Calling All Cork Dorks

I'm back from what was, quite possibly, the greatest week ever. I attended the annual Society of Wine Educators Conference in Washington D.C. and ever since I returned home, I've been trying to organize my thoughts to share this experience with everybody. This has proven not to be the easiest task for a couple of reasons. First and foremost it's very difficult to recall the details of a conference dedicated to drinking. When your Wednesday morning looks a lot like most people's Friday night, things can get a little fuzzy.
Believe it or not I can be a relatively shy person, and it's never easy to walk into a room full of people, not knowing a soul, and strike up some sort of meaningful conversation. At least conversation that's interesting enough to keep someone standing next to you so you don't look like that person that no one wants to talk to. Much to my surprise, I had no trouble at all meeting people and making instant friends. I will admit, I had some help in this department. I'd like to take a moment and personally thank Mr. Tony Bourdain. No, he wasn't there, not physically anyway. I discovered early in the trip that all I had to do was pull out "Medium Raw", Anthony Bourdain's latest memoir/culinary rant,  and I no sooner got through one paragraph without someone wanting to talk to me about the book. Voila! Instant connection.
Over the course of 3 days, I met some of the most influential, successful, icons of the wine world. Doug Frost, my mentor and personal hero, Paul Wagner, Michael Weiss, Miss Jane Nickles, Laura Catena, Jay Youmans, Terry Theise. Now I know these names mean nothing to the average joe, but to me, this was like being a Trekkie and meeting Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner. This was a BIG deal.
Once I got my exam over with and feeling pretty good about it (when it was over I wanted to run into the lobby and scream out "YEESSS!!!) it was time to relax and drink some of the best wine in the world. Only to be made better by listening to the foremost authorities on the subjects at hand.
Everyday from 8 am to 6 pm I was a student again - one of my favorite things to be - immersed in my all time favorite subject. I learned new teaching techniques, heard funny anecdotal stories I will "retell", and was joyously proven wrong on previous food and wine pairing methods. I was forced to rethink my stand on wines from Lodi (thank you Mark Chandler), and was reassured in my stand on the fact that price does NOT reflect quality (thank you Paul Wagner).
When the school day was done, the culinary extravaganza was just beginning. Armed with a laundry list of restaurants and wine bars, I set out to eat my way through D.C.  My "no wine list left unturned" mission had another willing participant... the added bonus of being accompanied by a friend who loves to eat and drink as much as I do (thank you Mindy Reed). After days and nights of extensive "research", I can say with confidence that there is no greater authority on the D.C. restaurant scene than Mindy or myself. 15 restaurants in 6 days people. I rest my case.
The weekend was spent exploring what I think might be the greatest city in America. Arlington Cemetery made me cry. The Lincoln Memorial restored my hope. The Hope Diamond made me realize I live in a ridiculously affluent area ( I've seen so many huge diamonds that the most famous diamond in the world left me unimpressed?! Sheesh).

I saw Abe Lincolns top hat, Dorothy's ruby slippers, Julia Child's kitchen, and the original Star Spangled Banner. I made my way to We the Pizza, Spike Mendelsohn's new diggs, and can say that the hour long wait for a slice of pizza was the most ridiculous waste of time ever. I can also say that Bill Cosby is right on the money about Ben's Chili Bowl. That was a damn good chili dog.

I met Jeremy Lippman. Who in the hell is Jeremy Lippman you ask? Well, if you ever saw a little movie called Wedding Crashers, he's the character played by Vince Vaughn. I know, I know, you shouldn't believe everything your cute bartender tells you. As much as I thought he was pulling my leg, it turns out to be true. Go figure.
I now have an unyielding passion for a little grape called Touriga Nacional. If you've never had red wine from Portugal, not Port mind you but red table wine, do yourself a favor and get some.
Encruzado and Periquita may be may favorite new summer whites.
I tasted 12 Chateauneuf-du-Papes in a row, only to confirm what I already knew... you never get over your first love.

Now home, a few pounds heavier and whole lot smarter, it feels like a dream. A wonderful, exhausting, drunken, food induced coma.
Can't wait till next year.
Cheers.