Holy Celestial Celebration: It’s Soup Season

September 23, 2009

I begrudgingly conceded to the autumnal equinox with a big bowl of shallot and onion soup at Brasserie Beck. One needs comfort food when faced with the end of summer…when we say goodbye to long days and hello to dead leaves, when we pack away our gelato spoons and bring on the braise. As the [...]

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Pillar Box wines (not to be confused with Pillar box wines)

September 16, 2009

If you don’t know, a Pillar Box is the UK’s red cylindrical repository for outgoing mail designed by J. W. Penfold. I hesitate to make this easy by calling it a “mail box”, because it’s not a box at all. And when I say that I drank Pillar Box wines last night, I also find [...]

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Beet [sic] the Heat

August 26, 2009

I’ve barely got one blog down and already suppressing the idea for another. Julie had Julia (who hated her), but I have Kevin and John (who like me, apparently). No, they aren’t chefs, but they are neighbors who dutifully, thoughtfully and now it seems, regularly, bring me their left-over garden produce. It began with a [...]

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When is it wise to drink wine?

August 20, 2009

Always. When you’re drinking a wine called “Wisdom” silly.
A few of you have sent notes looking for red wine so I thought I would share this Zinfandel offer from Dendor Patton. Here’s what I liked right off the bat: free shipping if you buy 6 or more bottles (and only $15 shipping if you buy [...]

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Glugfest ‘09

August 7, 2009

//

So much for me making fun of the industry’s absurd eno-neologism. I’m officially co-opting GLUG with the enthused approval of 38 winos who were introduced to the recession-vanquishing 4 ounce pour. More than a taste, less than a glass — it’s a glug.
On Tuesday — with genuflecting gratitude to Cafe Soleil — a crowded [...]

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Upcoming Wine Tasting…Confirmed!

July 29, 2009

When

Tuesday, August 4 from 5:30 to 8 pm

Where

Café Soleil, 839 17th Street, NW (@ Eye Street); Farragut West Metro Station

What

Five delicious French wines (see below for details) sure to get you through the end of summer (plus nibblies)

Cost

For $20 you get six 4 oz pours of three wonderful French wines (a Cheverny, Muscadet and Rose) [...]

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Tasting Notes

July 29, 2009

2008 Domaine de Fontsainte Gris de Gris
From Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar: “Light, bright pink. Honeysuckle, green tea, cranberry and strawberry on the nose. Juicy, finely etched red berry and citrus flavors are gently sweet and given spine by nervy minerality. Richer on the finish, which repeats the strawberry and floral notes and leaves dusty [...]

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Upcoming Wine Tasting…Confirmed!

July 29, 2009

When

Tuesday, August 4 from 5:30 to 8 pm

Where

Café Soleil, 839 17th Street, NW (@ Eye Street); Farragut West Metro Station

What

Five delicious French wines (see below for details) sure to get you through the end of summer (plus nibblies)

Cost

$20 for 3 (whites/rose) or $25 for two additional reds (Corbieres, Bandol)

RSVP

Please, please, please — tasting is limited [...]

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Our first contest! Step “write” up…

July 17, 2009

To those who balked at screw caps, you’re in deep trouble. Yesterday’s KLWM blog (“Inspiring Thirst“) came with a question from the man himself: “would you buy a beautiful Vermentino [from Corsica]…similar to “E Prove Blanc” but in a five-liter box?” Kermit’s drinking inside the box.
According to Steve Kolpan on Wine, Professor and Chair of [...]

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Perennial Quaffers

July 14, 2009

In the umbra of Umbrian wines stacked to the ceiling (or any other time you’re faced with way too many choices from your favorite region or varietal), just before you surrender your dignity to the pretty label, turn the bottle around and look for the name Kermit Lynch, Robert Chadderdon, Robert Haas, Terry Theise or [...]

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