What a sad but happy time Friday night. Sad because someone in the DMVTravelCrew is moving away. Happy because we were able to spend time together before she leaves. What better way to celebrate her than with New York Champagne Week, Fried Chicken from Marcus Samuelsson and Rita Jammet’s La Caravelle Champagne! As I said …
Before last week’s Golden Wines of Bordeaux class, I definitely would not have thought outside the box when it came to pairing sweet wines with food. However, Yannick Benjamin said try something different. So I did. I ordered a medium heat Chicken Breast Wrap from Nando Peri Peri — a mix of crunchy vegetables, sweet …
Okay, I’ll be honest I was going to keep these Maker Wine cans for myself. But decided it would be really great to share with friends. I love that the box came with notecards that listed the stories of each winemaker. Their stories are also on the back of each can. So we were able …
Pinot Noir can be a difficult grape to grow and work with but Shalini Sekhar does it with finesse. She has crafted a few for Waits-Mast Family Cellars. Waits-Mast, owned by Jennifer Waits and Brian Mast, is a small-lot boutique winery in California that produces 50 to 100 case lots each year and others are …
I’m so excited! My first story is up on @thevintnerproject! I featured Ottavino Wines Rockstar Winemaker, Shalini Sekhar. Please read and share her amazing story! Cheers!
On a whim, I decided to stop by the incredibly busy, Black-owned, Spice Suite in Washington, DC. To my surprise there wasn’t the usual line outside the door and down the block. I was able to go in and browse with only a few people in line (lucky me!). The owner, Angel, is normally in …
Another weekend that felt a little “normal.” I went with @atastyjourney to our “Cheers,” Maxwell Park (que the Cheers theme song!). At their Navy Yard location they have a pairing menu called Russell Island (it’s a Fishing Island in MI). You select a number from the menu and you get a small bite paired with …
I have to be honest and say the label caught my eye. But after a little research, I realized there was more to this wine than the label. Longavi Wines is a collaboration between Chilean producer Julio Bouchon and South African winemaker David Nieuwoudt. So it’s more than just a cute label. Made using native …
SCFTW (Screw Cap For The Win)! This Chardonnay by House of Brown is part of the Brown Estate family – Napa’s first Black owned estate winery (their Zinfandel is fire!). It’s a little hard to find but keep searching. It’s totally worth it! HOB’s motto is “Come one, come all.” That’s definitely the vibe we …
Some think that Champagne should be popped or pfft (ha!) for only special occasions. Well, it shouldn’t be. I decided to open my little Thiénot to enjoy with a Jamaican curry veggie patty (not pictured). And why not open my little Gaston Chiquet to go with some curry chicken from Negril Jamaican Eatery. Yes! Why …
Sometimes you need to open a tasty Champagne just because. Well I decided to open this AR Lenoble Brut Nature to celebrate the life and incredible legacy of Chadwick Boseman. I am just heartbroken and sad. He is definitely gone too soon. Hey. Do something great for yourself today, okay.
A Champagne tasting with St Anselm Beverage Director, Vanessa Cominsky & Wine Writer, Educator and founder of Black Wine Professionals, Julia Coney. I picked up my bubbles and some snacks from St Anselm the day of the tasting. To be honest, I wasn’t sure how the bubbles were going to transfer from the restaurant to …
I normally don’t celebrate wine holidays but yesterday was Pinot Noir Day! Well I couldn’t pass that up! I decided to Coravin a little of this hand harvested 2018 Pinot Noir from Oceano Owner/Vintner Rachel Martin (Marbue Marke is the Winemaker). It’s bright, earthy, cherry, strawberry with a hint of vanilla. I made a little …
A little tasting and education on Saturday with Winemaker Matt Taylor and Master Somm Carlton McCoy. The tasting featured Matt’s sold out, hard to find label Chamboulé. These wines are 100% whole cluster and made with very little sulfur. Carlton walked us through a tasting of Matt’s 3 Cabernets. 1. 2015 Chamboulé Cabernet Sauvignon Constant …
Last night was another educational and fun tasting with Erik Segelbaum, Smithsonian Associates and SommStock. This tasting took us on a journey of Burgundy. I realized I am officially on the white wine train. I enjoyed the Chablis and Mersault (bottles 1 & 2 respectively). I also loved that Erik gave us an easy way …
