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Southern Virginia Wine Trail Festival at Berry Hill Resort

October 9, 2012 – 1:02 am

The Homeplace Vineyard tasting room on the SOVA Wine Trail, Virginia

The Southern Virginia Wine Trail (SOVA) is a wonderful relaxing wine trail with boutique wineries with a passion for growing grapes and making wine What adds to the experience of visiting this wine region is the little traffic one will encounter. Where else can you travel for miles with no traffic? We experienced little traffic on our visit to the area. We relaxed and  had fun.

Wine travelers will have views of Virginia’s beautiful countryside. Winery owners and winemakers seek to be sure that visitors are warmly welcomed.

On Saturday, November 10, the Berry Hill Resort will be the location of the SOVA Winefest. All 12 wineries on the SOVA Wine Trail will be participating in the event.

The night before on Friday November 9, at Berry Hill wine enthusiasts will have the chance to talk with winemakers at the Meet the Winemakers Reception. The additional event includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, appetizer and dessert pairings as well as dancing.

The Meet the Winemakers Reception is $29 per person.
Saturday’s SOVA Wine festival is $15 per person in advance and $20 at the gate.

Berry Hill Resort is offering two special package deals for staying one night and two nights.

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

What Information Do Consumers Want on Wine Labels?

October 8, 2012 – 12:06 pm

Image of Old Winemaking Equipment at Wine Museum

Eric Asimov, a renowned wine critic, in a “Vintner With Nothing to Hide Finds That Few Are Looking” in The New York Times, writes about whether wine ingredients should be listed on wine labels.

Asimov notes that a few years ago Randall Grahm decided to add all the ingredients in his wines on the bottle label at Bonny Doon Vineyard. According to Asimov, Grahm was hopeful that the full disclosure of ingredients would have an impact on consumers.

Do consumers care about additives more than the taste of the wine? Perhaps the question is how many consumers read the labels on any foods that they purchase. When we visited a Canadian winery that had TA and pH listed on the label, we asked if people ever asked what TA is? Our wine server said they had been using it for a year and in that time we were the only ones to mention it.

Ask yourself, “When was the last time I read the ingredients on the package of cereal or gelatin mix?” If you do, do you know what all the ingredients do for the product? When eating at a restaurant do you expect the appetizer, entrée or dessert to list every item that went into creating the dish? What a turnoff that could be for some people? Although I do imagine that restaurant critics might enjoy the list.

For me the important information on the front and back labels of a wine bottle may include: variety, vineyard, vintage and alcohol percentage. In the United States according to federal regulations a bottle of wine labeled with a varietal grape name must have at least 75 percent of that variety in the wine. The government does not require the other 25 percent varietal grapes to be listed. So if a winemaker labels a wine as Cabernet Sauvignon, consumers will not know what the make up is of the other 25 percent. I would like that additional information. Besides that additional information, I like back labels to indicate or tell a bit of a story about the wine or the winery as well as possible food pairings and the residual sugar level.

We are a literate world with the majority of people having access to the Internet. Would it be easier and justifiable to add the details of the wine to the winery website? Make the details available online for those who are truly interested in a list of ingredients.

Cheers, Kathy

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

Super Stuffed Baked Apples Paired with Late Harvest Riesling

October 6, 2012 – 7:09 am

Angels Gate Winery in Ontario

This fall while fresh apples abound, try this easy recipe for Super Stuffed Baked Apples from Angels Gate Winery in Ontario Canada. We visited Angels Gate Winery last month and found it to be delightful and friendly. The owners named the winery Angels Gate to honor the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Christian Charity in Ontario who had owned the property many years before. You may want to check out the Wine Trail Traveler article.

Super Stuffed Bake Apples a la Mode

Best served with Angels Gate 2008 Late Harvest Riesling

Yield: 4 Servings

Cook Time: 20 min

Ingredients

4 large McIntosh or Empire apples, cored
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup instant oatmeal mix or rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, a healthy grating
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
2 ounces, 1/8 cup, golden raisins, chopped
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or walnut pieces or pecans
1 pint Dulce de Leche (caramel) ice cream or caramel swirl ice cream
Whipped cream, in a canister

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Sprinkle cored apples with lemon juice.
3. Mix next 7 ingredients and over-stuff apples.
4. Bake 20 minutes in a small oven safe dish.
5. Transfer apples to small bowls with a spoon and top with ice cream and whipped cream.

Recipe provided by Angels Gate Winery in Beamsville, Ontario Canada

 

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

“A Wine Journey” Available Soon

October 5, 2012 – 8:23 am

We began writing A Wine Journey early in the spring of 2012. Last week we sent it to the publisher and it is on its way to the design department. We hope to have an image of the book cover soon! We will receive a proof copy for any small changes and then the book will be printed.

A Wine Journey consists of more than 160 pages with 14 chapters that look at the wine journey of Kathy and Terry as they navigated their way through wine tastings, numerous books, winemaking, education and travel. Numerous anecdotes are entertaining. Everyone can create their own personal wine journey and focus on what interests them the most. We hope that this book inspires readers to learn more about the delightful world of wine.

From Chapter 1 of A Wine Journey

While talking to hundreds of winemakers, we discovered that many were related to someone who made wine either at a winery or at home. Often it was a parent or grandparent who was also a winemaker. Occasionally, it was an uncle. One Italian winemaker told us that if you are in an Italian family and someone in the family does not make wine, find another Italian family. Terry did not have to look far to find a family member who was an avid home winemaker. Orville Dowey, Uncle Hun to Terry, lived most of his life in Carrolltown, Pennsylvania. He spent time in Europe during World War II. Uncle Hun enjoyed making wine and soda. Terry remembers the root beer soda. It was the best root beer soda he ever tasted, and the brands on the grocery store shelf did not measure up. …

Anyone who is interested in more information about the book, A Wine Journey can contact me at Kathy (at) winetrailtraveler.com.

Hope you have a wonderful day!
Cheers, Kathy

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

Winery Events for this Columbus Day Weekend

October 4, 2012 – 7:54 am

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia

Whether you are looking for a wine dinner, or live music this weekend. Check out the events below. If you plan to celebrate Columbus Day Weekend, visit Three Fox Vineyards in Virginia. On Saturday, October 6, three wineries in Tennessee will have their 4th Annual Stomp Out Breast Cancer that includes “Walk the Rocky Top Wine Trail.” Money raised for this event will go to the American Cancer Society.

Cheers, Kathy

Friday, October 5

Chateau Chantal, Michigan
Event: Wine Dinner
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Music: Dave Sterner
Website Information

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, California
Event: Live Music at Sunset
Website Information

Serpent Ridge Winery, Maryland
Event: First Friday Music – Albarino
Website Information

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

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Columbus Day – Celebrate with Us
Website Information

Saturday, October 6

Apple Barn Winery, Tennessee
Event: 4th Annual Stomp Out Breast Cancer
Website Information

Chateau Chantal, Michigan
Event: Harvest Day
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Music: Yesterday & Today
Website Information

Hillside Winery, Tennessee
Event: Event: 4th Annual Stomp Out Breast Cancer
Website Information

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, California
Event: 4th Annual Grape Stomp & Harvest Festival
Website Information

Mountain Valley Winery, Tennessee
Event: Event: 4th Annual Stomp Out Breast Cancer
Website Information

Pahrump Winery, Nevada
Event: Grape Stomp
Website Information

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: 5th Annual “Alpaca Lunch”?Event: Blessing of the Animals
Website Information

Sunday, October 7

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Event: Covered Bridge Trolley and Cavatelli Dinner?Music: Larry Smith
Website Information

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, California
Event:Sippin’ Sundays-Live Music
Website Information

Pahrump Winery, Nevada
Event: Grape Stomp
Website Information

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Columbus Day – Celebrate with Us
Website Information

Monday, October 8

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Columbus Day – Celebrate with Us
Website Information

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

Add Spice to Life by Volunteering at a Winery/Event

October 3, 2012 – 7:32 am

Grapes Almost Ready for Harvest 2012

Volunteering is a great activity for everyone. For wineries and wine festival volunteers, not only is it an opportunity to help but it can result in a lot of fun, great experiences and camaraderie.

We spoke to one sommelier who mentioned that whenever he travels worldwide he visits wineries to learn about the wine regions. At the wineries he offers to help wherever they need him. He learns from the experience and enjoys it too.

If you like wine, consider helping out at a winery, vineyard or festival. You will be glad you did. The experience is one you will remember for a long time and will enjoy sharing with everyone over a glass of wine. Contact a winery near you to see if they are looking for volunteers.

Below are several  volunteer opportunities for this fall.

Cygnus Wine Cellars in Maryland needs volunteers for

  • October 6 and 7 Riverside Wine Festival
  • October 20 and 21 Autumn Wine Festival

Contact Ray G. Brasfield at http://www.cygnuswinecellars.com to volunteer.

Detour Winery in Detour, Maryland is looking for volunteers for their Harvest Fright Festival on October 27. Fill out the volunteer online form.

In Bedford, Virginia, Peaks of Otter Winery has an online form to fill out if you would like to volunteer. The form is available at http://www.peaksofotterwinery.com/page15.html. This fall Peaks of Otter Winery is participating in the following events.

October 7: Taste of Culpeper

October 12 – 13 – 14: Shenandoah Valley Wine & Music Festival

October 13-14: 21st Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival

October 13: Louisa Wine Festival

In Texas, volunteer for the Texas Reds Steak & Grape Festival scheduled for October 13 and 14. This festival needs a wide range of volunteers including wine servers.

Rogers Ford Farm Winery in Sumerduck, Virginia looks for volunteers. On their website, they have two perks listed. For each 4-hour shift you volunteer, you receive a $20 gift certificate at Rogers Ford Winery. All volunteers are invited to an end-of-year appreciation picnic. To get on their volunteer mailing list email the winery at info@rogersfordwine.com.

In Woodinville and Zillah, Washington, the Washington Wine & Beverage Company looks for volunteers from March through December. The next two events are Wreath Making on November 15 and 16 and on December 20, the Shareholder Holiday Party. For more information email volunteers@washingtonwine.com.

By volunteering at a winery or wine festival, you will meet people, learn more about wine and have a great experience. Check out wineries for these opportunities to add some spice to your life!

Cheers!
Kathy

 

 

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

Tin Lizzie Wineworks Kicks Off Fall Winemaking

October 2, 2012 – 7:37 am

Grapes Arrive at Tin Lizzie Wineworks

Yesterday, we visited Tin Lizzie Wineworks in Clarksville, Maryland where we discovered a lot of excitement. Lugs of grapes had arrived including Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Syrah.

Two groups were crushing their grapes. The lugs of grapes from California were in pristine condition. It was interesting seeing the grapes side by side. One could compare the size of the grape and the size of the clusters of each variety.

Participants in each group listened carefully as Dave Zuchero, winemaker and owner of Tin Lizzie Wineworks, explained each step. Dave carefully detailed each step and why it is done. When participating in making a barrel of wine, participants take turns in each step of the process.

One of the benefits of making wine at Tin Lizzie is that participants can share the cost of making wine among several people. When the bottling of the wine is completed, the members share the 21 cases of wine.

Mike and Janine Cook were also on hand helping out. Mike helped the groups dumping the grapes from a lug to the destemmer. Janine worked in the lab, testing the juice and preparing the winemaking items to be added to the fermentation bins. The Cooks are gaining practical experience. They are planting a vineyard next year and plan to open a winery.

The number of wineries in Maryland continues to increase, in part due to a more favorable attitude toward them in Annapolis. The state is seeing an increase in the number of acres of new vineyards planted. Vineyards help to keep an area agricultural since they usually last for decades.

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

Weekend Wine Events to Enjoy

September 27, 2012 – 7:20 pm

Check out winery events happening this weekend! Use the website links to get updated information from the wineries! Have a fabulous fall weekend!

Cheers, Kathy

Friday, September 28

Chateau Chantal, Michigan
Event: Wine Dinner
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Music: Uncharted Course
Website Information

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, California
Event: Live Music at Sunset
Website Information

The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, Ohio
Music: Scott Paris
Website Information

Watts Roost Vineyard, West Virginia
Event: Look for Watts Roost at Mountain Heritage Festival, WV
Website Information

Saturday, September 29

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Event: Jersey Fresh Wine Festival
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Music: afternoon-David Young, evening-Larry Smith
Website Information

Reid’s Orchard & Winery, Pennsylvania
Event: Music in the Valley
Website Information

Slack Winery, MD
Music: September Feast in the Fields
Website Information

The Homeplace Vineyard, Virginia
Event: 2nd Annual BBQ and Wine Festival
Website Information

The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, Ohio
Music: B&C
Website Information

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Fauquier SPCA Fundraiser
Website  Information

Watts Roost Vineyard, WV
Event: Look for Watts Roost at Mountain Heritage Festival, WV
Website Information

Sunday, September 30

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Event: Jersey Fresh Wine Festival
Website Information

Chateau Chantal, Michigan
Event: Jazz at Sunset
Website Information

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, Virginia
Event: French Crepe Day
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Music: 4-Kings
Website Information

Reid’s Orchard & Winery, Pennsylvania
Event: Music in the Valley
Website Information

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Winemaker Walkabout tour
Website Information

Watts Roost Vineyard, West V?irginia
Event: Look for Watts Roost at Mountain Heritage Festival, WV
Website Information

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

10th Annual Riverside Winefest at Sotterley Plantation

September 26, 2012 – 6:46 am

Located at the National Historical Landmark of Sotterley Plantation, the annual Winefest on October 6 and 7 in St. Mary’s County, Maryland promises to be fun. Sotterley Plantation lays claim to being older than Mount Vernon and Monticello with being established in 1703. The Winefest is designed to promote and maintain Sotterly Plantation.

The 2012 Winefest will have 23 Maryland wineries participating with 8+ local restaurants providing food for purchase. Southern Maryland specialties available include crab cakes, fried oysters, stuffed ham, pit roasted meats and ice cream. More than 20 artisans will be attending

Other highlights to look forward to include:

  • Free children’s activities
  • Live music with Groove Span, The Pax Rats, David and Joe Norris, and Gary Rue and the Dance Hall Ghost.
  • Free Tours of the Colonial Revival Garden, Mini tours of the Plantation House built in 1703 and Slave Cabin tours
  • Artisan crafts available to purchase

Tickets are available online at or at the gate.  Regular tickets are available at a discount price online through September 28. Regular tickets are $25 at the gate, $15 for designated drivers, $5 for those ages 6 – 20 and children under 6 can attend for free. The online tickets are available at http://www.ticketderby.com/vendor/kim-husick-id-465.

Visit Sotterly Plantation in southern Maryland and discover more of the history and beauty of the state.

Cheers! Kathy

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

37th Annual Mountain Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival this Weekend!

September 25, 2012 – 12:06 am

The Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival takes place September 28, 29 and 30. With a combination of crafts, fine arts, music, food and wine what more can you want? Ticket prices are a reasonable $7 for adults and $4 for ages 6 to 17. To make it even better there is a $1 off coupon available online.

This festival has five West Virginia wineries participating. Plan to visit and support these wineries: Watts Roost Vineyard, Kirkwood Winery, Vu ja de Vineyard, Potomac Highland Winery and West-Whitehill Winery.

The fine arts and crafts vendors are jury selected. These items are creative, well made and decorative. You may want to start your Christmas or holiday shopping early. Vendors are from numerous states including: West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia.

On Saturday and Sunday a variety of live music groups will add to the enjoyment of the festival. Featured musicians include: Nothin’ Fancy, The Hillbilly Gypsies, Patent Pending and The Stevens Family Bluegrass.

Location:

Sam Michael’s Park
1330 Job Corps Road
Shenandoah Junction, WV 25442

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

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