French wines from different regions

[wondersofwine]

I was meeting a friend for New Year's Eve in DC but because of the fairly lengthy drive, I traveled to DC on the 30th and stayed two nights. The first night I had dinner in the Wine Bar of Le Bistrot Lepic on Wisconsin Avenue.

I ordered a cold and a hot appetizer and a cheese plate. The terrine had artichoke, smoked salmon and goat cheese and came with a salad. Then the wild mushroom fricassee and finally a plate of three cheeses with apple slices, grapes, walnuts and toasted bread.

With the mushroom dish I enjoyed a half-glass of the 2005 BROUILLY VIELLES VIGNES from LAURENT-MARTRAY. Listed as an organic wine. Purple color and semi-transparent in the dim lighting. It looked a little thin. Fresh grape flavor at a more sophisticated level than just "grapey." Nice with the wild mushrooms.

My choice of cheeses included Coulommieres soft cheese in the Brie family, Tomme de Savoie, and Crottin de Chauvignol goat cheese. I ordered a half-glass of 2006 HAUTES COTES DE BEAUNE from BILIARD & FILS to go with the Tomme de Savoie and 2006 LAUVERJAT SANCERRE (Sauvignon Blanc) to go with the Crottin de Chavignol. The Hautes Cotes de Beaune was a light shade of scarlet with cherry/berry fragrance and cherry and raspberry flavors. The Sancerre was lemony and crisp and delicious. It appeared pale and transparent in the dim lighting. Pleasant wines and tasty repast.