There must be something wrong with me. I simply cannot walk past a wine shop without stopping in to browse at the labels and chat with the staff until either the shop closes or I get a call — usually from my wife — reminding me that I am supposed to be somewhere else (picking up or dropping off a child at one ice hockey rink or another).
Well, in my travels, I have had the pleasure of either meeting or hearing about great wine shops in the Washington area. So I decided to tap the vast knowledge of the wonderful — and patient — experts who provide advice to clients all day long and asked them about their own favorite “gems.” A “gem” is defined as a memorable wine that costs less than $30 — in other words, a great value.
Here’s what three experts — who are clearly passionate about wine — from three wine shops in our region said, in their own words, about their top picks.
Todd Ross, wine guru, Weygandt Wines in Washington
Weygandt Wines is associated with the import company Weygandt-Metzler and importer Peter Weygandt. Because of this relationship, the store is an expression of an extremely gifted importer’s handpicked selections.
2007 Domaine Gardies Les Glaciaires Cotes du Roussillon, France ($20)
Jean Gardies’ Domaine is located in Tautavel, France, where the landscape is wild and rugged and the wine-growing culture is very old. Les Glaciaires, a white wine, is made from 40 percent Roussanne, 40 percent Grenache Blanc and 20 percent Maccabeu, the latter grape varietal lends a floral, fruity quality with a note hinting at pineapple. This wine offers a richly textured style and well-integrated oak notes (barrel aging is in one-year-old barriques and demi-muids) that support a lot of warm, baked yellow fruit flavors and traces of nutmeg spice.
2008 Domaine Daniel Bouland Chiroubles, Burgundy, France ($21)
Chiroubles is one of the 10 Cru Beaujolais — also part of Burgundy. Daniel Bouland is the text-book definition of an artisan wine grower, crafting small quantities of highly regarded Cru Beaujolais from well-situated parcels in Chiroubles, Morgon, and Cote de Brouilly. The Chiroubles — made from Gamay — has a surprisingly intense fruitiness (red fruits: vine-ripened strawberries and tart cherries), with good structure, wonderful purity and vivacity.
Anna Landragin, proprietress, Cork & Fork in Bethesda and Gainesville, Va.
The diversity on C&F shelves supports small producers, which allows C&F to march to a different beat. Add the top-rated customer service and it’s a persuasive package.
2005 Mount Camel Ridge Shiraz, Heathcote, Victoria, Australia ($30)
Mount Camel is the most elegant Shiraz I have ever tasted. It is gorgeous, well-balanced and evolves with each sip. Cassis, leather, lovely savory notes with long spicy finish. It is made by Ian and Gwenda Langford, people who have no winemaking background but have an immense understanding of wine, vine and soil. And they do not use the services of consultants — they cannot afford it.
2005 Vina la Torina Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Valle Rapel, Chile ($22)
Vina la Torina is the creation of three winemakers: Chileans Eugenia Diaz and Carla Rossi, and Frenchman Laurence Segat. This is pure pleasure. A medium-bodied intense, bright red wine with a complex, yet elegant, nose. Reminiscent of a good Bordeaux, with ripe red fruits, cassis, hints of toast and vanilla ending in a chocolaty finish.
Jon Genderson, co-owner, Schneider’s of Capitol Hill
Jon and his brother, Rick, operate one of the most well-respected wine shops in the country. Together, they have put together an assortment of wines that appeal to both the casual consumer and the hard-core collector, with a priority on customer service.
2006 Domaine Jaume Vinsobres, Rhone Valley, France ($20)
Vinsobres is the newest Appellation in the Rhone and is considered a “cru” like Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. The 2006 Reference is 50 percent Syrah, 40 percent Grenache and 10 percent Mourvedre. It was aged for 12 months in new barriques and an additional 12 months in tanks. The vines are quite old and are located on the hillsides of Vinsorbes. This delicious wine is a joy to drink with ripe berry fruit, perfect balance and a full, supple mouthfeel. Its softness, roundness and maturity of fruit make it a true “gem.”
2005 Carodorum Issos Tinto de Toro, Toro, Spain ($20)
The family of Guiller Diez had been growing grapes in Toro for generations, but he is the first formal winemaker in the family. His first vintage was 2003, and his wines are already among the best in the region. Only 1,750 cases are produced. The vines range from 25 to more than 100 years old and are farmed organically. This Tinto de Toro (Tempranillo) is massive in both weight and depth of fruit. It is full-bodied, very rich, ripe and complex; delicious by itself and even better with grilled meat.
