The DC Traveler

This is a GNO (Girl’s Night Out) with a great theme. Sampling some of the best wines created by leading women in the winemaking industry, combined with some amazing food and of course, great company.

According a study on women winemakers in California, an estimated 15% to 20% of California’s wine-makers are women. And while it may currently be a a male-dominated industry, there’s no surprise that evidence indicates women’s senses of taste and smell are more acute, resulting in a high demand for winemakers with these heightened senses.

This fun and flavor-packed evening occurs at one of Washingtonian magazine’s consistent Top 100 Best Restaurants, Café Atlantico. Each of the specially prepared five courses, created by Chef Katsuya Fukushima, is being paired with a premiere wine, including:

• 2004 Jose Pariente ‘Dos Victorias’ Verdejo, a classic white wine from two winemakers, both named Victoria
• 2005 Luca Syrah, named after winemaker Laura Catena’s son, Luca
• 2006 Susana Balbo ‘Crios’ Torrontes, from a longtime Argentinean winemaker, Susana Balbo. The wine recently scored a 90 out of 100 in a Wine & Spirits review.
• Domaine Carneros champagne form Napa (a personal favorite)

Regarding the champagne choice, I recently revisited Domaine Carnaros, the French-inspired champagne house on the edge of Napa Valley that’s related to the famous french champagne house Taittingers. I must agree with wine experts when they say that winemaker Eileen Crane is consistently creating better, more exciting and innovative champagnes in the Napa Valley than what’s being produced at Champagne Taittinger headquarters in Champagne, France.

The food should presented should be as over-the-top as the wines, and definitely add to the pleasure of the evening. Chef Fukushima’s offerings for this special night of food and wine include tiny fried egg sandwiches with caviar and dehydrated banana; Idiazabal Cheese “Gnocchi” Andoni with Jamon Serrano Jus; and slow cooked Pork Tenderloin, Chicharrones with “Blueberries” and smoked Potato Puree. Check here for the full menu, and get ready to start planning a fun night out.

And not related to this event, if you’re interested in meeting a successful local winemaker, Jennifer McCloud, the winemaker at nearby Chrysalis Winery in Middleburg, VA often leads the tastings at her winery and, in my experience, is always more than willing to talk about her wines and the business.

Girls’ Night Out Wine Dinner
Cafe Atlantico
405 8th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004 (map it)

Date and Time - Wednesday, Oct. 17th, 7:00 p.m.

Tickets - $125 per person including tax and gratuity. Call 202-393-0812.

Nearest Metro Subway Station - Archives - Green and Yellow lines, then a 1 block walk.

Parking - Street and paid garage parking is available, as well as valet parking after 5:00 p.m.

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