Proud to be a Wine Club Member

We, the wine-club members of America, are the true patriots. We're keeping small wineries in business almost single handedly. Together, we can turn this thing right around.

Of course, the real key is to drink it as soon as it comes...and then order more!

My New Favorite "Wine Bar"

It's more like a glorified wine store, with a cool Enomatic machine, but it's where I tried Norman Cellars 2006 "The Monster" Zinfandel and fell in love. Took a bottle home with me. Plan to drink it soon.

They also have a kitchen led by a hard-working chef named April. I know her name, because she also ends up delivering food, clearing glassware, etc. I suspect that's necessary because the place isn't really staffed to be a "restaurant."

Every bite of food was fantastic and I can wholeheartedly suggest the chicken satay and the citrus shrimp. YUM! Next time, we'll probably try one of the lovely cheese plates.
With the machine, you can try a taste, half glass, or full glass of any of the wines. We had fun walking around and trying to select wines that would go well with our food, based on the tasting notes posted. We were starving so food choices first. Wine selections to complement.
Tuesday nights are half-price wine night, so with all that we drank our cards still cashed in at a pretty reasonable rate. Plan to drag some friends there the next Tuesday that I'm actually in town....which will be February.

Church Street Cellars
(703) 255-0550
111 Church Street NW
Vienna, VA 22180

What I'm Drinking: Sunfish! Sunfish! Sunfish Syrah!

Mmm...it's good! I finally picked up my wine club and I really wanted to try the Sunfish 2006 Syrah. There are a few reasons, not the least of which is that my awesome cousin called today and ordered some when neither of us had even tasted it yet!

I'm a four-bottle wine club member, because I like to try all four new wines each month. The Sunfish was the only one I hadn't ever tasted before, so the decision had been made. TWO reasons to drink it.

Third reason? (Ryan P. can vouch for this.) Fishing for fresh water sunnies - off a dock or standing in the water - is one of my favorite catch-and-release activities. I'm pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. It's the hunter in me, I think.

So, as you know, each of the wines come with a cool card with pairing suggestions, winemakers notes, and a recipe, often specially created for pairing with that particular wine. The Sunfish was no exception and the recommendations included turkey dishes, smoked cheeses, or vegetables prepared in sesame oil. The recipe was for a delectable looking Grilled Turkey Sandwich with Smoked Gouda. YUM!

Without going to Giant, the only things I had handy were the avocados, tomato, garlic, mayo and romaine lettuce. Not even close to being able to make the sandwich, which is embarrassing. It's a "work" night, so I couldn't spare the hour to run out for groceries.

But, I did have grilled chicken in the fridge and some zucchini and summer squash, so I tossed the veggies with some sesame oil, cut up the chicken, tossed the whole thing together and opened the bottle.

The agonizing over the food was unnecessary. This wine is FANTASTIC on its own. It's what I would call a "T.V. wine." You can enjoy it on its own, watching T.V. No need to pair it, it's still good.

Of course, it was still great with the veggies and chicken, but I'm so excited to find another yummy, easy wine I can stock up on and open up at any time.

This is one that the Fog Zinfandel lovers (sold out, folks) and the Broadmoore Merlot fans will really enjoy. If you liked the Villa Encantado Malbec, you'd appreciate this one, too.

What I'm Drinking

I've settled in for a nice evening with a little of the Pied Violet 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, a really garlicky salad with grilled chicken, and some 24 and hottie Jack Bauer. They're all surprisingly good together.

So, I'm bragging to my friend on the phone that I'm drinking the sold out Cab tonight, starting Season 4, and how delicious it all is and I look down and realize that I'd accidentally grabbed the Merlot from the wine basement.

Turns out the Merlot is even better with the salad - and the watermelon - and I'm actually quite grateful to learn this, because it's still available and I can continue to be uncharacteristically stingy with my last six bottles of the Cab.

The first night the whole gang met up in Maui - and at convention - I'd been a little cranky because I saw the beautiful Purple Foot label and each time I'd bellied up to the bar, visibly excited about having some of the Cabernet--and was met with the Merlot. In Maui (see above and below) I was mocked for my diva behavior. How dare they make fun of me for being so ridiculously opinionated and enthusiastic!
I didn't exactly drink the Merlot grudgingly... but I am still convinced that the Cab would have been better with the pate on pita, the fantastic goat cheese and grape tomato skewers, as well as with the delicious petite filets and the chocolate mousse.

When they said "sold out" they must have meant it.