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In Search of Gold in Georgia

March 10, 2014 – 8:56 am

Jason and his argonauts set out in search for the golden fleece which was believed to be in Colchis. Colchis is the area next to the Black Sea in the country Georgia. Modern day gold hunters can visit Tbilisi to search for the perfect golden gift. While in Geprgia in September 2013, I wanted to purchase a St. Nino cross in gold to give to Kathy. We searched the jewelry shops and religious stores at churches to no avail. Finally our driver took us to Tbilisi’s gold market located at Central Station.

St. Nino cross

St. Nino cross

The market was full of vendors and people shopping for jewelry including gold. There must have been a hundred vendors. If you decide to visit the market and shop, take gels. The vendors did not accept credit cards and wanted only cash. Luckily I had enough gels for my purchase. Each vendor had about three feet of space sandwiched between other vendors. You could slide down a row and look at the wares of many vendors.

It took only seconds to find St. Nino crosses in gold. The challenge became choosing which one. The other challenge was haggling. I did not inherit my mother’s ability to bargain persistently over the cost of an item. Although the vendor did reduce the cost, I’m sure she was pleased with my purchase.

If in Tbilisi early for the International Wine Tourism Conference, steal away for an excursion to the gold market at Central Station.

Cheers,
Terry

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

Two Special Beverages for St. Patrick’s Day!

March 8, 2014 – 12:18 pm

St. Patrick’s Day 2014 will be here before too long. For anyone celebrating St. Pat’s Day and looking for a special drink rather than a green beer, check out these two recipes. The first is for Green Fizz  a recipe provided by Jaillance. The second recipe is for Leprechaun Punch from a Pennsylvania winery!

Green Fizz

Ingredients

1/2 oz. of green Chartreuse
1/2 oz. fresh squeezed lime
Jaillance Cuvée Impériale Clairette de Die
1 lime twist

Note: the Jaillance Cuvée Impériale Clairette de Die is a slightly sweet sparkling wine. It is a blend of Muscat and Clairette. This low alcohol, 7%, wine is ideal as an aperitif or used as a base for a cocktail.

Directions

1. In a shaker with ice add a 1/2 oz. of green Chartreuse and a 1/2 oz. of fresh squeezed lime.
2. Shake well and pour into a flute glass.
3. Top it off with Jaillance Cuvée Impériale, garnish with a lime twist and serve.

Recipe provided by Jaillance, premium sparkling wines from France.

Another beverage recipe for St. Patrick’s Day is from Kreutz Creek Vineyards in Pennsylvania. The recipe Leprechaun Punch is available on the Recipe section  of Wine Trail Traveler at http://winetrailtraveler.com/recipes/beverages9.php.

Hope you are looking forward to St. Patrick’s Day as much as I am!

Cheers!
Kathy

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

Discover Dry Rosé Wines Promotion in the Finger Lakes

March 6, 2014 – 5:55 pm
Visit the wine trails in the Finger Lakes region

Visit the wine trails in the Finger Lakes region

A large number of Finger Lakes wineries are promoting dry rosé wines with a “Discover Rosé Wines” campaign until the end of April. A website was developed in support of Discover Dry Rosé. A map showing the location of participating wineries is available. The majority of wineries are located along Seneca Lake. However wineries are located along Cayuga Lake and Keuka Lake. Skaneateles has Anyela’s Vineyards and just south of Canandaigua is Inspire Moore Vineyards.

For a long time, rosé wines have not been considered quality wines by some consumers. Perhaps this is because, in the past, some rosés produced were sweet. Sometimes sugar is used to cover flaws in grapes not fully ripe when harvested.

However today attitudes and wines have changed for the better. Dry rosé wines can be delightful to pair with cheeses and to enjoy on a warm summer day.

Be sure to check out the dry rosé wines produced in New York’s Finger Lakes region.

If you have a photo or comment to make about Finger Lakes’ dry rosés sign up for the promotions Facebook page at com/discoverdryrose. If you are using Twitter use the hashtag #flxrose

Even better Fox Run Vineyards is providing a free tasting of rosés during the promotion for consumers who can prove they have “liked” the Facebook page.

Wineries participating in “Discover Rosé Wines” include:

  • Inspire Moore Vineyards
  • Dr. Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars
  • Ravines Wine Cellars (Keuka Lake)

    A glimpse of one of the Finger Lakes from a vineyard

    A glimpse of one of the Finger Lakes from a vineyard

  • McGregor Vineyard
  • Keuka Spring Vineyards
  • Ravines Wine Cellars (Seneca Lake)
  • Billsboro Winery
  • Fox Run Vineyards
  • Red Tail Ridge Winery
  • Anthony Road Wine Co.
  • Villa Bellangelo
  • Ventosa Vineyards
  • Damiami Wine Cellars
  • Atwater Vineyards
  • Kelby J. Russell Wines at Red Newt
  • Sheldrake Point Winery (Seneca Lake)
  • Silver Thread Vineyard
  • Knapp Winery
  • Hosmer Winery
  • Sheldrake Point Winery (Cayuga Lake)
  • Bellwether Wine Cellars
  • King Ferry Winery
  • Anyelas Vineyards

We have visited many of these wineries. Many of our articles and photos are online at http://winetrailtraveler.com/newyork/nyfingerlakesregion.php.

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

Odoardi 2004 from Calabria, Italy

March 5, 2014 – 11:36 am
Savuto: a red wine from Italy's Calabria region

Savuto: a red wine from Italy’s Calabria region

Last night we enjoyed a delightful wine that we considered to be well-made. The wine was an Odoardi 2004 produced by Cantina Odoardi from the Savuto D.O.C. located in Italy’s Calabrian region.

Odoardi 2004 is a blend of Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, Nerello Cappuccio, Magliocco Canino and Sangiovese grape varieties. Consider adding them to your Wine Century Club data.

Odoardi 2004, a dry wine, was an opaque deep purple. The aroma and taste reminded us of dark fruits including plum and blackberries and cooked fruits like jams and jellies. The wine was full bodied. Consider enjoying this wine with aged cheeses and red meats. If we have the opportunity, it is a wine we could easily enjoy again..

Odoardi was imported by Specialty Wine Company. One time when we were visiting several wineries in Ohio we visited Firelands Winery which also is the location for Specialty Wine Company (article.) Check out the links for these articles.

About Cantina Odoardi

The Odoardi family settled in the Calabrian region of Italy in 1480. Today they have 270 hectares of land home to vineyards and olive groves. Cantina Odoardi  also produces Carolea Di Terina Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

“Wine is one the most important products imagined by human societies which has evolved with them all over the centuries and represented the poetry of land. If the story of human societies and people was written by nature it should be written through wine which, more than other products, is linked to the land and tells us about the landscape and the humankind. Wine represents history which expresses itself through senses and brings a common universal message”     Gregorio Lillo Odoardi  (from the Cantina Odoardi website)

Cantina Odoardi’s production includes:

  • ·      Odoardi GB Calabria IGT rosso
  • ·      Terra Damia Calabria IGT rosso
  • ·      Savuto (classico) DOC rosso
  • ·      Savuto DOC rosso
  • ·      Scavigna DOC rosato
  • ·      Scavigna DOC bianco
  • ·      Scavigna Vigna Garrone DOC rosso

The more I learn about the wines, foods and the history of the Calabrian region of Italy, the more I hope to visit that region of Italy.

Have you been to Calabria? What is your favorite region of Italy to visit?

Cheers, Kathy

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

Electric Green Lemonade for St. Patrick’s Day

March 4, 2014 – 8:21 am
Ole Smoky Moonshine

Ole Smoky Moonshine

I received an email this week from Ole Smoky Moonshine reminding me that St. Patrick’s Day will be here soon. Many people enjoy celebrating St. Patty’s Day even if they aren’t Irish. Just wear a bit of green and no one will be the wiser.

Many people enjoy a green beer but below is a recipe from Ole Smoky Moonshine that is green with a difference.  We are looking forward to making this for St. Patrick’s Day and will post a photo.

Electric Green Lemonade

Ingredients

2 parts Ole Smoky White Lightnin’
2 drops green food coloring, garnish lemon & Old Smoky Cherries
3 parts lemonade

Directions

1. Mix together and call some friends.

Ole Smoky Moonshine is located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We had the opportunity to visit Ole Smoky Moonshine while visiting wineries in the area. Visitors can watch the making of “moonshine” in addition to purchasing their products. They also have an online store.

Follow Ole Smoky on Facebook and Twitter @OleSmoky.

Our article about the visit is at http://winetrailtraveler.com/tennessee/olesmokydistillery.php.

Cheers, Kathy

“enjoy responsibly” 

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

Pennsylvania Winery Celebrated their 50th Anniversary Opening!

February 28, 2014 – 1:36 pm
Presque Isle Wine Cellars, North East, PA

Presque Isle Wine Cellars, North East, PA

Congratulations to Presque Isle Wine Cellars on their 50th anniversary!

Earlier this month, February 17, Presque Isle Wine Cellars in Pennsylvania celebrated its 50th Anniversary. In 1964 Doug Moorhead opened his business selling winemaking equipment and supplies. The winery is located in the Pennsylvania town of North East near Lake Erie.

Today supplies available include: winemaking equipment and supplies, beer making supplies, grape juice from Italy and Chile and special kits. Kits include some unusual options: Make Your Own Hot Sauce, Make Your Own Spa Bath, Make Your Own Mustard, Make Your Own Root Beer, Make Your Own Soda Pop and Make Your Own Vinegar.

Doug Moorhead is a pioneer in the wine industry in Pennsylvania. Doug was instrumental in getting vinifera grape varietals introduced into the Pennsylvania Lake Erie region.

By 1968 Doug was making wine. Presque Isle Wine Cellars was one of the first wineries to be established in Pennsylvania. Presque Isle Wine Cellars is in the Lake Erie Viticultural Appellation. Today the winery produces many styles of wine including:  vitis vinifera, vitis labrusca, sweet wines and dessert wines.

In 50 years Presque Isle Wine Cellars has grown many times over. The winemaking supplies list is extensive with an online catalogue available. A farmhouse has been renovated and is available for events. The winery also offers classes.

Enjoy browsing the Presque Isle Wine Cellars website.

Currently Presque Isle Wine Cellars has a Better Business Bureau rating of A+.

Presque Isle Wine Cellars
9440 West Main Rd.
North East, PA 16428

We visited Presque Isle Wine Cellars several years ago when we had the opportunity to talk with Doug. The article is available online.

Cheers!
Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary, Winery Tasting Rooms and Cellar Doors | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Wines from Castilla-La Mancha

February 26, 2014 – 10:54 am
Wines of Castilla-La Mancha US Tour 2014

Wines of Castilla-La Mancha US Tour 2014

Yesterday, February 25th, we had the delightful opportunity to attend a presentation of “Wines from Castilla-La Mancha” at the Marriott in downtown Washington DC.

The event began with an hour-long session on the Spanish wines from Castilla-La Mancha. The region is in the central part of Spain and located about 36 miles south of Madrid.

Several people from the Spanish Castilla-La Mancha region were there including Maria Luisa Soriano Minister of Agriculture of Castilla-La Mancha. She noted that they are trying to raise the consciousness of the CLM region. Currently vineyards cover 430,000 hectares and the region has more than 400 wineries, Organic vineyards occupy 118,000 acres. Spanish wine (45.5 percent of it) is widely exported. Even so Castilla-La Mancha is focused on increasing their exports to other countries including the United States.

Geralyn Brostrom President Vindeavour, CWE gave an overview of the region that included:

  • South of the Castilian plateau
  • Located at 2,000 plus feet elevation
  • Soil is well-drained mix of sand, gravel and rocky soil
  • Average rainfall is 12 inches; vineyards are dry-farmed
  • Organized viticulture since the time of the Romans
  • Cistercian monks helped with the grape culture

Miguel Cervantes who shares the same last name as the author of Don Quixote spoke about Don Quixote. He mentioned how the windmills looked like giants with long arms and Don Quixote tried to fight them. Symbolically Don Quixote fights against the things that are obstacles.

After the speakers, we tasted six Castilla-La Mancha wines and winemakers and importers provided a description. Of the six wineries one is focused on organic and biodynamic wines. Dominio de Punctum Organic & Biodynamic Wines offered a tasting of the FINCA FABIAN Tempranillo. This wine was 100 percent Tempranillo and had 13.5 percent alc. This dark purple wine with a light pink rim was dry and offered a fruity aroma and taste of dark fruits including cherries. The finish had mild tannins and fruit yielded to a touch of crispness on the aftertaste.

Later I’ll be writing more about the wines we tasted from Castilla-La Mancha and include one of my top ten favorite sweet wines.

Cheers!

Kathy

 

 

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

In Search of a Bit of Georgia in America

February 24, 2014 – 9:24 am

We spent the weekend searching for a bit of the country Georgia in America. We had to travel about three hours from central Maryland to central Virginia. We visited Castle Hill Cider and discovered an outdoor marani with several buried qvevri. The qvevri were different sizes and were produced in Georgia. One broke during transport and stands guard over the marani. Other pieces of the broken qvevri are in the tasting room. Staff use the broken pieces to show visitors the wax lining on the inside of the terra cotta qvevri.

A broken qvevri stands guard over the marani holding several buried qvevri.

A broken qvevri stands guard over the marani holding several buried qvevri.

Castle Hill Cider in Keswick, Virginia may be the only cidery in the world that makes a cider in a qvevri. Pippin apples are crushed and just the juice is placed in the qvevri to ferment. The cider remains in qvevri for a few months. The name of the cider is Levity and it has a light yellow color. There is apple on the aroma and taste, but it is less pronounced than other ciders not made in qvevri. We noticed that the Levity was more complex than the other ciders. There were also hints of honey on the aroma and taste and some minerality on the finish. Stuart Madany, production manager, is investigating using more tannic apples in the future.

Another Georgia connection was discovered at Morais Vineyard and Winery in Bealeton, Virginia. Our first wine tasted was Select 2012. This light yellow wine was made entirely of Rkatsiteli grapes. The winemaker sourced the Rkatsiteli grapes form Horton Vineyards, also in Virginia. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I seem to remember being told that Horton purchased his Rkatsiteli vines from Dr. Frank in the Finger Lakes. Before coming to America, Dr. Frank managed a vineyard of Rkatsiteli in Georgia.

The Morais Select offered a floral aroma. The taste had floral hints along with peach and citrus. The fruity finish lingered especially peach. The wine was made in modern stainless steel tanks rather than traditional qvevri.

There is a growing fascination with Georgian grape varieties and traditional qvevri wines. I spoke to an enthusiastic home winemaker last week that once to bury several qvevri in upstate Pennsylvania and make qvevri wines. Once he tasted some qvevri-made white wines, he became hooked on the idea of making white wines in qvevris.

Cheers,
Terry

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

Book Cover for Georgia, Sakartvelo: the Birthplace of Wine

February 20, 2014 – 10:59 am

Finally, after waiting a month to hear from our publisher, we received a pdf proof and the cover art for our 3rd book, Georgia, Sakartvelo: the Birthplace of WineI. Both Kathy and I like the cover art that shows a qvevri and vineyard. The cover art colors match those of our first two books A Wine Journey  and A Wine Tourist’s Guide: Visiting Tasting Rooms. We are very excited about our third book. Georgia was a wonderful place to visit and the wine culture is different from other parts of the world. We look forward to our return to Georgia during the spring.

Cheers,
Terry

Book cover art for: "Georgia, Sakartvelo: the Birthplace of Wine"

Book cover art for: “Georgia, Sakartvelo: the Birthplace of Wine”

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

Secolari Opens a New Olive Oil Tasting Room in Maryland

February 17, 2014 – 1:30 pm
Secolori: a Boutique Olive Oil and Vinegar Tasting Room in Columbia

Secolari: a Boutique Olive Oil and Vinegar Tasting Room in Columbia

Last week was the official grand opening of Secolari, a boutique olive oil and vinegar tasting store located in the Mall of  Columbia’s outdoor area. Secolari had been in a soft opening for a few weeks but Valentine’s Day blue ribbon cutting ceremony included an array of foods and several wines to enjoy while browsing this unique store in Columbia, Maryland. Each tasty prepared dish had been created with one of the products available in the store.

Secolori Celebrates Grand Opening

Secolori Celebrates Grand Opening

Bart and Mary DeRosa, owners, were smiling broadly as they greeted visitors and cut the blue ribbon. People were greeted as soon as they entered, and thanked for coming when they left. Bart’s and Mary’s enthusiastic daughters were also on hand to help and assist wherever they could. Angelina and Erin are very involved in the family Secolari business. We noted that many people were purchasing Secolari products before they left. We purchased a bottle of Winter Ambrosia Vinegar and a small container of colorful Merlot Salt.

If you will be near the Columbia Mall, be sure to check out this unique store. Taste the extra virgin olive oils, flavored olive oils and vinegars. Secolari is a store to visit and buy yourself a gift or a present to give someone. Gift baskets are also available. For more information about Secolari, visit their website. The Secolari website is very informative and includes pairing suggestions.

Secolari is a delightful addition to the stores at the Columbia Mall. I’m sure I will return looking for specialty items for myself and for gift giving.

Cheers! Kathy

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

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