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London’s Vinopolis Offers a New Tasting Experience

September 24, 2012 – 8:13 am

Vinopolis in 2007

Back in 2007, we had the opportunity to visit and write about our visit to Vinopolis in London. (See Vinopolis article.) This past summer Vinopolis has been working to revitalize. The facility reopens in October. Vinopolis is located on 2½ acres under the arches of an old railroad viaduct. It’s an amazing space and put to good use.

Vinopolis, a wine experience facility,  is located within walking distance from  Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, The Tate Modern and Borough Market.

Vinopolis offers  a wide range of  activities including wine tours, tasting events, special events and restaurants. Two shops at Vinopolis are The Whiskey Exchange and Laithwaites Wines. Restaurants include Cantina Vinopolis, Wine Wharf and Brew Wharf.

Visitors can choose from three wine experiences: Essential Wine Experience, Classic Wine Experience and the Quintessential Wine Experience.

Monthly events include:

  • Welcome to Wine
  • Premium Wine
  • Food & Wine
  • Cheese & Wine
  • Cocktail Masterclass
  • Whisky Masterlass
  • Fortified Wine Masterclass
  • Tom’s Wine School

Special events to watch for:

  • Meet the Expert: Oz Clarke
  • Vinopolis Hen Parties
  • Vinopolis Stag Parties
  • Special Dinners

If you are  planning a visit to London, check out Vinopolis.

Cheers, Kathy

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

Visiting a Winery During Harvest

September 23, 2012 – 12:01 pm

There is no better time to visit wineries than during harvest time. Many wineries are harvesting grapes now and will continue to for the next several weeks. If you are driving through large vineyard areas open your car windows to enjoy the scent of ripe grapes. Take a couple of days and enjoy driving through the Lake Erie vineyard region of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

One fall when visiting the wineries in this area we were amazed at the aroma of grapes as we traveled past acres and acres of grapes. This is also the home of the grape juice facility, National Grape Cooperative Association that owns Welch’s, but people are learning that this area can also grow some very nice wine grapes.  If you are planning a trip to North East, Pennsylvania check out this wine trip itinerary.

If you are lucky, some tasting rooms may have fresh wine grapes to taste. (Please do not pick grapes from the vineyards unless a staff member gives the okay.) A very few wineries also press juice and have a little to share with visitors. This unfermented juice has all the nuances of the grape variety. After tasting fresh wine grape juice, the different varieties of grapes producing different tasting wines make sense.

Cheers, Kathy

 

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

Dine-Around

September 20, 2012 – 7:42 am

As a part of the MATPRA (Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance) Conference, we went on a dine-around last evening. A group of people follow the leader to one restaurant for appetizers and then a different restaurant for entrees. We returned to Hotel Bethlehem for dessert. Our group had appetizers at EDGE. The restaurant is in the historic downtown area and offers chic dining experience. We had three appetizers including Crispy Calamari, Crispy Alsatian Pizza and Baby Greens. I enjoyed the pizza with an ultra thing crust and layers of flavor. I tried the house Cabernet Sauvignon. Since I make Cabs I like to try different Cabs. This had a bit of a black fruit aroma and some fruit on the taste. There were mild tannins on the finish.

Just as we were settling into conversation, it was time to leave and head to the next restaurant for entrees. McCarthy’s Tea Room is a hidden gem. You walk through the retail store, plenty of items from Ireland, to the dining area. We had a choice of three different Irish foods. I selected the Steak and Ale Pie. A light golden brown pastry hid the beef and leeks cooked in a Golden Ale from nearby Bethlehem Brew Works. There was a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County on the table and I found it tasty and paired well with the Steak and Ale Pie. Dinner was a bit more leisurely since there wasn’t a hurry to return to Bethlehem Hotel for dessert.

Eventually we broke loose and ambled the short walk back to the hotel. Desserts we small hand portions of a large assortment of sweets. Choices! The dine-around experience introduced us to just a couple of the fabulous restaurants that Bethlehem has to offer. Other people went to different restaurants. We were happy to experience EDGE and McCarthy’s Tea Room.

Cheers,
Terry

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

MATPRA 2012: Journalists in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

September 20, 2012 – 12:03 am

On Wednesday, the MATPRA Media Marketplace began with a substantial breakfast at Hotel Bethlehem with everyone attending being welcomed to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Breakfast was followed by the Market Place where we met many representatives for tourism organizations from the Mid-Atlantic States. Several of them were quick to offer suggestions of other wineries to visit.

For lunch we boarded buses to take us to the ArtsQuest “Center at SteelStacks” for lunch. This is a combination of an artsy music event location connected with the history of Bethlehem Steel. The backdrop for many musical events is the view of the old Bethlehem Steel plant. I plan to write a more comprehensive article about this soon because it is a wonderful concept for rejuvenating industrial sites that have become eyesores.

Terry’s bus group took a short ride on the canal, visited the National Canal Museum and the Sigal Museum.

After lunch my group went to the location of the Moravian settlement and toured the numerous historic buildings on site. At one time this settlement was a self-sufficient community. The community included: a blacksmith shop, tannery, housing, apothecary and more.

The evening finished with a dine-a-round. We were assigned to the Edge Restaurant for appetizers where we enjoyed wine with pizza bites, fresh salad and calamari. For dinner we discovered McCarthy’s Tea Room in a room at the back of an Irish shop where we enjoyed a choice of Steak and Ale Pie, Curried Vegetable Pastie, or Roasted Chicken Breast with Cider Sauce. Petite desserts and coffee followed when we returned to Hotel Baltimore.

Now we are looking forward to Thursday’s events in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Cheers, Kathy

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

Power of Suggestion

September 19, 2012 – 5:51 am

Kathy and I are attending the MATPTA (Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance) conference held in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Late last evening we had the opportunity to go to the Paranormal Investigation at the 1758 Sun Inn just a short stroll on a stormy night from Hotel Bethlehem. I was wondering how to turn a paranormal investigation into a wine blog.

We were warming greeted, by the living, and ushered into what use to be the inn’s kitchen. A ten minute video related the importance of the inn built in 1758 and the number of celebrity guests. After the video, the ghost hunters began to talk. They showed us the data supporting paranormal activity they personally have found as well as the data gathered from the television show Ghost Hunters. Looking at flashing led indicators and listening to noise, we were told what was said in the noise. The power of suggestion was evident. If I didn’t have someone tell me that I hear the name William, I never would have heard it.

The power of suggestion is very prevalent in many wine tastings. A large number of wineries train their tasting room staff to monologue visitors. “You will notice this wine has green apple and a hint of citrus …” After a moment, you taste green apple and citrus. The power of suggestion has ruined many wine tastings, however wineries with tasting rooms seem to think this is the only method the public can handle. These wineries need to wake up and entertain the use of dialogue rather than monologue. At a winery, it is far better, and more educational, to ask visitors what they see, smell and taste.

With last evenings paranormal investigation, the presenters were quick to point out what we heard and saw. Perhaps they could have asked before telling us. In wine tasting, people who have practiced the structured tasting process may have an easy time identifying aromas and tastes. Trained ghost hunters also are use to hearing sounds and interpreting them. They know what to hear and look for in their investigation just as a wine taster knows what to look for, smell and taste in a wine.

Was I convinced that there is paranormal activity at the 1758 Sun Inn. Not really, nor was I convinced that I tasted green apple and citrus for the wine. I am convinced that the power of suggestion will lead most people to conclude what you want them to conclude. It seems to work in paranormal investigations and wine tastings.

Cheers,
Terry

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

Vineyard and Winemaking Challenges Mirror Wine Book Publishing

September 18, 2012 – 8:53 am

We visited a Pennsylvania winery, Nimble Hill Vineyard & Winery, yesterday and found the winemaker, Kevin Durland out in the vineyard with Gary Toczko, owner and vineyard manager, working in the vines. It is encouraging to see a winemaker in the vineyards. These vineyards were within a few feet of the winery. The vineyards for the wine we make is often thousands of miles away, so spending time in the vineyards is not practical.

Kevin mentioned that the winery will begin to make more cases of certain varieties; however, he will need to get the wines into distribution. Currently some of the local restaurants carry his wines. However, being located in a small town, he needs more distribution outlets. We have heard winemakers and owners lament about distribution for years. The reality is that only so many wines can be sold from the tasting room. Go beyond that amount and you need to get the wines distributed.

Kathy and I have a discovered a similar challenge. We are getting ready to send our first wine-related book  to our publisher. Like a winery, we will make the most by selling the book ourselves. However, there is a large world out there and like many wineries we will need to get the book into distribution. Our book should be available for the 2012 holiday season. Vineyard workers and winemakers face many challenges. Authors also face challenges. Occasionally, those challenges are similar.

Cheers,
Terry

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

It’s a Great Time of Year for Hard Cider

September 16, 2012 – 8:30 am

Yesterday we visited our recently married daughter and son-in-law. We enjoyed a delicious home cooked meal and a  glass of sparkling hard cider. With a lot of effervescence and low alcohol, it was perfect for dinner.

Fall is particularly a great time to discover ciders. With the leaves beginning to change to their beautiful red, yellow and orange colors, it is a perfect time to travel and look for ciders as well as hard ciders. When passing a roadside apple stand, stop and ask where you can buy hard cider. Try to find sparkling hard cider, too.

Articles about hard ciders are available: Distillery Lane Ciderworks, Castle Hill Cider, Albemarle Ciderworks

Looking for wine events, check out the calendar on Wine Trail Traveler.

Cheers, Kathy

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

According to Wine Industry Insight, Gallo Purchased Snows Lake Vineyard

September 14, 2012 – 10:32 am

According to the wine news website, WineIndustryInsight,  E. & J. Gallo has purchased Snows Lake Vineyard in Lake County, California. The article on Wine Industry Insight is “Gallo Buys Prized Snows Lake Vineyard.”

When we visited Snows Lake Vineyard, a couple of years ago, we had a delightful time.  With 800 acres of grapes, the views were amazing. If you are interested, the article we wrote about our visit is at http://winetrailtraveler.com/california/snowslake.php.

Cheers! Kathy

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

Wine, Food, Arts & Crafts Festivals for September 15-16

September 13, 2012 – 8:34 am

This weekend, September 15 – 16, is an ideal time to attend a food, wine and arts & crafts festival. Hopefully the weather will continue to be great and it’s a great time to be outside enjoying the sunshine (hopefully) and the season changing to fall with all of the glorious fall colors of reds, oranges, and yellows. Have your camera ready for some great fall photos.

Three wine festivals to discover:

Maryland Wine Festival 29th Anniversary
September 15-16
Location: Carroll County Farm Museum, Westminster, Maryland

The Maryland Wine Festival takes place not too far to travel from the metropolitan Baltimore and Washington, DC area. The festival includes: food vendors, craft vendors, wineries, live music, wine education seminars and an amateur wine competition.

37th Annual Virginia Wine Festival
September 15-16
Location: Great Meadow Field Events Center, The Plains, Virginia

The Annual Virginia Wine Festival is another wonderful festival with food, live music, wine tastings, seminars and wine pairings.

26th Annual GrapeFest
September 13-16
Location: Grapevine, Texas

When you visit Grapevine, Texas for the Annual Grapefest be sure to check out the boutique stores located in the town. At the festival enjoy wandering among the many vendors of food, arts & crafts and market place. Listen to live music. Discover the KidZone and ice carving demonstrations on Friday and Saturday. Check the website for times.

Enjoy! Kathy

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

Gnarly Head Authentic Red Zinfandel

September 12, 2012 – 8:20 am

Enjoyed a Gnarly Head 2010 Authentic Red Zinfandel last night with a pizza and salad. The Zinfandel paired very well with the homemade cheese, tomato and basil pizza. Gnarly Head is located in California’s Lodi region and is named for the head pruned vines.

The Zinfandel offered a very fruity aroma and taste. The dark purple color wine with 14.5 percent alcohol was a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah.  The back label suggested pairing the wine with steak, grilled chops or BBQ. However, it was great with the homemade pizza.

Gnarly Head winery is known for its old vines ranging from 35 to 80 years old. The vines have the not frequently seen head training. Check out their website at http://www.gnarlyhead.com. You will find a section called “Old Vine Wisdom,” which includes some interesting wine information. For example, “A Zin by any other name – Did you know there are 23 synonyms for Zinfandel? Favorites include Crljenak Kaštelanski (huh?) and Black St. Peters.”

Gnarly Head also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Old Vine Zinfandel.

Cheers, Kathy

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

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