Spork and Knife

You can feel the holiday rush (or is it panic?) as we close in on the final week before Christmas.  Thousands of people are racking their brains to come up with the perfect gifts for their friends and family. 
Put down the cashmere scarf and say no to another pair of gloves.  I have the perfect […]

[Read more →]

The cute little flying insects you occasionally make wishes upon have amplified their powers and brought to the world a very enjoyable wine. Ok, so they didn’t actually produce the stuff, but they played a critical role.
Using ladybugs to keep pests from the vines, Lolonis winery has been avoiding chemicals and bringing the world a […]

[Read more →]

There is a trend happening…wine bars are breaking into the mainstream. All I have to say to this is, “It’s about time!” Some time ago I decided that I needed to break up my weekends and try something other than the typical bud light/miller light serving bar. I’m not saying these bars are bad…they serve […]

[Read more →]

“Value-priced line of wines that exceed expectations in their depth, elegance, and overall punch for the buck,” is the sentence that caught my attention from today’s Washingtonian blog. 
It’s subject…Joel Gott Wines.
With some of the prices at $11, $15 and $17 I’m planning to pick up a bottle and see if they really “exceed expectations.”

[Read more →]

          
The two main things I look for when evaluating a wine are price and drinkability.  This may not be scientific, evaluating legs, tannins, and bouquet (Which I do take into account), but in the end its all about, “Do I enjoy sipping on this wine?” 
While we’d all like to think we’re budding sommeliers, I’d bet that […]

[Read more →]

      
As promised, I made my way back to Le Chat Noir last week and attended a wine tasting, to commemorate their new wine lounge. 
My first thoughts upon entering were, “What a great space!”  The inside is cozy, yet bright combining old French design with a modern feel.  Behind the bar is a large flat screen […]

[Read more →]

Every once in awhile, it’s fun to splurge.  Sure, buying wine under $10 is economical and often very good, but sometimes it’s fun to explore the $15-and-up shelf. 
When venturing into the world of $15-and-up wines I make sure to have a recommendation.  It’s fun to play the “lets take a chance game” with a $7 […]

[Read more →]

Yeah, the phrase WTF ran across my brain when I first laid eyes on the tiny pink cans from the Rubicon Estate Winery.  Sparkling wine in a can?!  The next phrase to hit me was, how perfect and compact!  If Napa can embrace screw caps, then I can give cans a try. 
While the flavor of […]

[Read more →]

One of the smartest and most useful things that I did in my college career was sign up for Botany & Viticulture, AKA wine tasting. 
I know what you’re thinking.  Wahoo, wine tasting for college credit!  Not quite, but the class was 3 hours long, and each session we tasted 6 wines,  3 red and 3 white.  $100 […]

[Read more →]

Everyone has run into that situation where friends show up at your door and you find yourself in the midst of an impromptu party.  Suddenly you’re scrambling around for something to serve, and the only things visible are the last few drops of Bombay Sapphire  (shouldn’t have had that second gin and tonic) and that bottle […]

[Read more →]

I met a friend for drinks last night at Cleveland Park Bar and Grill and much to my delight, found that on Wednesdays they offer half price bottles of wine. 
To me, this is the best deal, and also the only way I will order a bottle while out.  Paying $40 for a 2003 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon, […]

[Read more →]