Last night for dinner we opened a California wine from Charles Krug. Ideally this wine would be paired with beef entrées.

The Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Yountville-Napa Valley offered notes of blackberries on the aroma. The taste was smooth with blackberry notes and hints of raspberry and licorice. The finish was dry with tannins.

The wine was produced with 82 percent Cabernet Sauvignon plus Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Malbec. For wine specialists who want more information about the wine, the Charles Krug website offers wine notes. Details on the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville-Napa Valley are available on the website including the pH, TA and more.

Charles Krug Winery claims to be Napa Valley’s first winery having been established in 1861. A review of the winery is available online.

Next time we want to open a red wine we’ll open a bottle of our Cabernet Sauvignon we made at Vint Hill Craft Winery and compare our notes with this Charles Krug wine.

Cheers! Kathy

Wine in the Woods is a large wine festival in Columbia, Maryland usually held the third weekend of May. More than 25,000 visitors will attend this successful event. This year the festival is May 19 and May 20. This wine festival features wine tasting from many of Maryland’s wineries, food, music and arts & crafts.

What to expect for the 2012 festival:

• More than 30 Maryland wineries will be in attendance
• Wine Seminars on both days
• Live Music on Saturday on the Purple or Green Stages
  • The Players Band
  • Crowded Streets
  • Crawdaddies
  • Captain Jack
  • Risa Binder
  • The Swinging Swamis
  • Live Music on Sunday
    • Higher Hands
    • Lao Tizer
    • Jah Works
    • Spiral
    • Deb Callahan Band
    • On the Edge
    • Artisans and Crafters
      • More than 65 displays will be available for people to enjoy wandering past, browsing and purchasing. Included among these arts and craft items are stained glass, woodworking, photography, jewelry and more.
    • Food

A variety of restaurants will be at the festival. In addition specialty foods will be available. Specialty foods include beef jerky, olive oils, pecans, chocolate pretzels, cheeses, fudge and seasonings.

This year the 2012 Wine in the Woods festival promises to offer something for everyone.

Ticket information is available online. Check out the Wine in the Woods Facebook page.

A View of Clear Lake from Vigilance Vineyards in Lake County, California

While visiting Lake County, California we discovered that Clear Lake is the largest freshwater lake in California. The lake is a beautiful sparkling blue sight with views of mountains and vineyards. At one end of the Clear Lake is Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.  The park is scheduled to close permanently on July 1, 2012 presumably because of budget cuts. Here is your chance to help keep the park open to the public.

Cattails & Tules is taking place on Saturday, June 16 to help raise funds for the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association and Konocti Regional Trails. This is a wine and food festival with creative cuisine from the local area including chefs and restaurants. The Cattails & Tules festival is taking place at two Lake County wineries: Vigilance Winery & Vineyards and Gregory Graham Winery. The wineries are located in the countryside of Lower Lake. Unique is the trail that runs between the two wineries. Visitors can enjoy following the trail between the two wineries for the events or transportation is available for those who would like a ride.

Prize categories include: Best presentation, most creative, best of show, best use of local products and consumer favorite pairing. Drawings will be held for special prizes including a two-night stay at Vigilance Vineyard House.

Enjoy local restaurants’ and chefs’ creations with wines from Gregory Graham Winery and Vigilance Winery & Vineyards.

For details and tickets visit the Cattails & Tules website.

Cheers, Kathy

We visited B Cellars Winery and Tasting Salon in Napa Valley during May. We met the delightful Chef
Machamer who was the Season 4 winner of Hell’s Kitchen. Her extensive background is available on the B Cellars Winery website. The salmon recipe below from B Cellars Winery for salmon uses 1/2 cup of red wine. If you are cooking for Mother’s Day, this might be a great dish to serve.

Enjoy! Kathy

Salmon With Crimini Mushrooms in Beef Broth Sauce

Ingredients

4 six ounce salmon fillets with skin on
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
½ pound crimini mushrooms sliced in ¼
2 tablespoon diced red onion
2 garlic cloves minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram
½ cup red wine
½ cup beef broth

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350.
2. In a large oven proof skillet heat three tablespoons olive oil over medium heat.
3.  Add the salmon flesh side down and cook for approx. 3 minutes.
4. Transfer to oven and cook for approx. 10 minutes. While the salmon is cooking melt the butter over medium high heat into olive oil.
5. Add mushrooms, garlic and red onion and cook for approx. 5 minutes.
6. Add the red wine and beef broth and continue cooking until wine and broth are reduced by half.
7. Finish by adding marjoram.
8. Assembly: Put sauce, red onion and mushrooms on four individual plates, put a salmon skin side up over mushrooms.

Recipe provided by B Cellars Winery and Tasting Salon

This list of events includes more Mother’s Day events and other special events. If you can’t take Mom to a winery celebration this weekend give her a raincheck certificate –  offering to take her to a special winery event during the summer.

Cheers! Kathy

Friday, May 11

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Music: Tom Todd
Event: Wine & Bloom
Website Information

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Event: Wine Country Progressive Dinner
Website Information

Pearmund Cellars, VA
Music: Zahra
Website

Serpent Ridge Winery, Maryland
Event: First Friday
Website

The Winery at LaGrange, VA
Event: Wine Down
Music: The Electeds
Website Information

The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, OH
Music: Boomers
Website Information

Saturday, May 12

Cava Winery, NJ
Event: Mothers Wine Trail
Website

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Music: Face Value Duo
Event: Wine & Bloom
Website Information

Three Brothers Wineries & Estates, New York
Event: Women and Wine
Website Information

Slack Winery, Maryland
Event: Woodlawn’s Wine and Vivaldi’s Spring!!
Website Information

The Winery at LaGrange, VA
Event: Happy Mother’s Day
Event: Crepes de Pouce Gras (fundraiser)
Website Information

The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, OH
Music: John Stipe
Website Information

Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Blessing of the Vines
Event: Mother’s Day Weekend
Website Information

Sunday, May 13 (Mother’s Day)

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, VA
Event: Mother’s Day Brunch
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Music: Stan Miller
Website Information

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Event: Mother’s Day Celebration
Website Information

Lorimar Winery, California
Event: Mother’s Day at Lorimar
Website Information

Pearmund Cellars, VA
Music: Zahra
Website Information

Serpent Ridge Winery, Maryland
Event: Mother’s Day Luncheon
RSVP!
Website Information

The Hague Winery
Event: Mother’s Day
Website Information

The Winery at LaGrange, VA
Event: Happy Mother’s Day
Event: Divine Wood Fired Pizza
Music: Ken Hall & Friends
Website Information

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Mother’s Day Weekend
Website Information

Vint Hill Craft Winery, VA
Event: Mother’s Day Picnic – pre-order
Website Information

Lake County is located just north of Napa Valley. While we visited the area this week we noted that during the day the temperature would warm up quickly and in the evening quickly cooled off. In addition, humidity is low.

As a result of great terroir in Lake County, winegrowers are growing wonderful rich grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay.

For wine enthusiasts and travelers, Lake County is a desirable place to visit. When you visit, you will discover many of the wineries are located close to Clear Lake. Look for outstanding views of vineyards and mountains. Have a camera handy for memories to take back home with you.

Reasons to visit Lake County include:

• Wine, winery tours, vineyards and wine tastings
• Clear Lake is the largest freshwater lake in California
• Lake County Quilt Trail
• Ranch/Farm tours
• Fishing
• Beautiful scenery for photographers and painters
• Fresh air
• Country roads
• Wildlife

Future articles and blogs will feature the wineries we have visited this past week.

2012 is the year to discover Lake County, California!

Cheers! Kathy

This weekend check out some of these special events at wineries and also wine trail events. Look for  wine trail events, music, food and wine pairings and much more.

When making plans to attend an event, check ahead for any possible changes.

Cheers, Kathy

Friday, May 4

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Event: Trevor Thompson
Trail Event: Wine & Bloom
Website Information

Serpent Ridge Winery, MD
Event: First Friday
Website Information

The Winery at LaGrange, VA
Event: Wine Down
Website Information

Saturday, May 5

Chateau Chantal, Michigan
Event: Cooking Class – Spring in Tuscany
Website Information

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery,Virginia
Location: Virginia Wine Experience
Event: Wine Tasting
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, OH
Trail Event: Wine & Bloom
Music: Joey Vanilli
Website Information

Lorimar Winery and Vineyards – Temecula, California
Event: Live@Lorimar
Website Information

Three Fox Vineyards, VA
Event: Celebrate the start of the 12th growing season!
Website Information

Ventimiglia Vineyards, New Jersey
Event: Third Annual Ventimiglia Meetup
Website Information

Sunday, May 6

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, VA
Event: Spring Food and Wine Pairing
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, OH
Music: Ron Sluga
Website Information

Serpent Ridge Winery, MD
Event: Sykesville Wine & Art Festival
Website Information

Unicorn Winery, Virginia
Event: Sermons from the Vine
Website Information

Many wineries will be offering Mother’s Day events on May 13^th. Consider taking your Mom to one of these special wine events.  For those living near Mom, any of these can be a fun event and the chance to spend some special time together.

Events:

Sunday, May 13 (Mother’s Day)

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, VA
Event: Mother’s Day Brunch
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Music: Stan Miller
Website Information

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Event: Mother’s Day Celebration
Website Information

Serpent Ridge Winery, Maryland
Event: Mother’s Day Luncheon
RSVP!
Website Information

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Mother’s Day Weekend
Website Information

For those who live hours away perhaps on the opposite coast, other wine related ideas include sending a gift basket with a bottle of wine, a box of candy with chocolate filled with wine/Port, or perhaps something as simple as a wine bottle opener that is easy to use.

Mothers who enjoy spending time in the kitchen may like a special olive oil. Some olive oils are available with an infusion of fruit. A good website to help with choosing good extra virgin olive oil is Extra Virginity: Truth in Olive Oil at http://www.extravirginity.com/.

Other special ideas for Moms are products from Après Vin. The company produces grape seed varietal oil products including oils, soaps and gluten-free flours. We had the opportunity to use some of the Après Vin products and some of our favorite grape seed oils include the Grapefruit Chardonnay and Lime Riesling.

However you decide to celebrate Mother’s Day, know that she will appreciate it.

Cheers! Kathy

2nd panel discussion at 2012 Drink Local Wine Conference in Denver, Colorado.

“Local Food, Local Wine, and Why They Don’t Like Each Other”

Moderator: Dave McIntyre, co-founder of Drink Local Wine, columnist for Washington Post
Panelists:René Chazottes, Director of Wine & Master Sommelier, The Pacific Club
Evan Faber, Beverage Director, SALT
Jensen Cummings, Executive Chef, Row 14 Bistro and Wine Bar

This passionate 50-minute presentation dwelt on what consumers are looking for in terms of local food and local wine.The presentation noted that consumers want to purchase fresh local foods but then they are handed a California wine list.

People have a new sense of exploration. People are looking to try the flavors in the community that they live in, looking for a sense of something unique. When they find it they feel a connection with their community.

Jensen noted that people are becoming adventurous and want to try wine from their state. What is it about Colorado wines that speak of community? “Slowly but surely” people are coming to Colorado wine. Bumper stickers say “native” draw people in to supporting the local concept.

René commented that people want to experience something new. Don’t confuse people with four different Viogniers. When people are confused they go back to Chateau Budweiser or something familiar.

Dave McIntyre made a reference to VA wine noting that people will sometimes say that Virginia winemakers make a few good wines but they are too expensive. Therefore wineries have to get the wine into people’s mouths for them to discover local wines.

Evan commented, people need to find the nuances of wine, not whether it’s good or bad. Using words that people know makes wine more interesting for people.

Jensen noted that a lot of people drinking Colorado wines are from out of state. People come to experience Colorado and want to drink local wines. People who live here want out of state wines. Restaurants have only an hour and a half to two hours to make an impression upon diners.

When local becomes better accepted we will be able to explore new flavors and tastes and eventually be able to grow unusual grape varieties that grow well in the local regions. Wine should be approachable and easy.

Suggestion: Remind consumers that wine has a history in the United States prior to Prohibition.

Cheers! Kathy

The Colorado Twitter Taste–Off took place during the afternoon session. Twenty-two Colorado wineries poured two of their wines for conference attendees. Everyone voted for the best red and best white wines. Best red award went to Ruby Trust Cellars for their The Smuggler. The best white wine went to Guy Drew Vineyards for their Pinot Gris. The people’s choice award went to Redstone Meadery for their Nectar of the Hops. While the media’s favorite wine was the Guy Drew Vineyards Pinot Gris.

To continue with a theme I began at the Wine Bloggers Conference in 2011, my wine tweets consist of Haikus. Here is a sample of the Haikus written for the 2012 Drink Local Wine Twitter Taste-Off.

Desert Moon Vineyards
Altitude with attitude
Enjoyed the tannins

Redstone Meadery
Carbonated fruit honey
Raspberry Nectar.

Ruby Trust Cellars
The Smuggler Cab Franc pepper
Spicy dark black fruit.

Holy Cross Abbey
Cabernet Franc red cherry
Pepper and tannins.

Meunier Pinot
Jack Rabbit Hill fruity red
High altitude blend.

Mesa Park Vineyards
Cherries, black pepper blended
Where’s the barbecue?

Whitewater Hill Chard
Zero Below apricot
Drink this all day long.

Settembre Cellars
Cab Sauvignon dark fruit spice
Tannins blackberries.

Cheers,
Terry