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Spiced Chicken Salad Recipe

August 13, 2016 – 1:49 am

Ready for a new chicken salad recipe? Check out the one below from Wollersheim Winery located in Wisconsin. Be sure to visit Wollersheim if you are in the area!

Prairie Blush Spiced Chicken Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

By Chef Scott McGlinchey and Amanda Meyer
From the 2001 Wollersheim Winery Open House

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6-8 oz. each)
4 oz. Wollersheim Prairie Blush wine
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon sweet basil
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon salt
4 large hands full of salad greens
6 oz. toasted pine nuts
4 oz. craisins
1 red onion diced
4 oz. package radish sprouts
1 1/2 cups diced Roth Käse Rofumo

The Vinaigrette Ingredients

6 oz. cranberries
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 tablespoons salt
1 cup cider vinegar
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
3 cups salad oil

Directions

1. Mix the cayenne, chili, basil, oregano, salt and wine together and marinate the chicken breasts.

This can be done up to 24 hours ahead of time for best results.
2. To make Vinaigrette grind or chop in food processor the cranberries. In large bowl add the dry ingredients and garlic and mix. Add the vinegar, then the oil. Refrigerate and reserve.
3. Grill or pan sear the chicken breast. Keep warm. In large salad bowl toss the greens, craisins, toasted pine nuts, red onions and Rofumo. Add approximately 8 oz. of cranberry vinaigrette and toss.
4. Garnish with the radish sprouts and sliced warm chicken breast. Enjoy with a glass of Wollersheim Prairie Blush.

Serves four

Recipe provided by Wollersheim Winery in Wisconsin.

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

Wine, Women & Shoes Event for Make-A-Wish®

August 9, 2016 – 1:15 am

The Wine, Women & Shoes event will support Make-A-Wish® Central California. On September 18, 2016, the Wine, Women & Shoes organization will be at Engelmann Cellars in Fresno County California.

This special event that will benefit the very special young people who are dealing with life-threatening medical conditions. According to the publicized information, “Every 38 minutes Make-A-Wish grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the Untied States and its territories. We believe that a wish experience can be a game-changer.”

The September 18th event at Engelmann Cellars will include:

  • Wine and food tasting
  • Boutique shopping
  • Shoe Guys dishing up must-haves on silver platters
  • Glamorous fashion show

The event takes place at Engelmann Cellars, 3275 North Rolinda, Fresno, California.

Single tickets and table tickets are available online.

-Champagne VIP Table for 10 – $1,750

This includes premier table placement, two champagne bottles, hors d’oeuvres platter, VIP gift and shoe guy service.

-Reserved Table for 10 – $1,250

Includes preferred table placement

-General Admission is $100.

Participants can have a wonderful afternoon and help vulnerable children receive a special wish. Congratulations to Engelmann Cellars for hosting this event!

Will you help others in need?

Cheers!
Kathy

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

Mirassou Lemonade Chiller Recipe

August 6, 2016 – 1:23 am

As the summertime hot weather continues consider making this delicious cocktail made with Chardonnay and citrus vodka. The recipe is from Mirassou Winery in California.

Mirassou Lemonade Chiller

Ingredients

1 bottle Mirassou Chardonnay
6 oz. citrus vodka
12 oz. lemonade
12 oz. lemon lime soda
Squeeze of fresh lemon
Ice

Directions

  1. Pour the Chardonnay, citrus vodka, lemonade and lemon lime soda into a pitcher with ice.
  2. Squeeze fresh lemon into pitcher and mix.
  3. Pour over ice in glasses garnished with a lemon twist and enjoy!

Makes 8 cocktails.

Recipe provided by Mirassou Winery.

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

What’s Your Preference: Generic or Specialty Wines?

August 5, 2016 – 4:07 pm

While some wine drinkers only care if a wine is red or white, other wine drinkers are interested in whether the wine is smooth and tastes yummy, how the wine is produced, where the grapes are harvested, more details about the terroir and the winemaking protocol of the winemaker.

Just like there are all types of wine drinkers, there are many variations in wine. Although there are some wines that could just be called generic.  I bring this topic up after reading an article about a Canadian study of winemaking. According to the article, “Beyond bouquet: UBC research delves into the DNA of good wine” by Yvette Brend writes, “Two UBC researchers in the Okanagan created a technique to break down vino into its essences to study exactly what makes a great vintage.”

How important are these types of studies for anyone who enjoys drinking wine. My guesstimate is that the importance of these scientific studies is more important to the large wineries that are seeking to produce the same type of wine year after year. They believe their customers expect to have the same aroma and taste of wine year after year. Personally, I find that type of wine can be on the boring side, if constantly having the same wine for dinner each night.

However for the small, boutique winemakers who are emphasizing terroir and winemaking techniques I would suspect that the above mentioned type of research is not quite as important. These specialist winemakers see the value for consumers in producing wines that are quality driven but with a uniqueness based especially on the grape harvest vintage and terroir.

On a positive note, Dan Durall, one of the researchers,  “hopes the research also helps find and get rid of the micro-organisms that can lead to spoilage.” This type of research might well help all winemakers.

I suspect that there are many people who want foods and beverages to always taste the same. I for one want to understand more about wine, but I appreciate the well made wine that reflects the terroir.

Love to hear your opinion of what you look for in wine.

Cheers!
Kathy

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

Don’t Miss Maryland’s First Frederick Wine Festival!

August 3, 2016 – 1:30 pm
Discover the wines of New Market Plains at the Frederick Wine Festival!

Discover the wines of New Market Plains at the Frederick Wine Festival!

The first Frederick Wine Festival, also known as the Inaugural Frederick Wine Festival, is the first of its kind wine festival in Frederick, Maryland. The festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 6 at the Carroll Creek Linear Park. This special festival includes Maryland wines, food, live music events, and artisans.

“All of the wines being featured will carry the Maryland appellation designation, ensuring that the grapes used to make the wine were grown in Maryland.”  Twenty of Maryland’s wineries will be at the festival. Expected wineries to attend include:

Big Cork Vineyards, Boordy Vineyards
Catoctin Breeze Vineyard
Crow Farm & Vineyard
Cygnus Wine Cellars
Elk Run Vineyard & Winery
Fridays Creek Winery
Great Frogs Winery
Great Shoals Winery
Harford Vineyard & Winery
Knob Hall Winery
Layton’s Chance Vineyard & Winery
Linganore Winecellars
Loew Vineyards
New Market Plains Vineyards
Orchid Cellar Meadery & Winery
Port of Leonardtown Winery
Rocklands Farm
Turkey Point Vineyard
Willow Oaks Craft Cider

Wine Trail Traveler has visited and written about most of these Maryland wineries. To read our reviews, visit the Maryland wineries review page.

While enjoying Maryland wines produced with Maryland grown grapes, take time to amble among the various artisans who are scheduled to be at the festival. Artisans include:

Aluminaries by Rona
The Art of Drinking
Ashby’s Agates
Autumn Summer
Even Rose Love
Haleys Jewels
Jacqueline Handley Designs
Knotty by Nature
Pen & Hand
Salazon Chocolate Co.
Saucier Willy
Soleado Lavender Farm
Unwined Candles

Don’t miss the array of food items available at the festival. Food vendors include:

Crisafulli’s Cheese Shop
Monocacy Crossing
Rebel’s Kitchen
Roasthouse Pub
Say Cheese
Serenity Tearoom & Fine Dining

While the VIP tickets for the event are already sold out; general tickets are still available. Find out more about the available tickets online.

Cheers!
Kathy

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

Today is National Coloring Book Day!

August 2, 2016 – 12:09 pm

What a great way to relax and enjoy a bright, sunny summer day! National Coloring Book Day is not only for children; adults can get involved, too!

Earlier this year we visited a winery and wine bar in Olney, Maryland that hosted a coloring book event. The Olney Winery also offers other numerous events. We learned that the coloring book event was well attended and the patrons enjoyed coloring while drinking wine.

Yesterday, we received an email that included two wine-related coloring page designs. Print these designs out and see how well your pages color. The coloring pages were provided by Santa Margherita Winery and Vineyard along with designer Justina Blakeney.

The first design shows a bottle of sparkling wine with the enclosure just removed. The second design shows the villa of Santa Margherita surrounded by floral elements. Both designs lend to your creativity. Splash colors on your coloring book design and enjoy a glass of wine while creating your masterpiece. The links provided go to a full page version of the coloring image.

080216a

link to the above coloring page

080216b

link to the above coloring page

Santa Margherita Winery was founded in 1935. It includes a number of wineries and vineyards in the Italian wine regions of Veneto, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, Alto Adige, Lombardy, Tuscany and Sicily. The wine portfolio includes wines that are  sparkling, semi-sparkling, white, Rosè, red and dessert.

Cheers,
Kathy and Terry

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

The Oxford Wine Festival 2016!

August 1, 2016 – 4:28 pm

The Oxford Wine Festival in 2016 is scheduled for September 9 and 10 at the Oxford Union. The festival provides wine lovers with the opportunity to taste wines not always available at local stores.

According to The Oxford Wine Festival website, “We bring together over 40 of the UK’s leading wine merchants and regional specialists in one of Oxford’s most iconic buildings – the Oxford Union. Hundreds of award-winning and rare wines from over twenty countries, accompanied by live music, food, and tutored tastings from the world’s foremost wine authorities.”

Three sessions of tastings scheduled during the festival. Tastings last about one hour while the masterclasses are approximately 90 minutes. Sign up for the festival newsletter for more additions to the wine tastings listed below.

Friday Evening Session offers:

  • The Wines of Provence – Eddie McGee, The St Tropez Rose Company
  • Food and Wine Pairing with Amelia Singer, ITV’s “The Wine Show”
  • “From Minor to Major – the return of Italy’s forgotten vines” – Ben Robson, Bat & Bottle
  • The best of English winemaking – Julia Trustram-Eve, English Wine Producers

Saturday Afternoon Session offers:

  • “Cool” wines from the USA (Masterclass) – Nancy Gilchrist MW (£10 supplement)
  • Grower Champagnes – Howard Abernethy, Finest Fizz
  • An Introduction to Portuguese Organic Wines – Ricardo Rodrigues, Portuguese Story
  • “A Decent Bottle of Wine in China” – Chris Ruffle, Treaty Port Vineyards

Saturday Evening Session

  • France v the Southern Hemisphere (Masterclass) – Richard Bampfield MW (£10 Supplement)
  • Das Leben ist zu kurz für einen deutschen Weinetikett, or why life is too short not to give German wine another chance! A tasting of new wave German wines – Nik Darlington, Red Squirrel Wines
  • An Introduction to Canadian Wines – Richard Dudley Craig, Wine Sensations
  • Meet the Wine Maker – The Nelson Estate, South Africa (wine tasting in association with Corney & Barrow)
  • Wines from Turkey – Mark Hopkins, Taste Turkey

Tickets for the three sessions are available online. Ticket prices are £19.50. If you wait until the event, the ticket price is £20.

Many exhibitors are involved with the wine festival. Look for Corney & Barrow, Ehrmanns, The New Zealand Cellar, Go Brazil, Bat and Bottle, Spaniche Wines, Hard to Find Wines, Bordeaux & Beyond, Aussie Rules, Le Saint Tropez Rosé Company, Volfram Selection, Red Squirrel Wine, Just Perfect Wines, Finest Fizz, Gusbourne, Oatley Vineyard, Portuguese Story, Love Wine, Joie de Vin, Podere Sant’Alberto, Harley Wines, Eynsham Cellars, Oxford Chelt Wine School, Kitchen & Vine, Wine Sensations, Bordeaux Undiscovered, Exton Park Vineyard, Watlington Fine Wines, Jag Liquid Gold Trading.

The sponsors of the festival include: Honest Grapes, 1855 Wine Bar Bistro, The Georgian Wine Society, and Wotwine.

The Oxford Wine Festival appears to be a wonderful place to be for tasting numerous wines from many different countries. Check it out and get your tickets soon.

Cheers!
Kathy

 

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

Pairings Portland! What a Find!

July 27, 2016 – 12:08 pm
Pairings Portland, 455 NE 24TH AVE.PORTLAND, OR 97232

Pairings Portland, 455 NE 24TH AVE.PORTLAND, OR 97232

Pairings Portland is a wine shop and bar located in the NE area of Portland, Oregon. On a whim we stopped by this boutique wine shop just across the street from some local food restaurants. In the past we had walked past the building several times but this time decided to stop in to see what it offered. What a find! This is a wine shop that only offers organic wines, but these wines are from around the world. Okay, so a lot of wine shops offer world wines but none that we have stopped by offer an array of wine pairings that Pairings Portland offers.

Wine Pairings

Wine pairings are well marked.

Wine pairings are well marked.

We had thought that when we idly talked about wine pairings with sewing and mowing the lawn that we were stretching the concept of wine pairings; however, Pairings Portland goes much further into the realm of wine pairings. For example, the shop offers wine pairings for cyclists. Pair a unipiper with a Domaine Trotereau Quincy’13. The Caustious Biker is paired with the Château Eugéníe Cahors Tradition ’11. Pairings Portland pairs wines with TV shows and movies, astrology, dogs and much more.

However, Pairings Portland is a whole lot more than just wine pairings. If you have questions about wine this is undoubtedly the wine shop to stop at. For instance a full page sheet is about biodynamic farming & vineyards. The paper includes the “9 Things to Know.”


Wine Tasting

Terry tasted five wines. The first was a sparkling Cabernet Franc Rosé from Domaine de Nerleux. This La Folie was a crémant that had an orange color with small bubbles making a center mousse.  The wine had red berry fruits and was crisp. The second wine was a 2014 Ovum Gewürztraminer. This Oregon wine was a yellow color and very floral. On the taste there were roses and some tropical fruits. The wine was smooth and slightly sweet.

072716cThe next three wines were reds. A Mendocino, California wine, 2013 Donkey & Goat Five Thirteen, was a blend of five of the 13 Rhone varietal grapes commonly used in a Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The blend consisted of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvédre, Cinsault and Counoise. The wine was an opaque dark ruby with a silky black fruit salad taste. It had tannins and a full body. The aftertaste was fruity.

The last two wines were crafted from Tempranillo. The Dominio IV 2011 Tempranillo Columbia Gorge Three Sleeps Vineyard was a dark ruby color. The velvety taste was fruity with noticeable blackberries and blueberries. The wine had tannins and a full body with a fruity finish. The aftertaste had fruit yielding to baking spices and a hint of leather. The Viña Olabarri Tempranillo 2004 was from Rioja. This opaque dark purple colored wine was very smooth and had a black fruit salad taste. Also notable were the  blackberries, blueberries, licorice and spices. The wine had bold tannins and was full bodied.

Pairings Portland has a laid-back atmosphere. The interesting wine pairings are accompanied with a gentle wine education.

Cheers,
Kathy and Terry

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

Portland’s New Century Bar

July 26, 2016 – 10:55 am
Century Sports Bar on SE Sandy in Portland

Century Sports Bar on SE Sandy in Portland

Spending some time in South East Portland, we visited the recently opened Century Bar on Sandy Boulevard. Although new, and only a bit after its 3:00 pm opening, there were already people in the two outdoor areas. As we were there, several other patrons entered. One outdoor area is on the main level. Tables and chairs are set up outdoors as well as in a covered area. A stairway leads to another outdoor area above that on the first floor. On this second level, one can view some of Portland’s skyline.It is a great spot to get a sense of the city.

Back inside the main part of the bar offers a stadium feeling, with stadium seating on different levels. We noticed that the wood used for the benches is much nicer than that in stadiums. The seating area and other decor gives a nice sense of sophistication. Since we wanted to get the sports experience, we selected the middle level in the stadium seating area in front of a large screen showing the Olympic mens basketball preliminary game between the United States and China. There are several screens in the U-shaped stadium seating area providing a great view from wherever you are seating. Generally the will of the patrons decides what game is viewed, although a different game can be viewed on each screen.

072616b

Central to the seating area is the back lit bar. The back lighting highlights the multi-colors of the difference spirits. There is also seating in front of the bar in this area. Overhead two large ceiling lights adds a nice touch.

072616cI ordered a Neighborhood Kid, served in a mason jar, made with Evan Williams bourbon, commissary marionberry syrup, lemon and ginger-ale. It was pink with red hue. It was fruity on the onset followed by bourbon flavor. Kathy had a Sweet Margarita with sweet marionberry syrup, lime slice and juice and Tequila. The cocktail was slightly sweet and refreshing. Kathy commented, “The more I drink the better it gets.”

The Century Bar is going to become a favorite PDX spot for the neighborhood and other Portlanders. If visiting the area drop by. Winter or summer this sports bar is likely to have great attendance. Check out their website for events.

Cheers,
Terry

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

Make-shift Mimosa at Cruising Altitude

July 24, 2016 – 9:23 am
2013 Andover Estate Chardonnay served on Delta Airlines

2013 Andover Estate Chardonnay served on Delta Airlines

I recently had an early morning flight on Delta. Although the flight served wine, they did not have a sparkling wine. One has to become creative to have a mimosa with breakfast. The flight attendant was very accommodating and poured a glass with half Chardonnay and half orange juice. The orange juice somewhat overpowered the Chardonnay except for the aftertaste. The flight attendant suggested adding a club soda to see if the bubbles would come closer to a mimosa. I added a splash at a time and tasted it. At about twenty percent the bubbles kicked in and improved the blend.

On this Delta flight, the Chardonnay was a 2013 Andover Estate Small Batch Production Chardonnay from Monterey County, California. The make-shift mimosa blend ended being 40% Chardonnay, 40% orange juice and 20% club soda. The resulting blend had an orange juice aroma and taste with the Chardonnay kicking in with layers of apple, pear, melon and vanilla. There was citrus on the finish with a trace of chalkiness. The orange juice also added to the citrus.

Wine is an ingredient of many of the foods we prepare. It certainly can become an ingredient of cocktails. When at 30,000 feet in the air, becoming creative at 7:00 am can yield rewards.

Cheers,
Terry

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

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