Sips to Savor with ‘The Moor’s Account’

To accompany our February 4 discussion of The Moor’s Account by Laila Lalami, our friends at DCanter have curated a wine list especially for our conversation. In a nod to the novel, Sommelier Michelle Lim Warner has put together an exploratory tour of Indigenous varieties from Spain, Italy, Chile, Turkey, and Macedonia. Each wine is perfect for sipping on its own or to pair with a range of cuisines. Check out the tasting notes for wine pairing suggestions.

RED WINES

Crivelli Ruchè 2019 ($25)

• From: Piedmont, Italy
• Description: Fusion of ripe cherry and blackberry. Floral rose aromas and a light hint of cinnamon and hazelnut. Medium-full bodied, elegant, soft, velvety. Good intensity and persistence. Relatively low acidity, which makes it easy to drink. Nuances of dark fruit and black cherry, and quince.
• Pairs with: Pasta or dishes with rich red sauces.

Chamlija Papaskarasi 2018 ($25)

• From: Thrace, Turkey
• Description: Reminiscent of pinot noir with notes of violet petals, bright cherry and cranberries with a whiff of vanilla spice. This ancient grape variety was the grape of Byzantine popes. Round and silky, flavorful and medium-bodied, providing complex flavors reflecting its aromas.
• Pairs with: Excellent with coq au vin, lamb or veal chops with roasted root vegetables.

Stobi Winery Vranec 2019 ($15)

• From: Tikves, Macedonia
• Description: Ripe blackberries, plums, and subtle herbal notes. Full-bodied wine, with luscious texture and flavors of sour cherry and plum, complemented by herbal and spice notes on the long finish.
• Pairs with: Try pairing this one with hearty roasted pork dishes or hard, aged cheeses.

Louis-Antoine Luyt Pipeño Carrizal (1L) 2019 ($25)

• From: Maule Valley, Chile
• Description: Ripe, dark berries with a touch of leather. Similar to Beaujolais, this light and elegant wine has notes of red fruit, rose petals, and leather.
• Pairs with: Enjoy a glass on its own or with a Greek mezze spread.

SPARKLING WINES

Bohigas Cava Brut Reserva NV ($24)

• From: Penedès, Spain
• Description: Soft aromas of citrus fruit and stone. Flavors of grapefruit and lime intermingle with distinct minerality. Bright acidity with a round, almost creamy mouthfeel and lasting finish.
• Pairs with: Easy to enjoy on its own, or try pairing with salty, crunchy hors d’oeuvres for a real treat.

Altaneve Prosecco NV ($17)

• From: Veneto, Italy
• Description: Citrus and white peach aromas with a little green grass. Fresh and light with a lively acidity. It’s mostly dry finish shows off the sweet citrus and classic stone fruit on the palate.
• Pairs with: This prosecco is the perfect brunch partner! Also delicious with sweet and salty appetizers, like bacon wrapped dates.

WHITE WINES

Viña Bujanda Rioja Viura 2018 ($15)

• From: Rioja, Spain
• Description: Flowery aromas and notes of pineapple, green apple, white flowers and fresh cut hay. A few days of skin contact gives this wine a rich volume that develops into a silky fresh mouthfeel and a lingering finish.
• Pairs with: This bright wine is a perfect companion to fresh salads, beets, grilled vegetables and fish. Wonderful with white meats such as pork, fowl and chicken.

Enrico Serafino Gavi di Gavi 2019 ($22)

• From: Piedmont, Italy
• Description: Fragrant wildflowers and tropical fruit aromas. Fresh and crisp with pleasant notes of green apple, almond and delicious chalky minerality.
• Pairs with: Pairs beautifully with many seafood dishes, cold appetizers, and light, pesto-forward pasta dishes.

DCanter: A Wine Boutique is a wine retailer located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, specializing in sustainable, organic, and biodynamic wines from small producers around the world as well as fun, yet informative, wine education. Their selections are available in-store, online, or through a personalized wine shopping service known as Concierge by DCanter. Visit them at www.dcanterwines.com to learn more.

Registration is still open for our February 4 discussion of The Moor’s Account by Laila Lalami.  We hope you make a plan to join us!