Curious Grape Tastings & Events Nov 6-13

                        CURIOUS GRAPE EVENTS
                                                   November 6-13

 Stop by the tasting bar TONIGHT (Thur, Nov 6) for all new Vosges chocolates paired with wine & Fri for Cheryl's all-new lineup from Spain & Argentina!  
(For details, see "On The Tasting Bar")

In This Weekend's Issue: 

• ON THE TASTING BAR THIS WEEKEND
• All-New Vosges Chocolates & Wine Tonight (Thur, Nov 6, 6-8 pm)
• **Cheryl's All-New Selections From Spain & Argentina**(Fri, Nov 7, 6-8 pm)
• FREE IN-STORE SEMINAR
• A Whirlwind Tour Of Spain (Wed, Nov 12, 6 & 7 pm)
• KATIE'S KITCHEN
• Try This Fast, Affordable Fall Food & Wine Pairing!
• WEST COAST WINE DINNER AT JACKSON 20
• Featuring Spectacular Oregon & Washington Wines (Nov 13)!

ON THE TASTING BAR THIS WEEKEND

THE LATEST CHOCOLATES FROM VOSGES TONIGHT (Thur, Nov 6, 6-8 pm) -- Can't get enough of the "haut chocolat" Barcelona Bar or Bacon Bar?  If you're a true chocolate afficianado, you're probably already on to Vosges, outrageously good, sophisticated chocolates created by chef and chocolatier Katrina Markoff in Chicago.  Inspired by cooking experiences she enjoyed all over the world, especially working with the exotic flavors and spices of the Pacific Rim, Markoff is continuously expanding her line of unique, often unexpected, always delicious chocolates.  Well, she's been at it again.  Following on the heels of the wildly successful, ground-breaking bacon bar, Markoff has a number of interesting new tricks up her sleeve.  Stop by TONIGHT, November 6 from 6-8 pm, for a special tasting of the new creations, each paired with a complementary wine, featuring:

• the delicious Peanut Butter Bonbon bar (need we say more?)
• the toothsome Habana Bar, blending dark milk chocolate with crunchy plantains
• the daring Enchanted Mushroom Bar (don't knock it til you've tried it!)

An exciting new twist:  All the new chocolates are made with organic ingredients!  The wine and chocolate pairings will be presented by our own Certified Specialist of Wine and chocolate guru Katie Park.  As usual, you'll enjoy the tasting bar discount on your favorite wines, as well a special discount on any 3 bars of Vosges chocolates.  Reservations are not required for this tasting, just stop by anytime from 6 to 8 pm.  Hope to see you there!   

**CHERYL'S ALL-NEW SELECTIONS FROM SPAIN AND ARGENTINA** (Fri, Nov 7, 6-8 pm) -- Want to start off your weekend with some excitement?  Stop by the tasting bar this Friday for an all-new lineup from Spain and Argentina, including fabulous new vintages of old favorites, as well as some impressive new-comers.  Why not stop by and sample: 

• the new vintage of a crisp, aromatic Albarino from Spain's Rias Baixas -- always a Curious Grape customer favorite
• a deep, juicy, ridiculously affordable red made from Bonarda, one of Argentina's up-and-coming grapes
• a pair of silky, smooth, but very different, Argentine Malbecs
• the new vintage of one of our most popular Spanish reds, made from Tempranillo in Toro (a hot area, both literally and figuratively)

Of course, you'll enjoy the tasting bar discount on all your favorites!  Or better yet:  Mix up a case of the affordable wines being tasted and enjoy a special discount of 15% off!  Don't miss it!

FREE IN-STORE SEMINAR

SUZANNE'S WHIRLWIND WINE TOUR OF SPAIN (Wed, Nov 12, 6 & 7 pm) -- Looking forward to our next FREE in-store seminar?  Sign up now for next Wednesday's whirlwind wine tour of Spain!  Fresh from her own whirlwind tour in Spain last week as a member of the Spanish Wine Academy, Certified Wine Educator Suzanne McGrath takes you on a an exciting journey, from the experimental, up-and-coming wines of the Penedes region, located just south of Barcelona to Rioja, Ribera Del Duero, and Rias Baixas in the northern half of the country.  Then fasten your seat belts as we move to the historic region of Jerez, with a 3000 year wine history, culminating in Sherry wines as we know them today.  Of course, you'll enjoy a guided tasting of some of the country's most exciting wine values, plus each wine will be paired with authentic regional Spanish cheeses and specialty foods.  In addition, you'll receive informative reference materials, as well as the tasting bar discount on all your favorite wines.  While the tasting is FREE, space is limited so reservations are required.  Can't make it on Wednesday?  The seminar will be repeated on Saturday, November 15 at 1 pm.  To reserve, just give us a call at 703-671-8700.   

KATIE'S KITCHEN

Enthusiastic.  Tireless.  Adventurous.  Curious Grape cheese, chocolate, and specialty food guru Katie Park spends each day researching, tasting, and experimenting with all sorts of specialty food and wine pairings here at the store.  Inspired by her favorite products and her love of food and wine pairing, she's created many simple and delicious recipes using the products we carry.  This new email section, Katie's Kitchen shares some of Katie's favorite food and wine pairing ideas with you!  Each month, Katie presents an easy, affordable, seasonal recipe along with a wine selection that really makes it sing.  Look for the special in-store display to pick up a recipe card and all the necessary ingredients and enjoy special discounts all month long.  November's feature: 

POMEGRANATE & JICAMA SALAD

4 servings

½ cup pomegranate seeds (available jarred, or scrape from fresh pomegranates)
1 naval orange
1 medium jicama
½ cup pecans toasted and chopped
1 package of mixed baby greens
½ cup Montevecchio Arbequina EVOO (our new favorite olive oil)
¼ cup Origen Mandarina Vinegar (our new favorite vinegar)
Salt and freshly ground pepper

1.  Peel the orange and slice in half.  Then lay the flat side down on your cutting board and thinly slice into half moons.  Separate into 4 piles.

2.  Jicama is a tuberous root that is native to Mexico.  Under the dusty brown, fibrous skin is the delicious, crispy flesh that we use in this recipe.  Simply trim or use a vegetable peeler to take off the outside skin until you have reached the crispy, white flesh.  Next cut the jicama into long, thin sticks (about the size of a small green bean).  Separate into 4 equal piles.

3.  To make the dressing, whisk together the Mandarina Vinegar and Arbequina EVOO, season with salt and pepper.

4.  On four separate plates divide the baby greens, jicama, sliced orange and pomegranate seeds; lightly drizzle the dressing over the salads and top with the pecans.
 
You can also toss all of the ingredients together in a large salad bowl and have your friends serve themselves!

Katie's Wine Pick:  2007 Hillinger Secco, Austria.  Like Prosecco?  This Austrian take on Italy's most popular sparkling wine is made from 100% Pinot Noir.  Bright fuschia in color, it's loaded with bright, berry-like fruit that mirrors the red fruit flavors of pomegranate. $16.99

Have a question about the recipe or about wine and food pairing?  Email Katie at katiep@curiousgrape.com!

WINE DINNER

**WEST COAST WINE DINNER AT JACKSON 20** (Thur, Nov 13, 6:30 pm) -- What's the buzz in Old Town?  The opening of Jackson 20, a contemporary American restaurant located in the Hotel Monaco in the site of the former Holiday Inn in Old Town.  The restaurant features sumptuous contemporary American dishes with southern flair (not to mention beautiful presentations).  If you'd like to give it a spin, reserve now for our upcoming wine dinner featuring West Coast American wines presented by Cheryl Hauser.  Paired with a specially prepared menu served in a sleek setting, the dinner's wine lineup features the best of Washington and Oregon wines, including a study in styles of Pinot Noir and a brand new, 94 point Washington Merlot! The evening begins at 6:30 with a reception, followed by dinner at 7 pm.

Reception

2006 Cooper Hill Pinot Gris, Oregon

1st Course
"Shrimp Cocktail"
Poached ruby-red shrimp, heirloom-tomato granite,
Nicoise-olive syrup
2006 Waterbrook Melange Blanc, Washington

2nd Course
Duck
Seared duck breast, honey-raisin compote,
Grilled polenta
2004 Syncline Viognier, Oregon

3rd Course
Filet Of Beef
Succotash, chanterelle reduction sauce, and a bacon shingle
2006 Patton Valley Pinot Noir, Oregon
2006 Angela Pinot Noir, Oregon

4th Course
"Cheese Cake"
Goat cheese mousse, dark chocolate "box",
Black cherry marmalade
2004 Long Shadows Merlot, Washington

To help introduce Jackson 20, the cost of the dinner is just $85 per person, all inclusive!  And of course, you'll have the chance to purchase your favorite wines at special discounts available only at the dinner.  To reserve, give us a call at 703-671-8700.  Jackson 20 is located at 480 King Street, Old Town Alexandria.

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The Curious Grape
4056 Campbell Avenue
Shirlington Village
Arlington, VA 22206
703-671-8700
FAX 703-671-0100
tcgrape@earthlink.net

Bringing wine back down to Earth

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