Andrew Stover of OYA and SEI recommends trying Michigan wines.
Oenophiles are always seeking the best, new thing in a glass, and if it’s reasonably priced – even better. If holiday revelry left you with an empty wine fridge and a thin wallet, here are some tips from the top wine professionals across the region for bottles under $20 and glasses under $10 to try in 2011.
Strawberries, a Virginia Steal and Argentinean Whites
Juliana Santos, the wine director for all Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s eateries including Alexandria’s Vermilion, suggests the herbaceous 2008 Domaine Leon Boesch Pinot Blanc from Alsace for $9 per glass, which unlike many similar wines made from the grape in the French region, has just a touch of residual sugar. The winery also uses organically grown grapes and follows bio-dynamic practices, so you can feel good about pairing it with late winter and spring menu favorites.
Vinoteca GM Morgan Fancer lists a cool Torrontes, the national white of Argentina, among her up-and-coming favorites. The 2009 La Linda, which evokes Viognier with its floral aromas but drinks crisper, is available for $8 a glass at the restaurant. Alex Papajohn, organizer of the Virginia Wine Expo and National Wine Experience, suggested Barboursville Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve 2009 as a steal at $15 per bottle at the Virginia estate, or a bit higher at local wine retailers. The rich and complex white is aged in French and American oak, and can be put in the glass today, or remain in the bottle for a few more years.
Keeping an Eye on Carménère
Open City’s Heather Kendrick says Carménère is the red to watch in 2011. “It’s going to be the Malbec of 2011,” she announced. The variety is grown primarily in Chile and typically used for blending, but when bottled as a straight varietal is best enjoyed young and presents a fruity, spicy mouthful. Open City offers Armador Carmenere 2008 on its extensive by the glass list for $8.50. Volt Beverage Director Joshua Goldman says areas of Spain such as Toro may not be as well known as Rioja or Ribera del Duero, but they also produce amazing and affordable tempranillos, such as the 2008 Bodega Ramon Ramos “Monte Toro” which the Maryland restaurant offers for $10 per glass.
Seeking more reds? Andrew Stover, wine consultant and chief sommelier at SEI and OYA in DC, suggests exploring a new domestic region, such as Michigan, where most of the vineyards lie along the 45th parallel — the same as Oregon, Champagne and Burgundy. Stover’s own blend, SHINDIG Red, is made with Pinot Noir, Marechal Foch de Chaunac and Syrah and can be found at Whole Foods Arlington, Cleveland Park Wines and District Liquors for less than $20 per bottle. NRG’s Santos suggests the fragrant 2007 Cavalotto “Bricco Boschis” Freisa Langhe from Piedmont. “This is a fun single vineyard wine from a great Barolo producer. It smells like strawberries with cracked black pepper, and goes great with charcuterie,” Santos added.
A Bubbly Special
Screwtop Wine Bar owner Wendy Buckley offered up a trio of her favorite inexpensive sparkling wines: Bailly-Lapierre Crémant de Bourgogne Chardonnay, with its toast and almond notes and a long, lemony finish is available at the Arlington store for $20 bottle; a sweet Moscato D’Asti, priced around $17, is packed with bubbles and great for weekend brunches; and the deep red, off-dry sparkling Gamay, Made By G, Domaine des Nugues. Buckley describes this unique wine as a “great conversation starter” and is offering it at a discounted price of $19.99 per bottle for On Tap readers — normally it’s around $22.
Everyone Loves Gruet
Several of the wine professionals I spoke to, including Melissa Horst, Beverage Director at The Majestic in Alexandria, suggested sparkling wines from Gruet in Albuquerque, N.M. Gruet was named the United States Wine Producer of the Year in 2010 by the International Wine and Spirits Competition and produces nine different vintage and non-vintage sparklers in a state that likely doesn’t come to mind when you consider American wine. Gruet bubbly is produced with grapes from vineyards that are among the highest in the country, following Methode Champenoise guidelines. Curious? You can sample the light-bodied NV Demi-Sec at U Street’s Vinoteca Wine Bar for $10 per glass and the salmon-hued Blanc de Noirs Brut NV at SEI in Penn Quarter, also for $10 per glass.
Where to Find the Wines:
Barboursville Vineyards: 17655 Winery Rd.; Barboursville, VA; 540-832-3824: www.barboursvillewine.net.
Open City: 2331 Calvert St. NW, DC; 202-332-2331; www.opencitydc.com.
Screwtop Wine Bar: 1025 N. Fillmore St.; Arlington, VA; 703-888-0845; www.screwtopwinebar.com.
SEI Restaurant & Lounge: 444 7th St. NW, DC; 202-783-7007; www.seirestaurant.com
Variant Events: 804-349-6909 or www.variantevents.com.
Vermilion Restaurant: 1120 King St.; Alexandria, VA; 703-684-9669; www.vermilionrestaurant.com.
Vinoteca Wine Bar & Bistro: 1940 11th St. NW, DC; 202-332-9463; www.vinotecadc.com.
Volt: 228 North Market St.; Frederick, MD; 301-696-8658; www.voltrestaurant.com.
