Based on input from Average Janes and Joes, we evaluate wines in plain English, and let you know where to find them.
December 2009
Party Wines
We picked a few medium- and full-bodied reds with fruit and spicy flavors that will go great with most typical holiday meals. These are well-rounded enough for all kinds of duty, and not too dry--a good bet when you’re not sure what the other guests will like. The sparkling wines are all Champagne-substitutes, meaning that you should not be afraid to look beyond French Champagnes and the usual California sparkling wines for your New Year’s party.
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A & B Liquors in Adams Morgan
Sponsors provide the wines we taste each issue, so show some love and go get some wine from them. Tell 'em we sent you!
Average Joe Says:
The Wine Guideline rating system is based on input from Average Janes and Joes. No fancy lingo, no calculus, no walking and touching your nose at the same time ... we just find out how you like it, and report!
WINERY: Fitz-Ritter
WINE NAME: Riesling Sekt
GRAPE: Riesling
VINTAGE: Non-vintage
REGION: Germany/Pfalz
OTHER: Extra trocken (extra dry)
Average Joe Says: It's Very Good.
Sparkling wine ("Sekt" in German) can start to seem the same after a while, so this is a nice change of pace. "Extra trocken" is about the same as extra dry for Champagne, which as you no doubt remember from the 2008 Champagne Special, is slightly sweeter than Brut. The label looks fancy, too, so people will think you know what you’re doing. This was the winner among the whites.
PRICE RANGE: $15-20
LOCATION: A & B Liquors
ADDRESS: 1803 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC 20009
WINERY: Freixenet
WINE NAME: Cordon Negro
GRAPE: Macabeo (35%), Xarel-lo (25%), Parellada (40%)
VINTAGE: Non-vintage
REGION: Spain/Cava DO
OTHER: Brut
Average Joe Says: It's Good.
Average Joe Says: It's Good.
The score and flavor profile are pretty close to the results it got in last year's champagne issue, proving two things: this wine is very consistent, and Average Joe’s got skills. We actually thought it tasted better last year, but we were on our 6th bottle by then ... or was it the 5th?
PRICE RANGE: $10-15
LOCATION: A & B Liquors
ADDRESS: 1803 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC 20009
WINERY: Pierre Sparr
GRAPE: Pinot Noir
VINTAGE: Non-vintage
REGION: France/Cremant d'Alsace AOC
OTHER: Brut, Rosé
Average Joe Says: It's OK.
Average Joe Says: It's OK.
Yes, this is a Pinot Noir. And a sparkling wine. Confused? So were we. We keep thinking pink wines will taste like a Bartle's and Jaymes wine cooler, but thank God they don't. It tastes like a light red wine. With bubbles. Which is exactly what it is. Average Joe loved it or hated it: the "It’s OK" score above is an average between an even split of "It’s Very Good" and "It’s Not for Me." If none of this makes sense to you, you should just try it!
PRICE RANGE: $15-20
LOCATION: A & B Liquors
ADDRESS: 1803 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC 20009
WINERY: Josephine Dubois
GRAPE: Pinot Noir
VINTAGE: 2006
REGION: France/Burgundy AOC
Average Joe Says: It's OK.
Average Joe Says: It's OK.
A pretty typical Pinot Noir, not bad, would be even better after a few more years.
PRICE RANGE: $15-20
LOCATION: A & B Liquors
ADDRESS: 1803 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC 20009
WINERY: Bearboat
GRAPE: Syrah
VINTAGE: 2006
REGION: California/Russian River Valley
Average Joe Says: It's Good.
Average Joe Says: It's Good.
This was smooth and drinkable, with or without food. Nice combination of lighter, fruity tastes and darker, earthy tastes.
PRICE RANGE: $15-20
LOCATION: A & B Liquors
ADDRESS: 1803 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC 20009
WINERY: E. Guigal
GRAPE: Syrah (55%), Grenache (8%), Mourvedre (8%), Other (2%)
VINTAGE: 2005
REGION: France/Cotes du Rhone AOC
Average Joe Says: It's Very Good.
Average Joe Says: It's Very Good.
This was the winner among the reds. Very well rounded and typical of spicy-fruity Cotes du Rhone. Slightly acidic, good for clearing the palate during dinner. Guigal is usually a safe bet when shopping for a French label.
PRICE RANGE: $15-20
LOCATION: A & B Liquors
ADDRESS: 1803 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC 20009
