Initially, I was supposed to take my Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) exam (check out my first post, “Just Start Already”). Went on vacation to South Africa and got behind in class/studies. Never caught up. I decided to postpone it. I knew I couldn’t pass without seriously studying. Was that the best decision? For me, …
Popping all the bottles…
If you have read my posts before then you know I am a fan of bubbles. At all price points! So my friends and I decided to “taste the stars” at Calvert Woodley’s Champagne and Sparkling Wine tasting. For bubbles to be called Champagne, it has to be made in the region of Champagne (France). …
Somebody wheel me out…
OmG! I’ve waited a long time to experience Maydan. It has won numerous awards (one is Bon Appetit’s No. 2 Best New Restaurant in America, 2018). People actually stand in line before it opens. Maydan means “gathering place” or “square” often in the middle of a city.” This is a perfect definition because most of …
A grown up visit to Whole Foods…
I forgot to post my visit to the new Whole Foods in DC. I’m a sucker for an enomatic machine!! You fill a card with money and you can try different wines by the glass – it’s like Dave & Busters for adults! $25 got me a lot of pours. It’s also a great way …
Gender and Natural Wine…
On Sunday I checked out a really cool, intimate conversation at Dio Wine Bar called “Where Gender and Wine Intersect” with Rachel Signer (Editor and Publisher of Pipette Magazine). There were some really important questions that were asked and answered by Rachel. I won’t get into specifics because I feel that I am not the …
A first date with Gaillac wine…
Last Monday, I was invited to attend a fabulous Gaillac wine lunch at Restaurant Chloe. There were so many grapes I was unfamiliar with – White Grapes: Loin De L’Oeil, Mauzac, Ondenc; Red Grapes: Braucol, Duras and Prunelart. Gaillac is located in the Southwest of France, “on the inner part of the Tarn River at …
Let them drink tea and then whisky…
This past weekend, my friends and I enjoyed afternoon tea at The Watergate Hotel (yes, that hotel). Traditionally served around 4 p.m., afternoon tea has been around since 1840 (started by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford). You are served different types of tea with small delicate sandwiches, scones and sweets. They bring a glass …
Bring a bottle…
This Erath Pinot Gris is a tasty, dry white wine. Clean. Citrus. Pear. Low Acidity. Great price point ($10-15). This would be a good wine to bring for Thanksgiving. (purchased at Costco)
Did I do that…
Oh no! Why did I open this wine?! It’s not “Open That Bottle Night” – where you are supposed to open that bottle you’ve been saving for a particular event (a wedding, a baby announcement or passing your WSET test). People around the world celebrate this event! (OTBN takes place on the last Saturday in …
Happy Hour makes us happy…
When you haven’t seen your friends in a really long time. Why not meet up for a Friday Happy Hour! Even if it’s only two hours. We decided to meet up at Vinoteca in DC. They have an awesome happy hour that includes $5 bubbles from the Loire Valley and other interesting $5 wine (like …
A mystery, a ticket and two stretch limos…
During the Wine Bloggers Conference on Friday night, there’s a thing called “Mystery Excursions.” You get a random, color ticket from the conference registration desk and at 5:15pm meet in the hotel lobby. The cool thing is you don’t know where you are going! Once the groups were gathered by ticket color, we were loaded …
I like Cold Dan Dan Noodles and I can not lie…
After the wine class at Maxwell DC, we went to dinner at Tiger Fork. Finally!! The fried, crispy Chili Tofu with crab was the perfect starter. The cocktail was an Old Fashioned but not your usual OF — it was made with Baijiu (a white liquor made with sorghum, wheat, rice, sticky rice and corn) …
We’re on a winding, bumpy road to somewhere…
Part two of our tour with Force Majeure takes us to the top of some serious uninhabited land in an area called North Fork. The area is named North Fork because the “North Fork of the Walla Walla River runs along the bottom of the canyon.” Since our large coach bus can’t make it up …
A prayer, a Force and dusty sneakers…
To arrive in Walla Walla from Seattle for the Wine Bloggers Conference, we decided to take a 45-minute Commuter flight on AlaskaHorizon (Bombardier Q400). I’m talking the kind of small plane that you have to walk on the tarmac to get to. The kind of plane with small, black propellers (gulp). Then upon landing (thank …
Thirsty and hungry in Seattle…
What do you do when you have a long layover in Seattle while on your way to the Wine Bloggers Conference in Walla Walla? Well, you rent a car, eat a snack at Von’s 1000Spirits, go wine tasting at SODO Urbanworks (Washington State Wine) then make your way to JuneBaby. You may be asking yourself, …