Valminor Rias Baixas, 2007

Yet another very well crafted Spanish white from Rias Baixas.  I liked it a lot, very aromatic with floral nose and a palate of citrus, quince and apple.  Lovely wine.  Below is story on Rias Baixas wines I found on the web.  $14.99 at Whole Foods, Arlington.

Rias Baixas and Albariño

In the far northwest corner of Spain, the Rias Baixas (low rivers) is located in lush, verdant Galicia. Snuggled just above Portugal, Galicia has more in common with Scotland than Spain, and indeed forms what is known as the “Celtic Triangle” with Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Brittany.. It is an exceptionally beautiful wine region, also making some of the best white wines at the moment. The star wines from Rias Baixas are made with the Albariño grape. Albariño is likened to both Riesling and Viognier, Riesling for its minerally character and Viognier for its bouquet of peaches and apricots. Many wine experts, including the legendary Miguel Torres, believe that Albariño is actually the Riesling grape and that the vines were brought over by medieval German monks who were establishing monasteries on the Camino de Santiago ( Saint James Way). The regulatory council in Rias Baixas disagree and believe that the Albariño grape is indigenous to the area.

While the experts can’t seem to agree on the origin of Albariño, they definitely agree that it is Spain ’s most elegant white grape. The Rias Baixas appellation is comprised of three wine production areas: the Val do Salnès (north of Pontevedra), O Rosal Condado do Tea (which translates colourfully as “Torch Country”). Albariños are fairly low in alcohol, are quite floral and very delicate. They are considered to be some of the most sophisticated wines from Spain.

Isole e Olena Wines

Paulo de Marchi of Isole e Olena Winery from Tuscany happened to be in DC on Friday presenting his wines at Arrowine in Arlington.  I was fortunate enough to get to the tasting.  All the wines were outstanding.  They do not come cheap yet you are paying for exceptional quality.  I have tasted  an 2006 Estate Chardonnay, 2006 Chianti, 2006 Syrah, 2005 High End 100% Sangiovese called Caparello and a Nebiolo based wine from the Winery's satellite vineyard in Piedmont.   I am not sure that I would buy $41 Chardonnay yet this is mostly because  I am not a fun of full body, Chardonnay based Whites.  Chianti is excellent.  It is markedly softer comparatively to a traditional style Chianti so purists do not need to apply.  That one will set you back around $25.  Caparello is a superb Sangiovese.  It needs to be cellered for a few years.  It'll get better yet.  This one is $74.  Syrah is interesting and rather unique in flavors.  It taste like a mid-point between Old and New World Syrah: softer than Northern Rhone, less concentrated than Southern Rhone yet way less fruity than Australian Shiraz.  Peidmont Nebiolo tasted exactly as Piedmont Nebiolo is supposed to taste.  I liked it but, yet again, it'll get better with age.  I do not think it is quite ready to drink.  All in all, it is a great producer.  All the wines are well worth trying.

Barone the Brane, Margaux 2003

A different vintage of a wine that I reviewed last week; still underwhelmed.  Ah well, sometime it is o'k to have something unassuming to accompany your Coq au Vin...Although this one is too expensive to be as unassuming as it is.  Not sure this one is still on the market.

Movia Rose Brut

We have tasted this sparkler at the Proof Wine Bar.  The wine is made by Ales Kristancic of Movia Winery , a proud member a growing cohort of the wine producing certifiable nutcases.  It, however, must be said that the guy is making truly unique wines of exceptional quality.  This sparkling wine is crafted from Pinot Nero, a Pinot Noir with an Italian bent using a Methode Traditionelle, the same method that is used for Champagne production.  There is, however, a significant difference+ the wine is not disgorged.  It, therefore, is staying in contact with yeast (sur lie) all the way up to a moment of its opening.  Because of that, the wine has to be opened up side down under water that provides for an additional amusement for whoever is watching and a moment of sheer terror for whoever is in charge of opening....

The wine has unique, very complex flavor profile.  It is definitely a full body.  It does remind me both a Rose Champaigne and sparkling wines from Southern France,  It does have that apple cider flavor typical for Cremant de Limoux.  For those who want to get a general idea about the flavors (very general though) and do not want to spend $85 dollars at Proof, you may try .Domaine de Martinolles, Cremant de Limoux.that I reviewed about a week ago.

Le Baron de Brane, Margaux 2000

This is a second wine of Brane-Cantenac which is a Deuxieme Cru according to the 1855 Bordeaux Classification..  All in all it is a descent wine yet, somehow, I find it underwhelming. The wine lacks depth and complexity that one would expect from a producer of this caliber.  Fruit is pretty much gone with an exception of some faint blackberry notes.  The nose of leather and tobacco and the palate of, yet again, leather, tobacco and blackberry.  Not sure you can still get it...

Domaine Manoir du Carra Beaujolais Villages 2007

I came across this unfiltered $11 Beaujolais Villages at the Arlington Whole Foods.  I was intrigued, so I got a bottle....Well, don't do it.  You may find a much better use for your $11 bucks.  This is not to say that this is a particularly bad wine.  It is not.  It is just completely uninteresting. I have literally nothing to say about it except that it is rather light, fruity red that is somewhat unbalanced.  I think I just saved you all $11 dollars....

Domaine de Martinolles, Cremant de Limoux - more on LImoux sparklers

Here goes my 2nd post on Limoux  sparkling wines.  To the best of my understanding this Creamant is a blend of Mauzac, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Clairet with Mauzac being a major contributor.  It is a Rose. Naturally, it has more body and complexity comparatively to the white Blanquette that  I reviewed few days ago.  It has a fuller, rounder taste. I would still mention apple and herbs as major characteristics.  The wine goes very well with spicy Asian fare
For more info on Limoux wines, go to: Languedoc website.  I enjoyed the wine; $14.99 at the Whole Foods, Arlington.

Le Berceau, Blanquette de Limoux

I tasted my first Blanquette while dining at Cork (see earlier post).  I found it interesting enough to look for more....  Next day I went to the Whole Foods and got whatever they had.  They had a basic blanquette so I thought I start there..  It is a descent basic sparkler. This one is a blend of Mauzac (that is also sometimes called Blanquette) 90% with the remainder being evenly split between Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.  Clairette is yet another grape that sometime goes into the mix... This particular wine is made using Methode Tradiotionelle.

There are, however, Blanquettes made using Methode Ancestrale.  Those are made solely from Mauzac.  For slightly weird people who care about those things, I can't help to mention that these wines are traditionally bottled on a full Moon in March.,,,  Long live biodynamics...

This Blanquette has a light, fruity flavour, reminiscent of green apples and cider. As a general rule, the smaller the bubbles the better the sparking wine.  Well, I am looking at the bubbles, they seem small enough...

Limoux is situated on the D118 in the heart of Cathar country. 25 km south of Carcassonne, along the upper valley of the River Aude between the Chalabra plateau to the west and that of Lacamp to the east, stretching towards the foothills of the Pyrenees. If you didn't have a chance of being there you should, this is truly a beautiful place.  Besides

Cathar is rich in history being home to one of the earliest religious uprisings against the power of Rome.  Besides, it recently became home for a new wave of Michelin rated restaurants.

For more info on Limoux wines go to: Languedoc and navigate to Blanquette...All in all, it is worh a try although this is far from the most interesting Blanquettes available; $11.99 at Whole Foods, Arlington.

Eden Center Eateries

For those who never had a chance to make it there, Eden Center located off Wilson Blvd near Seven Corners intersection looks like a little piece of Vietnam transferred to VA.  A friend of mine made me come there for a dinner and I will always be grateful for an introduction.  For those who like Vietnamese cuisine, it is as original as it gets on this side of  the Pacific.  Besides, it has two component I do appreciate: high quality cooking and dirt cheap pricing...Given that restaurant menus include over 100 dishes, I figure I just pick something to talk about.  Here comes Vietnamese take on fusion.  In the first half of the 20th century, French have spent quite a bit of time in Indochina.  Although not all things French were particularly appreciated in Vietnam, crepe and baguette were...So here comes Vietnamese take on crepe and baguette sandwiches.  Both things are great.  I have started with Huong Viet Restaurant that has couple of crepe entries that are definitely worth trying and followed with a little hole in the wall making wonderful baguette sandwiches.Given crepe, it is not your typical crepe sucre neither it is galette de sarrasin.  Yet again you wouldn't consider covering your gallete with fish souse would you?  It is just different yet still great   On the other hand, baguette tastes and looks exactly like one you can grab from a street stand in Paris yet the filling is unmistakingly Asian.  It works great.  All that is left to do is figuring out a good wine pairing!

Proof Wine Bar

Yet another DC Wine Bar that is definitely worth a visit.  Proof has an extensive and interesting wine list, especially by the bottle.  Price-wise, the wine selection covers an entire spectrum.  You can find interesting wines in $25-35 dollars range yet, if you fell like spending $15,000, you can do it just as well.  Proof has a very competent wine service.  Cuisine stands up to a wine list.  They do know how to cook....

I haven't try an espresso out a fear of being disappointed after having a truly nice dinner experience.  I, therefore, will give them a benefit of the doubt!  Whoever tried an espresso over there, please chime in!

Cotes du Jura, 2005

Chardonnay based wine coming from the Jura Region (South from Bourgogne)  This is a well made wine.  I bit too much body for my taste yet this is what is to be expected from the region.  Caramel nose with interesting sherry palate.  It almost feels like you are drinking sherry yet it is completely dry and has lightness and acidity of a well balanced white wine.  I am not sure you can easily find this one.  I got it at Arrowine (Arlington) for $25.

Domaine Guindon, Muscadet, 2007 - Food Pairing

I have already reviewed this wine so for that, look for an original post.  I, however, would like to share a food pairing that just was too good not to share...It is just so happened that I have a Zagat rated Peruvian chicken Rotisserie right next to my house.  In fact, that place is famous enough for Tony Burdain of No Reservations fame to include it into his program about food around Washington DC region.  In short, the place has the best roasted chicken I ever had in my life....But, back to the wine.  The other day, while walking past this hole in the wall, I decided to get some chicken for for lunch.  Naturally, good lunch just won't be complete without a glass of wine to go with a nice chicken.  Few days prior to that, I was listening to a wine podcast by In Vino BFM that is a really great wine program by an Economics themed Radio BFM from Marseilles. Those guys were talking about Brillat's - Savarin inspired unusual food pairing like Sauternes with oysters...Well, I decided to try Peruvian style roasted chicken with Muscadet...Guys, this is good, I mean really good...Citrus in wine plays perfectly with spices in the chicken rub and get the fries!  Screw healthy diet for a little while, it is worth it.  I wouldn't advocate to do in every day, but, yet again, it'll motivate you to get to that yoga class you need to go to regardless...