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Messina Hof Winery & Resort

February 16, 2010 – 10:17 am

Our most recent winery to become Wine Traveler’s partner is Messina Hof Winery in Bryan, Texas. Last year was our first visit to Texas and we were delighted with the friendliness of everyone in this second largest state in the US. Messina Hof Winery offers award winning wines, an elegant restaurant and a villa. The villa is a delightful bed and breakfast. To discover more about Messina Hof Winery & Resort read the Wine Trail Traveler article and visit the Messina Hof website.

Cheers! Kathy

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

Spring Winemaking at Tin Lizzie Wineworks

February 15, 2010 – 9:17 am

Did you miss making wine last fall from grapes or juice? Fall is such a busy time with school, sports, preparing for holidays etc. Now that winter has struck and many of us our waiting for snow to melt, it may be the perfect time to think about making wine at a winery this spring.

In South America, harvesting is done in the spring and Tin Lizzie Wineworks in Maryland has access to red grapes and white grape juice from this 2010 South American harvest. Grapes will be available from Chile and Argentina. White grape juice will be from Argentina.

Red grapes available will be Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah and Tempranilla. White grape juice available will be Chardonnay, Muscat, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.

At Tin Lizzie Wineworks, those participating in making a barrel of wine can choose between a ¼ barrel, ½ barrel and whole barrel. Winemaking is expected to begin in April and May.

Tin Lizzie Wineworks is located in Clarksville, Maryland. To learn more about winemaking visit the winemaking blog by Wine Trail Traveler. To contact Tin Lizzie Wineworks about spring winemaking, visit their website.

Cheers! Kathy

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

Sipping Humanitas Wine and Charity at Home

February 14, 2010 – 2:17 pm

In January the devastation of Haiti’s capital dominated the news and many people gave donations to different organizations such as the Red Cross and Catholic Relief Services to help those who were homeless, lacking medical care and food. This was an urgent situation and many people were in great need. Numerous people around the world have contributed to those in dire need. From what I have read there continues to be need for help in Haiti.

While we have our attention focused on the needs of the people of Haiti, it has been noted by some writers that there are people in our own communities who are in need of help. Some of your nearby neighbors may be in need of housing, food or medicine.

The focus of Humanitas winery is to help local communities. According to their website, “Humanitas is out to change the world…one sip at a time!” They make it easy for consumers to help the less fortunate in their own communities. One can simply join a Humanitas wine club. There are three to choose between: Charity Wine Case, Philanthropic 6-Pack Wine Club and Care Package Wine Club.

To find out more about the connection between sipping a Humanitas wine and helping charities including Food Banks and Habitat for Humanity, check out the Humanitas winery website.

You may be doing yourself a favor and helping others by enjoying a wine from Humanitas.

Cheers! Kathy

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

Recipe Ideas for Valentine’s Day

February 13, 2010 – 8:49 am

With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, consider some special recipes for a romantic dinner.

For cheese lovers, the Cheese Fondue made with Swiss cheese and Chardonnay may be a good selection for an appetizer or perhaps a relaxing time beside a glowing fireplace.

A special entrée might be Grilled Rock Lobster (calls for 4 tablespoons of Dr. Frank Rkatsiteli). Perhaps the Knapp Shrimp Newburg is more to your liking. For those who prefer chicken, consider the Poulet De Chaunac from Buckingham Valley Vineyards. Sirloin Beef Tips in Red Wine from Goose Watch Winery may please a red meat lover.

Now to my favorite part of the meal – dessert. Pears in Red Wine is an old family recipe. Perhaps the Crepe Recipe from Black Star Farms and made with a late harvest Riesling would be ideal. It is suggested that these be filled with a little lemon fromage and topped with spiced fruit compote. Remember the Port Tim Tam Slams. These are unique and fun. Tim Tams can be found at Target stores.

Browse through all of the recipes on the Wine Trail Traveler website and choose one that everyone will enjoy.

If you’d rather enjoy an evening out, check with wineries to see which ones are offering a Valentine’s Day dinner. Usually these require reservations in advance, so call today!

Cheers! Kathy

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

More Events for this Valentine’s Day Weekend

February 12, 2010 – 2:08 pm

Are you still contemplating traveling a wine trail this weekend? Here are three more wine trail with special events for the weekend.

Ohio
Vines & Wines Trail
February 12-13, 2010
Chocolate is for Lovers

New York
Niagara Wine Trail
February 12, 13, 14, 2010
Be Mine with Wine

Indiana
Indy Wine Trail
February 13-14, 2010
A Romance of Wine and Chocolate

If you are looking for another alternative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day this weekend be sure to check out the events that our  winery partners offer during the year.

Cheers! Kathy

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

Wine Trail Events for this Valentine’s Day Weekend

February 12, 2010 – 9:30 am

Enjoy this weekend by participating in a Valentine’s Day Weekend event. Below are three events but there are many others to be discovered!

February 13-14
8th Annual Mardi Gras
Cayuga lake Wine Trail
New York

February 12-14
Texas
2010 Wine Lovers Trail

February 13-14
Pennsylvania
Brandywine Valley Wine Trail

Different chocolate and wine events at seven wineries

Cheers! Kathy

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

05 Snows Lake One Showcases the Vineyard

February 11, 2010 – 8:46 pm

Snows Lake Vineyard has over 800 acres of vines on their 2300 acres of land in the Lake County AVA. The 2005 Snows Lake One shows what the grapes in their vineyard can do. The aroma and taste were of blackberries with black fruit nuances. The finish offered bold tannins and was fruity. Many wineries purchase grapes from the Snows Lake Vineyards including Rosenblum, Cakebread, Dynamite, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and La Famiglia.

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

Vezér Family Vineyard 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve

February 11, 2010 – 8:25 pm

The Vezér Family Vineyard 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve provided a perfect ending to the hours of shoveling yet another foot of snow to grace the Baltimore area. The snow in the photo is piled seven feet high. This Cabernet Sauvignon is made with grapes from the Suisun Valley AVA. Although there are many vineyards in Suisun Valley that supply fruit to many wineries in Napa and Sonoma, there are some wineries with tasting rooms. Vezér Family operates a tasting room at Mankas Corner and another tasting room about a mile away, Blue Victorian.

This 2007 Cab is a dark purple with a light ruby rim. Noticeable blackberry and plum aromas and tastes have nuances of chocolate and oak. Mild tannins and fruit accentuate the crisp, long finish.

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

Some Cali Cabs from Temecula

February 11, 2010 – 8:00 pm

We enjoyed our visit to more than twenty wineries in Temecula. We also had several Cabernet Sauvignons. Baily Vineyards and Winery’s 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon was a dark ruby color with an aroma of blackberries. The taste was very fruity with a silky mouth feel. The finish was long with tannins and there was fruit on the aftertaste. For a more velvety mouthfeel try Briar Rose Winery 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon. It also offers a blackberry aroma and taste with tannins and a fruity finish. At Leonesse Cellars the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Signature Series, offered an aroma of blackberries, spice and eucalyptus. The blackberry taste offered tannins with a fruity aftertaste.

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

Trapped at Home Again, this Time with Cali Cabs

February 11, 2010 – 8:50 am

We have spent many days at home without going anywhere. The fact that at any time we could get in the car and drive somewhere or walk to a shopping center is all that is needed so one does not feel trapped. However for the second set of three or more days in a week, we are trapped and cannot walk or drive anywhere. Tuesday was our only day of freedom since last Friday. It may be next Saturday before we get another chance to leave through a narrow path with six feet or higher piles of snow. There is plenty of work to do. Our neighbors will join us in shoveling an eight-foot wide path down a shared 300-foot long driveway to the street. The street should be plowed tomorrow. Our challenge is to heave the snow over already existing six-foot high walls of snow from the previous snowfall.

Last weekend, I made a mulled wine to take the chill off. Today, I’ll go with a different wine and “shut in from the snow” pairing. California Cabernet Sauvignon is the wine for today. St. Supéry Vineyards and Winery helped organize a California Cabernet event. Today from 5:00pm – 7:00pm PST people are encouraged to write on Twitter about California Cabernet. Wine Trail Traveler will make several blog entries about California Cabs and will write about California Cabs on Twitter.

Anyone in the country can participate. Open a bottle of Cab from California and mention it on Twitter. When on Twitter use the hashtag #CaliCab and make sure to follow #CaliCab to see what others have written. If you wish, you can register for the event at the #CaliCabs Community Tasting on Twitter site.

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

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