5 {Wine} Truths

Cyndi asked so I will tell. Here's 5 {wine} truths about me:

1. I always get asked my favorite wine. And that's a tough one...one single wine? I have favorite producers and favorite regions but if I had to pick one wine to drink for the rest of my life it would be J Vineyards Pinot Gris. A white that is so versatile and easy to drink. It pairs easily with food and just quenches my thirst. Plus the price point is great!

2. My favorite winery experience has to be Santo Wines in Greece. One of the biggest Greek producers in Santorini, the view cannot be paralleled. The wine was so-so but sitting on a cliffside, overlooking the Caldera...best experience to date. A winery experience doesn't have to be just about the wine!

3. I admit that I buy "special" bottles and save them for an occasion. It's against everything I ever tell people but I still am not able to open those bottles and so they sit....

4. I'm a sucker for Sauternes. Not a big sweet wine drinker but there's something about the elegance and sweetness of a Sauternes. You won't find me drinking a lot of this or a lot at one time but man does it pair well with some of my favorite bites/dishes. It's perfect pairing is anything salty, my preferred snacking choice.

5. I once ran a half marathon just because it was through wine country and had wine stops along the way. I almost died that day but hey, I crossed the finish line and got my drink on! (you will never see me run again)

Now it's your turn Christina, Hillary and Tanisha.

And the Nominees Are...

Every Spring the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington hosts restaurant awards called the Rammys. It's like the Emmy's to TV or the Oscars to the movie industry. Each year there are numerous parties held leading up to the big gala where the winners are announced. Well last night was the revealing party! Nominees in categories such as Best Restauranteur, Restaurant Employee of the Year, Best Bar Scene, and of course Best Wine Program were revealed at last night's party at The Hamilton. It's quite an honor to be nominated and even more so to win!

Obviously, I wanted to highlight the Best Wine Program nominees:

Ripple - It's no secret this is one of my favorite wine bars in the city. I've written about it many times and continue to love their program because of the diversity of their selection and knowledge of their staff. Most of their wine selection includes organic, sustainable and biodynamic wines. The list is ever-changing which keeps people coming back. Well deserved and Good Luck!

Adour at the St Regis - Classy, Classy, Classy. Yes, it deserves all uppercase C's! Always voted as a top restaurant in DC, Adour serves sophisticated food alongside their 6,500 bottles of wine! The wine list consist s of 700 different wines and is led by Wine Director, Brent Kroll. This collection holds wines from all over the world and even some locally ones like Boxwood!

Marcel's - Owned and operated by Robert Wiedmaier, who is widely known around DC. He also operates restaurants in Maryland and Virginia. The wine program at Marcel's is extensive. Focusing on mostly French wines to pair with Wiedmaier's French fare. The wine list is pages long and includes options like magnums and half bottles. This program is led by Sommelier Moez Ben Achour.

Ashby Inn - Located in the rural town of Paris, VA, Ashby Inn and Restaurant is known for their farm to table menu and extensive wine list. Focusing on local food and local wine, The Ashby sells 84 different Virginia labels including Linden, Barboursville and Boxwood. This wine program is led by Sommelier Neal Wavra.

Dino Restaurant and Enoteca - Dino is a rustic, Italian restaurant in NW DC. The wine list is not just a list, it's an education. The wine "book" is 39 pages long! It details everything about the wine selection, mostly Italian. Ideal for those novice wine drinkers or those who want to learn more about the selection. Don't let it scare you away though, Dean is great at answering your questions as well.