City Perch

Posted on January 16, 2015 by melsmosaic

There are some new restaurants/bars opening in the area and I was lucky enough to check one out courtesy of a client. We visited City Perch in North Bethesda/Rockville, MD at Pike & Rose (outside of DC).

Quite the diverse menu, from drinks to food. With several of us there, we covered the menu quite well. I started with the Montgomery Blues — Greenbrier Small Batch Gin, Blueberries, Rosemary, Jack Rudy Tonic. Delicious and the fresh rosemary was a nice addition.

Some of the others at the table were Dark + Stoutly — Stonewall American Rum, Ginger, Flying Dog ‘Pearl Necklace’ Stout. It was very similar to a black & tan. One of them enjoying it stirred it to see if it would combine but it separated again.

Another at the bar was the Forbidden Garden Margarita — 100% Garden Margarita — 100% de Agave Reposado Applejack, Apple Cider, Applejack. I tried some of that — very nice. Was there really alcohol in that? That is what can cause some problems.

We also had some of the appetizers — olives, nuts, fries. Addictive. If you’re in the DC-area, totally check this place out.

Mead

Posted on January 6, 2015 by melsmosaic

I keep trying new things…that’s what the new year is about, right? So, I when I was at a new bar, there was the choice of Mead on the menu. Not something you see often, so I asked the bartender about it. He gave me a quick description. I wasn’t overly sold. Then, he said ‘oh, you have to try it, mostly because I am so trying to get rid of this bottle.’ Should that have been my first clue that I was not going to like this stuff? (yes, could be personal). So, he gave me a decent pour of Sap House Meadery’s Sugar Maple. I had the initial sip, then a couple more. An ice wine is what I could most closely compare it to. But I could not put a finger on the taste. After beyond, beyond deep thought (trust me), the only thing I could think of on this is that it tasted like the super dried seal of an envelope (don’t we eat/taste these everyday?). So, I was glad I got to sample this and check it off my list. I moved onto to something else.

If you have thoughts on Mead, please let me know. Would love to hear them.

Decanted

Posted on January 4, 2015 by melsmosaic

Simple pleasures, that’s what it’s all about. For Christmas I had this huge box/present that I could not quite figure out (from the exterior). It did have the very fashionable type of Crate & Barrel all over the exterior. I finally opened it, then dug through layer upon layer of bubble wrap, then, oh, layer after layer of some kind of paper, oh, then tissue paper and tissue and tissue paper. Inside I (finally) found a beautiful decanter. How perfect! Somebody must know me. I broke it in on New Year’s Eve with a magnificent red from Washington — Eleven La Ronde. It tasted even better than usual. Simple pleasures.

New Pinotage

Posted on December 30, 2014 by melsmosaic

Pinotage is one of my favorite wines with that smokey nose and taste. Then, the subtle leather notes, as well. And, whenever I can find it in the States, it is always a bonus. Sometimes it can be hard to get, or you always find the same ones. So, when in CO the past week or so, I got totally different distributors than what I am used to in DC, MD and VA. I came across a Pinotage I had never seen before — Barista (2012) Pinotage. The name itself does it justice — Barista — coffee. It also has the traditional notes of Pinotage with the smoke, subtle leather and some fruit. It was in the mid-teens, price-wise. If you’re looking for a looking for a new wine and/or are a fan of this varietal, totally try it (assuming you can easily find it).

Cicerone

Posted on December 27, 2014 by melsmosaic

While continuing my great getaway in Colorado and enjoying some brews at Fort Collins Brewery yesterday, it came to me — if the wine industry has sommeliers, does the beer industry have the same? So, of course I can’t stay quiet when I have such a question. I asked our bartender what he knew about the topic, and he provided the info. You definitely learn something new everyday.

Those who taste and critique the brews aim for/earn the title of Cicerone. Other than the basic name, let me help you find out a bit more about it. All info below is taken directly/verbatim/copied & pasted from the Cicerone Certification Program website.

Logo source: cicerone.org

What is a Cicerone?

The word Cicerone (pronounced sis-uh-rohn) has been chosen to designate those with proven expertise in selecting, acquiring and serving today’s wide range of beers.

What is the origin of the word Cicerone?

Cicerone is an English word referring to “one who conducts visitors and sightseers to museums and explains matters of archaeological, antiquarian, historic or artistic interest.” A Certified or Master Cicerone^® possesses the knowledge and skills to guide those interested in beer culture, including its historic and artistic aspects. These titles now designate a person with demonstrated expertise in beer who can guide consumers to enjoyable and high-quality experiences with great beer.

In the wine world, the word “sommelier” designates those with proven expertise in selecting, acquiring and serving fine wine. At one time, some beer servers adopted the title “beer sommelier” to tie into the credibility of the wine world. But in the years since its founding, the Cicerone Certification Program has become the industry standard for identifying those with significant knowledge and professional skills in beer sales and service.

Woop Woop

Posted on December 24, 2014 by melsmosaic

Sounds like I’m cheering, right? Well, I guess I sort of am. Found a great new (to me) wine last night. Was having leftover ‘roo burgers so decided to pick up an Australian wine to pair with them (had beer the first time around). Wanted to get something I hadn’t tried before. Found the Woop Woop Shiraz at the store.

Totally not what I was expecting for a(n Australian) Shiraz. I would say its color was very dark for the varietal and it was also thick/syrupy (best description I can give). The first thing I got on the nose was pepper, then a light bit of fennel, finally various berries. Same with the taste. But, again, the pepper was the most prominent. What was very interesting is that the wine changed throughout the evening. Always had a bit of a different character. Definitely worth checking out, and well priced — low-mid teens. Also, quick note, it was a screw top, which is becoming much more common. I call the things easy access.

A picture (or sign) says it all

Posted on November 9, 2014 by melsmosaic

A friend gave me this for my birthday…priceless.

Bootlegging

Posted on October 28, 2014 by melsmosaic

Was at the Navy Football game the other day, with of course some great tailgating, and was introduced to a distillery put together by some former Midshipmen. Go Navy! It’s Prohibition Distillery, based out of New York. We had the chance to enjoy some of their Vodka and Gin (not mixed together), both named Bootlegger 21. The vodka was used to make some amazing Bloody Marys, which were strategically blended and poured back into a Vodka bottle.

For the Gin, I heard that it makes a very nice G&T but I enjoyed a sample of a lime, lemon, mint and some other (non-alcoholic) stuff. Unique and quite good. I would not want more than one of them, though.

I would recommend giving this stuff a try. Hopefully you can find it in your area if you’re so inclined to do so.

No-Recipe Stew

Posted on October 23, 2014 by melsmosaic

Last Sunday I finally had the time to break in my new kitchen (just moved). So wanted to make something fun. And, the night before I opened a bottle of red wine that did not merit being finished. I don’t really want to waste wine therefore determined I would just cook with it. It had been a windy, sort of cold day around DC, so determined I wanted to make a stew-like meal. I did some research online and didn’t find anything that truly struck my fancy so got creative and put together my own thing.

Ingredients (all quantities are some/non specific):

-chicken (sliced or cut into pieces)
-cannellini beans
-stewed/canned tomatoes
-mushrooms
-kale
-red wine
-onion (used a red one)
-garlic
-thyme (had some fresh stuff on hand)
-water
-S&P

I sauteed the garlic and onion for a few minutes then added the chicken and sauteed that until it was cooked. After that I added the balance of the ingredients and cooked it over low heat for about an hour — I was in no hurry.

It was a very tasty stew, lots of flavor. I served it with a quality-of-a-name Zin, Zinzilla. It was a nice wine!

Explore in the kitchen! Never hurts to have fun and try something new.

Wine Crack(ers)

Posted on September 28, 2014 by melsmosaic

You can drink wine alone — there is zero problem with that. You can find a wine that pairs perfectly with your meal. You can find a meal to pair very nicely with your wine. Or, you can find snacks to nibble on while sipping your wine. While at the wine store, namely Total Wine, working a wine tasting and they give you these little nibbles to include at your table. Innocent little off-white globes, about the size of a thumb nail. These are Wine CRACKers. OMG. So, so, so good. I don’t know what is in these things but they are addictive!!!

Per the website, they are “O.T.C. Original Wine crackers are delicate, dry, yet slightly sweet with a hint of lemon and a touch of vanilla. O.T.C. Wine Crackers cleanse the palate and enhance the subtle flavor of fine wines. But you don’t have to be a wine lover to enjoy OTC wine crackers. While many people first experience them with wine, most end up eating them as a delicious snack or treat.”

They are totally right — have them on hand — they are like candy, oh, I mean snacks. So good! I’ve seen them at Total Wine and Wegman’s. Googling them brings up many other options, as well.