Wine Trail Traveler

Mother Nature, Grape Growers and Farmers

August 29, 2011 – 12:07 pm

Last week we visited wineries on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and two wineries in Delaware. Reports of the hurricane (Irene) and tropical storm potential was a concern at some of the wineries. At one winery on Thursday they were about to pick their white grapes which had ripened early; the winemaker was in no hurry to pick the reds. We had tasted a couple of the grapes and the seeds were brown but the winemaker had recently tested the brix level and knew they were not ready.

All week we wondered what was happening to the wineries along the coast. According to some experts, it takes a week of dry weather for grapes to lose the water they absorb from rain. Of course that depends on the soil and drainage capability in the vineyard.

While I was growing up on a small farm, some might call a gentleman’s farm, I remember the agony of adults wondering if the cut alfalfa would be dry enough before a rain. For a long time, my mother would remember the summer, my oldest brother died and how she prayed to him and God that the already baled hay would be in the barn before the rain. Those prayers were answered.

Farming and grape growing have a lot in common. Both are subject to Mother nature’s innate ability to change on a whim. Too much rain, too much sun, too much wind and a variety of things which mankind cannot control can all affect the final crop, whether it be corn, hay or grapes.

Winemakers might say that the biggest difference between the the farmer growing grapes and hay or corn, is the affect that pruning and harvesting can do to the quality of the end product – wine. However, cheese makers can also make the claim that what the cows, goats or sheep eat can affect the cheese produced from the milk.

Consumers should understand the difficulties farmers and wine growers face in growing great products. Mother Nature always has a hand to play.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged cheese making, Delaware, Eastern Shore, farmers, God, hurricane, Irene, Maryland, Mother Nature, prayers, tropical storm, wine, wine growers | Comments (0)

Sweet Whisper Peach Wine Marinated Pear Tart Recipe

August 27, 2011 – 1:01 am

The main ingredients for this recipe include peach wine, pears, cream cheese and ricotta cheese. The next time you have the supplies try this recipe! The recipe was provided by DelMonaco Winery & Vineyards a delightful Tennessee winery with a beautiful one of a kind event room. View an article about a visit to DelMonaco Winery.

Sweet Whisper Peach Marinated Pear Tart

Ingredients

3-4 Anjou Pears
1- 1 1/2 c Sweet Whisper Peach Wine
1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese – softened
1 pkg refrigerated pie crust (2 pie crusts in each pkg)
1/2 t pure vanilla
1 c powdered sugar
Toasted Pecan Halves-for garnish

Directions

Peel and dice pears then marinate in Sweet Whisper Peach wine for 6 hours
Pinch off small sections of pie crust to each ungreased mini-muffin cup
Blend ricotta chesse, cream cheese, vanilla, and 1/2 c of sifted powdered sugar until creamy
Put filling into pie crusts and top with marinated pears
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes
Garnish with pecans and extra powdered sugar

By: Rachel Thornton

Provided by DelMonaco Winery & Vineyards

By Kathy | Posted in Wine/Food/Recipes | Tagged DelMonaco Winery, Peach, peach wine, pears, pecan halves, recipe | Comments (0)

California, Give the East Coast a Break

August 25, 2011 – 7:49 pm

So Californians have had their share of fun with the East Coast’s 5.8 earthquake. Comments such as, “We use a 5.8 earthquake to stir the milk in our coffee” were common. However, let me point out that many California earthquakes at and above 5.8 are not followed by a hurricane. So California, give the East Coast a break.

Getting to the importance of wine, what’s a good wine to pair with a hurricane? RayLen Vineyards and Winery in Mocksville, North Carolina has their best selling Cat 5. With the infrared image of the last Category 5 hurricane to hit North Carolina for its label, Cat 5 is called, by the local community, “Hurricane Juice.”

We tried the 2006 Cat 5 a few years ago. The color was a dark opaque purple. The blend was of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot and Syrah. The aroma offered blackberry notes and the taste was smooth with black fruit. The finish was crisp with soft tannins. There was a long fruit aftertaste.

So East Coast, forget the quake and deal with the deluge. Stock up with your version of Hurricane Juice, flashlights, batteries, water and non-perishable food supplies!

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged Cat 5, hurricane, wine | Comments (0)

August 25, 2011 – 1:02 am

We discovered some lovely wines and wineries on Maryland’s Eastern Shore this week. Over the next few days we will write descriptions of the wineries. For this weekend consider enjoying one of the following wine events. (Check the links provided for details and any changes.)

Cheers! Kathy

Thursday, August 25

Cava Winery & Vineyard
Event: Thirsty Thursday
Website Information

Chateau Chantal, Michigan
Event: Tapas Tour
Event: Jazz at Sunset
Website Information

Laurello Vineyards, Ohio
Event: Pizza for the Cure
Website Information

Friday, August 26

Chateau Chantal, Michigan
Event: Tapas Tour
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Face Value
Website Information

Lorimar Winery, California
Event: Friday Night “Happy Hour”
Website Information

Pearmund Cellars,Virginia
Event: TGIF
Website Information

The Winery at LaGrange, Virginia
Event: Taco Night
Website Information

Saturday, August 27

Blue Ridge Vineyard, Virginia
Event: Harold Cook and the Boys
Website Information

Cava Winery & Vineyard,NewJersey
Event: Wrapping Up August Weekend
Website Information

Chateau Chantal, Michigan
Event: Tapas Tour
Event: Wine Dinner
Website Information

Chateau Chantal, Michigan suggests
Food & Wine Festival at Meadowbrook
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Afternoon-Romone; Evening-Uncharted Course
Website Information

The Winery at LaGrange, Virginia
Entertainment: Time Warp Rocks
Website Information

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: On the Boardwalk
Website Information

Vezer Family Vineyard
Event: “Cab and a slab in the Vines” with a twist of the Caribbean
Website Information

Sunday, August 28

Blue Ridge Vineyard, Virginia
Event: Sounds of Summer-TBA
Website Information

Cava Winery&Vineyard,NewJersey
Event: Wrapping Up August Weekend
Website Information

Chateau Chantal, Michigan
Event: Tapas Tour
Website Information

Chateau Chantal, Michigan suggests
Food & Wine Festival at Meadowbrook
Website Information

DelFosse Winery, Virginia
Event: Vertical Tasting Series-Cabernet Franc
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Trevor Trio
Website Information

The Winery at LaGrange, Virginia
Event: A Blessing of the Vines Ceremony
Website Information

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: On the Boardwalk
Event: Winemaker Walkabout
Website Information

Monday, August 29

Chateau Chantal, Michigan
Event: Tapas Tour
Website Information

By Kathy | Posted in Winery Events | Tagged event, events, Jazz, TAPAS, wine, winery, Winery Tasting Rooms and Cellar Doors | Comments (0)

Wine Events from August 25 – 29