Where Wine Lovers Get Savvy

Although wine contains no fat or cholesterol, that doesn't mean that there aren't any calories involved.

Wine/Food Pairings

Bluefin Tuna Tartare with Avocado and Soy-Citrus Dressing from Laurent Tourondel of BLT Restaurants.

It may not be Napa, but Virginia is slowly gaining a reputation as prime east coast wine country. For the past 25 years or so, entrepreneurial winemakers have been learning to take advantage of the rich soil and temperate climate the area has to offer, resulting in some very nice wines to enjoy in a charming country setting. In Loudoun County, just a short drive from Washington D.C., two hidden gems await your discovery:

Breaux Vineyards, Hillsboro, VA

Step into the tasting room at this idyllic estate for a tour of wines like their light, crisp 2005 Madeleines Chardonnay or slightly chocolaty 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon. Breaux’s 2002 Meritage--a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc--was the Official Meritage of the America’s Cup of Polo 2007 invitational tournament.

5 Reasons to Love Rosé

It doesn’t have to be sweet. When you think pink, you probably think of cheap, mass-produced White Zinfandel. But rosé doesn’t have to be saccharine-sweet, or even pink for that matter. Many of the best bottles are quite dry, and hues run from copper to salmon to nearly red.

Not quite red and not quite white, rosé offers the best of both worlds. A rosé can be light and refreshing like a white, yet still carry some of the fruity, berry notes that we love in a red. That’s because it’s made from red wine grapes, the skins of which are removed from the juice before the color (or tannins) can completely permeate.

It goes with nearly everything, especially foods that seem unmatchable. Crispy French fries and grilled fish find their mates in dry rosés. Sweeter variations are well-loved with sweet, smoky ham and barbecued ribs slathered with molasses- or honey-based sauce.

It’s usually budget friendly. Rosés don’t require a lot of extra care, like oak barrels and aging, so it’s rare to find a bottle over $30. Many of the best carry price tags around $10. The exception, of course, is pink Champagne, which is in high demand for its rich complexity as much as for its pretty pink bubbles.