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DelMonaco Winery & Vineyard Event to Support CASA

June 5, 2011 – 12:01 am

On June 24, DelMonaco Winery & Vineyards located in Baxter Tennessee, is hosting a special event, CASA ROCKS – Voices for Children Gala. This charity event is from 7pm-11pm. All proceeds will benefit CASA: Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children.

Dinner is provided by O’Charley’s and a live band, LEGACY will perform. Tickets are available in advance for $25 and at the door $30. To reserve, call 931-520-9540.

If you haven’t visited DelMonaco Winery & Vineyards yet, this is a winery you don’t want to miss. Barbara and David DelMonaco are a delightful and enthusiastic couple. The sophisticated building is elegant outside and inside. Anyone planning an event will want to take time to see the large, detailed event room. Smaller event rooms are also available.

To find out more about DelMonaco Winery & Vineyards, read the recent Wine Trail Traveler article.

Congratulations to DelMonaco Winery for supporting CASA, a worthy program.

Cheers! Kathy

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

Fruit, Wine and Recipes

June 4, 2011 – 12:01 am

As we travel from/to wineries in various wine regions, we quite frequently come across fruit wines. While some people do not consider fruit wines to be a wine, I happen to think that fruit wine is a wine just as rice wine is a wine. There is a place for fruit wines. Some winemakers don’t care for fruit wines but will make some fruit wines for their portfolio in order to please their customers. Other winemakers like the challenges of making fruit wines. Look for strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, apple, peach and other fruit wines.

In addition, to enjoying either a hint of fruit or robust aromas of fruit as you are enjoying a glass of the fruit wine, use some of the fruit wine in dessert recipes. We have come across numerous recipes that use fruit wine.

The next time you visit a winery, check their tasting room portfolio. If fruit wines are available, ask to taste and ask if they have recipes to use with the fruit wine.

Just in time for raspberry season, below is a recipe for Raspberry Wine Cake from Stonehaus Winery in Crossville, Tennessee. On Wine Trail Traveler, you can read an article about Stonehaus Winery.

Raspberry Wine Cake

Ingredients for Cake

1 c Stonehaus Raspberry Mist Wine™
1 box Devil’s Food cake mix
1 box raspberry jello (3 oz)
½ c oil
4 eggs

Ingredients for Sauce

1 c powdered sugar
1 t oil
¼ c Stonehaus Raspberry Mist Wine™
1 c fresh raspberries

Directions for Cake

  1. Mix well.
  2. Bake in a bundt pan at 350° for 40-45 minutes.

Directions for Sauce

  1. Mix and drizzle over top of cake while it is hot.
  2. Cool in pan.

Recipe provided by Stonehaus Winery, Crossville, Tennessee

By Kathy | Posted in Wine/Food/Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

“Planting Redtree Across America” – Using Social Media

June 3, 2011 – 7:22 am

Check out this upcoming contest involving Redtree Wines. (July 1-September 30.)

Starting July 1, Cecchetti Wine Company is sponsoring a promotion using social media to promote the Redtree wine brand. Cecchetti Wine Company also produces Line 39 and Backhouse brands.

For the contest, sales representatives and distributors are encouraged to create inspiring Redtree wine displays. They should take a photo of the display and submit it to redtreedisplays@gmail.com. The photos will be online at Facebook fan page for Redtree wines. Wine enthusiasts will be able to vote for their favorite displays. According to a recent press release, “Those with the top “likes” will be eligible for prizes.”

Roy Cecchetti is the CEO of Cecchetti Wine Company. We had the opportunity to meet Roy for lunch while we toured California wineries. Roy is concerned with providing good wines at reasonable prices for the public. Roy is also a director of the PS I Love You website that promotes Petite Sirah. In addition to a background in wines, Roy is also experienced in marketing. We have a review of Cecchetti Wine Company.

Winery owners may want to watch this Redtree contest and consider using a similar idea for their own wine brand. Social media is increasing in popularity and if used properly can help business owners.

Cheers!

Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Weekend Winery Events for June 3-5

June 2, 2011 – 12:01 am

Enjoy a great day at a winery this weekend! Several of our featured advertisers are hosting special events. Events are listed below with links provided to get updated information. To save on gasoline, carpool with neighbors.

Many wineries have outside areas that are perfect for picnics. You will want to check with the winery before carrying in a picnic basket, as some wineries do not allow visitors to bring food. Plan on buying a couple of bottles of wine, one to enjoy with your picnic and one to take home. Be sure to protect your wine during the summer heat. Temperatures in cars skyrocket quickly and is detrimental to wine.

Cheers! Kathy

Friday, June 3

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Mike Woytila
Web Info

Tarara Winery, Virginia
Hours: Pouring until 8pm on Friday
Event: Live Deck Music
Web Info

Vezer Family Vineyard, California
Event: Pick-Up Party
Web Info

Saturday, June 4

Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: Saturday TGI Sunsets
Web Info

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Tom Todd
Web Info

Tarara Winery, Virginia
Event: Toast to the Tunes Cummer Concert Series/Freddie Long Band
Web Info

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Annual Blessing of the Vines
Web Info

Vezer Family Vineyard, California
Event: Nick Palance Concert: Black & Red Tie Dinner
Web Info

Winery at LaGrange, Virginia
Event: Live Music All Summer Long/Damon and Dave
Web Info

Sunday, June 5

DelFosse Winery, Virginia
Event: Wine and Food Pairing
Web Info

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Stan Miller
Web Info

Tarara Winery, Virginia
Event: Three2One Release Party
Web Info

By Kathy | Posted in Winery Events | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Southern France is Planting Sangiovese

June 1, 2011 – 12:01 am

One of the first Sangiovese wines I tasted was while visiting Tuscany. I still remember the wine, the experience and the beautiful Italian lifestyle. Now whenever, I have a glass of Sangiovese to enjoy, I look into that glass of red wine and remember Italy, wine, food and a way of life.

I was rather surprised yesterday when I read an article about new plantings of Sangiovese grapevines. According to the “Sangiovese planted in south of France,” article appearing on Decanter .com, the number of Sangiovese grapevines being planted in Italy has been on the decline.

However, it seems that France has developed a significant interest in planting Sangiovese vines in the south. Eugenio Sartori, the director general of Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo, noted that “Sangiovese’s relative resistance to drought and higher yields made it an ‘interesting opportunity for the south of France, especially the Languedoc’.”

It will be a few years before we see the Sangiovese wines from France’s southern region being produced. My guess is that the wines will be good but it won’t be enough for me to purchase a French Sangiovese instead of an Italian Sangiovese.

Cheers, Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

English Wine Week, May 28 – June 5

May 31, 2011 – 12:02 am

May 28 thru June 5, 2011 is English Wine Week focusing on celebrating English wines with vineyard tours, wine tastings and food. EnglishWineProducers, The Marketing Association of the English Wine Industry, is featuring this week of English wine.

Numerous vineyards will be open for tours. Restaurants and hotels will also feature English wines. Look for special wine tastings, special events and food pairings.

For anyone living outside of England, consider stopping by your local wine shop and ask for a bottle of English wine. (Do not ask for British wine. British wine is usually made with grape juice from anywhere in the world.)

Try an English wine this week, and comment about it. If you are comparing wines, try to keep within the same price range for each bottle of wine.

We visited several wineries in England and also Parva Farm Vineyards in Wales. Reviews of these wineries can be found on the Wine Trail Traveler website.

When traveling in England, at restaurants ask for English wine. Taste the terroir and discover the quality table wines and sparkling wines that are being produced in England.

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Two Great Reasons to Visit Barrel Oak Winery

May 28, 2011 – 7:30 am

Two great reasons to visit Barrel Oak Winery in Virginia today:

  1. Help a retired couple save their home, which has been in their family for generations. The couple needs help to repair their home and help to pay off about $5,000 in order to keep Wells Fargo from foreclosing on it.  Barrel Oak Winery is becoming known as a great venue for supporting non-profit organizations and helping those in need.
  2. Celebrate Barrel Oak’s 3rd Anniversary today and throughout the weekend!

Barrel Oak Winery is becoming recognized for hosting a variety of fundraising events to help nonprofit organizations. The owners, Brian and Sharon Roeder, are very supportive of their community. To discover the plight of the couple who face a foreclosure over $5,000 read the Washington Post article.

Barrel Oak Winery is located at 3623 Grove Ln in Delaplane, Virginia.

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Winery Events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Barbecue Recipe for Memorial Day Weekend

May 27, 2011 – 7:38 am

Within a matter of hours, Memorial Day Weekend will be here. Perhaps celebrations have already begun for those who are able to extend the weekend by a few days.  If you are fortunate to have good weather, this is the weekend to start your summertime barbecuing. Below is a recipe for barbecued back ribs. The recipe calls for sherry or rice wine.

When I prepare this recipe I will use Sherry as I find rice wine to be an acquired taste – perhaps because I like fruit tastes in my wines not rice. Do you like rice wine? Why or why not?

More entree recipes are available on the Wine Trail Traveler website recipe section. Discover Grilled Marinated Beef Tenderloin with Peperonata, Grilled Rock Lobster, and Shish Kabob.

Enjoy! Kathy

Barbecued Asian Back Ribs

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 racks Canadian Pork back ribs
3 c (750 mL) hot water
1/2 c (125 mL) hoisin sauce
1/4 c (50 mL) soy sauce
1/4 c (50 mL) rice or cider vinegar
1/2 c (50 mL) dry sherry or rice wine
2 T (25 mL) Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T (15 mL) minced fresh ginger

Directions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 325°F (160°C).
  2. Remove thin, translucent membrane from the non-meaty (concave) side of ribs. This will allow flavours to penetrate more effectively, and give a more tender end product. The best way to do this is to loosen a little of the membrane at one corner using your fingernail. Then, with a paper towel, grasp the membrane firmly and pull it away from the ribs.
  3. Combine all remaining ingredients, except ribs and water, to make the barbecue sauce.
  4. Place ribs in a 2-inch (5 cm) deep baking sheet or dish with water and cover with foil. Bake in oven for about 1 1/2 hours, or until meat begins to shrink away from the bone tip, and meat is easily pierced with a knife point. At this stage, ribs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  5. On medium-high heat, grill ribs for about 20 minutes, turning and basting ribs frequently. Be careful that sauce does not caramelize and burn. If not watching ribs throughout, reduce heat to medium, and lengthen cooking time to 30 minutes.
  6. When ribs have a deep, mahogany glaze, remove, slice, and serve.
By Kathy | Posted in Wine/Food/Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Wine Century Club Celebrates 6th Anniversary

May 26, 2011 – 8:15 am

The Wine Century Club marks its 6th anniversary today. The club is free to join and worldwide membership has climbed to 1,023 members up from the 635 members when Kathy and I joined a couple years ago. Joining the club is easier said than done. Applicants have to complete the application form where they identify 100 different grape varieties in the wines they have tasted. The first 40 or so varietal grapes are easy. Then it becomes harder.

As always the Wine Century Club, created by Steve DeLong, celebrates its anniversary with a global challenge. Last year the club members collectively tasted 314 different grape varieties across the world in one day. This year’s challenge is a bit different. Members are challenged to taste wines from different wine regions. In just the United States there are over 300 wine regions. I added a Tennessee Muscadine wine to the list. Apple Barn’s Muscadine is a blend of Carlos and Magnolia. It had a yellow color, floral aroma and taste. The crisp finish was sweet making this a perfect wine for hot summer days.

If you enjoy wines and like the challenge of trying different varieties check out the Wine Century Club. Membership is free and completing the application is fun as it takes you on a voyage of wine discovery.

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Winery Events | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Sangria Recipes for Memorial Day Weekend!

May 26, 2011 – 7:31 am

Sometime this long Memorial Day Weekend you will want to enjoy a relaxing and fruity glass of Sangria. The recipes for Sangria are easy to make. Below you’ll find a couple of Sangria recipes provided to us for use on the Wine Trail Traveler website.

A recent Sangria recipe we have is from Narmada Winery in Amissville, Virginia. When you have the opportunity be sure to stop and linger at the winery. Enjoy a glass of wine on the deck or inside the spacious tasting room. A review of Narmada Winery is available.

Narmada’s Midnight Sangria

Ingredients

2 bottles of Midnight Wine (This Narmada Winery wine is produced with Chambourcin and is off-dry.)
1 cup of frozen orange juice
4 cans of Sprite soda
¼ c of sugar
Fruit – oranges, lemons, strawberries
Mint leaves

Directions

Mix and Enjoy!

Another Sangria that is a little more unusual is from Chumeia Vineyards in California and calls for a bottle of Viognier.

Viognier Sangria

Ingredients

One Bottle Chumeia Viognier
½ c each white grape juice, apple juice, orange juice
¼ c Spanish brandy
¼ c Triple Sec
2 shots Gin
1 c Citrus flavored soda (Sprite or 7-up)

For garnish: cut ¼” pieces of red apple, orange rind, green apple and lemon rind.

Directions

1. Mix wine, fruit juices, brandy, triple sec and gin together. Chill mixture.
2. Add citrus soda and garnish just before serving.

Provided by Chumeia Vineyards, Paso Robles, California.

More Sangria recipes are available on the Wine Trail Traveler recipe section. Enjoy creating a Sangria recipe for this weekend!
Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine/Food/Recipes | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

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