WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2010
WINE
Dave McIntyre
dents Kay and Dick Efron crave it year-round. In fact, they prefer rosé to most red wines. Each spring and summer they search wine store shelves looking for the new releases. The Efrons have a tried-and- true method of finding rosés they like. “We use color as a guide, be- cause it seems to work,” they ex- plained in an e-mail shortly after I wrote about sparkling rosés for Valentine’s Day. “We don’t buy from Anjou or Provence, because they are pale compared to the Costieres de Nimes that please us. We also find winners from Spain using color as a guide. We buy one bottle to try within a few weeks, then hurry back if we find a winner.” The Efrons wondered about the market for rosé: Will the growing popularity of pink wine mean a wider selection will be available? Will it push up prices? Yes to both, I answered. In- creased demand has resulted in a wider selection, but popularity comes with a price. The dollar’s continued weakness against the euro also puts pressure on price. French rosés that just a few years ago sold for under $10 have in re- cent vintages crept into the $15 neighborhood. That’s a signifi- cant hike. I suggested they might look for rosés from Chile and Ar- gentina, where some bargains around $10 can be found. And they were concerned
D
about rosé’s seasonality. As the selection dries up in the fall, the Efrons find themselves stocking up like squirrels hoarding acorns. It would be nice if the growing interest in rosé resulted in more of it being available through the winter. I think they’ll have to continue their late-summer buying sprees. For better or worse, rosé is consid- ered a hot-weather wine. There is also a market prefer- ence for fresh rosé — meaning the previous year’s vintage. So this year we will see a bunch of 2009s, and any 2008s or remain- ing 2007s will be on closeout. I advise the Efrons and all rosé fans to seek out those closeout bins, because many rosés hit their peak in their second year after harvest. Just a few years ago, almost all Spanish rosés on the market were two years old, as tradition- ally Spaniards prefer an extra year of age on their rosado. That seems to have changed; last year I noticed more and more Spanish 2008s, which led me to believe thewinemakers were responding to the market’s preference for freshness.
A question asked in a recent
Free Range chat echoed an occa- sional lament I hear from read- ers. “I enjoy your wine reviews, especially the monthly value se- lections,” a reader in Crystal City wrote, “but wonder why almost zero of the wines you review are
oes the arrival of spring have you craving rosé? Montgomery County resi-
Looking ahead to a rosé future
BBExcellent
Recession busters
BBB Exceptional
BVery Good
Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.
This month’s list from Dave McIntyre features Spanish wines priced between $8 and $11.
Terrai Tempranillo, 2008
B 1
⁄2
Carinena, Spain, $8
This terrific little wine is juicy and fruit-forward, yet it has a hint of earth and tobacco that identifies it as tempranillo. At this price, buy it by the case: The grill will be firing up soon for burgers.
Elite: Available in the District at Metro Supermarket, Yes! Organic Market on 14th Street NW; on the list at Mar del Plata, Oya, Taberna del Alabardero.
Available in Maryland at State Line Liquors in Elkton, Calvert Wine & Spirits in Hunt Valley. Available in Virginia at Cheesetique and Rick’s Wine & Gourmet in Alexandria, and Market Street Wineshop and Wine Warehouse in Charlottesville.
Velarde Tinto, 2008
B 1
⁄2
Madrid, Spain, $8
More reticent than the Terrai mentioned above, this will appeal on a more intellectual level. One does not usually find this much complexity and subtlety in an $8 wine. New to the market and not yet widely available.
MHW Imports/Bacchus: Available in Maryland at Mills Fine Wine and Spirits in
Annapolis; on the list at Ranazul in Maple Lawn.
Viña Aljibes Syrah Rosé, 2009
B 1
⁄2
Castilla, Spain, $11
An early entrant in this year’s rosé parade, it’s generous, juicy and sappy, with thirst-quenching acidity. Bring on the warm weather.
Elite: Available in the District at Cairo Wine & Liquor, various Whole Foods Market locations; on the list at Jaleo. Available in Maryland at State Line Liquors in Elkton, and Mt.Washington Wine Co. and Quarry Wine and Spirits in Baltimore; on the list at Jaleo in Bethesda. Available in Virginia at Best Cellars in Clarendon, various Whole Foods Market locations; on the list at Jaleo in Crystal City, Mas Tapas in Charlottesville.
Fuente Milano Verdejo-Viura, 2008
B
Castilla, Spain, $10
Passion fruit and star fruit flavors give this white wine a tropical twist. The importer is about to switch to the 2009, which should be fresher and zestier.
Grapes of Spain/Elite: Available in the District at Burka’s Wine & Liquor, D’Vines, Rodman’s; on the list at Johnny’s Half Shell. Available in Maryland at Adega Wine Cellars in Silver Spring, Finewine.com in Gaithersburg, Wine Cellars of Annapolis, the Wine Bin and Enchanted Forest Wine & Spirits in Ellicott City; on the list at 13.5 Percent Wine Bar in Baltimore. Available in Virginia at Cheesetique in Alexandria, Twisted Vines Bottleshop in Arlington, Maison du Vin in Great Falls, Vienna Vintner.
Emperador de Barros Macabeo, 2008
B
Ribera del Guadiana, Spain, $10
Clean and crisp, this refreshing white, new to the market, is an excellent pairing for salty tapas or snacks.
Classical Wines/Country Vintner: Available at Cecile’s Wine Cellar in McLean.
Bodegas Enguera “Pelta,” 2008
B
Valencia, Spain, $10
This blend of tempranillo and monastrell is straightforward berry fruit with bright hints of mint. New to the market and not yet widely available.
Ole Imports/Bacchus: Available in Maryland at Wine Cellar of Annapolis.
KLMNO
BEER
Greg Kitsock
B
y Round 3 of Beer Mad- ness, the weak, the watery and the stale had been
eliminated. With eight beers from eight nations making the cut in our annual quest for Ev- eryman’s favorite brew, our panelists hunkered down for some serious decision-making. They grew more pensive; they gripped their pencils more tightly; their comments were terser and less frivolous. We tasted beers in four cat-
egories, and in this round’s only unanimous decision, Balti- more’s The Raven aced Mexico’s Dos Equis Ambar for the lager crown. Taster Morna Steiger praised The Raven for being “floral, bitter,” while sniffing of Dos Equis, “Did I have this beer before? I hope I didn’t vote for it.” (She had, giving it the nod over Pilsner Urquell in the pre- vious round.) More typical was fellow tast-
er John H. Harris III’s verdict on Dos Equis: “Not bad, just plain.” In the pale ale matchup,
Nogne O Pale Ale from Norway edged out the Belgian Trappist ale Chimay Red by a 3-2 vote. The Scandinavian version of a hoppy American-style pale sharply divided our tasters. Steiger, no hophead, wrote that the Nogne O “lingers, not in a good way,” while panelist A. Grace Lopez found the same beer “nice, complex, bold.” In a duel between dark beers, Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout from England squeaked by Xin- gu, black beer of the Amazon, 3-2. Steiger and Raul Arroyo- Mendoza praised Brazil’s Xingu for its sweetness, while Lopez wrote of the roastier Samuel Smith: “I think the coffee has returned like a loyal friend.” Harris liked the Xingu, but he termed the oatmeal stout “out- standing.” Finally, Germany’s Schneider
Weisse Hefe-Weizen trumped Italy’s Baladin Nora by a 4-1 vote. “Tartness limits drinkabil- ity,” Arroyo-Mendoza wrote of the Italian spiced ale, flavored with ginger, myrrh and orange peel. “These are interesting,” mused Lopez, but she found the
Time for some serious sampling
LAGERS
MG PG VA
Drink
E5
PALE ALES
The Raven Special Lager (U.S.A.)
DARK BEERS
Nogne O Pale Ale (Norway)
FREESTYLE
Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout (England)
classic German hefeweizen, with its characteristic banana and clove notes, “just a bit more interesting.” Steiger, who cast her vote with the majority, summed up the pairing as a contest between “a good sum- mer beer” and an “even better summer beer.”
And so three great brewing
Schneider Weisse Hefe-Weizen (Germany)
PHOTOS BY LEAH L. JONES FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
nations (the United States, Eng- land and Germany), plus one dark horse (let’s face it, Norway is better known for its herring and cod than its beer) advance to the Final Four. But in a blind tasting, anything can happen.
Kitsock can be reached at
food@washpost.com.
Vote for your favorite contenders at washingtonpost.com/beermadness.
described as available at Total Wine? They seem to be a big local/East Coast chain with lots of customers and advertise regu- larly in The Post. Distributor is- sues? No free samples? Long- running family feud?” The stores and restaurants listed with my wine recommen- dations are given to me by the local distributors, who provide most of the samples I taste. Those lists are not meant to be exhaustive, but I do not inten- tionally leave off any store. Typi- cally, the distributors tell me who has purchased a wine recently. Total Wine & More has been named in my column several times. But I tend to favor unfa-
miliar wines from smaller pro- ducers and local importers, and those wines are more likely to be found at specialty wine stores. Each week, I try to recom- mend a variety of wines available throughout the Washington area. If your favorite store carries a recommended wine but is not mentioned in my column, tell the storekeeper to speak with the distributor. If your favorite store does not
carry a recommended wine that you would like to try, the store can always order some from the listed distributor.
McIntyre can be reached at
food@washpost.com.
HIGHLY ALLOCATED!
SIERRA NEVADA
Anniversary 30th
Sale Ends 4/13/10
Chard • S.B.
750 ML.
10.99 ML.
~Best Selling~
R. Zabaco Heritage Zinfandel......9.99 St. Jean Chard…9.99 • Cab • Mer...10.99 Merryvale Chard ...12.99 • Cab...17.99
S.B. 9.99 • Chard 11.99
JoelGott
FULL SERVICE LA CHEESERIE & INTERNATIONAL DELI
FINE WINES & SPIRITS
“...WASHINGTON’S NUMBER ONE CHEESE MERCHANT.” (MANAGER, CARLOS ESTRADA) WASHINGTONIAN MAGAZINE.
–N.Y. TIMES #1 CAMBRIDGE–
FRESH
TURKEY SALAD
ALL WHITE BREAST
$7.99 5.99 LB.
BELLA FAMIGLIA ITALIAN
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
TURKEY BREAST
$7.99
6.99 LB.
5.99 LB.
FINEST N.Y. STYLE
PASTRAMI
LEAN REGULAR CUT $8.99
EXTRA LEAN 1ST CUT
$10.99
$5.99 4.99 LB.
MORTADELLA
W/PISTACHIOS
$12.99 9.99 LB. DELICE DE BOURGOGNE (FRANCE) 11.99 LB. COMTE GRUYERE (FRANCE) 12.99 LB.
CERVELAT SALAMI
H FINE HAMS H
CAPICOLA
BLACK FOREST
AND
CITTERIO
WESTPHALIAN
$7.49
6.49 LB.
CITTERIO
1/2 LB.
PROSCIUTTO
$12.99
9.99 LB.
H FINE PATES H
CAMPAGNE
FOIE D’ CANARD
$6.49
$5.99 4.99 LB. 5.49 LB.
1/2 LB.
1/2 LB.
$7.49 6.49 LB.
ROYALE
1/2 LB.
CARD
SALE THRU SAT
GIFT
$9.99 7.99 LB. PETIT BASQUE (FRANCE)
HBLACK DIAMOND (CANADA)
ROSEMARY
HRED GOUDA (HOLLAND)
HBUCHERON CHEVRE (FRANCE)
GRAYSON(VA-USA)
FRESH
COFFEE
BEANS
• MOCHA JAVA REGULAR & DECAFFEINATED • CREME DE NOISETTE REGULAR & DECAF • ETHIOPIAN MOCCA HARRAR • AMARETTO • SANTA LUCIA REGULAR & DECAF
PARK FREE ON OUR LOT
4339 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, NW
(202) 966-4400 • WINELINE 966-0445 WWW.CALVERTWOODLEY.COM
$8.99 REG $8.99 - 9.99
6.99
DANISH BREAKFAST
5.99
LB.
B O N U S
–YOUR CHOICE–
LB.
SPECIAL PURCHASE
5.99 LB.
$5.99 4.99 LB. PECORINO TOSCANO (ITALY) 12.99 LB. ROMAO (SPAIN)
15.99 LB.
SPECIAL PURCHASE
15.99 LB. 16.99 LB.
SPECIAL PURCHASE
33.8 OZ. LITER
HERRING
$5.99 4.99 LB.
IN WINE OR CREAM SAUCE
–FRESH SMOKED–
SCOTTISH SALMON
$14.99
LB.
HAND SLICED TO YOUR ORDER
1/2
12.99 LB.
NORWEGIAN SALMON
$17.99
PRE-SLICED PACKAGE
CHEESES WORLD
8.99 LB.
CITTERIO
6.99 LB. LONGHORN COLBY (WIS-USA) 3.99 LB. PORT WINE (WIS-USA)
HHAVARTI ALL TYPES (DENMARK)
GENOA SALAMI
AND
HBELLETOILE 70% BRIE (FRANCE)
FONTINA (SWEDEN) PARRANO (HOLLAND)
HJARLSBERG (NORWAY)
STILTON (ENGLAND)
SPECIAL PURCHASE
SPECIAL PURCHASE
3.99 LB.
7.99 LB. 9.99 LB.
5.99 LB.
9.99 LB.
TOMME D’PYRENEES (FRANCE) 9.99 LB.
HGORGONZOLA (ITALY)
11.99 11.99
12.99
9.99 LB. 14.99 H
15.99 15.99
8.99 H
15.99 19.99
8.99 LB. 12.99 H
19.99 19.99
8.99 LB. 12.99 H
15.99 LB.
Of The
SALE REG
4.99 LB.
8.99 H
5.99 5.99
7.99 LB. 11.99 H
9.99
7.99 H
THE
WINES WEEKOF
2007 DOW
DOURO VALLEY, PORTUGAL VALE DO BOMFIM
The 2007 Vale Do Bomfim is a terrific red wine value, with an intriguing twist. Made in the Douro Valley of Portugal with grapes typically used to make Port, this wine will amply reward the adventurous. Not surprisingly, as the best Ports can take decades of aging to reach optimum drinkability, this wine has tremendous power and structure for the money. On the nose, enticing scents of plum and violet are charmingly interlaced with hints of leather and anise. On the palate, rich berry flavors dominate with notes of currant and chocolate. The Vale Do Bomfim is the perfect pairing for braised and barbecued meats and is well suited for any and all party and picnic events.
CALVERT WOODLEY WINE STAFF
REGULAR $11.99
9.99
VINA DO CAMPO RIBEIRO BLANCO GALICIA, SPAIN
2008
Vina do Campo Blanco begins deliciously with vibrant hints of lemon and orange combined with an alluring touch of spice, and finishes with creamy notes of pear. There is a rich herbal finish to this wine that makes it perfect for Asian dishes, grilled fish, casseroles and fowl. It is an inspired wine with an amazingly complex style - at once elegant and charming! Josh Raynolds of Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar has called it “Silky and impressively pure” and The Wine Advocate made it a “Best Buy.”
CALVERT WOODLEY WINE STAFF
REGULAR $16.99
14.99
THIS WEEK
THIS WEEK
Bogle
Cab • Zin
14.99
Edna Vy. • Clos Du Bois Chard....9.99 J. Lohr Chard..9.99 • Cab • Mer.. 10.99 Mondavi Private Selection...........7.99 SterlingVtr. Chard..8.99 • P. Noir..10.99
S. Blanc • Chard • Merlot 8.99
Zin • Pet. Sirah • Cab • Ries. 9.99
Ménage Á Trois Red • White...........8.99 Columbia Crest Grand Estate.......8.99 Ravenswood • Blackstone...........7.99 B.V. Coastal Chard • Cab • Pinot....6.99
Sale Ends 4/13/10
1.75 LTR.
~Scotch/Irish~
Jameson…35.99 • Bushmill .....30.99 Glenlivet 12 Yr..64.99 • Chivas..49.99 J.Walker Black..51.99 • Red .....28.99 J & B…24.99 • Ballantine....22.99 Dewar’s…29.99 • Cutty Sark...23.99 C. Trade 86°…18.99 • Grant’s....21.99
House of Stuart 13.99
~Bourbon/Blends~
Bulleit 90° • Maker’s Mark........39.99 Jack Daniel’s Black....................34.99
Very Old Barton
6 YR. 86º
17.88
Wild Turkey 101°.......................29.99 Evan Wms…17.99 • Kty. Gent.....9.99 Crown Royal..34.99 • Can. Club.....15.99
Canadian Supreme 9.99
Wednesday
750 ML
ASST’D TYPES
4.99
4 LTR. GLASS
Full Service Wine • Liquor • Deli
~Wine Blockbusters~
12.99
Simi Cabernet
75014.99
UP TO $40 MAIL REBATE
RAIN ’S 94 PTS! WINE ENTHUSIAST
NO
750 ML.
750 ML.
Alamos Malbec
6.66
MAIL REBATE UP TO $24
~Global Wine Values~
H. B. Picpoul De Pinet..................6.99 Grand Veneur C-D-R Reserve .....11.99 Segries C-D-R..............................9.49 Ch. Mylord“Cuvee Milady”...............14.99 La Demoiselle De By Medoc.......14.99 Ch. Fongaban..............................14.99 Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz • Chard.....10.99 Terra Barossa Shiraz Ltr ..12.99 Monkey Bay Sauv. Blanc .............7.99 Kim Crawford Sauv. Blanc..........12.99 Del Molino Tempranillo • Airen ...6.99 Campo Viejo Crianza....................7.99 Tapeña Tempranillo • Garnacha..7.99 Hugl Gruner Veltliner........... Ltr..10.99 Di Majo Sang • Busi Chianti........8.99 Ali Sangiovese • Vitiano..............8.99
BEST BUY! R. PARKER
GOLD MEDAL CONCOURS
90 PTS! R.P.
1.75 LTR.
~Vodka~
Grey Goose...51.99 • Belvedere...49.99 Ketel One .....36.99 • Absolut....29.99 Stoli.......29.99 • Three Olives.....20.99 Svedka .....18.99 • Luksusowa...17.99 Smirnoff ........17.99 • Fris..........17.99
Barton’s Barton’s
CHARCOAL FILTERED!!
8.88
~Gin/Vermouth~
Tanqueray...26.99 • Rangpur .....29.99 N. Amsterdam...16.99 • Beefeater 24.99 Seagram’s...14.99 • Gordon’s .....12.99
#1 USA DIST SPIRIT!!
9.99
Stock 1.5 Ltr....8.99 • M&R Ltr…8.99
~Rum/Tequila~
Cuervo...25.99 • C. Morgan........18.99 Malibu...18.99 • Bacardi.............18.99
Cruzan……16.99 Barton’s..... 11.99
Thursday
Barefoot Carlo Rossi
9.99
24/12 OZ CANS
Friday
Bud Select 55
11.99
RAIN ’S
NO
750 ML
750 ML.
Chianti Classico
Banfi
’07 Newton Napa Cabernet 16.99
8.99
~Fire Up The Grill~
St. Arnoux Vacqueyras................13.99 Caboche Rose .............................9.99 Martin Codax Rioja ......................9.99 Les Rials......................................9.99 Peter Lehmann Shiraz ................ 11.99 Martini Sonoma Cab................... 11.99 Ch. St. Jean Cinq Cepage.............39.99 Perrin C-D-R Village.................... 11.99 Maringer Piesporter.......... Ltr .... 11.99 Arrogant Frog Pinot Noir .............8.99
91-93 PTS! R.P.
R. PARKER 90 PTS! R. PARKER 90 PTS!
~Champagne/Bubbly~
Krug Grande Cuvee...................109.99 Billion “Mesnil” • Pol Roger......39.99 Haton Gr. Res. • Blanc de Blanc..34.99 P. Jouet • Mumm C. Rouge........29.99 Piper Heidsieck Brut • Rose......33.99 Trouillard Extra Selection ..........27.99 Mumm Napa • Chandon.............13.99 Ste. Michelle..8.99 • Cristalino....6.99
White Horse Skyy Vodka Bombay Sapphire
21.99 19.99
~Spirit Blockbusters~
1.75 LTR.
28.99
~Single Malt~
750 ML
Aberlour 12 Yr............................34.99 Balvenie 12 Yr...37.99 • 15 Yr....49.99 Clynelish 14 Yr...........................39.99 Chivas 18 Yr...............................49.99 Dahlwinnie 15 Yr........................39.99 Glenfiddich 12 Yr...34.99 • 15 Yr...44.99 Glenlivet 12 Yr...34.99 • 15 Yr....49.99
J.Walker Gold 52.99
Blue 139.99
Glenmorangie 10 Yr.....................31.99 Lagavulin 16 Yr..........................56.99 Laphroaig 10 Yr .........................43.99 Macallan 12 Yr...........................39.99
~Cognac/Brandy/Etc~
E & J V.S.…15.99 • V.S.O.P........16.99 MartellV.S.O.P...29.99 • G. Marnier ..29.99 Courvoisier V.S...19.99 • V.S.O.P....29.99 Hennessy V.S....24.99 • V.S.O.P.....36.99 Remy V.S.O.P.…31.99 • Kahlua...15.99
Saturday
P. Grigio • Chianti
UPTO$24
MAIL REBATE
3LTR BOX
1.75 LTR.
R. PARKER 90 PTS!
LTR.
www.magruders.com
Sale Ends 4/13/10
@ Chevy Chase Circle 5626 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
202-686-5271
1.5Meridian
10.99
~Magnum Madness~
Clos du Bois Chardonnay............16.99
Rex Goliath Chard • Cab • P. Grigio....9.99
Fat Bastard • Melini Chianti.......13.99 B.V. Coastal • Bella Sera.............10.99 LaVielle Ferme • Ruffino...........12.99 Stone Cellars •AliceWhite..........8.99 Cavit Pinot Grigio.........................9.99 Redwood • Barefoot....................9.99 Beringer Founder’s.....................13.99 MestaTempranillo......................12.99 Lindeman’s •Woodbridge...........9.99 Santa Isabel Malbec • Chard.........11.99 Forest Glen Merlot • L. Penguin..9.99 Citra •Vendange .........................6.99
BEST BUY! R. PARKER
Sale Ends 4/13/10
Jim Beam
20.99
Beer Of The Week
$
CASE
6.99
6 PACK
MAGIC HAT
25.99
TASTINGS FRI 4-7 • SAT 1-4
$
Amstel Lt./Heineken/Light ........22.99 Bass • Corona • Konig Pils.......22.99 Becks • Red Stripe • Spaten.....20.99 Dos Equis • Sol ..........................19.99 Eggenberg • Leffe Blonde.........25.99 Bud • Bud Lt (cans)......................14.99 Bud • Bud Lt (18 pk NR )..............12.99 Dominion • Fordham.................23.99 SamAdams • Sierra Nevada.....25.99
Dogfish Brewing 31.99cs•8.996pk SmuttyNoseBrewing 27.99cs•7.996pk Troegs Brewing 27.99cs•7.996pk
Monday Tuesday
Ruffino CorbettCanyon Busch
6.99
ASST’D TYPES
7.99
30/12 OZ CANS
11.99
GREAT VALUE!
GREAT VALUE
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