About     FAQ     Contact      Advertise With Us      Press   

Required or Voluntary Certification for Wine Writers

January 21, 2011 – 10:28 am

Let’s assume for the sake of the argument that certification for wine writers is going to happen. One of the questions that will arise is if the certification is going to be required or voluntary. I don’t believe that wine writers can be required to have certification to write about wine. Many writers who write about wine do inform while others state their opinion. Requiring certification for writers to state their opinion will not happen. To try to force certification on these writers will face an uphill battle with The First Amendment to the United States Constitution. However making wine writer certification voluntary could happen.

So now let’s assume that there is going to be voluntary certification for wine writers. Whatever organization or entity provides the certification, can provide an icon that can be posted on the writer’s site or in the writer’s column. I am a member of the IFWTWA (International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association) and their logo is on the About page on the WineTrailTraveler website. The organization that issues the certification can market the logo to help consumers identify the writers who are certified.

What can actually constitute wine writer certification is a hurdle that needs debate and research. I’ll offer a couple opinions in the next couple of days. My experience in traveling to over 600 wineries over the world for the past four years has led me to understand that people come to wine and wine knowledge from many paths. There is no certification for winemaking. There are winemakers who learned the art from their ancestors and are now multigenerational winemakers within their family. Other winemakers read a paperback book on winemaking and then plunged into the process with trial and error experiences. Some winemakers have formal education from universities and colleges that have oenology programs. Others have learned winemaking skills as an apprentice to a winemaker. There are many ways to come to the knowledge of winemaking and many ways to come to the knowledge of wine.

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged | Comments (1)

HoCoBlogs.com Bloggers Enjoyed Evening of Comaraderie at 2nd Chance Saloon

January 21, 2011 – 10:06 am

Last night the HoCoblogs.com writers, a group of bloggers from Howard County, MD met at the 2nd Chance Saloon in Columbia. As writers and bloggers this was our first time to experience a HoCoblogs.com meeting. About 40 people showed up at the event. We met blog enthusiasts who enjoy blogging about numerous topics. Bloggers write about many topics including businesses, day-to-day life experiences, beer and of course wine. It was a great chance to meet other bloggers.

The 2nd Chance Saloon was conducive to the meeting with a comprehensive menu, beer and some wines. I enjoyed a Pinot Grigio while Terry had a Cabernet Sauvignon. Bloggers gathered in small groups to talk about anything and everything. It was an enjoyable experience and we hope to attend another HoCoblog.com meeting in the future.

The 2nd Chance Saloon is unpretentious and a good place to enjoy with a group of friends. Lighting is subdued. Divided into three rooms, the first room has the bar, seating and music stage area. The second room with windows on both sides so that there is a clear view of the facility has table seating. Visitors will discover pool tables in the third room.

If you happen to be in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area consider stopping at the 2nd Chance Saloon.

Cheers! Kathy

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

Should Wine Writers Be Certified?

January 20, 2011 – 2:08 pm

Recent blog posts have taken sides on the issue of wine writers and if they should be certified. (Check Enobytes.com and The Wine Curmudgeon). It is time for me to chime in. At issue is the information or misinformation that is written. True anyone with Internet access can write a blog and say whatever they want. Is what they say true or not? To suggest that wine bloggers and wine writers become certified alludes to a broader question of whether any blogger, writer or author should be certified in whatever field they are writing.

Perhaps this is the wrong way to approach the information and misinformation on the Internet. Rather than debating whether a wine writer should be certified or not, one should give readers the tools to determine if bloggers, writers or authors are creditable writers. In the context of wine, some people give out misinformation. After visiting 600 wineries, I’ve heard a few statements that lacked factualness. The all-time whopper was a statement by a tasting room attendant that said, “Virginia has almost as many wineries as California.” I am not aware of any math systems that would logically conclude that nearly 200 is almost as many as 3,000. This tasting room attendant immediately lost credibility. Unfortunately she lost credibility with me and possibly with the other wine tasters at the tasting counter.

How do you go about judging credibility especially for a wine writer? First one can read what they write and ask does this seem credible. If they write a blog, look at their blog and see if there is an about me section or page. Does the about me section or page lead you to believe the writer is credible? For example, do they have any background in wine? Do they have any on hands experience in a winery or a vineyard, or perhaps as a home winemaker? Have they taken any formal or informal wine classes? Another item to look for is to see if the writer has contact information. If there is no way to contact the writer, generally via email, the credibility of the writing may be questionable. Any writer who makes blanket statements without explaining should be questioned. Wine is an enigmatic concept.

Wine writer certification will probably never happen. Consumer awareness, however, can happen. What would you suggest that consumers ask or look for in determining wine writer credibility?

Cheers,
Terry

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

Winery Events this Weekend! January 21-23

January 20, 2011 – 1:01 am

Below is a list of winery events you may want to attend. Links are included for your convenience. Check the website or contact the winery in advance to verify times.
(These events are from Wine Trail Traveler’s Winery Featured Partners.)

Have a great weekend!

Cheers! Kathy

Friday, January 21

Time: 6:30-9pm
Winery at LaGrange, Virginia
Event: Friday Nights are for Chili and Wine
Web Info

Time: 5:30pm
Barrel Oak Winery, VA
Event: Kimmon Waldruff performance
Web Info

Time: 7:30pm
Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Annual Murder Mystery Wine Dinner
Location: City Square Café, Manassas, Virginia
Web Info

Saturday, January 22

Time: 1-3pm
Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Food and Wine Pairings
Web Info

Chateau Chantal, MI
Event: Cooking Class-Handmade Italian Pastas and Sauces (SOLD OUT)
Be sure to watch for future Cooking Classes!
Web Info

Time: 6pm
Lorimar Winery, California
Event: Sister Speak/Classic Rock
Event: “Wine & Art Show Series”/Sara Shawger
Web Info

Time: 4pm
Tesoro Winery, CA
Event: Up close magic by Magician/Comedian Rocky Osborn
Web Info

Sunday, January 23

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Cabernet Cabaret Reprises
Web Info

Time: 1:00pm
Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: Renee McCullough
Web Info

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

The Difference the Spelling of Icewine Can Make!

January 19, 2011 – 1:01 am

A visit to Canada’s wine regions will acquaint visitors very quickly as to what makes an Icewine. Canadian winemakers take Icewine very seriously. The VQA sets strict guidelines for producing Icewines. In British Columbia Icewine production is under the Vintners Quality Alliance BC and in Ontario they are overseen by the VQA Ontario.

Some interesting legal aspects of producing a Canadian Icewine include the harvesting of the grapes after they have frozen at -8º C (17.6ºF) for a sustained period. The grapes are not allowed to be frozen in freezers or the like. After harvest, the grapes must be pressed while still frozen. The juice that is pressed out is a very small amount and concentrated while the ice remains behind forming a huge puck ice shape. Icewine is expensive due to the extra hang time in the vineyard, when the ice wine crop can face destruction by birds and other animals, rot and storms. Add to that the high cost of harvesting, usually in the middle of the night, while the temperatures stay cold, and the tiny bit of juice that comes from each grape the resulting bottle of Icewine is easily $60 and up. And that’s for a half bottle. Order an Icewine at a restaurant and it may be $30 or more per glass.

If that seems a bit much, there are other dessert wines on the market. Some winemakers will say that they are not true Icewines or they are fake. Granted that iced wines do not face the rigorous regulations that Icewines do, I don’t believe they should be considered fake. However they should be labeled so that consumers can see the difference. These iced wines are created with grapes that are harvested and then frozen. They then go through much the same process as the true Icewines. Iced wines usually are much less expensive than Icewines.

Is there a difference? People will discover that there is a difference between the two types of wine. Tasters may notice a difference between the two with the Icewine having more layers and nuances of flavor. However if properly made, either one can be delicious! If you enjoy dessert style wines, then try an Icewine and compare it with an iced wine.

Interesting enough in the United States, one can purchase Icewine or iced wines. What do you think of Icewine versus iced wine?

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (1)

In January Decide What Wine Regions to Visit During 2011

January 18, 2011 – 9:03 am

January is a great time to plan a vacation or trip to a wine region. January seems to provide more time to relax and consider what your travel plans are for the coming year. There are many wine regions within the US to visit as well as around the world. Wine Trail Traveler has visited and written reviews about wineries in 19 states and several countries. You can read the reviews at Wine Trail Traveler
Winery Reviews.

In the United States, of course Napa Valley is the most recognized region. However there are numerous wine regions in California. Next door to Napa Valley is Sonoma Valley also very well known with many wineries. Consider visiting southern California where you will discover many wineries in the Temecula Valley/San Diego area. Other areas of California to visit include Lake County, Mendocino County and Suisun Valley.

Check out the many wine trails in Texas. Texas has many wine trails including Texas Hill Country Wine Trail, Way Out Wineries, Fredericksburg Wine Road 290 and the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail.

In Oregon discover wineries in the Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley. While a visit to Woodinville in Washington State will provide you with many tasting rooms to visit, if you are looking for more of a winery/vineyard experience and tasting room then travel to Walla Walla, Washington.

On the East Coast consider visiting the Finger Lakes in New York. In Virginia there are many wineries in northern Virginia and in central Virginia near Charlottesville. Pennsylvania has wineries in the Philadelphia countryside, Lake Erie area, Lehigh Valley Berks County and the Susquehanna areas.

Other states across the country have wineries. Ohio has numerous wineries around the state. Consider visiting Colorado to visit wineries both in and around Denver and Palisade. If you decide to visit Palisade, CO consider staying at the Wine Country Inn, a delightful and easy to access lodging site.

If you are planning to travel outside of the US, look at Canada both British Columbia and Ontario. European countries to consider visiting include Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal. New world wine regions include South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Chile and New Zealand.

While you are making your plans to travel to wineries,  you can use the trip itineraries available on the Wine Trail Traveler website to help you get started with your planning.

Part of the fun of traveling is the planning and reading about your destination site. What wine regions are you planning to visit during 2011?

Enjoy!

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Winery Tasting Rooms and Cellar Doors | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Icicle Ridge Winery, WA to Add Car-Charging Station

January 17, 2011 – 1:03 am

According to an article, “Plug and Glug? Winery Hoping to Offer Car-Charging Station“, by Christine Pratt in The Wenatchee World, the owners of Icicle Ridge Winery in Washington State are planning to add a car charging station at their winery. As a car charges, visitors will be able to enjoy a glass of wine and take a tour of the winery. The car charging battery (240-volt “level II”) should be available this spring. According to Pratt, “The winery is one of six area businesses or public centers hoping to plug into the tourism potential of a state plan to make Interstate 5 and part of Highway 2 friendly for electric cars.”

Icicle Ridge Winery is leading the way to making it practical to use electric cars. Other car-charging facilities will be located in the region. These include Stevens Pass Ski Area, Sleeping Lady Resort, Leavenworth, Springhill Suites by Marriott-Wenatchee, Wenatchee Convention Center and Town Toyota. How soon will it add to the profits for businesses that add car-charging facilities? Only time will tell.

The article by Pratt includes a great deal of information about the extent of support that the state of Washington is providing to support electric cars, tourism and business. What is your state doing?

Will you purchase an electric car? Would you use it to travel to a winery?

Cheers! Kathy

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

Black Star Farms, a Winery Destination, Helps the Local Community

January 16, 2011 – 1:03 am

I’m always interested in the ways wineries benefit their communities. Just having a winery tasting room in a community would typically benefit restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts and gas stations. I’m sure other businesses get some extra business from those staying for the night, very likely purchasing items from other shops in the area. After writing about how communities benefit from wineries in their local area, I asked for wineries to contact me about what they do to help their communities. I quickly received a response from Coryn Briggs, Director of Marketing for Black Star Farms.

Black Star Farms in Traverse City, Michigan offers three tasting rooms. The original winery and tasting room is located on Leelanau Peninsula and the other winery and tasting room is on Old Mission Peninsula. White wine is featured at the Old Mission Peninsula tasting room. Black Star Farms also has a tasting room in downtown Traverse City.

Black Star Farms helps both non-profit and retail business in the immediate area and around the state of Michigan. The winery works with non-profits including culinary programs, environment and the arts. Examples cited were the Northwestern Michigan College Culinary Scholarship Program, The Traverse Symphony Orchestra, Public Radio and The Michigan Land Use Institute. In addition Black Star Farms works with non-profits that are organizing auctions by donating in-kind donations of wine.

Retail business can benefit from Black Stars’ community involvement. They will work with a conference planner to have Black Star Farms wines at events. Special tours are also available for conference attendees.

Read a review about a visit to Black Star Farms Leelanau Peninsula. Read a review of Black Star Farms Old Mission Peninsula.

Many thanks to Coryn Briggs, Director of Marketing, for providing me with information about Black Star Farms community involvement.

Do you know of a winery that contributes to the community or charity? Let me know and I’ll add a blog about it.

Cheers, Kathy

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

Fer Servadou Varietal Grape in Virginia

January 15, 2011 – 12:02 am

Yesterday we visited Hillsborough Vineyards located in Purcellville, Virginia. The winery is located about 45 minutes from Washington, DC and an estimated one-hour from Baltimore.

Currently the vineyard has eight varietal grapes that include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Roussanne, Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Fer Servadou. Fer Servadou, a red grape, is typically found in southwestern France. If you haven’t had a Fer Servadou yet, you will discover it in the tasting room as a blend in two of Hillsborough Vineyards’ blends. Bloodstone 2006 is a blend of Fer Servadou, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat. Ruby 2006 is a blend of Tannat, Fer Servadou and Petit Verdot.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to taste Fer Servadou and you are a member of the Wine Century Club by Steve De Long, you may want to stop at the tasting room and try one of these blends. Be sure to add Fer Servadou to your Wine Century Club varietal list.

Cheers, Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary, Winery Tasting Rooms and Cellar Doors | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

16th Niagara Icewine Festival in Canada

January 14, 2011 – 12:01 am

It’s Icewine time! While January may bring a sense of unrest and boredom, think about a trip to Canada for the annual Niagara Icewine Festival from January 14-30, 2011. In Canada, the restrictions for producing Icewine are controlled by the Vintner’s Quality Alliance. The temperature falls below minus 8 degrees C for a sustained time. The grapes must be picked while the temperature is still below minus 8 degrees C. Most wineries handpick the grapes at these cold temperatures at night.

January is a time of great celebration for those wineries producing Icewine. Tourists may want to consider purchasing the Discovery Pass for the Annual Niagara Icewine Festival. Look for events like Twenty Valley Winter Winefest on January 15-16 in Jordan, Winterfest in Market Square in St. Catherine’s and all types of festivities at wineries. During January Inniskillin Winery in Niagara has numerous events involving Icewine in January. The winery is featuring ice furniture for those who want to relax in the cold outdoors. While in Canada enjoy visiting many other wineries. For reviews of numerous Canadian wineries visit the Wine Trail Traveler reviews.

Enjoy tasting some great Canadian Icewines during January.

Cheers! Kathy

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

info@winetrailtraveler.com            Sitemap                      Privacy Policy

Copyright: Terry and Kathy Sullivan 2006-2013