I’ve tasted wines made from over two hundred different grape varieties. Of that many different grapes there is only one that I have a true love/hate relationship with. That is Chardonnay. The love/hate doesn’t have anything to do with the style of the Chardonnay. It doesn’t matter if the wine is oaked or unoaked. It doesn’t matter if the Chardonnay grapes were grown in a cool climate or a warm climate. Chardonnay is the one grape variety that if I haven’t had it for a few months, I really enjoy it. However, I find myself challenged if we are on a winery trip and I have three tasting at three different wineries per day for a week or two. I have to be away from this grape for a few months to love it again.

For Chardonnay Day I opened a Chardonnay that I really enjoyed on a recent trip to Croatia. Korak makes a Chardonnay that is very complex. Located in Plešivica not far from Zagreb, one will observe rolling hills of vineyards. Croatia has many indigenous grapes that are beginning to receive some world-wide recognition. They also grow many of the international grape varieties and this Chardonnay does well in the Croatian Uplands region.

The dark yellow wine offers a bouquet of pear with a hint of apple. Then there is the oak influence. Several things are going on when you taste the wine. Pear and apple are confirmed and butter and toast are added to the mix. After swallowing the oak influences become aware. Vanilla with hints if caramel and more butter is apparent, Their is a crispiness to the finish and the aftertaste goes on for minutes. In short, this is not a one-dimensional wine. It is complex and a good wine to represent what can be grown in Croatia. This was a great Chardonnay to have on Chardonnay Day. Check out wines from Croatia.

If you are interested in finding out more about Croatia wine, check out Wine Trail Traveler’s coverage of Croatia.

Cheers,
Terry

As the weather takes a turn for the better in some areas of the country, take time to spend some of your leisure hours at a local winery. Look for music and special events  including movies and a photography workshop.

Cheers! Kathy

Friday, May 17

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Event: Wine and Dine
Website Info

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Website Info

Saturday, May 18

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Event: Anniversary Celebration
Music: Live Music in Old Town
Website Info

The Home Place, Virginia
Event: Vinton Food and Wine Festival
Website Info

Sunday, May 19

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Music: Retro Casters
Event: Photography Workshop & Photo Contest 
Website Info

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, Virginia
Event: Food and Wine Pairing
Website Information

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Website Info

Monday, May 20

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Event: Movie in the Vines
Website Info

Wednesday, May 22

Reid’s Orchard & Winery, PA
Event: Game Night at Jennie’s House
Website Info

This weekend the Wine in the Woods festival takes place in Howard County, Maryland.  It is one of Maryland’s best-known wine festivals and held each year in Columbia. This year 36 Maryland wineries will be attending the two-day festival.

Several wine seminars will be conducted as part of the festival. Members of the Tasters Guild International will present seminars. Session topics include:

• Wine Tasting 101
• Maryland White wines
• Maryland Red Wines
• Maryland Dessert Wines

Craft and Art Vendors

An array of craft and artist vendors will be showing their wares. Taste some wine and be sure to browse the tents of the vendors. There will be something for everyone to browse including: photography on canvas, carved wood pieces, jewelry, stained glass, wine glass racks, silk screen prints, hanging chairs, candles, wine bottle art, handbags and totes, log furniture, forged iron ware, birdhouses, wine trivets, and much more.

Festival Music

Live Music entertainment includes: classic, rock, Dave Matthews Tribute Band, funk rock, pop rock with country soul, reggae, 80s, soul rock and Motown, jazz, and Latin reggae.

The Festival Food

What would a festival be without food? Specialty food vendors will be available as well as many restaurants. Specialties to look for include: fudge, olive oils, cheeses, breads and chocolate truffles.

Saturday Tickets (Saturday tickets include lawn seating for “The Band Perry” concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion.)

• Wine Tasting Tickets: $40
• Designated Drivers: $25
• Youth (ages 3 -20) $25

Sunday Tickets

• Wine Tasting Tickets: $35
• Designated Drivers: $20
• Youth (ages 3 -20) $20

More information is available on the Wine in the Woods website.

Spero Winery in Denver, CO

The 3^rd Annual Colorado Wine Week takes place June 2 to June 8.  Events will include winemaker dinners, receptions, wine tastings and cocktail competitions. All week an array of Denver restaurants will provide an appetizer/snack on the menu with a Colorado wine. These will be served at special pricing.

June 2: Farm to Turntable

• Includes farm fresh flavors by EatDenver chefs, an all-Colorado bar, paired with music

June 4: Colorado Wine Cocktail Celebration II

• Four Denver bartenders will make cocktails using Colorado wine and bitters, spirits and other items. Tickets include one complimentary wine cocktail. Other tastings and snacks will be available at a cash bar.

June 7: Governor’s Cup Colorado Wine Competition Awards Reception

• 20 Colorado wineries will have wine samples and hors d’oeuvres

June 8: Colorado Urban Wine Fest

• Many Colorado wineries (more than 30) will participate in the grant tasting of Colorado wines. Attendees will be able to sample the wines with items from local Denver restaurants.
• Special tickets are available that include Uber’s black car service – a great way to leave the driving to someone else

For tickets and more information about Colorado Wine Week visit the CAVE website.

Colorado has numerous delightful wineries to visit. Checkout these articles about Colorado wineries.

Cheers, Kathy

West of Atlanta, Georgia is Carroll County. This county has taken its first steps into becoming a wine region by granting a permit for the establishment of a winery.

According to a Times-Georgian.com article “Vineyard gets county’s first commercial winery permit” by Winston Jones, Carroll County has issued its first permit for a conditional use permit. This will allow the construction of a winery building.  The owner of the property currently has young vineyards established. The winery building is expected to be finished in time for the 2014 harvest and will be named Little Vine Vineyards.

Georgia is not well known for vineyards and wineries. Some people think that the climate is not conducive to growing the type and quality of grapes needed for making quality wines. Pierce’s disease is also a challenge for grape growers. However, wine lovers and travelers may want to check out the website of The Vineyard and Winery Association of West Georgia. This website includes information about wineries and vineyards in the West Georgia region. According to the association, grape varieties that do well in West Georgia include Blanc du Bois, Norton, Villard Blanc, and Lenoir. Of course Muscadine grapes do well in Georgia.

The Georgia Wine Country website offers a lot of information about wineries in Georgia including a map that shows the location of more than 40 wineries with the majority of wineries in northern Georgia.

Traveling to Georgia? Check out some of the wineries.

Cheers! Kathy

Lots of events are coming up this weekend including Mother’s Day events. Saturday is also Wine Tourism Day. Check these fun activities out. Treat your Mother to a day at a winery. Enjoy.

Cheers!
Kathy

Friday, May 10

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Event: Wine Country Progressive Dinner
Website Info

The Home Place, Virginia
Event: Flip Flop Friday
Website Info

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Website Info

Saturday, May 11

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Event: Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend
Website Info

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Event: National Wine Tourism Day
Website Info

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Music: Live Music in Old Town
Website Info

Three Fox Vineyards, VA
Event: Mother’s Day Weekend
Event: Bocce-Fest
Website Info

Pearmund Cellars, VA
Event: Wine Tourism Day
Website Info

Reid’s Orchard & Winery, PA
Event: “Music for Momma and More”
Event: Wine Tourism Day
Event: Wine Tourism Day at Jennie’s House
Website Info

Sunday, May 12

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Event: Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend
Website Info

Chateau Chantal, MI
Event: Mother’s Day Wine Dinner
Website Info

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, Virginia
Event: Mother’s Day Brunch
Website Info

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Event: Mother’s Day Celebration
Website Info

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Website Info

Pearmund Cellars, VA
Event: Sermons in the Vines
Website Info

Serpent Ridge Vineyard, Maryland
Event: Mother’s Day Event (RSVP)
Website Info

Three Fox Vineyards, VA
Event: Mother’s Day Weekend
Event: Book Signing for “A Wine Journey”
Event: Bocce Fest
Website Info

Vint Hill Craft Winery, VA
Event: Mother’s Day Wine Tasting for Moms
Website Info 

Wednesday, May 15

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Old Town
Website Info

Reid’s Orchard & Winery, PA
Event: Game Night at Jennie’s House
Website Info

On Wednesday May 8, Wine Trail Traveler, LLC announced the establishment of the Wine Tourism Club. This club is free and for people who visit wineries and wine tasting rooms while traveling.

Benefits: The Wine Tourism Club provides a way for visitors to winery tasting rooms to keep track of their visits to wineries and of course receiving a personalized certificate for “bragging” rights.

Membership in the Winery Tourism Club is free. Download the application, complete the application and send it to Wine Trail Traveler LLC. You will receive a membership certificate.

Currently six levels are available. The first level will be Pioneer ranging from 1 to 99 visits. You can get your first certificate after visiting 100 different wineries. The following certificates are Pathfinder 100 visits, Voyager 200 visits, Wayfarer 300 visits, Crusader 400 visits, and Globetrotter 500 visits.

Wine Tourism Club applications are available online:

• pdf application
• Excel file application

Download a copy of the application and keep it in your car or carry it with you when you travel.  For more information visit the wine tourism page.

We hope you enjoy participating in the Wine Tourism Club.

Cheers!

Kathy

Choose one of these wine events for wine enthusiasts coming up over the next few days. Watch for Mother’s Day weekend events coming soon!

Cheers,
Kathy

Friday, May 3

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Website Info

Serpent Ridge Vineyard, Maryland
Event: First Friday: Live Music
Website Info

The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, Ohio
Music: Jimmy Chesterfield
Website Info

Three Fox Vineyards, VA
Event: Virginia Wine Experience
Website Info

Saturday, May 4

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Event: Spring Fling at the Winery with North Jersey Jeep Club
Website Info

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Music: Live Music in Old Town
Website Info

Pearmund Cellars, Virginia
Event: Book Signing with Richard Leahy, author of Beyond Jefferson’s Vines
Website Info 

The Home Place, Virginia
Event: American Heritage Wine Festival at Elkhorn Lake, Java
Website Info

The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, Ohio
Music: Ryan Humbert
Website Info

Vint Hill Craft Winery, Virginia
Event: Derby Hat Day
Website Info 

Sunday, May 5

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Event: Live Music
Website Info

Chateau Chantal, MI
Event: Art, Shoe & Wine Pairing Event
Website Info

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, Virginia
Event: Crepes for Cinco de Mayo
Website Info

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Event: Cinco de Mayo Cha Cha the Day Away
Website Info

Slack Winery, Maryland
Event: Blessing of the Vines (for Wine Club members RSVP)
Website Info

Vint Hill Craft Winery, Virginia
Event: Cinco de Mayo (Hat Day)
Website Info 

Wednesday, May 8

Reid’s Orchard & Winery, PA
Event: Game Night at Jennie’s House
Website Info

Before you know it, Mother’s Day will have arrived. No matter what area of the country you live in, you can find Mother’s Day cards and gift ideas. So what’s different with the list of suggestions below? These suggestions are for moms who might enjoy wine related items.

For this year consider some of these ideas. Of course, I’ll begin with a copy of our recently published book, “A Wine Journey.”

1. A Wine Journey: If planning a visit to Three Fox Vineyards in Delaplane, Virginia on Mother’s Day, you can purchase the book, meet the authors and have the book signed. The book is also available through several online stores including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. More information is available online.

2. A bottle of wine: Buy a special pen that writes on glass and write, “Happy Mother’s Day 2013″ on it. After enjoying the wine, the wine bottle becomes a keepsake.

3. Winery visit: If your mom lives in a wine region, give her a special time by treating her to a visit at a winery. Many wineries host a variety of events and numerous wineries have restaurants.

4. Wine glasses: Purchase a pair of wine glasses and paint them with permanent paints or tie a ribbon with a carnation or rose to the stems. When purchasing wine glasses, look for clear wine glasses with a thin lip and good balance.

5. Varietal Grape Seed Oil: Grape seed oil is more unusual than olive oil making it a special gift for the cook. We have used varietal grape seed oil from AprèsVin. The company produces several styles and our favorites are Lime Riesling and Grapefruit Chardonnay.

6. Decanter: Wine decanters can be used for both white and red wines.

7. Wine glass charms: When enjoying wine and mingling with others, wine charms are a great way to keep track of your own wine glass.

8. Locally made: Frequently in addition to selling wines, wineries feature locally made products. Browse the selections and choose an item that is unique and will be remembered.

9. Art: Many wineries provide wall space for artists to display their pieces of art.

10. Flowers: Flowers that remind one of a wine aroma. Help your Mom start a wine aroma/sensory garden. Checkout the sensory garden at Reif Estate Winery located in Canada’s Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Have you ever had a wine that evokes a memory? Our children will immediately say, “Grandma’s house,” when they smell a wine made with Niagara grapes. It recalls the summer days that they would roam the fields in upstate New York and discover Niagara grapes. While in North Carolina we were told on several occasions that the Muscadine family of grapes do the same thing. They evoke memories mostly of childhood when these large grapes were growing in backyards. We have also heard similar stories about Italian grapes.

I was very surprised at my initial reaction to a Tuscan Red by Ogio. We had received three samples of Ogio wines. The aroma of the Tuscan red was unmistakably Sangiovese and my immediate reaction was the memory of the two weeks we spent on a vineyard in Toscano in 2007. This 2011 Tuscan Red is a blend of Sangiovese 85%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10% and Merlot 5%. This ruby colored wine had red cherries and spice on the aroma and taste. The oak influence was a light mixture of licorice and tobacco. There were mild tannins on the fruity finish. The wine evoked memories. It has been quite awhile since I last had a Sangiovese based wine.

We recently returned from exploring thirteen wineries in the Friuli -Venezia Giulia region of Italy. Another Ogio wine we received was a 2011 Pinot Grigio made with grapes from the Friuli and Veneto regions. The wine was a light straw color with citrus predominating on the aroma and taste. The wine offered a crisp finish. Absent was the mineral characteristic that I remember from many of the Pinot Grigios made nearer to eastern border of Italy. While we were in Friuli we had and enjoyed several Proseccos. Ogio also makes a Prosecco from the Glera grape. The grapes were harvested in the Prosecco DOC, an area emcompassing parts of Friuli and Veneto. We decided to open the Ogio Prosecco after a grueling day of helping our son move. After moving heavy boxes down stairs and over a football field away to a pod, we were ready for some relaxation. The Prosecco was a great choice. The wine was refreshing with notes of apples, peaches and flowers. It was a great pick-me-up.

Ogio’s labels are simple and modern looking. The large see-through “O” helps one remember the name. We have been back from our trip to Italy for a couple of weeks. These Ogio wines brought back many memories of the wines, people and land.