Heart’s Delight Hot Lot: Big Bottles!

Posted by | Posted in Wine Events | Posted on 04-27-2012

As we mentioned last week, we are posting some of our favorite auction lots that are available for bidding, live or by absentee bid, from the Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting & Auction taking place May 2-5 in Washington, DC. More information on attending and bidding can be found in the original post.

Jeroboam. Rehoboam. Nebuchadnezzar. Salmanazar. Balthazar.

Old Testament Kings? Well, yes. But also some of the commonly-used (but non-standard) names for large format wine bottles, although no one seems to know who gave them such regal titles.

Big bottles captivate the attention of wine lovers for a variety of reasons. They are rare, as most producers do not go through the additional trouble required to bottle wine in such huge vessels; therefore, the scarcity increases the value of a large format bottle well above the sum of the values of the equivalent number of bottles it holds. Also, wine ages better in a big bottle, because the ratio of air to liquid is lower. Finally, they just look so damn cool. No one can deny that it is impressive to wheel out a huge bottle at a special celebration, not to mention the presentation of the bottle, full or empty, in one’s cellar.

This year, Heart’s Delight is auctioning off a number of large format bottles, but two in particular stand out. Read the rest of this entry »

Heart’s Delight Hot Lot: Eat with the Emperor of Wine

Posted by | Posted in Wine Events | Posted on 04-25-2012

As we mentioned last week, we are posting some of our favorite auction lots that are available for bidding, live or by absentee bid, from the Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting & Auction taking place May 2-5 in Washington, DC. More information on attending and bidding can be found in the original post.

He’s been called the Emperor of Wine. The Million-Dollar NoseThe Great and Powerful ShnozThe Man with the Paragon Palate. His influence on the world of wine is unmatched. He is, quite simply, the “world’s foremost wine guru.”

His name is Robert M. Parker, Jr. And he wants to have dinner with you.

Lot #15 during the live auction portion of the Vintner’s Dinner on Friday, May 4, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dine with Robert Parker, nine of your friends, sixteen(!) of Mr. Parker’s own wines, and a tasting menu from a James Beard award finalist.

The venue will be Charleston Restaurant in Baltimore, MD. Helmed by Chef Cindy Wolf, Charleston is the best restaurant in town, and it happens to be Mr. Parker’s favorite. He eats there all the time!  Here are just some of the things he’s said about it:

And the wines. Oh, the wines! No one knows exactly just what he will be popping from his legendary cellar, but at past charity dinners he has hosted, the wines have included First Growth Bordeaux, Grand Cru Burgundy, Cult California wines, Super Tuscans and more. Needless to say, you won’t be disappointed. Read the rest of this entry »

Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting & Auction: A Must for Wine Lovers!

Posted by | Posted in Wine Events | Posted on 04-19-2012

Heart's Delight Wine Tasting & AuctionWhat if I told you there was an event that lasts four days, features tastings of ultra-premium wines, including First Growth Bordeaux and Cult California Cabernet, dinners crafted by celebrity chefs and James Beard award winners, and incomparable seminars and receptions?

What if I told you that the event also includes live and silent auctions, where you have the chance to win luxurious wine vacations to France, Australia, South America and other wine regions, rare and exceptional wine in large formats and case quantities, and other unique items and experiences?

And what if I told you that the event has raised over $10 million for the American Heart Association over the last 12 years, helping to support research into the number one cause of death in the United States?

You would want to get involved. Admit it.

Well, you can. And it’s easy. The 13th Annual Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting & Auction is taking place May 2-5, 2012 in Washington, DC. There are two ways for a wine lover to get involved in this great event: (1) attend the festivities, and (2) bid on auction lots!

To attend one of the fantastic Heart’s Delight experiences, just pick which day you wish to attend and purchase a ticket:

Wednesday is the United States of Wine celebration, with a wine tasting with owners and winemakers and a live auction featuring large format bottles direct from the winery. The reception will be followed by a BYO-style Collectors Dinner in the company of the participating winemakers.

Thursday is a series of intimate wine dinners with an international flair in homes, restaurants and Embassies with a host, chef and winemaker at each.

Friday is a black tie Vintner’s Dinner featuring the wines of Château Mouton Rothschild presented by Philippe Dhalluin. The evening will also include a live auction, and the whole evening will be presided over by Jamie Ritchie of Sotheby’s.

Saturday is the big one. It includes a formal seated tasting of Bordeaux wines from the famed 2009 vintage – including several 100-point wines – as well as older vintages, presented by representatives of the chateaux in attendance. There also will be cooking classes and seminars. The evening continues with the showcase tasting reception with a silent and live auction, celebrity chef stations, wine tasting stations, and Vegas-style entertainment and games. It all concludes with a VIP after party!

Don’t live in, or can’t get to, Washington, DC? That’s okay! You can still bid on any of the great auction lots by completing an absentee bidder registration form. Check out all of the amazing items up for bidding at the links below, and if you see one (or more!) that you must have, get your form in to Heart’s Delight!Friday Night Vintner's Dinner

Wednesday Silent Auction
Wednesday Live Auction
Friday Silent Auction
Friday Live Auction
Saturday Silent Auction
Saturday Live Auction

Between now and the start of the event on May 2nd, Terroirist will be highlighting some of the more unique and exciting auction lots with reminders on how you can bid. For now, get your tickets and make plans to attend, or start browsing the catalogs and submit your registration forms! Heart’s Delight is an amazing organization for a tremendous cause. I am proud to be a committee member, and everyone here at Terroirist is proud to support the event!

Free Tickets! Oregon’s North Willamette Wine Trail Weekend

Posted by | Posted in Wine Events | Posted on 03-21-2012

Alfredo Apolloni, Winemaker and Proprietor of Apolloni Vineyards doing a blending demonstration.

It’s no secret that everyone at Terroirist is a big fan of Oregon wines.

The photo that serves as the header to the site (and our Facebook page) was taken at the Wine Country Farm in Dayton. In a recent wine column, I wrote about the “charm” of Oregon’s wines. And we’ve featured a number of Oregon winemakers in our interview series — including Derek Einberger of Patton Valley Vineyard, Jon Jennison of Thistle Wines, and Dave Paige of Adelsheim.

So I’m not very happy about missing the North Willamette Vintners‘ 4th annual wine-touring weekend, which takes place next Saturday and Sunday (3/31 and 4/1) from 11:00AM-4:00PM.

Over the weekend, attendees will be able to stop at 24 different wineries, where they’ll be able to taste new releases, barrel samples and even some library wines and reserve bottlings. Each winery will also offer a “unique hands-on wine activity that educates guests about the art of winemaking.”

Tickets are $45 per person for the full weekend, or $35 for Sunday only. They’re also offering designated driver tickets for just $10. For tickets, a full list of participating wineries, and more information, please visit www.nwvintners.org.

The best news? We’re giving away a free pair of tickets for the entire weekend!

To have a chance to win a FREE pair of tickets ($90 value) to the 2012 North Willamette Wine Trail Weekend, just leave a comment naming your FAVORITE Oregon wine. For an extra entry, “like” our Facebook page and also post a comment under this post on Facebook.

The contest ends on Tuesday, March 27, at midnight ET. Good luck!

Rhone Rangers Tasting: Free Tickets!

Posted by | Posted in Wine Events | Posted on 03-08-2012

I’ve become obsessed with America’s Rhone-style wines.

In recent weeks, I’ve had Syrahs from Arnot-Roberts, Copain, and Peay that have floored me. I finally tasted Two Shepherds — a new project from William Allen — and the Syrah/Mourvedre blend is stunning. Indeed, it seems like every red that stops me in my tracks these days is something in this genre.

So I’m not very happy about missing the 15th annual Rhone Rangers Tasting in San Francisco later this month, where consumers will be able to taste (and purchase!) more than 500 wines from more than 100 Rhone Rangers member wineries.

Fortunately, I have discount codes for loyal Terroirist readers. And we’re giving away a free pair of tickets to the Grand Tasting! Read on for details. Read the rest of this entry »

Red Wine and Chocolate? An Evening with the Washington Wine Academy

Posted by | Posted in Wine Events, Wine Reviews | Posted on 02-21-2012

The Athenaeum in Alexandria, Va.

Last week, the Washington Wine Academy hosted a “Red Wine and Chocolate Wine” Event at the Athenaeum in Alexandria, Virginia — just before the holiday officially sponsored by the chocolate and greeting card industries, Valentine’s Day.

I was fortunate enough to attend, where I tasted nearly 20 different wines in a beautiful art gallery packed with wine aficionados from throughout the Washington area. (As an aside, if you ever have the chance to visit the Athenaeum — or better yet, attend a private event there — take advantage. The space is tremendous.)

Although red wine and chocolate are often linked — thanks in no small part to their shared status in or culture as aphrodisiacs — the two strike many as less than a perfect match. (The Terroirist-in-Chief certainly thinks so, at the very least.)

I tend to agree, and so I forewent the many chocolate candies and cakes on offer to focus on the wines.

I asked Alex Evans, the Director of Education at the Academy, why she chose to highlight the chocolate-red wine pairing. She acknowledged that in most cases, the two were not ideal mates. But very few people can pass up a smorgasbord of 20 wines and a buffet of chocolate treats.

Given the high turnout, she had a point.

Evans poured an eclectic mix of wines, including several varietals I’d never encountered. Read the rest of this entry »

Tahoe’s Après-Ski Wine Spot

Posted by | Posted in Wine Events | Posted on 01-26-2012

So far, this winter season around Lake Tahoe has been the year with no snow. Luckily for ski-starved travelers, there is still plenty of good wine to be consumed while sitting and hoping for the fluffy stuff. And the best place around the lake to sit and consume wine is definitely Après Wine Company, aptly named for a wine bar immersed in a ski town.

The bar celebrated its third anniversary this past New Years’ Eve — which is quite fitting, considering the owner, J.P., takes enormous pride is his collection of grower Champagnes available for purchase. I was lucky enough to taste one of them — the 100% Pinot Noir Pehu Simonet Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru. And it was one of the best Champagnes I’ve ever tasted. Maybe I was in a good mood or it was the high elevation, but I found the wine to be a raspberry explosion of the grandest caliber.

It so happened I was visiting the bar on a Tuesday during their weekly Tuesday Tasting series. That week, they were pouring five southern hemisphere wines, and pairing them with small bites for $20. Among the five wines, my favorites were the 2006 Errazuriz Chardonnay from Casablanca Valley, Chile and the 2008 D’Arenberg Shiraz “The Love Grass” from Mclaren Vale. Perhaps I was biased on the Chardonnay, as the front label emphasizes its native fermentation, but I found it’s limey minerality to be something rarely found in new world Chardonnay. And I’ll be purchasing this if I see it in the future.

The Love Grass Shiraz inspired me to create a new years’ resolution, since I had not done so already, of drinking more Australian Shiraz. I wouldn’t want those over-ripe plum and blackberry flavors every night, but this sure hit the spot as they so often do when consumed in moderation. Maybe 2012 will be the year of the Shiraz comeback, and just maybe the weather forecast will finally hold true and Tahoe will become the ski resort town it’s famed to be.

New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas

Posted by | Posted in Wine Events | Posted on 01-04-2012

It’s noon on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas and my mini-quest to review Las Vegas wine bars begins where most conversations end on this topic: Lotus of Siam.

Situated off the strip on Sahara Blvd, it’s located in a grungy strip mall surrounded by other Thai restaurants and the famous swingers club The Green Door. If you’re staying on the strip it’ll be around a $10 taxi ride. I’ve been coming here regularly for the past two years, and outside of Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa, I believe it features the best wine menu in the country. Being a Thai restaurant, the menu has copious amounts of German Riesling — the classic pairing with the traditionally spicy fare.

If Riesling isn’t your thing, don’t worry as Lotus has large selections of wines from Italy, California, Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Rhone and Spain. The best tip I can offer is to talk to your server about what wine pairs well with the food you’ve selected (or vice versa). Their staff is well trained at arranging affordable, spot-on pairings for their customers. I’ve asked my server for a $40/person bill that features three dishes and two glasses of wine and was quickly served with a couple Northern Thai noodle dishes, a 2007 Spatlese from J.J. Prum and Muller-Catoir.

La Cave in the Wynn

After Lotus of Siam, I traveled with my girlfriend to the Wynn to try La Cave — a new concept bar/restaurant from Michael Morton. In a city of massive, deafening restaurants, this space is intimate and subdued. It’s decorated with a very modern style and features indoor and patio seating.

Despite being the final day of 2011, we sat outside in the beautiful 68 degree weather. Their menu features small plates, a number of interesting wine flights, and an interesting wine list. I’m always looking for innovative wines-by-the-glass program, and the team at La Cave seem to take theirs seriously. Offering up wines like the 2006 Ca’ Marcanda (Gaja) Magari Toscana IGT or the 2006 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon provides customers with exciting options. Being New Year’s Eve, we opted for a 375ml of the 2007 Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc Brut for $32 and a couple of small plates. While the wine list was impressive for such a small place, they really under-performed in the food department with a clunky stuffed chicken plate and a pedestrian tomato/mozzarella flatbread. I look forward to visiting this place again. Read the rest of this entry »

Wine Shop Interview: Chambers Street Wines

Posted by | Posted in Interviews, Wine Events | Posted on 11-23-2011

Chambers Street Wines (Credit: Joe Benavides)

Every other week, as regular readers know, Terroirist poses 15 questions to a wine shop owner. This week, we’re featuring Jamie Wolff, one of the partners behind Chambers Street Wines in New York City.

I paid Jamie a visit at the shop while passing through lower Manhattan last week. The store is impressive, particularly given Manhattan’s space limitations. High ceilings, a few tall racks of wine forming aisles, and racks along all the walls. The scene was bustling with customers but by no means mobbed. Definitely a pleasant place to browse.

And there’s quite a bit to look at! Chambers St. has one of the most impressive collections of old, rare, and expensive wine out on the floor that I’ve ever seen. As I spoke with Jamie in one of the aisles near the middle of the store, several bottles of Italian wine from the 1960s eavesdropped on our conversation.

Jamie tells me that he’s been devoting most of his palate lately to old Italian wines — Barolos and Barbarescos especially. Chambers Street has recently sourced a good deal of old Italian wine directly from The Boot, so they’re raving about the 20- 30-, 40-, and even 50-year old Italians in stock. Jamie feels that Nebbiolos from 1978, 1982, 1985, and 1989 are peaking right now.

As you might expect, his attention to detail when it comes to tasting is tremendous. He didn’t feel that he tasted things as clearly in the late afternoon as he would say, after getting a second wind later in the evening. Air pressure today — or air pressure 40 years ago at the bottling — could have a huge impact on how we experience the wine.

Rarely have I taken the barometer into account when cracking open a bottle, but he’s got a point. And those variations are part of what makes tasting wines — particularly old ones that may have changed so much in the bottle over the years — fun.

The rest of our interview with Jamie is below the fold. Read the rest of this entry »

Drink for a Good Cause!

Posted by | Posted in Wine Events | Posted on 10-19-2011

Uncorked DC! Click the photo for details.

In 2003, eight friends got together to taste wine and share a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The event started growing, and just a few years later, 23 people were packed into an apartment for a sit down Thanksgiving feast and 7-flight wine tasting.

The original dinner guests then realized they could turn the event into something bigger – so in 2007, they launched Uncorked, an annual event that would raise money for So Others Might Eat (SOME), a Washington-DC based organization that helps the poor and homeless.

The fifth annual Uncorked DC is just one month away. The event – which includes a silent auction and a Thanksgiving dinner served with six different wines — will be MC’ed by Washington Post wine writer Dave McIntyre

And I’m serving on the host committee – so please come! Discounted tickets are available until THIS FRIDAY, October 21. After you buy your tickets, be sure to also RSVP on Facebook.

If you can’t make it to the event but still want to help out, let me know! We’d be happy to take your money, of course, but we’re also looking for silent auction items. Whether it’s tickets to sporting events, gift certificates, or rare bottles of wine, we’ll take them! Uncorked DC is also looking for sponsors.

I hope to see you on November 17!