wine

Ansonia Wines Opens Up at 1828 18th Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

We learned the shop was coming back in early Sept.. This is also the same building where POSH consignment store recently opened. Here’s a note I received from the owner:

“We are located at 1828 on 18th Street between T and Swann, across from Lauriol Restaurant. Ansonia Wines grows out of a small, family run business specializing in French wines. For the past few years Ansonia Imports has supplied wine to some of Washington’s finest restaurants, including CityZen, Citronelle, Komi, Obelisk and Central. Now the Ansonia Wines retail store will bring such wines to individual wine lovers in DC’s Dupont Circle neighborhood. The majority of our wines come from Burgundy, but we also sell wines from the Alsace, the Rhone, Bordeaux and Italy.

We offer hand-selected wines, from winemakers we know. We think that people enjoy their wine a little more when they know something about who made it and where it came from – in our store you’ll find books, maps, and photographs with our producers, all designed to bring our customers closer to the producers that make their wine. We insist on complete climate control for all of our wines through the entire journey from vineyard to our store. Our wines are as fresh as they are at the domaine.

We had a soft opening this past Saturday, and are open from 10:30am-8:30pm Monday through Thursday, and 10am-9pm Friday and Saturday. We are planning an open house event Saturday December 12th where we will open a larger number and range of wines throughout the day.

More information can also be found at our website, www.AnsoniaWines.com, or on our blog: ansoniawines.blogspot.com.”

Weygandt Wines to Have Grand Opening Wed. in Cleveland Park

By Prince Of Petworth

We learned of this spot located at 3519 Connecticut Ave., NW back in March. I was lucky enough to chat with the owners and wine consultants on Saturday. Weygandt Wines is owned by Peter Weygandt and Todd Ross:


Todd Ross to the left and Peter Weygandt to the right

Peter Weygandt has been an importer of wines for 20 years with Weygandt Metzler Importing based out of Pennsylvania. Peter and Todd chose DC for their first brick and mortar store because “DC is filled with educated, sophisticated people who like to drink wine”. I couldn’t agree more. The store will be unique in that it will have a tasting bar much like you may see at a vineyard. They will be offering wines from 120-130 different producers (nine of whom are photographed on the walls). If you have a tough time deciding which wines to purchase you can be guided by their two wine consultants, Tim O’Rourke and Matthew Stintz. Tim and Matthew are a bit unique in that they were both formerly chefs. Tim at Citronelle (among others) and Matthew at Terra (in St. Helena, California).


Tim O’Rourke left, Matthew Stintz right.

The store was still being stocked but this’ll give you an idea of the size of the space (formerly Blockbuster video store):

You can see where the tasting spot will be in the back right corner of the photo. Speaking of tasting – their Web site says they’ll be having “Our first tasting: The wines of F.X. Pichler
Saturday, October 24th, 2:00 – 5:00 pm”. Though, they mentioned that tastings will not only be reserved for special events.

So if you wanted to check out a store devoted exclusively to wine – check out their grand opening Wed. starting at 10am!

Random Summer Outings: VA Vineyards (by Robyn)

By Prince Of Petworth

Robyn last wrote about drinking with pirates.

You know when you order wine at a fancier restaurant and they bring it to you to taste before they pour a glass? Sure I’ll swirl it around, maybe do that slurp thing, but it’s pretty obvious I have no idea what I’m doing. I always choose the one that’s one step up from the least expensive one and hope for the best, and if it tastes like jug wine I probably won’t be able to tell the difference anyway. I personally think that restaurants probably have a box of wine in the back they serve to those that cannot pronounce what wine their ordering.

So a Napa Valley transplant friend of mine suggested we go to the vineyards in Virginia for some wine 101. There are over 37 wineries in Northern Virginia alone, most within an hour’s drive or less from DC. Perfect for a Sideways adventure or just to sip the stuff and hang out in the country. How do you tackle it? Choose couple vineyards from http://www.virginiawine.org/wineries/browse/. Then, if you’re like me, visit each one, go up to the counter and look like a deer in headlights until they offer you a sample. Nod in agreement when they say that what you are drinking has hints of applewood and oak and pear and its dry (huh?). Try not to eat all their cheese and crackers, order a glass of the one you liked the best, and peruse their property which usually has a gazebo, gnomes, fields of green, lazy cats and in some cases a fly fisherman. Drive to the next one and repeat.

Did I retain enough knowledge to become a sommelier? Probably not. But the next time I order at a restaurant I’ll look for hints of the many terms used nowadays to describe wine (herbaceous, smoky, supple, tannin, toasty), and describe it as such. I still have much love for good old Carlo Rossi though.

Judging Restaurants – Enology

By Prince Of Petworth

Holy cow – another wine bar! Enology is located at 3238 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. Seems like this spot keeps turning over. So has anyone checked this place out yet? How does it compare to the other wine bars in town?

Target Not Just For Tube Socks Anymore

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending this photo. This was taken today at the Target in Columbia Heights. I support the option but I’m still going to get my wine at D’Vines across the street. They gave me a great recommendation last time I went. Although, I now have a new spot for my box of wine purchases…

It’s Official 11th Street Deli Becoming a Wine Bar

By Prince Of Petworth

I finally got some more details about this awesome development. It turns out Temperance Hall/Looking Glass Lounge Manager, Dan Searing, is one of the partners in the wine bar slated to come to 11th Street and Lamont. My opinion of this section of 11th Street continues to soar. One day I’m going to open up a satellite office on 11th Street!

So I spoke to Dan this evening to get some more details about the as of yet unnamed wine bar. He is partnering with Ben Gilligan (of the band French Toast), Nick Pimentel (of Toolbox Design, Yellow Fever DJs, and Gypsy Eyes and Planaria record labels) and Paul Ruppert. They are currently in the process of applying for a liquor license and they are looking forward to working with the ANC and the community at large to ensure a smooth transition. They hope to open up sometime in the Fall. Inside will seat up to 20 folks and outside will be a garden area that will seat up to 25.

Dan will continue working at Looking Glass Lounge in a part-time capacity.

This is a phenomenal development. What an awesome place to compliment Red Rocks, Wonderland, Bloombars, and Columbia Heights Coffee. And don’t forget we still have Meridian Pint coming as well. Beautiful.

Some Scuttlebutt For Ya – Wine Bar Coming to 11th Street in Columbia Heights!

By Prince Of Petworth

Now remember all posts that have the word “scuttlebutt” in them must be taken with a grain of salt. However, a particularly good source has emerged who will be known as the Park Road Prognosticator (PRP). So PRP has tracked down a phenomenal scoop. Apparently 11th Street Deli has been sold. In and of itself that would be a sad thing. But for the fact that a number of sources are saying that the new owner plans on opening a wine bar and pastry shop! I’m telling you 11th Street keeps getting better and better! Has anyone else heard this rumor?

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