Marshall Molliver of Molliver Vineyards explained that at one time the wineries in the Southern Virginia wine region didn’t know that each other existed. Now they help each other with ideas, wine testing, events and festivals. One of the programs that brought recognition to the wineries as well as consumers and wine travelers is the SoVA Wine Trail. This wine trail has twelve member wineries that participate in a passport program. Visitors with a passport receive tastings at no charge. Passports cost $20 and you receive a souvenir SoVA wine glass. As you travel to the wineries, you can get a stamp for your passport book. With twelve stamps you can enter your book for a drawing to win two seats at a quarterly SoVA wine pairing dinners by Epicurean Underground.
The Southern Virginia wine region encompasses an area roughly south of the James River to the North Carolina border. Interstate 95 passes through the eastern part of the region while the western part of the region extends almost to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Some of the wineries are a ten to fifteen minute drive from each other while others are up to a half hour drive from each other. Wine enthusiasts who are use to traveling through Northern Virginia will be shocked to discover the lack of traffic in Southern Virginia. We traveled 100 miles on Saturday between hotels and wineries and never had another vehicle trailing us. With the lack of traffic, driving through Southern Virginia is a pleasure and there is plenty of scenery to take in.
The region is hot during the summer and if grapes can be harvested prior to any remnants of hurricanes dumping multiple inches of rain on the vineyards, the wine grapes will have the desired sugar levels, flavor and taste profiles. Wine travelers will discover a portfolio of wines from whites, reds, fruit wines and meads ranging from dry to sweet. Many winery visitors want sweet wines. The wineries have listened to their customers and are producing wines their customers want. However there are also the dry wines that pair so well with food.
Visit the wineries on the SoVA Wine Trail and enjoy the discoveries of boutique wineries in a rural area that is free of traffic, congestion and a hectic life-style.
Cheers,
Terry
While fresh asparagus is available year round, springtime is the time young shoots are shooting up and an ideal time to use asparagus in the kitchen. The recipe below is for Simply Springtime Rice Salad that uses fresh asparagus and ¼ cup of white wine.
Enjoy!
Simply Springtime Rice Salad
Ingredients
6 slices peppered bacon, diced
1 pound fresh asparagus spears, diagonally sliced into 1-inch pieces
3 cups cooked rice
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
Directions
1. Brown bacon in large skillet over medium-high heat, 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Drain fat, reserving 1 tablespoon in skillet.
3. Add asparagus; cook until tender crisp.
4. Add rice and wine; cook until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Add pine nuts; toss well.
Note: To toast pine nuts, spread nuts on small baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring frequently.
Recipe provided by USA Rice Federation
March 22, 2012 – 12:01 am
Numerous wineries will have events this weekend. Below are events from some of our partners. With gasoline prices rising consider carpooling with another wine enthusiast. Be sure to check with the winery for more details and any possible changes.
Cheers! Kathy
CALIFORNIA
Saturday, March 24
- Lorimar Winery and Vineyards, California
Event: Live@Lorimar
Website
MARYLAND
Friday, March 23
- Serpent Ridge Winery, Maryland
Event: First Friday
Website
MICHIGAN
Saturday, March 24
- Chateau Chantal, Michigan
Event: Cooking Class – Techniques of Spanish Cooking/Tapas & Paella
Website
Sunday, March 25
- Contessa Wine Cellars, Michigan
at Holland, MI
Event: Michigan Wine Tasting
Website
NEW YORK
Friday, March 23
- Three Brothers Wineries & Estates, New York
Event: Cruisin the Tropics
Website
Saturday, March 24
- Three Brothers Wineries & Estates, New York
Event: Cruisin the Tropics
Website
Sunday, March 25
- Three Brothers Wineries & Estates, New York
Event: Cruisin the Tropics
Website
OHIO
Thursday, March 22
- Laurello Vineyards, Ohio
Event: Pasta for the Cure
Ask about Basket for the Cure!
Website
- The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, Ohio
Event: Neighbor Night
Website
Friday, March 23
- Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Tom Todd
Website
- Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Music: Andy’s Last Band (Rock n Roll)
Website
- The Winery at Versailles, Ohio
Event: Seafood Night
Website
Saturday, March 24
- Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Uncharted Course
Website
- Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Music: Four Kings & the Queen (Motown Rock)
Website
- The Winery at Versailles, Ohio
Event: Live Music
Website
TENNESSEE
Friday, March 23
- Delmonico Winery and Vineyards, TN
Event: “Uncorked” Talent Show
Website
TEXAS
Saturday, March 24
- Grape Creek Vineyard, TX
Event: Vino & Pasta?Event: Bellissimo Blast
Website
VIRGINIA
Thursday, March 22
- Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: Drawing & Painting
Website
Saturday, March 24
- Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: Wood Fired Pizza
Website
- Pearmund Cellars, Virginia
Event: Barrel Tasting
Website
- Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: 4th Annual Kite Flight
Web Info
Sunday March 25
- Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: Wood Fired Pizza
Website
- DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, VA
Event: French Crepe Day
Website
- Pearmund Cellars, Virginia
Event: Barrel Tasting
Website
March 20, 2012 – 12:02 am
On June 8, the Aland Island government will auction off 11 bottles of the famous 1800’s Champagne that had been submerged in the 1800’s. This June 11 bottles of this 1800’s wine is being auctioned at the Alandica Congress & Conference Center in Mariehamn, Åland, Finland. The government plans to keep two bottles for museum purposes. More information about the auction is available online.
In 2010 divers near Aland Islands off the coast of Finland located a shipwreck at the mouth of the Baltic Sea. After being thoroughly examined and recorked, these bottles are estimated to have been produced during the first half of the 19th century. The Champagne was from several wineries including Veuve Clicquot, Heidsieck and Juglar.
In 2011, a bottle of 1841 Veuve Clicquot from this recovered collection was auctioned for 30,000 Euros. Funds raised for these 11 Champagne bottles will benefit archaeological work and the Baltic Sea environment. To find out more about the finding of this phenomenal shipwreck discovery visit the Aland website.
Cheers! Kathy
March 18, 2012 – 11:03 am
Save the dates April 28 and 29 to attend the Wine Fest in St. Michaels, Maryland. The festival provides funds for several charity organizations. The Wine Fest should be a delightful way to spend the last weekend of April.
St. Michaels, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, offers a small town atmosphere and is a delightful spot to visit. The town offers visitors and residents small, boutique shops and restaurants, and its very own winery that is appropriately named St. Michaels Winery. Check out the article about St. Michaels Winery.
The Wine Fest website notes, “Instead of going to a wide open field or getting jammed into a single tent, WineFest at St. Michaels is a streetscape event, with wine tastings at many beautiful venues all throughout the town of St Michaels, known as the Hamptons of the Eastern Shore.”
The 2012 Wine Fest events include Chef Demonstrations, Wine Dinners, Grape Stomping Competition, Local Artist Competition and more. Wine tastings will be available at several locations in St. Michaels.
The Wine Fest on the last weekend of April benefits several organizations including:
- St. Michaels Community Center
- The Benedictine School
- The St. Michaels Food Bank
- The Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence
- Project Healing Waters
- St. Michaels Family YMCA
More information is available on the Wine Fest website. Tickets for the event: https://www.localwineevents.com/tickets/i_want/395838/winefest-at-st-michaels-2012
As of today, vendor space at the event is still available. Vendor Applications are available online.
Cheers!
March 17, 2012 – 12:01 am
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
On March 17, many people want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day even if they are not technically Irish. This year it is wonderful the day falls on a weekend. It’s a wonderful day with music, parades and good food galore. Whether you are entertaining or at home with family consider cooking an Irish meal. Check out the links for Bean & Cabbage Soup and Irish Soda Bread recipes. Below is a Leprechaun Punch recipe.
Cheers! Kathy
Kreutz Creek Vineyards Leprechaun Punch
Ingredients
1 bottle Kreutz Creek Vineyards Vidal Blanc
6 oz sparkling water – lime
3 oz Melon Liquor
1/8 t ground ginger
6 slices of lime
Green Food coloring
Directions
- Mix all ingredients and you’re Irish for the day!!! This recipe makes about 6 glasses, feel free to double it and ENJOY!
Provided by Kreutz Creek Vineyards, Pennsylvania
Cheers! Kathy
In addition to the winery events this weekend mentioned in yesterday’s blog, check out Pearmund Cellars events.
On Saturday to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Pearmund Cellars in Broad Run Virginia, will offer Green Sangria by the pitcher or the glass. Starting at 11:00 on Sunday, March 18th, visitors can enjoy pulled pork sandwiches or smoked chicken with sides for only $10.
Pearmund Cellars is just a short distance from Washington, DC. For more information, visit Pearmund Cellars’ website.
Cheers! Kathy
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Make-A-Wish Foundation Wine & Wishes Fundraiser
On March 28, New York City will be the site of the 9th Annual Wine & Wishes. This event benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York and Western New York. VIP guests have access to “Coveted Corks,” a private wine tasting and culinary sampling with wines from around the world. These special wines will be paired with cuisine created by New York’s premier chefs. Chris Wragge from CBS will host the Wine & Wishes event this year. The 9th Annual Wine & Wishes event is scheduled to be held at Pier Sixty in NYC.
Make-A-Wish Foundation is an organization that helps children with life threatening medical conditions. Tickets for this special and worthy cause can be purchased online. If you cannot attend this event, consider a donation.
Visit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and read the 914 wishes that have been made by children. They are small and large, simple and complex but all are heart warming. One wish was for a prom dress, another for a puppy, while others were wishes to visit other countries or states. Another wish was for horseback riding lessons. For many people these are common everyday things but for children who are facing life threatening health issues, they must mean so much more. Can you help by attending the Annual Wine & Wishes event? If not, perhaps help with a donation.
Cheers! Kathy