September 5, 2018 – 8:20 am
Try Herzog’s delicious dessert wine for Yom Kippur or anytime.
After working and almost finishing an outdoor project last week, we decided to relax with a glass of Herzog’s Late Harvest White Riesling, Monterey County, a lovely dessert wine. For anyone observing Yom Kippur, this White Riesling should be considered as a wine for dessert. The wine is labeled kosher for Passover with kosher for Passover Mevushal.
Herzog Wine Cellars Late Harvest White Riesling 2016 with 8.5% alcohol was a dark yellow color. The aroma with mineral notes also reminded us of peach pits. The taste was full-bodied with notes of ripe peaches and dried apricots. The wine was sweet but the acidity balanced the sweetness. The mouthfeel was velvety. During the aftertaste the wine dried in the mouth. This dessert wine had a residual sugar of 10.1%
About Herzog Wine Cellars
Herzog Wine Cellars is a large kosher winery located in Monterey County, California. In addition to kosher wines, Herzog also produces non-Kosher wines. The Herzog family has been able to trace their winemaking history back for more than a century. Philip Herzog made wine for the Austro-Hungarian court in Slovakia. The Emperor Franz-Josef enjoyed Philip’s wine so much that he made Philip a baron. As a baron, Philip produced non-kosher and kosher wines. After emerging from hiding from the Nazis during WWII, Eugene, Philip’s grandson reclaimed the family’s winery. A few years later the Herzog family was forced by a communist regime to leave their home. In 1948 Eugene came to America with his family. Living in New York City, Eugene discovered a kosher winery in Manhattan, where he was hired. When the winery did not do well, Eugene and his sons, decided to continue the winery renaming it Royal Wines. During the mid 1980s the family expanded their wine business by adding a facility in California where they began making two different wine labels.
The winery has a tasting room that is open Sunday thru Thursday from 10:30am to 9 pm. On Fridays the hours are 10:30am until 4pm. While planning your visit to the winery plan to stay awhile and enjoy the Tierra Sur dining area. The restaurant offers lunch, dinner, dessert menus and more. The focus of the menus is on locally grown foods.
Cheers!
Kathy
August 31, 2018 – 10:16 am
Gersing Cellars is an urban winery in Portland, OR
Last week we enjoyed a bottle of wine with our eldest daughter who gave us a bottle of the Gersing Cellars Bri0 Nebbiolo Ciel Du Cheval Vineyard 2016. The dark ruby color wine was opaque. The wine offered an aroma of blackberries, currants, black cherries and sour cherries. The mouthfeel was silky. The taste of black fruits included nuances of black cherries. This full-bodied wine offered medium to bold tannins. The wine finished with smooth tannins, mulberries and white pepper. This Nebbiolo wine was 14.6% alcohol
The back label of the Nebbiolo gives some insights to the name of the wine. The label notes the pronunciation and definition of brio: “noun \ br?-( )ö \ Def: enthusiastic vigor; verve”.
Gersing Cellars is located in Portland, the city’s SE region. This is a relatively new, up and coming urban winery. Gersing Cellars was established in 2015 by Jason Gersing. Two of Jason’s passions are wine and jazz. While becoming a professional jazz musician, Jason worked at a winery during harvest. He became increasingly interested in winemaking and spent time in Europe learning more about winemaking. Later Jason moved to Portland and eventually started Gersing Cellars.
The winery focuses on wine grapes from several vineyards in the Northwest with a focus on Oregon and Washington vineyards. Vineyards where grapes are sourced from include:
- Washington’s Yakima Valley: Willard Vineyard, Red Willow Vineyard, Dineen Vineyard
- Washington’s Walla Walla AVA: Les Collines Vineyard
- Washington’s Red Mountain AVA: Ciel du Cheval
- Oregon’s Willamette valley: Domaine Margelle Vineyard
- Oregon’s Eola Amity AVA: Methven Family Vineyard
Currently Gersing Cellars crafts Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Nebbiolo, Syrah, Merlot varietal wines available for purchase. Visit the SE Wine Collective Tasting Bar or visit Mt. Tabor Fine Wines, Blackbird Wine, Division Wines, C’est si Bon and 1856 Beer Wine Cider to purchase Gersing Cellars wine.
Gersing Cellars’ wines are available online.
Cheers!
Kathy
August 30, 2018 – 10:30 am
Champagne Collet Esprit Couture enjoyed on our 46th wedding anniversary.
By the end of the day we were too tired to go out for dinner. Taking family to the airport, we stopped to do a bit of shopping before returning home. Fortunately, I placed a bottle of Champagne Collet Esprit Couture in the refrigerator prior to our sojourn. I am a firm believer that sparkling wines are an everyday wine. However, when it comes to champagne, given the near $100 price, I see this wonderful sparkling wine as a celebratory wine. We spent the early evening of our 46th wedding anniversary enjoying an Esprit Couture Brut.
This 2014 disgorged champagne was crafted from a blend of of 50% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Meunier. The wine had 12.5% alcohol. We had two bottles of this champagne in our wine room waiting for the appropriate opportunity to open and enjoy. The dark yellow to light gold colored champagne had multiple columns of tiny bubbles forming a center and circumference mousse. The aroma offered apple, citrus and freshly baked bread. The taste had a lively mouthfeel with lasting apple, bread and citrus notes. Added this was a hint of mineral. We enjoyed the champagne paired with cocktail shrimp.
We visited Champagne Collet in early 2015. We met Sébastien Walasiak, chef de caves, who spoke of the champagne Esprit Couture. “The base wines went through malolactic fermentation and the style of winemaking is closer to a reductive style than an oxidative style.” During our visit we tasted three champagnes, toured the onsite museum and ambled through the caves. You can read our Champagne Collet article on Wine Trail Traveler. If you are looking for a reason to celebrate with a bottle of champagne, Friday October 19th is Champagne Day. Join with wine lovers from around the world and open a champagne from the Champagne region of France.
Caves tour at Champagne Collet
Sébastien Walasiak, chef de caves, head winemaker, at Champagne Collet
Cheers,
Terry
August 29, 2018 – 2:10 pm
Estate wine at Catoctin Breeze Vineyard
With Labor Day Weekend quickly approaching, you may want to visit a winery with family or friends. Check out these upcoming events at wineries.
Saturday, September 1
Catoctin Breeze Vineyard, MD
Event: Wine, Crepes & Live Music
Website Information
Duplin Winery, NC
Event: Rose Hill Live Music
Website Information
The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, OH
Event: Live Music
Website Information
Sunday, September 2
Catoctin Breeze Vineyard, MD
Event: Wine & Live Music
Website Information
Sunday Brunch at Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery
Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery, VA
Event: Sunday Brunch
Website Information
Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards, OR
Event: September Wine Club Release
Website Information
Monday, Sept 3, LABOR DAY
Pearmund Cellars, VA
Event: Celebrate Labor Day at Pearmund Cellars
Website Information
Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery, VA
Event: Bistro Open
Website Information
Please drink responsibly.
Cheers!
Kathy
August 25, 2018 – 1:42 pm
The Merry Edwards Winery is located in California’s Russian River Valley. Wines to look for at the winery include: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. If you like a sweet wine look for the Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, a dessert wine.The winery tasting room offers two types of wine tastings: In-Depth Tastings and Walk-in Tastings. The recipe below is from the Merry Edwards Winery. Try the Bison Meatballs soon!
Bison Meatballs
Serves 4
Pairs well with Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir
Meatballs
INGREDIENTS
1 pound ground bison, drained of excess liquid and blotted dry
2 large garlic cloves, mashed
¼ teaspoon alaea sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon olive oil
PREPARATION
Incorporate all ingredients together by kneading with your hands. Shape into 12 medium-size meatballs. Sauté in olive oil in skillet over medium heat, turning to lightly brown all sizes. Do not overcook as bison is quite lean. Set aside.
Sauce
INGREDIENTS
4 teaspoons olive oil
½ Walla Walla Sweet Onion, diced
½ pound Maitake mushrooms, broken into individual sections
1 14.5-ounce can tomatoes (try Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted) or equal amount of blanched, seeded fresh tomatoes
½ cup Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
PREPARATION
Sauté onions and mushrooms in olive oil until soft, slightly brown and liquid has evaporated. Add other ingredients along with meatballs. Cook for about 25-30 minutes to meld and incorporate flavors, reducing sauce to a thick consistency. Spoon sauce over meatballs periodically during the reduction phase to keep meatballs moist. Spoon meatballs and sauce over julienned, lightly steamed squash. Serve with fresh broccoli or filet beans on the side.
Cheers!
Kathy
August 24, 2018 – 6:01 am
We’ve heard of the unusual, incredibly hot summer that Portland, Oregon has endured this summer. There may be temporary relief for the heat for those 21 or over. Tipsypop is the new alcoholic popsicle being introduced in Portland during the summer of 2018.
The Tipsypop includes a combination of natural fruit juices and wine. Currently four flavors are under production including: Grapefruit Frosé, Pineapple Granita, Tangerine Mimosa and Pomegranate Sangria.
The Grapefruit Frosé is made with rosé wine. Sparkling wine is in the Pineapple Granita and the Tangerine Mimosa. The final selection Pomegranate Sangria is made with Pinot Noir.
Each Tipsypop is made with a half glass of wine and each pop has 6.7% alcohol.
The Tipsypop website suggests having the Tipsypops available at bars, corporate events, weddings, baby showers and BBQs.
If you are looking for more details about Tipsypops, visit the Tipsypop website for contact information.
On hot summer days, these special adult popsicles are sure to please!
Cheers, Kathy
August 13, 2018 – 10:50 am
Every now and then, we venture away from wine to a cocktail. In honor of National Rum Day on Thursday August 16th, we were provided this recipe and photo from a Spirits Consulting Group.
Agave Uptown in Oakland, California provided this recipe and photo. Enjoy National Rum Day.
Title: Puerto Escondido
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Gustoso Aguardiente™ Rum
1 oz. La Luna Mezcal
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 tsp Toasted Coconut
Squeeze of Fresh Lime
Garnish with Orange Twist & Star Anise
The Gustoso Aguardiente™ Rum was produced entirely from locally grown sugar cane grown in the highlands of Michoacan, Mexico. This recipe and photo were provided by by Agave Uptown in Oakland, California. The restaurant in the Uptown area of Oakland crafts Oaxacan cuisine.
Rum is the third most popular distilled spirit in the United States, whisky and vodka hold the number 1 and 2 spots. If you enjoy rum, create a cocktail and toast this distilled spirit on Thursday, August 16th.
Cheers,
Terry
-1.5in.jpg)
Artisan Cheese & Wine Pairing Event in the Fall!
Ridgewood Winery
The Berks County Wine Trail, located in Pennsylvania’s south eastern region will be a delight for many wine and cheese lovers on September 29 – 30 and October 6 -7. On those two weekends, wineries and local cheese producers are offering the Artisan Cheese & Wine Pairing Event. Tickets are only $15 until September 28. Event tickets are available online. Each ticket includes two cheese and wine pairings available at each participating winery.
The cheeses are provided by regional dairies including: Farm Fromage, Wholesome Dairy Farms, Birchrun Hills Farms, Conebella Farms, Grube’s Dairy, The Smokehaus, and Valley Milkhouse.
Pinnacle Ridge Winery
The members of the Berks County Wine Trail participating in this delightful wine and cheese event include:
Stonekeep Meadery
Manatawny Creek Winery
Stone Barn Cellars
Ridgewood Winery
Weathered Vineyards
Setter Ridge Vineyards
Calvaresi Winery
Deerfoot Winery
Stoudt’s Winery
Kog Hill Winery
Long Trout Winery
Pinnacle Ridge Winery
Wine Trail Traveler visited five of these participatingPennsylvania wineries. Articles and photos are available online.
Save the dates September 29 and 30 as well as October 6 and 7 for a fun wine and cheese event.
Cheers,
Kathy