As we prepare for re-entry back to the hectic world of school carpools, sports schedules, Beltway traffic and work in general, we each offer our respective perspective on the wines we pick to celebrate with on Labor Day.
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Labor Day Wines – He Said/She Said
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Wines That Are Worth The Hunt
Last week, I wrote about wines that are easy to find, but many times, there are wines that I really want to review but am reluctant to write about because they may not be readily available in our metropolitan area. While this is certainly a dilemma, it should not be a deterrent. After all, there are some very good wines that just may be worth the hunt.
Click here to listen to this week’s Wine of the Week on WTOP Radio
Wines That Are Easy To Find
As I recently pointed out, one of the questions that I am most often asked is, “Where can I find that wine you wrote about last week?”
Finding a wine that is widely available can be a challenge. Not all wine shops carry the same stock. Also complicating matters is that different states, and even counties within the states, have varying policies about wine sales that makes it difficult for wine shops in a particular region to offer the same wines. Of course, one of the most useful tools in finding any wine is the internet.
Click here to listen to my recommendations on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week
Wine Friendly Restaurants for Restaurant Week
I know most people can’t wait to get out of Washington, DC in August. But if you’re considering sticking around next week, there are two things that will work in your favor; less traffic and the annual summer Restaurant Week dine-a-thon.
From August 13th through the 19th, over 200 of the area’s finest restaurants will offer three-course meals for set prices during the 18th biannual Washington, DC Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants will offer a three-course lunch for $20.12 (get it? 2012) and a three-course price-fixed dinner for just $35.12. For a complete list of restaurants taking part in the promotion, go to www.restaurantweekmetrodc.org/.
Click here to listen to my favorite restaurant picks on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week
Vidalia Restaurant’s Chef/Owner Jeff Buben
The Vine Guy Answers Emails
Just like David Letterman, I get letters, lots and lots of letters. Well, maybe not letters, per se, but I do get numerous emails each week regarding some wine related topic or another. I thought I would take this opportunity to answer a few of the more common questions that readers ask.
Click here to listen to my interview on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week
Virginia Makes Its Case For Winning Wines
Virginia’s wine industry is getting a lot of attention these days. In just the past year, the former 776-acre Kluge Wine Estate was purchased by Donald Trump and the Virginia wine country was listed as one of the top ten wine destinations by Wine Enthusiast magazine.
Virginia wine country might be a beautiful place to visit, but are the wines any good? Rest assured, many of them are delicious. Recently, the Virginia Wineries Association, in partnership with the Virginia Wine Board & the Virginia Vineyards Association, announce the winner of the 2012 Virginia’s Governor’s Cup and put together a “media case” of the winning wines for wine journalists and critics. I used my case as an opportunity to see how these wines fare with wine-loving consumers, so I assembled a panel of amateur wine enthusiasts and asked them to evaluate the Governor’s Cup case.
Click Here to listen to this week’s Wine of the Week on WTOP Radio
Calistoga Earns Its AVA
While many California wine lovers know that the town of Calistoga is located at the northern most edge of Napa Valley, most probably did not realize that until recently, wines produced in or near Calistoga could not reference the area on the label. That’s because Calistoga and the surrounding area was not recognized as a separate American Viticultural Area (AVA). The wines were traditionally labeled as “Napa Valley.”
Today, wineries whose grapes come from Calistoga can proudly put “Calistoga” on the label.
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The Best Paella Recipe
For those of you who have been asking for the wonderful paella recipe, please click the paella photo below for the link to the recipe.
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Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio – Two Sides of the Same Grape
Pinot grigio and pinot gris are actually the same white wine grape, just with two different names. Just as with pinot blanc, pinot gris (the actual “technical” name) is thought to be a mutation of the pinot noir grape.
The confusion over the name is a result of where the grapes are grown. For example, in Italy and California, wines produced from grapes called pinot grigio, however, in France, Canada and Oregon it’s referred to as pinot gris. The main difference is in the style is a result of the climates the grapes are grown in and how the wines are produced. In Italy, pinot grigio tends to be dry, with a citrus-centric core and a minerally finish. In France, the wines lean more towards stone fruits and white flowers. Both styles are found throughout the grape-growing world, so it’s just a matter of finding the variety that appeals to your palate.
Click here to listen to my report on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week
Charming and Versatile Pinot Blanc
Pinot blanc is a remarkably versatile grape that can produce wines with different personas depending on region and winemaking techniques employed. They range from dry and refreshing to almost dessert-like.
While it is known and loved in France, Pinot Blanc is produced in many wine grape-growing regions around the world. Regardless of the country of origin, one common theme is their extraordinary fragrant bouquet and bright acidity, making them one of the most food-friendly white wines around, particularly when paired with seafood, pork and mild cheeses.
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