Rainy Day Favorites: Malbecs

Right now, I'm plotting my escape from this depressing Arlington/DC weather to the vineyards of Argentina. 

But...as lovely as that sounds, it's unlikely that I will be able to make it there and back before work tomorrow...so in the meantime, these are my favorite Malbecs to help ease the rainy day blues!

Crios 2012

Varietal, Region: Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Arlington Store, Neighborhood: Whole Foods, Clarendon, World Market, Pentagon City

Price: around $15-18

My Tasting Notes: Medium to full bodied, hints of black cherry, mixed berries, aromas of violet and toasted oak. Well balanced, spicy and jammy.

My Verdict: This wine comes from a vineyard with a woman at the helm, which is apparently not too common in Argentina. Susana Balbo at the Dominio del Plata Winery has been making wine for 25 years, and I have to say, she knows what she's doing! This Malbec is a great deal and is the first wine that made me truley excited about this grape.

*If you are looking for this wine in DC, it's also stocked at the Safeway in Georgetown.

Zuccardi Serie Q, 2012

Varietal, Region: Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

*Store, Neighborhood: Lenox Beer &Wine, Silver Spring

Price: around $26

My Tasting Notes: Aromas of ripe red fruit, black pepper and cherry, silky and velvety texture and tannins that are present but not overpowering.
My Verdict: This is an excellent, excellent wine and the best Malbec I have had to date (and trust me, it was hard choice). This wine was aged for a year in French medium toasted oak barrels which gives it great aromas and finish. It comes from the Familia Zuccardi winery.

*I know Silver Spring is not Arlington, but this is within walking distance of the metro and this wine was so good (and the one below) that I just couldn't pass up listing it. Im searching for it in Arlington, and will let everyone know as soon as I find it!

Zuccardi Serie A

Varietal, Region: Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

*Store, Neighborhood: Lennox Beer & Wine, Silver Spring, by-the-glass at Rustico in Arlington, Ballston.

Price: (bottle) around $18

My Tasting Notes: This is more full bodied and "bold" than the Zuccardi Serie Q (above). Hints of spice and pepper on the nose, currant and plum and a deep purple color. Low acidity, and soft tannins.  Not as silky and refined as the Serie Q, but a little less expensive, and still an all-around great wine.

*Fun Fact: Most Argentinian wines are either sustainable or organic - Most Argentinian wines are considered sustainable and organic because the normal herbicides and pesticides used to fend away bugs aren't needed because they can't live at such high altitudes. The labels may not indicate this, though, because the Organic certification process is costly and time consuming.

Cheers!

A Field Trip To Vino Volo

Last week I went to a Wine Night for my college sorority Chi Omega's alumni chapter at Vino Volo in Bethesda. I am definitely more of a Northern Virginia gal than a Maryland one, but Bethesda is nice area and I always have a great time at these alumni events. Plus, who am I to turn down a new wine bar experience?

Also, it's just a few blocks from the Bethesda metro.

I loved the experience and the happy hour red, a Tempranillo, was terrific.

Happy hour, Neighborhood: Vino Volo, Bethesda
Specs: M-F, until 7p.m.
Happy hour red: Jorge Ordonez Actea Tempranillo, La Mancha, Spain

Price: $4/glass
My tasting notes: I am borderline-obsessed with Tempranillos from La Mancha and this I can confidently say is one of my new favorites! This wine is full bodied, silky tannins, notes of blackberry and cherry with a nice finish.

*Also try: Spann Vineyards Red Blend, Lot 9

The Verdict: What I loved about this wine bar was with every wine you order by the glass, you get a little fact sheet that doubles as a coaster to take home (pictured above). Yes, it's just a piece of paper, technically, but it helped me to remember the characteristics I like best about the wines. Not only that, but their pork tacos were pretty good too!

The only downside, is the by-the-glass wines (non-happy hour) are a bit on the pricier side. I think the cheapest is $11 but that actually happened to be the other one I really liked! The waiter recommended it, because I liked the Tempranillo, and he was "spot-on."

*For those with wheels, there is a location in McLean .

Happy Hour Reds, Part Six (Rustico)

Spring! I can feel it...it's almost here! One of my favorite places in the Ballston area is Rustico. And amazingly enough...they have happy hour on the weekends, too.

Arlington happy hour, neighborhood: Rustico, Ballston

Specs: 7 days a week

Happy hour red: Zaleo, Tempranillo 2011

Price: $5/glass

My tasting notes: Soft tannins, floral notes on the nose, medium bodied. Great deal! 

Battle of the tater tots:

Here it is. Battle of the Arlington tater tots. I reviewed the tater tots from Willow Restaurant in an earlier post . I must say I was caught completely off guard by the listing of tater tots on Rustico's menu, even though I've dined here many times before. Naturally, I had to order them and they did not disappoint. However, as of right now, I think Willow's are a tiny bit better.

Cheers!

Santa Julia, Argentina

Santa Julia Organica, Malbec 2012

Varietal, Region: 100% Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Arlington Store, Neighborhood: Tivoli, Ballston

Price: around $11

My Tasting Notes: Medium bodied and complex, slight tannins, hints of fig, blackberry, and plum.

My Verdict: This Malbec is my go-to red wine. It's a great wine for a great price and it's organic! What are you waiting for?!

Santa Julia, Brut Rosé

Varietal, Region: 100% Pinot Noir, Maipú and Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Arlington Store, Neighborhood: Grand Cru, Ballston

Price: around $15

My Tasting Notes: Crisp bubbles, almost candy sweet on the nose. Notes of strawberry and cherry and slight essence of violet.

My Verdict: I love sparkling rose, this one was pretty good but a little too sweet for my taste.

Stay tuned for more reviews from Familia Zuccardi wines.

In the meantime...Cheers!

Grand Cru, Happy Hour Reds Part Five

Arlington happy hour, neighborhood: Grand Cru Wine Bar & Bistro, Ballston

Specs:  M-F 4:00pm - 6:30pm 

Happy hour red: All Little Penguin wines, $3.50/glass, beer $3/select bottles

My tasting notes: I like the Cabernet Sauvignon...it has a ruby-red color and berries on the nose with soft tannins. That being said, their non-happy hour reds are fantastic. They rotate the wines pretty often, so they always have new ones to try, but for 3.50/glass, the Little Penguin wines are pretty tasty.

Happy Hour Food Menu:

Ginger marinated chicken skewers

Spinach & artichoke dip with warm pita

My verdict: Grand Cru is a fantastic wine bar, and the food is great. My fiance and I have been "regulars" here since we moved to the area and the staff is very friendly. They also have great dessert, which I reviewed in a previous post.

Mussel Bar, Happy Hour Reds Part Four

Arlington happy hour, neighborhood: Mussel Bar, Ballston

Specs: 7 days a week, 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Happy hour red: Cotes du Rhone, Domaine Grange de Payan, 2012

My tasting notes: The cotes du rhone is a full bodied and tad on the oaky side, notes of black currant, dark purple fruit.

Also try: Bovale Bobal, Utiel-Requena 2011.

Dinner & Dessert:

Shrimp and Grits

Chopped salad

Chocolate ice cream

The chopped salad was good, although I generally like leafier greens...the shrimp and grits proved very tasty, and in my opinion, an excellent choice. 

The dessert (ehh). It wasn't bad but the caramel corn and meringues did not go went well with the ice cream (chocolate flavor) and put my taste buds into sweetness overdrive, so the ice cream barely got a fair shot. The dessert situation can, however, be easily cured by a stop by 7-Eleven on the way home to pick up Ben & Jerry's Half Baked Frozen Yogurt...or another glass of wine.

Cheers!

Arrowine, French Malbec

I was surprised last week with a lovely trip to Arrowine. It was my first time there and upon walking through the door, I was greeted with wine, cheese, bread, homemade soups, and ice cream. 

Pure heaven. 

The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and patiently answered all of my questions. Here is what I went home with:

                                    

Anne de Joyeuse Original Malbec 2012, France

Varietal, Region: 100% Malbec, Languedoc-Roussillon

Arlington Store, Neighborhood: Arrowine, Leesburg Pike

Price: around $10

My Tasting Notes: Blackberry and violet notes, soft tannins. Medium-bodied with hints of plum.

My Verdict: Dare I say I like the Argentinian Malbecs better? So far, I definitely do. This wine didn't "wow" my palette but it's worth trying, especially for the price.

The ice cream:

Normally I go for anything with chocolate first, but I was very intrigued by the Brambleberry Crisp. It was fantastic (but just a warning...it may be dangerous to regularly stock this item in your freezer if you have limited amounts of self control :-). It was $10.99, which is the most I've ever paid for a pint of ice cream, but this was a special treat totally worth it.

Cheers!

More about the origin of the Malbec grape.

Nutella Milkshake: A Very Yummy Review

When I started State of the Vine, I only intended to write about desserts occasionally, but I must confess my deep, dark secret...My name is Lauren and I have a sweet tooth that is totally out of control!

Since the first step is admitting I have a problem, the second step, in my book, is to embrace it.

This Nutella shake is so good, I think there are no words that could possibly do it justice. 

Arlington Dessert Spot, Neighborhood: Big Buns, Ballston

Price: milkshake around $5, sweet potato fries $3-4

My Tasting Notes: I tend to gravitate more towards frozen yogurt or gelato when it comes to dairy desserts, but this milkshake was worth stepping out of my dessert-comfort zone. It's definitely not a light, but it's creamy, has great consistency, and tastes exactly like the hazelnut delight I grew up with. The sweet potato fries are an excellent compliment to the shake.

*Big Buns also has milkshakes in several other scrumptious looking flavors (and amazing burgers). What are you waiting for?!

Cheers!