French Wine and Book Club

I was so happy when my good friend Jess moved to Arlington recently, and even happier when she invited me to be the book club she was starting!

The book club ladies are great and, luckily, they're also wine lovers!


We met a few weeks ago to discuss The Paris Wife by Paula McLain and all brought a wine from France (and there were many fabulous cheeses and other appetizers, too!).

My choice:


Château Lafite Rothschild, Bordeaux, 2010
Arlington Store, Neighborhood: World Market, Pentagon City
Price: on sale for under $15, regularly about $18
My Tasting Notes: Very silky and incredibly smooth finish


Another wine I really liked was this champagne, brought by Anna, another book club member.



Jaillance Cuvee Imperiale, Tradition
Arlington Store, Neighborhood: I have a confession to make. Anna said she bought this wine in Maryland. BUT I did some research, and it is available at the Total Wine closest to Arlington. And I do plan to do some poking around to see where I can find it locally, without having to drive.

My Tasting Notes: Surprising hints of lime, slightly sweet, light, refreshing. It's technically a sparkling wine, not a champagne since it comes from the Rhone Valley, not the Champagne region...but it's still great. This one is made from Muscat Blanc grapes.

Cheers!

Side Notes: The book is fantastic. Also, everyone should check out Jess's Blog. It's fantastic, and she helped inspire me to start this one!

Rosé, Bubbly

This wine caught my attention for a few reasons. #1- It's the first I've found locally (metro-accessible Arlington) from the Alsace region made from red grapes.#2- I recently learned part of my dad's side of the family lived there before moving to the US in the 1800's. #3- I am just obsessed with bubbly rosé.

Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace Brut Rosé
100% Pinot Noir
Arlington Store, Neighborhood: Whole Foods, Clarendon
Price: around $20
My Tasting Notes: Crisp, clean taste, nice bubble size, a good balance between sweet and dry (I am not a fan of sweet wine), and hints of apple and strawberry.

My fiancé and I were invited to a dinner party with some good friends so I decided to bring a bottle. This was a bit of a gamble since it was my first time trying it, too. But the gamble paid off...the bottle was gone in less than 5 minutes.

For those of you who have wheels to further your wine excursions and adventures, I've heard through the grapevine that Total Wine has an entire section dedicated to wines from Alsace.

The verdict: Great value, no hangover, and very tasty. Totally worth it. Cheers!

More about wines from Alsace and Rosé:

Wines of Alsace
Facebook Alsace USA
Buzzfeed: Rose Wine Facts

Malbec & Dessert In Ballston

My fiancé and I have both heard a lot of wonderful things about Willow, a restaurant on Fairfax Drive. It's within walking distance of the Ballston Metro station! 

Even though I hadn't been the restaurant before, I have had their Belgian Chocolate brownies...and at the risk of sounding like a writer for Cosmo, they are beyond "swoon-worthy." I first tried one at the Ballston Farmers Market over the Spring/Summer and from then on, I was hooked.

I returned every Thursday for one, and they would always say, "Just one? They freeze really well!" Let's just say I stuck to one every time because I knew if I went home with more, they would most likely never make it as far as the freezer.

On to the wine:

My favorite by-the-glass red is a Malbec from the Patagonia region of Argentina

Valle Perdido, Malbec, 2010 

Arlington Restaurant, Neighborhood: Willow, Ballston 

My Tasting Notes: Fragrant nose, hints of mocha,plum, and blackberry...smooth aftertaste

*This Malbec is also noteworthy because it comes from the Patagonia (yes, like the fleece jackets) region of Argentina, and the majority of Malbecs I've seen on store shelves in Arlington come from Mendoza.

I know this is a wine blog (with select coverage of the Arlington dessert scene) but I can't end this post without mentioning the tater tots at Willow. They were to die for.

                                               

Go get some. NOW. :)

Under any normal circumstance, I would have gotten dessert at Willow but we wanted to stop at Grand Cru Wine Bistro. I know from experience, they also have an excellent chocolate and ice cream lovers dessert.

Grand Cru has a great happy hour as well, and many reasonably priced, and pricier wines, for sale.

We bought a bottle of bio-dynamic Côtes du Rhône while we were there to take home.. Stay tuned for a review on that in my next post!

Cheers!