November 5, 2009 – 8:52 am
Last night we enjoyed a wine at a fabulous restaurant in Grosse Pointe, MI. The wine was agreed upon by three of our party one of whom is a fan of Malbec. This particular wine Clos de los Siete, Argentina 2007 was a blend of 48 percent Malbec, 28 percent Merlot, 12 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 12 percent Syrah. The result was an opaque dark purple wine with 14.5 percent alcohol. The wine was smooth with mild tannins. The aroma was earthy with dark fruit overtones. The wine paired well with short ribs that were cooked to perfection and lamb stew. Even the guest who ordered scallops enjoyed the wine.
If you have the opportunity, check out wines from Argentina. Of course, don’t forget the wines produced in your own neighborhood!
Cheers! Kathy
November 4, 2009 – 10:52 am
Petite Sirah 2003 Reserve
Last night was a good night for a Petite Sirah from Temecula Valley. We had spent the day before and several hours yesterday installing laminate floor for a family member. Let me say that while some laminate flooring may be easy to install this type definitely was not easy. Yes, we did read the directions!
Just before dinner we decided to open a bottle of Petite Sirah from Bella Vista Winery. This Petite Sirah was an opaque, very dark purple with a 13.6 percent alcohol. The wine had a fresh dark fruit aroma with a hint of smoke. It offered a very dry taste and bold tannins. This wine would pair well with grilled beef.
According to the owners, Bella Vista Winery is home to the oldest commercial vineyard in Temecula Valley. Some of the vines planted in 1968 are still producing grapes for the winery. A view from the vineyards provides a delightful view of Temecula Valley.
Cheers! Kathy
November 3, 2009 – 8:22 am
I have discovered several wine events during the early part of November. Included below is a link so that you can get the information you need to make plans. Enjoy discovering a wine event you can attend!
Oregon
November 14
Northwest Food & Wine Festival
Information: http://www.nwfoodandwinefestival.com/
Washington
November 14
Toasts for Tails
Information: http://www.concernforanimals.org/
Texas
November 14
New World Grand Tasting at the Grotto at the Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center
Information: http://nwwff.org/information/grand-tasting
Colorado
Denver International Wine Festival
November 12 &13
Information: http://www.denverwinefest.com/news.html
Florida
Orlando Food & Wine Fest
November 14 & 15
Information: http://www.orlandofoodandwinefest.com/about.php
Michigan
Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival
November 12 – 14
Information: http://www.showspan.com/GRW/Home.aspx
Have fun exploring wine during November and perhaps you will want to pick up a bottle of wine for Thanksgiving!
Cheers! Kathy
November 2, 2009 – 8:20 am
Last night we shared a bottle of wine and dinner with good friends. The wine was a Lanza Family 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon from Wooden Valley Winery & Vineyards. The aroma and taste were fruity with nuances of dark fruit. The mouth feel was smooth and pleasant. While there were tannins, the tannins were not bold making this a delightful wine to pair with the entrees we had including veal Parmesan with asparagus and angel hair past with a tomato based sauce.
The Lanza brothers of Wooden Valley can be very proud of this delightful Cabernet Sauvignon. To learn more about Wooden Valley Vineyards, visit the Wine Trail Traveler website.
Cheers! Kathy
November 1, 2009 – 11:45 am
I recently discovered, Food Bites, The Science of the Foods We Eat by Richard W. Hartel and Annakate Hartel. Chapter three, only two pages long, is titled “Vintage Wines and Chocolates.” In only two pages they discuss the cocoa bean and grape. Both are affected by the growing conditions. This affects the finished product. There is so much science involved in winemaking; I wish the authors had added an additional chapter about wine including brix levels, yeast, fermentation and more.
Other chapters in the book include “Process Food: Good or Bad?,” Food Safety and Mobile Food Carts,” “Butter or Margarine?” and “Kool-Aid or Tang?”
While this is an interesting book and based on columns written by Richard Hartel, I hope he will consider another lengthier book with “generous portion” chapters.
Cheers! Kathy
October 30, 2009 – 10:13 am
Halloween isn’t just for kids! How about taking time over the weekend to enjoy a hot mulled apple wine or perhaps a peach cobbler in a mug? The hot Mulled Apple Wine recipe uses a crockpot. Just think of the spice aromas throughout your home as the wine with spices warms. Looking for something a bit different? Consider the Peach Cobbler in a Mug recipe. This drink is produced with peach wine and maple syrup. Both beverages are served warm, perfect for a cool autumn weekend! The recipes were supplied by Carlson Vineyards in Colorado and Adams County Winery in Pennsylvania.
Cheers! Kathy
October 29, 2009 – 11:54 am
I love art and wine and when it is linked to a charity that just makes it even better. So I was delighted this week when I received a press release about a charity event that includes wine with gourmet food pairings and helps the Ann Arbor Art Center.
The press release began with, “Art. Wine. Does anything else really matter?” and the event is the Savor & Sip 2009. Proceeds will help the Ann Arbor Art Center.
Date: November 13, 2009 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Location:
Ann Arbor Art Center
117 W. Liberty
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Website Information: Ann Arbor Art Center
Tickets can be purchased online.
This event is hosted by The Produce Station and Elie Wine Company.
Cheers! Kathy
October 27, 2009 – 2:01 pm
Here are a few wine festivals I discovered for the 5, 6, 7, and/or 8th, 2009. Check your plans and see if you can participate in one of these wine festivals. Check with the event’s website for additional information and to verify times and dates.
Oklahoma WineFest?Saturday, November 7th, 2009 http://www.oklahomawines.org/
Harvest Celebration Barrel Tasting Weekend, Nov. 7-8 http://www.temeculawines.org/
Big Sur Food & Wine Festival, November 6 and 7, 2009 http://www.bigsurfoodandwine.org/wineries.html
Edmonton Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival, November 5-7, 2009, http://www.rockymountainwine.com/edmonton.html
Tri-Cities Wine Festival, Three Rivers Convention Center, November 6-7, 2009 Tri-Cities, Washington, http://www.tricitieswinefestival.com/
Caledon Art and Wine Festival, November 7, 2009, http://caledonnaturalareafriends.com/
Cheers, Kathy
October 26, 2009 – 8:18 am
For many years, there was the rule red meat red wine, fish white wine. As wine becomes preferred by more people, many wine enthusiasts believe that the old rules don’t apply.
In Japan scientists were interested in why the traditional statement of pairing red wine with red meat, and white wine with fish was followed. Is it folklore or just an easy way to handle pairings?
In an article by Phil Berardelli in ScienceNow Daily News, “Why Fish and Red Wine Don’t Mix” the author discusses the research at Mercian Corporation in Japan. The experiment consisted of several wine tasters tasting red and white wines with scallops. After the tastings were completed the researches analyzed the chemical components of the wines to try to discover a link to the aftertastes.
According to the results the amount of iron in the wine affects a component of the scallop. Berardelli writes, “When the element’s content rose above 2 milligrams per liter or so, the seafood-dining experience turned sour.” Red wines tend to have more iron than white wines.
While winemakers may be interested in this study, it appears that it would be useful for gourmet chefs. What wine will you serve with scallops next time?
Cheers! Kathy
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Wine Trail Traveler Weekly Photo Challenge
Guess what’s new with Wine Trail Traveler? We have developed a weekly Photo Challenge! Every Tuesday a winery photo will be posted on Wine Trail Traveler. Do you know where the photo was taken?
We will also be using Twitter for the Photo Challenge. Please respond using the direct message button on Twitter or the email available on the website.
To help you out just a wee bit, the photo will also be used on the Wine Trail Traveler website. If you’re stumped on Tuesday, check back on Wednesday for a clue and on Thursday a second clue will be added. The answer will be revealed on Friday.
We have loads of pictures from the over 450 wineries we have visited since January 2007, so if you have been visiting any wineries you have a good chance of having the correct answer. Give it a try!
Good Luck!
Cheers! Kathy