Cinco de Mayo: Organic Tequila

I'm no tequila connoisseur...in fact I much prefer wine or beer to any type of liquor. However, in honor of Cinco de Mayo, I just had to share my favorite tequila. I enjoy it as part of a freshly made margarita, and the best part is, no hangover!*


*assuming you don't drink the whole bottle in one sitting.


I first tried this organic tequila at Fuego Cocina y Tequileria in Clarendon, but it's also available at Virginia ABC stores, including several in Arlington.

If you don't want to make your own margaritas, Fuego is totally worth a visit...their food is fantastic!


If you do, this recipe is simple, natural and tasty. 

Cheers!

The Perfect Sip for Spring

Wine lovers who want to try something new, you've come to the right place.

I've never been a fan of ciders, they're always too sweet for my taste. But this one is made in Virginia and comes in a look-alike wine bottle, and it has won several awards...making it the perfect alternative to wine, and the perfect sipper for Spring.

Image Credit: Foggy Ridge Cellars

Image Credit: Foggy Ridge Cellars

Foggy Ridge Serious Cider
Dugspur, VA 7 | 25
Price: $7/glass, $25/bottle (Water & Wall)

Where to buy: A handy list from Foggy Ridge's website of local retailers, or you can buy online.
My Tasting Notes: Mild and slightly tart, aromatic with just the right balance of acidity. Notes of citrus and apple (of course).
My Verdict: While typically cider is a Fall drink, I maintain this is a perfect wine alternative for Spring. I hope to plan a trip to Foggy Ridge in the near future to try their other varieties and learn more about the process.

According to the website, Foggy Ridge grows their own cider apples, English, French and other varieties. 

Fun fact: I learned while apple picking in Shenandoah Valley a few years ago that there are over four-thousand varieties of apples grown in Virginia! And if you've never picked your own apples, its such a great experience. We went to Marker Miller Orchards in Winchester. I highly recommend it.

Cheers!

Portuguese Wine Dinner

Recently I attended my very first wine dinner, with a Portuguese theme. It was at the University Club in DC with renowned wine expert Bartholomew Broadbent. It was excellent!

The "cocktail" hour started with a Vinho Verde produced by the Broadbent family.

Broadbent Vinho Verde, Portugal
Varietal: 50% Loureiro, 40% Trajadura, 10% Pedernã
Price: Under $10
Where to buy: World Market, Arlington, VA (Pentagon City)

My Tasting Notes: A light wine, well balanced. Floral notes and a fresh taste, notes of lime and melon.
My Verdict: A good white for a great price. A great white for a pre-dinner drink or to sip outside during the Spring and summer seasons!

The amazing dinner was prepared to compliment and pair with the Portuguese wines.

Casa Ferrierinha, Quinta Da Leda
Varietal: Tinta Roriz (Aragonez) - Touriga
Region, Country: Douro, Portugal
Price: About $50
My Tasting Notes: Notes of plum, blueberry and blackberry. Intense and oaky, with firm tannins, full bodied with a nice finish.

My Verdict: A very nice red! Pairs very well with food. A little on the heavier side so I would save this one for the cooler seasons and pair it with rich food.

*Currently determining where to buy this in Arlington and will update soon!

A candid shot from the dinner.

Cheers!

Spring Wines

Spring is here!

And here are some excellent selections to start off the season just right.

Dona Paula Black Label, Red Blend (Estate Edition) 2012
Varietal, Region: 60% Malbec, 37% Cab Sauv and 3% Petit Verdot, Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina
Where to buy: *
My Tasting Notes: Plum, black cherry and mocha, with hints of spice. Medium to full-bodied and smooth with an excellent finish. Balanced acidity.
My Verdict: I've always been a bigger fan of 100% Malbec wines as opposed to the blends but I think I've found my exception. You taste the undertones of the Malbec but it isn't overly dominating. It hails from the Lujan de Cuyo region, known for their excellent Malbec grapes.


*Dona Paula wines are distributed in the US by one of my favorite vineyards Trinchero Family Estate. I happened to have this wine at the Washington Club but it's been difficult to find elsewhere but I'm working on it and will post an update ASAP.

Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé, Cuvée de la Pompadour

Varietal, Region: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa Valley, California

Price: $37

Where to buy: Domaine Carneros

My Tasting Notes: Juicy hints of strawberry and peach on the nose.Very refreshing and well balanced. Medium to fine sized bubbles. 

My Verdict: This wine comes from a vineyard owned by Taittinger. This sparkling rose is a cut above the rest. Maybe its refreshing aspect, and maybe its the fact that after a few glasses I didn't even have a headache the next day. A perfect way to welcome Spring.*

*Noteworthy: 95% of their fruit comes from estate vineyards "all certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)."

Happy Canyon, Goodland
Varietal, Region: Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Barbara, California

Price: $25

Where to buy: Grateful Red, Goodland Wines

My Tasting Notes: A light white wine, no oakiness, neutral barrels. Hints of pear, melon and granny smith apples. Slightly tart but just the right amount.

My Verdict: Normally I'm not a big fan of whites but this one is great. This white tastes like Spring in a bottle.

Cheers! 

Virginia is for Wine Lovers

Image Credit: Virginia.org

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Virginia wines are getting so much better. 

Here are two I've tried recently that I loved. 

Virginia Wines

Image Credit: Rappahannock Cellars

2012 Meritage, Rappahannock Cellars, VA

Varietal: 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot
Available at: Water & Wall (by the glass or bottle) 13/50, at the vineyard itself (or online)
My Tasting Notes: Medium to full bodied, hints of mocha and vanilla and oak with just a sliver of fruit. 
My Verdict: Excellent Virginia wine. One of the best I've had yet. . I could see myself sipping this one by the fire on a cold night on a ski mountain. I haven't been able to visit the vineyard yet, but a trip is planned in the very near future. 

Image Credit: Philip Carter Winery

Philip Carter. Cabernet Franc
Varietal: Cabernet Franc blend
Available at: Virginia ABC stores for $19.10/bottle, or find a restaurant or store
My Tasting Notes: Strong tannins, slightly spicy, toasted taste. Hints of fruit but not too much fruit. Well balanced.
My Verdict: This one is a little lighter bodied than the Rappahannock Meritage and a good bet for a drinkable, tasty Virginia red. 

Bonus: If you're looking for a Virginia wine at a local ABC store, their website has a handy finder.

Cheers!    

Wine & Eats at Kapnos Taverna

Wine and Eats at Kapnos Taverna

I am so excited Kapnos Taverna in Ballston is finally open. We went to check out the Mike Isabella creation, an extension of Kapnos DC, on opening night...and it was totally worth the wait!

The Wines

We didn't sample everything on the wines-by-the-glass list (I wish!) but we did try a handful. Here are the standouts:

   
Kir-yianni, Kapnos Reserve, 2011
Varietal: Blend of Syrah, Merlot and Xinomavro
Region: Naoussa
Price: $10/glass, $40/bottle 
My Tasting Notes: A light to medium-bodied red wine with hints of black cherry and jammy fruit with a nice finish. A good balance between fruit and acidity.
Fun Fact: Naoussa is a region in Northern Greece, which is home to the rare Xinomavro grape. To learn more go here.

   
Tselepos, “Villa Amalia” Brut, NV
Varietal: 100% Moschofilero
Region: Arcadi
Price: $12/glass, $48/bottle
My Tasting Notes: This is the first Greek sparkling wine I've ever had. It's light and refreshing with citrusy undertones and hints of lemon, pear and honey. Delicate bubbles make a wonderful finish.

      
The Food

             

Horiatiki salad with red wine vinaigrette $9

Cumin yogurt marinated chicken souvlaki $10, falafel chickpea fritters $9, and lamb

              

Sea salt caramel ice cream

Kapnos Taverna is a must visit. Not every famous-chef owned restaurant lives up to it's name but this one is definitely a winner (which is actually not a huge surprise considering Isabella once worked for one of my favorites, José Andrés). The staff is accommodating and knowledgeable about the foods and wines, which were a step above what I was expecting. In fact, my next visit is already booked.


Cheers!