Last year I won a wine tasting with "bites" at DISH & DRAM, where I had never been and what a treat to discover this gem in Kensington where wine rules and food is more than favorable.
The manager, Davis, was more than generous and even kinder and truly knows his stuff to boot. He poured virtually all new wines to me and made the long afternoon tasting so much fun, assisted by Alison the bartender/mixologist who dreamed up our first drink: Summer Spritz Cocktail of Bacardi Rum, Blackberry Shrub(blackberries macerated with vinegar), Rose Cava, Lemonade and Tarragon Simple Syrup that was so good, everyone was asking for seconds. The Deviled Eggs Three Ways was an ideal treat with a pimento cheese and bacon/smoked salmon/traditional with yummy trout roe atop being the featured eggs.
Whoever heard of facing off two rose wines, one from Austria and the other from Texas?! Well, Davis made this a real test and everyone had the favorites for sure, although we did not take a vote. The Josef Bauer 2016 Joe's Rose from Wagram, Austria was crisper and drier due to the blend of Zweigelt, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, while I adored the 2016 Les Copain Rose from McPherson Cellars in Texas High Plains which had Carignan, Mourvedre and Viognier for that slight perfume touch that made it a treat. Peach Cantaloupe Gazpacho was a refreshing dream with the temperatures around 90 and it was paired with a yummy Bruschetta of Heirloom Tomatoes, Basil & Buffalo Mozzarella, all superbly farm fresh and locally sourced from Pennsylvania farms.
Three chardonnays side by side can be daunting and we first tasted the Clotilde Davenne 2012 Petit Chablis from France that was all steel fermented and had the funkiest of noses and flavors in the mouth; it was not our favorite. The winner seemed to be the 2/3 steel fermented 2016 Santa Barbara Winery Chardonnay, while the 100% intense flavors of the Grayson Cellars from St. Helena(Napa) almost overpowered. PEI Mussels with garlic, white wine. leeks, fines herbes and creme fraiche were a slightly spicy welcome treat as I have to say I was missing seafood also the last days in landlocked Botswana.
I am not familiar with Long Island wines, but the Jamesport Vineyards 2014 Cabernet Franc from Cutchogue was a treat and paired ideally with the grilled flatiron kebab with shitake mushroom, red onion, patty pan squash and frites with a delish housemade steak sauce(mayo, Worcestershire, garlic & spices---you go from there...)
As if we were not full enough from these "bites" next came Cheesecake & Brownie Bites and one guest declared the cheesecake almost as good as sex! Alison poured her yummy housemade Limoncello and we rolled home (I for a nap) after a wonderful afternoon at a newfound spot we will have to trek to outside the Beltway as it is indeed so good and so much fun, unless we can convince owner Zena Polin to open a branch somewhere in NW; I'm thinking Palisades!
