Saturday, April 25, 2026

Lovely Dinner at Cafe Tatti French Bistro, with Chef/ Owner Giovanni Carlo and Hostess/ Owner Sema Carlo, the Husband-and-wife team Behind Cafe Tatti French Bistro by Giovanni Carlo in McLean, Virginia, USA (April 2026)



  
    




Lovely dinner at Cafe Tatti French Bistro right in the center of McLean, next to Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen. Neutral Ground and Cafe Tatti are both great places, but could not be more different. 





Pictures: Dinner with #worldclass Patricia Green Cellars (Oregon) Winemaker and Founding Owner Jim Anderson at Neutral Ground in McLean, Virginia, USA , with Acclaimed Chef/ Owner David Guas (March 2026)

Cafe Tatti, which has been there for several decades, is a cute, old-style French restaurant with plenty of European flair, serving traditional French food. You could easily be in a traditional bistro in Strasbourg/ Alsace or in Montalcino/ Toscana. 

It recently got a fresh spark with Giovanni Carlo being the new Chef in the kitchen and new Owner of the restaurant. He was born and raised in Italy. Carlo made his journey to the USA at age 21 and began his culinary career as sous chef for Roberto Donna at the iconic Gallileo restaurant in Washington DC downtown. He worked for Roberto for the next 8 years and then went on to become the Executive Chef of Paolo's in Georgetown, Ovvio Osteria in Merrifield and Panache in Tysons Corner before taking over Cafe Tatti in McLean.

Annette Schiller and I enjoyed the evening very much. You could really feel Chef/ Owner Giovanni's passion coming through in the food and the vibe. We will be back. Next time with a bottle of wine from my cellar. Corkage fee is US$ 30, the same as at Tatti's neighbor, Neutral Ground.

Already the following evening we went back to Cafe Tatti for our first al fresco dinner of the season. I brought a Bourgogne from my cellar. We met Giovanni's wife, host and co-owner Sema Carlo.  

Newt Gingrich (who is a McLean Resident) on X (Twitter)
@newtgingrich
 
Cafe Tatti in Mclean is an amazing old style European restaurant with amazing food and a wonderful quiet European ambiance. Giovanni Carlo is a superb chef and his wife Sema is a great hostess. Their lamb chops may be the best we have ever had. Their bolognese takes you right back to Italy where Giovanni grew up and equals what we get in Rome, Ravello and elsewhere. 

First Dinner (Inside) 

Arriving


Welcome



Menus





Wine



Dinner



First



Second



Dessert


Bye-bye

Second Dinner (Al Fresco)

Outside Area 

Giovanni, Sema and Nicolas





The Food
 
First 

 
Second
 


A Bourgogne Rouge from my Cellar


Bye-bye


 
schiller-wine: Related Postings 
Announcement: Small Group (12 people) Wine Tours to Europe (Italy and Germany) this Year (2026) by ombiasy WineTours with Annette Schiller  
 
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Summary: From Lyon to Paris - Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours (July 02 - 13, 2023)

Summary: Austria 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - 12 Days: May 28 - June 08, 2023 

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List

The 2025 American Wine Society National Conference in Chantilly/ Virginia/ USA, with Annette and Christian Schiller: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

Massive Tasting of Bordeaux 1982 - the Vintage that made Robert Parker a Star, USA/ France

Kékfrankos - Blaufränkisch - Lemberger: A Grape’s Immigration Story From Central Europe To The US West Coast - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Annette Schiller

The New German Wine Law of 2021 - Tasting at the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter), presented by Annette Schiller

schiller-wine Blog of Christian Schiller Top Washington DC Alcohol Blog (December, 2024)

2024 Annual Meeting of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, a 45 Years Old Wine Brotherhood in the Famous Wine Village Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany, with Annette Schiller, Founding Member, and Christian Schiller

Masterclass - The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference March 2024 

Dinner at JAN in Munich, Germany, with Jan Hartwig, one of the ten German 3-star Michelin Chefs (September 2024) 


2025 Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner in New York City, Sky Loft, 32nd Floor of 50 Hudson Yard, with 15 #worldclass Winemakers from Germany + Austria and Estimated 300 Wines, many 20, 30, 40 Years old, many Larger Format and almost all Ultra-premium 

 

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Friday, April 24, 2026

Invitation: "Comparative Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays Tasting: Germany and Burgundy" at the Washington DC Chapter of the German Wine Society on May 2, 2026, led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours


Comparative Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays Tasting: Germany and Burgundy 

Please plan to join the German Wine Society on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 7:00 pm for a comparative presentation on Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in Germany and the Burgundy region of France, and tasting of twelve wines to illustrate the varieties of wine made from these grapes in these countries, by our own Annette Schiller. 

Registrations for this event are due by Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and the price is $55 for GWS members, $62 for non-members. 

Please be aware that, due to limited supply of the wines and size of the venue, we have a maximum cap of 40 for attendance at this event. Reserve early to avoid disappointment! 

What comes to your mind when you hear: “Chardonnay” or “Pinot Noir”? Burgundy, of course! That is rightly so. Burgundy is one of the world’s most revered wine regions and unique in focusing on two grape varieties: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. For more than 1000 years Burgundy vintners have understood that different soils and climates give different wines. They have honed their skills to produce wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that reflect the place they are coming from. 

When you hear: “Germany” – you think Riesling. Riesling also is a terroir expressive grape variety and the Germans know about producing a wine that reflects its place. But Germany is not a mono-varietal wine region like Burgundy. There are many more grape varieties growing successfully here. For more than 1000 years Pinot Noir has been grown in Germany, where it is called “Spätburgunder,” directly translating as “late Burgundy.” Pinot Noir is now the most widely planted red grape in Germany, accounting for 11.8% of all plantings. Chardonnay, in contrast, has only officially been allowed since 1991, though there were earlier trial plantings, and is still only about 2.2% of total cultivation, while Riesling has remained the flagship grape. Climate change presents new opportunities for German vintners. There is an evolution beyond traditional wine styles and grape varieties. At the same time, Burgundy’s prices have soared and wine lovers often get priced out of their favorite wine. Germany offers a genuine alternative. 

At this tasting we will show you Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from both wine regions side by side. We start with a comparison of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Germany and Burgundy on the regional level. 

The next flight will be a step-up quality-wise: a comparison on the village level. As a highlight we have a comparison of 1er Cru Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Burgundy and Erste Lage (Germany’s designation of 1er Cru) Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Germany. 

We will taste 12 wines with many in the upper price bracket. Join us for this one-of-a-kind opportunity to have wines from top Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producers from two different but also in some aspects similar regions. It will be fun to discuss the wines during the tasting and it will be very interesting to hear the verdict of the audience on the favorites. 

The planned wine list is depicted below: 

Part 1: PINOT NOIR / SPÄTBURGUNDER Germany Burgundy 

FLIGHT A: 

REGIONAL LEVEL 2023 Weingut von Winning, Pinot Noir Royal, 2022 Albert Bichot, Bourgogne Pfalz 

FLIGHT B: 

VILLAGE LEVEL 2018 Weingut Bercher, Burkheimer, Baden 2022 Domaine Raquillet, Mercurey 

FLIGHT C: 1er CRU / ERSTE LAGE LEVEL 2022 Kallstädter Steinacker, 2022 Volnay Santenots, Weingut Rings, Pfalz Domaine Thierry Matrot 

Part 2: CHARDONNAY Germany Burgundy 

FLIGHT A: 

REGIONAL LEVEL 2021 Weingut Kühling-Gillot, Réserve, 2022 Maison Vincent Girardin, Rheinhessen Cuvée St.-Vincent, Bourgogne 

FLIGHT B: VILLAGE LEVEL 2024 Weingut Jülg, Schweigen, Pfalz 2023 Domaine Ferret, Pouilly-Fuissé 

FLIGHT C: 1er CRU / ERSTE LAGE LEVEL 2023 Bönningheimer Sonnenberg, 2023 Beaune – Grèves, Le Clos Blanc Weingut Dautel, Württemberg Louis Jadot 

A tasty buffet of cheeses, bread, crackers, charcuterie, grapes and veggies will be provided to accompany the wines. Our tasting will begin at 7 p.m on Saturday, May 2, 2026, with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. to admit guests. 

The location is the Van Ness Room that we have often used before for membership meetings and other events, including many of Annette’s presentations to the GWS, at 3001 Veazey Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008. Enter through the main lobby of the apartment building on the 5th floor, and then go down to the 2nd floor by elevator and proceed down the hall to the clubroom. While there is not off-street parking at this location, on-street parking is available (bear in mind DC parking restrictions and meters), and there is easy access to Metro, at the Van Ness Red Line station. 

You can register and pay for this event in either of two ways. 

First, you can register on our chapter website, https://germanwinesocietydc.org , and make payment by PayPal. You will need to create a GWS account for the website if you do not already have one, and you will also need to have a PayPal account, as we cannot accept payment by other forms of credit or online transfer. If you are coming as a couple or other group, you can either register and pay for each individual separately, or do it as part of a single transaction and complete the payment on PayPal together. If you do a single transaction, please also email the Secretary of the GWS Capital Chapter at the address below to provide the names of each individual coming, as the individual names will not all appear on the website form for multiple persons registering together. 

Second, if you prefer to register by mail and pay by check for the event, please clip off the registration form attached to this notice, indicate the names of all who will be attending, and mail a check made out to the German Wine Society in the proper amount along with the form to: Carl Willner President and Secretary, GWS Capital Chapter 1014 Reserve Champion Drive Rockville, MD 20850 You can also reach the Secretary by e-mail at carl.willner1@verizon.net . 

Whether you are registering by mail or online, please be sure to provide the names of all persons for whom you are registering, and pay the appropriate price depending on whether each person is a GWS member (with annual dues paid), or a non-member. You can also become a member or renew, if your membership is not current, together with your registration for this event by including an annual $35 dues payment (for an individual or a couple), through PayPal, or by mail using a check, in the same manner as registering for the event. If you have been a member of the GWS Capital Chapter in the past but are not sure of your current membership status, please email the Secretary at the above e-mail to confirm your status. 

We do request that if you are experiencing symptoms of covid-19, flu or other contagious illness, or have tested positive for such an illness, you stay home and recover, and avoid putting other guests at risk. Refunds can be provided in these circumstances if you notify us before the day of the event, to allow us time to find another guest to take your place. Otherwise, refunds can only be made if you notify us before the deadline for registration. All GWS members and guests are reminded that alcohol consumption can lead to intoxication. Members and guests should use public transportation to events, rely on a designated driver, or taste the wines rather than finish them. 

If you have questions about this event, you may contact the event organizer and presenter, Annette Schiller, at aschiller@ombiasypr.com , or by phone at 703-459-7513. Annette’s website is www.ombiasypr.com . 

For questions about registration and membership, please contact Carl Willner, Capital Chapter President and Secretary, at carl.willner1@verizon.net . If you no longer wish to receive our announcements, please reply to this email to the sender. To register by mail, please fill out and cut the reservation form below with your check – do not mail the entire notice. _______________________________________________________________________ REGISTRATION FORM FOR GERMAN WINE SOCIETY COMPARATIVE PINOT NOIRS AND CHARDONNAYS TASTING, MAY 2, 2026 $55.00 Members / $62.00 Non-Member Guests Member(s) Names: _____________________________________________

Guest(s) Names: ______________________________________

Total Enclosed: _______________________________________

Daytime Phone Number: ________________________________ 

 E-Mail: _____________________________________________

Overview: Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours led by Annette Schiller - Facebook Day-by-day Postings 

 






 
 
 




 


 

 
 

 
 

 





 
 
Pictures: Overview: Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours led by Annette Schiller - Facebook Day-by-day Postings 
Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours took place from August 28 – Friday, September 06, 2024. We spent 10 days visiting top wine estates in five wine regions, tasting fabulous Rieslings and Pinot Noir (aka Spätburgunder), meeting world-renowned wine makers, travelling through the world’smost beautiful wine regions, cruising on the romantic Rhein river, looking at dizzying steep vineyards along the Rhein and Mosel rivers, and delving deep into German history and culture: Rheinhessen • Rheingau • Mittelrhein • Mosel • Nahe
schiller-wine: Related Postings 
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Summary of Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours, led by Annette Schiller: Wine, Food, History, Culture 

Summary: Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Summary: From Lyon to Paris - Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours (July 02 - 13, 2023)

Summary: Austria 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - 12 Days: May 28 - June 08, 2023 

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List

The 2025 American Wine Society National Conference in Chantilly/ Virginia/ USA, with Annette and Christian Schiller: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

Massive Tasting of Bordeaux 1982 - the Vintage that made Robert Parker a Star, USA/ France

Kékfrankos - Blaufränkisch - Lemberger: A Grape’s Immigration Story From Central Europe To The US West Coast - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Annette Schiller

The New German Wine Law of 2021 - Tasting at the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter), presented by Annette Schiller

schiller-wine Blog of Christian Schiller Top Washington DC Alcohol Blog (December, 2024)

2024 Annual Meeting of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, a 45 Years Old Wine Brotherhood in the Famous Wine Village Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany, with Annette Schiller, Founding Member, and Christian Schiller

Masterclass - The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference March 2024 

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2025 Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner in New York City, Sky Loft, 32nd Floor of 50 Hudson Yard, with 15 #worldclass Winemakers from Germany + Austria and Estimated 300 Wines, many 20, 30, 40 Years old, many Larger Format and almost all Ultra-premium 

 
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