A Ripple in Wine
April 10, 2012 by Derek Swanson
More often than not I can choose from a wine list after quickly scanning the pages. As I am usually looking to try something new, the right selection tends to jump out at me, even from the longer, 3-ring binder-sized lists. Once in a while though, as happened this past Saturday at Ripple, a list will flummox [...]
Albariño from Rias Biaxas
January 11, 2012 by Dick Rosano
The traditional notion is that Albariño, the deliciously fruity wine from Spain, is best with paella and gazpacho. There is no desire here to dispute that advice, but unless you find yourself in one of D.C.’s few very good Spanish restaurants, that would leave little reason to discover this little gem. In fact, Albariño [...]
Crazy Crianza!
July 20, 2011 by Derek Swanson
Crazy? Crazy good is what I meant. I picked up this impressive red from FirstVine.com. It is a slight departure from the shop’s Rhone-focused selection, but not from their focus on quality. This Tempranillo, named LARA O, from Ribera del Duero is supple and juicy. It reminded me more of a high-end California Pinot than [...]
Prepping for Valentine’s Day
February 10, 2011 by Dick Rosano
In case you didn’t notice, Valentine’s Day is around the corner. The little guy has his bow and arrow pointed directly at your reputation: Get something good or you may be looking for a new valentine next year. The countdown has begun and, unless you’re more prepared than the average ‘significant other,’ you’re still wondering [...]
Risotto and Sherry
January 11, 2011 by Dick Rosano
Risotto is one of Italy’s greatest contributions to food. Creamy, richly textured, sporting a host of flavors ranging from wild mushrooms to sautéed onion to wine, cooked up in an aromatic broth and laced with fresh Parmigiano cheese. Even imagining it makes mouths water. As an inveterate fan of this dish, I’ve sampled versions in [...]
