Wine-o`s For Life
Our favorite red wines under $20!
Sophie and I, along with two of our gal pals, tested 3 different red wines priced at <$20. These consisted of two Pinot Noirs and 1 Cabernet.
Pinot # 1: Francis Ford Coppolla Pinot Noir
- What we saw: brownish in color, fairly translucent
- What we smelled: floral, high acidity
- What we tasted: blackberry, currant, cherry
- What our tongues told us: dry, acidic, tart finish
Cabernet: Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon
- What we saw: deep purple in color
- What we smelled: spice
- What we tasted: no one could decide…just “spice”
- What our tongues told us: velvety mouthfeel, silky
- What we saw: rich, deep purple in color
- What we smelled: heavy body, fruity
- What we tasted: tobacco, fruit
- What our tongues told us: heavy bodied with lots of flavor, easy finish
Have a recommendation of wines under $20 that we should know of? Leave a comment below!
-xo Zooey
Related articles
- Good wine: Story of a Cabernet, Pinot Noir pioneer (dailyherald.com)
- Pinot Noir Wine Grapes, Flavor, Character, History (widisuccesfull.wordpress.com)
- California Wine: Pinot Noir Is The Other White Wine (kcet.org)
- Two new pinots to try while they last (alohavino.com)
- The Best of Burgundy #1: Game For Some Pinot (pleasebringmemywine.com)
Cafe Sorriso – Woodley Park, DC
At first glance, Cafe Sorriso in Woodley Park, not far from the Adams Morgan neighborhood in Washington, D.C., doesn`t look like much. Located under a consignment boutique and down the street from the Omni, it`s sort of a simple cafe in an area that contradicts itself. The quarkiness of Adams Morgan + the classy feeling that always accompanies an Italian restaurant works in Cafe Sorriso`s favor!
The decor appeared minimal upon first walking in, but I was surprised to find that the “little details” were anything but boring: spray-painted brick bar (multi-colored), brightly colored chairs that reminded me of the hues that are used in caribbean or beach neighborhoods, and large but simple light fixtures (see pics below).
I must confess, we only went for drinks – but we were happily surprised to find an array of Italian wines (I settled on a nice Chianti) by the glass and several cocktails native to Italy, such as a bellini and spritz.
The food menu included the usuals: gnocchi, ragu di carne, spaghetti carbonara. But there were some surprises thrown in there, such as homemade potato chips and organic cannellini bean hummus!
For dessert, they serve up fresh gelato and typical italian cookies (homemade) such as biscotti.
The atmosphere was chill and the service was great (the waitress gave us the happy hour prices, though we were 2 hours early). I`d recommend this as a great little lunch spot or even dinner with a friend. Not a place for romantic dates (lack of ambience) or for screaming children (too small of an area).
For more info, visit cafesorriso.com.
Half-price bottles of wine in Sterling!
Every Tuesday night at Hooked on Seafood in Sterling!
- Decent wine selection (for a sushi joint)
- Nice patio (but bring your jacket)
- If you don`t want to brave the autumn breeze, sit inside at the large bar! Separate from the sushi bar so you aren`t drinking in front of dead fish 😉
