Wine For Your 20s

I'm alive, and still drinking plenty of wine.

Whoo hoo! I'm actually updating this blog! Boy, I nearly hit the one-year anniversary of NOT blogging. That's sad. 

For the three people who actually followed this blog, you were probably wondering: what the hell happened? Well, around the time of my last post, I got promoted to a director position at my job, which significantly increased my travel. I'm now on the road every month for about a week, some months even more. It's insanity, and sometimes I wake up not knowing where the hell I am (Scranton?), but I love it.

I'm getting back in gear, especially since now that I travel so much I'm actually getting loads of opportunities to drink wine all over the country. But the real reasoning behind this update was to mark a significant milestone in my 5+ years of drinking wine: I bought my first case.

This is a big deal for me. I've never bought twelve bottles of a single wine. Sure, I bought a few mixed cases here and there, but I'd freak out like any confirmed bachelor at the thought of committing to just one.

But when I visited the charming Martin Ray Winery (whose wines I've featured on this blog before) during a work trip to Sonoma County last weekend, I fell in love with their 2005 Angeline Mendocino County Riesling. Here's what Martin Ray had to say about it:

ANGELINE 2005 MENDOCINO COUNTY RIESLING is made from grapes carefully selected from Nelson Family Vineyards in Sanel Valley north of Hopland in the cool Mendocino County wine region. The Riesling fruit from this region is rich with concentrated fruit flavors and strong varietal characteristics. 

Our “dry” style Riesling is a light, crisp wine perfect for warm weather sipping and outdoor entertaining. Bright aromas of fresh peach are touched with a whisper of rose. Cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks preserves and enhances the floral aromatics of the wine. Crisp flavors of green apple and luscious peaches overflow into a light, dry finish that leaves you wanting more. 

Check out more stats: 89 points and a "Best Buy" listing from Wine Enthusiast, and Martin Ray was featured as a "Winery of the Year" from Wine & Spirits. But the best part? A case of this deliciously crisp wine is only $60. That comes out to $5 a bottle. FIVE DOLLARS. Put down that Three-Buck Chuck right now and buy this wine.

Personally, I'm happy to discover a not-at-all-sweet riesling to drink with chicken or light pasta dishes. With twelve of these bottles, I'll be drinking it again and again. In the meantime, I'll look forward to my next milestone: visiting my 100th winery. I'm at 38, so I still have a long way to go.

Better Late Than Never

Okay, so it's been over a month since my last posting. My readership has dropped from ten on a good day to about two, and that's including me; the other is probably The Boyfriend, just to make me feel better about myself.

Needless to say, I've been quite busy with both school and work, and the last thing on my mind is driving my lazy behind to the Trader Joe's in Falls Church, Virginia, to stock up on Charles Shaw. In this downturn economy, I'm in favor of something that does the job a lot faster. Like gin.

It is the intent of this blogger to get that lazy behind she was just talking about in gear and start posting on a regular basis. I've been scoping out stores for particularly cheap Pinotages and Cabernets and got some good tips for getting through those long winter nights. 

In the meantime, check out my latest wine review on The Silver Spring Penguin! 

The Weekend Update (October 17-19)

I thought we were done with summer! The past few days have been unusually warm---let's cross our fingers for some of that nice 60-degree weather with the turning of the leaves this weekend. And speaking of the weekend, check out these events:

October 17: Green and Blue Wine and Cheese Party. Okay, so maybe you don't care for---or can't afford---high-end fashion. But with a few drinks in you and 20 percent off everything in the store, perhaps buying that Cynthia Steffe dress will be worth it. 4-8pm. Green and Blue (1350 Connecticut Ave. NW) in Dupont Circle. Free. www.greenandbluestyle.com.

October 18: Wines of Southwestern France. DC's Cork Wine Bar is hot, hot, hot. And complimentary wine tastings are rare in the city. Don't miss it. Cork Wine Bar (1720 14th Street NW) in Logan Circle. Free. RSVP to info@corkdc.com. www.corkdc.com.

October 18: Awesome Wines of Australia. The staff at Corridor have put together reds and whites from the land Down Under--and it's free for shoppers. Now that'll make you say "G'day, mate." 12-6pm. Corridor Wine in Laurel, Maryland. Free. www.corridorwine.com.

October 18-19: Free Wine Tent Festival. Over 50 wines from California to Australia will be available to taste for free. You can get seriously drunk here for no money at all. In this bad economy, it could be worth it to trek out to McLean. 12-4pm. Cecile's Wine Cellar (1351 Chain Bridge Rd.) in McLean, Virginia. www.finewine.com.

Happy Birthday, Leesburg Vintner

The award-winning Leesburg Vintner wine shop, on the corner of South King and Loudoun Streets in Leesburg, Virginia, is celebrating its 20th year in business tomorrow.

According to Leesburg Today, the Vintner is one of the most diverse wine shops in the area, with most bottles from France, Italy and Spain, followed by South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. Wines from Virginia make up about ten percent of the store's entire stock, while California, Oregon, Washington, and other states account for twenty percent. The store also boasts awards for Small Business Retailer of the Year and Virginia Wine Retailer of the Year.

Even in unsettling economic times, wine sales at the Vintner are doing well:

It's been a good 20 years, and Carroll said part of his success is his strong base of regular customers. Even the bad economy and slower tourism scene have not affected him much, in part because of his regulars: "They keep me going."

"People like to drink wine even in a bad economy," Carroll said. Sure, the $50 bottles might be taking a hit, but he has no problem selling those priced between $8 and $12.

Stop by the Vintner to help celebrate its 20th birthday and get 20% off any item in the store from now until October 19. 

Leesburg Vintner, 29 South King Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 703-777-3322. Photo from www.leesburgvintner.com. 

October is Virginia Wine Month

Perhaps you are one of the three people who actually read my blog and have noticed that it's been days since my last update. Turns out I was vacationing in Northern California for a little over a week. It was like the mothership for wine lovers calling me home. Napa, Sonoma, Carneros, the Russian River Valley ... I was in heaven. 

Needless to say, I had a fantastic time and can't wait to update this blog with all the new things I learned and share some great recommendations, too. It was really, really tough finding wines under $20, but I managed to discover a couple of gems that I hope you'll enjoy.

In other news, today marks the beginning of Virginia Wine Month! That's right, all throughout the month of October, dozens of wineries in Virginia will be celebrating with special tastings and events. The New York Times published a little blurb about it, offering suggestions on what to do if you're in the area. Spend a day at a wine festival, walk through a vineyard when the grapes are ripe for picking, even go grape-stomping. Visit www.virginia.org/wine for more ideas. 

Photo from Veramar Vineyard in Berryville, Virginia

The Weekend Update (Wine Tastings Galore!)

Fall is finally here, and this weekend is THE weekend for wine tastings. You have no excuse not to try any of the great outdoor wine events happening in the greater DC area. Enjoy the turning leafs and the crisp, cool air while getting unabashedly drunk in public for less than $20.

September 19: 3rd Annual D.C. Taste for Sight. Help support retinal degenerative disease research and attend this event sponsored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness. The event location, the Cafritz Mansion in Northwest DC, has spectacular views of Glover Park, the National Cathedral, and Lincoln Memorial on all sides. $85 at the door. 7pm-10pm. 2301 Foxhall Rd. NW. www.blindness.org.

September 20: Festa Vino 2008. The event's full name is FestaVino Di San Gennaro. I'm not sure what that means exactly, but it sounds good. In addition to unlimited wine tasting featuring Italian, international, and local Virginia wines, the event will feature a parade, Italian Market with over 50 vendors, even a bocce tournament. Bocce and wine? This could be very interesting. $25 at the door; includes unlimited tastings, wine glass, and gourmet cooking demonstrations. 12pm-7pm. Reston Town Center. www.festavino2008.com.

September 20-21: Maryland Wine Festival. Why should Virginia get all the attention? Enjoy delicious reds, whites, and pinks from the state that also produced Michael Phelps. So you know they must be good. $20; includes a souvenir wine glass, unlimited wine tastings, educational seminars, and a tour of the museum. Saturday, 10am-6pm and Sunday, 12-6pm. Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster. www.marylandwine.com/mdwinefest.

September 20-21: Great Grape Festival at Tarara Winery. For those of you who haven't gotten around to visiting a real Virginia winery, don't miss this great event. You can even channel your inner Lucy Ricardo and participate in the grape-stomping competition. Come on, you know you want try it. $15. Saturday, 11am-6pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. Tarara Winery in Leesburg. www.tarara.com.

September 21: 2nd Annual Vintage Crystal: A Taste of Wine and Jazz. Area restaurants like Jaleo, Bebo Trattoria, and Portofino will be serving up gourmet food and wine with music provided by the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. 2pm-6pm. 2200 Crystal City Drive in Arlington (Metro: Crystal City). $20; includes wine glass and food and wine tastings. www.crystalcity.org.

The Weekend Update (September 12-14)

Some exciting wine events are happening this weekend and early next week! For the outdoor ones, let's cross our fingers for sunny skies and and a cool fall breeze. 

September 13: Penn Quarter Arts on Foot Festival. Cruise down the streets of the happenin' Penn Quarter neighborhood of DC while taking in a variety of ceramics, photographs, paintings, and crafts on display. In addition, the courtyard at the Hotel Monaco will be turned into a wine sampling venue hosted by World Market. Festival is free; wine tasting is $7. 11am-5pm with wine seminars from 12pm-4:30pm. Festival takes place at 7th and F Streets, NW; Hotel Monaco is located at 700 F Street NW. www.artsonfoot.org.

September 13: Italian Wine Tasting at CORK. Grappoli Imports and Cork Wine Bar staff will be pouring Northern Italian whites and rich reds from Piedmont, Umbria, and Abruzzo, plus a few sweet wines in the mix. Free. 3pm-5pm. RSVP at info@corkdc.com. 

September 14: Australian Wine Tasting. Food Matters in Alexandria will host a food pairing and wine tasting that features great full-bodied reds from Australia. $20. 3pm-6pm. Call 703-461-3663 to reserve. www.foodmattersva.com. 

September 17: KidsPeace 3rd Annual Wine Tasting. KidsPeace helps kids in crisis by providing hospital, residential, and educational services to children and adolescents. Support a great cause while tasting delicious wine. 6pm-9pm. Corridor Wines and Spirits in Laurel. Free. www.corridorwine.com or www.kidspeace.org. 

Travel: Thanksgiving in Buenos Aires and Mendoza Wine Country

If I didn't have to visit my family in Virginia Beach (and had $1,629 to blow) this Thanksgiving, you know I'd be down there in a heartbeat. If you're one of the lucky ones with boatloads of money and laid-back parentals, think about taking advantage of this great deal from Gate 1 Travel and jet set off to Argentina for eight days of food, fun, and wine this November. 

You'll have three days to enjoy the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, where they will be filled with tango dancing, walking the streets of San Telmo, and thick Argentinian steaks for cheap. Then it's off to Mendoza, the Napa Valley of Argentina. Spend your days drinking the best Malbecs in the world, while I cry in my old bedroom drinking the only wine my dad will make available during Thanksgiving dinner---Riunite Lambrusco. Bleh. 

$599 land only, $1,629 with airfare. www.gate1travel.com. 

Review: Courtney Benham Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2006

Call me a wine snob, but I shudder every time I think of Zinfandel. White Zinfandel is that dirt-cheap, Boone's Farm or Sutter Home wines you pick up at the seedy 7-Eleven down the street, where bullet-proof glass windows protect the cashier and the counter stocks half-open Snickers bars or bags of pork rinds.

I know it's a stereotype, so I decided I needed to be a little more open minded about this grape varietal, popular in both California and Italy. I might not be a fan of white Zinfandel, but I've never tried the red version. Could they be completely different from each other?

At Corridor, I picked the first under-$20 red zinfandel I saw: a 2005 Courtney Benham Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley ($17.99). Courtney Benham is the mastermind vintner behind the Martin Ray brand. Considering the thumbs-up rating I gave to a Martin Ray Pinot Noir just recently, I was optimistic about my selection.

For dinner that evening, The Boyfriend fired up the grill and made a delicious beef steak with steamed broccoli, while I poured a full glass---the wine was the deepest red I'd ever seen---and took a sip.

"Holy cow," I said. "I think I just drank ... tar." I paused for a moment. "Delicious, wine-flavored tar."

The Boyfriend, throughly confused, tasted from his own glass. "I know exactly what you mean," he replied.

Never having tried red Zinfandel before, I didn't expect it to be as full-bodied as a cabernet sauvignon. This is not a light red. It's big and bold---we're talking best with steak, steak, and more steak. I never thought I'd use the word "chewy" to describe this wine, but the description fits perfectly. It was that thick.

I tried my best to distinguish any fruit flavors--cherries and plums, perhaps, and maybe a hint of vanilla?---but the wine was so dark and earthy, I just sat back and enjoyed it. Red Zinfandel is nothing like white Zinfandel---you can't distinguish anything remotely close to sweet or sugary tastes.

I was barely finished with my first glass when I started to feel ... drunk. Very drunk. How fast could one glass affect me? And before I could blame it on my "handful of almonds and Diet Coke" lunch that day, The Boyfriend felt it, too. By the time the bottle was finished, I was sprawled on my living room floor, vowing never to drink Zinfandel again.

Let me know if you have a similar experience. If Zinfandel is the wine world's version of moonshine, then we're all in big trouble.

The Labor Day Weekend Update (August 29-September 1)

Ah, Labor Day weekend. For many of us, it's our last chance for summer barbecues, mini-trips to Rehoboth Beach, and white jeans. Summer, we'll sure miss you.

As you say your final farewell to long hot summer nights, make wine a part of your extended three-day weekend and check out the events below:

August 30: California Dreamin' Wine Tasting. Great theme, eh? Maybe I'm biased, being born in San Diego and all (go Chargers!), but I believe that California makes the best wine in the world. Period. Try a range of cool West Coast chardonnays, merlots, and zinfandels from Muirwood, Dominican Oaks, Sobon and more. Corridor Wine and Spirits in Laurel. 12-6pm. Free. www.corridorwine.com.

September 1: 20th Annual Jazz and Wine Festival. Check out nationally and regionally known jazz musicians while tasting wines from ten Virginia wineries. The Town Green in historic downtown Herndon (777 Lynn St.). 12-6pm. $5-15. Visit the festival's website here.

September 1: Toast to the Teachers. School is almost here. And if I were a teacher, I know I'd stock up on plenty of wine to wind down after a long day of Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic. You lucky educators get free wine tastings today, plus a ten percent discount on wine purchases. That should get you through the semester. Gadino Cellars in Washington, Virginia. 11:30am-5pm. Free. www.gadinocellars.com. 

Store Review: Manhattan's 67 Wine and Spirits

Nearing the end of another great weekend in the Big Apple, I had yet to visit a wine bar or shop and had just thirty minutes to catch a 1:15p Megabus ride back to Washington. Luckily, The Boyfriend came along on this particular trip (he enjoyed sightseeing with friends while I discussed liberation theology in world religions---whoo-hoo!) and discovered a wine shop just a few blocks from our hotel. After a quick goodbye to my classmates, we hurried to 67th and Columbus on the Upper West Side to visit 67 Wine, consistently rated one of the best wine shops in all of New York.

Large and cavernous (a true luxury for any shop in Manhattan), one could spend hours perusing 67 Wine's vast selection that includes everything from French Bordeaux to California "cult" wines. The wines are organized simply with whites on the first floor and reds on the second, with everything from wine bibles to glass decanters in between.

Considering the fancy-pants store interior, I was doubtful I'd find anything for a cheap wino like me, but I was thrilled to pass rows of wines with prices in the very affordable $15-$20 range. But did they have one from New York on my under-$20 budget?

The store's wine expert, who asked me to call him "Michael Number Two," directed me to their disappointingly small New York selection. I mentioned my wine preferences (dry whites, light yet fruity reds), and Michael #2 responded enthusiastically with two recommendations: a red table wine from Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard (made mostly of cabernet franc) and a chardonnay from Macari; both vineyards are nested in the North Fork region of Long Island. And luckily, each bottle was just $15.99.

A future entry will put both of these wines to the test. In the meantime, on your next trip to New York, stop by this great neighborhood wine shop and add a special New York wine to your collection. (Collect one from all 50 states and maybe you'll win a prize.)