If you are a true blue wino, recessions can be a drag on your tasting activity. But if you are fortunate enough to live in D.C., there are myriad opportunities to drink wine for free and enjoy them a classy environment. You can do that five days a week at Vidalia where you can taste three wines every Monday through Friday, 5:30-6:30 pm. And when you are done with that, you can sample a few more wines for about $5 each. They also serve up a gourmet food item as well as well as corn nuts and olives.
With exception of Wednesdays, Edward Jenks, the restaurant’s sommelier will greet you and provide information on each wine you sample, making it an even more first rate experience.
On the list of offerings are many unique wines, including some made with unfamiliar, but interesting grapes native to Greece and Spain. But a personal favorite is the Austrian 2006 Grüner Veltliner, Salomon “Hochterrassen.” Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible, describes this varietal as tasting of “vanilla-dipped peaches” that “ends with a rush of white pepper.” She says these wines go great with the Austrian/German Wiener schnitzel and similar dishes like fried chicken. But they go with many dishes, including Asian food and other dishes that do well with the balance of a fruity, crisp white wine. These wines may be crisp, they are not usually tart. Instead, they almost taste sweet, even though completely dry (meaning they have no sugar in the them).
Check out Vidalia’s menu and consider going by to sample wines during the free session and beyond. If your recession budget isn’t too compromised, consider staying for a dinner at Vidalia which is considered by many as one of D.C.’s best places to eat, with meals produced by award-winning chef and Vidalia co-owner (with his wife Sallie) Jeffrey Buben. And while dining, you can explore the restaurant’s extensive list of wines by the bottle. Or if you want to try a meal on your recession budget, try Vidalia’s special lunch menu for just $19.90.
Originally posted on Examiner.com.
