SaSyr opened . . . and gone

Received a bottle of SaSyr as a gift recently and just opened it. Produced in Tuscany, it's a 60-40 blend of Sangiovese and Syrah that's exceptionally smooth and just envelops your mouth with a big kiss of fruit. Again, prefer to stick to writing about the regional wines, but this one was so good and the blend was so unique that I wanted to share it.

The Event Grapevine: Aug. 23-24

Call this weekend the calm before the storm, as the event calendar is dotted with the conclusion of the summer concert series but certainly not overloaded. That changes next week with a number of Labor Day festivals and then revs up with the beginning of harvest season.

The sixth annual Brandywine Valley Wine Trail will be held on two weekends for the first time: Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 4-5. Both weekends will include the festivities you’d expect to find at what amounts to the granddaddy of events on the annual wine trail calendar: tastings, concerts, picnics, hayrides, vineyard tours, art exhibits and other special activities. A list of activities will be posted closer to the event.Harvest Fest Passports are $25 and can be purchased online at BVWT member wineries. You can also leave your name and number at 610.444.3842 or 866.390.4367 (toll free). This Passport entitles the holder to one tasting at each winery during Harvest Fest. If you are unable to visit all the BVWT members during the Harvest Festival, the passport can be used through Dec. 30.

That said, here’s what set for this weekend:

PENNSYLVANIA WINERIES
Adams County Winery, Ortanna: Free summer concert, Saturday. 1 to 5 p.m., food and wine available, bring along a lawn chair and blanket, http://www.adamscountywinery.com
Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli: Sangria Sunday wine tasting ($$), Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m, http://www.bluemountainwine.com

Chaddsford Winery, Chaddsford: Reserve Tasting ($$), Saturday, sittings at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m., http://www.chaddsford.com

Crossing Vineyards & Winery, Washington Crossing: Wine Tasting for Singles ($$), Friday, 7 p.m.; Summer Concert Series ($$), Friday, 7 p.m., www.crossingvineyards.com

Moon Dancer Vineyards & Winery, Wrightsville: Music Friday (6 to 9 p.m.) and Saturday and Sunday (2 to 5 p.m.); Summer Concert series Saturday (7 to 10 p.m.) ($$), http://www.moondancerwinery.com

Naylor Wine Cellars, Stewartstown: “Summer Sounds” outdoor concert series ($$), Saturday, 7 to 10 p.m., http://www.naylorwine.com

Nissley Vineyard & Winery Estate, Bainbridge: Music in the Vineyards 2008 ($$), Saturday, 7:30 to 10 p.m., music by JumpStreet, http://www.nissleywine.com/lawn_concerts.htm

Paradocx Vineyards, Landenberg: Debut of Barrel Wine Tasting Dinner at the winery ($$), teaming up with Brandywine Prime Seafood & Chops; call 610.388.808 for reservations, http://www.paradocx.com/

Twin Brook Winery, Gap: Gazebo Concert Series ($$), Saturday evening, 6:30 to 9:30; music by Lil Ragu Band, http://www.twinbrookwinery.com/

Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville: Summer Tours With the Winemaker ($$), Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m., about 1 ½ hours long, ttp://www.vynecrest.com/whatsnew.htm

MARYLAND WINERIES

Boordy Vineyards, Hydes: Summer Concert Series ($$), Saturday, 7 to 9:30 p.m.; gates open at 5:30 and there’s a dance instruction session at 6:30, http://www.boordy.com/events.html

Other MARYLAND winery events can be found at this link and VIRGINIA events at this link.


FESTIVALS

Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Seven Springs, Pa.: Wine & Food Festival ($$), Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m.

($$) – Admission charge