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St. Francis Winery’s Lobster Bisque Recipe

May 29, 2014 – 8:43 am
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Sonoma, CA

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Sonoma, CA

Try this recipe for Lobster Bisque with Bay Shrimp from St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in the beautiful Sonoma County.

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards is one of the pioneer wineries in Sonoma. This large winery offers delightful experiences for visitors that can include vineyard tours and wine & food pairings A Wine Trail Traveler article about our visit to St. Francis Winery and Vineyard is available online.

Cheers!
Kathy

Lobster Bisque with Bay Shrimp

Ingredients

One 1¼ pound live lobster
¼ cup butter
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 carrot, peeled, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
2 tablespoons flour
1 quart clam juice
4 tablespoons tomato paste
¼ cup brandy
1 cup St. Francis Chardonnay
1 sprig fresh thyme
Pinch saffron threads or powder
1 cup cream
Salt to taste
1 cup bay shrimp meat, cooked

Directions

  1. On a cutting board, cut the lobster in half lengthwise. Remove the meat from the tail, coarsely chop the tail and body shells. Save the claws to use later.
  2. Heat the butter in a large heavy bottomed soup pot. Add the shells and cook stirring a few minutes over a moderately high flame.
  3. Add the onion, carrot and celery. Cook the vegetables a few minutes to soften and color slightly.
  4. Add the flour and cook a few minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
  5. Add the Brandy and carefully alight.
  6. Add the clam juice and wine. Bring the bisque to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes.
  7. Add the claws and cook for 15 minutes. Remove the claws, and use the meat for another dish. If the bisque becomes too thick, you may need to add water.
  8. Strain the bisque, pressing to extract as much liquid from the shells and the vegetables as possible.
  9. Pour the bisque into another pot. Add the cream and reduce bisque to desired consistence by simmering over a medium flame.
  10. Season to taste.
  11. Add the bay shrimp, heat and serve.

Recipe provided by St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Sonoma Valley, California

By Kathy | Posted in Wine/Food/Recipes | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Discover Vintage North Jersey

May 28, 2014 – 7:52 am
Old York Cellars in New Jersey

Old York Cellars in New Jersey

New Jersey offers wine enthusiasts several wine trails. Today I’ll take a look at the Vintage North Jersey, which has the tag “Old World Wine Making…with a Modern Twist.”

Currently the list of wineries participating in Vintage North Jersey includes:

Beneduce Vineyards
Brook Hollow Winery
Cava Winery & Vineyard
Four Sisters Winery
Old York Cellars

Terhune Orchards Vineyard & Winery
Unionville Vineyards
Ventimiglia Vineyards
Villa Milagro Vineyards
Westfall Winery

The website for Vintage North Jersey offers a calendar of events that includes events held by the individual member wineries.

Vintage North Jersey Events

  • Art & Wine Trail (March)
  • Vintage North Jersey Wine & Food Festival (August)
  • Not Just Wine Trail (November)
  • Soup and Sip Along the Vintage North Jersey Wine Trail (2015)

In addition, several Vintage North Jersey winery members offer smaller wine trail events including  the Mining & Wining Tour and the Warren County Vistas Wine Trail. Visit the Vintage New Jersey website for more small wine trail events.

Articles about visiting many of these wineries are available on the Wine Trail Traveler website.

For those planning on visiting the Northern region of New Jersey be sure to check out Vintage North New Jersey.

Summer is a great time to discover New Jersey wines!

Cheers!
Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Georgian Independence Day and Memorial Day: May 26

May 26, 2014 – 8:04 am
Caucasus Mountains and vineyards in Georgia

Caucasus Mountains and vineyards in Georgia

As we celebrate Memorial Day here in the United States, I am also thinking of the country Georgia that each year celebrates Independence Day on May 26.

Georgians spend this very special day celebrating their independence.  In 1918 the Democratic Republic of Georgia was formed when the National Council of Georgia declared independence from Russia. Unfortunately this status only lasted for three years at which time the Soviets occupied the Republic. This occupation lasted until 1991 when Georgia once again became independent.

Big celebrations take place on May 26. Events include:

  • A ceremony at Freedom Square with speeches by several dignitaries
  • A Georgian folk concert at Freedom Square
  • Fireworks across the country
  • A concert at the renowned Rustaveli Theatre.

Georgia is looking forward to signing an association agreement with the European Union in June. This is a big step forward and we hope all goes well for the people of Georgia.

If you are interested in Georgian news, check out the Georgian Times website. It is available in several languages.

We wish everyone in Georgia a wonderful Independence Day holiday and everyone in the US a great Memorial Day!

Cheers,

Kathy and Terry

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

GeorgianDC Celebrates with Picnic

May 25, 2014 – 3:10 pm
GeorgianDC picnic is ready to begin!

GeorgianDC picnic is ready to begin!

Yesterday was the 1st GeorgianDC picnic. The day was perfect along the Potomac River with a light breeze, sporadic fluffy clouds and warm temperatures. We arrived in Great Falls, Virginia at the River Bend site. Even though this was our first time to the park, we easily found it using our GPS.

GeorgianDC is a Facebook page that links Georgians with each other. This is a delightful experience for those who are so very far away from their homeland (about 6,000 miles.)

We helped to unload the cars, add bright red tablecloths to the picnic tables, arrange the tables and began putting the food on the tables.

GeorgianDC barbecue

GeorgianDC barbecue

The GeorgianDC picnic was scheduled for 10am to 6pm. People slowly began to show up bringing more food. There were so many types of food both Georgian and American. The food was set up on four tables. Several dishes were reminiscent of our visit to the country Georgia. Several types of cucumber and tomato dishes, khachapuri, salads, chips, barbecued beef and hot dogs were available. Desserts were available for a small fee or donation. All proceeds would go to the Georgian Academy.

While the children of all ages played tag and catch, the adults gathered in small groups to chat.

GeorgianDC raffle table

GeorgianDC raffle table

Those who attended were all ages and most were from Georgia. Numerous Georgian items were raffled off including Georgian wines and books.

One picnic participant estimated that about 1,000 Georgians live in the DC metropolitan area. The GeorgianDC group gives participants a chance to socialize with others from Georgia as well as keeping in mind their history and culture.

Anyone interested in joining the GeorgianDC Facebook group will find the information here. According to the site, “This group is for the Georgians living in the DC Metro Area. The purpose of the Group is to exchange information about the Georgian events in the area. Also, to exchange tips and information about various aspects of our everyday life here, in the US. Please share your thoughts on anything from how to install the Georgian keyboard on the smartphone to how to make the best Khachapuri. Feel free to invite your other Georgian friends to join!”

We felt honored to be included in the GeorgianDC annual picnic.

Many thanks to everyone at the GeorgianDC picnic and we hope to see you again!

Cheers, Kathy and Terry

 

 

By Kathy | Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Cune Winery features Eduardo Chillida Exhibit

May 23, 2014 – 1:09 pm

Wine offers a connection to many fields including the world of art. Many wineries use the art work of local artists as a draw for visitors. Sometimes the art is available for sale. Frequently these same wineries rotate the art displays so those who return to a tasting room will be able to browse a different selection every month or two.

Sometimes the artwork may be by renowned artists and not available for sale but wine enthusiasts can enjoy the art and wine connection. A great example of this is a winery in Spain that is featuring an Eduardo Chillida Exhibit. Eduardo Chillida’s sculptures are collected by numerous museums and organizations throughout the world.

Cune Winery, in the Rioja region of Spain, is hosting an exhibition of Eduardo Chillida’s sculptures until September. The “Chillida. The wind we do not see” includes eight large sculptures created by Chillida.

The press release I received noted, “Taken from one of Chillida’s aphorisms — the title ‘Chillida. The wind we do not see’ – – denotes the artist’s fascination with nature. Art forms inspired by nature and in harmony with the natural world have been present in Chillida’s work since the beginning and merge with his personal concern for the environment.  Drawing on the parallels between art and winemaking, the exhibit’s intent is to evoke emotion through sensual interpretation and a deeper understanding of the created world.”

According to Maria Urrutia Director of Marketing, to produce great wine the environment and nature are very important. Wine is a result of a combination of climate (wind, sunlight), history, craft and tradition. She believes that Eduardo Chillida’s sculptures represent the mix of wine, nature and art.

If you will be near Cune Winery in Haro, Rioja consider visiting the winery, discovering their wines and the connection to art as seen through Eduardo Chillida’s sculptures.

For details about visiting Cune Winery visit the winery website.

Cune Winery

Two brothers, Eusebio and Raimundo Real de Asúa, established Cune Winery in 1879. Since that time the family continues the winery and has added two more wineries to their portfolio, Contino and Viña Real winery.

When planning a visit to Cune Winery consider taking a picnic lunch to enjoy with a glass of Cune wine. Visitors can walk through the vineyards to reach a small building to picnic in. For those with children, check out the creative workshop for children.

Cheers!
Kathy

 

By Kathy | Posted in Winery Events | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Unionville Vineyards 2012 Pheasant Hill Chardonnay

May 22, 2014 – 6:41 pm

052214fThis estate wine is from Unionville’s Pheasant Hill Vineyards. These vineyards are in America’s Colonial Crescent area of New Jersey. The 18 year-old vines are planted in granite and limestone soil.

The wine was fermented and aged for six months in neutral French oak barrels. The yellow colored Chardonnay offered citrus on the aroma. There were hints of lemon and orange blossoms. The citrus carries into the taste with added layers of melon, kiwi and nuts. The finish was crisp. There was a subtle influence of oak. For those that do not want to taste oak but would rather taste the grape, this is a good selection. Retail price is $51.95 and is available at Unionville Winery in Ringoes, New Jersey and online.

Chardonnay is one of the best varietal wines to cook with. We added a little to our rice and pairing it with barbecued chicken and vegetables.

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Chardonnay Day: the International Grape

May 22, 2014 – 8:04 am

Chardonnay is one of many international grapes grown throughout the world. Even our trip to the country Georgia, that has strong ties to indigenous vitas vinifera, we found some vineyards growing Chardonnay. We have walked in Chardonnay vineyards in Europe, North America and Oceania. Here are some photos of the grape during the growing season. Happy Chardonnay Day.

You can follow the world-wide Chardonnay tasting on Twitter using the hashtag #ChardonnayDay.

In the Northern Hemisphere caps are now showing an many Chardonnay vines.

In the Northern Hemisphere caps are now showing an many Chardonnay vines.

This stage shows berry touch and the cluster is closing.

This stage shows berry touch and the cluster is closing.

Near harvest the berries are soft and ripe with a high sugar content.

Near harvest the berries are soft and ripe with a high sugar content.

Cheers,
Terry

 

 

By Terry | Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Chardonnay Day 2014

May 21, 2014 – 3:03 pm
ChardonnayDay wine from Unionville Vineyards in New Jersey

ChardonnayDay wine from Unionville Vineyards in New Jersey

In a recent talk to a group from New Jersey wineries I spoke of the use of social media as a way to promote dialogue amongst customers and potential customers. One example I gave was using Twitter for a wine tasting. On Thursday, May 22nd, a wine tasting will take place world-wide on Twitter. You can follow the tweets by using the hashtag #ChardonnayDay. The event takes place from midnight 12:01 am PDT to 11:59 pm PDT, so all day long Chardonnay enthusiasts from around the world can tweet about Chardonnay.

The event is organized by Rick Bakas. Rick is a sommelier and the Founder of new media relations agency, Bakas Media. Kathy and I started participating in Twitter wine tastings when Rick worked as the Director of Social Media at St. Supéry Winery In Napa Valley. This year marks the 5th annual Chardonnay Day. In the past, over 20,000 people from six countries sent 25,000 tweets about Chardonnay.

There are different ways to enjoy Chardonnay Day. Just fill a glass of Chardonnay and check out the tweets with the hashtag #ChardonnayDay. If you would like to be a bit more festive, invite friends over, share a bottle and tweet. At the other extreme, meet at a bar, restaurant or winery with a group and taste and tweet about several Chardonnays. The weather forecast for tomorrow in Central Maryland is going to be beautiful. Kathy and I are planning to spend the late afternoon tweeting about the international grape while on the patio or perhaps walking along the gardens.

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Wine Tasting Techniques From Across the Globe

May 21, 2014 – 8:02 am

by guest blogger
Gilbert Winfield

Wine Tasting Techniques In London. Photo by Gilbert Winfield

Wine Tasting Techniques In London. Photo by Gilbert Winfield

Imagine standing in front of 15 to 20 tables neatly stacked with over 200 different varieties of wine and then being asked to sample each of them to find the perfect blend to suit your palate. It’s not just a rigorous exercise but also overwhelming unless you’re among the privileged few who strive to master wine tasting techniques commonly used. Each event is organised to highlight specific ideas and introduce blends to knowledgeable enthusiasts attending wine tasting events, especially in London.

Beginners Prefer The Simple Approach

People attending such events for the very first time would do well to adapt a simple approach. Learn a few basic ideas on how to go about tasting wine. For example, trying out white wine before red wine is the ideal way to maintain wine-tasting capabilities. Other simple ideas can be sustained including willingness to try out as many varieties as possible.

It makes sense to come prepared for a wine-tasting event by preparing oneself. You don’t smoke or have food ruining your taste buds just before the event. Having a basic idea of wine varieties you’d prefer to drink over the long term is part of ideal preparation.

Instinctive Feel To Saturation Limits

You already know it’s not possible to try out 200 different types of wines all in one session. A good idea is to bank on your instincts to reach upper limits. Enthusiastic people are capable of tasting around 15 to 20 varieties to distinguish between good and bad wine. It all depends on techniques you use. For instance, some taste wine and spit out a major portion to make way for another variety. Alcohol content in wine is likely to affect your sense of taste, as it gets absorbed into the body.

Learn From The Expert

Every wine-tasting event is preceded by immense preparation done by experts always willing to impart knowledge to a band of connoisseurs. A successful event culminates in a flurry of questions experts have to answer. Following a price range is also a good idea when it comes to tasting average to premium wines.

People are always prepared to try out new varieties. In a sense, a new brand released in the market always has something interesting to offer, and being the first to try out the wine helps you compare it with other varieties tasted at similar events.

Wine Tasting Techniques In London

A single-evening, wine tasting session in London, is a great opportunity to try out country wines, taste specific kinds of food that go with a blend of wine, explore 12 to 15 types of vintage wines, learn how ancient cellars work, and basically gather enough information to offer valuable feedback for other guests.

History of wines on offer is literally dictated by an expert who takes great pride in making you a fan for life. Events extend to around two hours in the evenings usually accompanied with dinner. It may cost £50 – £100 per head to try out 5 to 12 varieties of wines with or without dinner. Be ready for a great learning experience simply by opting to a wine-tasting event in London while listening to some of the most learned wine lecturers in the business.

Gilbert Winfield is a wine tasting connoisseur based in London, he owns a company Winfield Wine Tasting which offer tasting events and quizzes. Gilbert is a keen blogger and has advanced knowledge in the industry.

By Terry | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

2015 International Wine Tourism Conference Has Sights Set on La Champagne

May 19, 2014 – 7:20 am

The 7th annual International Wine Tourism Conference, IWINETC, will take place in the Champagne region of France on April 8th and 9th in 2015. That is Easter week and hopefully many people will have the time to attend the Wednesday/Thursday conference.

Our first trip to La Champagne was in the summer of 2013 with a group of winemakers and wine growers. The trip was organized by the Washington State University enology and viticulture program. Perhaps the memory of the Champagne region that stands out in my mind the most is Le Phare de Verzenay. Most people associate a lighthouse in water surrounded by a sea of blue. In the case of the Lighthouse of Verzenay, the pharos is in a vineyard surrounded by a sea of green. Small villages dot the horizon like ships on an aqueous ocean.

Verzenay from Le Phare de Verzenay, vineyards are a sea of green.

Verzenay from Le Phare de Verzenay, vineyards are a sea of green.

Le Phare de Verzenay

Le Phare de Verzenay

One hundred years ago the lighthouse was created by Joseph Goulet to promote his champagne. It became a meeting point between Reims and Epernay. The lighthouse suffered damage during World War I and eventually fell into disrepair.In 1987, the lighthouse was given to the municipality of Verzenay by a champagne house that owned the property that it was on. In 1994, the Community of Vesle Montagne de Reims Municipalities decided to create a museum that was completed and opened to the public by 1999.

Our group toured the museum and lighthouse. Donning a headset we ambled through the museum learning about Verzenay, vineyards, the forest and life of the many people that worked in the vineyards and forests. Some of the displays were photographs while others were artifacts from a specific time period. The museum gives a good background of the Champagne area and would make a great first stop for wine tourists.

Display of spraying equipment

Display of spraying equipment

After touring the museum, we climbed the 102 steps to the top of the lighthouse. Although the day was rainy, we had a 360º view of the countryside. There is a sea of green surrounding the lighthouse. Even a rainy day afforded views of Verzenay and vineyards. After our climb down, we met champagne maker Cédric Lahemade.

Champagne Jean-Claude MOUZON

Champagne Jean-Claude MOUZON

Cédric explained that many of the winemakers in Champagne are born into the business. In his case, he married into the business. Cédric accompanied us on our bus to his petite winery in the lower level of his house, Champagne Jean-Claude MOUZON in the town of Verzenay. Although space is tight, the quality of the champagnes is delightful.

Verzenay is one of those areas in Champagne that has an excellent terroir for champagne making. The MOUZON owners, Frédérique and Cédric, have three hectares of mostly Pinot Noir and a few vines of Chardonnay. According to Cédric, at least 10 of the largest famous champagne houses have vineyards in Verzenay.

Notre-Dame de Reims

Notre-Dame de Reims

We only visited four champagne houses over our three days. We spent our evenings in Reims, in a delightful walkable area about 20 minutes from the Cathedral. Delegates to the 7th annual International Wine Tourism Conference will have opportunities to visit champagne houses throughout the Champagne region. They may want to take several extra days and spend Easter week in Champagne.

Additional articles:
Le Phare de Verzenay en Champagne
Champagne Jean-Claude MOUZON

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

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