Westfield Montgomery Mall hosting wine event October 24 in Bethesda

Westfield Montgomery Mall continues to trend in an upscale direction, after the retail center's multimillion-dollar makeover and expansion. The latest example is Uncorked, a wine event the mall is hosting on Saturday, October 24, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, in partnership with DC Modern Luxury and Wine Channel TV.

Wine Channel TV's Jessica Altieri has selected more than 40 wines that guests will be able to sample at retailers around the mall, including Ann Taylor, Art of Shaving, Bonobos, Cleo’s Oil Bar, Godiva Chocolates, Kiehl’s, Liligenquest & Beckstead Jewelers, Lilly Pulitzer, Macy’s, Michael Kors, Stuart Weitzman, the Tesla store, and Wentworth Gallery. Altieri is CEO of Wine Channel TV, and a certified sommelier.

Attendees will also have a chance to meet Altieri in the mall's Center Court, and enjoy samples from some of the mall's many new dining tenants paired with wines, including Naples Ristorante, Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar, Wicked Waffle, and LobsterMe.

But wait, there's more. An exclusive after party from 4:00-6:00 at Nordstrom will feature a private wine tasting with Altieri, a fall fashion showcase, a David Yurman Jewelry preview, and the opportunity to create personalized scents at an exclusive Jo Malone scent bar.

Upscale comes with a price, but in this case, it is an extremely-reasonable price. Tickets for Uncorked are $15, and $25 for the exclusive after party. Tickets are available online, but become final only after you furnish ID proving you are 21 or older at the event.

Ahead of the event, you can take a quiz on the mall's Facebook page that will match your "style personality" to a specific wine selection for you.

The event is Bethesda-centric in more ways than its location. It will benefit downtown Bethesda's Imagination Stage, and one of the event partners is Bethesda's own Honest Tea.

Photo courtesy Wine Channel TV

PERFECT PAIRINGS WINE TASTING/CHESSIE FEST TO TEMPT BETHESDA TODAY

Two big dining events to choose from today in downtown Bethesda is a good problem to have. Are you a wine connoisseur? Bethesda Row's Perfect Pairings is for you. Seafood lover (or just have a weak spot for local mythology and sea creatures)? Head to Grapeseed for Chessie Fest II.

PERFECT PAIRINGS

Tour 10 spots at Bethesda Row between 1:00 and 5:00 PM today, where you'll enjoy fine wines paired with some of the finest dishes around the Row. Wine experts will guide you along the way, and tapas will give you a taste of some of Bethesda Row's top restaurants.

Participating merchants include: American Tap Room, Cork & Fork, Jaleo, Lebanese Taverna, Mamma Lucia, Mon Ami Gabi, Mussel Bar & Grille, Raku, Redwood Restaurant & Bar and Vino Volo.

Start your journey on Bethesda Lane (the pedestrian street that extends between Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street, opposite the Apple Store), where you can buy tickets today for $49. For that sum, you will get more than 20 wine tastings and small bites (usually 2-4 per location).

Note: Be sure to have your picture ID to prove you are 21 or older for the event.

CHESSIE FEST II

Chessie is a sea serpent people have claimed to have spotted in the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland since the 1930s. Such creatures are not entirely fictional, as in the early times of this planet, creatures tended to be far larger than after the extinction of the dinosaurs. There is so far no proof that Chessie actually exists. But don't let that stop you from attending Chessie Fest at Grapeseed in Bethesda today.

From 12-3 PM today, diners will feast on Chesapeake Gold Oysters, Wild Blue Catfish, Blue Rays, smoked Bluefish, hushpuppies, and more. Beer and wine specials will be provided by Evolution Brewery and Pacific Prime Wines.

Best of all, ongoing raffles during the event will benefit the non-profit Oyster Recovery Partnership, the leading non-profit working to restore the Bay. Prizes include a dinner for 8 at Grapeseed.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $40.

Grapeseed

4865 Cordell Avenue

WINE TASTING TONIGHT AT BRADLEY FOOD AND BEVERAGE IN BETHESDA

Melanie Gowen of Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards, the reigning champion for 2 years in a row as Washington Post Express' top vineyard, will be at Bradley Food and Beverage tonight from 4:00-7:00 PM, for a wine tasting.

SMV grows 8 varieties of grapes for wine at its northern Montgomery County vineyard: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Viognier. They were established in 2006.

Among SMV's top award winners are their 2011 Comus, and 2010 EVOE.

Bradley Food and Beverage

Bradley Shopping Center

6904 Arlington Road

301-654-6966

MEET THE WINEMAKER: CALSTAR CELLARS AT VINO VOLO BETHESDA ROW TONIGHT!

Tonight's Meet the Winemaker event at Vino Volo at Bethesda Row welcomes Calstar Cellars, from Santa Rosa, California. The event will run from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Calstar proprietor Rick Davis learned the trade in New Paltz, NY, a zip up the Gov. Thomas E. Dewey Thruway from New York City. Davis made the move to California wine country to launch his own label - but not before many years of working with some of the best winemakers in Sonoma County.

Calstar specializes in Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Their latest is a 2013 Rose of Pinot Meunier, from California's Russian River Valley. It promises hints of strawberry, mango, tangerine, cherry, peach, apple, banana, cinnamon and vanilla. Definitely one to try, it sounds like.

Vino Volo, 7243 Woodmont Avenue, 301-656-0916

PIZZA PASS WINE TASTING NIGHT FEBRUARY 7 (PHOTO)

Bethesda's newest pizzeria, Pizza Pass, is hosting a wine tasting on Friday, February 7, from 6-9 PM. For only $18, you can enjoy unlimited pizza, pasta and salad, and sample wines from the restaurant's list. Labels include Trapiche Vineyards and Save Me San Francisco. Should you decide to purchase wine by the glass or bottle that evening, a donation will be made to Family House, Inc., which helps house families near loved ones who are be treated at hospitals away from home. 

By the way, have you noticed Pizza Pass has installed its permanent exterior sign?

Pizza Pass is located at 4924 St. Elmo Avenue.

FREE WINE TASTING SATURDAY NIGHT, JULY 20, AT BLACKFINN BETHESDA

What to do this Saturday night in Bethesda? How about free wine?

BlackFinn Bethesda is hosting a free wine tasting with Cupcake Vineyards tomorrow night, July 20, from 7-9 PM.

Enjoy samples of their Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato, Riesling, Pinto Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz.

Pair these with complimentary hors d'oeuvres, and giveaways like a $50 gift card from Lipstick Lounge Boutique.

Then stick around after 9:00, as the Saturday night party at BlackFinn will be just getting started.

BlackFinn Bethesda, 4901-A Fairmont Avenue.

BROOKLYN OENOLOGY AT VINO VOLO BETHESDA ROW THURSDAY, JULY 18 6-9 PM

Vino Volo's Meet the Winemaker series continues with a fascinating winery, tomorrow evening (Thursday) from 6-9 PM at Bethesda Row.

Brooklyn Oenology has its headquarters and tasting room in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY. Using New York state grapes, it makes its wine on Long Island.

The winery says it hopes to move all of its operations to Brooklyn in the future. Its wine bottles feature artists from New York City, so it is definitely a label for locavores, or any wine lover wanting to try something different.

To make reservations, call Vino Volo Bethesda Row at 301-656-0916.

MEET BOXWOOD WINERY TONIGHT AT VINO VOLO BETHESDA ROW

Tonight from 5:00-7:00 PM at Vino Volo Bethesda Row, it's time to once again Meet the Winemaker.

This time it is a local winery, John Kent Cooke's Boxwood, from Middleburg, VA.

Boxwood only produces red wines. The four types you'll find are Boxwood, Trellis, Topiary and Rosé.

If you are a red wine aficionado, make a point of making reservations now for this special event, tonight at Vino Volo (301-656-0916).

MEET THE WINEMAKER EVENT AT VINO VOLO BETHESDA ROW FRIDAY

The owners of Forrest winery operate 9 vineyards in Marlborough, located in the Wairau river valley of New Zealand.

But this Friday, June 21, from 5-7 PM, Forrest representatives will be at Vino Volo at Bethesda Row.

Get ready to learn about what makes the soil of Marlborough uniquely qualified to produce these grapes, and taste the fabulous results for yourself.

Call 301-656-0916 to make reservations now for this special event.

FREE WINE TASTING IN BETHESDA THIS EVENING

Coincidentally, or not, just days after Pope Francis of Argentina was selected by his colleagues, Bradley Food and Beverage is hosting a free wine tasting featuring wines from... Argentina.

Stop by tonight between 4:00-7:00 PM to sample some fine Argentine wines, and enjoy some free snacks, too.

BF&B also says that the "Growler" law has passed the Maryland House, and is now going to the Senate.  If this law passes, and is signed by the governor, establishments like BF&B will be able to sell craft beer on draft in growlers you can take home.

There will also be a raffle and prizes tonight, to celebrate the coming of spring.

So stop by Bradley Food & Beverage tonight, in the Bradley Shopping Center, at 6904 Arlington Road.

ASSAGGI "FLIGHT NIGHT" RESCHEDULED FOR THIS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

Assaggi's "snow"-ed out Flight Night last week has been rescheduled for this Wednesday, March 13.

The next Flight Night wine tasting event will be on April 3.

20 WINES FOR $20 AT REDWOOD BETHESDA MARCH 12

Taste 20 different wines for only $20? And be the first to try Redwood's new bar menu, featuring appetizers like Pimento cheese & Surryano ham biscuits, and hush puppies?

"Where do I sign up?"

Right here to order tickets online, or stop by Redwood in person on Bethesda Lane.

The event will be on Tuesday, March 12 from 6:00-9:00 PM, and will feature live music by Taylor Carson (who appears Tuesday evenings at Redwood).

A SECOND FREE WINE TASTING TONIGHT IN BETHESDA!

Okay, I told you about tonight's Argentine wine and Maryland chocolate tasting at Bradley Food and Beverage yesterday. But wait! There's a second wine tasting tonight, and it's less than a block away from the first!

Cork 57 on Bethesda Avenue (EuroMotorcars side) is also hosting a free wine tasting tonight, from 5-8 PM.

This will be a tasting of local Maryland wines from Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards.

Wines being poured tonight are:

Comus Reserve 2011 (Bordeaux)

Chardonnay 2012

Circe 2011

Pinot Grigio 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon

Can you hit both tastings? Yes, you can! 

FREE ARGENTINE WINE AND MARYLAND CHOCOLATE TASTING FRIDAY IN BETHESDA

If you want to personally verify the quality of the wine and chocolates you're giving to that special someone for Valentine's Day - it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it - do I have the event for you.

Tomorrow (Friday), February 8, Bradley Food and Beverage in Bethesda will host a free wine and chocolate tasting from 4-7 PM.

The wines will be from Argentina, and the chocolates will be handmade in Maryland, from chocolate/caramel specialist Chouquette.

The store is located in the Bradley Shopping Center, at the corner of Bradley Boulevard and Arlington Road.

FREE HOLIDAY WINE TASTING IN BETHESDA TONIGHT

Start your Christmas holiday weekend with a free, holiday wine tasting from 4-7 PM tonight at Bradley Food and Beverage.

Jackie from Frederick Wildman and Sons will be pouring 5 holiday wines from Spain, Italy and France.

This will be a good time to purchase gifts and wines for holiday dinners, as these bottles will be 10% off tonight only.

The store is located at 6904 Arlington Road, in the Bradley Shopping Center.

FREE WINE TASTING IN BETHESDA TONIGHT

Stop by Cork and Fork on Bethesda Lane between 4 and 7 PM this evening, for a free wine tasting from their newest arrivals.

FREE WINE TASTING IN BETHESDA TONIGHT

SAMPLE 4

FRENCH WINES,

LEARN FROM

THE EXPERTS

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Enjoy a free French wine tasting tonight from 5:30-8:00 PM, at Capital Beer and Wine in downtown Bethesda.

Stepane Defot of Z Wine Gallery Imports will discuss and pour 4 wines, which will also be sold at a special discount, should you wish to buy after you try.

Two whites and two reds will be sampled:

Domaine de Laxe Blanc is from the Cotes de Gascon region of France.  With tropical, citrus, and grass flavors, it is perfect with chicken or seafood.

Domaine de Varoux Bourgogne Chardonnay comes to us from the Burgundy region.  This white has a more noticeable acidity, with notes of citrus and peach.  Try pairing this with lobster, grouper, flounder or cod.

Domaine Boudau Clot del Pila is from the Cotes du Rossillon region.  A blend of Syrah and Grenache, the dark fruit flavor and slight hint of pepper might be worth trying with sausage.

Chateau Fourcas Dupre is a product of Listrac.  If you like a suggestion of smoke and coffee with your dark fruit wine, this goes as well with burgers, steak and spaghetti as it does with a bachelor's can of beef stew.

Expand your wine knowledge tonight - for free! - at Capital Beer and Wine.

Capital Beer and Wine, 7903 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda.

(Parking hint:  Try the small Lot 8 around the corner on St. Elmo, between Norfolk and Woodmont Avenues, if space is available)

FREE WINE TASTING TONIGHT IN BETHESDA

TRY

2  SARDINIAN REDS

AND

2 SICILIAN WHITES

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Enjoy a FREE Italian wine tasting tonight at Capital Beer and Wine, from 5:30-8:00 PM.

CBW promises a sample of two Sicilian white wines, and two Sardinian reds.  However, they did not specify which Winebow-distributed wines they would be.

So rather than guess, here are 4 wines offered by Winebow.

SICILIAN WHITES

TASCA D'ALMERITA, REGALEALI BIANCO SICILIA IGT (2009)

What will you notice in this dry white wine?  A definitive fruit flavor, with hints of apples, peaches, pears and citrus fruit.

Pair this with grilled calamari, sushi, or a salumi and cheese board.

TASCA D'ALMERITA, CHARDONNAY SICILIA IGT (2010)

An acidic white with plenty of sweetness, and hints of fruit and white chocolate.

Perfect with salmon.

SARDINIAN REDS

ARGIOLAS, KOREM ISOLA DEI NURAGHI IGT (2008)

Winebow describes this red wine as "voluptuous" and "exotic."  Among the aromas of berries, smoke, chocolate and spice is a hint of leather.

This pairs well with pork ribs and lamb chops.

ARGIOLAS, IS SOLINAS ISOLA DEI NURAGHI IGT (2007)

An earthy, smoky ruby red, with "violet tinges."  Expect a flavor of spice and black fruit.

Try this with grilled hamburgers or sausage.

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Capital Beer and Wine, 7903 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda.

INSIDE VINO VOLO AT BETHESDA ROW - EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS!

WHAT'S GOING ON

BEHIND THE WALL?

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

One of the year's most anticipated openings is that of upscale wine bar Vino Volo at Bethesda Row.

The doorway was open last evening, and I was able to get these exclusive photos from the sidewalk for you.

They've got a ways to go there, but I'm definitely looking forward to this grand opening.

WINE TASTING IN BETHESDA TONIGHT

You'd be surprised how many people visit Bethesda Avenue and don't realize there is a whole other world there on the other side of Arlington Road.

Find out tonight with a Lantana wine tasting at Cork 57, from 5-8 PM.

Wines you'll be sampling include David Hill's Pinot Gris (rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast) and Black Label Reserve 2008 (90).   Then move on to Columbia Valley's Kiona, Ferme de Gicon Rose, and Premio Falanghina.

Broaden your wine expertise tonight at Cork 57, and then check out other spots over there, like the popular patio at Nest Cafe, the Queen Bee Cafe and Bethesda Crab House.