Here is a selection of wonderfully tasteful wines that cost under $20 that you can proudly serve your guests or take along as a gift to any party. Now that’s a real holiday treat.
Click here to read the best values for your next party in the DC Examiner Newspaper
Once in a while I like to step out and pamper my palate with something on the extravagant side. Like getting dressed up to go out for a nice dinner, splurging on an expensive bottle of wine can be a memorable experience, especially when it is paired with a special event, such as a holiday dinner or New Year’s Eve party.
Click here to listen too GO BIG wine recommendations on this week’s WTOP Radio Wine of the Week
The holiday party season is in full swing and chance are, you’re either hosting a holiday party or have been invited to one.
What wine can you serve that will be delicious but not add to the national (or at least household) debt?
Winter is slowly creeping in to Washington, and as the thermometer begins its decent in to the chilly territory, the first thing that that most wine lovers think of – well, the first thing I think of – is reaching for a big red wine. But what about white wines for weathering winter weather? Most consumers usually think of white wines as warmer weather companions. However, there are many white wines on the market that can be enjoyed all year long and, in my opinion, are even more enjoyable when the temperature scoots down a notch or two.
Last week, Cindy recommended several wine books that would make a great present for the wine enthusiast on your gift list. But not everyone may be a thrilled with receiving a book on wine – or at least not as much as they would enjoy drinking the wine itself.
The day after Thanksgiving can only mean two things; turkey sandwiches and the start of the holiday shopping season. Making a turkey sandwich is easy. Trying to figure out what to give the wine lover in your life takes a bit more thought.
For my money, books are the way to go. They’re perfect for the novice as well as the old pro and they can be used over and over again without having to replace a single cork. Best of all, they can be shipped to anyone, anywhere, without fear of breakage.
Every Thanksgiving, my wife and I experience the same crisis: What wine do we serve with Thanksgiving dinner? Yes, in our house, it’s a big deal!
In order to keep the peace in the family this year, we decided to employ the advice of three “neutral” wine experts in Washington, DC, to play referee and keep our Thanksgiving Day wine choices stress free.
Check out the wine recommendations on this week’s WTOP Radio Wine of the Week.
Every Thanksgiving, my wife and I experience the same crisis: What wine do we serve with Thanksgiving dinner? Yes, in our house, it’s a big deal!
In order to keep the peace in the family this year, we decided to employ the advice of four “neutral” wine experts in Washington, DC, to play referee and keep our Thanksgiving day wine choices stress free.
And have a wonderfully, stress-free Thanksgiving holiday!
When I was starting my own wine education, I cut my teeth on red Bordeaux wines because that was what my wine group could afford. But the idea of spending north of a $100 today for a Grand Cru wine is a bit outlandish, if not impractical. The good news is that with advances in winemaking techniques and choices from more countries, there are some very good wines that offer a lot of “palate education” for the money.
In honor of 11-11-11, I cover 11 wines you can cut your teeth on for under $11.
Click here to listen to this week’s recommendations on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week
Another rocking evening with great wines, good food and a wonderful cause.
About four times a year, a bunch of wine misfits get together to just have fun and raise a little money for a charitable cause. Of course, we each bring a bottle of wine (this meeting’s theme was “classic French”) that we hope will show up “the other guy.”
We met at Le Chat Noir, in the Northwest end of DC. The restaurant wisely sat us upstairs – away from paying customers… the room was charming, with a small bar and private dining area. The dinner was very good, with top course nods going to the Seafood Crepe and the Salmon. The Duck Confit was very good, but just a tad salty. Unfortunately, the lamb cheeks did not shine as expected – they were not cooked long enough, so they had a gelatanous texture and the sauce was too cloying. But the wines made up for all sins, and overall, I would return to this charming little French bistro.
Best of all, we raised over $1,000 for Hopecam (www.hopecam.org), a wonderful organization that connects homebound children undergoing treatment for cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses with their friends at school using laptops, high speed internet connections and web cameras.
Here is the lineup for the evening, along with the amazing wines we had the pleasure to enjoy in each other’s company:
Amuse Bouche
Trio of Plum, Fig and Date
1996 Jean Laurent Blanc de Blancs Champagne (Magnum)
La Criee
Crab meat, Bay Scallop, Mushroom & Chablis Sauce
1988 Comte Lafon Meursault Clos de la Barre
Saumon au Veloute d’amandes
Pan Seared Salmon, Red Blend Quinoa, Roasted Pear & Almond Veloute
1985 Faiveley Latricières-Chambertin
2006 Chezeaux Chambertin (Magnum)
Cuisse de Canard Confit
Duck Leg Confit, Pumpkin Sage Puree, Baby Bock Choy, Turnip & Cranberry-Pinot Noir Sauce
1995 Chateauneuf du Pape Beaucastel
1995 Domaine Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape
Joue d’Agneau
Braised Lamb Cheeks, Roasted Potatoes, Chestnuts, Okra, Sundried Tomato, Turnip, Cahors-Cacao Rosemary Sauce
2001 Guigal Cote-Rotie La Mouline
2004 Chave Hermitage
Fromager
St. Andre Cheese with Fig Chutney & Garnishes
1996 Mouton Rothschild
1994 Latour
