Banishing the Airport Blues with Some Reds

I found myself in Washington Dulles airport suitably early to catch up on email before my flight back to Oaktown and wanting a nibble of something decent and some real wine. Vino Volo provided just that. If you are in a similar situation, with an hour to kill, get thee to Concourse “C,” across from Gate 3. Even though it was a good half-mile walk from D11, I smugly passed long lines of sojourners at Gordon Biersch Brewery and all the chains on route to fine smooth jazz and empty cozy seats and T-mobile internet access.

For $10 I had three tastes of red: 2003 Pascal Lambert Chinon “Cuvée Danae” (Cab France/$23 bottle); 2005 Domaine Mestre-Michelot Montmeix Burgundy (Pinot Noir, $33/bottle); and a 2004 Chateau Miraval, Cotes de Provence (Cab/Syrah, $19/bottle). The Chinon ruled, but all were quite drinkable.

With it I nibbled on some green lentils braised in smoked bacon, rosemary, and shallots and served in a tall, square porcelain bowl with a seemed to be Parmesan crouton, for $8 (a larger bowl goes for $14).

The menu changes monthly as does the wine list which can be purchased by the glass for on-site consumption or taken away by the bottle.

Vino Volo has touched down at airports in Sacramento, Seattle, Baltimore’s BWI, and New York’s Kennedy soon, with eight more promised this year…and that may prove to be some welcome solace to the weary traveler.