Happy July 4^th! Hope you are enjoying a relaxing day, drinking a glass of wine – perhaps a fruity, crisp white Riesling and staying cool.

This morning I read one of our local online news stations wtop.com. They feature a section called Watercooler. An article ND golf course brings in weed-eating goats, is about goats eating grass on a golf course. It seems that the goats can be moved to different locations on the golf course as needed. The article is based on a full article at http://kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=41248.  I am not a golfer so I’m wondering what most golfers think. Any golfers out there care to express an opinion?

Some vineyardists are already finding it useful to use Babydoll sheep in their vineyards to keep the weeds and grass under control. Navarro Vineyards in Mendocino County is using Babydoll sheep. Using certain types of sheep in vineyards is especially beneficial in vineyards that focus on organic farming.

Many people are concerned about energy usage today. Perhaps we need to step back into history and look at other ways to save energy. Me? I wouldn’t mind having a sheep or two instead of a lawnmower – somehow I don’t think my neighbors or homeowner’s association would approve.

Cheers! Kathy

The Fourth of July promises to be hot on the East Coast and no matter where you will be celebrating July 4^th if you need a large, cool beverage think about this easy to make wine punch recipe that was provided by Bruce Perrygo when we visited Ingleside Vineyards a couple of years ago. It calls for Blue Crab Blanc that the winery describes as “light with a fruity bouquet.” If you don’t have the Blue Crab Blanc on hand, it should be easy to find a similar type wine to use in the recipe. Try the recipe, as it sounds delicious and refreshing for a delightful, summer day.

Cheers! Kathy

Category: Beverages

Title: Plantation Punch

Ingredients

1 1.5 L Blue Crab Blanc
1  2-liter bottle of Ginger Ale
1 Can Frozen Lemonade
½ Gallon Sherbet

Directions

1. Combine ingredients.
2. Garnish with cherries and orange slices.

Provided by Bruce Perrygo

Have you tried cooking shish kabobs for the 4th of July? The following recipe is from Cottonwood Cellars in Colorado. Whenever you have the opportunity to visit Colorado, be sure to take time to visit the wineries. The state is very supportive of the wine industry and the winemakers are very friendly. You can read about Colorado wineries at http://winetrailtraveler.com/colorado/colorado.php.

Cheers! Kathy

Title: Shish Kabob

Do you have plans for July 4^th? If you’re planning a large get-together, how about encouraging everyone to bring a dish prepared with wine as an ingredient. If you are having difficulty coming up with these type of recipes check out the Wine Trail Traveler recipe section at http://winetrailtraveler.com/recipes/food.php. Here you will discover an array of over 150 recipes including appetizers, salads, beverages, entrees and desserts.

Picnic and Barbecue Suggestions

Assuming someone will bring a bottle of wine to the gathering, bring a corkscrew. If you are providing wine decide what you like best for a hot, summer day. Many wine lovers like a crisp, fruity wine for warm afternoons.

Whatever foods are brought to the picnic or barbecue, the advice that is usually given is to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

Add red and white-checkered tablecloths and flags for color.

Have plenty of sunscreen on hand.

Have a great time!

Cheers, Kathy

Have a wonderful Fourth of July!

Sangria may be just the perfect beverage for today. Below is a recipe for Sangria from a winery in Texas.  For more beverage recipes including other Sangrias, check out the Recipe section on Wine Trail Traveler. Tip: When drinking wine, drink as much water as wine.

Texas Legato Sangria

Ingredients

2 cups Texas Legato Sweet Surrender (a Merlot)

2 cups Cranberry Juice

2 cups Sprite

1 ½ cups Orange Juice

Add any fruit you enjoy.

Notes

We paired this during our Picnic Road Trip with watermelon and goat cheese. Fresh goat cheese is available 1/4 mile on CR 111 at the Bradley Goat Farm. This is great on a hot day as a poolside cold beverage or to take on a picnic.

Provided by Texas Legato, Lampasas, Texas.

Virginia wineries have an abundance of activities for July 4^th. Be sure to check out your favorite wineries and see what they have to offer visitors this weekend. Or looking for something new? Visit one of the many new wineries that have recently opened.

If you want wine, beer and music consider attending the Floyd Fandango Beer and Wine Festival. Located near Floyd, Virginia the site is off the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Blue Cow Pavilion. This event covers two days – July 4 and July 5.

Enjoy strolling between 12 breweries and 14 Virginia wineries as you listen to music from a variety of  9 different music events.

Cheers! Kathy

Willamette Valley wineries are celebrating July 4^th with Red White and True Oregon wines. A large number of wineries will have special events or activities for visitors from July 3 to July 5. Experience games, picnics or BBQs depending on the wineries you choose to visit.

We had the opportunity to visit several wineries in Willamette Valley and discovered quality wines and friendly tasting rooms. Some of the wineries we visited included Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Duck Pond Cellars, Erath Winery, The Four Graces, Kramer Vineyards, Montinore Estate, Ponzi Vineyards and Sokol Blosser Winery. To find out more about these wineries go to Wine Trail Traveler Oregon articles. There are many other wineries in Willamette Valley that you may want to experience. Remember to ask about the special Riedel stemware made specifically for Oregon Pinot Noir wines.

Not only will you benefit from visiting these participating wineries but so will the Ecotrust’s Farm to School Initiative. On the website page announcing this celebration of July 4^th a comment proclaims patriotism. “Be patriotic – support locally crafted wines AND healthy food & kids in local schools.”

Enjoy your vacation in Willamette Valley, Oregon.

Cheers! Kathy

While you are out and about this weekend, if you happen to be buying supplies for July 4th don’t forget a bottle of wine for your wine enthusiasts. Wine is also appropriate for picnics. White wines are a good choice, just make sure they are chilled. You may even want to freeze grapes, cherries, sliced peaches or one of your favorite fruits and pour the wine over the frozen fruit to keep it cold. It also achieves an attractive presentation. Wines to consider having include Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel or a rosé.

Tip: Don’t keep the wine in a hot car! Put an ice chest in the car trunk.