We opened a bottle of Lake Erie Dornfelder 2007 produced by Presque Isle Wine Cellars in Pennsylvania. Aged in oak for 10 months and with 11 percent alcohol, this wine offered earthy aromas with nuances of fragrant wild violets. The smooth taste was accompanied by currant nuances and the wine finished crisp with mild tannins. We enjoyed this wine with a pork and rice dinner last night.
Dornfelder is a popular grape varietal in Germany. Dornfelder is a hybrid and is a cross of Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe. In the United States it is gaining in production. When we visited Fulkerson Winery in the Finger Lakes, we saw the Dornfelder vines climbing the sides of a large winery building. The purple grapes were just hanging, waiting for harvesting by staff with a very tall ladder. We were so impressed with the sight and the taste of the Dornfelder wine that we planted two Dornfelder grapevines at home. The vines grew quickly and added about 10 to 15 feet to their length. We are anxiously waiting to see how they do this summer.
Enjoy a visit to Presque Isle Wine Cellars where they produce quality wines and have winemakers’ tools and supplies available for both commercial winemakers and home winemakers.
Cheers! Kathy
Would you like the opportunity to taste domestic and international wines? The Michigan International Wine Expo in Novi, Michigan scheduled for April 3-4, 2009 will give attendees the opportunity to taste a range of wines.
Wines will be available from wineries in Argentina, Italy, Spain, Germany, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Chile. In addition, wines from California, Oregon and Michigan will be included. Wine Trail Traveler visited two of the Michigan wineries participating in this wine expo: Pentamere Winery and Chateau Chantel. Read the reviews of the wineries at Winery Reviews.
According to their website, “The Michigan International Wine Show will attract the most prestigious companies and vineyards in the wine and food industries. Learn about the latest trends as you visit over 100 exhibitors who are at the show to meet and educate you. With over 300 wines being poured, a variety of food being sampled, and a selection of wine and wine related products on hand, there is something for everyone at the event!”
For more specific information about times and tickets, visit the Michigan International Wine Expo website.
Attending events like this will give you an opportunity to discover new wines and new varietals. Part of the fun of wine is exploring new tastes and comparing how wines may differ from one country to another. Even if you can’t make it to this wine expo, look for similar events in your area.
Cheers! Kathy
Three Fox Vineyards in Virginia has designed a creative way to have fun flying kites and giving to a charity – Habitat for Humanity. On Saturday, March 28, from 12pm to 5pm, Three Fox Vineyards will be celebrating their 1st Annual “Kite Flight.” This is an event for all ages. Help a charity, have fun and win prizes. The Habitat for Humanity will receive a portion of the proceeds. For more details visit Three Fox Vineyard’s website.
Three Fox Vineyards has a beautiful site for flying kites and picnics. A large field slopes down towards a creek – a delightful place to enjoy a picnic. Note: The rain date is April 4th.
As with many people, when Friday rolls around I am often tired from the week’s work. Yes, travel, tasting, writing, editing and publishing can take it toll over a week. So it was last Friday when at 6:00 pm I hadn’t prepared anything for dinner. So I was off to the kitchen, but first a stop to the wine cellar. When it comes to selecting a wine to match with food for a dinner I like to throw caution to the wind. In this case I selected a wine without any idea of what I had on hand to cook for dinner. I selected a Château Grand Traverse 2005 Gamay Noir Reserve. After opening the wine and tasting I decided to look for a quick meal to prepare for Kathy and me. Fridays in Lent throw a curve as it did that Friday. I found two fish fillets in the freezer and a box mix of Spanish rice in a cabinet. Those should challenge the wine.
After preparing dinner, and having a glass of the Gamay Noir, we sat down to eat and see how things would match. The Gamay Noir, known simply as Gamay in France, was a red translucent color. It was easy to read text through the wine. The aroma had an earthiness to it and reminded me of violets. The taste was tart cherries. The finish was crisp. I actually prefer tart fruit so I didn’t mind the tartness of the wine. The wine was light enough to pair with the fish. Its lightness is similar to a Pinot Noir. The Spanish rice was a bit spicy and the tartness of the Gamay Noir cut some of the spiciness of the rice. In all, the Gamay Noir held it own matched with fish and a Spanish rice.
Most of the Gamay Noir produced in North America comes from Ontario. There are several states that also plant the grape that does well in cooler climates. Château Grand Traverse is along Michigan’s Old Mission Peninsula, just north of Traverse City. When it comes to pairing food with wines, I like to experiment. How about you?
Wine Trail Traveler article about Château Grand Traverse
Washington State recently announced Maryhill Winery as “Winery of the Year.” Maryhill Winery offers visitors a wonderful wine tasting experience. The ambience of the tasting room, views of the Columbia River, outdoor amphitheatre for summertime events and delicious wines all provide great reasons to visit Maryhill.
When we visited South Coast Winery in Temecula, California we learned that they were awarded “Winery of the Year” at the California State Fair for 2008.
For these two wineries, the awards are significant. South Coast Winery was the first Temecula Winery to win this award and brings attention to the Temecula Valley AVA. Maryhill Winery is located in the Columbia Valley AVA.
As wineries win these highly acclaimed awards in their own states, it focuses attention on some of the lesser known wineries and the wineries in their region. This translates into more visitors to the region and at the same time encourages all wineries to increase the quality of wines. As the saying says, “A rising tide lifts all ships” so goes the wine industry. As wine enthusiasts become aware of better wines, they will insist on quality wines from all wineries or they won’t buy it. Best wishes to these high performing wineries.
Cheers, Kathy
Wine Trail Traveler has just added four new winery itineraries to the Wine Trail Traveler website. Itinerary 1 is west Rancho California Road. Itinerary 2 is central Rancho California Road, Itinerary 3 is east Rancho California Road and Itinerary 4 along De Portola Road just a few minutes away from Rancho California Road. These four itineraries are two-day trips but can be combined for an extended visit to Temecula, California. The itineraries include suggested lodging sites to check out.
Temecula is in southern California and offers a delightful vacation opportunity. While in Temecula valley, set aside time to visit Old Town Temecula that offers small shops, Baily Fine Dining, and an olive oil store where one can do an olive oil tasting.
I received an email yesterday about Palisade, Colorado spring blooms. It brought back wonderful memories of visiting the area in 2008. Grand Junction and Palisade, Colorado have dramatic views of the Bookcliff Mountain Range, the Grand Mesa and Colorado National Monument. Palisade has a reputation of being a “fruit basket.” The area has not only vineyards but also orchards including apples, peaches, cherries and plums. Leif Johnson of the Palisade Chamber of Commerce, sent the email entitled “Fruit Blossom Showcase Nature’s Latest Display in Palisade, Colorado.” It details the expected fruit blossom dates that begin with apricots expected to be in full bloom March 23. The last date will be Red Delicious apples expected to bloom April 14. For more details you can visit the C.S.U. Research Center website at http://www.colostate.edu/programs/wcrc/pubs/research_outreach/budswcrcom.pdf. While visiting Palisade and Grand Junction, check out some of the local wineries and enjoy your visit. If you are looking for lodging, consider Wine Country Inn in Palisade or Two Rivers Winery & Chateau in Grand Junction. Spring is almost here!
Cheers! Kathy
Welcome Spring this weekend by visiting a winery. For many of us on the east coast, it has been a long cold winter. Would spring (warm weather) ever come? With March temperatures and daily weather fluctuating, it is hard to believe that spring will be here soon.
Pearmund Cellars in Virginia will help cheer you through March and welcome Spring with a winemaker’s dinner. March Madness Winemaker’s Dinner is on March 21, 2009 at 6:30pm.
According to an email from Pearmund Cellars, “Alice, the harried rabbit, the mad queen, the smiling cat, and others invite you to join our celebration of March Madness. Come in costume to share your creativity.” The meal will include an international cheese assortment with fresh and dried fruit, White Rabbit’s Organic Salad, lamb chops with a cabernet sauce and much more. Reservations are required. For more information, go to http://www.pearmundcellars.com/menus/Dinner_090321.shtml. This special winemaker’s dinner is priced at $89 plus tax and tip. For information or reservations email: tastings@pearmundcellars.com.
If you can’t make it to Pearmund Cellars, check out the wineries in your area for events this weekend.
Cheers, Kathy
-1.5in.jpg)
Cheap Wine?
What is a cheap wine? I read a blog yesterday that was talking about cheap wines. As I read the other blog, I quickly realized that it was referring to the price of a bottle of wine. I don’t know about you but when I hear the word cheap, I tend to think of something of low quality. If that’s the definition of cheap, then I don’t want a cheap wine. Perhaps wine enthusiasts should avoid using the word cheap in referring to wine. When talking about wines, inexpensive or not expensive would be a good option.
When buying wine, I want a wine that will pair well with food or makes a great dessert wine. Lots of flavor, nice body, balance and preferably a long aftertaste is my definition of a quality wine. On the other hand, if cheap is referring to price and not quality, what price range would be considered cheap or inexpensive? Five, ten or 15 dollars a bottle?
From my experiences of visiting more than 300 wineries, I have discovered numerous wines that have the quality I like without breaking the bank. Yes, some are less than $15 a bottle and some are considerably more. I am happy with a wine that is less than $15 a bottle and has good quality. I also enjoy wines that reflect the terroir of the region I am visiting. How about you?
If you know of some inexpensive wines under $15, add a comment and let others know about them.
Cheers! Kathy