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South Africa Offers Wine, the World Cup and Charity Event

June 13, 2010 – 9:37 am

With all eyes on the World Cup in South Africa this month, I was curious as to what charities the wine industry might support in that wine growing country. On the South African wine website at www.wine.co.za I discovered the Miles for Smiles Charity listed in the online diary. This is a five km Trail Fun Run on June 16, 2010.

Robin Brewer of Bridge House School (grade 4) challenges participants to run, walk and crawl 5km to raise funds for Operation Smile.
Villiera Wines, cnr of R101 & R304, Koelenhof

Anyone interested in the South African wine world should check out the South African Wine.Co.ZA, the “virtual home of South African wine.”

Cheers, Kathy

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

Jazz Up Father’s Day with this Cake and Late Harvest Wine Recipe

June 12, 2010 – 10:32 am

Treat your Father  this Father’s Day with this special cake baked right at home. The recipe is from Chateau Grand Traverse and uses a Late Harvest wine. You can read a review of the winery at http://winetrailtraveler.com/michigan/chateaugrandtraverse.php.

Category: Dessert

Title: Late Harvest Cake

Ingredients

18 oz yellow cake mix (without pudding)
1 pkg vanilla pudding
1/2 c water
1 c Chateau Grand Traverse Late Harvest Riesling
1/2 c vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 c pecans, chopped
1/4 lb butter
1 c sugar
1/4 c water

Directions

1. Line bottom of a greased 10″ tube pan with chopped pecans.

2. Blend cake mix, pudding, water, 1/2 c of wine, oil and eggs with mixer and pour into pecan-lined tube pan.

3. Bake at 325° F for 50-60 minutes.

Topping

1. Mix and boil for three minutes: butter, sugar and 1/4 c water.

2. Remove from heat and add remaining 1/2 c of wine.

3. Pour this mixture over hot cake and leave in pan 30 minutes before turning out.

Serves 16

Provided by Chateau Grand Traverse, Michigan.

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

Will You Sign the Petition to Support the Use of 100 Percent Corks?

June 11, 2010 – 7:04 am

There is an online petition to support the use of 100 percent corks. Do you like your wine bottles with real corks, artificial corks or screw caps? Winemakers have a variety of reasonable rationales as to why they use corks or screw caps.

For consumers who want to know more about the use of corks and the affect on the environment, they should visit the website www.100percentcork.org. While it’s not a large website, it makes an impact about the affect using cork has on the environment compared to using plastic and aluminum closures.

However, it may also be important to consider what you the consumer wants to purchase. Will you choose a bottle of wine because you know it is closed with a cork or don’t you care? If you care you may want to sign the petition on the home page of the 100percentcork webpage. Read the information, it will only take five minutes and make a decision.

Cheers! Kathy

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

Looking for Some Winery Events This Weekend?

June 10, 2010 – 1:01 am

This weekend our Featured Winery Partners have lots of events for you to participate in, so check them out. If one of them isn’t convenient to you then visit a winery in your own backyard or explore a winery you have never visited before. Whatever you choose to do, have a wonderful weekend!

Cheers! Kathy

(Please check the dates and times with the wineries in advance.)

Fri, June 11

Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm
Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: 4-Kings

Web Info

Sat, June 12

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Afternoon-Dave Sterner;
Evening-Casey o Medicine Show
Web Info

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: VinOlympics
Time: 2pm-4pm
Web Info

Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: A Paws for the Cause Benefit for the American Heart Association
Time: 6pm
Web Info

Veritas Winery, Virginia
Event: Starry Nights w/King Cadillac
Time: 7pm-11pm
Web Info

Thornton Winery, California
Event: Champagne Jazz Concert: Jeffrey Osborne with Special Guest
Time: 7pm
Web Info

Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: A Paws for the Cause Benefit for Maryland Westie Rescue
Time: 12pm
Web Info

Sun-June 13

Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: The Blessing of the Vineyard
Time: 11am
Web Info

Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: A Paws For the Cause Benefit for Maryland Westie Rescue
Time: 12pm
Web Info

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Larry Smith
Time: 2pm-5pm
Web Info

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

Why Do You Visit Winery and Vineyard Tasting Rooms?

June 9, 2010 – 1:01 am

Why do you decide stop at winery and vineyard tasting rooms? Is it a decision made in advance or on the spur of the moment? Are you looking to sip and taste new wines or spend some time enjoy a glass of wine? Do you want a winery with a restaurant? Music? Special event?

It’s important for wineries to know what you are looking for when you visit them. The winemakers and winery owners want all of their guests to have a great time and return again and again.

It’s important for winery owners to realize what consumers want when they come into a tasting room. If you are looking for entertainment, let them know what you would like to see. If you are looking for food, again let them know. Of course, government regulations in many regions control what can happen on a winery’s property.

As we approach visiting our 500th winery tasting room, we look forward to sharing your views with winery owners and winemakers, so let us know what you think make for ideal winery tasting rooms!

Cheers! Kathy

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

What Are You Planning for Father’s Day? Visit A Wine Festival or a Winery?

June 8, 2010 – 1:01 am

Not sure what to do for Dad on Father’s Day? Check out some of these events! Even if you can’t go with him, maybe you want to give him a little vacation whether its two hours, two days or a week!?! Father’s Day is Sunday, June 20th – only 2 weeks away! Below are a few festivals to get you started. Also consider visiting winery websites to see what they are offering Father’s Day weekend. Check Wine Trail Traveler where our Featured Partners have their winery events listed (http://winetrailtraveler.com/calendar.php.)

Have fun planning a special day!

Cheers! Kathy

California

4th Annual BBQ Challenge King of the Country Music Festival
June 19-20, 2010
http://www.countybbq.com/

New Mexico

Fine Art & Wine Festival
June 19-20, 2010
http://www.redriver.org/events/view/54

New York

Around the World on the Shawangunk Wine Trail
June 19-20, 2010
http://www.shawangunkwinetrail.com/atw.htm
(This is a self guided trail and includes 11 wineries.)

Virginia

Virginia Summer Solstice Wine Festival
June 19-20, 2010
http://www.summersolsticefestival.com/

Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia Seafood Festival
June 19-20. 2010
http://www.novascotiaseafoodfestival.com/event-features

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

Delaware Fails to Support Direct Wine Shipping

June 7, 2010 – 1:01 am

Recently a bill that would have favored direct wine shipping to consumers in Delware did not make it out of committee.

If the state of Delaware thinks it is following in the hallowed footsteps of Maryland regarding the distribution of wine, then perhaps they should take a closer look. According to an article in the Bloomsberg Businessweek, Del. Lawmakers Reject Direct Wine Shipments by Randall Chase, “This is something that will hurt all aspects of the industry,” said Ciabattoni, who suggested that instead of allowing consumers to buy wine directly, Delaware should follow Maryland’s lead and make it a felony.

In the past it has even been noted that not all Maryland state legislators knew that is was illegal to purchase several bottles of wine in another state and transport them into Maryland by car as one representative suggested doing.

The meeting of the Delaware House committee lasted more than an hour however I wonder how much time was spent in researching the evidence and listening to what the voters want. The committee voted 5-3 against releasing the bill and so the bill will not get to the full House to be voted upon.

Anyone who knows that there is more to wine than that wine is red or white will have discovered particular varieties and particular styles that are not made available conveniently by wholesalers, distributors and retailers. Why should any legal adult in the US be denied the ability to purchase wine online and have it shipped directly to their homes as long as an adult signs it for?

Wine consumers and voters should follow the money and see who is receiving the most campaign contributions from wholesalers and distributors and whether they are supporting direct wine shipping or not.

Delaware beware: Maryland Senate has authorized the Comptroller to submit a written study on direct shipping that must be ready by December 31, 2010. Hopefully this will be fair and balanced and Maryland lawmakers will realize that direct shipping of alcohol will benefit everyone especially after viewing how successfully it is taking place in a majority of states.

Cheers! Kathy

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

Enjoy a Walk Through Vineyards and Help Pancreatic Cancer Research

June 6, 2010 – 1:01 am

A special walk through vineyards is planned at a winery in St. Helena, California. It will be held on June 12 at 9am. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Bay Area Affiliate is hosting the 8th annual Walk Through the Vineyards fundraiser.

The walk will take place at the Charles Krug Winery currently owned by Peter Mondavi Sr and his family. The fees, until 12Noon Pacific time on June 11 are $35 for adults and $15 for children 15 and under. After that prices increase to $45 and #20 respectively. Included in the price is the walk, breakfast, music entertainment, wine tasting and silent auction. For more information and registration, go to http://vineyardwalk.com/.

The proceeds will benefit the mission of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network that is to support research, patients and create hope.

Charles Krug Winery was the first winery in Napa Valley. Help contribute towards pancreatic cancer research and enjoy a walk in the vineyards.

Cheers, Kathy

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

A Simply Easy and Delicious Dessert Discovered in Mendocino County

June 5, 2010 – 1:01 am

Nothing could be easier and more delicious than this simple, summertime dessert dish that we discovered while visiting Frey Vineyards in Mendocino County, California. Frey Vineyards is a winery and vineyard that features organic and Biodynamic wines. In fact, they were America’s first organic winery!

Category: Dessert

Title: Honeyed Strawberries
Ingredients

Strawberries
Honey

Directions

1. Drizzle honey over strawberries in dessert dishes.

Pair with Dessertage 2002, an organic dessert Port-like wine made from Zinfandel, produced by Frey Vineyards. Enjoy!

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

Wine on Tap or Wine in a Pitcher!

June 4, 2010 – 9:02 am

Ever since I visited Italy in 2007, I continue to reminisce about eating at restaurants where a pitcher of wine would be standard on the table. Sure it was the house red or white wine but it was Italian, right? And it was good! Maybe not the best… but it was good and it paired well with whatever Italian food we were eating at the time.

When we arrived back in the states and dined in restaurants I began looking for restaurants that offered the same type of wine experience and did not find any. Was it because I don’t live in a “wine” region? Probably not, since I visit plenty of wine regions. Still, why not?

Today I delightedly came across an article by Nathan Scherotter, I’ll Take Whatever Wine You Have on Tap…Thanks and I began thinking maybe this is the way for restaurants to be able to begin offering a pitcher of house wine to their diners. Check out the article on the cork’d website. The concept is that wine is sold in kegs or on tap. This is environmentally friendly, too as it saves on the use of many glass bottles.

Have you had wine on tap yet?

Cheers! Kathy

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

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