winecompass

Planning on visiting a winery, brewery, or distillery? Then theCompass mobile application can help. It is a locator app for North America where establishments can be located and mapped using a radius search of the device's location or by U.S. zip code. Users can also browse and map establishments by state for the United States or by province for Canada. All results can be filtered by industry type (winery, brewery, distillery, or cidery).

Check out our video filmed at Black Ankle Vineyards: http://www.myjoogtv.com/2010/09/myjoogtv-episode-3-uncle-dave-huber.html

How about some organic rye whisky from Catoctin Creek Distillers: http://www.myjoogtv.com/2010/11/myjoogtv-episode-6-andrew-mcknight-at_19.html

I wanted to share this episode of MyJoogTV featuring Andrew McKnight and distiller Scott Harris of Catoctin Creek Distilling Company. We discussed the distillation process for organic rye whiskey, social media, government regulation of spirits, and how McKnight and the Harris' are kindred spirits regarding the eat, drink, and play music locally. The Roundstone Rye we sampled was excellent, lighter than many bourbons, but flavorful and completely smooth at the tail. The highlight of the afternoon was listening to McKnight perform "Letter to Colonel Mosby" while sitting on an oak barrel in front of the still. At wine-compass.com, we are followers of "Free the Grapes, now its time to Free the Shine.

Every cheap beer has its place; maybe in the trash, but there's nothing like a cold 6 pack of Schlitz on the beach. Its more refreshing than any "mainstream" lager.

Does Oyamel not serve Mexican wine at its new location? If they do, they get it from someone, somewhere.

You're right, they do serve two Mexican wines, a Sauvignon Blanc and Tempranillo from Santo Tomas - in the past I've only drank Tequila there. I will have to contact them to find their distributer. Thanks to everyone for their input.

While on a trip to southern California I purchased a bottle of L.A. Cetto Vineyards's Nebbiolo Private Reserve. It was really good, so I am looking for any retailer in the area that either carries other Mexican wine or those from L.A. Cetto. Any suggestions?

My wife and I went to the just opened Potomac Point Winery this weekend. I must say that I was pretty impressed. The wines were some of, if not the best I have had at a Virginia Winery. They had several very good wines including a really nice Port.

The owner is the president of a home building company and spared no expense in building the winery. It is beautiful. It reminds me of some of the really nice places in Napa or Sonoma. It's done in the Meditaranian style. They have spaces for events, weddings, etc.... plus really nice places to hang out and enjoy some food and wine.

Like I said it just opened like 2 or 3 weeks ago, and their Grand Opening is next month, but from what I've seen I'm very impressed and excited to have something so nice down in my neck of the woods.

I'll give you a better breakdown on the wines we tasted in a later post, as I don't have my notes with me here at work.

Can you send me a list of their wines when you have a chance. I'd like to add them to our wine database at wine-compass.com. Thanks.

What are you're favorite dessert/sweet wines?

As I've been putting together my vision for my business, which initially was just desserts, I've added wines to my tasting events. I've never been much of a wine fan, but I realize now that's because I just can't acquire a taste for dry wines. I've always preferred Asti Spumante to Champagne. But sweet wines aren't as popular or plentiful and are usually more expensive.

Luckily, cake is my passion and I'm exploring the world of sweet wines. Any suggestions? So far, Bonny Doon's Muscat Vin de Glaciere is one of my favorites. There Bouteille Call port is my favorite port so far, especially since I've done some events focused on chocolate. And was also introduced to Rosa Regale a sparkling red wine with raspberry flavor. On the cheaper side, Sutter Home's Moscato is pretty good.

I usually rely on Jane Cahill who owns The Winery in Alexandria to help me with my picks to match my menu.

At the Today's Bordeaux event last month, we tasted an amazing Sauternes from Castelnau de Suduiraut. The wine retails for $20 and is a bargain. I'm not sure where it is sold, but the Importer is Compagnie Medocaine des Grands Crus. I generally prefer Tokaji wines, but this was top notch. For a local alternative try Barbourville's Malvaxia Reserve Passito.

I'm really excited about an upcoming event at Planet Wine in Del Ray and haven't seen anything posted on their website about it so thought I'd post here. The shop is hosting visiting Austrian winemaker Eva Steininger of Weingut Steininger and importer Klaus Wittauer for a special tasting event this Thursday at 7:30. Price is $25 for the tasting which will include hors d'oeuvres. I LOVE their wines...vibrant, fun whites...perfect for warm weather (which will eventually get here, right?). Check out their portfolio here.

Call the shop to RSVP at 703.549.3444. See you there?

Can you give me the details so that we can post the event on our site? Thanks

i was in hungary this january, and had some fabulous merlots from szekszard. have no idea where to buy it here; it's probably not imported much. would buy cases if it were.

Hungarian Bulls Blood is available in most stores. They are making it more into a Bourdeaux blend by replacing the Kardaka and kekfrankos with Cabernet and Merlot. It's still a good wine at a cheap price - Usually $6. If you ever get out to Fairfax, Il Vino has a few Hungarian wines made from small producers. They are priced around $15. They also has a large selection of Italian wines made from small producers. This is a good wine shop.

I know you are all more "All knowing" than myself having moved here just a few months back so I will ask for your aid!

I am looking for a winery in or near Loudoun County or Northern Fairfax or nearby that has not just Wine but an inexpensive snack or meal or event or a teaching/learning opportunity that goes along with it.

Today, I did notice one on the net this weekend italian taste treats and wine and it was 5 or 10 dollars. I grow weary of the wine n cheese circuit so anything interesting and different would be wonderful and gratefully appreciated.

Tarara is a good choice. You should also check the few wineries on route 9 - Breaux and Hillsbourough usually have events and Loudoun Vineyards serves food. Also, try the Winery at La Grange. You can find these wineries at Wine-Compass.com

At wine-compass.com we just added a link for DC wine retailers on our Wine Info page. Our list is practically empty (just one store), so we are looking for good suggestions. Please include the store name, address, phone number, and hours, web address and email - if these last three are available. We are also taking suggestions for Maryland and Virginia retailers; let us know as well. Thanks for your help.

Hi all,

I'm planning my sister's bachelorette party, and with a bit of persuading, she's agreed to make it a trip to VA wineries. THANK THE LORD.

I have a few wineries in mind already, but I'm wondering if anyone's ever done one of those wine tour things... or has any other suggestions for how to (not too expensively) get 5-10 lovely ladies around the VA countryside?

(Yeah, yeah, no jokes from the cheap seats please)

thanks!

-Carolyn

Make sure you check with the winery beforehand because some do not allow limos. Apparently these wineries get upset with limo riders because they expect free booze, but don't purchase any wine.

There are several wine blogs dedicated to discussing Virginia Wines.

My Virginia Wine Spot

Virginia Wine Time

Anything Wine

Wine Compass Blog

I'm hoping to get out to Chester Gap this month, but you can read our reviews of Chateau O'Brien and Fox Meadows at http://www.wine-compass.com/DesktopDefault...=7&tabid=11

Chateau O'Brien has a great tasting room, which is worth a visit in itself.

Actually, I was completed wrong about the price of Horton's Viognier. It is now $20. A previous vintage was $10, but a guess with its success, they've doubled the price. I apologize for submitted incorrect information. Go to Schneiders.

Horton's Viognier current vintage sells for $10 at the winery, so you are probably paying a good premium at Schneiders. Horton also has several current vintages under or just over $10. Barboursville Vineyards has a Chardonnay and Riesling under $10; Prince Michel Winery and Abingdon Vineyard & Winery have several wines for sale at or under $10; all current vintages. If you increase your budget by $5, there are even more excellent wines available. Yea, I have a little problem paying over $20 for a VA wine to use as everyday dinner wine, but that's why you should attend festivals, sample which wines you like, then splurge on occasion, on the one's you like.

There are countless quality Virginia wines for around $10. Try the Horton Viognier, Norton, or Rkatsiteli. Prince Michel has a great low cost dry riesling. You can find low cost wines at the wine-compass.com search engine. There are also decent Maryland wines at the same value. Wine-compass also contains a retail section for each state that lists wine shops that sell local wine.

You found a bottle of Black Maple Hill whiskey! How you'd get that lucky? I've been searching for whiskey from Black Maple Hill for years ever since I read an article where several bourbon connoisseurs selected it over Bookers, Blanton, Pappy Van Winkle, and the rest. Which store did you purchase the rye? How was it?

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Todd

wine-compass.com

Besides finding a good retail store, another good approach is to try new wines at area festivals. There are several excellent wineries throught Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and North Carolina. During the summer and fall, there are dozens of festivals where you can sample each state's products. Let me shamelessly promote my website, wine-compass.com, which allows you to view wineries and events by state.

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Todd

wine-compass.com

Yea, these events can get tiresome, but the best approach is to select a certain type of wine or wines from a specific area. That keeps you moving and may introduce yourself to something new i.e. South African wines. We will be covering the event on our Compass Tours section at wine-compass.com. We plan on focusing on the wines of New York in preparation for the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, as well as wines from Georgia, Crotia, Mexico, and of course South Africa. If you want something completely different try the tropical fruit wines from Miami Winery or the wines from Brotherhood Winery, America's oldest continually operating winery.