Hook, Line and Sinker

The hunt begins for a new seafood oriented wine list I am writing to be launched later this year and what better excuse to sample a few seafood whites than during the mock service dinner at Hook, a new seafood spot in Georgetown with Chef Barton Seaver at the helm.

I opted to bring a few of my own wine choices for the evening not because Hook's list is lacking imagination, but I had been dying to try a few items I had tucked away in the wine cellar. The wine list at Hook has plenty of excitement; look for a very eclectic collection of wines ranging from the Oremus Tokaji Dry Furmint 'Mandolás' from Hungary to the Xarmant Txakolina from Spain (which is being offered by the glass). A good mix of known grape varietals and the unknown. I wouldn't expect anything less from Chef Seaver, who chooses the wines.

On the docket for the evening were the Bainbridge Island Vineyards Müller-Thurgau from Pugent Sound, Washington; the Huber Sauvignon Blanc from Traisental, Austria; and the Frogtown Cellars Rousanne from Lumpkin County, Georgia (that's the state, not the country folks).

And now the tasting notes:

2002 Bainbridge Island Vineyards Müller-Thurgau, Puget Sound, Washington--an interesting dry version of the grape with notes of lime peel, white flowers, hint of orange blossom, crisp and dry. Great for oysters.

2005 Huber Sauvignon Blanc, Traisental, Austria--not your average SB, this one bursts forth with ripe tropical fruit aromas, white peach and apricot flavors and a refreshing finish. Great with salad greens and smoked salmon.


2003 Frogtown Cellars Rousanne, Lumpkin County, Georgia--full and rich with notes of almond, honeysuckle and mango. A tad oily but good for rich seafood items like scallops, salmon or swordfish.


Hook
3241 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
202.625.4488

Notes from Seattle

Found this great little tasting shop in the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. The Tasting Room is a co-op winery tasting room dedicated to small boutique Washington State wineries. Many of the wines featured are limited production and hard-to-find.

It was a ridiculously cold day in Seattle--like 20 degrees or so and I had had enough walking around in this make-shift windy city. I bellied up to the bar at the Tasting Room and let proprietor Jen Doak take me on a tour of Washington State Syrah.

I am of the mind that Syrah could be the next big thing from our friends in the Pacific Northwest. The Syrah's I sampled seem to straddle the bridge between the big, overripe California style and the more austere Northern Rhone style. Nice show.

Camaraderie Cellars 'Clifton Vineyard' Syrah 2004--rich and complex, with notes of dark plum, cassis, and vanilla. Medium bodied. Lingering black plum on the finish.

JM Cellars Syrah 2003--rich and brooding aromas of black plum, tobacco, leather. Full bodied with a velvety finish.

Latitude 46N Syrah 2004--cedar, black cherry and blueberry on the nose, hint of leather. Medium bodied with lighter tannins.

Wilridge 'Elephant Mountain Vineyard' Syrah 2004--my favorite of the lot! Floral notes, almost like white lillies. Cinnamon spice followed by dark plum, blueberry and a touch of vanilla. Medium body with silky tannins. Note: This wine just arrived at OYA Restaurant & Lounge at 777 9th Street, NW.

The Tasting Room logo courtesy of www.winesofwashington.com

7 Sips for '07

Happy 2007!

Add these sips to your to-do list for 2007. I am guessing these are slightly easier to keep than your 'other' New Year's resolutions.

1. Alexander Valley Vineyards 'New Gewürz' Gewürztraminer 2006, North Coast, California--spicy, fruity, yummy! An explosion of rose petal and lychee aromas followed by grapefruit and ginger flavors. Clean, zesty finish. A hint of residual sweetness.

2. M. Lawrence 'Sex' Sparkling Rosé NV, North Coast, California--made in Michigan from California wine. A provacative blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with strawberry and raspberry aromas, yeasty accents on the finish.

3. R. Winery 'Bitch' Grenache 2004, Barossa Valley, Australia--a sassy little number from our friends downunder. Luscious black cherry and plum notes, loads of spice, velvety texture and a hint of smoke on the finish.

4. Goosecross Cellars Chardonnay 2005, Napa Valley, California--you might be over Napa Chardonnay by now, but this one deserves some attention. Small production--just 1200 cases--and you dont need a knife to slice it. Grapefruit and pear aromas with a hint of vanilla. Full and complex with a crisp citrus finish.

5. Cristom 'Mt. Jefferson Cuvée' Pinot Noir 2004, Willamette Valley, Oregon--one whif of this and you might think its Red Burgundy. Elegant cherry and spice aromas with mushroom and wet earth on the finish.

6. Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2004, Central Otago, New Zealand--the name says it all. Dark plum, black currant and wild gamey aromas, rich and elegant mouthfeel with a spicy and persistent finish.

7. Camaraderie Cellars Malbec 2004, Yakima Valley, Washington--unlike its Argentine cousins, this Malbec is not an over-the-top fruit bomb. Think bright and spicy with black cherry, raspberry and a hint of cedar. Medium bodied. Great food wine.

And feel free to send over feedback on any of these suggestions once you taste them.

Drink up!