
holiday!! Ripe blueberry fruit alongside creamy vanilla notes from the oak
barrel aging, this wine is just hunting for some BBQ Ribs. Normally priced at
$9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Reserve Torrontes - Torrontes is a prevalently grown white
grape in Argentina and taste profilewise, Viognier seems to be like a cousin.
Torrontes is aromatic and floral with refreshing acidity on the palate. It's a
perfect patio quaffer in the hot weather or would work well with Latin foods.
Normally priced at $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per bottle.
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - Here's an easy drinking, very tasty
Pinot Noir made from grapes across California. It shows light raspberries and
cherries on the palate and makes for an excellent table red. It'll work with
just about anything off the grill! $9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - This wine from the same winery was just as
tasty as the Malbec. A line of red currants definitely runs through the taste
profile and it is a well structured but not overly tannic Cabernet. A value for
$9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - You don't find values like this wine
everyday. The balance in this wine is spot on - the oak is well integrated and
while a round and supple wine, there are lovely notes of dark red and black
fruits. A mouthful of wine for $9.99 per bottle.
Nobilissima Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006 - This is exactly what you want when
you're looking for an everyday Pinot Grigio to sip on or enjoy with a light meal
or salad. Crisp acidity shows on the palate with some light notes of melons and
lemon. $10.99 per bottle.
Danger Will Robinson, Danger Will Robinson...the Oktoberfest Beers are Arriving!
A sure sign that Fall is approaching! It's that time of year again!! The
Oktoberfest Beers from many of the micro breweries are starting to arrive in our
supplier's warehouses and are making their way to our fridges and eventually to
yours! Dogtoberfest from Flying Dog Brewery is in the house as is Lancaster
Beer's Oktoberfest beer and Hofbrau's Oktoberfest. Pumpkin Ales and other
seasonal beers will keep coming in so keep your eye on the beer cooler!
Upcoming Events
We're working on finalizing our Fall Tasting Line-Up so stay tuned...
Herndon Labor Day Jazz & Wine Festival - Monday, September 1st is the annual
Jazz and Wine Festival held in downtown Herndon at the Town Green. Regional and
National jazz performers will entertain you and several Virginia wineries will
be holding wine tastings along with local artists displaying their wares. The
event is held from 12:00pm to 6:00pm and tickets are either $5 or $15 depending
upon whether you are going to be wine tasting or not. Pick up a brochure about
the event on the counter near the register for more information.
Bus Trip to Gray Ghost Vineyards! Join us on Sunday, October 12th as we board a
bus a travel to Amissville outside of Warrenton to tour and taste at Gray Ghost
Vineyard. It'll be a perfect time of year with the leaves beginning to turn and
there's nothing prettier than the Virginia countryside in the Fall. The bus will
leave the parking lot at the store at 11:00am sharp, the tour & tasting will be
from noon to 2:00pm and we anticipate returning to the parking lot around 3:30
to 4:00pm. Food will be provided during the tasting at the winery. Seating is
very limited. Price per person is $75 inclusive of bus ride, tour, tasting and
lunch. If you are interested in joining us, please email Lucinda at Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, November 11th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
I like the picture of this recipe. Not that my Mom will let me eat beans -
something about until she figures out how to bottle and sell BoGAS, there will
be no beans for Bogart - but it sure does look tasty. From Grilling: Where's the
Smoke there's Flavor.
Smoky Black Bean Salad
Serves 4
1-1/3 cups dried black beans or 2 14oz cans of black beans drained and rinsed
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 chipotle chile, seeded and finely chopped or 1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp ground coriander
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
¼ cup olive oil
1-2/3 cup of fresh salsa fresca
6 tbsp crumbled feta cheese
If using dried beans, place in a large pan with cold water to cover by 2 inches.
Bring to a boil. Boil hard for 10 mins. Lower heat and simmer until the beans
are tender, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. If necessary, add hot water to keep beans
covered throughout the cooking time. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
For dressing, combine garlic, chipotle or chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt,
pepper, vinegar and oil. If using dried beans, pour dressing over hot cooked
beans. If using canned beans, place dressing in a small pan, bring to a boil and
pour hot dressing over rinsed canned beans. Mix gently to coat beans. Add salt,
pepper and more chili powder to taste. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow flavors
to combine.
Pour salsa fresca over beans. Sprinkle with feta. Serve chilled or at room
temperature.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· Feta cheese is a strong flavor and beans have a dense texture, not to mention
the flavorful spices, so you will want to look for a white or red wine which is
bold enough to stand up to all the flavors. For a white, a Cotes du Rhone Blanc,
a not overly fruity or overly oaky Chardonnay or an Albarino from Spain would
all be good choices. For a red, a California Zinfandel, any type of Cotes du
Rhone Red (or Rhone red grape combo from anywhere in the world) or a
not-too-much-of-a-fruitbomb Shiraz from Australia would be good matches.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: In my glass, I have a base of dry white wine (except
for the Rose variety) with the addition of extracts, herbs, spices and other
flavorings. There's also a fortification of grape brandy as part of this wine
and one of the ingredients in the mix is wormwood. What am I drinking?
Answer: Vermouth
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Diane Whitmoyer, Bob Puckett and
Bill Haskitt...come on down and collect your prize!
This Week's Quiz Question: The name of the grape I am drinking translates into
'lime leaf'. What am I drinking?
Hint: While the grape can be (and often is) vinified in a dry manner, it's most
important role is in the making of a famous dessert wine.
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
http://www.thewineseller.com/
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: August 14, 2008
Go Michael Phelps!! Between Phelps' record breaking feats
between medals and race times along with a bit of white knuckling while watching
the Women's Gymnastics finals the other night, it's time to celebrate with a
glass of Patio White, Rosé or a BBQ Red! And with the absolutely stupendous
weather we've been having, roll that telly out to the patio to watch the
athletes!! No matter what your fancy in the wine department, we've got you
covered with loads of choices of interesting wines, reasonably priced. No need
to break the bank when you shop at your local independent wine shop....US!
Bogart has even taken the cookbooks outside to read through them in his search
for a recipe this week. The recipe he found for this issue uses a market veggie
which is at peak right now...tomatoes. We've got quiz winners from last week and
a new query for this week. And we've got a special tasting this Saturday when
Ron Sweatman will be here sampling out some really tasty wines at very
reasonable prices including our two 'special summer reds' listed below - the
Hans Fahden Cabernet and Erhardt Old Vines Merlot. Plus, Ron is bringing with
him a new product which he is carrying from Chile, an Avocado Oil. Did you know
avocado oil is full of the 'good' kind of fat like you find in olive oil? I've
never had avocado oil but I can't wait to try it! So ask the dog to mow the lawn
or do the yard chores and come on by on Saturday afternoon - we'll whet your
whistle with some tasty treats!
New Vino Finds
Lincourt Santa Barbara County Syrah 2005 - Here's a treat in the red wine
category which is just brimming with flavor. The grapes are sourced from both
cool climate vineyards close to the Pacific Ocean as well as from vineyards
farther inland which have warmer days and nights and thus, riper fruit. The
result is a Syrah which is rich, elegant and balanced - perfect for any kind of
meat off the grill, an Italian dish based in tomato sauce or even hearty fish
such as tuna or swordfish. Only 983 cases produced. The taste profile includes
flavors of boysenberry, black raspberry, bacon fat and black pepper. Umm, umm
good! $22.99 per bottle.
Broadbent Vinho Verde NV - What's summertime without a little Vinho Verde from
Portugal?! We've decided this is the best Vinho Verde we've had anytime recently
and it will definitely get your taste buds going! It's crisp, refreshing and
with just a hint of effervescence, it's exactly what the wine doctor ordered for
the weather in August. $11.99 per bottle.
Two Summer Special Reds...Perfect for Steaks and Lamb Chops!
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Ehrhardt 'Old Vine' Merlot Clarksburg 2006 - I'm not usually a big fan of
Merlots as they can tend to show tendencies towards greenness (which is
typically a sign of under ripe fruit), this Merlot is tasty and well priced. The
Clarksburg appellation is located in the Sacramento River Delta - it is rich
farm country. The wine is soft on the palate full of cherries and chocolate. A
delightful find without breaking the piggy bank. $16.79 per bottle.
Patio Whites and BBQ Reds
Cielo Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2007 - A delightful new find in the world
of Pinot Grigio, this easy drinking white offers a lot of quality for the price.
IGT wines from Italy represent wines which are 'typical of the geographic
region' and usually, they pony up a lot of bang for the buck. They are seen as
being of better quality than a table wine but don't have the pedigree of a DOC
or DOCG wine so they don't have the big price tag. A touch of melon and apple, a
delightful Patio White. $8.99 per bottle.
Silene Terre di Chieti IGT Cococciola 2007 - Cococciola is a white grape
indigenous to the region of Abruzzo in south central Italy along the Adriatic
Sea. This is a quintessential summer quaffer. It's light, crisp and refreshing -
perfect by itself or with light snacks such as cheese or fruit. $7.99 per
bottle.
El Paso Jumilla Monastrell 2005 - This tasty red was just screaming for a BBQ to
go to - juicy not jammy, soft tannins on the back end nice layers of red and
blue fruits. It's 85% Monastrell (the Spanish word for Mourvedre) and 15% Syrah
which adds some nice depth on the palate. Arriving Friday and normally priced at
$10.99, specially priced at $8.99.
Silene 'Cococciola' Terre di Chieti IGT 2007 - It's always fun to discover new
regions and new grape varietals. The Terre di Chieti appellation is located in
the Abruzzo region of Southeastern Italy and it is only place where the
Cococciola grape grows. It is definitely the quintessential summer sipper.
Crisp, light, a touch of lemon and very refreshing, it's perfect for the patio,
the beach or the boat. Shrimp cocktail come to mind for a snack! $7.99 per
bottle.
Adras Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2004 - This wine is actually from the
Bierzo region and typically, wines from this area are made with the Mencia
grape. Because the winemaker wanted to blend in some other grapes from the area,
the label can't read Bierzo. It's made with 70% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 10% Mencia (pronounced Men-thee-a) and it evokes more of an Old
World style on the taste profile. It's rustic and hearty, just looking for a
piece of aged beef, some meat ragu or a beef stew. Normally $13.79, on a special
deal at $9.99 per bottle.
Pampano Rueda 2007 - A blend of 80% Macabao and 20% Verdejo grapes, this white
wine just screams Springtime! It's crisp and refreshing and an all around
perfect Patio White. $10.99 per bottle.
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - A perfect BBQ Red at an exceptional price just in
time for all those backyard BBQs! Bonarda is a grape which originated in the
Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. It's a softer grape - typically used for
blending in a Gattinara wine. In Argentina, like Malbec, Bonarda grows quite
well and shows well bottled by itself. This is a juicy, easy drinking red -
perfect for quaffing or enjoying with burgers off the grill or BBQ'd chicken.
Normally priced at $9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no
more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Malbec - This is a Malbec made for an American summer
holiday!! Ripe blueberry fruit alongside creamy vanilla notes from the oak
barrel aging, this wine is just hunting for some BBQ Ribs. Normally priced at
$9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Reserve Torrontes - Torrontes is a prevalently grown white
grape in Argentina and taste profilewise, Viognier seems to be like a cousin.
Torrontes is aromatic and floral with refreshing acidity on the palate. It's a
perfect patio quaffer in the hot weather or would work well with Latin foods.
Normally priced at $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per bottle.
Colombelle Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - A blend of Colombard and Ugni
Blanc, it's back and as fantastic as ever! Crisp, refreshing and just brimming
with citrus fruit and a refreshing mouthfeel, this is an exemplary wine for the
Patio! $8.49 per bottle.
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - Here's an easy drinking, very tasty
Pinot Noir made from grapes across California. It shows light raspberries and
cherries on the palate and makes for an excellent table red. It'll work with
just about anything off the grill! $9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - This wine from the same winery was just as
tasty as the Malbec. A line of red currants definitely runs through the taste
profile and it is a well structured but not overly tannic Cabernet. A value for
$9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - You don't find values like this wine
everyday. The balance in this wine is spot on - the oak is well integrated and
while a round and supple wine, there are lovely notes of dark red and black
fruits. A mouthful of wine for $9.99 per bottle.
Nobilissima Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006 - This is exactly what you want when
you're looking for an everyday Pinot Grigio to sip on or enjoy with a light meal
or salad. Crisp acidity shows on the palate with some light notes of melons and
lemon. $10.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, August 16th with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports
Ron, one of the owners of Graystone Imports, will be back with us as we try some
new vintages of old favorites plus a few new items in their portfolio. Included
in the tasting lineup will be the Hans Fahden Cabernet Sauvignon, the Ehrhardt
'Old Vine' Merlot, the new vintage of In Situ Chardonnay (which is fantastic!)
and the Graystone Pinot Gris from Moldova. In addition, we'll be trying some
Avocado Oil from Chile. Complimentary. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, November 11th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was 'I'm seeing stars!'
We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic bubblies from around
the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from
America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll see how various foods
just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
Back to the grill! While my Mom actually does the grilling, I have a supervisory
role which involves me sitting regally on the chaise lounge in the backyard
while overseeing all the cooking. Call it the 'smell test' for knowing when the
food is ready to come off of the grill! This recipe uses an ingredient which is
in the peak of summertime glory right now - tomatoes. And if you like garlic,
you're really in for a treat. For all of the CSA participants, get your garlic
out of the bag (doesn't Potomac Vegetable Farms have the best garlic?!)! From
the cookbook, Grilling: Where There's Smoke There's Flavor, here's my recipe for
the week:
Slow Roasted Tomato Salad
Serves 4
6 tomatoes, halved
2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt
Black pepper
1 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley
Extra balsamic vinegar and olive oil to drizzle
You can either cook these indoors or out. If you cook the tomatoes outdoors,
don't place them directly over the coals. You want a slow, lower heat cook on
the tomatoes. If you're cooking them indoors, preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Place tomato halves cut side up in an oven tray. Place a garlic slice on top of
each half. Drizzle over honey, vinegar and olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and
pepper. Roast until very soft and lightly charred, about 1 hour (remember - away
from directly over the coals on an outdoor grill!). Sprinkle with parsley and
drizzle vinegar and olive oil on top. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· Grab yourself a glass of white wine - this dish is just screaming for an
Italian white...Erbaluce, Vernaccia, Verdicchio, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, you
name it!
· If you're feeling like red wine - a Barbera from the Piedmont, a Syrah from a
cool climate area (like the Lincourt!) or a Pinot Noir from Oregon would be a
perfect match.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: Name one of the oldest white grape varieties found in
Spain, specifically in the Valdeorras region in eastern Galicia, which is
documented back to Roman times. Hint: the answer is not Albarino which typically
comes from the Rias Baixas D.O.!
Answer: Godello (prounounced go-DAY-o)
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Amy Evans, Lyn Jennings and Brandon
Skall...come on down and collect your prize!
This Week's Quiz Question: In my glass, I have a base of dry white wine (except
for the Rose variety) with the addition of extracts, herbs, spices and other
flavorings. There's also a fortification of grape brandy as part of this wine
and one of the ingredients in the mix is wormwood. What am I drinking?
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: August 7, 2008
Grab a glass, move the telly outside and pull up a chair as
it's time to watch the Olympics! How did it get to be August already?! The
summer is zooming along but there's still plenty of time left to enjoy some
Patio Whites, Rosés and BBQ Reds! Plus, it looks like we are in for some really
fantastic weather over the next several days...and we'll take it! Perhaps a
glass of our new Rosé of the Week on the patio this weekend? Or one of our new
Patio White finds?! Bogart even has an ultra easy recipe on his recipe board
this week - a chilled soup using all the bounty of summer veggies. There were no
quiz winners last week but the Quiz Corner has a new quiz question so put on
your thinking caps! And our next 'big' tasting will be a week from Saturday, on
the 16th, with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports. A cool item we'll be trying
with Ron is an Avocado Oil from Chile and we can't wait to check that out! There
will be some of our new wine finds open this weekend to try so come on by the
store for a sip. We'll see you soon!
New Vino Finds
Cielo Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2007 - A delightful new find in the world
of Pinot Grigio, this easy drinking white offers a lot of quality for the price.
IGT wines from Italy represent wines which are 'typical of the geographic
region' and usually, they pony up a lot of bang for the buck. They are seen as
being of better quality than a table wine but don't have the pedigree of a DOC
or DOCG wine so they don't have the big price tag. A touch of melon and apple, a
delightful Patio White. $8.99 per bottle.
Silene Terre di Chieti IGT Cococciola 2007 - Cococciola is a white grape
indigenous to the region of Abruzzo in south central Italy along the Adriatic
Sea. This is a quintessential summer quaffer. It's light, crisp and refreshing -
perfect by itself or with light snacks such as cheese or fruit. $7.99 per
bottle.
Rosé of the Week
Tres Ojos Calatayud Rose 2007 - Made from a blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo,
this juicy Rose is as tasty as its red wine cousin. The wine shows red berries
on the palate and is a perfect aperitif wine or works well with salad entrees or
fish dishes. $7.99 per bottle.
Two Summer Special Reds...Perfect for Steaks and Lamb Chops!
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Ehrhardt 'Old Vine' Merlot Clarksburg 2006 - I'm not usually a big fan of
Merlots as they can tend to show tendencies towards greenness (which is
typically a sign of under ripe fruit), this Merlot is tasty and well priced. The
Clarksburg appellation is located in the Sacramento River Delta - it is rich
farm country. The wine is soft on the palate full of cherries and chocolate. A
delightful find without breaking the piggy bank. $16.79 per bottle.
Patio Whites and BBQ Reds
El Paso Jumilla Monastrell 2005 - This tasty red was just screaming for a BBQ to
go to - juicy not jammy, soft tannins on the back end nice layers of red and
blue fruits. It's 85% Monastrell (the Spanish word for Mourvedre) and 15% Syrah
which adds some nice depth on the palate. Arriving Friday and normally priced at
$10.99, specially priced at $8.99.
La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rosé 2007 - A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and
Syrah, this dry Rosé is juicy and easy drinking on the palate. An excellent
quaffer or perfect with any kind of salad entrée, chicken dish or seafood dish.
$9.99 per bottle.
Silene 'Cococciola' Terre di Chieti IGT 2007 - It's always fun to discover new
regions and new grape varietals. The Terre di Chieti appellation is located in
the Abruzzo region of Southeastern Italy and it is only place where the
Cococciola grape grows. It is definitely the quintessential summer sipper.
Crisp, light, a touch of lemon and very refreshing, it's perfect for the patio,
the beach or the boat. Shrimp cocktail come to mind for a snack! $7.99 per
bottle.
Adras Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2004 - This wine is actually from the
Bierzo region and typically, wines from this area are made with the Mencia
grape. Because the winemaker wanted to blend in some other grapes from the area,
the label can't read Bierzo. It's made with 70% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 10% Mencia (pronounced Men-thee-a) and it evokes more of an Old
World style on the taste profile. It's rustic and hearty, just looking for a
piece of aged beef, some meat ragu or a beef stew. Normally $13.79, on a special
deal at $9.99 per bottle.
Terras Garnacha Tinto Carinena 2007 - Spain keeps on delivering with flavor and
value so we keep on buying them! Carinena is up in the northeastern part of
Spain and Garnacha is the Spanish name for Grenache, a Rhone varietal. This is
an easy drink and would work with anything off the grill including salmon,
chicken, pork or steak. In addition, it would be perfect with light tapas just
to nosh on while kicking back and enjoying summertime. $8.99 per bottle.
Domaine des Cassagnoles Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - This crisp,
refreshing white wine is a blend of Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Gros Mensang from
the Gascony region in Southwest France. Amazingly for this inexpensive table
white, the grapes are all estate grown. This is a perfect summertime white to
drink alone or have with cheeses, salads or light antipasto. It's quite
reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc. For all of you Colombelle lovers out there,
since the new vintage isn't out yet, this is a great white to give a try. $9.99
per bottle.
Pampano Rueda 2007 - A blend of 80% Macabao and 20% Verdejo grapes, this white
wine just screams Springtime! It's crisp and refreshing and an all around
perfect Patio White. $10.99 per bottle.
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - A perfect BBQ Red at an exceptional price just in
time for all those backyard BBQs! Bonarda is a grape which originated in the
Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. It's a softer grape - typically used for
blending in a Gattinara wine. In Argentina, like Malbec, Bonarda grows quite
well and shows well bottled by itself. This is a juicy, easy drinking red -
perfect for quaffing or enjoying with burgers off the grill or BBQ'd chicken.
Normally priced at $9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no
more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Malbec - This is a Malbec made for an American summer
holiday!! Ripe blueberry fruit alongside creamy vanilla notes from the oak
barrel aging, this wine is just hunting for some BBQ Ribs. Normally priced at
$9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Reserve Torrontes - Torrontes is a prevalently grown white
grape in Argentina and taste profilewise, Viognier seems to be like a cousin.
Torrontes is aromatic and floral with refreshing acidity on the palate. It's a
perfect patio quaffer in the hot weather or would work well with Latin foods.
Normally priced at $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per bottle.
Colombelle Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - A blend of Colombard and Ugni
Blanc, it's back and as fantastic as ever! Crisp, refreshing and just brimming
with citrus fruit and a refreshing mouthfeel, this is an exemplary wine for the
Patio! $8.49 per bottle.
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - Here's an easy drinking, very tasty
Pinot Noir made from grapes across California. It shows light raspberries and
cherries on the palate and makes for an excellent table red. It'll work with
just about anything off the grill! $9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - This wine from the same winery was just as
tasty as the Malbec. A line of red currants definitely runs through the taste
profile and it is a well structured but not overly tannic Cabernet. A value for
$9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - You don't find values like this wine
everyday. The balance in this wine is spot on - the oak is well integrated and
while a round and supple wine, there are lovely notes of dark red and black
fruits. A mouthful of wine for $9.99 per bottle.
Nobilissima Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006 - This is exactly what you want when
you're looking for an everyday Pinot Grigio to sip on or enjoy with a light meal
or salad. Crisp acidity shows on the palate with some light notes of melons and
lemon. $10.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, August 16th with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports
Ron, one of the owners of Graystone Imports, will be back with us as we try some
new vintages of old favorites plus a few new items in their portfolio. Included
in the tasting lineup will be the Hans Fahden Cabernet Sauvignon, the Ehrhardt
'Old Vine' Merlot, the new vintage of In Situ Chardonnay (which is fantastic!)
and the Graystone Pinot Gris from Moldova. In addition, we'll be trying some
Avocado Oil from Chile. Complimentary. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
Thursday, November 6th - Demystifying a Restaurant Wine List
Don't feel overwhelmed anymore in a restaurant which has a wine list rivaling
War & Peace. And still enjoy your meal by learning how to find a hidden gem in a
limited wine list. We'll examine some restaurant wine lists and learn how to
successfully navigate them by avoiding the pitfalls and unearthing the jewels.
Dining out will never be the same again! $30 per person.
Tuesday, November 11th - Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Agriculture....What
does it all mean?
We'll go over the regulations and differences between organic wines and
biodynamic wines as well as learn about the growing wave of sustainable
agriculture practices going on in the wine industry today. Then, we'll try some
wines which are neither organic or biodynamic alongside both organic and
biodynamic wines. Food will be served and Jason Bise of The Country Vintner will
be the co-pilot with Lucinda. $45 per person.
Tuesday, December 2nd - Come See Some Stars! Discover the Sparkling World of
Champagnes & Other Bubblies from Around the Globe
Dom Perignon's famous quote after drinking Champagne was "I'm seeing
stars!&#xu201D; We'll see some stars of our own in this tour of fantastic
bubblies from around the globe including Champagne as well as Prosecco, Cava and
sparkling wines from America, Hungary and the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, we'll
see how various foods just sing with bubbles. $50 per person.
Tuesday, January 13th - Bordeaux Basics
If you've ever wanted to learn about the complexities of Bordeaux, this is the
class for you! The focus will be on red Bordeaux from both the Left Bank and the
Right Bank. We'll also try a white Bordeaux or two as well as a dessert Bordeaux
(think Sauternes!). Andy Sackenheim of Monsieur Touton will join us as he has
one of the best Bordeaux books in the Washington, D.C. area. $50 per person.
Bogie's Recipe Board
You should see all the veggies my Mom is getting each week in her CSA bag from
Potomac Vegetable Farm! Amazingly enough, I really like peas as well as
beans...I know, a bit crazy that a Basset Hound would eat such things. Don't get
me wrong though, lamb chops and CHEESE are still at the top of my list but those
fresh veggies are pretty tasty. Here's a recipe which utilizes all of the summer
bounty currently available in your local supermarket or at Farmer's Market. From
the cookbook, Lemon Zest, a summertime soup!
Zesty Summertime Garden Soup
Makes about 7 cups
4 cups buttermilk (not unsalted)
2 cups seeded and chopped ripe tomatoes (about 2 large tomatoes)
2 cups fresh corn kernels (3 to 4 ears)
1 cup finely chopped fresh fennel or seeded English cucumber
18 fresh Basil leaves, finely shredded, plus tiny sprigs fresh basil for garnish
1-1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Stir together the buttermilk, tomatoes, corn, fennel or cucumber, basil, lemon
zest, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 2
hours or until very cold, up to 24 hours.
Serve the soup chilled, garnished with the Basil sprigs, if desired.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· For a white wine to pair, you could go all sorts of places - Italian whites,
Albarino or Godello from Spain or a Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris or Auxerrois from
Alsace or Oregon.
· For a red wine to pair, Pinot Noir or Gamay would be a good choice as would
just about any Spanish Garnacha or Monastrell.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What is the term used in the appellations of Rioja
and Ribera del Duero to describe a young wine with little (less than one year)
or no barrel aging?
Answer: Joven
Sorry, no quiz winners this week.
This Week's Quiz Question: Name one of the oldest white grape varieties found in
Spain, specifically in the Valdeorras region in eastern Galicia, which is
documented back to Roman times. Hint: the answer is not Albarino which typically
comes from the Rias Baixas D.O.!
Send in your quiz question answers to Lucinda@thewineseller.com by noon on
Monday. Bogart will put on his 'prize picking' scarf and pick up to three
winners out of the correct answer pile. And unlike humans, Bassets consider
bribery perfectly legit!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
http://www.thewineseller.com/
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: July 31, 2008
I think the Dog Days of Summer have officially arrived! All in
all, we've had a pretty easy summer, at least for around here. And I'll take the
warm weather any day! So, how do you keep hydrated, cool and relaxed during
these dog days? Why, with a refreshing glass of Patio White, Rosé or BBQ Red
from The Wine Seller of course...and we've got plenty to choose from in the
store! We do have a new Rosé of the Week this week along with a tasty new
Spanish red which would be an excellent match for anything off of the BBQ. The
Quiz Corner is back in action with a new quiz question and there was one quiz
winner from last week. Bogart has been leafing through the cookbooks again for a
new recipe to put on his recipe board and we hope if you're in town this weekend
that you'll stop by and taste some of the uber delicious wines Gray Mosby will
have out on the tasting table. No surprise here....there will definitely be some
fantastic Pinot Noirs to try!! If you are thinking of coming to our next Wine
Class next Tuesday, there are still a couple of seats available so sign up soon.
Caprese salads and peaches will be involved for food to pair with some of the
wines. If you're looking for some interesting wines, reasonably priced, to take
with you to the beach or out to your backyard, we look forward to seeing you
soon!!
New Vino Finds
El Paso Jumilla Monastrell 2005 - This tasty red was just screaming for a BBQ to
go to - juicy not jammy, soft tannins on the back end nice layers of red and
blue fruits. It's 85% Monastrell (the Spanish word for Mourvedre) and 15% Syrah
which adds some nice depth on the palate. Arriving Friday and normally priced at
$10.99, specially priced at $8.99.
Rosé of the Week
La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rosé 2007 - A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and
Syrah, this dry Rosé is juicy and easy drinking on the palate. An excellent
quaffer or perfect with any kind of salad entrée, chicken dish or seafood dish.
$9.99 per bottle.
Two Summer Special Reds...Perfect for Steaks and Lamb Chops!
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Ehrhardt 'Old Vine' Merlot Clarksburg 2006 - I'm not usually a big fan of
Merlots as they can tend to show tendencies towards greenness (which is
typically a sign of under ripe fruit), this Merlot is tasty and well priced. The
Clarksburg appellation is located in the Sacramento River Delta - it is rich
farm country. The wine is soft on the palate full of cherries and chocolate. A
delightful find without breaking the piggy bank. $16.79 per bottle.
Patio Whites and BBQ Reds
Silene 'Cococciola' Terre di Chieti IGT 2007 - It's always fun to discover new
regions and new grape varietals. The Terre di Chieti appellation is located in
the Abruzzo region of Southeastern Italy and it is only place where the
Cococciola grape grows. It is definitely the quintessential summer sipper.
Crisp, light, a touch of lemon and very refreshing, it's perfect for the patio,
the beach or the boat. Shrimp cocktail come to mind for a snack! $7.99 per
bottle.
Adras Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2004 - This wine is actually from the
Bierzo region and typically, wines from this area are made with the Mencia
grape. Because the winemaker wanted to blend in some other grapes from the area,
the label can't read Bierzo. It's made with 70% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 10% Mencia (pronounced Men-thee-a) and it evokes more of an Old
World style on the taste profile. It's rustic and hearty, just looking for a
piece of aged beef, some meat ragu or a beef stew. Normally $13.79, on a special
deal at $9.99 per bottle.
Terras Garnacha Tinto Carinena 2007 - Spain keeps on delivering with flavor and
value so we keep on buying them! Carinena is up in the northeastern part of
Spain and Garnacha is the Spanish name for Grenache, a Rhone varietal. This is
an easy drink and would work with anything off the grill including salmon,
chicken, pork or steak. In addition, it would be perfect with light tapas just
to nosh on while kicking back and enjoying summertime. $8.99 per bottle.
Domaine des Cassagnoles Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - This crisp,
refreshing white wine is a blend of Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Gros Mensang from
the Gascony region in Southwest France. Amazingly for this inexpensive table
white, the grapes are all estate grown. This is a perfect summertime white to
drink alone or have with cheeses, salads or light antipasto. It's quite
reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc. For all of you Colombelle lovers out there,
since the new vintage isn't out yet, this is a great white to give a try. $9.99
per bottle.
Pampano Rueda 2007 - A blend of 80% Macabao and 20% Verdejo grapes, this white
wine just screams Springtime! It's crisp and refreshing and an all around
perfect Patio White. $10.99 per bottle.
Atmosphere Vin de Pays du Var Rosé 2007 - This is always one of our favorite
Rosés each summer and it doesn't disappoint. It's a perfect dry Rosé with a
beautiful, pale pink color. It's made with the kitchen sink mix of Rhone
varietal grapes - Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and a little Cabernet Sauvignon
thrown in for good measure. An excellent Pink for chicken or fish off the grill
or entrée salad dishes. Close your eyes and pretend you are in Southern France!
$12.99 per bottle.
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - A perfect BBQ Red at an exceptional price just in
time for all those backyard BBQs! Bonarda is a grape which originated in the
Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. It's a softer grape - typically used for
blending in a Gattinara wine. In Argentina, like Malbec, Bonarda grows quite
well and shows well bottled by itself. This is a juicy, easy drinking red -
perfect for quaffing or enjoying with burgers off the grill or BBQ'd chicken.
Normally priced at $9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no
more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Malbec - This is a Malbec made for an American summer
holiday!! Ripe blueberry fruit alongside creamy vanilla notes from the oak
barrel aging, this wine is just hunting for some BBQ Ribs. Normally priced at
$9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Reserve Torrontes - Torrontes is a prevalently grown white
grape in Argentina and taste profilewise, Viognier seems to be like a cousin.
Torrontes is aromatic and floral with refreshing acidity on the palate. It's a
perfect patio quaffer in the hot weather or would work well with Latin foods.
Normally priced at $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per bottle.
Colombelle Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - A blend of Colombard and Ugni
Blanc, it's back and as fantastic as ever! Crisp, refreshing and just brimming
with citrus fruit and a refreshing mouthfeel, this is an exemplary wine for the
Patio! $8.49 per bottle.
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - Here's an easy drinking, very tasty
Pinot Noir made from grapes across California. It shows light raspberries and
cherries on the palate and makes for an excellent table red. It'll work with
just about anything off the grill! $9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - This wine from the same winery was just as
tasty as the Malbec. A line of red currants definitely runs through the taste
profile and it is a well structured but not overly tannic Cabernet. A value for
$9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - You don't find values like this wine
everyday. The balance in this wine is spot on - the oak is well integrated and
while a round and supple wine, there are lovely notes of dark red and black
fruits. A mouthful of wine for $9.99 per bottle.
Nobilissima Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006 - This is exactly what you want when
you're looking for an everyday Pinot Grigio to sip on or enjoy with a light meal
or salad. Crisp acidity shows on the palate with some light notes of melons and
lemon. $10.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, August 2nd with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs Showing Off Some Nice,
New-to-the-Market Wines!
Join us on Saturday, August 2nd as Gray pours some of the new, cool wines in the
Nice Legs portfolio. Complimentary. 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Some of the wines we'll
be trying are:
Panacea Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Hammer California Red Wine 2005
David Noyes Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2006
Laura Volkman 'Rachel's Vineyard' Pinot Noir 2006 (only 100 cases produced!)
Natalie's Estate 'The Pines' Columbia Valley Merlot 2005
Saturday, August 16th with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports
Ron, one of the owners of Graystone Imports, will be back with us as we try some
new vintages of old favorites plus a few new items in their portfolio. Including
in the tasting lineup will be the Hans Fahden Caberent and the Ehrhardt 'Old
Vine' Merlot. Complimentary. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, August 5th - Summer Bounty
Corn, tomatoes, peaches - these are the hallmark foods of summertime. We'll
taste several wines which work with the bounty from the garden, along with the
bounty itself - and you'll shine like a rock star at your next BBQ. Jason Bise
of The Country Vintner will be back in the house for this class along with
Lucinda. $40 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, September 2nd - Introduction to Wine
Have you been bitten by 'the wine bug' and want to learn more about wine? We'll
take you a Tour de Force around the wine world as we discover grape varietals,
wine growing regions and vinification processes. We'll try the basic grape
varietals and discover stylistically what flavor profile of wines you enjoy
which will in turn, make you a more savvy shopper and diner. $35 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Bogie's Recipe Board
I love chops. Lamb chops, pork chops...anything with a bone in it. My Mom tells
me I look like a totally thief when I make off with a chop in my mouth - which
does happen from time to time. This recipe, from The Flavors of Bon Appetit
2006, looked perfect to cook on the grill. I'm not sure my Mom would let me eat
one of these due to the spices involved but the picture sure does look good!!
Grilled Pork Chops with Chunky Andouille Barbecue Sauce
6 servings
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1-1/2 cups diced andouille sausage (about 7 oz)
1-1/2 cups chopped onion
2 cups tomato sauce
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp dark brown sugar
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
6 one inch thick rib pork chops
Additional chili powder and ground cumin
Spray grill rack with nonstick spray and prepare barbecue (medium heat). Saute
sausage and onion in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat until onion
begins to brown, about 8 minutes. Add tomato sauce, vinegar, sugar, 2 tsps chili
powder and 1 teaspoon cumin. Bring to boil; remove from heat.
Meanwhile, sprinkle chops on both sides with salt then chili powder and cumin.
Grill chops until cooked through but not dry, about 9 minutes per side. Serve
with sauce.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· For your white side, since this is a spicy and flavorful dish, you need a
white which can stand up to the flavors. Ones which come to mind are Chenin
Blancs from South Africa, any kind of blend of Pinot Gris/Pinot
Blanc/Gewurztraminer/Riesling/etc from the Pacific Northwest or something like
an Auxerrois from Alsace or a Sylvaner from Alsace or Germany. You're going to
need a richer white to marry with the chili powder, cumin and sausage.
· For your red side, Garnacha from Spain, a Beaujolias such as a Brouilly or
Moulin a Vent or a Barbera from Italy would all be good picks as would a Rhone
red blend from the Paso Robles area or a Zinfandel from Sonoma County or
Mendocino County.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What is the term used to describe the gradual
reduction of the volume of wine in a bottle as it ages?
Answer: Ullage
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Stan McLeroy. Come on in and collect
your prize!
N.B. I know several people submitted the term 'angel's share' for last week's
quiz question. The Federation of Italian Sommelier website defines the term
angel's share to be: By contrast, in brandy making, ullage is affectionately
referred to as 'the angel's share', a heady aroma that leaves you slightly tipsy
during your guided tour of the barrel storage room. They also define ullage as:
Ullage is the airspace between the wine barrel and its lid, or the bottled wine
and its cork. (If you really want to split hairs, ullage is what isn't between a
wine barrel and its lid-that is, evaporated wine.)
This Week's Quiz Question: What is the term used in the appellations of Rioja
and Ribera del Duero to describe a young wine with little (less than one year)
or no barrel aging?
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 with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
http://www.thewineseller.com/
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: July 24, 2008
Wow, that was some weather last evening! Patio sipping
definitely needed to move inside for the night. But today is a stunner!! Perfect
for any of our value wines in the form of Patio Whites, Rosés and BBQ Reds,
perhaps after hitting a golf ball or three?! I know by September, I'll be in the
mood for more reds, particularly Rhones and Pinots, but right now, a refreshing
glass of cold wine on the deck or patio in the evening sure is enjoyable. A note
of thanks to Jason Bise for coming in to work the Saturday tasting table last
weekend and to everyone who came in and test drove the wines. As several of you
noted, 'they all taste great!' You can see why we do so much business with
Jason!! He'll be back in the house on the first Tuesday in August when he and
Lucinda teach the next wine class focusing on Summer Bounty and there are still
a few seats available. And, our Rosé of the Week is from one of our favorite
wineries in Jason's portfolio, Hendry. There are quiz winners from last week
(and the week before since I forgot to publish the names last week!) and a new
quiz question this week so keep that quizzer hat on! And of course, Bogie has
been hard at work doing 'research' for a recipe this week. We all know what that
means!! It's a glorious day out there so keep on enjoying summertime,
summertime, sum, sum summertime!! We'll see you soon.
New Vino Finds
Adras Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2004 - This wine is actually from the
Bierzo region and typically, wines from this area are made with the Mencia
grape. Because the winemaker wanted to blend in some other grapes from the area,
the label can't read Bierzo. It's made with 70% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 10% Mencia (pronounced Men-thee-a) and it evokes more of an Old
World style on the taste profile. It's rustic and hearty, just looking for a
piece of aged beef, some meat ragu or a beef stew. Normally $13.79, on a special
deal at $9.99 per bottle.
Rosé of the Week
Hendry Ranch Napa Valley Rose 2007 - In the past, this Rosé has been made
dominantly from Primitivo. This year, they mixed it up a bit and blended in
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Zinfandel along with the
Primitivo and the resulting Pink Wine is tasty! Cool fermentation is done in
small bins and the wine sits in stainless steel tanks for 5 months. The taste
profile is focused on stone fruits and light strawberries and the wine is
completely dry. Perfect with cheeses and charcuterie. Only 650 cases produced.
$17.99 per bottle.
Two Summer Special Reds...Perfect for Steaks and Lamb Chops!
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Ehrhardt 'Old Vine' Merlot Clarksburg 2006 - I'm not usually a big fan of
Merlots as they can tend to show tendencies towards greenness (which is
typically a sign of under ripe fruit), this Merlot is tasty and well priced. The
Clarksburg appellation is located in the Sacramento River Delta - it is rich
farm country. The wine is soft on the palate full of cherries and chocolate. A
delightful find without breaking the piggy bank. $16.79 per bottle.
Patio Whites and BBQ Reds
Silene 'Cococciola' Terre di Chieti IGT 2007 - It's always fun to discover new
regions and new grape varietals. The Terre di Chieti appellation is located in
the Abruzzo region of Southeastern Italy and it is only place where the
Cococciola grape grows. It is definitely the quintessential summer sipper.
Crisp, light, a touch of lemon and very refreshing, it's perfect for the patio,
the beach or the boat. Shrimp cocktail come to mind for a snack! $7.99 per
bottle.
Terras Garnacha Tinto Carinena 2007 - Spain keeps on delivering with flavor and
value so we keep on buying them! Carinena is up in the northeastern part of
Spain and Garnacha is the Spanish name for Grenache, a Rhone varietal. This is
an easy drink and would work with anything off the grill including salmon,
chicken, pork or steak. In addition, it would be perfect with light tapas just
to nosh on while kicking back and enjoying summertime. $8.99 per bottle.
Domaine des Cassagnoles Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - This crisp,
refreshing white wine is a blend of Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Gros Mensang from
the Gascony region in Southwest France. Amazingly for this inexpensive table
white, the grapes are all estate grown. This is a perfect summertime white to
drink alone or have with cheeses, salads or light antipasto. It's quite
reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc. For all of you Colombelle lovers out there,
since the new vintage isn't out yet, this is a great white to give a try. $9.99
per bottle.
Pampano Rueda 2007 - A blend of 80% Macabao and 20% Verdejo grapes, this white
wine just screams Springtime! It's crisp and refreshing and an all around
perfect Patio White. $10.99 per bottle.
Atmosphere Vin de Pays du Var Rosé 2007 - This is always one of our favorite
Rosés each summer and it doesn't disappoint. It's a perfect dry Rosé with a
beautiful, pale pink color. It's made with the kitchen sink mix of Rhone
varietal grapes - Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and a little Cabernet Sauvignon
thrown in for good measure. An excellent Pink for chicken or fish off the grill
or entrée salad dishes. Close your eyes and pretend you are in Southern France!
$12.99 per bottle.
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - A perfect BBQ Red at an exceptional price just in
time for all those backyard BBQs! Bonarda is a grape which originated in the
Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. It's a softer grape - typically used for
blending in a Gattinara wine. In Argentina, like Malbec, Bonarda grows quite
well and shows well bottled by itself. This is a juicy, easy drinking red -
perfect for quaffing or enjoying with burgers off the grill or BBQ'd chicken.
Normally priced at $9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no
more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Malbec - This is a Malbec made for an American summer
holiday!! Ripe blueberry fruit alongside creamy vanilla notes from the oak
barrel aging, this wine is just hunting for some BBQ Ribs. Normally priced at
$9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Reserve Torrontes - Torrontes is a prevalently grown white
grape in Argentina and taste profilewise, Viognier seems to be like a cousin.
Torrontes is aromatic and floral with refreshing acidity on the palate. It's a
perfect patio quaffer in the hot weather or would work well with Latin foods.
Normally priced at $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per bottle.
Colombelle Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - A blend of Colombard and Ugni
Blanc, it's back and as fantastic as ever! Crisp, refreshing and just brimming
with citrus fruit and a refreshing mouthfeel, this is an exemplary wine for the
Patio! $8.49 per bottle.
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - Here's an easy drinking, very tasty
Pinot Noir made from grapes across California. It shows light raspberries and
cherries on the palate and makes for an excellent table red. It'll work with
just about anything off the grill! $9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - This wine from the same winery was just as
tasty as the Malbec. A line of red currants definitely runs through the taste
profile and it is a well structured but not overly tannic Cabernet. A value for
$9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - You don't find values like this wine
everyday. The balance in this wine is spot on - the oak is well integrated and
while a round and supple wine, there are lovely notes of dark red and black
fruits. A mouthful of wine for $9.99 per bottle.
Nobilissima Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006 - This is exactly what you want when
you're looking for an everyday Pinot Grigio to sip on or enjoy with a light meal
or salad. Crisp acidity shows on the palate with some light notes of melons and
lemon. $10.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, August 2nd with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs Showing Off Some Nice,
New-to-the-Market Wines!
Join us on Saturday, August 2nd as Gray pours some of the new, cool wines in the
Nice Legs portfolio. Complimentary. 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Saturday, August 16th with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports
Ron, one of the owners of Graystone Imports, will be back with us as we try some
new vintages of old favorites plus a few new items in their portfolio. Including
in the tasting lineup will be the Hans Fahden Caberent and the Ehrhardt 'Old
Vine' Merlot. Complimentary. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, August 5th - Summer Bounty
Corn, tomatoes, peaches - these are the hallmark foods of summertime. We'll
taste several wines which work with the bounty from the garden, along with the
bounty itself - and you'll shine like a rock star at your next BBQ. Jason Bise
of The Country Vintner will be back in the house for this class along with
Lucinda. $40 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, September 2nd - Introduction to Wine
Have you been bitten by 'the wine bug' and want to learn more about wine? We'll
take you a Tour de Force around the wine world as we discover grape varietals,
wine growing regions and vinification processes. We'll try the basic grape
varietals and discover stylistically what flavor profile of wines you enjoy
which will in turn, make you a more savvy shopper and diner. $35 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Bogie's Recipe Board
Corn must be in season because when my Mom comes home from Farmer's Market each
weekend, she's loaded up with fresh corn and heirloom tomatoes. I'd be willing
to try an ear of corn but honestly, I'd prefer a lamb chop or a burger. That
said, she said 'no' to any lamb recipes this week and strongly suggested I look
in the index under 'corn' for this week's recipe. So, from The Summer Book by
Susan Branch, here's an easy, colorful salad to go with any of the grill....like
a lamb chop or a burger! HA!!
Fresh Corn Salad
Makes 8 cups
6 ear of fresh, sweet corn
1 yellow pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 red onion, minced
½ cup Cilantro, chopped
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cut the fresh corn off the cob and steam for 3-5 minutes in ¼ cup water. Remove
lid and cook, stirring 2 minutes more until the water evaporates. Toss corn with
all the other ingredients and chill before serving.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· On the white patrol, a wine with good, forward fruit but still retaining some
acidity would match nicely here. Oregon Pinot Gris comes to mind or juicy white
from Italy like Vernaccia or Gavi would also pair well. Vinho Verde would be a
fun summertime white to try too!
· On the red patrol, a juicy red would be a good match such as Gamay, Pinot
Noir, Garnacha from Spain or a soft Rhone blend.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What is grape used to make White Burgundy?
Answer: Chardonnay
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Brandon Skall, Bill Haskitt and Hema
Mangatoo. And congratulations to last week's quiz winners Alan Seldin and Anne
Statland. Come on in and collect your prize!
This Week's Quiz Question: What is the term used to describe the gradual
reduction of the volume of wine in a bottle as it ages?
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!
Wines for Weddings, Family Reunions or if you're heading to the Beach!
When you're entertaining, there's a lot to purchase and prepare. No one is
looking to break the bank but no one wants to skimp on quality. The same goes
for a week at the beach house. Wine shopping at The Wine Seller means you don't
have to skimp on the quality part...it just means you don't have to overspend
for great tasting wines!!!
If I do toot our own horn here for a minute, we are the kings and queens of
finding 'Interesting Wines. Reasonably Priced.' For starters, we have our 'Six
Bucks and You Won't Upchuck' section where you'll find several different wines
for $5.99 per bottle. Buy a mix or match case and the bottle price goes down to
$5.39!! And yes, the wines really are tasty! My running joke for that section is
that 'I kiss a lot of frogs in the wine tasting category before I find ones that
we'll stack there and feel good about.' Plus you'll find in our bins that most
of the selections are in $7 to $15 range and right now, our bins have some
screaming good Patio Whites which are perfect for the sticky, hot weather which
is known as summertime in D.C.
So if you're planning a get together or plotting what to drink on vacation, give
us a call (703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and we'll be
happy to give you some suggestions to fit your budget.
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
http://www.thewineseller.com/
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: July 17, 2008
Where's Buster Poindexter when you need him?! It's going to be
'Hot, Hot, Hot' today!!!! But we're not complaining...we love summertime because
that means it's Patio White, Rosé and BBQ Red on the patio time......YIPPEEE!!!!!!!
Summer is flying by, isn't it? I'm sure lots of you still have your vacations
coming up in the next six or so weeks and if you're looking for value wines to
take with you to enjoy, we know we can whet your tastebuds with value! We've got
a new great Patio White this week along with a BBQ Red and a new Rosé of the
Week. Plus, we've got a well priced California Merlot which is soft and luscious
on the palate...perfect for some lamb chops off the grill (that's what Bogart
says!). There are quiz winners from last week and a new quiz question this week
so put your quizzer hat on! And of course, the Bogster has a new recipe up on
his Recipe Board for summer enjoyment. He thinks you ought to download a copy of
'Hot, Hot, Hot' and play it in the background while you grill up some lamb
chops. Now, doesn't that sound like a perfect scenario for our Basset mascot?!
Whatever you do this week, enjoy your family, your friends, some good food and
wine and the weather. We'll see you soon!!
New Vino Finds
Silene 'Cococciola' Terre di Chieti IGT 2007 - It's always fun to discover new
regions and new grape varietals. The Terre di Chieti appellation is located in
the Abruzzo region of Southeastern Italy and it is only place where the
Cococciola grape grows. It is definitely the quintessential summer sipper.
Crisp, light, a touch of lemon and very refreshing, it's perfect for the patio,
the beach or the boat. Shrimp cocktail come to mind for a snack! $7.99 per
bottle.
Terras Garnacha Tinto Carinena 2007 - Spain keeps on delivering with flavor and
value so we keep on buying them! Carinena is up in the northeastern part of
Spain and Garnacha is the Spanish name for Grenache, a Rhone varietal. This is
an easy drink and would work with anything off the grill including salmon,
chicken, pork or steak. In addition, it would be perfect with light tapas just
to nosh on while kicking back and enjoying summertime. $8.99 per bottle.
Ehrhardt 'Old Vine' Merlot Clarksburg 2006 - I'm not usually a big fan of
Merlots as they can tend to show tendencies towards greenness (which is
typically a sign of under ripe fruit), this Merlot is tasty and well priced. The
Clarksburg appellation is located in the Sacramento River Delta - it is rich
farm country. The wine is soft on the palate full of cherries and chocolate. A
delightful find without breaking the piggy bank. $16.79 per bottle.
Rosé of the Week
Atmosphere Vin de Pays du Var Rosé 2007 - This is always one of our favorite
Rosés each summer and it doesn't disappoint. It's a perfect dry Rosé with a
beautiful, pale pink color. It's made with the kitchen sink mix of Rhone
varietal grapes - Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and a little Cabernet Sauvignon
thrown in for good measure. An excellent Pink for chicken or fish off the grill
or entrée salad dishes. Close your eyes and pretend you are in Southern France!
$12.99 per bottle.
Summer Special to Pair with Steak
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Patio Whites and BBQ Reds
Domaine des Cassagnoles Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - This crisp,
refreshing white wine is a blend of Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Gros Mensang from
the Gascony region in Southwest France. Amazingly for this inexpensive table
white, the grapes are all estate grown. This is a perfect summertime white to
drink alone or have with cheeses, salads or light antipasto. It's quite
reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc. For all of you Colombelle lovers out there,
since the new vintage isn't out yet, this is a great white to give a try. $9.99
per bottle.
Pampano Rueda 2007 - A blend of 80% Macabao and 20% Verdejo grapes, this white
wine just screams Springtime! It's crisp and refreshing and an all around
perfect Patio White. $10.99 per bottle.
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - A perfect BBQ Red at an exceptional price just in
time for all those backyard BBQs! Bonarda is a grape which originated in the
Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. It's a softer grape - typically used for
blending in a Gattinara wine. In Argentina, like Malbec, Bonarda grows quite
well and shows well bottled by itself. This is a juicy, easy drinking red -
perfect for quaffing or enjoying with burgers off the grill or BBQ'd chicken.
Normally priced at $9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no
more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Malbec - This is a Malbec made for an American summer
holiday!! Ripe blueberry fruit alongside creamy vanilla notes from the oak
barrel aging, this wine is just hunting for some BBQ Ribs. Normally priced at
$9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Reserve Torrontes - Torrontes is a prevalently grown white
grape in Argentina and taste profilewise, Viognier seems to be like a cousin.
Torrontes is aromatic and floral with refreshing acidity on the palate. It's a
perfect patio quaffer in the hot weather or would work well with Latin foods.
Normally priced at $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per bottle.
Colombelle Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - A blend of Colombard and Ugni
Blanc, it's back and as fantastic as ever! Crisp, refreshing and just brimming
with citrus fruit and a refreshing mouthfeel, this is an exemplary wine for the
Patio! $8.49 per bottle.
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - Here's an easy drinking, very tasty
Pinot Noir made from grapes across California. It shows light raspberries and
cherries on the palate and makes for an excellent table red. It'll work with
just about anything off the grill! $9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - This wine from the same winery was just as
tasty as the Malbec. A line of red currants definitely runs through the taste
profile and it is a well structured but not overly tannic Cabernet. A value for
$9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - You don't find values like this wine
everyday. The balance in this wine is spot on - the oak is well integrated and
while a round and supple wine, there are lovely notes of dark red and black
fruits. A mouthful of wine for $9.99 per bottle.
Nobilissima Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006 - This is exactly what you want when
you're looking for an everyday Pinot Grigio to sip on or enjoy with a light meal
or salad. Crisp acidity shows on the palate with some light notes of melons and
lemon. $10.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Events
Pinkies & The Patio Pals with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner Next Saturday,
July 19th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Pinks for the Patio and Values for the Glass all afternoon with Jason at The
Wine Seller! We'll be tasting a few of Jason's favorite Rosés from his portfolio
along with many of the wine values he brings to us every day. Included in the
lineup are:
Atmosphere Rose 2007
Hendry Rose 2007
Broadbent Vinho Verde NV
Cielo IGT Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2007
Domaine Lalanne White Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007
Perlat Garnacha 2005
Lurton 'Land of Fire' Red 2007
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006
And our 'treat' wine......Westerly Merlot 2006!
Saturday, August 2nd with Gray Mosby of Nice Legs Showing Off Some Nice,
New-to-the-Market Wines!
Join us on Saturday, August 2nd as Gray pours some of the new, cool wines in the
Nice Legs portfolio. Complimentary. 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Saturday, August 16th with Ron Sweatman of Graystone Imports
Ron, one of the owners of Graystone Imports, will be back with us as we try some
new vintages of old favorites plus a few new items in their portfolio. Including
in the tasting lineup will be the Hans Fahden Caberent and the Ehrhardt 'Old
Vine' Merlot. Complimentary. 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, August 5th - Summer Bounty
Corn, tomatoes, peaches - these are the hallmark foods of summertime. We'll
taste several wines which work with the bounty from the garden, along with the
bounty itself - and you'll shine like a rock star at your next BBQ. Jason Bise
of The Country Vintner will be back in the house for this class along with
Lucinda. $40 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, September 2nd - Introduction to Wine
Have you been bitten by 'the wine bug' and want to learn more about wine? We'll
take you a Tour de Force around the wine world as we discover grape varietals,
wine growing regions and vinification processes. We'll try the basic grape
varietals and discover stylistically what flavor profile of wines you enjoy
which will in turn, make you a more savvy shopper and diner. $35 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Bogie's Recipe Board
Buy extra Chorizo to give to your four legged friend while you make this recipe!
If only my Mom would let me eat the recipes I find for the winE-Letter. This is
from Easy Summer Food and the picture looks fantastic...I could get into a lot
of trouble diving into a pail of these skewers!!
Shrimp, Chorizo & Sage Skewers
Serves 6
10 oz uncooked chorizo
24 large, uncooked, peeled shrimp, deveined
24 large fresh Sage leaves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepepr
12 skewers, metal or bamboo (if using bamboo, soak them in warm water for 30
minutes)
Cut the chorizo into 24 slices about ¼ inch thick and thread onto the skewers,
alternating them with the shrimp and Sage leaves. Put a little oil and lemon
juice in a small bowl or pitcher, mix well, then drizzle over the skewers.
Sprinkle with pepper.
Meanwhile, preheat an overhead broiler, stove-top grill pan or outdoor grill
until hot. Cook the skewers for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes on each side until the
chorizo and shrimp are cooked through. Serve at once.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· For whites, an Oregon Pinot Gris or one from Alsace would stand up nicely to
the Chorizo - even an Auxerrois would be another excellent choice. Interesting
white blends would also be great with this dish.
· For reds, Garnacha from Spain would be a perfect marriage! A Barbera from the
Piedmont or a Zinfandel from California would also be terrific pairings.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What wine is Sicily famous for?
Answer: Marsala
Oops, I did it again. I forgot to write down the winners Bogie picked! So, we'll
publish last week's quiz winners in next week's winE-Letter!! Sorry....
This Week's Quiz Question: What is grape used to make White Burgundy?
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!
Wines for Weddings, Family Reunions or if you're heading to the Beach!
When you're entertaining, there's a lot to purchase and prepare. No one is
looking to break the bank but no one wants to skimp on quality. The same goes
for a week at the beach house. Wine shopping at The Wine Seller means you don't
have to skimp on the quality part...it just means you don't have to overspend
for great tasting wines!!!
If I do toot our own horn here for a minute, we are the kings and queens of
finding 'Interesting Wines. Reasonably Priced.' For starters, we have our 'Six
Bucks and You Won't Upchuck' section where you'll find several different wines
for $5.99 per bottle. Buy a mix or match case and the bottle price goes down to
$5.39!! And yes, the wines really are tasty! My running joke for that section is
that 'I kiss a lot of frogs in the wine tasting category before I find ones that
we'll stack there and feel good about.' Plus you'll find in our bins that most
of the selections are in $7 to $15 range and right now, our bins have some
screaming good Patio Whites which are perfect for the sticky, hot weather which
is known as summertime in D.C.
So if you're planning a get together or plotting what to drink on vacation, give
us a call (703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and we'll be
happy to give you some suggestions to fit your budget.
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 Jason Bise of The Country Vintner
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
http://www.thewineseller.com/
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
back to top
ISSUE DATE: July 10, 2008
We hope you enjoyed your 4th of July! I think it was one of
the most temperate 4ths we've had around here in years. We're enjoying the lazy,
hazy days of summer and we have plenty of cool libations to choose from to enjoy
out on the patio. Since we kicked back a little this week, we skipped our normal
weekly tastings with our vendors so there are no new vino picks this week or a
Rosé of the Week. But stay tuned for next week....we'll be back with both a new
Rosé and some new wines for you to try! If you've got steaks on the grill
planned for your weekend BBQ, we have got a fantastic Cabernet from California
at a steal of price. And Bogart has a summertime recipe up on his recipe board
this week which has a wide variety of uses with summertime menus. We do have
quiz winners from last week and a new quiz this week so check on your quizzing
skills below. And don't forget, our bins and stacks offer loads of selections of
interesting wines, reasonably priced. We think our wine selections offer loads
of bang for the buck so come on in and give our Patio Whites, Rosés and BBQ Reds
a try! We believe you'll find that you don't have to compromise on quality while
still staying within a very reasonable wine budget. It's our job to ferret out
those great finds which offer loads of flavor in the glass at super reasonable
prices...so leave the tasting up to us and let us be your wine guide. Stay cool
and enjoy summer!!
Summer Special to Pair with Steak
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
Patio Whites and BBQ Reds (and some Pinkies thrown in for good measure...)
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.
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - A perfect BBQ Red at an exceptional price just in
time for all those backyard BBQs! Bonarda is a grape which originated in the
Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. It's a softer grape - typically used for
blending in a Gattinara wine. In Argentina, like Malbec, Bonarda grows quite
well and shows well bottled by itself. This is a juicy, easy drinking red -
perfect for quaffing or enjoying with burgers off the grill or BBQ'd chicken.
Normally priced at $9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no
more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Malbec - This is a Malbec made for an American summer
holiday!! Ripe blueberry fruit alongside creamy vanilla notes from the oak
barrel aging, this wine is just hunting for some BBQ Ribs. Normally priced at
$9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Reserve Torrontes - Torrontes is a prevalently grown white
grape in Argentina and taste profilewise, Viognier seems to be like a cousin.
Torrontes is aromatic and floral with refreshing acidity on the palate. It's a
perfect patio quaffer in the hot weather or would work well with Latin foods.
Normally priced at $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per bottle.
Joel Delaunay Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - This sassy Sauvignon Blanc
definitely has the 'wow, you've got my attention' factor. It's yummy!! Made from
100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Touraine appellation in the Loire Valley, it is
allowed to sit on its lees briefly after fermentation. The result is wine full
of zesty fruit - peaches, citrus and a touch of floral notes. Perfect with a
seafood dish or salad, particularly shellfish. $14.99 per bottle.
Colombelle Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - A blend of Colombard and Ugni
Blanc, it's back and as fantastic as ever! Crisp, refreshing and just brimming
with citrus fruit and a refreshing mouthfeel, this is an exemplary wine for the
Patio! $8.49 per bottle.
Coastal Vines California Pinot Noir 2007 - Here's an easy drinking, very tasty
Pinot Noir made from grapes across California. It shows light raspberries and
cherries on the palate and makes for an excellent table red. It'll work with
just about anything off the grill! $9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - This wine from the same winery was just as
tasty as the Malbec. A line of red currants definitely runs through the taste
profile and it is a well structured but not overly tannic Cabernet. A value for
$9.99 per bottle.
Gouguenheim Tupungato Malbec 2006 - You don't find values like this wine
everyday. The balance in this wine is spot on - the oak is well integrated and
while a round and supple wine, there are lovely notes of dark red and black
fruits. A mouthful of wine for $9.99 per bottle.
Nobilissima Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006 - This is exactly what you want when
you're looking for an everyday Pinot Grigio to sip on or enjoy with a light meal
or salad. Crisp acidity shows on the palate with some light notes of melons and
lemon. $10.99 per bottle.
Upcoming Events
Pinkies & The Patio Pals with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner Next Saturday,
July 19th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Pinks for the Patio and Values for the Glass all afternoon with Jason at The
Wine Seller! We'll be tasting a few of Jason's favorite Rosés from his portfolio
along with many of the wine values he brings to us every day. He's got so many
great wines in his bag of tricks I don't know how we'll choose which ones to
taste that day! But rest assured, they'll be interesting and reasonably priced!!
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, August 5th - Summer Bounty
Corn, tomatoes, peaches - these are the hallmark foods of summertime. We'll
taste several wines which work with the bounty from the garden, along with the
bounty itself - and you'll shine like a rock star at your next BBQ. Jason Bise
of The Country Vintner will be back in the house for this class along with
Lucinda. $40 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, September 2nd - Introduction to Wine
Have you been bitten by 'the wine bug' and want to learn more about wine? We'll
take you a Tour de Force around the wine world as we discover grape varietals,
wine growing regions and vinification processes. We'll try the basic grape
varietals and discover stylistically what flavor profile of wines you enjoy
which will in turn, make you a more savvy shopper and diner. $35 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Bogie's Recipe Board
This recipe is kind of cool to make and you can use it on salads or pasta or
really, whatever you'd like. My Mom test drove it on Monday and it was need to
see it get soupy in the sun. Of course, I watched it get soupy from inside,
lounging on the sofa looking out over my kingdom. You chop all the recipe items
up, throw them in a glass bowl with a lid, and then let it 'cook' outside in the
sunshine for 4 to 5 hours. From The Summer Book by Susan Branch:
Sunshine Tomato Dressing
8 vine ripened garden tomatoes, roughly chopped
3 cloves garlic, put through press
3 shallots, chopped
1 cup good, fruity olive oil
¼ cup Balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp fresh Basil, slivered
1 tsp sugar
Lots of pepper; salt to taste
Chop up all the ingredients which need chopping and put them in a large glass
bowl. Add in the olive oil, Balsamic vinegar, sugar, pepper and salt and then
mix to combine all the ingredients. Put a lid on the glass container and place
the container outside in the sun for 4 to 5 hours.
You can serve this 'dressing' over mixed greens or as a chunky salad dressing.
You could also slice up some bread and serve it as a Bruschetta-like appetizer.
Tossing it over pasta would be a nice mix too. While you keep the 'dressing' in
the fridge, serve it at room temperature.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· For whites, think Erbaluce, Gavi or Verdicchio - all excellent matches with
the higher acids found in tomatoes. Pinot Blanc would be another great choice.
· A Barbera from Italy would be a perfect match for a red wine here but you
could also go with a Gamay from the Beaujolais region in France. And don't
forget the Rosés!
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What is a Crachoir?
Answer: A spittoon or dump bucket.
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Julie Medlin, Lyn Jennings & Evelyn
Phillips. Come on in and collect your prize!
This Week's Quiz Question: What wine is Sicily famous for?
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!
Special Orders
Are you looking for a particular wine you had at a restaurant? Or perhaps you
need to get a specific bottle for a gift for someone? Give us a call
(703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and we'll be happy to
track down whether the wine is available from a Virginia licensed distributor
and if it is, we'll obtain the vintage and price for you. If you'd like to
order, just call us with your credit card information, let us know how many
bottles (or cases!) you would like and we'll add it to our next order from that
distributor.
Wines for Weddings, Family Reunions or if you're heading to the Beach!
When you're entertaining, there's a lot to purchase and prepare. No one is
looking to break the bank but no one wants to skimp on quality. The same goes
for a week at the beach house. Wine shopping at The Wine Seller means you don't
have to skimp on the quality part...it just means you don't have to overspend
for great tasting wines!!!
If I do toot our own horn here for a minute, we are the kings and queens of
finding 'Interesting Wines. Reasonably Priced.' For starters, we have our 'Six
Bucks and You Won't Upchuck' section where you'll find several different wines
for $5.99 per bottle. Buy a mix or match case and the bottle price goes down to
$5.39!! And yes, the wines really are tasty! My running joke for that section is
that 'I kiss a lot of frogs in the wine tasting category before I find ones that
we'll stack there and feel good about.' Plus you'll find in our bins that most
of the selections are in $7 to $15 range and right now, our bins have some
screaming good Patio Whites which are perfect for the sticky, hot weather which
is known as summertime in D.C.
So if you're planning a get together or plotting what to drink on vacation, give
us a call (703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and we'll be
happy to give you some suggestions to fit your budget.
Cleanout Corner
I've been yappin' about this for some time but we've finally set up a 'Cleanout
Corner'. It's back on the wall near the beer cooler. It'll include both wine as
well as Vineyard Table items. All are one way trips out of the store (read: item
are not returnable). Wines are 70% off the price and Vineyard Table Items are
50% off. Wines which make it to the Cleanout Corner are there because I'm unsure
whether they are still drinking well or not. So, you might get a fantastic deal
or you might get some wine perfect for cooking. Vineyard Table items are there
most likely because it's something we aren't going to carry it anymore either
because it's no longer available or we wanted to clear out some room to bring
new items into the store. Happy Hunting everybody!
That's it for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev, Susan & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
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ISSUE DATE: July 3, 2008
A great, big 'thank you' to Mac McDonald of Vision Cellars for
being here to tell us all about his wines and the wine biz this past Saturday.
Not only was Mac a hit but so were his fantastic wines!! I'm sure you're gearing
up for the 4th of July holiday and whether you're going out of town or staying
locally, if good food and good wine are a part of your holiday celebration,
we've got you covered in the latter category with plenty of tasty values! We
will have reduced hours on the 4th of July itself but we'll be here for most of
the day and for the rest of the weekend, we are open normal hours. Also, a big
'thank you' to Jason who assisted in our sold out class on Mediterranean wines
this past Tuesday. What a great turnout! Jason will be back in the house on
Saturday, July 19th, pouring some of his favorite Pink Wines and Patio Pals. I
know everybody loves Raymond but here at The Wine Seller, it's always 'Everybody
Loves Jason'! So come on by and try before you buy!! If you're doing any
grilling this holiday weekend and it involves meat, we have a fantastic Cabernet
Sauvignon at a special price to pair up with your steak...not to mention a Rosé
of the Week to enjoy beforehand while you're cooking the steak. Lots of quiz
winners again last week and we've got a new quiz this week - maybe this week's
question will be a stumper! Bogart's got a perfect first course recipe for your
holiday meal or it would make a very healthy main course anytime this summer as
it's made with all fresh veggies and herbs. Enjoy the 4th!!!!!!
Summer Special to Pair with Steak
Hans Fahden 'Mountain Cuvee' Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - Here's a wine
that's perfect for the steak on the grill you might be cooking this weekend.
After all, it's a holiday weekend and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to
a ribeye and a special bottle of red wine to go with it! Full of ripe black
cherries and blueberries and intertwined with vanilla and spice, this supple
Cabernet offers a lot of taste for the price. Sold for $25 per bottle at the
winery, specially priced at $19.99 per bottle until we run out!
New Vino Finds
Tittarelli Mendoza Bonarda - A perfect BBQ Red at an exceptional price just in
time for all those backyard BBQs! Bonarda is a grape which originated in the
Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. It's a softer grape - typically used for
blending in a Gattinara wine. In Argentina, like Malbec, Bonarda grows quite
well and shows well bottled by itself. This is a juicy, easy drinking red -
perfect for quaffing or enjoying with burgers off the grill or BBQ'd chicken.
Normally priced at $9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no
more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Malbec - This is a Malbec made for an American summer
holiday!! Ripe blueberry fruit alongside creamy vanilla notes from the oak
barrel aging, this wine is just hunting for some BBQ Ribs. Normally priced at
$9.99, specially priced at $7.99 per bottle 'til there is no more.
Tittarelli Mendoza Reserve Torrontes - Torrontes is a prevalently grown white
grape in Argentina and taste profilewise, Viognier seems to be like a cousin.
Torrontes is aromatic and floral with refreshing acidity on the palate. It's a
perfect patio quaffer in the hot weather or would work well with Latin foods.
Normally priced at $11.99, specially priced at $9.99 per bottle.
Rosé of the Week
Chateau Routas 'Rouviere' Couteaux Varois Rosé 2007 - From the land of Rosés,
Provence, comes one of the mothers of French Rosé - the Rosé from Chateau Routas.
This Rosé helped to lead the charge in the 1990's for the revival of Rosés being
enjoyed in the U.S. Floral in the nose and showing off bright berry flavors
alongside a touch of white pepper, this is a refreshingly dry Rosé to enjoy out
on the patio. $14.99 per bottle.
Patio Whites and BBQ Reds (and some Pinkies thrown in for good measure...)
Conquista Mendoza Malbec 2006 - Here's a BBQ Red winner!! This is a
middle-of-the-road Malbec with just the perfect balance between fruit and soft
tannins with loads of blueberry flavor in the glass. An excellent match for
burgers, ribs or BBQ'd chicken. $9.99 per bottle.
Joel Delaunay Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - This sassy Sauvignon Blanc
definitely has the 'wow, you've got my attention' factor. It's yummy!! Made from
100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Touraine appellation in the Loire Valley, it is
allowed to sit on its lees briefly after fermentation. The result is wine full
of zesty fruit - peaches, citrus and a touch of floral notes. Perfect with a
seafood dish or salad, particularly shellfish. $14.99 per bottle.
Colombelle Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne 2007 - A blend of Colombard and Ugni
Blanc, it's back and as fantastic as ever! Crisp, refreshing and just brimming
with citrus fruit and a refreshing mouthfeel, this is an exemplary wine for the
Patio! $8.49 per bottle.
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.
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.
Upcoming Events
Pinkies & The Patio Pals with Jason Bise of The Country Vintner on Saturday,
July 19th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Pinks for the Patio and Values for the Glass all afternoon with Jason at The
Wine Seller! We'll be tasting a few of Jason's favorite Rosés from his portfolio
along with many of the wine values he brings to us every day. He's got so many
great wines in his bag of tricks I don't know how we'll choose which ones to
taste that day! But rest assured, they'll be interesting and reasonably priced!!
Upcoming Wine Classes
Tuesday, August 5th - Summer Bounty
Corn, tomatoes, peaches - these are the hallmark foods of summertime. We'll
taste several wines which work with the bounty from the garden, along with the
bounty itself - and you'll shine like a rock star at your next BBQ. Jason Bise
of The Country Vintner will be back in the house for this class along with
Lucinda. $40 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, September 2nd - Introduction to Wine
Have you been bitten by 'the wine bug' and want to learn more about wine? We'll
take you a Tour de Force around the wine world as we discover grape varietals,
wine growing regions and vinification processes. We'll try the basic grape
varietals and discover stylistically what flavor profile of wines you enjoy
which will in turn, make you a more savvy shopper and diner. $35 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, September 30th - Something About Sherry
Todd Ruby, Sherry Expert Extraordinaire, will join us as we unravel the world of
Sherry and taste the wide varieties of styles of Sherry - Fino, Manzanilla,
Amontillado and Cream to name a few. Todd's a walking encyclopedia about
Sherries!! We'll also pair foods to work with different styles of Sherry - just
in time for the upcoming holidays! $50 per person. 7:00pm.
Tuesday, October 7th - Say Pinot! Discover Pinot Noir and Its Cousins, Pinot
Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Meet Pinot Noir and its cousins, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. We'll take a
comparative tour of styles of these three grapes with wines from the Alsace and
Burgundy regions of France, Oregon, Italy and New Zealand. We'll also try some
foods which are classic pairings with these grape varietals. $45 per person.
7:00pm.
For reservations, please call Lucinda at 703-471-9649 or email Lucinda@thewineseller.com.
Bogie's Recipe Board
I must be on a soup kick. My Mom made this recipe earlier this week and it came
out looking just like the picture in the cookbook! She says that's always a good
thing!! Easy to make and good for you, if it gets really hot, you could enjoy
this at room temperature. From Easy Summer Food, here's a bowlful of good summer
soup.
Pappa al Pomodoro
Serves 4
2 lb ripe red tomatoes, preferably on the vine, chopped
1-1/4 cups vegetable stock
1 tsp sugar
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 sprigs of fresh Oregano
4 sprigs of fresh Basil
4 slices of dried bread without crusts
2 garlic cloves, cut in half
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Put the tomatoes in a saucepan and add the stock, sugar, 2 tbsp of the oil and
the leaves of the Oregano and the Basil, reserving a few Basil leaves to garnish
upon presentation. Add a little salt and pepper and the heat slowly to a boiling
point. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 30 mins.
Toast the bread until barred with brown grill marks and then rub the bread with
the garlic. Transfer to a plate or bowl, add the remaining oil and using a fork,
mash well until it is crushed into small bits. Add the bread to the soup and
stir over low heat for about 5 mins until the bread has been evenly incorporated
and the soup is thickened.
Add salt and pepper to taste and serve, topped with fresh Parmesan and a leaf of
fresh Basil.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
· A mild white which is neither too acidic nor oaky would pair nicely with this
dish. Soave or Erbaluce come to mind from Italy as well as a young, fresh Pinot
Blanc from either Alsace or Oregon.
· A fruit forward Pinot Noir would be a good match on the red side or a juicy,
but no super high alcohol content, Zinfandel from California. A Barbera from
Italy would also fit well here.
Check out the article in the Washington Post on Community Shared Agriculture
(CSA)!
For those of you who are participating in Potomac Vegetable Farms' CSA Program
this year, we are one of the pickup spots for PVF and deliveries started
yesterday. Thus, it was kind of neat to see a writer at the Washington Post
doing a series of articles on CSA which started in yesterday's Post and one of
the featured farms was Potomac Vegetable Farms! Better yet, the article was
appropriately about 'what's in the bag' and what to do with it!! In case you
didn't see the article, here's the link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/01/AR2008070100645.html
And if you are interested in participating next year in PVF's CSA Program and
aren't participating this year, send me an email (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and
I'll add your name to the distribution list to send out sign up information next
February.
Quiz Corner
Last Week's Quiz Question: What is the name of the smallest appellation in the
United States?
Hint: Come and meet Mac on Saturday and he can help you with this answer!
Answer: Cole Ranch in Mendocino County. Bonus points if you knew it was also a
family owned vineyard/appellation.
Congratulations to this week's quiz winners Janet Carlton, Hema Mangatoo & Dave
McGinniss. Come on in and collect your prize!
This Week's Quiz Question: What is a Crachoir?
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!
Special Orders
Are you looking for a particular wine you had at a restaurant? Or perhaps you
need to get a specific bottle for a gift for someone? Give us a call
(703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and we'll be happy to
track down whether the wine is available from a Virginia licensed distributor
and if it is, we'll obtain the vintage and price for you. If you'd like to
order, just call us with your credit card information, let us know how many
bottles (or cases!) you would like and we'll add it to our next order from that
distributor.
Wines for Weddings, Family Reunions or if you're heading to the Beach!
When you're entertaining, there's a lot to purchase and prepare. No one is
looking to break the bank but no one wants to skimp on quality. The same goes
for a week at the beach house. Wine shopping at The Wine Seller means you don't
have to skimp on the quality part...it just means you don't have to overspend
for great tasting wines!!!
If I do toot our own horn here for a minute, we are the kings and queens of
finding 'Interesting Wines. Reasonably Priced.' For starters, we have our 'Six
Bucks and You Won't Upchuck' section where you'll find several different wines
for $5.99 per bottle. Buy a mix or match case and the bottle price goes down to
$5.39!! And yes, the wines really are tasty! My running joke for that section is
that 'I kiss a lot of frogs in the wine tasting category before I find ones that
we'll stack there and feel good about.' Plus you'll find in our bins that most
of the selections are in $7 to $15 range and right now, our bins have some
screaming good Patio Whites which are perfect for the sticky, hot weather which
is known as summertime in D.C.
So if you're planning a get together or plotting what to drink on vacation, give
us a call (703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com) and we'll be
happy to give you some suggestions to fit your budget.
Private Wine Tastings
Always worth mentioning from time to time, we are available to do private wine
tastings in your home or business. It's a great twist on planning a party and we
can tailor the tasting to any type of event - from a client appreciation party
to a bridal shower party. Call us (703-471-9649) or email us (Lucinda@thewineseller.com)
for details on how the tastings work and pricing.
Cleanout Corner
I've been yappin' about this for some time but we've finally set up a 'Cleanout
Corner'. It's back on the wall near the beer cooler. It'll include both wine as
well as Vineyard Table items. All are one way trips out of the store (read: item
are not returnable). Wines are 70% off the price and Vineyard Table Items are
50% off. Wines which make it to the Cleanout Corner are there because I'm unsure
whether they are still drinking well or not. So, you might get a fantastic deal
or you might get some wine perfect for cooking. Vineyard Table items are there
most likely because it's something we aren't going to carry it anymore either
because it's no longer available or we wanted to clear out some room to bring
new items into the store. Happy Hunting everybody!
Hours for the July 4th Holiday
Here are our hours for this week:
Monday - Thursday: 11:00am to 8:00pm (normal hours)
Friday, July 4th: 11:00am to 4:00pm
Saturday, July 5th: 10:00am to 6:00pm (normal hours)
Sunday, July 6th: 12:00pm to 4:00pm (normal hours)
That's it for this week! Happy Independence Day!!
Regards,
Lucinda, Vaughn, Nancy, Bev, Susan & Bogart
This Week's Tastings:
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
304 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170
www.thewineseller.com
703.471.9649
Monday through Friday: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
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Wine-Letter 2008 Qtr 2
ISSUE DATE:
March 27, 2008
Good Morning!! The good news is, the kids are back in school. The bad news is,
you probably had a full work week after getting a little time off last week. Ah
well, at least we got a delightful taste of Spring yesterday! And we've got
plenty of new wine finds to put some spring into your step. We're definitely
thinking 'Patio
White' if this week's New Vino Finds
is any indication! We have quite a turnout coming to our Cooking Class & Wine
Pairing Demonstration this Sunday at Jasmine Café with Chef Eduardo but if you
haven't signed up and you are interested in joining us, give the restaurant a
call - I'm sure we can fit a few more in for the class. We'll be showing two
wines which work with each course and one wine which doesn't work and explaining
the reasons why and why not. Next weekend, we have quite a cool tasting going
on with Paul Everitt of JAO Imports, purveyors of fine wines from France and in
particular, Burgundy. The Food Hound is going to turn into a Burghound! If
you've ever yearned to see why people get giddy over good Burgundies, then come
on down on Saturday, April 3rd and try the wines...not to mention
some extraordinarily delicious snacks we will have for the tasting courtesy of
one of our excellent chef customers! Speaking of the Food Hound, he's planning
is Big Birthday Bash for Saturday, April 19th and is insisting we
have cake. We're insisting on party hats. It'll be a fun time and we'll have
three vendors here pouring some of their cool wine finds from their portfolio.
The Food Hound has a new recipe too, perfect for Springtime. He's also
particularly found of the fact that we now carry Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses...I
know, you are shocked by that fact!! The Quiz Corner is back in action complete
with a Bonus Question and don't forget we have rescheduled our Vernal Equinox
Wine Dinner at Zefferelli's to Thursday, April 17th...I clearly need
to get my dates straight with the vendor! We've already done a dry run with the
food and the wines and this will be a truly fantastic meal, classic Italian all
the way around right down to the wines chosen for the event. That's the roundup
for this week and we'll see you in store on your next trip!
New Vino Finds
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.
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.
Bouchaine
Carneros Chardonnay 2005 - A deal
and a half! Well made Napa Valley Chardonnay (from Carneros, no less) which
usually retails for about $25 and we have it for a steal of a deal price. This
is a very well made Chardonnay with just the right notes of creaminess without
being heavy and showing a touch of exotic fruit such as fuji apples.
Judiciously utilized oak, this wine will work well with any fish dishes with a
cream sauce or any roasted poultry or dinner salads.
Specially priced at $17.99 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.
Our 'Don't Forget'
Department
Etienne-Rodier
Viognier Vin de Pays d'Oc 2006 -
Nothing reminds one more of Spring than a delightful glass of Viognier. It gets
better when the price is right! This is a very easy drinking Viognier -
slightly aromatic but not overly so - and a perfect aperitif glass of vino.
$9.99 per bottle.
Mars & Venus
Central Valley (Chile) Merlot NV - An
amazing mouthful of juice for the money...that's how I'd describe both the
Merlot and the Cabernet Sauvignon. Good weight on the palate and it really
tastes like Merlot! Soft and supple with loads of blueberries.
$7.99 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.
Baronnie de
Montgaillard Vin de Pays des Cotes du Ceresson 2006
- This red was a tasty little find from the Southwestern part of
France
not too far from the Pyrenees. It's a blend
of 40% Syrah, 40% Merlot and 20% Grenache. The result is a glass of wine with
silky tannins, crushed berries and just a slight hint of spice. An excellent
value red at $9.99 per bottle.
Chateau Vrai
Caillou
Bordeaux Superieur 2005
The 2005 vintage has lots
of gems to find in it and this wine is one of them. The fruit is ripe, balance
and supple made with 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
An excellent red for any kind of red meats or stews. $11.79 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.
Auka La Consulta
Torrontes 2007 - More springtime in a
glass! Ok, so we're on a white roll this week with wines which scream Spring.
You can't blame us! The Torrontes grape tends to be very reminiscent of the
Viognier grape and sometimes, many Torrontes from
Argentina
can get pretty aggressive on the floral notes and aromas. This wine was
extremely pleasant because it was moderately tempered on both the nose and the
taste. Notes of white peach and citrus gently fill the air.
$10.79 per bottle.
Domaine Bernard-Goussu
Saint Veran 2004 - A very pleasant,
excellent springtime Chardonnay from
Burgundy and an excellent value to boot. Perfect for
all sorts of seafood dishes or roasted poultry. Normally $15.99, we got it at a
deal so you get it at a deal at
$13.99 per bottle.
Upcoming
Tasting Events
Cooking Class &
Wine Pairing at Jasmine Café on Sunday, March 30th
Join Chef Eduardo as he
demonstrates how to cook a springtime three course meal. Lucinda will pair
three wines for each course - two which go with the dish and one which does not
- and explain why the wines work and don't work. The class will run from 5:00pm
and 7:00pm and you will get to eat what we learn to cook! Here is what Chef
Eduardo will be showing us how to make:
~First Course~
Asparagus Risotto
~ Main Course ~
Pan Roasted Stripped Bass
with Walnut Herb Crust in a
Orange-Lemon Butter Sauce
with Chives
~ Dessert ~
Riesling & Ginger Poached
Pear in Filo with Frangipan, Toasted Pine Nuts & Poaching Syrup
Price is $65 inclusive.
For reservations, please call Jasmine Café at 703.471.9114.
Burgundy
Wine Tasting with Paul Everitt of JAO Imports on Saturday, April 3rd
from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
JAO has some of the very
best Burgundies in the Virginia
market and most of their selections go to the finest restaurants in the
Washington,
D.C.,
and
Northern Virginia area. Since we're Burghounds around here (!), we
thought it would be fun to do a lineup of some of their exceptional wines. JAO
also represents some excellent wines from other parts of
France
(Rhone
Valley,
Loire
Valley) and we're going to throw a couple of those
in the mix! For Burgundies, we will be tasting several from the famed 2005
vintage as well as some Burgundies from previous years which are more
approachable and ready to drink. All of these wines will be available to order
by the bottle. In addition, we will also have a list of available 2005
Burgundies available for order on a first come, first served basis as many
of the wines which JAO represents are available only in small quantities.
If you adore Burgundies or
want to learn more about the nuances of Burgundies, this is a tasting not to be
missed! In addition, one of our customers who is a fantabulous cook and big
Burgundy lover is going to make three 'snacks' for us to nibble on during the
tasting including an out-of-this-world crabmeat dip. Here are some of the wines
which we will be tasting:
Domaine des Malandes 'Fourchame' 1er Cru
Chablis 2005 - $35.99
Domaine Henri Bourgeois Sancerre 2003 - $58.99
Vallet-Freres Pernand-Vergelesses Village 2005
- $44.79
Domaine Marc Sorrel Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2005
- $29.99
Domaine Ballot-Millot 'La Refene' 1er Cru
Pommard 2005 - $55.59
Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron 'Les Fleurieres'
Nuits
St. George 2004 - $48.59
Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard 'Clos des Chenes' 1er
Cru Volnay 2005 - $76.99
Domaine Jacques Cacheux 'Les Plantes' 1er Cru
Chambolle-Musigny 2005 - $98.99
Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret 'Les Orveaux' 1er Cru
Vosne-Romanee 2005 - $114.99
Domaine Cristia Chanteauneuf-du-Pape 2005 -
$39.99
'Bogie's Birthday
Blowout Bash' Tasting (with cake!) on Saturday, April 19th from
12:00pm to 4:00pm
Bogart turns 11 (!) on
April 19th and since it's a Saturday, we decided to turn our
'regular' 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). The complete lineup for the
tasting will be published in next week's
winE-Letter. Bogart is gunning for cake from Cakelove, Warren Brown's creation and
of Food Network fame...Bogart's favorite channel besides Animal Planet. Since
Bogart is an elder statesman, he might just get what he wants. As always, the
tasting is complementary but party hats are required!
Upcoming Wine Dinners
RESCHEDULED...Vernal Equinox Wine Dinner at Zeffirelli's in Herndon on
Thursday, April 17th
We will be having a wine
dinner at Zeffirelli's in Old Town Herndon with John Grimsley of Grappoli
Imports. I just need to get the date straight for when John is available to do
the dinner!! 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.
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.
As Cowgirl Creamery's
cheese inventory always is changing, we'll have different cheeses in stock
throughout the year as well.
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.
New Olive Oils in
Stock
One of our vendors
represents a collection of organic olive oils and many are regularly reviewed in
food and wine publications. There were several good ones and here are the ones
we have picked up to date:
- Moutere Grove EVOO
from New Zealand
(very crisp and clean with a pale green color) - $39.99 for 500ml
- Lakelands 'Frantoio'
EVOO from
Australia
(biodynamic, rich grass & herbs, medium weight, rich golden color) - $24.99
for 250ml
- Hermanos Catalan
EVOO from
Spain
(excellent for lamb, beef & spicy dishes); made from 100% Arbequina olives;
prize winner in Spain)
- $20.99 for 250ml
- Armando Mansur
EVOO from
Argentina
(very delicate, light & floral; made in the foothills of the
Andes) - $12.99 for 250ml
A few words about Olive
Oil from the importer...
The laws in Europe are
clear, but in the U.S.,
they are not. So . . . CAVAET EMPTOR!!! A lot of inferior olive oil sold here as
Extra Virgin would not even come close to meeting the European standard. The
term 'Extra Virgin' is the internationally recognized designation for the top
grade of food-quality olive oil. Most nations that produce olive oil are parties
agree to meet established high standards that all true 'extra virgin' oils. The
U.S.
does not. There are no federal regulations governing the use of the 'Extra
Virgin' designation in the American marketplace. Consequently, the consumer is
offered a huge assortment of 'Extra Virgin' oils. Many of which, most
definitely, are not!
Free fatty acids (FFA) are
an indicator of oil quality. FFA levels for Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) have
to be below 0.8% according to international standards. The only olive oils this
company carries are EVOOs and all are organic and/or biodynamic. Olive oil
deteriorates with exposure to air and light. The importer recommends keeping
oils in an air-tight bottle or container protected from heat and light.
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, April 1st
- Sake Class - 4 seats left
Sake is one of those
departments in the Wine World which is like a black hole. What it is? What is
it made from? Is it good? With what does it go? We'll unravel the World of
Sake with the exquisite Sakes from Joto Sake - a premium Sake importer based out
of New York.
We'll learn all about the different types and styles and try some foods which
lend themselves nicely when paired with the right Sake. $50 per person.
7:00pm.
Tuesday, May 6th
- 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 20th
- 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 3rd - 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.
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
I'm already dreaming of my
birthday cake. How do I get my Mom to make me one with lamb chops and cheese in
it?! I do have a discriminating palate but I'm not overly picky...I'll take
anything I can get to celebrate my upcoming birthday!! Ok, back to my task at
hand, coming up with a recipe for this week's
winE-Letter.
I'm going to go with a fish dish this week which utilizes chives in its sauce,
seeing as how the chives in my backyard are already coming up out of the
ground. From the cookbook, Cooking with the Wines of Oregon, here's my
recipe for this week:
Salmon with Lemon
Chive Sauce
Serves 4
4 salmon steaks, 6 oz each
Salt and freshly ground
black pepper to taste
2 Tbsp olive oil
¼ cup white wine
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
¼ cup cold butter,
quartered
2 Tbsp finely chopped
fresh chives
8 whole chive leaves for
garnish
Preheat the oven to 400
degrees. Season the salmon steaks with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a
large frying pan over high heat. Add the steaks and sear for 1-1/2 minutes on
each side. Place on a preheated tray in the oven and bake for 7 minutes or
until barely cooked through.
Combine the wine and lemon
juice in a small, heavy saucepan and bring to a boil and then simmer over medium
heat until the liquid is reduced to about 1 Tbsp. Remove from the heat and add
the butter piece by piece, whisking the whole time until the butter is
completely melted. Stir in the chopped chives.
Spoon the sauce over the
salmon and serve. Place 2 whole chives atop each steak to garnish.
Wine Pairing
Suggestions
- The classic white
match for salmon steaks is Pacific Northwest Chardonnay. Oregon Pinot Gris
or Alsatian Pinot Gris would also work extremely well with this dish.
- If you've got a
hankering for a red wine to go with salmon, Oregon Pinot Noir is definitely
the way to go. A backup option would be a hearty
Beaujolais
(but not a Beaujolais Nouveau) such as Moulin a Vent or a Brouilly.
- Yes, you know we're
going to say it.....Robust
Rosés
work well with salmon too!!
Quiz Corner
Welcome to our weekly wine
(and sometimes food) quiz!
Last Week's Quiz
Question: The Quiz Corner was on
Spring Break last week!
This Week's Quiz
Question: Muscadet comes from the
Loire
Valley and locally, the grape is known as Muscadet.
What is the true name of the grape?
Bonus Question:
From where did this grape originate before it got to the
Loire
Valley in the 17th Century?
That's it
for this week!
Regards,
Lucinda,
Vaughn, Dan, Nancy, Bev 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
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ISSUE DATE:
March 20, 2008
WOO
HOO.....Spring is finally here!! It
just doesn't exactly feel like Spring outside today. Oh well, we do have Easter
eggs, ham and lamb coming up this weekend. Who's the calendar planning genius
that put St.
Patty's Day, the First Day of Spring and Easter all in one compact week?! This
week's winE-Letter
is all about the food and wine for the Easter holiday. We've got reds, whites
and Rosés
for your holiday table at all price points - whether the extended family of
twenty is coming over or if you're having a special meal for two. If you want
to try before you buy, come on by on Saturday between 12 and 4 and try some of
the gems in Henry Wine Group's portfolio. We'll be trying three whites and two
reds which would be exquisite pairings for your meal. Bogart has a chimichurri
sauce recipe for your lamb this week on his recipe board. After all, you know
he'll be having lamb on Sunday!! We also just got restocked on Cowgirl Creamery
cheeses just in time for this weekend and if you want to special order any
cheese or charcuterie from Galletta's, be sure to get your orders in by
tomorrow. Since it's Spring Break for the kids, the Quiz Corner is on vacation
this week too. Whatever you're doing to enjoy the holiday week, we hope you
have a great one! Happy Easter Everybody!!
Easter
Wine Picks
Value Picks
Etienne-Rodier
Viognier Vin de Pays d'Oc 2006 -
Nothing reminds one more of Spring than a delightful glass of Viognier. It gets
better when the price is right! This is a very easy drinking Viognier -
slightly aromatic but not overly so - and a perfect aperitif glass of vino.
$9.99 per bottle.
Mars & Venus
Central Valley (Chile) Merlot NV - An
amazing mouthful of juice for the money...that's how I'd describe both the
Merlot and the Cabernet Sauvignon. Good weight on the palate and it really
tastes like Merlot! Soft and supple with loads of blueberries.
$7.99 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.
Baronnie de
Montgaillard Vin de Pays des Cotes du Ceresson 2006
- This red was a tasty little find from the Southwestern part of
France
not too far from the Pyrenees. It's a blend
of 40% Syrah, 40% Merlot and 20% Grenache. The result is a glass of wine with
silky tannins, crushed berries and just a slight hint of spice. An excellent
value red at $9.99 per bottle.
Chateau Vrai
Caillou
Bordeaux Superieur 2005
The 2005 vintage has lots
of gems to find in it and this wine is one of them. The fruit is ripe, balance
and supple made with 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
An excellent red for any kind of red meats or stews. $11.79 per bottle.
Domaine Fond
Croze 'Cuvee Tentation' Cotes du Rhone 2006 - There's nothing like a good red Cotes du Rhone in the wintertime and
this one proves to be not only tasty but of good value. It's a blend of 60%
Grenache and 40% Syrah. The nose offers bright red fruits of raspberries and
cherries intermingled with violets and the taste offers a round, supple, juicy
red wine with a perfectly balanced dry finish.
$9.99 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.
Auka La Consulta
Torrontes 2007 - More springtime in a
glass! Ok, so we're on a white roll this week with wines which scream Spring.
You can't blame us! The Torrontes grape tends to be very reminiscent of the
Viognier grape and sometimes, many Torrontes from
Argentina
can get pretty aggressive on the floral notes and aromas. This wine was
extremely pleasant because it was moderately tempered on both the nose and the
taste. Notes of white peach and citrus gently fill the air.
$10.79 per bottle.
Tegernseerhof
Zweigelt Rosé 2007
- You knew a
Rosé was going to make it into the
winE-Letter,
didn't you?! Crack one of these babies open as your quaffing wine before Easter
dinner. A touch of white pepper and plenty of savory watermelon fruit.
$11.79 per bottle.
Traza 'Gru 2'
Rioja 2006 - I really enjoyed this
wine as it isn't as light and dry as many Riojas can be. From the Vinos Sin Ley
folks who brought us the tasty G5 wine a couple of years back, this Rioja is
uncharacteristically 100% Graciano (versus normally being made from the
Tempranillo grape). It is supple and textured on the palate with warm spices
and offers firm weight when drinking. One of those 'dinner in a glass' wines.
$13.99 per bottle.
Domaine Bernard-Goussu
Saint Veran 2004 - A very pleasant,
excellent springtime Chardonnay from
Burgundy and an excellent value to boot. Perfect for
all sorts of seafood dishes or roasted poultry. Normally $15.99, we got it at a
deal so you get it at a deal at
$13.99 per bottle.
Special
Occasion Picks
Collutta Colli
Orientali del Friuili Pinot Grigio 2006 - Whites from the northern parts of
Italy
make for clean, crisp, refreshing wines and this Pinot Grigio falls right in
line. This is a more richly styled Pinot Grigio compared to most yet because
the acidity is well represented, the wine retains a lightness and a freshness
which most Pinot Grigio drinkers seek. A perfect aperitif wine or it would pair
well with salads or seafood dishes. This wine is the 'house' Pinot Grigio
served at the Inn.
$17.99 per bottle.
Grant Burge 'Holy
Trinity' Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre 2002
- Not only is this the perfect name for an Easter wine, it's perfect for a leg
of lamb! Loads of notes of Rosemary abound in the glass. This is an earthy
wine, not a big fruit bomb, so any kind of dish with Herbs de Provence and/or
mushrooms would be a great match.
$39.99 per bottle.
Bodegas Naia 'Naiades'
Rueda Verdejo 2005 - 80 to 100 year
old pre-phylloxera (!) vines and the wine is aged in used oak barrels from
Didier Dagueneau who makes the famed 'Pur Sang' Pouilly Fume. This wine is
amazingly rich and complex offering up apples, pears, spice and honeysuckle.
$32.99 per bottle.
Kruger-Rumpf Nahe
Riesling Kabinett 2006 - A true
beauty just oozing elegance & a perfect match for ham or pork. Wines from the
Nahe region in Germany
tend to be more delicate and this wine is true to form. If you think you don't
like Riesling, you really ought to give this one a try. It's a stunner.
$22.99 per bottle.
Upcoming
Tasting Events
Easter Wine
Tasting with Brandon Skall of The Henry Wine Group This Saturday, March 21st
from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Join us the day before
Easter and come try some fantastic wines to go with your holiday meal whether
you're cooking ham, lamb, pork, beef or fish! It's always nice to try before
you buy!! Here's what we will be tasting:
Burgans Rias Baixas Albarino 2006 - $13.99
An excellent match for any
seafood dish or baked ham & a perfect alternative to Chardonnay
Bodegas Naia 'Naiades' Rueda Verdejo 2005 -
$32.99
80 to 100 year old pre-phylloxera
vines and the wine is aged in used oak barrels from Didier Dagueneau - this wine
is a stunner & in a blind tasting, you'd think it was a Burgundy!
Kruger-Rumpf Nahe Riesling Kabinett 2006 -
$22.99
A true beauty just oozing
elegance & a perfect match for ham or pork...plus it's fun to say the name!
Juan Gil Jumilla Monastrell 2005 - $17.99
This is an ongoing favorite of
the store for the last couple of years and an excellent match for beef...it's a
full throttle red
Three Rings Barossa Shiraz 2006 - $17.59
Shiraz is always an excellent pairing for lamb but there's enough fruit in
this wine to also work with ham
Cooking Class &
Wine Pairing at Jasmine Café on Sunday, March 30th
Join Chef Eduardo as he
demonstrates how to cook a springtime three course meal. Lucinda will pair
three wines for each course - two which go with the dish and one which does not
- and explain why the wines work and don't work. The class will run from 5:00pm
and 7:00pm and you will get to eat what we learn to cook! Here is what Chef
Eduardo will be showing us how to make:
~First Course~
Asparagus Risotto
~ Main Course ~
Pan Roasted Stripped Bass
with Walnut Herb Crust in a
Orange-Lemon Butter Sauce
with Chives
~ Dessert ~
Riesling & Ginger Poached
Pear in Filo with Frangipan, Toasted Pine Nuts & Poaching Syrup
Price is $52 per person
plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, please call Jasmine Café at
703.471.9114.
Attention
Burgundy Lovers...A Special Burgundy Tasting on
Saturday, April 5th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Paul Everitt of JAO Wine
Imports will be here for a very special
Burgundy tasting in the store. JAO has some of the very
best Burgundies in the
Virginia market right now and we thought it would be fun
to do a lineup of some of their exceptional wines. The Rhone lover in me might
even through in a Rhone red
into the mix...you just never know! If you adore Burgundies or want to learn
more about the nuances of Burgundies, this is a tasting not to be missed! We
will have the wines to be tasted in next week's
winE-Letter.
'Bogie's Birthday
Blowout Bash' Tasting (with cake!) on Saturday, April 19th from
12:00pm to 4:00pm
Bogart turns 11 (!) on
April 19th and since it's a Saturday, we decided to turn our
'regular' 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 one or two others vendors who will be confirmed by next
week's winE-Letter
publication. Bogart is gunning for cake from Cakelove, Warren Brown's creation
who is also on The Food Network...Bogart's favorite channel besides Animal
Planet, and since Bogart is an elder statesman, he might just get what he
wants. Party hats required!
Upcoming Wine Dinners
RESCHEDULED...Vernal Equinox Wine Dinner at Zeffirelli's in Herndon on Thursday,
April 3rd
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.
In the Pantry...Just
in Time for Your Easter Dinner
Easter Chocolates
In addition to our regular
selection of chocolates and pate de fruit, we have some special Easter
chocolates arriving at the beginning of next week. We have four piece boxes of
chocolate with new Spring flavors: Rhubarb Caramel, Fresh Ginger, Chat Noir
(dark chocolate ganache infused with lemon zest and black peppercorns) and Café
au Lait (dark chocolate ganache infused with Shenandoah Joe's Old World Espresso
topped with a vanilla bean white chocolate ganache). 4 piece chocolate boxes
are $6.50.
Also, we will be getting
in special chocolate Easter eggs: the Rocher Egg which is a hollow dark
chocolate egg shell covered with caramelized slivered almonds in dark chocolate
on an edible dark chocolate base and the Traditional Spring Egg which is a
hollow dark chocolate egg shell covered with Chocolaterie Wanders' housemade
marzipan and garnished with a hand-piped chocolate pussy willow (the traditional
German garnish) on an edible dark chocolate base. Easter eggs are $19.95 each.
COWGIRL CREAMERY
CHEESES ARE HERE!!
Cowgirl Creamery cheeses
are in the house! For those of you who attended our Wine & Cheese classes back
in early December, you've already discovered how incredible these cheeses are.
For those of you who haven't had any cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery (which
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. 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)
And, we are carrying the
fantastic flatbread crackers carried by Cowgirl Creamery in Sea Salt, Sweet
Onion & Crème Fraiche and Wild Mushroom.
As Cowgirl Creamery's
cheese inventory always is changing, we'll have different cheeses in stock
throughout the year as well.
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.
Here are some of the items
which are available:
Galletta's Items
Available to Order & Pricing
Cheeses
Asiago Allevo - $15.00 per
lb
English Farmhouse Cheddar
- $14.99 per lb
Italian Fontina - $10.99
per lb
Gorgonzola Dolce - $13.99
per lb
Manchego - $15.00 per lb
Marscapone Tub - $6.00
each
Moliterno - $29.99 per lb
(Sheep's milk w/ Black Truffles)
Parmigiano Reggiano -
$15.00 per lb
Pecorino Romano - $9.00
per lb
Provolone - $5.99 per lb
Queso Leonora - $24.00 per
lb (handmade goat cheese)
Fresh Ricotta (3 lb
container) - $10.00
Containers of Grated
Parmigiano - Varies but around $8 to $10 per container
Meats
Bresaola - $25.99 per lb
Hot Sopressata - $14.99
per lb
Italian Dry Sausage -
$14.99 per lb
Oregano Salami - $20.00
per lb
Pancetta - $10.99 per lb
Parma
Prosciutto - $21.99 per lb
San Daniele Prosciutto -
$22.99 per lb
Recla Speck Alto
Adige - $17.99 per lb
Sweet Sopressata - $14.99
per lb
Vismara Genoa Salame -
$14.99 per lb
Pastas
Fresh Pasta - $3.99 each
(choose Lasagne Sheets, Fettucine, Linguini or Pappardelle)
Sauces
Alfredo Sauce - $5.99 each
Basil Pesto Sauce - $7.99
each
Lemon Cream Sauce - $5.99
each
Marinara Sauce - $3.99
each
Nonni's Meat Sauce - $5.99
each
Vodka Sauce - $7.99 each
Pantry Items
Honey with Black Truffle
from Frascati - $14.00 each (this is fantastic over the handmade goat
cheese!)
Ordering Guidelines
- All meats and cheeses
are available to order in ¼ lb increments
- All orders must be
placed by 10:00am 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.
New Olive Oils in
Stock
One of our vendors
represents a collection of organic olive oils and I had the opportunity to try
the lineup last week. There were several good ones and here are the first ones
which came in this week:
- Moutere Grove EVOO
from New Zealand (very crisp and clean with a pale green color) - $39.99 for 500ml
- Lakelands 'Frantoio'
EVOO from
Australia (biodynamic, rich grass & herbs,
medium weight, rich golden color) - $24.99 for 250ml
- Hermanos Catalan
EVOO from
Spain (excellent for lamb, beef & spicy dishes); made
from 100% Arbequina olives; prize winner in
Spain) - $20.99 for 250ml
- Armando Mansur
EVOO from
Argentina (very delicate, light & floral; made in the
foothills of the Andes) - $12.99 for
250ml
A few words about Olive
Oil from the importer...
The laws in Europe are clear, but in the
U.S., they are not. So . . . CAVAET EMPTOR!!! A
lot of inferior olive oil sold here as Extra Virgin would not even come close to
meeting the European standard. The term 'Extra Virgin' is the internationally
recognized designation for the top grade of food-quality olive oil. Most nations
that produce olive oil are parties agree to meet established high standards that
all true 'extra virgin' oils. The
U.S.
