WASHINGTON — Celebrating the birth of our nation in our nation’s capital is about as patriotic as it gets.
Between the National Symphony Orchestra playing on the lawn of the Capitol and the fireworks exploding high over the Mall, it’s enough to make you want to give the Washington Monument a big ol’ hug.
It’s only natural that the wine we drink this Fourth of July should not only commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence — and essentially the start of our country — but it should also celebrate the vibrant wines grown, produced and bottled right here in the USA.
Take it from Benjamin Franklin, who once said, “Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.” I’ll drink to that. And have a happy Fourth of July.
While you may not be playing with real sparklers this year, there is certainly no reason you can’t start the party with a sparkling wine. The Non-Vintage Domain Chandon Brut Classic from California is a sparkler made for celebrations. Produced in the same traditional méthode champenoise as its famous Champagne parent, Moet & Chandon, this “house” style sparkling wine exhibits aromas of brioche and nectarine on the nose, leading to flavors of apple and pear that are carried across the palate by fine bubbles. The soft, dry finish features an elegant touch of brioche. $17
What could be more American than being named American Winery of the Year in 2016? The Bonterra Organic Vineyards from Mendocino County, California, is celebrating 30 years of organic farming thanks to a fully-functioning ecosystem in and around the vineyards, which produces the 2016 Bonterra Rosé. This is summer in a bottle, reflecting the fresh and vibrant characteristics of this Grenache-based wine. The vibrant aromas of fresh strawberries and red cherries on the nose are followed up by bright flavors of raspberry, watermelon and bright red cherry. Hints of pomegranate on the finish are highlighted by crisp acidity. $16
In honor of the man who penned the Declaration of Independence comes a wine from the Charlottesville region in Virginia. Honoring Thomas Jefferson’s dream of establishing a commercial vineyard, Marie Jose and Stanley Woodward changed the name of their winery in 1993 from Simeon Vineyards to Jefferson Vineyards. The 2014 Jefferson Vineyards Petit Verdot is a recent Virginia Governor’s Cup winner, and it’s easy to see why. It has a lovely bouquet of black cherry, vanilla and cracked pepper that supports flavors of blackberries, blueberries and black currants. Hints of pomegranate and cranberry mesh together with a touch of black pepper on the medium-bodied finish. $26
Alexander Hamilton was a man who marched to the beat of his own (fife and) drum. In his spirit, the 2014 Federalist Bourbon Barrel-Aged Zinfandel is aged in charred bourbon barrels. A blend of 94 percent Zinfandel, 3 percent Petite Sirah and 3 percent Merlot, the grapes for this bold red wine are sourced from Mendocino County in California. It offers up beautiful aromas of blackberry, forest floor, vanilla and toasty oak. In the mouth, the wine is intense with smoky notes of black cherry, dark plum, orange rind and vanilla. The finish has nice weight and a touch of black pepper on the back end. $23
