rappahannock

Wasn't it the Wine Enthusiast who named Oasis Brut one of the "World's 10 Best Champagne/Sparkling Wines". It certainly puts "wine person of the year" into perspective. Oasis does have a (highly overpriced) damn fine sparkler. But 10 best in the world... I can think of 10 better in France alone.

True, they do blind taste and I do believe they do not take advertising into account when scoring wines. The "awards" they hand out for wine list excellence is nothing but buying a piece of advertising in their magazine. You send them your wine list and a (non-refundable) check for 200 bones and your award is on it's way. That is not an award, it's advertising. At least in my world it is.

I gave up buying their winelist awards 6 years ago.

It's not an award, it's advertising. Besides, the Wine Spectator is a travel mag not a wine mag. IMO.

We are proud to announce our next wine event featuring nine vintages of one of California's finest. The evenings speaker is friend (and neighbor) Matthew Tucker of the Country Vintner. Should be a damn fine evening in the country...

Space is limited, price: $185. (includes tax and gratuity)

Menu:

Araujo Estate Wines

October 28, 2006

DINNER

Marinated Big-Eye Tuna

Aztec Beans, Arugula & Pomegranate Syrup

Pan-Roasted Squab

Vanilla Scented Beet Puree

Dry Aged Lamb Loin

Rapini Noodles & Sun Chokes

Veal Sweetbreads

Cabernet-Truffle Jelly & Fig Chips

Intermezzo

Hanger Steak

Pinenuts & Wild Mushrooms

Salad

Cheeses

Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard

1993 – 1994 – 1995 – 1996 – 1997 – 1998 – 1999 – 2000 – 2001

I absolutely love the Public House. But also (full disclosure) I cooked there in the early 90's.

A Conrad veteran?

Your part of Rappahannock County is so beautiful! A minimum of two visits per summer were part of our routine when my daughter went to camp nearby--she has unfortunately "graduated" now, and it's harder to find the time to make the trip. A question-- what is your neighbor Heidi, the one-time goat-cheese maker up to these days? We visited her farm and bought cheese from her many times, and were disappointed when she decided not to sell directly to the public anymore.

She actually has started a Dairying School (cow). The goat cheese biz was killing her and was impossible to keep up with demand. I'll get some info from her if/when she is teaching another class. My wife took it and was fascinated. I worked on a dairy farm as a kid growing up in Wisconsin and thought my wife might enjoy it.

Welcome aboard Rappahannock! Maybe you can guide us city/suburb dwellers to some hidden dining gems that are worth a drive out there or a good place to seek out on a weekend. Glad to have you here

I have to say (full disclosure) I am biased... My wife and I own and operate the Public House in Flint Hill. But I can highly recommend our neighbors (and pals) Four and Twenty Blackbirds. People call us competitors, but we are great neighbors. It's cool to have great neighbors... We should probably start another post as this really doesn't have anything to do with the Inn. Who, I have to say, are great neighbors as well. We get quite a bit of business from them with their overnight guests that are staying multiple nights.

Foster-Harris House. Tell them the guy from Citronelle sent you. They are super nice folks.

They are nice people. There are a lot of them out here in the hinterlands. The Middleton Inn is probably the swankest (next to the Inn itself). Gay Street Inn is awesome as well. New owners. Walking distance to the Inn. Foster-Harris just had a nice write up in Washingtonian Mag. There is literally a B&B for every mood out here. Depending on what your idea if relaxation is, that is. Check out www.rappahannock.com for a map of all the area b&b's

The Inn is an amazing place... And the county is an interesting place to live...

My first post. Finally something I can add to.