Justin's May Wine Club Picks

Members of A.M. Wine Club enjoy three carefully selected wines from around the world each month. Each wine is hand-selected by proprietor Justin Abad to create a unique tasting experience and showcase some of our favorite wineries. The club will give you a chance to try new varietals and taste some of our personal favorites--not to mention, enjoy the convenience of letting us put everything together for you. Read more or sign up here.

May's Featured Wines
This month, we're featuring a few of our favorite underrated gems.

Botani, 2010
(100% Moscatel Seco)

This Spanish white is from the ancient village of Almachar in the mountains of Malaga, Spain.  It is a collaborative effort by two of the most well respected wine families in the world: Jorge Ordonez, best known for capturing terroir of indigenous Spanish varietals, and Alois Kracher, an Austrian wine maker who was instrumental in re-vitalizing the nearly forgotten Austrian varietals.

The product of their collaboration is a light, floral white with an expressive bouquet.  It has notes of citrus and wild berry, with undertones of minerality.  The wine is extremely energetic and almost jumps on the palate.  Forget about comparing this to what you have tried before. Instead, approach this wine with an open mind.  It's essentially a spring day in a bottle, paired best with salty meats and firm cheeses.

Rene Bouvier, La Chapitre, 2009
(100% Pinot Noir))
Previously featured as a Wine of the Week selection.

Bernard Bouvier continues the tradition that his father Rene began nearly 40 years ago. Nestled at the border of Cote d'Or in the village of Marsannay, Bernard creates wine that blends tradition with modern vinification technology. Still prohibiting the use of any chemicals in his vineyards, Rene is able to capture the "terroir" and culture of his Burgundian roots in his most accessible Pinot, "La Chapitre." 2009 was a hot vintage that resulted in an accessible expression of Pinot that shows elegant dark fruit with just enough structure to lend balance to this red burgundy.

The wine is light to medium bodied and shows rich earth tones with balanced dark fruit. If you asked me to describe the wine in one word it would be this: balance. Accessible, balanced, and an amazing introduction to Bernard's style, this Bourgogne outperforms its contemporaries by leaps and bounds. Enjoy alone or with ripe cheese and charcuterie and see what all the fuss is about!

Sierras del Priorat, Priorat 2010
(blend of Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mazuela, and Syrah)

From the acclaimed wine maker of Clos Mogador, Rene Barbier, comes this "baby Priorat."  The wine shows off the traditional style of Clos Mogador without the major investment (upwards of $150/bottle).  Rene creates this wine with fruit from some of the same vines used in his higher tiered releases.  

The medium body red shows supple texture, especially in the mid palatte, and finishes with rounded and well balanced tanins.  On the nose there are rich, earthy red fruit tones with a subtle, almost rose-bud bouquet.  Pair with grilled meat (my favorite with grilled bison), tomato based stews, or any dish involving game of some sort.  This little treasure is a gem that I'm sure you will enjoy!

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Justin's April Wine Club Picks

Members of A.M. Wine Club enjoy three carefully selected wines from around the world each month. Each wine is hand-selected by proprietor Justin Abad to create a unique tasting experience and showcase some of our favorite wineries. The club will give you a chance to try new varietals and taste some of our personal favorites--not to mention, enjoy the convenience of letting us put everything together for you. Read more or sign up here.

April's Featured Wines
This month, Justin is pulling out all the stops with three of his all-time favorites.

Ulacia e Hijos, Txakoli ("choc-o-lee")
(85% Hondaribbi Zuri, 15% Hondarrubi Belza, from the Basque coast of Northern Spain)

This Txakoli is one of the most unique expressions of Spanish wine that I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. Light and crisp with lively acidity and notes of lime zest that remind one of a warm afternoon on a Mediterranean beach. Its subtle effervescence and low alcohol content (11%) make it perfect for a hot day on the porch. Enjoy this wine with oysters, clams, or any type of steamed shellfish and you won't be disappointed. In fact, I find it hard to imagine drinking anything else with pintxos (small plates) or as an aperitif.  A seasonal favorite of mine that brings me back to the plazas of Spain, this wine will surely transport you to a place equally as inspirational and refreshing. VALE!

Tres Sabores, Porque No?
(A blend of Zin, Cabernet, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Petit Syrah from Napa Valley)

The "Porque No?" is A blend of some of the finest fruit from Julie Johnson, one of the most inspirational wine makers I have ever known.  Johnson truly is a winemaker without pretense. The name of this wine, which translates to "Why Not," fits its style and attitude perfectly. Johnson has created a well-balanced expression of zinfandel-based wine that shows the right proportions of soft, round tannis, dark berry fruit, and spice. Delicious with anything grilled or carmalized, this wine will undoubtedly become a summer favorite. Just don't spoil it by trying to over-analyze it. "Porque No?" is meant to be enjoyed and celebrated without too much thought.

Domaine Jean Folliard, "Cote du Py" 2010
(100% unfiltered Gamay from Morgon, France)

One of the ten official Beaujolais Crus, and widely considered the most elegant from the region, this Gamay is one of the few expressions that can and should be aged for 5-10 years in bottle. Its floral nose gives way to notes of stone fruit and soft earth tones on the palate. Serve this beauty with a slight chill to allow the aroma, fruit, and structure to come together in a beautiful harmony. Pair it with light pork dishes, rich seafood dishes, or enjoy by itself, and you'll notice that this wine demonstrates that Beaujolais doesn't have to fit the flashy "Nouveau" style. Great Beaujolais shows elegance, complexity, and structure. The only problem with this amazing wine is that you'll never think of Gamay the same way again. (Whether that is actually a problem is up to.) Despite limited allocation each year, you can find this favorite on Justin's Cellar Page at Cashion's Eat Place.



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Justin's March Wine Club Picks

Members of A.M. Wine Club enjoy three carefully selected wines from around the world each month. Each wine is hand-selected by proprietor Justin Abad to create a unique tasting experience and showcase some of our favorite wineries. The club will give you a chance to try new varietals and taste some of our personal favorites--not to mention, enjoy the convenience of letting us put everything together for you. Read more or sign up here.

March's Featured Wines

As part of our South African Wine Month, two of our three selections hail from the country's best wineries. We hope you enjoy these gems as much as we do!

Château d’Orschwihr, Cremant d'Alsace
Blend of Sylvaner and Muscat from Alsace, France

This Chateau has a long and rich history of practicing sustainable farming techniques, which includes avoiding the use of any pesticides.  The proprietor and wine maker Hubert Hartmann perpetuates a philosophy of consistency and quality by keeping yields low and having complete control of the growth, harvesting, and fermentation of all the fruit used to create this rich, yet refreshing sparkling wine.

The wine itself has a rich front palate with notes of honeydew and other green melon.  The mid palate's balanced, supple texture gives way to a bright finish with a refreshing burst of acidity, likened to ripe citrus.  The wine is an excellent accompanyment to food, due to its richness and weight, and one that deserves to be saved for only the best company.

Vilafonte "Series M"
32.5% Merlot, 30% Malbec, 32.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Stellenboshc, South Africa

This Bordeaux-inspired blend is brought to us by Mike Ratcliffe, the co-owner of Warwick Estates in South Africa.  Mike is largely responsible for putting South African wines on the map with his value-driven, consistently-made Warwick Wines.  For this particular wine, Mike wanted to demonstrate that South Africa has the terroir and sophistication to produce a high level, complex wine that is reminiscent of some of the finest Bordeaux's from France.

The wine is powerful and full bodied with a bold but silky mouth feel from start to finish.  It has the structure and depth to age for years, but can easily be enjoyed within 30 minutes of opening (or less if decanted).

Notes of cocoa powder and black fruit with deep floral undertones make this wine perfect for grilled meats, braised stew, and rich, hearty preparations of any kind. Those of you who love BIG wines will enjoy the balance of the "Series M" on its own!

Badenhorst "Secateaurs"
100% Chenin Blanc from Swartland, South Africa

This gem is brought to us by Adi Badenhorst who will be co-hosting our Wine Dinner at Cashion's Eat Place on Monday, March 26th.  The Chenin Blanc grapes are hand picked by Adi and his staff at the vineyard, which speaks much to the philosophy of "farmer first, winemaker second" that is personified by the Badenhorst Family.

The wine shows incredible texture and palate weight, making more of an impact than you might think for a South African Chenin Blanc.  However, the fruit is expressive and accessible enough for everyday consumption.  Because of the wine's slight residual sugar and richness, spicy dishes are the perfect companion for this well-balanced, and fruit-driven white.  It may sound crazy, but Thai food and South African Wines are a match made in heaven!



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A.M. Wine Club February Picks

Members of A.M. Wine Club enjoy three carefully selected wines from around the world each month. Each wine is hand-selected by proprietor Justin Abad to create a unique tasting experience and showcase some of our favorite wineries. The club will give you a chance to try new varietals and taste some of our personal favorites--not to mention, enjoy the convenience of letting us put everything together for you. Read more or sign up here.

February's Featured Wines:

Mazzolino Sparkling Rose, Oltrepò Pavese

This delicate, refreshing sparkling rose is made entirely from Pinot Nero grapes grown just southwest of Milan in the Oltrepò Pavese region of Lombardia. Salmon in color and light in body, this wine is made in the "méthode champenoise" - the classic method used in France's Champagne region, allowing secondary fermentation in the bottle.

The wine has a delicate and refreshing palette with fruit that is reminiscent of freshly picked strawberries and a finish that is clean and crisp. It pairs exceptionally well with ripe, soft cheese, charcuterie, and bittersweet chocolates, and its beautiful balance makes it great to start (or end) any special Valentine's Day celebration.

A few years ago, A.M. Wine Shoppe proprietor Justin Abad met the winemaker, Jean-Francois Coquard, and was quickly inspired by Coquard's passion, talent, and dedication to the vine. Justin first tasted the Mazzolino Sparkling Rose at 2:30 a.m. with Coquard and importer Brennan Downey after the Tre Bicchiere Wine Tasting in New York City. To his delight, the wine tasted as good as he "remembered" it when it arrived in the Shoppe and at Cashion's Eat Place a few weeks later.

Domaine Sange de Cailloux, Vacqueyras

This blend of Grenache (70%), Syrah (20%), Mourvedre and Cinsault (10%) hails from the Vacqueyras region of southern Rhone in France. "Sange de Cailloux" literally translates to "blood from stone," stemming from the fact that the soil is composed of many small clay and limestone rocks.

The wine exhibits smoky black fruit with background notes of leather, rosemary, and spicy "garrigue" (oak). The texture is seemingly medium to full bodied, but deceptively light given its driving acidity. The Sange de Cailloux is a versatile wine that will pair well with any Valentine's Day feast. Given the season, it's especially perfect for braised meats, game, and rich fish preparations.

The deep earth tones and lush textures common in wines from southern Rhone makes it one of Justin's favorite regions. His first experience with Vacqueyras was with a braised pork dish with stewed tomatoes, cous cousaki, dried oregano, and shaved Parmesan cheese.  Heaven.

La Tour Vieille, Banyuls Riserva

A blend of late harvest Grenache (35%), Grenache Gris (35%), and Carignan (30%), this rich, decadent dessert wine hails from the "French Catalonia" town of Collioure on the Mediterranean Coast.

The wine has a rich and full texture with deep plum and black fruit notes. Its acidity makes it surprisingly less cloying and viscous than many of its counterparts. It pairs exquisitely with any chocolate and/or caramel desserts for your Valentine's Day sweetheart.

A great treat of this wine is its incredible durability. Since it goes through a natural oxidation process, the wine will last opened in your refrigerator for up to a month.


To learn more about A.M. Wine Club, or to sign up, click here. 

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Super Bowl Meat & Cheese Platters

Throwing a Super Bowl party and want to impress your friends with something other than 7-layer dip? Let A.M. Wine Shoppe put together a meat and cheese board worthy of such an occassion. Complete with savory cured meats, cheeses of all flavors and textures, and accoutrement to match, our meat and cheese boards are just what you need for the big game. General pricing is below, but we're happy to customize orders to meet your needs. Just give us a call at 202-506-2248 or shoot us an email. Order by 9 p.m. on Saturday, February 4 to guarantee Sunday pick-up. We'll do everything we can to accommodate last-minute requests, but cannot guarantee availability for orders made after 9 p.m. Saturday.

• Cheese Board - $55 - Large selections of our three favorite cheeses with olives, crackers and quince paste
• Meat & Cheese Board - $75 - A platter fit for the big game. Includes a selection of a couple cheeses and a few of our favorite cured meats along with mustard, olives, crackers and quince paste
• AdMo Platter - $50 ($5 per person) - Bite-size pieces of our flagship sandwich - a snacking dream for up to ten people

Don't see an option that fits your needs? Let us know by Saturday evening and we'll do everything we can to put together a custom selection. Give us a call at 202-506-2248 or shoot us an email with questions.




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2nd Anniversary Party Recap

Huge thanks to Pam Kaplan for creating this great video in honor of our 2nd Anniversary Party. Pictures coming soon!


A.M. Wine Shoppe - 2nd Anniversary from pam kaplan on Vimeo.


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2nd Anniversary Party

Join us for an all-out neighborhood party celebrating two great years in business! Your support has made these two years possible, so let us say thank you with a full afternoon of free tastings, demonstrations, and special deals. Our neighborhood discount will be extended to 15% all day, and if you bring in a first-timer to the Shoppe, we'll give you both a 20% discount to use at a later date. On top of that, we're bringing in all of our favorite vendors, producers, and food & drink experts to help us celebrate. Check out the full schedule:

• 1-3 p.m. - Nice Legs distributor
• 1-2:30 p.m. - Cashion's sous chef Sarah Smith chats about her favorite cheeses
• 2-3 p.m. - Adam Bernbach of Proof & Estadio shares his love of cocktails
• 2:30-4 p.m. - International Gourmet, purveyors of delicious cheese and goodies
• 3-4 p.m. - Vini Inc., distributor of Ave Malbec, Michelle Satta & more
• 3-7 p.m. - White House Meats, purveyors of local, pasture-raised meat
• 4-7 p.m. - Prestige Beverage, distributor of Sivas Sonoma Cabernet & Chieftain's Scotch
• 4-7 p.m. - El Ceibo Chocolate

As a way of giving back to the community after it has given us so much, we're partnering with Proof, Estadio, and Cashion's to accept donations for Food & Friends, a non-profit organization that delivers meals to people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-challenging illnesses. To date, Food & Friends and its 11,000 volunteers have delivered millions of high-quality, specialized meals in conjunction with nutrition counseling to people in DC, Maryland in Virginia. Help them prepare millions more with a small contribution, either in person at the anniversary party or online by clicking the link below:

Grab your friends, and join us as we drink to two great years.

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