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Upcoming Wine Experiences

August 27, 2012 – 12:41 pm

A wonderful experience is important when enjoying a wine. Discover these upcoming wine experiences.

Cheers! Kathy

Thursday, August 30
Location: Vint Hill, Virginia

At the Cold War Museum The Travel Channel will feature Gary Power who was shot down in 1960 while piloting the U-2 spy plane. Gary’s son will tour the Cold War Museum with The Travel Channel. Enjoy picnicking and Vint Hill Craft wines as well as this special event. For more information visit the Cold War Museum website and the Vint Hill Craft Winery website.

Thursday, August 30

Location: anywhere with online access

3rd Annual #CabernetDay

Enjoy a Cabernet on August 30 and be sure to post online about the wine. Try something new or perhaps a different vintage. Everyone can participate no matter where they are around the world at a restaurant, winery or at home.

Saturday, September 1

“Harvest of the Century” with a Vineyard Feast
Location: Bryan, Texas at Messina Hof Winery & Resort

Menu:

1st Course: Grilled Glazed Semi-Boneless Texas Quail
2nd Course Fresh Green Salad with Fresh Vegetables and Homemade Vineyard Dressing
3rd Course Catfish Poached in Messina Hof Wine on a bed of Cooked Collard Greens
4th Course Texas-Raised Elk sautéed with onions and peppers and a side of Calabasitas
5th Course Fresh Fruit with Sherried Mascarpone and Homemade Cookies

For reservations for the End of the Harvest Feast visit www.messinahof.com

Saturday, September 29 from 2pm to 6pm

Location: Southern Maryland

Feast in the Fields at Jubilee Farms for Slack Wine Club Members (if you are not a member there is still time to sign up for membership)

Feast in the Fields Menu:

Johnny’s Corn & Oyster w/ Parsley (Maestro’s Symphony)
Salsa Verde & Margherita Tortilla Pizza (Red Drum Red)
Jubilee Fall harvest Greens w/ Creamy Garlic, Parsley & Feta Dressing (Slacker and Lush Blush Rosés)
Apple Pie w/Crème (Danny Boy Danny, Southern Roots)
Website Information

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

Duck Breasts with Honey,Ginger & Lavender

August 25, 2012 – 8:49 am

R. Stuart & Co.

After the Wine Bloggers Conference, we joined a small group excursion to R. Stuart & Co. in McMinnville, Oregon. In addition to the winery located in an old granary building, R. Stuart has a tasting bar that is also located in McMinnville. Enjoy  recipe below for Duck Breasts with Honey, Ginger & Lavender from R. Stuart & Co.

Cheers, Kathy

Duck Breasts with Honey, Ginger & Lavender

Ingredients

2 whole boneless duck breasts
1/8 teaspoon mixed whole peppercorns, crushed
1 teaspoon white wine Worcestershire
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon dried lavender (organic) found in bulk food section
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1/2 cup white wine
1 and 3/4 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon unsalted butter at room temperature
kosher salt
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Directions

1. Cut whole duck breasts into two halves lengthwise and trim all excess fat from the ends and sides of the breast. With the tip of a sharp knife, score the fat side of the breasts by cutting a X in the middle of the breast.

2. Marinate breasts in half of the crushed pepper, Worcestershire, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, lavender, and shallot slices. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.

3. In a large saute pan or skillet, combine wine, stock, vanilla, remaining 1/2 teaspoon ginger, reserved crushed pepper, and shallot slices removed from the top of the duck, and bring mixture to a boil. Lowever heat to a simmer and reduce liquid by half. Add honey and tarragon and reduce further to sauce consistency. Remove from heat and swirl in butter. Season to taste. Keep warm until ready to serve.

4. In another large saute pan, heat oil over medium heat. Place duck in the pan skin side down, and saute for 5 to 6 minutes, until lightly browned. Turn breasts and continue to cook on meat side for 2 to 4 minutes until medium rare. The juices should run to pinkish. Do not overcook the duck.

5. Remove breasts from the pan and slice at an angle, if you want. Fan them on the plate and top with the sauce. Garnish with sprigs of tarragon.

Recipe provided by R. Stuart & Co. in McMinnville, Oregon

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

Wine Events to Attend, Or Do You Want to Volunteer?

August 23, 2012 – 11:48 am

Check out these weekend events offered by numerous wineries.

If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer, be sure to check with Layton’s Chance on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. They need volunteers in September. The winery is looking for volunteers for the annual Maryland Wine Festival held at the popular Carroll County Farm Museum and the Vineyard 5K Race and Harvest Festival which Layton’s Chance is hosting.

Cheers! Kathy

Thursday, August 23

Chateau Chantal, MI
Event:Tapas Tour-Daily ’til 9/3/12
Event: Jazz at Sunset
Website Information

Slack Winery, MD
Music: Summertime at the Wine Cottage
Website Information

Friday, August 24

Chateau Chantal, MI
Event:Tapas Tour-Daily ’til 9/3/12
Event: Wine Dinner
Website Information

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

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

Saturday, August 25

Cava Winery, NJ
Event: Wrapping Up August Weekend
Website Information

Chateau Chantal, MI
Event:Tapas Tour-Daily ’til 9/3/12
Event: Wine Dinner
Website Information

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, VA
Event: VIP Wine Club Pig Roast and Concert
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, OH
Music: Dennis Ford – afternoon, Whooz Playin Trio – evening
Website Information

Three Fox Vineyards, VA
Event: The Gallery of Winners!
Website Information

Sunday, August 26

Cava Winery, NJ
Event: Wrapping Up August Weekend
Website Information

Chateau Chantal, MI
Event:Tapas Tour-Daily ’til 9/3/12
Website Information

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

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

Pearmund Cellars, VA
Event: Dinner at Iron Bridge Wine Company with Pearmund Cellar Wines
Website Information

Slack Winery, MD
Music: August Sundays with Patty & Friends
Website Information

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

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

Neuroscience of Wine Tasting

August 22, 2012 – 1:56 pm

I attended Tim Gaiser’s presentation on the Neuroscience of Wine Tasting. It was certainly interesting and an area that begs for further research. As an MS, Tim has helped students pass their MS test. He noticed that teaching people how to taste has its challenges often related to their own neurologies, memories and life experiences. Tim participated in Project Genesis, a study that hoped to learn how to better teach people to taste wines. Top tasters were video taped and the tapes were studied.

Results seem to indicate that eye positions and patterns are important variables for expert tasters. These tasters can see color images in their mind that match a wine’s color, aroma and tastes. Many tasters can see color swatches in their mind that helps identify a wine’s color. When smelling a wine, all tasters in the study had a constant starting eye position. Tim had the attendees discover their starting eye position by smelling a 2008 John Duval Plexus, Barossa. I discovered that my starting eye position was down and slightly left.

Another result of the study is that the tasters developed internal image maps or pictures of the aromas they smelled in a wine. The attendees partnered up and described what image they saw in their mind. I never thought about this in the past. My images were in color and were located above center. Aromas of the oak were smaller and located up and to the right. I’m not certain if the images were the result of Portland’s Voodoo Doughnuts that I had before the session or if there is something to this wine tasting neurology.

Tim asked us to concentrate on the predominant aroma. He then asked us to make the image in our heads black and white and smell the wine. I could have sworn that the aroma decreased. Most attendees had similar results. When asked to make the image smaller and push it away, I thought the wine’s aroma also decreased. When asked to make the image bigger, I didn’t notice any difference in aroma, though others did.

The exercises were thought provoking and may be interesting to try at a wine tasting for a few friends. More research needs to be done with people who easily can smell and taste a wine and describe it. If these people really form images, then how can we help people to see the images? Tim suggested that we begin to concentrate on images from all foods and drinks, not just wines. Is there something to this or was it just fun?

Cheers,
Terry

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

Are We Wine Writers or Bloggers?

August 21, 2012 – 10:35 am

This session had attendee participation. Although the question, “Are we wine writers or wine bloggers?” had several answers there was no definitive answer. Many considered wine bloggers to also be writers. However there is the realization that not all writers are bloggers. Several attendees began to mention the differences between the two. For example, writers generally get paid while bloggers do not. Some noted that the writing style of a blog is different than a writing style for a newspaper or magazine article. However, it was also noted that the styles sometimes converge and travel writing can be very close to travel blogging in style. The a third distinction between writing and blogging is writers write whereas, bloggers also write, then edit, publish and market.

Our moderator posed the question should we change the name bloggers, noting the European Wine Bloggers Conference is using Wine Communicators Conference. Most of the attendees did not care for the communicators term citing it being too vague. There was also a sentiment that if it is not broken why fix it. The Wine Bloggers Conference continues to grow. The term bloggers has meaning and recognition. Changing to something else, at this point, is not warranted.

Other topics were touched upon during the attendee discussion. There was a call, from one blogger for accreditation for bloggers. This was met with strong feelings. Most were not in favor of any type of accreditation citing that the market will decide what bloggers to follow and who not to follow. There is also concern over what type of accreditation. Although I passed my Intermediate level WSET, my knowledge of wine is chiefly from making wine at a Maryland winery and a Virginia winery. At the time I took winemaking courses through Washington State University. Although those studies and experiences should allow for accreditation, another chunk of wine knowledge was derived from travel. It’s one thing to read about Gimblett Gravels in New Zealand, it’s another thing to stand in Gimblett Gravels and experience the soil, or lack thereof, and the vineyards.

My own answer to the question, “Are we writers or bloggers?’ is we are writers and bloggers. Writing is a part of the blogging experience, so is editing, publicizing and marketing.

Cheers,
Terry

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

Keynote Addresses Come Up Short

August 20, 2012 – 9:59 am

The Wine Bloggers Conference is one of the few conferences we attend that have two keynote addresses. Some of the conferences we attend do not have keynote addresses. In my opinion, the keynote address should motivate attendees, and/or present them with ideas that they can pursue. Given that objective, WBC12 keynote addresses did not measure up.

Randall Grahm came the closest in his address to motivating and giving attendees take-aways. Randall noted that few wine bloggers can make money. Bloggers should search for some meaningful thing about wine. Words describing an aroma or taste become meaningless. Bloggers should look beyond the wine to its essence. How does a wine present itself to us? Are bloggers writing about wine or themselves? What can the experience of a wine teach about being human? Randall suggests a more philosophical analysis of a wine. Mention the magic the wine works on us. Can a wine be powerful enough to move us to poetry? Some concrete examples of philosophical notions would have been helpful.

Unfortunately Rex Pickett’s keynote address failed to motivate or provide any take-aways. It is nice to have a celebrity. Rex’s ramblings and raves brought many laughs. However, I was greatly disappointment in his message. He provide me with no motivation nor any ideas how to improve my craft or things to consider while writing. Rex was totally self absorbed and unskilled in talking to a group. If he was gauging success with laughter for what he uttered, then he was successful. If success is measured with substance, then he failed to deliver.

Last year’s conference keynote addresses were delivered by Jancis Robinson and Eric Asimov. Both keynote addresses were somewhat motivating and gave attendees something to take home and think about.

If I want to be entertained, I can turn on the television set in my hotel room, although there is no time to do that at a Wine Bloggers Conference. I’m looking for keynote addresses that make me want to go home and write.

Cheers,
Terry

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

WBC12 Red Wines

August 19, 2012 – 9:30 am

Just as yesterday with the white wines, my tweets during the red wine tasting were haikus. Writing haiku instead of traditional-type wine notes is interesting. Several speakers at the conference suggested to move away from the traditional descriptions for wine. Haikus are certainly different, perhaps more thought provoking and fit nicely in the alotted space on Twitter.

Oregon Pinot
J Christopher brings out fruit
Try with surf and turf

Archery Summit
A darker Pinot Noir
Smooth and delicious

Craig Camp’s Cornerstone
Oregon Pinot Noir
Don’t grow grape near Cab

Quatro Castas red
Fruit salad with tanic bite
Walk-around, no food

Decible Pinot
Easy drinking NZ red
More tannins in wine

Granacha and Temp
Tapeña tapas and friends
Have fork need food, friends

Willamette Dammit!
Estate Pinot Noir wine
Smooth fruity where’s food

Sokol Blosser red
Evolution blend thirteen
Fun wine; just drink it

Tendril Wine Cellars
Small production nice tasting
Can dance with good food

Medlock Ames red blend
Cab, Merlot, Cab Bordeaux blend
Licorice tasting

Cheers,
Terry

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

WBC12 Whites

August 18, 2012 – 8:24 am

In his keynote address at the 2012 Wine Bloggers Conference, Randall Grahm suggested a more philosophical approach to wine discussions. Writers could mention the magic the wine works on us. Randall asked if a wine could be powerful enough to move us to poetry. Poetry was an interesting choice of words. At last year’s Wine Bloggers Conference in Charlottesville, Virginia, I began writing haikus about the wines we tasted. At additional conference I followed the same pattern of dispensing with traditional notes and replace with haiku.

WBC12 White Wine Haikus

Riesling red slate
Dry and Food friendly wine
Mosel mineral 

Torrontes with shrimp
Fresh clean and begging for food
Nice summer drinking

Duas Castas white
Semillon and Viosinho
Fruity finish dry

Lake County Pepi
Sauvignon Blanc aroma
Pair with mowing lawn

Decibel Sauv Blanc
Hawkes Bay New Zealand white wine
Tropicals citrus

Va De Vi sparkles
Touch of Muscat enlightens
It’s about the wine

Oregon Chard wine
Butterscotch citrus and bread
Refreshing with food

Evolution fun
Blend of nine white fruity wines
A walk around wine

Domaine Du Tarquet
Classic blend of brandy grapes
Wonderful tasting

Milbrandt Riesling
Dry fruity and chewy wine
A favorite white

Cheers,
Terry

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

Wine Bloggers Conference Off to a Fast Start

August 17, 2012 – 1:51 pm

This year’s Wine Bloggers Conference in Portland, Oregon will showcase oregon wines. However, the hit of the morning session was the Argentine Food and Wine Paring. Tasty wines were matched with equally tasty foods. There was enough wine and food to satisfy one’s brunch appetite. My first pairing was a red blend matched with a butternut risotto. That was a starter, everything else was equally delicious. Here are some of the pairings.

2011 Nieto Senetiner Torrontes paired with Sea Salt Seared Scallops with Black Bean Hummas

A Reserva Malbec paired with Braised Pork Belly on Polenta

A Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Flat Iron Steak over Chipotle Sweet Potatoes

A Chardonnay paired with Corn and Cheese Enpanadas with Spinach Aioli

These were just a few of the pairings. Hungry?

Cheers,
Terry

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

In Memory

August 16, 2012 – 9:57 pm

There are some life events that stop you in your tracks. Kathy and I have been spending six wonderful years visiting and writing about hundreds of wineries and vineyards. Earlier this year, we were encouraged to write a book and have completed the draft and had the manuscript edited. We are looking forward to publication later this year. We have presented at and attended wine-related conferences. In all, people frequently tell us they would love to do what we are doing. We should be gearing up for the Wine Bloggers Conference, this year in Portland, Oregon. We were in Portland earlier this week. Then one of those life shattering events took place.

Our niece, Katharyne Mary Sullivan, had been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. At 48 years old, she staged a valiant fight that was met with ups and downs. The first round of chemo was not successful. When Kathy and I traveled to Italy in January we planned to spend a few days before the International Wine Tourism Conference in Rome. We visited several churches and lit candles for our niece. It was after our visit to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, that we learned that a different chemo had some positive affects. The stats were looking better and a bone marrow transplant was done a couple months later.

After the bone marrow transplant, our niece read several chapters of our book about a wine journey. She was the first person to read the manuscript. The book is written for people like Katharyne. She liked wine, and with family visited many of Virginia’s wineries. She always bought a bottle of her favorite wine at each winery visited. Although she liked all of the Virginia wineries, Château Morrisette in Floyd, Virginia held a special place in her heart.

In July, the cancer returned with a vengeance. Katharyne decided to travel with her family for a family vacation in New Orleans. She and her husband, Alan, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in the love’s warmth of their three children.

Katharyne passed away this week and Kathy and I flew from Portland to the East Coast for the viewing and funeral. Three of our children were also able to attend and mourned for their cousin. Katharyne’s brother, Michael, mentioned that on the day of her passing, she sang “don’t worry; be happy.”

Our life now centers around wine: making wine, tasting wines and wine travel. This week though, we have come to appreciate life, courage and love. Kathy and I are planning to dedicate our book to our niece whose wine journey was cut short from AML. We are returning to Portland for the Wine Bloggers Conference and as we taste and write about wines, our niece will be close to our hearts.

Cheers,
Terry

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

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