Regional Wine Week encore on Oct. 11-17

Already a year has passed since the inaugural Regional Wine Week, with writers and bloggers outside the West Coast writing about wines and wineries in their home areas. Created by freelance writer Dave McIntyre, who among his many ventures produces a blog called WineLine, and Wine Curmudgeon blogger Jeff Siegel, they developed a Web site called www.drinklocalwine.com that posted the links to all of these writers' blogs and stories.

Always like to hear the words bigger and better when it comes to promoting local wines, and that appears to be the case here, as McIntyre wrote on his blog that they are hopeful of luring 50 or more bloggers to participate. The week will run from Oct 11-17.

In a recent e-mail to those of us who participated last year, McIntyre wrote that "Jeff and I are ready to link all your posts about regional wine/local wine/wine from around here, wherever here happens to be, ... on DrinkLocalWIne.com, plus a Tweet and Facebook campaign to promote all your posts. I'm planning something on my recent visit to the southernmost winery in the USofA (hint - Hawaii, and talk about a volcanic terroir!), as well as a feature in The Washington Post on Loudoun County, "DC's Wine Country." Jeff is whipping up something on Texas, and we have folks planning updates from Quebec, Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, Georgia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and several other areas."

I figured a note to McIntyre asking what's different with this year's encore wouldn't hurt, and he sent me back this response: "We have more people involved this year and from more states. We are thrilled to have some coverage of Michigan, more coverage of North Carolina and Georgia. We also have tremendous interest from Texas bloggers, many of whom attended our first DrinkLocalWine.com conference in Dallas in August."

Those of you who drink wine with any regularity probably are familiar with American wines created in California, Oregon and Washington. But if you're looking to increase your education on the winemaking going on in a number of other states, then bookmark www.drinklocalwine.com and make frequent visits during the week. It's all knowedge that comes free of charge.

New Pa. wine blog checks in, flavored by hands-on knowledge of the tasting room

Can I have your attention, everyone. Mind a bit of applause for C.J., who recently gave birth to the Girlfriend's Guide to Vinification blog. OK, maybe giving birth is a little strong. She knows about giving birth, with three boys who sound like they're into a million activities. But you can tell in a couple of postings that she has just the right touch: a blend of education and humor that puts the reader at ease and slowly brings him/her up to speed on understanding many of the basics of the winery and wines.

She's using her experience gleaned from working the past four years at Twin Brook Winery in Gap, Pa., where I've visited numerous times and treated like a friend at every turn. Assistant winemaker Jason Price has been a huge supporter, so have Melissa and Tim Jobe, who have their hands in a number of tasks at the winery. So, I'm delighted to see C.J. venturing into the blogosphere and wish her all the best . . . and recommend you follow along hers as you check in occasionally with mine.

Here's a sample from her newest post, made on Oct. 4. I just copied and pasted this, explaining the reason for the change in the color of the type.

So, getting back on track here - in the grand scheme of things, an evening out at your favorite eatery you will pay on average $8 for a 5oz. glass of wine from a member of the waitstaff who doesn't even remotely like wine and has absolutely no clue of what you should have with your chicken parmesan. At your local winery, you can pay an average of $1 per ounce (at Twin Brook, you will get a one ounce pour each of 7 different wines for $5) and some even pair wines with a cheese, chocolate, or specialty bread. Currently, we have released our Chardonnay Reserve, and are pairing it with a raspberry ale infused cheese. Mmmmm, heavenly! Also, some wineries offer tours for free! Just ask. Locally, about half of the tasting rooms are located on the growing and production premesis. As I said before, we love wine, and we LOVE to tell you about it!

Sunday News story highlights Logan's View

Logan's View Winery has to appreciate the spread it received in the pages of the York Sunday News. I've blogged several times on the new winery that opened at Brown's Orchards & Farm Market, with its mix of dry and sweet white wines and fruit wines. Expect to be able to sample its red wines by next year. It's no more than five minutes off I-83 in Loganville, Pa., right on the Susquehanna Trail.