Florida in news for more than spring training

Again, here are two items off this week's e-letter from the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and director Jim Trezise. He reports on how his state's wines performaned in a competition in Florida and then spends a bit of time offering his views of Florida wines.


NEW YORK GOLD was mined in the Sunshine State last week at the super Florida State Fair International Wine Competition, where New York wineries came home with 186 medals including 6 Double Gold, 26 Gold, 73 Silver and 81 Bronze awards. Topping the list was the Casa Larga 2006 Fiori Vidal Ice Wine which won “Best Dessert Wine” of the competition, with other Double Golds going to Arbor Hill Rhine Street Red, Dr. Konstantin Frank 2007 Semi-Dry Riesling, Imagine More Passion Ice Wine, Swedish Hill 2007 Dry Riesling and Svenska Blush. Gold medals went to Atwater 2007 Vidal Blanc, Chateau Frank 2002 Brut, Cobblestone 2007 Cherry, Dr. Frank 2007 Gewurztraminer, Fox Run Sable, Fulkerson Red Zeppelin and Airship White, Goose Watch Renaissance Red, Hazlitt White Stag, Heron Hill 2007 Semi-Sweet Riesling and 2007 Late Harvest Vidal, Hosmer 2007 Dry Riesling and 2007 Pinot Gris, Keuka Spring 2007 Lemberger, Lakewood 2007 Gewurztraminer and 2007 Dry Riesling, Peconic Bay 2005 La Barrique Chardonnay, Penguin Bay Tuxedo Red and 2007 Rosé of Chambourcin and Percussion, Swedish Hill Natural and Spumante Blush and 2007 Cayuga White and Blue Waters Chardonnay, Torrey Ridge Blue Sapphire and Diamond. In this competition with 1,382 entries, New York wines won 3 out of the 5 Gold medals in the sparkling wine category; the only Gold in the Lemberger category; 1 of 2 Golds in the unoaked Chardonnay category; both Golds in the Dry Gewurztraminer category; all 3 Golds in the Dry Riesling category; the only two Golds in the White Hybrid Blends category; 2 of 4 Golds in the Red Native American Blends category; the only Gold in the Native American Blush/Rosé category; the only Gold in the Stone Fruits category; and the only 2 Double Golds in the Ice Wine category. This clear quality throughout many different varietals and categories, combined with the broad diversity of New York wines, is a major strong suit for the industry.

DR. KONSTANTIN FRANK 2007 Gewurztraminer Reserve won Best New York White and Best Overall White on the national level at the recent Beverage Testing Institute Wine Competition, along with three other Gold medals for 2007 Gewurztraminer, 2007 Dry Riesling and 2007 Semi-Dry Riesling, which also earned a Best Buy Award. All four wines rated 90 points or higher with the Gewürztraminer Reserve taking the highest score of 93 points. The vintage Gewurztraminer secured 90 points and the two Rieslings each got 91 points. Standing Stone Vineyardsalso got racked up some impressive scores from BTI for its 2007 Vidal Ice Wine (93), 2006 Cailloux (91), and 2007 Cabernet Franc (91). Wine & Spirits magazine gave a 93 to Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2007 Homestead Reserve Riesling; and Wine Spectator a 90 to Wagner Vineyards 2007 Riesling Ice Wine.

FLORIDA WINES are lots of fun, just like the people who make them. After last week’s competition I met with representatives of the state’s Viticulture Advisory Council and Agriculture Department to discuss organizational structure, program development, and regional branding (they have a decent-sized annual budget based on a portion of the wine excise tax). There are now 16 wineries spread around the state, and the meeting was at Florida Orange Groves Winery in St. Petersburg with its copyrighted slogan “Finally, Wines that Taste Good”. Its selection of over 30 different tropical, citrus and berry wines include sparkling wines made from grapefruit, tangerine, mango and blueberry, complemented by table wines made with banana, passion fruit, pineapple, kiwi, key lime and tomato, capped by the best-selling Hurricane Class 5 White Sangria blend which has won Double Gold medals in Florida and Indiana (and deservedly so—it’s real good!). There’s even a Finger Lakes transplant in the industry, Peter Schnebly of Schnebly Redland’s Winery in Homestead south of Miami, who is making an avocado wine to add variety to his carambola (star fruit), guava, lychee, and other varietals. And yes, there are even some grape wines—muscadine varieties like Carlos and Noble—which have unique aroma and taste characteristics, along with high levels of healthful resveratrol due to the humid growing conditions. Muscadine, like the labrusca varieties in New York and other eastern states, are very different from Vinifera wines, particularly in terms of a more pronounced aroma (flowery for muscadine, fruity for labrusca), so you need to shed your prejudices to appreciate them. Like wines of all types, it really comes down to balance: the interplay of sugar and acid, and the varietal character of the grape. For more information, go to www.fgga.org.

Price dropped on Seven Valleys winery

Several photos of the property, courtesy of Prudential Bob Yost Homesale Services.

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There's still at least one winery for sale in the region. Carolyn Schoettler, of Prudential Bob Yost Homesale Services in Shrewsbury, Pa, said the price on Seven Valleys Winery has been dropped to $2.3 million. When we had talked last fall, the asking price was $3 million.

Schoettler said she soon will post it back up on VineSmart.com, a listing of wineries internationally that are for sale, all the while having at least one interested party. "They are currently trying to find some investors to back them up for the down payment," she wrote in an e-mail. "I will be placing the vineyard back on vinesmart.com sometime next week. Currently I receive about 2-3 calls per week, inquiring about the property. Most clients are interested in a smaller piece of land or the price is slightly higher than what they can afford. Now, with the owners currently offering partial owner financing and the reduction of $700,000, we have started to see some more interest."

You can find more information on the property at this listing. Grapes were first planted at Seven Valleys in 1976 and the winery opened in 1990. A member of the UncorkYork trail, it will continue to be part of the Tour de Tanks that starts Feb. 28 and continues every weekend in March. It currently produces 15 wines.

Director laments lack of wines in NY eateries

This, from Jim Trezise, director of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, in this week's e-letter. It's a complaint I hear from a number of winery proprietors in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Instead they'll carry a list that include a mix primarily from Europe and the West Coast. Not that they aren't feeling th economic pinch out there. Daniel Donohue, of TEIRA Wines in Sonoma County, Calif., worte in an e-mail that "everyone has inventory piled high in the warehouses because of the meltdown and a much slower holiday season. It’s not pretty. Everyone is working harder and selling less – and on the road doing so!"

Anyway, here's Trezise's rant:

WHY DON’T NEW YORK RESTAURANTS FEATURE MORE NEW YORK WINES? Frankly, it’s pitiful, as I witnessed in a fine seafood restaurant this week in our state capitol of Albany. The menu is great, as is the wine list, with one exception: there is NOT ONE New York wine on it, despite the compatibility of many of our wines with the menu. So after ordering a glass of superb Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling from Washington, I asked to speak to the manager and gave her my business card. I asked: Is it a matter of quality? No, she said, New York wines these days are great, and have improved tremendously. Price? No, many are within the price range we serve. Promotion? No, we always participate in your “New York Wine Month” promotion, and we don’t know of promotions by other states or countries that drive customers to our door like that. (Note: I ate at this same restaurant in October, and they did in fact feature New York wines at that time.) Recommendations? No, the New York State Restaurant Association strongly encourages our participation in the promotion, and to feature New York wines beyond that. Wine Magazine Ratings? No, in a restaurant setting they don’t matter. So what drives your decision to buy, and to have ZERO New York wines on an extensive wine list in our state capitol? Wholesalers, she said. They’re the ones who come in with the specials and offer to print up our lists. It makes my life easier. So there your have it—New York businesses and New York jobs losing out because it makes someone’s life easier. I told her we (NYWGF) work with several good and supportive wholesalers—Elmira, Empire North, Opici, and Southern—who do a great job recruiting retailers and restaurants for New York Wine Month, and asked if she would consider adding New York wines if they called on her. She said yes. Meanwhile, every time I’m in Albany (which right now is more than I want), I’ll to go that restaurant and ask for the wine list before they seat me. If there are no New York wines, I’ll go someplace else and let the manager know why. I’m a big proponent of consumer choice—letting people have the option of wines from around the world—but I’m also a big proponent of the New York economy, and this situation is outrageous. Unfortunately, it’s also the rule rather than the exception: New Yorkers hurting other New Yorkers just at a time when we need to help each other.

Philly restaurant plans Rioja dinner

Once in awhile I'll deviate from the regional wine and wineries theme to tout an event that's wine-related in the region. That's the case here, where I can give a shout-out to one of my favorite Philly restaurants and one of my favorite wines. Period.

Chef Jose Garces’ acclaimed wine bar and restaurant, Tinto (114 S. 20th Street, 215-665-9150), will offer guests a thrilling journey through the extraordinary wines of Spain’s famous Rioja region, paired with Chef Garces’ authentic Basque tapas. This special dinner will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. The Rioja dinner is four courses including dessert and wine pairings, and will cost $130 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.

“Spain is producing some of the world’s finest wines, and of course, they are a perfect complement to the foods of the region,” says Chef Garces. “Our special Rioja dinner is a fun, festive way to explore some of these amazing wines and experience them with the cuisine of their homeland.”

Chef de Cuisine David Conn created a delectable menu that will include: House-cured Jamon de Pato, duck prosciutto with membrillo; White Asparagus Gratin with aged manchego cheese, Iberian ham and sage sabayon; Steelhead Trout a la Plantxa with romesco verde and cippolini; and Patatas Riojana, Rioja-style fingerling potatoes with caramelized shallot, chorizo and guindilla chile.

Since opening in March 2007, Tinto had received rave reviews from local and national media, including Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, The Wall Street Journal and Shape magazine. They were also named to Conde Nast Traveler’s annual “Top Tables” in 2008, and received a prestigious three-bell review from the Philadelphia Inquirer. The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch, brunch and dinner. For more information, or to make a reservation, please call (215) 665-9150 or click on this link.

Giant to open 2nd Allegro store tomorrow

Word came out earlier Friday that Allegro Vineyards will be opening a shop tomorrow at the Giant Food Store in Silver Spring Township in central Pennsylvania, which is Mechanicsburg for out-of-towners looking on a map. This is Allegro's second shop in Giant; the other one opened in mid-November in Enola. It's also the fourth wine shop overall to open essentially inside a Giant. Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars has opened the other two, one in South Hanover Township in Dauphin County, and the other in Willow Grove, a suburb of Philadelphia.

Carl Helrich, the owner and winemaker of Allegro, said he's thrilled to open another shop and ride the momentum that has been gained by the success of his shop in Enola. The decision to go in to Mechanicsburg, he said, was one that involved both partners.

"We put our heads together on these things," he said, when asked how they've decided on the locations for the two shops. "I want to be up in the Harrisburg market, and this is a great place. Mechanicsburg has a lot of wine drinkers and a lot of our customers actually come from the Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill area. And we've got a developed market base from having the West Shore Farmers Market. So having something over in Enola, which is a real high-volume store for them, and of course Mechanicsburg here is another high-volume store. It's a perfect fit for us."

Helrich was there throughout Friday, making final preparations for tomorrow's opening. The shop will be open Monday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

“Today’s announcement continues Giant’s commitment to promoting quality products found right here in Pennsylvania’s own back yard,” said Tracy Pawelski, director of public and community relations, Giant Food Stores.

The Allegro wine list will showcase more than 20 different wines with a wide range of wine styles from dry red and white vinifera wines to versatile semi-dry table wines, fruit wines and specialty spiced and dessert wines. Allegro wines range in price from $11 per bottle to $35 per bottle. All wine sales will occur in the Allegro location with Allegro staff.

Helrich said he has hired eight staffers now who will be cross-trained to work at the two Giants shops and the farmers market. Those working in Mechanicsburg will occupy a space that's a little smaller than the one in Enola, although Helrich said the bar area is bigger, "so we can handle more people tasting, if need be."

Helrich said he wasn't aware of any other wineries opening shops inside a store in the grocery chain, which has its corporate headquarters in Carlisle, Pa. "This is a pilot program for Giant. Joe and Vickie Greff over at Blue Mountain have two of these as well, and [Giant] wants to see if we're [and they're] happy with these before they commit to opening up any more stores to this kind of project. We'll see. But I do know this has been a successful three months for us, at least over at the Enola location."

The Event Grapevine: Feb. 12-15

Crossing Vineyards and Winery in Washington Crossing, Pa. is offering some alternatives to the standard Valentine’s Day celebration: two opportunities for a five-course, candlelit dinner at the winery; a class on the world’s most romantic wine – champagne (how does it get those bubbles?) – and a wine and chocolate-pairing course for lovers.

“Champagne For Lovers” will be presented Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road. Crossing’s French sommelier, Eric Cavatore, will explain the "methode champenoise" - or how champagne gets its bubbles - in an exploration of wines from the Champagne region of France. Attendees will learn what champagne is, from which grapes it comes, and how, exactly, it’s made. They’ll also sample the bubbly and some companion desserts. Cost is $45 per person.

A lavish, five-course gourmet dinner will be offered on both Friday and Saturday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Guests will be treated to a glass of champagne and a bottle of wine per couple.
Dinner will feature an amuse bouche of Foie Gras on Petit Toast with Wild Berry Reduction Drizzle, paired with Crossing’s Blanc de Blancs (NV); entrée - French Onion Soup with Parmesan Tuiles; plat du jour - Filet Mignon with Truffled Mushroom Ragout, Rosemary Whipped Potatoes with Au Jus Gravy and Roasted Asparagus; cheese course - Assorted Cheese with Dried Fruit and Walnuts; dessert - Chocolate Pots de Crème, served with coffee or tea. The plat du jour may be substituted with advanced notice.

Cost of the evening is $100 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Crossing is teaming up with Lindt Chocolate of Princeton, N.J. at 2 p.m. Feb. 15 for “Wine and Chocolate For Lovers,” a Valentine’s version of the winery’s wine and chocolate-pairing workshop.

Discussing the finer points of making premium chocolate and wine, and what creates the variety of flavors of both, will be Cavatore and Stacey Glynn-Brady, a confectionary aficionado and Lindt’s store manager.

Guests will sample Crossing’s award-winning wines, assorted chocolates, and will take home a Lindt chocolate bar of their choice.

Cost of the workshop is $35 per person and includes learning materials.

Reservations for the candlelit dinner, “Champagne For Lovers” or “Wine and Chocolate For Lovers” may be made by calling the winery at 215.493.6500, ext. 19 or on-line at www.crossingvineyards.com.

As for what’s going on elsewhere, both this weekend and beyond, take a look:

PENNSYLVANIA WINERIES

Adams County Winery, Orrtanna: With Wine Class ($$), Friday, Feb. 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Gettysburg Wine Shop location, reservations required at 717.334.4631; wine and chocolate pairing, Saturday, at Gettysburg Wine Shop, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wine Appreciation class ($$), Saturday, Feb. 21, 6 to 8:30 p.m.; home wine-making ($$), Sunday, Feb. 22, 1 to 3 p.m., link to winery

Allegro Vineyards, Brogue: Sweetheart Serenade, Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m., Olde Tollgate Village, 2459 S. Queen St., York, about 1 ½ miles from I-83, appetizers, with complimentary wine tasting and an offering of wines for purchase by the glass or bottle, reservations required at 741.3072; Fridays’ Weekly Winedown ($$), 4 to 7 p.m.; Sweet & Spicy Saturdays ($$), 2 to 5 p.m.; Sip & Savor Sundays ($$), 2 to 5 p.m., all require reservations at 741.3072, all events at the Wine Gallery in Olde Tollgate Village EXCEPT for Tour de Tanks, link to winery

Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars, New Tripoli: Sunday Blues Wine Tastings, music every Sunday ($$), 2 to 5 p.m., through April; brownies topped with raspbery and wine this Sunday. link to winery

Chaddsford Winery, Chaddsford: Wine and Chocolate Reserve Tastings ($$), every weekend in February, sitting at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m.; Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), every weekend in March at any of the members of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail; reserve tastings ($$) begin in March, 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. every Saturday; winemaker dinner ($$) at Caffe Gelato, Newark, Del., Sunday, March 22, 6 p.m., link to winery

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville: Wine and Chocolate Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, a Berks County Wine Trail event, at Robesonia location; beginner tasting class ($$), Saturday, Feb. 21, 3 p.m., annual wine rack sale ($$), all Clover Hill locations, Feb. 19 through March 8; March Madness ($$), passport required, a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event, link to winery

Crossing Vineyards & Winery, Washington Crossing: Wine Tasting for Dummies ($$), Sunday, 2 p.m.; Champagne for Lovers ($$), Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; candlelit Valentine’s dinners ($$), Friday and Saturday, both start at 7:30 p.m.; Wine & Chocolate for Lovers ($$), Sunday, 2 p.m.; Wine Tasting for Singles ($$), Friday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., link to winery

Galen Glen Winery, Andreas: St. Valentine’s Day Weekend, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; President Day Weekend, Feb. 21-22, pizza and wine pairing, link to winery

Hauser Estate Winery, Biglerville: New winery open, Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; Candle Light Friday/Happy Hour, the last Friday of every month, 5 to 8 p.m.; satellite shop opened at 17 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg; Valentine’s Day at Hauser Estate, Saturday, 5 to 8 p.m., warm food and live music, link to winery

Kreutz Creek Vineyards, West Grove: Music at West Chester tasting room, 44 E. Gay St., Fridays and Saturdays, 6 to 9 p.m.; Valentine’s Day Celebration, Saturday and Sunday; Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), every weekend in March at any of the members of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, link to winery

Manatawny Creek Winery, Douglasville: Chocolate & Wine Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, a Berks County Wine Trail event; hours have changed to Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m., link to winery

Moon Dancer Vineyards & Winery, Wrightsville: Music every Saturday (2 to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (2 to 5 p.m.); will close Fridays at 5 p.m. at least through February; vineyard hike and mulled wine ($$), Saturday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., link to winery

Naylor Wine Cellars, Stewartstown: Lovers Weekend Dinner White Wine Tasting ($$), Saturday, 3 to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m., link to winery

Paradocx Vineyard, Landenberg: Valentine’s Day at the Vineyard, Saturday; Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), every weekend in March at any of the members of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, link to winery

Penns Woods Winery, Eddystone: Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), every weekend in March at any of the members of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, link to winery

Pinnacle Ridge Winery, Kutztown: Chocolate & Wine Weekend, this weekend, a Berks County Wine Trail event; March Madness ($$), passport required, a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., will be pairing Chocolate Sacher Torte, a famous Viennese desert served in many a cozy café in Austria and throughout Europe, with the winery’s 2007 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc, link to winery

Rose Bank Winery, Newtown: Winter Wine Concert Series, Sundays through March 8, 1 to 4 p.m., at Shady Brook Farm, link to winery

Rushland Ridge, Rushland: Closed January and February; will reopen March 5, link to winery

Sand Castle Winery, Erwinna: 9 Days of Valentine’s, through Sunday; Sweetheart Festival, Saturday; gourmet wine dinner ($$) at Villa Capri Ristorante, Doylestown, Thursday, Feb. 19, featuring Sand Castle Johannisberg Dry Riesling, link to winery

Tamanend Winery, Lancaster: New winery open, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m., classically styled premium wines in their bottled wine group, and premium sweeter styled wines in their Bag in Box group of wines, link to winery

Twin Brook Winery, Gap: Valentine’s Concert in the Vineyard ($$), Saturday; Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Weekend, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), every weekend in March at any of the members of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, link to winery

Va La Vineyards, Avondale: New holiday hours starting Dec. 1, weekdays, 12:01 to 5:27 p.m., Saturday and Sundays, 12:02 to 5:48 p.m., http://www.valavineyards.com/

Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville: Valentine’s Day weekend event, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Mardi Grad Saturday, Feb. 28, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.; March Madness ($$), passport required, a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event, link to winery


MARYLAND WINERIES

Black Ankle Winery, Mt. Airy: Open for business, winner of Maryland Governor’s Cup in 2008; winter hours start Dec. 1, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., other times by appointment; wine and chocolate flight ($$), Saturday, five wines and five matching chocolates, advance reservations recommended by calling Sarah at 240.464.3280 or e-mailing Tracy at the winery, link to winery

Boordy Vineyards, Hydes: Fond of You Fondue ($$), Saturdays in February, 1 to 5 p.m.; Stew in Our Juices ($$), homemade stews and wine pairing, with musical entertainment, every Sunday in March, 1 to 5 p.m., winery link

Frederick Cellars, Frederick: Happy Hour, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every weekday, glasses are half-price; Frederick’s Fire in Ice celebration, Saturday, Bo Weevil to play from 6:30 to 9 p.m.; Valentine’s Day dinner ($$), Saturday, reservations required at 301.668.0311; President’s Day sale, 25 percent off some wines, Feb. 14-17; Mardi Grad party, Saturday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.; music in the Cellar, Saturday, March 7, 7 p.m., link to winery

Fridays Creek Winery, Owings: Winemaker’s Dinner ($$), Saturday, reservations only, link to winery

Linganore Winecellars at Berrywine Plantations, Mt. Airy: Cask to Kisses ($$), wine and chocolates pairing, every day in February; Southern Rock performer Dean Crawford concert ($$), Saturday, Feb. 22, 1 to 4 p.m., all natural soups from Chesapeake Gourmet available for sale, http://www.linganorewines.com

Sugarloaf Mountain, Dickerson: Forget Your Troubles party, Friday; Valentine’s Day couple package ($$), wine and food sampler; Saturday; President’s Day sale on Merlot, Feb. 15-16; Valentine’s/Presidents Day, Feb. 13-16, chocolate and wine pairing; barrel tasting ($$/nonmembers), Saturday, Feb. 21, 1 p.m.; red wine sensory tasting seminar ($$), Saturday, March 7, 1 p.m.; soup will be served in the tasting room on Saturdays and Sundays throughout February; Friday Flights ($$) is every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m., which consist of 3 half glasses of SMV wine, each paired with an appropriate cheese, fruit or chocolate, reservations at 301.605.0130, link to winery

Woodhall Wine Cellars, Parkton: Annual barrel sale, futures sale and chocolate tasting ($$), beginning Saturday and extending on weekends through March 29, 2 to 4 p.m., call 410.357.8644 or send an e-mail to reserve your spots; Patricia Della Casual Fine Dining will be serving lunch and dinner from noon to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. each weekend by reservation (410.357.5078), link to winery

Other MARYLAND winery events can be found at this link, VIRGINIA events at this link and New York events at this link

PASSPORT WEEKENDS

Tour de Tanks, starting Feb. 28 and continuing every weekend in March, noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, cost is $15 per person, pick up tickets at any participating winery or order online here, wineries include Adams County, Allegro, Cullari, Four Springs, Fox Ridge, Hauser Estate, Moondancer, Naylor, Nissley, Reid’s Orchard, Seven Valleys and West Hanover; information on Meet the Winemaker dinners here.

Barrels on the Brandywine, starting March 1 and continuing every weekend in March, noon to 5 p.m., cost is $25 per person, pick up tickets at any participating winery or order online here, wineries include Black Walnut, Chaddsford, Kreutz Creek, Paradocx, Penns Woods, Stargazers and Twin Brook.

FESTIVALS

Washington D.C. International Wine and Food Festival ($$$), 10th annual, Feb. 14-15, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, click here for information

$$ – Admission charge

Basic premise of 101 at Clover Hill: Seats go fast

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Wine 101 is a class you'll find offered all over the region, from the Philadelphia Wine School to Bin 604 wine shop in Baltimore to many of the wineries scattered inbetween. Not that they're all the same. You'll find a difference in how the classes are taught to what they cost to the length of the lesson. What's often similar, however, is the popularity, including the one that Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery offers at its main location in Breinigsville, about 10 minutes off I-78.

Kari Skrip said by phone earlier today the winery sprinkles these classes throughout the winter and summer months. All require reservations, and for good reason. They limit the classes to 45 people and always sell out.

“Usually we do a series although I don't think we have any other classes available right now besides beginners ones,” said Skrip, who teaches some of these classes among her many duties that also involve marketing and public relations. “The classes are about an hour and a half and it's a formal, seated class where we guide you through . . . usually we'll do maybe eight, nine wines in a class. And for the most part the beginners class is mostly Clover Hill wines. We might sneak another one or two in there. The other classes we will address different wines depending on whatever the topic is. They're formal, but they're also fun. We certainly encourage people to ask whatever questions [they have], anything they want to know about wines that aren't being addressed.”

Skrip said that the winery has been putting on these classes for around four years, long enough to get a sense of trends beyond the overall popularity. What has struck her, she said, is the age of a number of the students. “It's a very young crowd that comes,” she said. “Not everybody in the class, but I'm surprised always by the number of young people that come out that have an interest in wine or a group of friends that are trying to learn more about wine. By young, I mean, like two years out of college or so and they're trying to get the details on wine. So that's been really good. And we get people too from all over. I would actually say the majority of the class comes from out of the area. Some people, it's their first time that they've been to Clover Hill. Others have been here once, enjoyed it, and check our Web site and stay on our e-mail list so they can come to some events of ours. We do get people that will come up maybe spend a full day in the area. A lot of people will spend an overnight in the area at one of the B&Bs, and make the class part of their day trips.”

One person who attended a class last fall wrote on Lehigh Valley InSite about a class they attended that Skrip taught. The blog is produced by staff members of the Lehigh Valley Convention & Tourism Bureau. Wrote Michael Stershic, who attended with his wife and another couple, wrote: “Some we liked, some we did not, but Kari made it seem like there were no wrong answers. I give her a lot of credit for bringing her enthusiasm and passion to the event, but not making any of us feel inadequate as wine-tasters."

Clover Hill charges $25 per person for the class. The next one is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 21. By then, Skrip and the rest of her colleagues will have had enough time to recover from what figures to be a chaotic wine and chocolate weekend that they will hold as part of a Berks County Wine Trail event. They hold the Berks trail events at their site in Robesonia, close to Reading. On the menu, a triple chocolate layer mousse paired with their Concord, a 2009 gold medal recently at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. “All of the wineries on the trail are doing something wine and chocolate, and we'll be part of that,” she said. “This is the second year [the trail has] done that. I remember last year it was a very busy weekend.”