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A White Pinot Noir

March 31, 2010 – 8:44 am

Yesterday while visiting a winery in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, we had the opportunity to taste a white Pinot Noir. We were at Rockbridge Vineyard in Rockbridge County and the first wine we were offered was the Pinot Noir Blanc de Noir 2009. This white Pinot Noir was a light yellow color and offered peach notes. It had sparkling wine characteristics without the effervescence. There were peach notes on the aftertaste.

A white Pinot Noir is unusual so when you have the opportunity to taste it, give it a try. Which do you prefer a traditional red Pinot Noir or a white Pinot Noir?

Cheers! Kathy

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

Lamb Entrées for Easter Dinner

March 30, 2010 – 7:53 am

For Easter, many people enjoy a lamb entrée. I have to admit it’s not one of my favorites and I am frequently told that I don’t know what I am missing.

For those who enjoy lamb or want to try lamb, there are four recipes on the Wine Trail Traveler website with lamb. One of the recipes uses a red wine as an ingredient. That is the Syrah-Braised Lamb Shanks and Rice Pilaf from Chumeia Vineyards that uses ½ cup of red wine and another recipe, Roast Lamb Shoulder from Steve Stawinski, Executive Chef at Ponte Family Estate Winery uses 2 cups of white wine.

You may also want to check out the other two lamb entrées Veramar Lamb Chops with Wine, Tomatoes & Crispy Veggies and Shish Kabob.

I hope you are enjoying creating your Easter dinner menu for this weekend!

Many thanks to all of the wineries and winery chefs who have provided recipes to the Wine Trail Traveler website.

Cheers! Kathy

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

In Dreary Weather Look for Beauty

March 29, 2010 – 11:00 am

When traveling to wineries we make plans in advance. You have no control of the weather. As a result I am always interested in looking for photo opportunities in all types of weather during all seasons. Yesterday we had a lovely wine tasting at Valhalla Vineyards in Roanoke, Virginia. The road leading to the vineyards and tasting room is uphill and we observed changes in visibility as we drove up the mountain. At 1500 feet it became a bit foggy. By the time we reached the vineyard there was dense fog. The views from Valhalla Vineyards are supposed to be stunning; today they were stunning in a different way.

I was instantly reminded of the fog in the vineyard at Carr Taylor Vineyards and Winery in Hastings, England. The vineyard at Valhalla looked as though it was shrouded in a blanket, not quite ready for Spring’s awakening. It looked mysterious as though it did not want to share its plans for the year. Even in dreary weather there is beauty.

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

Two Appetizer Recipes with Wine for Easter

March 29, 2010 – 7:25 am

As you plan your Easter Sunday dinner this week, make your list of ingredients. What wines will you need to pair with the meal or to use in recipes? Frequently the same wine used in a recipe will be appropriate to pair with the meal. If you are undecided about what wines to use, visit a local winery to taste the wines before deciding what to purchase. Many winery tasting rooms will provide additional information to help you decide what best meets your needs.

For such a special meal as Easter dinner, you may want to have an appetizer or two. Perhaps Stuffed Mushroom Caps or Gelatin Terrine. Both of these recipes use wine as an ingredient. The recipe for Stuffed Mushroom Caps was provided by Chumeia Vineyards, Paso Robles, California. The Gelatin Terrine recipe was provided by Elk Run Vineyards in Maryland.

Enjoy planning for your special dinner this weekend!

Cheers! Kathy

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

A Blueberry Wine Vinaigrette for Easter

March 28, 2010 – 1:16 pm

Are you looking for a special salad vinaigrette for Easter this year? Consider this Blueberry Wine Vinaigrette recipe. The ingredients are quite standard in most home kitchens except for perhaps the blueberry wine

A visit to southern New Jersey will take visitors into the garden area of the state. Here wine lovers will discover wineries as well.

We had the opportunity to visit Tomasello Winery who provided us with this recipe and yes of course they produce blueberry wines. We enjoyed our visit as well as their wide selection of wines including an almond wine.

A good number of wineries produce blueberry wines. Some are dry while others are sweet bringing out the summer blueberry flavors.

Cheers! Kathy

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

Bedford Wine Trail Offers an Adventure in Taste

March 28, 2010 – 8:18 am

Five wineries make up the Bedford Wine Trail all within a short drive from Bedford, Virginia. Wine enthusiast travelers should pick up the Bedford Wine Trail brochure at any of the five wineries. Have each winery stamp the brochure, and then take it to the Bedford Welcome Center for a complimentary Bedford Wine Glass.

Each of the five wineries offers a unique experience. You can taste serious dry red wines made with vinifera grapes at some of the wineries, as well as dry white vinifera and hybrid wines at other wineries. Some have fun wines and fruit wines. You will experience entertainment and gentle wine education.

While in Bedford County, take advantage of visiting the National D-Day Memorial, Thomas Jefferson’s retreat “Poplar Forest,” Smith Mountain Lake and the Peaks of Otter section of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Many lodging facilities are available to spend a night. We stayed at Mariners Landing next to Smith Mountain Lake. This is a wonderful facility for a base to visit area attractions and wineries.

You will encounter little traffic on the roads will discover beautiful scenery around every turn. Plan a city escape and enjoy the wines along the Bedford Wine Trail.

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

Fun Wines

March 27, 2010 – 2:28 pm

While visiting wineries in Virginia we have come across some wines referred to as “fun wines.” Wine snobs who consider the world of wine as dry, red and vinifera most likely would not appreciate a fun wine. Fun wines are fun. They bring smiles to the faces of many who taste them. Often they are sweet and occasionally made from fruit other than grapes. They will often have fun names like “Chili Dawg.” Chili Dawg wine is produced by Peaks of the Otter Winery in Bedford, Virginia.

The experience of tasting this wine is fun, if not tearful. First off, you start by eating a nickel-sized portion of Kraft Easy Cheese Sharp Cheddar. Now you have that Cheddar taste in your mouth. Next taste the Chili Dawg. It is served chilled, so you will notice the coolness followed by intense heat and all of a sudden, the cheddar cheese taste turns into Pepper Jack cheese. I actually like Pepper Jack cheese so this was certainly a treat.

A fun wine can entertain. Fun fruit wines can be enjoyed simply by themselves. You don’t need to pair them with food. Just put down whatever you are doing and enjoy the aroma and taste of the wine. Those who drink serious wines should learn to expand their wine-drink horizon by tasting a fun wine every now and then.

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

Easter Recipe for Pork Loin with Wine and Strawberry-Rhubarb Preserves

March 27, 2010 – 8:27 am

If you haven’t planned your Easter Weekend menu yet, consider making Strawberry Rhubarb Glazed Pork Loin that calls for Duplin Winery’s Carolina Red Wine. In the event you don’t have time to order the wine from Duplin Winery or even worse you can’t have it shipped directly  to you due to state law, consider substituting the Carolina Red Wine with a red sweet wine.

The recipe also calls for strawberry rhubarb preserves and 2 to 3½ pounds of pork loin. This entrée needs to be started the night before as the  pork loin does need to be marinated in the wine the night before.

A suggested serving arrangement is added to the recipe.

Cheers! Kathy

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

Winery Weekend Events

March 26, 2010 – 9:45 am

As spring weather brings a mix of rain, sun and snow flurries, you may not want to travel far but just enjoy your area. This is the perfect time to visit local wineries sometimes referred to as wineries in your own backyard.

This weekend look for an array of events at individual wineries. This can be as much fun as attending huge wine festivals. Some wineries have music and other events almost every weekend such as Keyways Vineyard & Winery in Temecula Valley California.

Wine Down Fridays (only 2nd & 4th Fridays), Dinner & Live Entertainment 7pm-9:30pm

KeyZza Bar Adult Style Pizzas & Salads Weekends 12:30pm-5:30pm
(Food Service Not Offered Easter Sunday)

MoKeyto Saturdays Enjoy Mojitos & Live Music   Saturdays 2:00pm-6:00pm

Sangria Serenade Relax while drinking Keyways Signature  Sangria & be serenaded by musicians Sundays 2:00pm-6:00pm

Ferrante Winery in Ohio has frequent entertainment on weekends- Friday and Saturday night, and Sunday afternoons.

Messina Hof Winery and Resort in Texas offers a variety of events throughout the year. It is best to check their website for specific events.

In Virginia from spring to fall, Pearmund Cellars has Relax and Thank God It’s Friday (TGIF). DelFosse Vineyards and Winery in Virginia will have a special event on March 28 – Early Spring Wine & Food Pairing. Barrel Oak Winery in northern Virginia offers an array of events, be sure to check their website.

For other winery events check out Wine Trail Traveler’s featured partners.

A search on the Internet will often provide you with much of the information you need to discover a winery event. However, you will discover occasionally that some wineries do not participate actively on the Internet so you may want to call your local winery and inquire.

Cheers, Kathy

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

Visiting Wineries in the Virginia Shenandoah Valley AVA

March 26, 2010 – 7:34 am

Along Interstate-81 from Berkeley and Jefferson counties in West Virginia through Virginia south to almost Roanoke lies the Shenandoah Valley AVA. The Blue Ridge Mountains lie to the east and the Appalachian and Allegheny Plateaus lie to the west. Some wineries visited claim they have the best growing conditions for grapes in Virginia. The weather is drier than that to the east of the Blue Ridge. It is also cooler. Seldom will growers lose crops due to late killing spring frosts. The growing season isn’t quite as long though. Of the vinifera that we have seen so far doing well is Chardonnay, Viognier, and Cabernet Franc. Hybrids do well in this AVA. Winemakers make an array of wines. Thus far we have had more dry whites and reds than sweet, however each winery seems to include both in their portfolio.

Ten wineries are a short drive from an exit along I-81. Several more can be reached with a longer drive. This is a beautiful part of Virginia with lodging facilities scattered along I-81. Take time to visit some of these wineries. Watch the Virginia section of the Wine Trail Traveler site for articles about North Mountain Vineyards and Winery, Shenandoah Vineyards, Wolf Gap Vineyard and Winery, and Cave Ridge Vineyard. Next week we’ll visit other wineries close to I-81 in Virginia.

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

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