Tastings & Events
Chain Bridge Cellars hosts two regular weekly free tastings and also offers special classes, wine dinners, and festivals throughout the year. You'll find great wines open every Friday from 3:00 - 7:00 pm and Saturdays from noon to 4:00 pm. Check back here often to see what's coming up!
- Angulo Innocenti Malbec, Martini Cab, and Two Killer Values - Friday & Saturday Free Tastings!
Without really meaning to, we’ve put together a terrific set of wines you’ll love at Memorial Day cookouts and all summer grilling season long! Join us Friday from 3-7pm and again on Saturday from noon – 4pm as we sample five great wines:
Martinez Lacuesta Rioja Blanca 2012 – The 2011 has been a super value customer favorite since we introduced it last year. Now the 2012 is here and cranks up the concentration a bit without losing any of the lovely freshness you love. At a crazy good case price this weekend, too!
Parados Malbec Mendoza 2012 – Usually, it’s the Winemaker’s Reserve blend that gets our attention here, but in 2012 the Parados Malbec shines. Loaded with dark fruit, juicy acids, and captivating spice notes, this is a steal of a party/cookout/everyday red at the $9.99 regular price. Wait until you see the case price this weekend!
Angulo Innocenti Cabernet Sauvignon La Consulta 2011 – Just the second vintage for young winemaker Mariano Innocenti’s family winery, making the quality here all the more impressive. A “just for the fun of it” Cabernet with juicy blackberry and currant fruit and accents of fresh herb and chocolate.
Angulo Innocenti Malbec La Consulta 2011 – From the rich, opulent, aromas to the deep black fruit and spice flavors and on through the juicy, superfresh, finish, the Wine Spectator 91 rating makes perfect sense and the $17.98 price ($15.98 on cases) makes it very, very, attractive.
Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2010 – Today’s featured wine will impress from first sniff and sip and delight tonight and for years to come.
A great set of wines like this is even better with a little food, and the very special cheeses that Lauren has picked to feature this weekend makes for a perfect match.- Wine Classes for Spring Continue!
Now that the weather is warming, the Chain Bridge Cellars program of classes and wine dinners is getting very hot indeed! Grab your calendar, round up a bunch of wine loving family and friends, and join us for some fun and delicious evening classes. Call, email, or stop by the store today to reserve your seats for all of these great events!
An Evening with Relic Winemaker Mike Hirby!
Thursday, May 16 @ 7pm Many of you have already had the pleasure of trying Mike Hirby’s Relic wines at our in-store tastings and at home. Now come meet the people behind the wines as Mike and his wife/business partner Schatzi Throckmorton as we host them for a winemaker class. The fee is just $15 per person for the chance to sit down and chat with Mike and Schatzi and enjoy light snacks during the tasting, too!
Mike and Schatzi will help you understand their wine growing and making approach as well as the specific vineyards they work with to create such delicious wines. They’ve also let us re-load on their two most popular (at this store, anyway!) wines, so we’ll be able to explore across the line-up. Here’s what we’ll pour:
Relic Relic Pinot Noir Kashaya Vyd Sonoma Coast 2010
Relic Artefact Proprietary Red 2009
Relic Ritual Red Napa Valley 2010
Relic Scarpa Syrah Napa Valley 2010
While we can’t taste them (not yet approved for Virginia sales), Mike and Schatzi will also tell us about their other wines, including a Chardonnay I’m dying to get my hands on (help me make the case for an allocation!) and the new, 2010 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. To reserve your spaces, just call, email or stop by the store.Danny Haas Presents: 2011 Premier & Grand Cru Chablis of Dom Louis Michel
NEW DATE: Thursday, June 6. Importer Danny Haas’s visit last year to present Louis Michel Chablis 2010 was one of the highlights of our class season. Now he’s back on to present the brilliant line up of 2011s from Louis Michel! As with the 2010s, this line up will blow you away with its precision, minerality, and drive. We’ll taste most of the 2011s the Domaine produced, including two Grand Cru wines flown in just for this event (to be released later this year). If you’re like me, you’re noticing that you’re already drinking through your 2010s faster than may be wise – and we know you’ll find the 2011s even more seductive and delicious! Full list of wines and more details here.
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And, as if all that wasn’t enough, our very popular One Sip At A Time series continues to roll along on the second Thursday of every month (except August) with sessions ranging from Good Wines Gone Bad (this week!) to explorations of red, white, sparking and sweet wines from around the world. Check out the full course list here. Each class is fun, highly interactive, and just $25 per person!
Unless otherwise noted, wine classes take place in our downstairs tasting room and both the dinner and classes start at 7pm sharp. To reserve your seats for any of these delicious events, just call us at 703.356.6500, email us at wineteam@chainbridgecellars.com, or visit us at the store!- "One Sip at a Time" - Wine Classes for Everyone!
One Sip at a Time: Wine Basics for Everyone
Whether you’re a wine novice looking to develop your palate and knowledge or you’re looking for a unique gift for a wine lover on your list, you’ll want to know about our new series, “One Sip at a Time: Wine Basics for Everyone.” You can attend any one of these fun and tasty classes for just $25 per session.
One Sip at a Time classes focus on wine basics like how to taste, evaluate, and talk about wine, while helping you identify the wines and flavors you enjoy most. We’ll hold our One Sip at a Time classes the second Thursday of every month (except August), in our own in-store tasting room. Each class is strictly limited to 24 people per session (and will usually be smaller), features six wines and few nibbles, and lasts about an hour.To register for a class (or for several!), just contact us at the store to reserve your seat. Here's the full 2013 One Sip At A Time schedule:
Tasting and Talking About Whites – One Sip at a Time
Second Thursday of January (Jan. 10, 2013) – 7:15pm ($25 course fee)Tasting and Talking about Reds - One Sip at a Time
Second Thursday of February (Feb. 14, 2013) – 7:15pm ($25 course fee)If Wine Doesn’t Get Wrinkles, What DOES Happen When it Ages? - One Sip at a Time
Second Thursday of March (March 14, 2013) – 7:15 ($25 course fee)Good Wines Gone Bad – One Sip at a Time
Second Thursday of April (April 11, 2013) – 7:15 ($25 course fee)New World vs. Old World Reds – One Sip at a Time
Second Thursday of May (May 9, 2013) – 7:15 ($25 course fee)Old World vs New World Whites – One Sip At A Time
Second Thursday of June (June 13, 2013) – 7:15 (course fee $25)
Continuing a theme from our May class, in June we’ll look at the differences between white wines grown in classic European wine regions vs. their counterparts in the “New World.” We’ll focus on three of the world’s great white grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and the much mis-understood Riesling. While it’s easy to find the common thread in Chardonnay from Burgundy vs. California, the difference between classic Sancerre and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is pretty stunning. And Mosel vs. Clare Valley Riesling? A fun and delicious contrast!Fun with Fizz – One Sip At A Time
Second Thursday of July (July 11, 2013) – 7:15 (course fee $25)
The number one mistake most people make about sparkling wine? Not having enough of it in the ‘fridge at home! In this fun and fizzy session, we’ll explore the world of beautiful bubbles, ranging from the classic vineyards of Champagne to the high desert of New Mexico. And, as if straight sparkling wine wasn’t delicious enough, we’ll even share a few of our favorite sparkling cocktail ideas. You’ll learn where the bubbles come from, what to eat with fizz, and figure out your favorite styles – One Sip At A Time!Six (Other) Reds You Should Know – One Sip At A Time
Second Thursday of September (September 12, 2013) – 7:15 (course fee $25)
Cabernet and Pinot Noir…not going to be in your glass in this class! Instead, we’re going to explore a world of flavor and fun with some of the world’s other great red grapes. These are some of our favorite food and sipping friendly reds, some from “important” grapes you may have tried before and others from just a bit off the beaten path. A world of interesting, delicious, and often super value reds away your discovery – One Sip At A Time.Hey, Wait A Minute: That’s Sweet! – One Sip At A Time
Second Thursday of October (October 10, 2013) – 7:15 (course fee $25)
We know, we know. “I don’t like sweet wines” is something we hear every day. But, have you ever tried a sweet-and-tangy Loire Chenin Blanc with a little mousse pate? Or, a golden Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend with bleu cheese? Or, perhaps most wonderful of all, a nutty, caramel-infused barrel-aged sweetie with toasted nuts? Come give these beauties a try, and you may just find yourself sweetly convinced!Six (Other) Whites You Should Know – One Sip At A Time
Second Thursday of November (November 14, 2013) – 7:15 (course fee $25)
No Chardonnay. Not a taste of Sauvignon Blanc. Nope, we’re going to delve into some of the world’s most interesting whites in this session, many of which come from grapes you’ve never heard of at all! Sure, we’ll play with Pinot Gris and rock out with Riesling, but we’ll also get to know Verdejo, sip on Chenin, and…well, you get the drift. A great chance to explore some of the world’s most versatile, delicious, and great value whites…One Sip At A Time.Dec: Cheap vs. Expensive: Which Do You REALLY Prefer? – One Sip At A Time
Second Thursday of December (December 12, 2013) – 7:15 (course fee $25)
Note: Registration for this class opens to the general public on December 1. Registration before December 1 restricted to Class Pass holders and attendees of at least 4 other 2013 One Sip At A Time sessions.For the Grand Finale of our 2013 One Sip At A Time season, we’re going to step things up a bit and challenge you to a blind tasting! You’ll try four pairs of wines “blind” (i.e., you won’t know which is which). One will be a solid $12-$15 value; the other a $25-$40 star. Can you tell them apart? And, more importantly, which do you prefer?
In this festive December session, you’ll learn why wines cost what they do and tricks for getting the most wine for your hard-earned dollar. And, you’ll learn just how much a price tag may influence your preferences – One Sip At A Time!***Again, each One Sip at a Time class is just $25 per person. Call, email, or stop by the store to reserve your seats today!
