Sherry'sWineandSpirits

Hello! My name is Ryan Wegman and I'm the director of wine and outreach for Sherry's Wine and Spirits in Woodley Park. I'm excited to share and learn on DR.com, especially given I'm somewhat of a prodigal son to the site! I used to be the director of communications for the French Wine Society and we found DR to be a very valuable, resourceful tool, particularly in having meaningful exchanges with the trade and savvy wine and food vivants. I hope to enjoy the same again in my newest capacity. If you've been to Sherry's or have an interest in stopping by and learning more, I'd love to hear from you and welcome you as our guest for a tour. Any friend of Don Rockwell's is a friend of mine. We deliver, cater, etc., and our reputation has become "if we don't carry it, they don't make it!" as we specialize in lots of hard to find specialty liquors, whiskies, etc. Our wine collection is quickly becoming the same way. And if you do stop in, please introduce yourself! Cheers and best, Ryan Wegman

I really wish the large festivals in DC were, more often, like Taste of the Nation -- minus the VERY loud speakers toward the end. The food was great, the chefs were in a good, chatty mood and there were pretty decent wines. Aziz from Tannic Tongue had an outstanding Viognier from Washington state. We were the only table with Champagne; between the chefs and the folks with taste, we had a small mob!

French Wine Society will have a table in the VIP section...should be fun. We'll pour Piper-Heidsieck Brut, Remy 1738 Cognac, Laroche Chablis and some French cocktails. Stop by!

Rhone Renaissance A French Wine Society Event APRIL 17th, 2008 3:00 to 6:00 pm - Trade & Media pre-opening 6:00 to 8:30pm - Consumer tasting Embassy of France 4101 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007 Consumer cost: $65 FWS members, $79 non members Washington, D.C. - On Thursday, April 17th, 2008 at 6:00 to 8:30pm WHO: French Wine Society, Côtes du Rhône, French International Culinary Society, MacArthur Beverages WHAT: Enjoy an evening of fine Rhône Valley wines paired with a large selection of hors d'oeuvres prepared by 10+ talented local chefs. Taste a vast and diverse selection of wines from prestigious appellations including Crozes-Hermitage, Tavel, Côte-Rôtie, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Saint-Joseph, Châteauneuf-du-pape & Côtes du Rhone...Wines will be available for purchase with special prices through MacArthur Beverages. Chef demonstrations, educational lectures, raffle & silent auction benefiting the scholarship program of the French International Culinary Society will be some of the many features at this epicurean event! WHEN: April 17th, 2008 from: 3:00 to 6:00 pm - Trade & Media pre-opening 6:00 to 8:30pm - Consumer tasting WHERE: Embassy of France 4101 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007 Media & Trade, please RSVP to www.frenchwinesociety.org/rsvp or at (202) 466.3330 Consumers: www.frenchwinesociety.org -More- About French Wine Society The French Wine Society (FWS) is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to the promotion of French wine in the United States. The mission of the FWS is to promote the quality and diversity of French wines, to educate the public about the richness of the national and regional savoir faire, and more generally, to celebrate the French Art de Vivre: the conviviality of an excellent meal paired with delicious wines, shared amongst friends. About French International Culinary Society The French International Culinary Society is an exclusive membership organization dedicated to preserving the traditions of quality in the French culinary arts, through education and professional development. About MacArthur Beverages MacArthur Beverages has a cellar that includes some of the best and most sought after wines in the world. 4877 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Washington, DC 20007 About Côtes du Rhône The Côtes du Rhône wines council represents all the producers and negociants of the region. Its role is to promote the appellations d'origine contrôlée from the Rhône Valley: the Côtes du Rhône, the Côtes du Rhône Villages, and 14 of the local crus (Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Château-Grillet, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Cornas, Saint-Péray, Vinsobres, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise, Lirac, Tavel). For more information, visit www.rhone-wines.com

While the world knows the famous Chateau of Margaux, fewer people understand this is also the name of a commune and appellation in the Médoc, Bordeaux. Margaux, most southerly of Médoc's appellations, is home to more classified second and third growths then any other appellation including: first growth Château Margaux; second growths Château Rauzan-Ségla, Château Rauzan-Gassies, Château Durfort-Vivens, Château Lascombes, and Château Brane-Cantenac; third growths include Château Kirwan, Château d'Issan, Château Giscours, Château Malescot St. Exupery, Château Cantenac-Brown, Château Boyd-Cantenac, Château Palmer,… Margaux has the thinnest soil in the region with the highest proportion of gravel that allows the soil to drain very well. This appellation is known as the most feminine of the Médoc wines. In the best vintages it produces wines of rare finesse. Located north of Margaux, Pauillac is another legendary legendary appellation that "houses" three first growths: Château Latour, Chateau Lafitte Rotschild and Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Pauillac, having the highest elevation of the Médoc, produces unique virile, powerful wines, with a great concentration of flavors.Ben Gilliberti, world famous Bordeaux expert and Washington Post wine critic for 20 years, will lead us on an in-depth discovery of the two appellations, their terroir, history, famous chateaux and exceptional wines. To register and for more information, visit: www.frenchwinesociety.org

Ben Gilliberti, world famous Bordeaux expert and Washington Post wine critic for 20 years, will lead us on an in-depth discovery of the two places wine experts and aficionados have been highly rating for years, but without much insight into their secret gifts. By the conclusion of this seminar, you will understand this region with such finesse and clarity that you will be prepared to continue the journey into our next Bordeaux "Grand Vin" series of Margaux and Pauillac. St. Emilion and Pomerol wines, like most Bordeaux, are blends of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Being located on the right bank of the Gironde river, the distinguishing characteristic of these appellations, the 'assemblage' is predominately Merlot. The Merlot grapes found throughout the world can trace their origins, more often than not, directly to this area of Bordeaux. The first vines of St. Emilion were planted by the Romans around 2 A.D. (even the Italians knew a good thing when they discovered it!). Pomerol is the smallest wine appellation in Bordeaux and commands immense attention at wine auctions the world-over. To register and for more information, visit www.frenchwinesociety.org

When learning about wine, France is the benchmark. It is where the novice starts and the expert finishes... Taste the diversity, savor the culture. Experience France in your glass! The French Wine Society, in partnership with the prestigious Society of Wine Educators, offers a unique opportunity to increase your French wine knowledge and enjoyment! This course, while thorough and in-depth, also has the right balance to allow you to enjoy while you learn. Like all FWS programs, this is educational and instructive, both in the mind and in the art de vivre. The session is divided into 6 classes, with each one focusing on a specific wine region. The one hour and a half class will include a tasting of many diverse wines from the featured region. Spring session will be held on Tuesdays from 6:45pm to 8:15pm: - Tuesday, February 5th, Loire Valley - Tuesday, February 12th, Bordeaux - Tuesday, February 19th, Alsace - Tuesday, February 26th, Burgundy - Tuesday, March 4th, Rhone Valley - Tuesday, March 11th, Champagne *MEMBERS OF THE TRADE RECEIVE FWS MEMBER DISCOUNT FOR FRENCH WINE ACADEMY* E-mail ryan.wegman@frenchwinesociety.org for information. A buffet of artisanal French cheeses and breads will be served at each class. Classes are taught by Certified Wine Educators. Missed classes may be made up at no charge the next or following time(s) the same course is offered provided FWS is given sufficient notice of intent to attend and there is space available. Call or e-mail at least 48h in advance. Metro access: The Washington Club is located one block from the Dupont Circle metro station. *** TO REGISTER, VISIT frenchwinesociety.org

Among wine regions, this is the fairy-tale experience from its inception to the present day. Castles, popes, fierce restrictions and bizarre legends give these wines more personality than mere 'tasting notes'. Chateauneuf-du-Pape translates to, "new castle of the pope". After a dispute amongst themselves, the cardinals of Rome moved the papacy to Avignon, France. And where there is a pope, there is wine. Very good wine. A new wine-making tradition was born using the legally permitted 13 grape varieties in 1308. This heavily restricted territory limits its yields to roughly half of what may be produced in Bordeaux and permits nearly no outside interference in the natural process of wine-making. These wines are so unique that citrus characteristics have been noted after 8-10 years of aging in their red production. Learn why 'flying saucers' are not permitted to fly over Chateauneuf-du-Pape and so very much more! This in-depth exploration will be presented by a Certified Wine Educator. To register, visit www.frenchwinesociety.org

As part of our "Grands Vins" series, this in-depth tasting will travel you through the Grand Cru Rieslings from Alsace! Less than 5% of all wine produced in Alsace is privileged to carry the title of "Grand Cru". Here is your passport to the unique, exclusive and critically-acclaimed few Rieslings admitted to this category. To be entitled to the Appellation d'Origine Controlee (AOC) Alsace "Grand Cru", grapes grown in this region must be from strictly limited individual vineyard sites. The exact geographic limits of the 50 named vineyards are determined via French legislation which places heavy emphasis on cultivation methods to ensure particular characterstics and standards are met every year. With terrior ranging from sand to granite and limstone, the diversity this region's land exhibts guarantees the most stylistically unique and finesse-filled wines. Wines to be featured (list in progress): -Josmeyer Riesling Brand 2004 -Marc Kreydenweiss Wiebelsberg 2004 -Marc Kreydenweiss Kastelberg 2004 -Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg 2006 -Ehrhart Grd Cru Hengst 2003 -Schlumberger Saering Riesling 2005 -Otter Organic Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg 2005 -Zind-HumbrechtRiesling Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain 2004 -Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Brand Vendange Tardive 2004 This in-depth seminar will be presented by a Certified Wine Educator. Tasting complemented by a rich selection of French cheeses. For registration, please proceed to www.frenchwinesociety.org. Print this page Add this event to Google Calendar Send to a friend Outlook Calendar