Rockville ain’t that bad. They used to have a pretty spectacular Taiwanese place near the Metro station (Bob’s Noodle 66), though I think it is now gone and replaced with Bob’s Shanghai (have not been and not sure of the relationship with Bob’s Noodle).
My general sense was Rockville and the surrounding area was where the best Chinese food in the DMV area was, but that may have changed since I moved out of DC five years ago.
And the German riesling event looks amazing. Especially the Schaefer Spatlese #5. I couldn’t get any this year. The Himmelreich Kabi was rocking a couple of weeks ago.
And my biggest mistake for the '21 vintage was not getting more of the Vollenweider WG Kabi when I could. I’m kicking myself.
Lol I was just teasing really. It’s just far from my place in DC. I had never taken the metro to Shady Grove station. And it has remarkably few trees (considering the name) as one approaches on the aboveground train.
I think (from memory) that the Vollenweiders were marginally better than the Willi Schaefers. I had never had them before.
Both Donnhoffs were good but less acidic than expected, but the finish on the Hermannshohle was probably the most remarkable of the night. The Lauer was too acidic on the attack, getting handily beat by the Falkenstein.
And the Karl Erbes once again showed what a great value it is
Surprised to hear that about Lauer vs. Falkenstein (which I generally feel has pretty ripping acidity, lol). The Lauer must have been extremely intense.
Unfortunately, my one bottle of Egon was corked…c’est la vie.
I actually already host a monthly gathering at my place in Fairfax that is a pretty similar concept. I’m also a government stiff so not looking for crazy money bottles (but happy to drink them if you bring them!).
Our typical format is as you described, we pick a region, everyone brings a bottle. The only difference, we eat as well. I typically go to my favorite butcher and do a nice line up of 4-5 steaks (we split the cost which normally comes between 15-20 bucks a head). Everyone also brings something to share; if you like to cook (couple guys are professional chefs) this is a chance to show off. If you don’t like to cook, stop at Wegmans on the way.
Our demographic probably hovers in the early 40’s for the most part, but a few outliers sometimes show up.
I’m always happy to meet new friends if this sounds up your alley; also happy to come to your event if you put something together. My next one is Friday the 19th of May and the theme is Rhone Valley, Languedoc, and Provence. Send me a PM if interested.
Nice! She’s going to be in SF on Tuesday – I’m looking forward to the tasting (though we have a different lineup and ours is $45. Bay Area pricing, lol)
@JeremyR@Dan_Sch I hope you are still open to new atendees? I’d love to join such gatherings if they are still running. I have a pretty good collection of 1s and 2s in the $25-125 range. And I’m returning to government work in January + have a toddler, so it seems like I’m qualified.
Late to this thread, interested in tasting group happenings. I have a healthy collection of rhone, piedmont and Sicily, Loire, some Burgundy. Interested in sharing