tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55981614031122168692024-03-12T20:51:18.501-07:00The Wine ClassroomOn wines, winemakers and wineries, primarily of southcentral and eastern Pennsylvania and northern Maryland.The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.comBlogger614125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-58269823040249301062010-01-26T13:44:00.000-08:002010-01-26T16:37:32.092-08:00Making a move out of the neighborhood, but home remains the vineyard<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">I've been at this for almost two years now, and to a large part it's a blog that has remained a largely a secret around the wine community. Much of that is my own fault: just not taking the time to bring it up to speed on Facebook and Twitter. Some of that has been the dinosaur syndrome -- not adapting quickly to new technology -- and a lot of it has just been the factor of time; i.e., not enough of it.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">So it makes sense to move this to a platform where more should see it and be able to spread the word. I already blog </span></span></span><a href="http://blog.pennlive.com/fanbox/index.html"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">sports fan issues</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> on pennlive.com here at the Harrisburg Patriot-News. As of today, I've also switched The Wine Classroom to its new address: </span><a href="http://blog.pennlive.com/wine"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">http://blog.pennlive.com/wine</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">. Please bookmark that address.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">That's really all that's changing. I'd like to continue looking at the regional wine industry, focusing on those who are now old-timers in these parts (hello </span></span></span><a href="http://www.chaddsford.com/root/home/index.htm"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Chaddsford</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> and </span><a href="http://www.bluemountainwine.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Blue Mountain</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> and </span><a href="http://www.boordy.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Boordy</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> and </span><a href="http://www.basignani.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Basignani</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">, to name a few) and the many others who are just beginning to cast their fates in the soil and climate that provide a home for the vines. And by doing so, making more people who live in the mid-Atlantic some idea about how the wine industry is growing around them and where it's headed.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Still feel sometimes like I'm searching for my voice: It's neither </span></span></span><a href="http://www.graperadio.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">graperadio.com</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> nor </span><a href="http://tv.winelibrary.com/"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Gary Vay-ner-CHUK</span> </span></span></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">of the Wine Library, two of my favorites sources of information on wine. It's probably closer to Pierre Carafe, a favorite nickname bestowed by a previous colleague who's known to more people as </span><a href="http://www.joesixpack.net/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Joe Sixpack</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"> than Don Russell.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">While still feeling much the novice, I know much, much more about regional wines and wineries than when I started. And there's plenty more to discover. I'll be happy to share that knowledge as I'm learning.</span><br /></span></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-23927885630669271512010-01-22T21:12:00.000-08:002010-01-22T21:40:50.299-08:00Penns Woods part of 'Taste Local' event<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><a href="http://www.pennswoodswinery.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Penns Woods Winery</span></a> kicked out a release Thursday touting its participation in an event called "Taste Local: A Celebration of Regional Food, Wine, and Beer" that will be held from noon to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 6 in Malvern/Great Valley, Pa. Tickets are $35/person for the event, which will be housed at the </span><a href="http://www.desmondgv.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Desmond Hotel & Conference Center</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Sounds like around 15 wineries and breweries will be offering samples of their product. You can purchase tickets by calling 610.249.2180 or clicking on </span><a href="http://www.desmondgv.com/tastelocal/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">this link</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Penns Woods has its tasting room in Chaddsford and its winery down near the Philly airport, in Eddystone. A member of the <a href="http://www.bvwinetrail.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Brandywine Valley Wine Trail</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;">,</span> the winery produces maybe a dozen and a half of largely dry reds and whites. Had a chance to sample (and savor) their wines twice, at a vintner's dinner before Christmas in 2008 and at Barrels on the Brandywine, a wine trail event that takes place annually every weekend in March. A few people that I respect, such as </span><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/restaurants/20080410_A_wow_of_a_Penna__wine.html"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Craig Laban</span> </span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">of the Philadelphia Inquirer and regional wine writer </span><a href="http://www.chaddsford.com/root/vintage/pdf/2009%20Roger%20Morris%20Article.pdf"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Roger Morris</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">, laud the work that owner and winemaker Gino Razzi done since he took over what used to be called the Smithbridge Winery in 2004.</span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-79450435800075302922010-01-21T19:24:00.000-08:002010-01-21T22:10:34.792-08:00Wine Excellence awards provides firsts for Chambourcin and Chaddford<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">I write about a number of wineries from the region that few people have heard about, either because they've just opened or don't get their product into the state store (in Pennsylvania) or into the hands of many merchants in Maryland.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">But that's not meant to downplay the continued great work of some of this region's standbys, one being <a href="http://www.chaddsford.com/root/home/index.htm"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Chaddsford</span></a> in southeastern Pennsylvania. Can't think of another regional winery that carries more weight as an innovator and is known in more corners of the world that wine drinkers occupy. And the winery's win Sunday in the annual judging by the Pennsylvania Wine Society serves as a reminder of where winemaker and co-owner Eric Miller has set the bar at a winery that will celebrate its 30th birthday in a couple of years.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Society president Paul Beesom said that there were several precendents this year: no </span><a href="http://wine.appellationamerica.com/grape-varietal/Chambourcin.html"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Chambourcin</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> had ever won before and Miller and Chaddsford had never won before. Those streaks are over, off the win of the fabulous 2007 vintage. Those who follow the progress of the local industry will recall that </span><a href="http://www.pinridge.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Pinnacle Ridge's</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> 2007 Chambourcin was the Farm Show's top winer in 2009.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">It took awhile, Beesom admitted, for Chambourcin to even be allowed into the competition.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">"I had mixed feelings and a lot of us had mixed feelings of whether to include Chambourcin," he said. "But the feeling was that it was so close to a vinifera species that it could almost be one and also that it was the one area that this state and this area could make its mark with. And it does very well here. So we agreed to include it."</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">The </span><a href="http://www.winesocietypa.org/default.aspx"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Society</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> has been around since 1987, but has only been judging PA wines for its Wine Excellence competition for eight years. Wineries are invited to submit their wines to the organization, which narrows the entries to a more workable number. This year, according to the </span><a href="http://www.pennsylvaniawine.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Pennsylvania Winery Association</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> Web site, there were </span><a href="http://www.pennsylvaniawine.com/Competition.aspx?id=278"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">11</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">, including two each from </span><a href="http://www.allegrowines.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Allegro</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">, </span><a href="http://www.manatawnycreekwinery.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Manatawny Creek</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> and NW Pennsylvania's </span><a href="http://www.piwine.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Presque Isle</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">And more and more, Beesom said, it has become a pleasureable experience. "They're getting better," he said of the state's wines and the ones in particular that wind up in the competition. "Better every year, and I say that after each event. I can honestly say that of the 11 wines that we [judged], every one of them could be on a fine-dining restraurant list."</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">That wasn't the case early, he added. There were two or three good ones, the rest a "little shaky. But they're just getting better. I think the winemakers are learning more as they go along on how to do things right in this area."</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">If you want to check out some comments on Chaddsford wine, here's a </span><a href="http://www.chaddsford.com/root/press/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">link to the Web site</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> where Lee Miller has assembled a collection of praise from magazines and bloggers alike. These include insight from some of the folks I follow regularly, including Delawareonline.com's </span><a href="http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100120016"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Roger Morris</span> </span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">(who also blogs under the heading of </span><a href="http://beentheretastedthat.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Been</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">There Tasted That</span></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">) and theother46.com's </span><a href="http://theother46.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Brian Kirby</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-15660873906960235662010-01-20T18:53:00.000-08:002010-01-20T19:21:35.632-08:00Manatawny news: Syrah, new Web site<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">So what's coming up this year at </span><a href="http://www.manatawnycreekwinery.com/TheWinery/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Manatawny Creek Winery</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"> in central Pennsylvania, which sits on the western flank of the group of wineries that make up the </span><a href="http://www.berkscountywinetrail.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Berks County Wine Trail.</span></a></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Owner and winemaker Joanne Levengood had a short list that included the first-ever release of a <a href="http://www.winepros.org/wine101/grape_profiles/syrah.htm"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Syrah</span></a>, using grapes grown in her vineyard and a few others around the county. It's another arrow in the quiver, so to speak, in her mission to get more of her customers to at least try dry reds. "I just think it's a nice drinking wine," she said. "It's got real nice black fruit to it, got some peppery, some black peppery spice characteristics, and we aged it in Pennsylvania oak, so it has a nice oak component to it."</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">One of a half-dozen premium reds, this one sells at $15.95, about what you'd expect to find at a majority of the wineries in the midstate. She also said she'd like to get rid of some of the fruit wines she sells and make use of the Muscat grape as a dessert wine. "I have a little Muscat in the tank right now and I don't quite know exactly what to do with it. That's the only other thing that I can think of that would be new [in 2010]. I do want to continue the Syrah program and all the dry and just keep trying to get people to drink more of them. I'd love to eliminate the sweeter stuff," she said, laughing, but that's a tough business decision with the palate of most of her customers leaning toward the semisweet and sweet wines.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">What's also new and fresh is the Manatawny Web site that includes a link to a unique description of sustainability in the vineyard.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">On the other hand, what never gets old at Manatawny and others on the Berks County trail are the free tastings. Levengood said that while a few of the wineries have started to charge, they're planning to continue to offer the entire lineup for free. Well, with one exception. "After the [trail's] chocolate event last February, I had a bunch of people complaining to me about how they had to wait forever [to get up to the bar and be served]. And that spurred our decision to ask people to keep their tastes to eight wines and stop. But, you know, that's kind of a little bit of a loose rule. We're trying to plan that wine and chocolate event in February again and we are going to cut everyone off at eight. And I'm hoping that will alleviate the problem and not have to force us to charge to taste. Just about everybody who walks through that door buys a bottle, so I don't really want to charge for tastes. It's just another headache to deal with."</span></span></span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-12086860509944595442010-01-20T18:38:00.000-08:002010-01-20T18:53:15.889-08:00Taste of Thailand on menu at Serpent Ridge<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Mentioned in a couple of posts about <a href="http://www.serpentridge.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Serpent Ridge Vineyard</span></a> in Maryland closing for a month. The Carroll County winery will reopen Saturday and also is taking reservations for a Taste of Thailand wine dinner from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 5.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Chaf Monique Washirapanya of <a href="http://www.colleges-usa.com/lecole/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">L'Ecole Culinaire School of Cooking</span></a> will handle the food end of the evening. Cost is $75/person plus tac. Here's a look at the menu, with the wine choice at the bottom of each course:</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I<br />Tom Ka Goong<br />(Shrimp Coconut Soup)<br />Seyval Blanc<br /><br />II<br />Taud Man Pla<br />(Fish Cakes)<br />Albarino<br /><br />III<br />Tam Taeng and Yam Nuea<br />(A duet of Northeast Cucumber Salad and Beef Salad)<br />Pino Grigio<br /><br />IV<br />Gaeng Ped Gai<br />(Red Curry Chicken)<br />Basilisk<br /><br />V<br />Glazed Pineapple with Coconut Ice Cream and Pound Cake with Chocolate<br />sauce<br />Vintner’s Cabernet</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"></span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-39274316134463988952010-01-19T04:48:00.000-08:002010-01-19T05:04:17.954-08:00Chaddsford wins Wine Society's top award<p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">The </span><a href="http://www.winesocietypa.org/default.aspx"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Pennsylvania Wine Society</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> selected </span><a href="http://www.chaddsford.com/root/home/index.htm"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Chaddsford Winery's</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> 2007 Chambourcin as the overall winner of the 2010 Excellence Award on Sunday at the Harrisburg Hilton.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">The other 10 involved in the competition included:</span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Chaddsford Pinot Noir 2007<br />Presque Isle Blaufrankish NV<br />Pinnacle Ridge Chambourcin 2008<br />Galen Glen Cabernet Franc 2007<br />Manatawny Creek Cabernet Franc 2007<br />Presque Isle Merlot 2007<br />Manatawny Creek Merlot 2007<br />Pinnacle Ridge Veritas 2007<br />Allegro Bridge 2007<br />Allegro Cadenza 2007</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></p>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-91489117751841863582010-01-17T13:38:00.000-08:002010-01-17T14:14:30.043-08:00Regional calendar offers classes, discounts<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Three events to put your your calendar involving regional wineries.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">1, The wineries of Pennsylvania's </span><a href="http://www.bvwinetrail.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Brandywine Valley Wine Trail</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> are offering a 10 percent discount on all their wines through the end of the month.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">2,</span><a href="http://fiorewinery.com/home.asp"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> <span style="color:#ff0000;">Fiore Winery</span></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> in Pylesville, Md., has two classes on pruning scheduled for a pair of Saturdays in February, the 6th and the 20th. Call 410.879.4007 for information and to register.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">3, </span><a href="http://www.adamscountywinery.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Adams County Winery</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> in Orrtanna, Pa., will hold wine appreciation classes on a pair of Saturday evenings (6 to 8) the next two months, one on Jan. 30 and the other on Feb. 20. The cost is $35 per person per class. Its next home winemaking class will be Sunday, Jan. 31, from 1 to 3 p.m. Cost is $25/person.</span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-46863130991274929812010-01-16T07:01:00.000-08:002010-01-16T07:39:04.398-08:00Serpent Ridge owners savor first year, start getting prepared for reopening Jan. 23<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_2SVXwdNGXILhMtHQIZa8VWnx44W42MdMBGOnhVFLQhkDdFTCj9XtkjlKRjpzMgeg6p2oSlHU6o-pYbfEVwz1LmMC9h4PDVHL_5FimQdhNwuOkQwwD_atcrfjATzKJJBVs0I93-PMAwq/s1600-h/Serpent+Ridge+123.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427361684164742770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_2SVXwdNGXILhMtHQIZa8VWnx44W42MdMBGOnhVFLQhkDdFTCj9XtkjlKRjpzMgeg6p2oSlHU6o-pYbfEVwz1LmMC9h4PDVHL_5FimQdhNwuOkQwwD_atcrfjATzKJJBVs0I93-PMAwq/s200/Serpent+Ridge+123.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Carroll County, Md., winery </span><a href="http://www.serpentridge.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Serpent Ridge</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> closed for holiday on Dec. 23, 2009, and will be closed one more week before reopening Jan. 23. Owner Greg Lambrecht said it's a good chance to get a lot done around the winery in a short four-week burst, although they might not repeat this exact scenario.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">"We may not do it next year; it may just be Christmas week we're closed," he said recently. Because we're small and because we still do everything by hand . . . we don't have have bottling line, we don't bring in a bottling line, everything is still done by hand. I think we can maintain that. We've upped our production by about 50 percent [to 1200 cases] this year and probably another 50 percent [in 2010] and then I'll have to consider where we are." With all that work, he continued, it just helps to have the unimpeded stretch of time to get things accomplished.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Lambrecht said he they're looking at bringing in someone else to work the tasting room and possibly an assistant to assist him with making the wine. And he said he thought that they would open on Fridays this year in addition to the weekends, maybe add a bit of Friday night entertainment. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Currenly they are producing six wines; he said they'd add a Pinot Grigio to the line this year, "one I've been holding back. It's actually from 2007. And we would like to do . . . I have a Vidal that I'm doing in more of a late-harvest style. We harvested it the second or third week of November, just before Thanksgiving. But it's going to be a small run. Testing the water with that one. My grower who is growing that; we're both kind of playing with a late-harvest style. I think it's going to be nice, but I think it will take some time before it's ready to go."</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Overall, once he and his wife Karen opened the place in April 2009, things went smoothly. Business, he said, was so good that [the wines] moved veyr quickly, where almost to the point by the end of the year we had to start limiting the sales of some just so I could extend my inventory."</span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">He laughed when asked what, in retrospect, they might have done differently leading up to opening.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">"I need a bigger building," he said. "The actual wine production building. Everybody always told me when we started preparing to do this at least five, six, seven years ago, they always said build things better than you think you need them. And I always said I know exactly what I need. And now I'm telling all the new winery committees [to] 'build it bigger.' You know, bigger overall, just everything. I wish in the beginning I wouldn't have spent the money on smaller tanks, I wish I would hav spent the money on bigger tanks to begin with. I wish I had built a bigger building. Bigger everything, because you are going to grow."</span> </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:#000000;"></span></div>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-87886825588335099162010-01-14T07:46:00.000-08:002010-01-14T08:02:58.325-08:00Briar Valley, Cherry Valley garner Best of Show awards at 2010 Farm Show judging<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Results are in from the 2010 Farm Show. Here's a list of the top winners off the state Wine & Wineries Web site, and a</span><a href="http://www.pennsylvaniawine.com/Competition.aspx?id=277"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> <span style="color:#ff0000;">link to the list</span></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> if you want to check out the wines receiving silver and bronze medals.</span><br /><br /><p><b><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Gold Medals and "Best ofs" </span></b></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>Best of Show- Grape, </b><b>Best Vinifera; Gold: </b></span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.briarvalleywinery.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Briar Valley Vineyards & Winery</span></a> -- 2008 Gewürztraminer</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Best of Show - Fruit:</strong> <a href="http://www.cherryvalleyvineyards.com/CVV/Home.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Cherry Valley Vineyard</span></a> -- 2009 Raspberry Wine </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Best Hybrid: </strong><a href="http://www.piwine.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Presque Isle Wine Cellars</span></a> -- 2008 Vignoles </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Best Dessert: </strong><a href="http://www.greendancewinery.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Greendance Winery</span></a> -- 2008 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Best Sparkling: </strong><a href="http://www.pinridge.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Pinnacle Ridge Winery</span></a> -- NV Blanc de Blanc </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Best American: </strong><a href="http://www.alleghenycellars.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Allegheny Cellars Winery</span></a> -- NV Big Bend Blush </span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><br /><br /></b><span style="color:#000000;"><b>Golds </b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Arrowhead Wine Cellars: Dry Riesling </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Arrowhead Wine Cellars: Vignoles </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Benignas Creek: 2007 Chambourcin </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Briar Valley Vineyards & Winery: 2008 Riesling </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Chaddsford Winery: 2007 Pinot Noir </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Clover Hill: Vignoles </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Franklin Hill: 2008 Apple </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Manatawny Creek Winery: 2007 Merlot </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Mazza Vineyards: 2009 Riesling </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Naylor Wine Cellars, Inc: Topaz </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Naylor Wine Cellars, Inc: Essence </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Nissley Vineyards: 2008 Chambourcin </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Nissley Vineyards: 2008 Fantasy </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Pinnacle Ridge Winery: 2007 Veritas </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Presque Isle Wine Cellars: 2008 Sauvignon Blanc </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Rose Bank Winery: 2008 Vidal Blanc </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Seven Mountains Wine Cellar: 2008 Traminette </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Vynecrest Winery: 2008 Cherry Divyne </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery: 2008 Baron Steigel Rose</span> </p>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-41072301290219294122010-01-14T07:21:00.000-08:002010-01-14T07:29:38.262-08:00Terrapin virtual tasting set up for Jan. 28<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">Couple of note from Terrapin Station Winery in Cecil County, Md., near Elkton. They have scheduled a wine dinner at</span><a href="http://www.restaurant-guide.com/agro-dolce.htm"><span style="color:#000000;"> </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">Agro Dolca</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> restaurant at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20. Cost is $55 per person. It's a five-course Prix Fixe menu paired with five wines from Terrapin Station. For details, go to the </span><a href="http://www.terrapinstationwinery.com/events/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Terrapin Web site</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Have written on several occasions about the plans for a virtual tasting, the first that I'm aware of in this region. It has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28. And I'll steal the remainder of the commentary from the winery's latest e-letter.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">"So what's a virtual wine tasting? Glad you asked!<br /><br />Since our fans are located all over the state, we decided to steal an idea that Morris experienced once to enable people to try wines and talk about them online. This is how it will work:<br /><br />1. You acquire the wine for the tasting at your local retail store so that you can taste along with the event. A complete listing of our stores can be found </span><a href="mhtml:%7B2B302139-5CD3-475C-94D3-F1E9314B0D88%7Dmid://00000044/!x-usc:http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102934886247&s=774&e=001CVypoGSs1p6FsUm1IO_PFRfhQceuVRvoKrum_kTHnU3DTGg2qV96svt3gF-UBWkWY7CtjGHO-fa8GiOhzUf9SxE6zN4CjAeo5sHU-hZsYCI5jjSdVk8IoW684eHbFazFZoRb559wAV2YkRJoQ7XKVwgmCxKb2T2X" shape="rect" target="_blank" linktype="link" track="on"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">. If your local store does not have the wine we plan to try, tell them to call us and we will make sure they have it for you. The wine we are tasting at this event will be our 2008 Cabernet Franc.<br /><br />2. Before the tasting visit </span><a href="mhtml:%7B2B302139-5CD3-475C-94D3-F1E9314B0D88%7Dmid://00000044/!x-usc:http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102934886247&s=774&e=001CVypoGSs1p7V9VCyXSr3l52sGUQid86sFk-ETAjkl7NHuBXhQRc5mRSTYcj2zgOrwAtiWPJdY15kosLY8NOcErF9TNtNYyWuLx_wEo0fThA=" shape="rect" target="_blank" linktype="link" track="on"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Talk Shoe</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">. While it is not strictly necessary to set up a login account, it does make your experience better.<br /><br />4. A few minutes before the show, login and join the show. During the show, we would taste and talk about a wine or wines while everyone online tried them along with us.<br /><br />5. During the show you could ask or post questions or comments. If you use a telephone connection you will actually be able to speak and ask questions when the mic is open. Otherwise, you can always type your questions.<br /><br />We ask in advance that you be patient as this is an experiment and frankly we'll be learning on the fly. A little genuine spontaneity isn't such a bad thing."</span> </span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-45174555459450371182010-01-14T07:12:00.000-08:002010-01-15T21:05:38.339-08:00Wine Society to judge Sunday in Harrisburg<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">The <a href="http://www.winesocietypa.org/future.aspx?XPage=b4cac234-bf3b-4588-b78d-1200274f6eda:SetFilter:FilterField1%3d%252540ID%26FilterValue1%3d79"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Wine Society of Central Pennsylvania</span> </a>will hold its annual judging of Pennsylvania wines starting at 2:55 p.m Sunday at the <a href="http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/MDTHHHF-Hilton-Harrisburg-Pennsylvania/index.do"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Harrisburg Hilton</span></a>. Cost is $35 per person for members and $45 for non-members. </span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Readers of this blog are familiar with Mark Chien and his insights into this state and its vineyards and wineries. Chien will be the guest speaker. Judges will pick a champion and runners-up from the following:</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Allegro Bridge 2007<br />Allegro Cadenza 2007<br />Chaddsford Chambourcin 2007<br />Chaddsford Pinot Noir 2007<br />Galen Glenn Cabernet Franc 2007<br />Manatawny Creek Cabernet Franc 2007<br />Manatawny Creek Merlot 2007<br />Pinnacle Ridge Merlot 2007<br />Pinnacle Ridge Veritas 2007<br />Presque Isle Blaufrankish NV<br />Presque Isle Merlot 2007</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-4805491322743707102010-01-13T17:42:00.000-08:002010-01-13T17:54:59.644-08:00Fiore Chambourcin is tonight's partner at dinner<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVQ3_s5w3Lc3Yt6DnV3zGsn1N0S08WVTBDe1WVVIx24qDqKl25JjR2tIfGfZglEq1tUHvEyxIYMzqGWHxtEhkJWmJ3o02TLTUaxmbQKHQpfpbkt6Gi_pz_HqSG25JYR0jh0iD_I_efwQG/s1600-h/Fioreswinery+009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426407861515726514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVQ3_s5w3Lc3Yt6DnV3zGsn1N0S08WVTBDe1WVVIx24qDqKl25JjR2tIfGfZglEq1tUHvEyxIYMzqGWHxtEhkJWmJ3o02TLTUaxmbQKHQpfpbkt6Gi_pz_HqSG25JYR0jh0iD_I_efwQG/s200/Fioreswinery+009.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Matched my favorite restaurant in York (</span><a href="http://w.mawebcenters.com/italian/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Pomodoro's</span>)</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> with wine I brought along from one of my favorite wineries: </span><a href="http://fiorewinery.com/wine.asp"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Fiore</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">,</span> in Pylesville, Harford County, Maryland. We had stopped there several months ago and among the bottles we brought home was a Proprietor's Reserve </span><a href="http://wine.appellationamerica.com/grape-varietal/Chambourcin.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Chambourcin</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. That was a 2005 vintage, selling for $16.99.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">My wife's tastes don't agree with most reds, especially the tannic brews that pucker you up. But this one was all fruit and went down easy, and she didn't even look around for a white on the table.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">You can see the tasting notes and the many awards this wine has won at </span><a href="http://fiorewinery.com/wine.asp?id=1"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">this link</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">. While I didn't quite eat the lamb or prime rib or veal that this wine is supposed to best complement, it went perfectly with my chicken cacciatore.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Overloaded with info to post over the next couple of days. Hope to catch up before my midwinter va-K ends.</span> </span></div>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-77031304656665713182010-01-12T06:04:00.000-08:002010-01-19T05:32:02.217-08:00Crossing Vineyards celebrating two accolades from recent Jefferson Cup competition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEY0hERQ3YL0bJRmjFpHa6pcdVNfKk7GS5_iPANG4GPbj3qHUFpbOUSWk3NHcqSl_FLWZ9gzOMMsCQ0maqKueKMYs4Pop9k20kCFxpDRithDjZx8xwOEMk-mxEOVPuQrmBSUayYEFua9DA/s1600-h/CrossingVineyards+043.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425934971205220130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEY0hERQ3YL0bJRmjFpHa6pcdVNfKk7GS5_iPANG4GPbj3qHUFpbOUSWk3NHcqSl_FLWZ9gzOMMsCQ0maqKueKMYs4Pop9k20kCFxpDRithDjZx8xwOEMk-mxEOVPuQrmBSUayYEFua9DA/s200/CrossingVineyards+043.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Two wines from </span><a href="http://www.crossingvineyards.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Crossing Vineyards and Winery</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> in Washington Crossing, Pa. have earned a Certificate of American Merit in the </span><a href="http://www.thejeffersoncup.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Jefferson Cup Invitational</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> in Kansas City, Mo., a designation the competition says is comparable to a silver medal.</span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Appreciate Rebecca Felten looping me in on the e-mail. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">The invitational event, now in its 10th year, pre-selects more than 600 wines from 23 states which it says, “exemplify viticulture and winemaking in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>.” The Jefferson Cup, held Nov. 19-20, 2009, does not award golds, silvers and other medals. Rather, according to competition organizers, “the invited wines have all proven their excellence in competitions and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>tastings throughout the last year. We believe and try to publicize our belief that these are wines that are extremely deserving of the nation’s attention.” </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Of the wines invited to compete for the Jefferson Cup award, some 350 received the “Certificate of American Merit.” One hundred and thirty two received medallions deeming them, “American Examples of Greatness,” and 78 of those were selected “Jefferson Cup honorees.” Fifteen received the Jefferson Cup award. </span></span><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Crossing Vineyards’ </span><a href="http://www.winepros.org/wine101/grape_profiles/cab-franc.htm"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Cabernet Franc</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> '06 -- its most decorated wine from the 2006 vintage -- and its newly released estate-grown and bottled Vidal Blanc 2008 received the Certificate of American Merit. The recent honors bring to 84 the number of awards the winery has earned since it opened six years ago on a 200-year-old estate in <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Bucks</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">County. </st1:placetype></st1:place></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">-</st1:placetype></st1:place></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"></st1:placetype></st1:place></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"></st1:placetype></st1:place></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">"</st1:placetype></st1:place></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This is Crossing Vineyards' first Invitational Competition, and we are very proud to have received Certificates of American Merit for two of our wines,” said Crossing co-owner and vintner Tom Carroll Jr. “The Cabernet Franc has been a winner many times over, and that's always a thrill. But the </span><a href="http://wine.appellationamerica.com/grape-varietal/Vidal-Blanc.html"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Vidal Blanc</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> is newly released and is an estate wine: grown, produced and bottled at Crossing Vineyards. Now that's exciting!"</span></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">-</p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Head of marketing and PR Chris Carroll noted by e-mail a few days after this initial posting that she had sent organizers a group of wines last spring and they requested that five be entered in the competition. She wrote: "</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">The invitation to submit is equivalent to a bronze medal: Viognier 2007, Riesling 2008, Vidal Blanc 2008, Cabernet Franc 2006 and Merlot 2006. We have won multiple awards for all of these wines.</span> </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">-</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">"As for the fruit source of the [2006] Franc," she continued, responding to a question, "as you can see on the label, there is no single vineyard designation; we buy fruit from several growers and we actually Franc on our property; this wine is a combination of all of those."</span></p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">-<br /></span></p><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">Asked what the reaction is usually like to the announcement of an award, she said there's generally a flurry of activity for awhile afterward. "S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;">ometimes, as with the Chardonnay 05 [World's Best-Starwine 2006] we sell out almost immediately [good and bad news!],' she wrote. </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">-</span><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">Judges</span><span style="color:#000000;"> in this year’s competition included: Glen Bardgett, a St. Louis restaurateur and a founder of the Missouri State Fair judging; Wayne Belding MS, past chairman of the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Boulder, Col. wine merchant; Laura dePasquale MS, one of the world’s few female Master Sommeliers; Bob Foster, writer, The California Grapevine; Frost; Patty Held-Uthlaut, former proprietor of Stone Hill Winery and a lifelong Missouri wine veteran; Robert Noecker, a midwestern wholesaler and 30-year veteran of the wine industry; Jeff Miller, a Kansas distributor with 25 years<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>of experience; and Joyce Angelos, a Missouri wholesaler and industry veteran of 25 years.</span></span></span></p>-<br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">It's an acknowledgement, wrote Chris Carroll, of the strides that American wines and their winery in particular have made. "This Jefferson Cup is a quality competition," she said. "It is all American wines. The win means more to us than just another medal. It is a statement about America earning its place in the world of wine and about the various regions developing their unique styles and identities. Americans is still a very young country when it comes to making wine. It is an exciting time to be involved in this industry.<br />-<br />"For a 9-year-old winery to receive two "Certificates of American Merit" for their wines [one which is 100% estate fruit-Vidal] is pretty remarkable."</span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-85455032275596583922010-01-11T13:12:00.000-08:002010-01-11T13:54:51.206-08:00Off and running in 2010 . . . chilling at Woodhall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5w7B8je1PMIPbQfRba-1M6kufMFuo5WDy_XXTH4eXgCW699YZY9Ha2SGXFLE9ganWygzQxLV53Lak4Wa7mCWXJMJVSCw1V1AYE8Qu5I6eQrT-y6bTmKVqFISsXmjZrDd5yAnsMOHwHqw/s1600-h/IMG_1334.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425599935886985202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5w7B8je1PMIPbQfRba-1M6kufMFuo5WDy_XXTH4eXgCW699YZY9Ha2SGXFLE9ganWygzQxLV53Lak4Wa7mCWXJMJVSCw1V1AYE8Qu5I6eQrT-y6bTmKVqFISsXmjZrDd5yAnsMOHwHqw/s200/IMG_1334.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Sorry about the delay in posting. Blame it on the holiday, on work, on getting out of the routine. So, with the Farm Show under way it's time to roll this out daily again, with plans to add social media to the mix as this year ages.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Would prefer to start where this all started, down at <a href="http://www.woodhallwinecellars.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Woodhall Wine Cellars</span></a> in Parkton, Md., on Sunday, where several dozen visitors gathering to watch the Ravens in the tasting room. Others paraded through on the second part of a weekend library tasting, a rare commodity in this region. An annual event at Woodhall, the winery has blocked off a couple hours on a Saturday and Sunday in December and allowed case club members to saunter down the path to the winery and storage building, essentially down into the cellar. This year it was the second weekend in January, where they served a few wines with virtually no inventory (including a 1994 Vidal) and another dozen where the winery had perhaps a case or several left. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">They went as far back as a 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon, a 1993 Meritage and that Vidal that I mentioned. You probably don't want to keep your whites more than several years, but there are always exceptions. One was a 2001 Chardonnay they produced for <a href="http://www.corksrestaurant.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Corks Restaurant</span></a> in Baltimore. It still tasted good several years ago when I had bought a half case, and little had changed in the last couple of bottles remaining that were pulled out on Sunday. Same with the Vidal, which still held up its end even thought it's 16 years old. Took home two of the last five bottles left in storage, and we'll wait for a suitable occasion this year to open them.<br /></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">-</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Winemaker Chris Kent and former co-owner Al Kopp served as the guides at the tasting. Kopp noted that they would always put a case aside of every wine they would produce. But these tastings over the last few years have pretty much wiped out the cellar, so there's a good chance several years could pass before the next one. Not sure why some of the older wineries do not hold a similar tasting; but it's a question I want to ask as I catch up to the proprietors of wineries in Pennsylvania and Maryland that are 15 years or older. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">-</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Most of the bottles at Woodhall sold in the mid-teens up to 20 dollars; several of the Copernica Reserve Cabs (2002, 2005) were selling for $30. The most expensive was a Jubilee Reserve Merlot from 2007, acknowledged as a best vintage of the decade. That was going for $35.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">-</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">This event done, the winery prepares for its annual wine and soup pairing starting next weekend and continuing into February. This has become a staple event there, as has the Valentine's chocolates and barrel tasting that will commence Feb. 13 and likely continue into March.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><br /><div></div>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-65477149110996344162009-12-31T19:51:00.000-08:002009-12-31T19:53:00.304-08:00A toast to 2010<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Happy New Year, all. Will get at it again in the new year.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Paul</span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-61013652252259974752009-12-21T06:04:00.000-08:002009-12-21T06:16:44.092-08:00Waltz extends its hours over next two weeks<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Expect to start to see various wineries extending their hours, partly because of the business lost during this weekend and partly because of the proximity to the holidays.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Saw </span><a href="http://www.waltzvineyards.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Waltz Vineyards</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> in Manheim, Pa., did a shout-out overnight via e-mail to its customers on the extra hours it plans to be open the next two weeks. The schedule includes 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday of this weekend and next week, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Closed obviously on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.</span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-36144521405385903852009-12-19T13:48:00.000-08:002009-12-19T15:37:14.305-08:00Jeferies unique but not alone in terms of regional eateries wanting to serve regional wines<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Had no luck Friday finding out when </span><a href="http://www.johnjjeffries.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">John J. Jeffries Restaurant</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> in Lancaster, Pa., is scheduling its next food and wine pairing dinner. But there's no question that the restaurant located in the Lancaster Arts Hotel will be having more, featuring foodstuffs from local providers and regional wineries such as </span><a href="http://www.chaddsford.com/root/home/index.htm"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Chaddsford</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> and </span><a href="http://www.pinridge.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Pinnacle Ridge</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">. The pairings are a bargain, featuring multiple courses matched up with either local wines or beers at an agreeable cost. And someone from the featured winery or brewery will be represented to offer insight into how each wine was made.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">This all leads into a subject the Pennsylvania Winery Association president Sam Landis and I had several months ago about the difficulty regional wineries have had getting their product into area restaurants. Indeed, he mentioned some local research that was being completed on the subject, something I need to try and obtain.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Landis noted that the PWA (and he could just as well had been talking about the winery run by his folks, </span><a href="http://www.vynecrest.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Vyncrest Vineyards & Winery</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> in Breinigsville, Pa.,) has put that initiative on hold for certainly the near term. Some eateries, such as Jeffries, don't need to be sold on carrying local wines. But those are the exceptions rather than the rule. Landis called it an uphill battle. "The</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> only restaurants we've had success with are the ones that have actually solicited us and wanted to have a local presence," he said. "But to go the other directions, to try and convince restaurants to carry your wine espeically now with the economy. They're going to pick 7 or 8 dollar bottles of wine and sell them for 30 [dollars]. and they're going to go for name recognation. It's something we've consciously put on the back burner here. If it happens, it happens."</span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Chaddsford has probably had more success than any other winery in the region in placing its wines in local eateries. Co-owner Lee Miller said in a recent phone conversation that they have in a sense gotten out of the business of trying to push their wines into restaurants.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">She said during the time period when they were focused on that aspect of their business, they "hired a sales manager and several salesmen, we put them out on the road and . . . knocked down doors and they sold a lot of wine. But the problem for us was that it was very expensive to have four people on the payroll, with cars and expense accounts, since they are traveling all over<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>selling wines. And then the second part, there's such turnover. Restaurants change constantly. The managers change, the sommeliers change, the beverage manager changes and we found that we were placing things and then two months later they'd change and they'd want something different."</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Plus they would require plenty of support such as printing menus and providing small wine glasses and training the wait staff. In other words, lots of promotional materials. "It was a very expensive proposition," she said, "and on a business level, we said, you know what, this isn't getting us anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> W</span>e have hundreds of thousands of dollars in staffing costs and we dont have that much wine and we're running out of things ,so we just decided we weren't going to pursue it on that level. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">"It's not that we weren't successful at it. If you do it right, and this is what these other wineries don't realize, you have to do it RIGHT. Big wineries have staffs and they go out and sell. When you're a one-man show . . . you can't expect to do it, because that's a service industry, so you've got to be out there every week, and most wineries right now don't have the staff to do it. If you have it, you know, we were very successful at doing it. We had every restaurant in Philadelphia using our wines, but they have come to expect because most restaurants buy from wholesalers who have a staff who is out there every week because those salespeople are living on commission. So they're in there, they're taking samples, they're having dinner, they're talking, they're sitting at the bar, and most small wineries don't have the have the staff to do that."</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Instead, she said, they're quite content to work with restaurants such as Jeffries and nearby </span><a href="http://www.brandywineprime.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Brandywine Prime</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> and the </span><a href="http://www.whitedog.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">White Dog</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> in Philly that WANT their product. "And they come to you and they say, 'I really want to use local products,' and then you work out a program with them. And w</span></o:p><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">e're happier to do that, because Eric and I can do that. So right now we're concentrating on people who want the wine, who want to work with us, who know that we're different . . . we decided we like it better that way. So I'm not disappointed. I think there are a lot of restaurants that are realizing that local is good and that are adding some local wines to their menus. But right now we have maybe 50 wine accounts where at one time we used to have 400 all across the state."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></o:p></p>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-75397706962577775192009-12-19T13:36:00.000-08:002009-12-19T13:48:34.991-08:00Crossing Vineyards list two Riedel workshops, wine and chocolate pairing<span style="font-size:12;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.crossingvineyards.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Crossing Vineyards & Winery</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> in Washington Crossing, Pa., will toast the holidays with a tasting workshop Dec. 27 (and Jan. 24), featuring four of its premium wines served in Riedel Crystal specifically designed for each varietal. It also will offer a wine and chocolate pairing workshop Jan. 3. Included below some specifics, and you can learn more about other Crossing events and its wines at </span><a href="http://www.crossingvineyards.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">this link</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">.</span> </span></span><br /><b><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:12;" ></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, and Jan. 24, 2010<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></b><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:12;" >Riedel Crystal Wine-Tasting Workshop</span></b>, In 90-minute class, sample premium wines in Riedel Vinum glasses, analyzing taste difference using various shapes and sizes of stemware. 2 p.m. starting time both days. Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:address st="on"><st1:street st="on">Wrightstown Road</st1:street>, <st1:city st="on">Washington</st1:city></st1:address> Crossing, PA. Cost: $99, includes Riedel sampling kit with four glasses. Anyone purchasing Riedel stemware will receive 50 percent off a second item. Information and reservations: 215-493-6500, ext. 19 or </span></span></span><a href="mhtml:%7B2B302139-5CD3-475C-94D3-F1E9314B0D88%7Dmid://00000055/!x-usc:http://www.crossingvineyards.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">www.crossingvineyards.com</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:12;" ></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">Sunday, Jan. 3<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></b> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:12;" >How Sweet It Is: Pairing Wine & Chocolate, </span></b>Tips on enjoying wine and chocolate together, presented by Eric Cavatore, sommelier at Crossing Vineyards and Winery; 2 p.m., Jan. 3, Crossing Vineyards and Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, Pa. Cost: $35, includes samples, learning materials and the Lindt Chocolate bar of the participant’s choice. Information and reservations: 215-493-6500, ext. 19 or </span></span></span><a href="http://www.crossingvineyards.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">www.crossingvineyards.com</span></a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#000000;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-3806048757316896702009-12-19T13:07:00.000-08:002009-12-19T13:36:09.394-08:00Call ahead before you made any winery visits throughout the region this weekend<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Based on my conversations with some wineries around the region, if you can get out and are tending to visit one later this afternoon or tomorrow, call ahead. Some never opened, others opened and then closed early. Saw where Fiore Winery in Pylesville, Md., closed on what was its Customer Appreciation Weekend and wasn't exactly sure if it would reopen on Sunday. Check the </span><a href="http://fiorewinery.com/home.asp"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Web site</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">.</span> Once it does reopen, it will extend its 21 percent off sale through Christmas Eve. The winery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.</span></span></span></p>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-52800707221004007642009-12-18T10:55:00.000-08:002009-12-18T11:14:05.378-08:00Fiore's Customer Appreciation Weekend still a go<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa-gaou6Ijahrh3KJs6TwB427G9VNpMEA5Ly6uzuT9gLal3YkcwAQwWJeeA6bgVE8BvpXxGp7w4S40cgpZTxMrWaqE2h5zbJhUo1213Nm-DhEWMmLW7AhPf7mURuc5BGA-g6C1eRj_LZp/s1600-h/Fioreswinery+009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416656292733566434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa-gaou6Ijahrh3KJs6TwB427G9VNpMEA5Ly6uzuT9gLal3YkcwAQwWJeeA6bgVE8BvpXxGp7w4S40cgpZTxMrWaqE2h5zbJhUo1213Nm-DhEWMmLW7AhPf7mURuc5BGA-g6C1eRj_LZp/s200/Fioreswinery+009.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Customer Appreciation Weekend is still on at <a href="http://fiorewinery.com/home.asp"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Fiore Winery</span></a> in Pylesville, Md. Just got off the phone with them, one of a number of calls they're received today about the event, which is scheduled to run Saturday and Sunday.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Should the predicted storm for the winery to close, then expect to find that information on the winery Web site and on its Facebook page. Also expect Fiore, as well as many of the other regional wineries, to probably extend their sales past the present deadlines.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Admission to Fiore is free, where the winery will serve light refreshments and Rose Fiore's fresh-baked Italian cookies. All cases of Fiore wine, solid or mixed, will be 21 percent off . The winery will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 on Sunday.</span></div><br /><div></div>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-54792889182587765362009-12-18T10:28:00.000-08:002009-12-18T10:54:06.993-08:00Lehigh Valley wineries list invididual schedules<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Been AWOL for a week trying to stay afloat with my other job, so I apologize. Most obvious subject heading into this final weekend before Christmas is the bad timing of this prdicted snowsotrm for wineries trying to unload product and gifts before the holiday. </span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">With that in mind, let me post a couple of e-letter that I received about activities at several wineries over the next week or so.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Courtesy of PR ace Courtney Romain, here's the listings of what the wineries on the <a href="http://www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Lehigh Valley Wine Trail</span> </a>in eastern Pennsylvania have planned.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>Amoré Vineyards: </b>The warmed Spiced Apple is always a special holiday treat. A cinnamon stick makes it even more festive. The brave and bold enjoy it with apple pie. Open daily until Christmas. </span></span></span></span><li><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>Blue Mountain Vineyards </b>is offering a new release of its Sparkling Peach ($19.50). It is a semi-sweet sparkling wine produced with succulent peaches and alive with sparkling bubbles. Blue Mountain also offers an Adopt a Vine Program for that wine lover who has everything on your gift list. Purchase a vine and receive a certificate explaining the program to present to the recipient. The first year they receive a plaque to be placed on their vine and for five years thereafter they will receive a specially labeled bottle of wine for the varietals you have chosen. The winery will be open Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. </span></span></span></span><li><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery:</b> Share the grape of the Lehigh Valley, Chambourcin, with friends and family this holiday season. Clover Hill makes two styles of Chambourcin: 2008 Chambourcin ($14.99) is a dry, oak-aged medium body red with rich, luscious berry flavors and a warm toasty oak. The Turtle Rock Red is a lighter, fruiter version of the Chambourcin made in stainless steel tanks with just a hint of residual sugar. Celebrate the holidays with local flavor! Open Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. </span></span></span></span><li><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery:</b> The winery suggests custom labeled wines as a great gift; an extensive collection of artwork with your personalized message for a flat fee of $10, plus cost of the wine. Minimum order is a case (12 bottles). Through January 3, 2010, Galen Glen will be open Sunday through Friday noon -5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Also open Christmas Eve 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Closed: Christmas Day and New Years Day. </span></span></span></span><li><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>Pinnacle Ridge</b> offers great gift baskets for holiday giving. Choose your wine, wine accessories and gourmet foods and create your own special gift for that special someone. The winery is open Sunday through Friday (except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) from noon- 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Open until 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve for those last minute wine and gift purchases! </span></span></span></span><li><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery’s </b>Spiced Winter Red ($9.99 a bottle), a seasonal holiday wine, is reminiscent of a German Gluwein, which can be served warm with Christmas cookies or fruitcake. Spiced Winter Red is available in a three pack, specially priced for December at $25.00. Starting Thursday, December 17, the winery is open every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Christmas Eve (open 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.). Closed Christmas Day, then open December 26 - 29, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., December 31 open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.<br /></span></span></span></span></li></ul>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-36769122409173765332009-12-11T14:24:00.001-08:002009-12-11T14:45:51.615-08:00Basignani holiday open house Saturday/Sunday; among a number being held around the region<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">Safe to say that wineries across the region want one thing this weekend, and that's good weather for their holiday open houses. Some, such as </span><a href="http://www.basignani.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Basignani Winery</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> in Sparks, Md., held their first of two weekends last Saturday and Sunday and spent a lot of time, well, maybe sipping their own wine as the snow fell outside their windows. Lynne Basignani said by phone a few minutes ago that all they want are some crowds this weekend after the weather kept a lot of people indoors last weekend.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">Basignani will hold Part 2 of its annual open house from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $8 per person, which covers a tasting glass that visitors can take with them, wine tastings and food such as bread, cheeses and Christmas cookies. Lynne said they served hot mulled wine last weekend made out of Marisa, what the winery terms its version of a Beaujolais with a little more structure. The fruity mix includes a blend of </span><a href="http://wine.appellationamerica.com/grape-varietal/Marechal-Foch.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Foch,</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> </span><a href="http://wine.appellationamerica.com/grape-varietal/Chambourcin.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Chambourcin</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> and Chancellor grapes.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">At least give Piccolo, the winery's newest offering, a try. Tasted it after harvesting in October and really liked it. The red table wine pairs equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and sells for $11.99/bottle. Works superbly with any kind of pasta or a beef or steak dish.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-87441596488272857622009-12-10T20:02:00.000-08:002009-12-10T22:14:30.339-08:00Sand Castle opens TASTE, unveils 2 new wines<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Two recent wine releases and a new store have the folks at<span style="color:#ff0000;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.sandcastlewinery.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Sand Castle Winery</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> in Erwinna, Pa., buzzing. A suburban Philly winery that's a member of the Bucks County Wine Trail, it recently came out with a 2006 Pinot Noir and a 2004 Chardonnay Classic. About the Pinot Noir, general sales manager Peter Ricci said was tasting "very good, good fruit, with raspberry flavors to it. Pinot Noir is hot, that's just a given in the marketplace." It's selling for $30/bottle.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">The 2004 Chard hardly sounds like a new release, but it emerges from three years aging in French oak. "It has really nice flavors of vanilla and almonds and caramel. You really pick up the French oak in the wine," Ricci said. That's available at $17/bottle. Three years in a barrel is probably as long as any winery in the region ages its Chard.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Ricci said the winery's new retail store, called TASTE, is located in a former Starbucks shop at the </span><a href="http://www.shopvalleysquare.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Valley Square Shopping Center</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">, 711 Easton Road, in Warrington, Pa. You can purchase wine there, but that's just part of what Ricci called selling a gourmet experience that includes wine-related gift items, a coffee bar, a wine bar, an imported olive oil and balsamic vinegar bar, gourmet cheeses and gourmet foods. Samples are scattered throughout the shop, giving customers a chance to try things before they purchase them. Hence, the name of the shop. The hours at TASTE are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. </span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">This isn't the winery's first attempt at an off-site retail outlet. Last year it tried a kiosk at a mall in Lower Bucks County that Ricci said "worked reasonably well" for awhile. The economy took some of the initial burst away, and so did the mall insisting that the kiosk be opened when the mall was. During the holiday season, that could mean as early as sunrise. "Well, how many people are going to buy wine at 6 o'clock in the morning?" Ricci asked. "We didn't lose money last year, but it just simply wasn't worth all the time and effort we had to put into it."</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-48003735129055509382009-12-09T19:09:00.000-08:002009-12-09T20:11:44.905-08:00Looking for a wine job? You could start by attending Thursday class at Philly's Wine School<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">So many people these days are making decisions about their lives and careers, whether out of necessity or simply out of unhappiness or fear about what the future holds. This morning at the Harrisburg-Patriot News we talked about covering a midday job fair at the Giant Center in Hershey, which turned out drawing around 500.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Within that context was the blurb I saw on the holiday e-letter from the <a href="http://www.vinology.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Wine School of Philadelphia</span></a>, 2006 Fairmount Ave., which I've blogged about in the past and have its Web site linked to my blog. School founder Keith Wallace wrote about a one-hour talk and wine tasting he's planning tomorrow (Thursday, Dec. 10) on how to get into the wine industry. Cost for a workshop that Wallace has entitled Becoming the Next <a href="http://www.erobertparker.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Robert Parker</span></a> is $18, primarily to cover the expenses for the wine.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Wallace said this idea is an extension of the one-on-one discussions he's already having with his students at the nine-year-old school, helping them not only decide what they want to do but finding the route to get there. He said a number of those students have gone on to successful career as either a winemaker or the owner of a company that has a connection to wine. "You're not going to make great money," he said, "but you can have a decent living and actually be able to enjoy life and be your own boss. And in this economy, why not do what you love?" So, he continued, he'll talk on Thursday about how to scout out these potential jobs and find a niche.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">And those opportunities to make money do exist, he noted, although at one point breaking into a laugh and noting "not in wine education, by the way. Most of the money I make comes from a lot of the other things I do on the side." He noted that while the wine industry as a whole is hugely regulated, "it's like the Wild West. It's highly regulated, but state by state there are no clear dominant leaders, except in distribution, but it's a place . . . that you can really start something and ramp up very quickly, to the point of actually becoming a national figure, or at least a regional figure and turning that into a company."</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Showtime is 6 p.m. Thursday at the school, which offers an A to Z of classes from 101s to more specialized education experiences such as Napa Valley & Beyond and Winter Cooking and Wine Class. Even saw a special wine and food arrangement that Wallace is cooking up with Luca Garutti, the chef at nearby <a href="http://www.locafairmount.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">L'Oca Bistro</span></a>. That four-course dinner and Italian wine class is on the calendar for Wednesday, Jan. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $52 per person, taxes and tip not included.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5598161403112216869.post-4967700645951009002009-12-06T16:13:00.000-08:002009-12-09T20:12:07.515-08:00Kreutz Creek unveils 'best ever' Holiday Wassail<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Missed the chance to pull several items off the e-letter for <a href="http://www.kreutzcreekvineyards.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Kreutz Creek Vineyards</span></a> in West Grove, Pa., before the start of the weekend. Still, several things apply through the end of the year.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Owner Jim Kirkpatrick noted that "another year comes to an end but before we look toward 2010, we still have a full month of events for 2009. We just released our new Holiday Wassail and it's the best one I've ever made. I fermented pumpkin and apples in the Niagara and added spices like cinnamon and cloves. We serve it warm in a crock pot but it's delicious served chilled as well. Stop by for a sample and check out our holiday decorations. Read on to see what's happening in both West Chester and the winery in West Grove for the rest of 2009."</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Kirkpatrick wrote that the winery will hold its Holiday Wine Sale through the month: 10 percent off bottles and 20 percent off cases of 12. The winery is planning to be open the weekend after Christmas, Dec. 26-27 and the weekend after New Year's on Jan. 2-3.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">As for its tasting room in West Chester, here's the entertainment schedule for the rest of the month:</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Friday, 12/11 – The Al Moretti Jazz Duo<br />Saturday, 12/12 – Jazz by Aniya</strong><br /><b>Friday, 12/18 – Latin Guitar by Brad Rau</b><br /><b>Saturday, 12/19 – Jazz and Swing by Swing Set</b><br /><b>Friday, 12/25 – Closed</b><br /><b>Saturday, 12/26 – Jazz Vocals by Unstuck in Time</b><br /><br />The BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) facility will be closed Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25 and Thursday and Friday, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span>The Wine Novicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08934800681281858007noreply@blogger.com0