November 16, 2009 – 7:52 am
Recently I finished reading When the Rivers Ran Red: An Amazing Story of Courage and Triumph in America’s Wine Country by Vivienne Sosnowski. What a powerful story about Prohibition. Sosnowski presents a side of Prohibition that is seldom heard – the side of the winemakers and vineyard owners. Yes, there is a lot of detail but this is a nonfiction book and the details included provide a believability of how Prohibition affected those in particularly in Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Historians and wine enthusiasts will enjoy reading about the other side of Prohibition. For a review of the book read the Wine Trail Traveler review.
We recently visited one of the wineries that lost thousands of gallons of wine mentioned in the book. Read a review of Foppiano Vineyards on Wine Trail Traveler.
November 15, 2009 – 8:25 am
Tasting wines that have a fault can be as educational as discovering the wines you like. Aroma plays an important part in the wine tasting experience. Yesterday I had the opportunity to taste a faulted wine. It was very difficult to taste because the aroma was very strong of cauliflower and onions. The disagreeable aroma was so intense that many in the group didn’t taste the wine. It was suggested that the wine could be used in tasting rooms as an educational tool. It was a good opportunity to learn about a wine fault.
The winemaker discovered the problem with the wine. Upon further research it was learned that the grower sprayed the vineyard with sulfur two and a half weeks prior to harvest. The directions for the spray state: “Do not apply within a month of harvest.” At home, I’ve often wondered about the “don’t spray for x number of days before harvest” statements. Do they really apply? Here is a case where they really did apply.
Using the wine fault kit, Le Défauts Le Nez Du Vin, I smelled the vial associated with the cauliflower fault. The vile also had a strong onion aroma and was a bit more unpleasing than the wine’s aroma. The kit’s description discussed that only 4mg per liter of dimethyl sulfur was enough to ruin a wine’s aroma. The winemaker stated that he could strip off some of the offending aroma at the risk of stripping off some of the good aromas and tastes of the wine. I agree with those who also suggested that it might be better to leave the wine as it is and use it as an educational tool in the tasting room.
Often many wine enthusiasts and beginners associate a wine they don’t like as being bad. This is clearly not the case. Bad wines are those that have recognizable faults. It would be a positive experience for tasters to be able to sample a faulted wine even if one only notes the wine’s aroma.
November 12, 2009 – 9:51 am
The Grand River Valley Turkey Trot, a progressive wine tasting event on November 14 from 12 to 5, gives participants the opportunity to pair wine and food as well as take home a recipe. The focus is on Thanksgiving dishes that you may want to have with your holiday dinner.
At Laurello Vineyards, wines will be paired with a turkey, leeks, roasted red peppers and feta cheese pizza. A pairing at Debonné Vineyards will include a pulled turkey sandwich. At Ferrante Winery & Ristorante enjoy a cranberry tart paired with Cabernet Franc Ice Wine. Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant will feature stuffing and St. Joseph Vineyard will have pumpkin cheesecake tarts.
The cost is only $5 at each participating winery. Those bringing in a canned food will receive $1 off the price. The food will be donated to a local food bank.
Check it out and take home a recipe for Thanksgiving.
Wish I could be there!
Cheers! Kathy
November 11, 2009 – 8:01 am
Since today is Veteran’s Day, a federal holiday, many people while at home may still want to get out. So what to do? Today may be a perfect day to visit a local winery and discover the wine you would like to serve for Thanksgiving. Look for the usual wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Chardonnay or Riesling. Also consider a cranberry wine that may pair perfectly with the Thanksgiving meal.
If you need help deciding what wineries to visit, read the Wine Trail Traveler review articles and visit the Partners/Advertisers section.
Cheers! Kathy
November 10, 2009 – 9:03 am
The next two to three weeks will be busy ones for those already in the planning stages for Thanksgiving travel and meal planning. However, if you want to add a little more excitement to November’s schedule check out the events below.
Cheers! Kathy
Missouri
Hermann Wine Trail
Event: Holiday Fare Wine Trail
Dates: November 21-22, 2009
Information: http://www.hermannwinetrail.com/pages/event_shell.htm
Ohio
Southern Park Mall Holiday Charity Wine Taste After Hours
Date: November 22, 2009
Information: http://w.mawebcenters.com/SECMarketingSolutions/ecommerce/southern-park-mall-holiday-charity-wine-taste/
Oregon
Willamette Valley Wineries
Event: Wine Country Thanksgiving
Dates: November 27 – 29
Information: http://www.willamettewines.com/thanksgiving.shtml
Canada, Toronto
Event: Gourmet Food & Wine Expo
Dates: November 19-22, 2009
Information: http://www.foodandwineshow.ca/sitepages/
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Willamette Valley Vineyards Wine Center in Oregon
Willamette Valley Vineyards, a large and well known winery in Oregon, is celebrating its opening of the WVV Wine Center this month. On the weekend of November 21 and 22, the visitor center, located in McMinnville, will open and offer complimentary admission and tasting. The Wine Center will offer visitors a variety of tastings to choose between as well as providing help with itineraries to wineries. In addition specific information about the terroir, AVAs and vineyards will be available. The Visitor Center hours will be open 10am to 7pm, seven days a week. For more information about the Visitor Center check out the article, “Wine Center opening in downtown McMinnville,” on the Yamhill Valley News Register website.
Anyone wanting to learn more about Willamette Valley Vineyards, one of Oregon’s largest vineyards, can read a review of the winery on Wine Trail Traveler.
Cheers, Kathy