by Shenise Foster
Alexandria, VA – Sunday afternoons are usually reserved for brunch and mimosas in Old Town, however on this particular Sunday, we ventured out to Ballston to partake in the revamped food festival, Quarterfest. There were lots of food trucks and vendors with a variety of goods to tempt everyone. The crowded venue attested to the fun. The Zebra was invited to participate in the Spanish and Mediterranean offerings of SER restaurant. Upon arrival into the venue, an influx of deliciousness greeted us as the servers enthusiastically encouraged us to try the hors d’oeuvre that included Croquetas de Jamon y Pollo (ham and chicken) (my favorite), chicken pate crostinis, a potato omelet, and a mixed seafood salad. With all the food coming out of the kitchen, I thought that there was no way that I could drink or eat another bite. There was a wide selection of beers, wine, and cider by the can! But as they say, when it comes to Rosé, there is always a way.
The Rosé Tasting Garden was set up as a intimate dining table in the middle of a vineyard where we were guided through each tasting by the Grapes of Spainsommelier and winemaker Aurelio Cabestrero. Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, he explained the three wines with a passion that transported us directly to his homeland. The rosés that we tried were Solarce Rosado, Bovale Rosado, and Rosa de Arrocal which all are 2018 blends that have been pressed in stainless steel barrels before being bottled. All three rosés would be perfect for a hot sunny day, in particular, the Bovale Rosado stood out for me for its light, crisp, and refreshing fruit flavors that sprung forward. Wine, food, and great conversation ended this Sunday on a high note and we can’t wait to see what next year’s Quarterfest has to offer.
