Tasting in the Capital

As I mentioned in a previous post, I was in D.C. this weekend. I expected to have at least a few things to write, but I didn't take very good notes.

That said, here's the run down of the weekend:

Saturday:
-Arrived at the hotel to find that one of my brother's had left a bottle of wine for me at the front desk with a "Welcome to D.C." note. It was a bottle of 2001 Valhalla Cabernet/Shiraz from the great state of Virginia. I'd never had winefrom Virginia before so I was curious. It was o.k. Very dry with some nice fruit, but a bit over-oaked. I liked it, but I didn't love it. My friends really enjoyed it though.

-Headed out to Bistrot du Coin, one of my favorite places in D.C., to meet up with friends. Had some of the best mussels of my life (Mouless Bretonnes - steamed mussels with lobster bisque, lobster meat, shrimps, mushrooms, celery, diced tomatoes). Also enjoyed a bottle of 2001 Medoc. Unfortunately I do not remember the label. It was extremely dry and very tight, but it opened up throughout the course of the evening and we all really enjoyed it.

Sunday:

-Went to Cork wine bar, which I'd been looking forward to for quite some time. Underwhlemed by the Bordeaux flight, but loved the Domaine de Berane Cotes du Ventoux, "Les Blaques" 2006, a syrah/grenache blend from the Southern Rhone. It was quite good - peppery and spicy with some fragrant red fruit and a medium finish. We also had a cheese plate and the the Humboldt Fog soft cheese was one of the best cheeses I've ever had.

-Truth be told, I was a bit disappointed by Cork. They had a wonderful selection of French, Italian and some Spanish wines, but they didn't have any wines from South America, Portugal, the U.S., Australia or New Zealand. I can understand a limited wine list, but wine bars that limit themselves to that few countries just aren't as much fun!

Until the next sniff, sip or quaff,

Cheers,

Alli M.