2009 for many was a lot like the weather today – ugly, dismal and dreary. Like the weather, there is nothing that can be done to change the past year, however, we can look ahead towards the prospects of better things in 2010. And few things can help celebrate new beginnings like the fine bubbles of a sparkling wine from Champagne. So from now until the end of the day (or until we run out), we have a new lineup:

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Premier Cru Platine Brut Non Vintage, Sale Price $48.99/btl (Regular $57.99) – The NV Brut Premier Cru Platine is a floral, crisp style of Champagne laced with attractive white peaches, baking spices and minerals, all of which float on an impeccably refined, elegant mousse. This is an absolutely delicious and beautifully balanced wine. – WA 90 points

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Grand Cru Brut Rose Non Vintage, Sale Price $58.99/btl (Regular $69.99) – The NV Brut Grand Cru Rose (from vines in Bouzy) is an intense yet subtle wine that needs time in the glass for its richness to emerge. The wine reveals gorgeous inner perfume in its fragrant fruit in an incredibly elegant, understated style. Here, too, the wine offers terrific length and balance. – WA 91 points

Ployez Jacquemart Champagne Brut Non Vintage, Sale Price $43.99/bottle (Regular $51.99) – Generous white fruit on the palate in an elegant style. “A particulary good value.” – WA 91 points

Marie Weiss Champagne Brut Non Vintage, Sale Price $33.99/btl (Regular $39.99) – The NV Brut is straightforward and accessible, with lovely depth in its fruit. The wine’s balance and length are both commendable, and the toasty, creamy finish rounds things out nicely. – WA 89

Just a quick note, before we head off for the night. We’re tasting Champagne tomorrow, real Champagne. We’re not sure which ones, but it’ll be a special treat for New Year’s Eve. So come by between noon and 5 pm and we’ll pour you some tastes of the bubbly!

Many believe that Riesling is the greatest of all white wine grapes. This Saturday we’ll explore the contrasts between four excellent examples of Riesling from two of Germany’s finest wine-growing estates, Heymann-Lowenstein and Georg Mosbacher.

Reinhard Lowenstein, whose family had, for generations been winegrowers, has become one of the most famous and iconoclast winemakers in Germany.  His wines are so sought after that he sells nearly 60% of his production to private customers in Germany, and the rest are highly allocated around the world.

Weingut Georg Mosbacher is considered to be “one of the best estates of the Palatinate region; it has made its way to the top by virtue of the distinctive quality of its wines and without the help of PR campaigns.” – Marco Polo Guide, The Best Wines of Germany

Heymann-Lowenstein Riesling Qualitätswein Mosel Uhlen L Laubach 2006, $34.99/btl – Mosel, Germany – 100% Riesling – 12.5% abv – Focused, with a firm core of acidity and richness seeping in around the edges. Mint, apricot, spice and mineral flavors hold sway, staying balanced and long as this pushes to its conclusion. Chameleonlike, this changes and surprises. Drink now through 2022. – WS 94 points

Heymann-Lowenstein Riesling Qualitätswein Mosel Von Blauem Schiefer 2006, $24.99/btl – Mosel, Germany – 100% Riesling – 13% abv – Light yet intense, with peach, pear, butter and mineral salt notes wrapped around a core of acidity. This is vivid and stays etched on the palate through the lingering finish. Drink now through 2016. 50 cases imported. – WS 91 points

Georg Mosbacher Riesling Kabinett Pfalz Forster 2007, $22.99/btl – Pfalz, Germany – 100% Riesling – 13% abv – Inviting, with spice-tinged peach, persimmon, orange and white pepper aromas and flavors. This comes together nicely and stays firm and focused from start to finish. Drink now through 2020. 100 cases imported. – WS 90 points

Georg Mosbacher Riesling Spätlese Trocken Pfalz Forster Musenhang 2007, $29.99/btl – Pfalz, Germany – 100 % Riesling – 10% abv – Ample in both flavor and texture. Rich and round, it’s permeated by nectarine, grapefruit and stone aromas and flavors that remain intense and long. Fine, dry, refreshing finish. Drink now through 2018. 10 cases imported. – WS 90 points

If there is one time of year to splurge on a bottle of excellent Champagne, it’s New Year’s Eve! See 2009 off in style and celebrate the coming of a new year with new possibilities!

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Premier Cru Platine Brut Non Vintage, Sale Price $48.99/btl (Regular $57.99) – The NV Brut Premier Cru Platine is a floral, crisp style of Champagne laced with attractive white peaches, baking spices and minerals, all of which float on an impeccably refined, elegant mousse. This is an absolutely delicious and beautifully balanced wine. – WA 90 points

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Grand Cru Brut Rose Non Vintage, Sale Price $58.99/btl (Regular $69.99) – The NV Brut Grand Cru Rose (from vines in Bouzy) is an intense yet subtle wine that needs time in the glass for its richness to emerge. The wine reveals gorgeous inner perfume in its fragrant fruit in an incredibly elegant, understated style. Here, too, the wine offers terrific length and balance. – WA 91 points

Ployez Jacquemart Champagne Brut Non Vintage, Sale Price $43.99/bottle (Regular $51.99) – Generous white fruit on the palate in an elegant style. “A particulary good value.” – WA 91 points

Marie Weiss Champagne Brut Non Vintage, Sale Price $33.99/btl (Regular $39.99) – The NV Brut is straightforward and accessible, with lovely depth in its fruit. The wine’s balance and length are both commendable, and the toasty, creamy finish rounds things out nicely. – WA 89 points

There’s just one week left in the year, and while we’re thankful to 2009 because it was our inaugural year, we’re happy to see 2010 coming down the line. To help us celebrate the New Year, we’ll be closed on Friday, January 1, 2010. To help you celebrate the New Year, we have a special sparkler at a special price. The lineup:

Hubert Clavelin et Fils Cremant du Jura Brut Comte Chardonnay Tete de Cuvee NV, $18.99/btl ($17.99/btl case price) – Jura, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12% abv – For over two decades, Hubert Clavelin and his importer have been promoting non-vintage Cremant du Jura Brut-Comte Chardonnay Tete de Cuvee, and this latest batch (lot number LBRC05, in tiny print on the back label) – based on the 2005 vintage, and having spent 36 months sur lattes – is as fine as any I can recall, and a wine that deserves to be taken seriously at the dinner table. A hint of Jura-typical pungency figures amid aromas of buckwheat, lime zest, and apple cider. With fine mousse and impressive vinosity, this coats the palate with zesty piquancy and saline, mineral-meaty savor of scallops and bacon. Both fascination and versatility are guaranteed for the coming year. – WA 90 points

Kurt Angerer Gruner Veltliner Kies 2008, $17.99/btl – Kamptal, Austria – 100% Gruner Veltliner – 12.5% abv – This has concentrated flavors of ripe peach, ruby grapefruit and pear. The long finish is spicy and intense, with hints of glazed citrus. Drink now through 2013. 500 cases imported. – WS 88 points

Domaine Pascal Bonhomme Vire-Clesse Recolte 2008, $21.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – A medium bodied chardonnay from the Macon. A versatile food wine that goes well with anything from chicken to medium to high oil fish. A great place  to start for those who love white Burgundy.

Yannick Amirault Bourgueil La Coudraye 2007, $23.99/btl – Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – This shows nice ripeness and weight for the vintage, with fresh dark berry fruit and sweet spice notes offset by fresh acidity, an herbal hint and a taut, minerally spine. Drink now through 2010. 150 cases imported. – WS 89 points

Chateau Castigno Saint-Chinian Secret des Dieux 2007, $25.99/btl -  Languedoc, France – 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 20% Carignan and 5% Mourvèdre – 13.5% abv – This red shows nice focus and concentration to its red berry flavors, which are accented by semi-sweet chocolate notes. The plush finish features red cherry and spice. Drink now through 2012. 400 cases imported. – WS 88 points

As the snow turns from immaculate puffs of pristine powder to the inevitable byproduct of rubber, asphalt, CO emissions and frozen H2O, we thought we’d try to warm the cockles of your hearts by offering some new selections to taste.

What are your plans for holiday presents? Knick knacks? Holiday sweaters? CDs that they’ll never listen to? With the holiday season in full force, what better way to give, than by giving the gift of wine? Or better yet, what better way to recover from the madness that is holiday shopping, by uncorking a bottle. Regardless, whatever your holiday needs, we can help. In one way or another. The lineup:

Domaine Pascal & Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Vieilles Vignes 2005, $22.99/btl – Loire, France – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 13.5% abv – Has solid cut and definition, with delightful chive flower, fleur de sel, lime and chalk notes that race through the bright finish. Drink now. 50 cases imported. – WS 90 points

Domaine de Aubusieres Les Girardieres Vouvray 2008, $18.99/btl – Loire, France – 100% Chenin Blanc – 12.5% abv – A lovely semi-sweet wine, with a fine example of clayish-silicious terroir. Great as an aperitif, with cold and cured meat, fish, shellfish, poultry and cheese persillée.

Domaine de L’Abbaye du Petit Quincy Bourgogne Epineuil 2005, $17.99/btl - Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 12.5% abv – Hints of raspberry and strawberry with an ample, round finish, this Pinot Noir will go well with meats and cheeses.

Markowitsch Rubin Carnuntum, $19.99/btl – Carnuntum, Austria – 100% Zweigelt – 13.5% abv – Berry and plum flavors dominate this modest red. The crisp finish features spicy notes. Zweigelt. Drink now. 50 cases imported. – WS 83 points

Domaine Daniel et Denis Alary Cairanne 2007, $20.99/btl – Rhone, France – Grenache, Syrah and Carignan – 14.5% abv – Ripe and lush, with gorgeous mouthfeel to the pure, racy beam of raspberry ganache, black cherry and blackberry fruit. The finish lets melted licorice, roasted apple wood and spice bread notes flitter on. There’s solid depth and length to this. Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. Drink now through 2010. 2,080 cases made. – WS 90 points

The 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne is a powerhouse. Earthy with a hint of weedy tobacco interwoven with creme de cassis and kirsch, lots of body, and remarkable freshness as well as exuberance, this is a full-bodied red with considerable power (14.5% alcohol), layers, and richness. It will be even better in 1-2 years, and should keep for a decade or more. – WA 90 points

Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rouge 2006, $22.99/btl – Provence, France – 74% Mourvedre, 22% Grenache, 3% Syrah, 1% Carignan – 14.5% abv – A powerful red, with intense red and dark fruit flavors, including fig, dark plum and raspberry. Formidable tannins and acidity support the finish, which is infused with notes of baker’s chocolate and black olive. Best from 2011 through 2015. 400 cases imported. – WS 92 points

We’re not much for panic here at Weygandt Wines, but it seems we’re not the only ones who think this is a pretty serious winter storm. From NBC4, “NBC4 meteorologist Tom Kierein said the storm has the potential to be the worst December snowstorm for the D.C. area in at least the past 25 years. And NBC chief meteorologist Bob Ryan describes the impending storm as ‘crippling.’” That being said, Weygandt Wines will be closed on Saturday, December 19, due to the massive amount of snow we can all witness by taking a peek outside. We’ll be open again on Monday at our regular hours, so any holiday shopping can be taken care of starting then. There’s not much else for us to say other than break out your sleds, get back home safely, dry off and open a bottle of wine in front of the fire.

While we can plan the perfect tasting of delectable morsels of chocolate goodness alongside our elegant wines, we can do nothing to convince Mother Nature to postpone the impending storm. With that in mind, we are the ones that are going to have to make adjustments. So, the Wine and Chocolate Tasting/Pairing that we were so looking forward to bringing to you on Saturday, December 18, will have to be postponed until further notice. Fret not, Bailey Kasten has agreed to come back at a later date. And as soon as we figure out the best time for her to come in, we’ll let you know. We apologize for any inconvenience and stay tuned for when we can put this event back on the books!

Back by popular demand, we welcome Bailey Kasten. Double Premium Confections is a new artisan chocolate shop in Washington, DC, offering fresh, natural and homemade chocolates, caramels and other treats. All the chocolates are made in small batches with the best chocolate and the best ingredients – real fruit, fresh spices, real ingredients – not flavors. They are made with absolutely nothing that is artificial, and chocolates are sold within days, not weeks, of being made.

To go along with her treats, we have three unique wines – two from France and one from California.The first two, from France, are fortified wines:

Domaine des Soulanes Maury Hors d’Age,$41.99/btl - A tawny port-like wine made in the traditional style of Southern France. Nutty, with notes of winter spice and fruitcake.

Domaine Grain Nicolet Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau, $29.99/btl – A nose of kirsch, chocolate and spice with cherry compote flavors to round it out.

And the one from California is a surprisingly old world Zinfandel. We almost gave up on California producing such a thing…:

Henderlong Nalle Henderlong Ranch Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2006, $39.99/btl – An elegant, very balanced wine with an amazingly low 13.9% abv considering the varietal and the place where this is made.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by on Saturday to help us welcome Cecile Tremblay to the store. It was a good opportunity to taste some really special wines from Burgundy. Keep checking in as we hope to have regular visits by our winemakers which means more great wines to try. For free.

As for this week, we have another special event scheduled for Saturday (details to come), so this week’s lineup applies to Monday thru Friday, and as always, 4-7 pm:

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Costieres de Nimes Les Galtes Dores 2008, $14.99/btl – Rhone, France – 30% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, 30% Vermentino, 7% Marsanne,3% Clairette – 13% abv – The elegant white wine offering, the 2008 Les Galets Dores (nearly equal parts Grenache, Roussanne, Rolle, and tiny amounts of Marsanne and Clairette), offers notes of honeyed grapefruit and buttery citrus along with fresh acidity, medium body, plenty of flavor, and a dry, crisp finish. It should be drunk over the next year. – WA 88 points

Weingut Heymann-Lowenstein Riesling Schieferterrassen 2006, $19.99/btl – Mosel, Germany – 100% Riesling – There’s appealing flavors of peach, spice and slate, yet this seems a little slack, lacking the core of acidity to give all the components verve and snap. Drink now through 2012. 50 cases imported. – WS 88 points

Memo Sangiovese 2008, $10.99/btl – Tuscany, Italy – 100% Sangiovese – 13% abv – Strong ruby red color in the glass, with an intense and persistent nose. This fruity Tuscan wine has notes of cherries, prunes and vanilla. Medium bodied, slightly tannic, balanced and ready to drink. Cheap and cheerful!

Domaine La Bastide Syrah Les Genets Vieilles Vignes 2007, $12.99/btl – Languedoc, France – 100% Syrah – Medium-bodied, with dense red fruit flavors and tobacco leaf notes. There’s pepper and graphite on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 2,000 cases imported. – WS 86 points

Domaine de Ferrand Cotes du Rhone La Ferrande 2006, $21.99/btl – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 14% abv – As remarkable as 2007 is, there are 2006s that should not be forgotten. Domaine Ferrand (an excellent producer of Chateauneuf du Pape) has turned out a 100% Syrah cuvee, the 2006 Cotes du Rhone La Ferrand. Its opaque ruby/purple hue is followed by aromas of pepper, blackberries, licorice, incense, and earth. Dense and rich with surprising complexity and character for a southern Syrah, it should drink nicely for 2-3 years. – WA 90 points

Domaine la Berangeraie Les Caminoles Cahors Malbec 2007, $14.99/btl – Sudouest, France – 100% Malbec – 13% abv – In 1971 Andre Berenger came to Cahors from Provence with his wife Sylvie, who is originally from Champagne, and planted their vineyard near Grezels, on the red clay/iron stone soil known as Grezes. Their two children, Maurin and Juline not only joined them in the family business but so too have their respective spouses. Thus the three couples all work together and do everything in this twelve hectare domaine themselves – the pruning, the treatments of the all-organic vines and the harvesting all by hand (a disappearing practice in Cahors where harvesting is now done almost exclusively by machine). This is a lighter bodied Malbec from where the grape was originally grown. Malbec lovers should try this as a nice alternative to their standard powerhouses from Argentina.