National Wine Experience Washington, DC at the Newseum

The National Wine Experience kicked off its inaugural show here in Washington, DC on Saturday evening with over 1000 guests and wines from 25 states at the Newseum.






Yours truly presided over an exciting line up of 13 wines from 6 states, including Arizona Stronghold from Arizona, Sawtooth from Idaho and Brooklyn Oenology from New York.

I did manage to sneak away from my Vino50 tasting table while the Wine Diva held down the crowds so I could have a peek around at some of the more interesting wines being featured at the event. I decided to skip the California floor (who needs more Robert Mondavi in their life?) and found myself enjoying tasty treats from Nebraska, Texas and even South Dakota! Here are some highlights:

Prairie Berry Winery, South Dakota
I had never tried any wines from South Dakota and am always skeptical of "fruit" wines but these were really interesting and fun.

La Crescent, a fruity and aromatic off-dry white wine with notes of apricot, lychee and rose petal. Very reminiscent of Gewurztraminer.

Pheasant Reserve, an interesting red blend of Washington state Cabernet Sauvignon and South Dakota chokecherries. Soft and fruity with tart cherry and bright acidity.

Red Ass Rhubarb, an interesting semi-sweet wine from rhubarb with tangy rhubarb and raspberry notes. Would be fabulous with mulling spices on a cold winter's day.

Lawrence Elk, a semi-sweet wine made from black currants. Bright and juicy with loads of black currant flavors. I could totally see this paired with a blackberry tart.

Glacial Till Vineyard & Winery, Nebraska

2009 Chambourcin, a dry red wine full of terroir. Dark fruit and forest floor aromas followed by tart plum and cherry flavors with smoke and spice on the finish. Silky smooth. What a tasty wine!

Chapel Creek Winery, Oklahoma

2009 Norton, a dark and earthy red that would make Jenni McCloud of Virginia's Chrysalis Vineyards proud.

Plum Creek Winery, Colorado

Sauvignon Blanc, warm climate style with lemongrass notes.

Riesling, slightly off-dry with lime zest and apricot notes.

Grand Mesa, a big Bordeaux blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot and Cab Franc with mouth filling texture and load of dark fruit, spice and earth.

St. Clair and DH Lescombes, New Mexico

St. Clair Zinfandel, a classic spicy and fruit-forward style with wild berry and spice notes.

DH Lescombes Cabernet Sauvignon, dark and rich with cassis, plum, graphite and smoky spice.

Thanksgiving Farm, Maryland

2007 Meritage, Merlot based blend that could perhaps fool you into believing it hails from France. Bright with dark fruit notes mixed with pepper, spice and smoke. This wine does need time to open up and from previous experience it tastes much better after a day of breathing.

Bubbles on the Potomac

TICKETS ALMOST SOLD OUT!!!!!


Rasie your glass to a night of summer fun when the Washington Area Concierge Association sets sail with its charity dinner cruise, Bubbles on the Potomac III: Vintage, Baby! Vintage!, on Sunday, August 5, 2007. Enjoy an elegant evening aboard the Odyssey III on the Potomac River featuring sparkling wine tasting, dinner buffet, dancing, live entertainment, and silent auction. All proceeds to benefit the following charities: Food & Friends, The Les Clefs d'Or Foundation and the John B. Campbell Hospitality Scholarship Fund. For more info on the event and ticket sales, visit bubblesonthepotomac.eventbrite.com.

Photos by Freddie Lieberman

Grapes with Apes at the Zoo

Raise your glass to a fun and festive wine tasting event hosted by the National Zoo next week on Friday, April 21. The first annual Grapes with Apes will feature wine sampling from Virginia and Maryland wineries and tasty snacks from area restaurants, live music, wine seminars and more.

Plus, you can see Chiefwino live as I will be there in the flesh pouring wine with my friends from Oya Restaurant and Lounge, The Henry Wine Group and The Country Vintner. I promise we will be pouring some fun wines--Washington State, Spain and even New Mexico.

Check the Friends of the National Zoo website for info on tickets!

Chiefwino...LIVE!

Yes, it's true. You can see Chiefwino live in the flesh on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at La Taspa Spanish Tapas Bar & Restaurant in Clarendon (Arlington, VA). I will be serving up the "Taste of Spring" Wine Dinner--a 7 course tapas sampling paired with Spanish wines. This is the first in a series of festive and fun wine dinners focusing on Spanish tapas and wine. We will discuss wine tasting basics, food pairing concepts and a enjoy nice selection of Spanish wines paired with the evening's cuisine.



Take a peek at the menu:

F I R S T C O U R S E
Jamon Serrano and Mixed Olives
Traditional Spanish cured Serrano ham with marinated mixed olives
Fino Tio Pepe

S E C O N D C O U R S E
Ensalada de Tomate y Queso de Cabra
Goat cheese and tomato salad with vinaigrette dressing
Valdelainos, 2004, Rueda

T H I R D C O U R S E
Gambas al Ajillo
Shrimp sautéed in olive oil, garlic, and guindilla peppers
Nora, 2004, Rias Baixas

F O U R T H C O U R S E
Filetitos de Solomillo y Esparragos
Grilled pork tenderloin with sautéed peppers and a grilled asparagus spear
1+1=3 Rose, 2004, Penedes

F I F T H C O U R S E
Buey al Jerez
Grilled, marinated flank steak with sautéed mushrooms
Fuente Espina, 2003, Ribera del Duero

S I X T H C O U R S E
Chorizo al Parrilla
Grilled spicy Spanish sausage
Beryna, 2003, Alicante

D E S S E R T
Crema Catalana
Catalan custard cream with cherries
Espumoso de Moscatel Flare

Hurry! Space is limited and seats are selling quickly!

La Tasca Spanish Tapas Bar & Restaurant
2900 Wilson Blvd--Clarendon
Arlington, Virginia
703.812.9120


Image from latascausa.com

Dégustation à la Maison Française

Yet another day in the life of Chiefwino: A wine tasting at the French Embassy organized by Wines of Alsace.

Another bright and sunny spring day in Washington--a little on the warm side--but I am not going to complain. A perfect day to sip the great wines from France's Alsace Region.

I took off with my partners in crime from the office, Kristin Harrison and Jennifer Barger, for a tasting tour through the wines of Alsace.


Yes, we really ARE working


Numerous distributors and producers set up shop for the afternoon to taste their wares for journalists, wine buyers, and the restaurant community. We tasted numerous examples of fine Alsatian wines. I was quite impressed with many of the 2003 vintage wines, which despite the extreme heat of summer 2003 in France, exhibited pure finese and racy acidity.


It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it

Nothing compares to a clean, crisp, mouthwating Riesling or Pinot Blanc on a bright, warm spring day.