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!
- What's Open Now - Crackling Chablis, Rich Pinot Noir
Two exciting wines, each in a highly distinctive style, are open right now for you to sample at Chain Bridge Cellars. Come by for a taste of:
Louis Michel Chablis Village 2010 - A terrific introduction to one of Chablis' best estates, and a great example of top-notch Chardonnay that sees no oak at all. As Wine Advocate (87-89 points) says, "The 2010 Chablis (from tank) is crisp and linear in its bright citrus, white flowers and crushed rocks. It shows gorgeous persistence and a long, precise finish. It is a quintessential wine at this level." Great value from $21.98!
AP Vin Pinot Noir Ridgetop Sonoma Coast 2009 - A tiny (175 cases) production Pinot Noir from Andrew Vingiello that shows classic Sonoma Coast spice and depth. "A dense, rich, full-bodied style, offering tiers of herb, ripe berry fruit, spice and licorice flavors, at points both rich and delicate. There's lots of room to improve. Drink now through 2017," says Wine Spectator (91 points). Our best $42.98 case price is lowest in the USA!
- New Wine Classes for February and March!
Here's an exciting set of new classes scheduled for February and March, 2012. All are held in our downstairs tasting room at the store, and each starts at 7pm. Class fees cover light snacks, instruction and materials. For these classes, the class fee does not apply to any purchases made at the event.
To reserve your seats at any of these events, just call (703.356.6500), email (wineteam@chainbridgecellars.com), or visit us at the store. We’ll need to have payment information on file for you and will charge your credit card the day of the event (cancellations up to 24 hours in advance at no charge). Only 35 seats available for each session – reserve yours today!
Discovering New Wines: How It’s Done! - Tuesday, Feb 28 @ 7pm ($20 per person)
Ever wondered how a wine professional discovers exciting new wineries or wines? Or, want to discover how the continuing quality revolution taking place at small grower/winemakers in Oregon and Washington State is changing the face of American wine? Or, just want to discover some new favorite wines and enjoy good company?
Any (or all!) of those are great reasons to join us on Tuesday, February 28, at 7pm to meet John Paul Cheski of Richmond-based Free Run Wine Merchants. John Paul started Free Run just a few years ago, but already he’s carved out a special place in the local market for wines from the Pacific Northwest. During this fun and tasty session, he’ll explain how he uncovers potential new wineries to represent, how he decides which to actually invest in, and the method and criteria he uses to decide which wines to buy.
As John Paul tells stories from the Pacific Northwest wine trail he’ll also share seven of his favorite and most interesting wines including elegant Pinot Noir, classic Cabernet, and gutsy Syrah. Plus, you’ll get a taste of the “discovery process” yourself as you sample one wine blind – can you discover its identity?
The cost is just $20 per person and include light snacks during the tasting. And, all wines on tasting will be available to order at special tasting discounts, too!
Wine Tasting, Wine Faults - Tuesday, March 6 @ 7pm ($20 per person)Only 6 seats left!
Why do some people taste everything from "wet slate" to "boysenberry" in wine - when all you get is "wine"? Why does a wine you loved last week taste so much less interesting now? And, when the waiter hands you the cork and gives you that little sip of wine to try, what are you supposed to do?
In this fun, interactive, class we'll answer all these questions and more! You'll learn how to swirl, sniff, and opine like a pro as we introduce you to the "flavor wheel" and help you describe what you like and don't like about a range of wines. We'll show you how the same wine can change profoundly depending on the glass it's in, temperature, and how long it's been open. And, we'll teach you how to recognize some of the most common wine faults including cork taint, brett, oxidation, and heat damage.We'll taste six wines - "straight" and, in some cases, "doctored" to show off faults - and enjoy light snacks in this fast-paced, casual, 90 minute session. Join us!
A Tour of Bordeaux - Regions and Vintages - Wednesday, March 21 @ 7pm ($30 per person)
Almost all wine lovers know that Bordeaux is the most famous red wine region in the world - and often the most expensive. But Bordeaux expert and 30+ year wine industry veteran Steven Schattmann can show you that anyone can enjoy a great bottle of Bordeaux without breaking the bank!
Join us to learn about the famous Classification of 1855, the differences in "Left Bank" and "Right Bank" Bordeaux, and the best ways to cellar and savor Bordeaux in any price range. You’ll enjoy a crisp, elegant, white Bordeaux to start and then sample seven different reds, including:- Chateau Le Prieure St. Laurent Bordeaux Rouge 2010
- Chateau Michel de Vert Lussac St Emilion 2010
- Chateau Hermitage Mazeyres Pomerol 2009
- Chateau Monbousquet St. Emilion Grand Cru 2008
- Chateau La Cardonne Medoc Cru Bourgeois 2005
- Chateau Prieure Lichine Margaux 2006 (4th Growth)
- Chateau Leoville-Poyferre St. Julien 2006 (2nd Growth)
Come sample some great Bordeaux and learn everything you've ever wanted to know about the wine world's most famous region.
