Cardinal Hollow Winery - Thanks to Jef from Maple Springs Vineyard, who explained our tasting and wine in general, for an enjoyable evening. While riding the Colebrookdale Railroad on their wine and cheese pairing special, we were treated to a flight of wines with a different pairing. We started with the sauvignon blanc paired with manchego cheese; a combination I would not thought of and went well, followed by merlot paired with mozzarella cheese; the creaminess of the cheese complimented the body of the wine. My wife said she could drink it with food; a real compliment since she does not like dry wine.
We then went in a different direction with the whiskey mead paired with goat cheese and dried fruit and nuts. First off, I thought there was whiskey in the mead, but the mead was aged in whiskey barrels, giving it the heavy aroma. The fruit and nuts were a better pairing. The apple wine was paired with smoked gouda. I love this cheese and tasting it with the wine reminded me of having a rich cheese melted on warmed double crusted apple pie (yes, this is a culinary delight). The finale was the Tawny Port paired with a rolled, chocolate-filled gaufrette cookie. Amazing. This port, in our opinion, is better than the Nutty Sailor.
On the return trip, we enjoyed a glass of our favorite wine with a plate of proscuitto and mixed cheeses.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Massachusetts - Haverhill - Willow Springs Vineyards
Willow Springs Vineyards - Another winery we visited while on vacation, when we pulled into their upper parking lot, we were treated to a view of the one of their vineyards. We walked into their restored barn tasting room to find this is a family-run operation. Although they only had two wines for tasting, they were preparing for additional releases in the fall. We were able to taste the seyval blanc and marechal foch. I enjoyed both, especially the marechal foch.Before leaving, we were treated to a tour of the barn and learned of the extensive restoration and a look at the lower vineyard.
Massachusetts - Rowley - Mill River Winery
Mill River Winery - (August 2015) While we were in Massachusetts on vacation this past summer, we enjoyed a tasting at Mill River. We arrived soon after the tasting room opened and were able to meet the vitner, who was working the bar that day. I chose the dry wine flight and my wife chose the sweet flight.
I started with their 2012 naked chardonnay; it was crisp and I could taste the zing of the lemon. I finished the whites with the 2013 Reisling. Made in the French tradition, this off-dry white had a vanilla finish. I started the reds with their Plantation Red, a blend of syrah, merlot and cabernet sauvignon; I tasted the light oak, but not the raspberry jam finish. I enjoyed the 2012 cabernet sauvignon, with its chocolate finish over the 2013 zinfandel, lightly oaked but high in tannins.
My wife started off with the Reisling, but gave me the rest to drink. She went to the Plum Island White, a semi-sweet blend of white malvasia, pinot grigio and cayuga, which was not overly sweet. It is aged in their outside stainless steel tanks. The 2014 sauvignon blanc was toned down, not as acidic to the finish as other sauvignon blancs; but the highlight was the Plum Island Rose, a blend of petit syrah, pinot grigio and white malvasia. It was not as sweet as the white. She finished her tasting with the Plum Island Red, a blend of syrah, merlot and pinot grigio.
I started with their 2012 naked chardonnay; it was crisp and I could taste the zing of the lemon. I finished the whites with the 2013 Reisling. Made in the French tradition, this off-dry white had a vanilla finish. I started the reds with their Plantation Red, a blend of syrah, merlot and cabernet sauvignon; I tasted the light oak, but not the raspberry jam finish. I enjoyed the 2012 cabernet sauvignon, with its chocolate finish over the 2013 zinfandel, lightly oaked but high in tannins.
My wife started off with the Reisling, but gave me the rest to drink. She went to the Plum Island White, a semi-sweet blend of white malvasia, pinot grigio and cayuga, which was not overly sweet. It is aged in their outside stainless steel tanks. The 2014 sauvignon blanc was toned down, not as acidic to the finish as other sauvignon blancs; but the highlight was the Plum Island Rose, a blend of petit syrah, pinot grigio and white malvasia. It was not as sweet as the white. She finished her tasting with the Plum Island Red, a blend of syrah, merlot and pinot grigio.
Australia - Baileys of Glenrowan
Baileys of Glenrowan - Friends gave me a bottle of their 19 Crimes, a 2013 red wine, as a parting gift from the Board. How fitting, they made sure to paste my photo on the label. A dry wine, I found it very pleasing although I could only tell it was a blend.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Pennsylvania - Lehigh County - Franklin Hill Vineyards
Franklin Hill Vineyards -
(Dec 2013) - we were planning the spring TVCEF tasting tour and one of
our guests recommended this winery. We arrived and explained what we
were attempting to do; while we were there, we decided to have a small
taste. I tried the chardonnay while my wife tried the catawba (blush). I
moved to the cabernet sauvignon while my wife had the Kiss (their
medium-dry blush). I finished off with the Trio and my wife the Thin
(acai berry). We enjoyed all that we tasted.
(Feb 2014) We still needed to confirm logistics with Franklin Hill for the spring TVCEF tasting tour and we decided to visit the winery again. Our original plan to visit for Valentine's Day was foiled by a snowstorm, but we were able to visit the following day. This is the first time we've been to a winery in the heart of winter. We arrived and drove down the farm path to the winery; we were not the only ones visiting the winery. We started with the White Jade (vidal blanc) and Katie's Creek (vidal blanc and cayuga blend). Katie's Creek, even though on the sweet side, was crisp and refreshing. I tried the seyval blanc while my wife tried Kiss (rose). I was able to get my wife to try the Red Head (chambourcin and merlot blend infused with creme brulee) just for the fact that is should be dessert in a bottle; it was as expected. I tried the Trio (blend of three grapes) and enjoyed the balanced nature. My wife went to their speciality wines adn tried the Desire (mango) and Passion (strawberry-kiwi), which reminded her of fruit punch. I opted to stay with the reds and tried the Sir Walter's Red and the Fainting Goat (black cherry).
(April 2014) They say that the third time is the charm, well the TVCEF tasting finally arrived and our group was seated on their patio. It was a beautiful spring day; perfect for outdoor wine tasting. Although our tasting was planned for us, we were able to taste any wine on their menu. While giving us the history of the winery, they stared us off with their White Jade (for those who like dry) and Katie's Creek (for the sweets). They then poured the seyval blanc and their newest release, Carnival, cotton candy infused wine, reminescent of the carnival or county fair. As we moved into the reds, we were treated to a tour of their winery. We tasted the Evanswood, Trio, Sir Walter's Red and the Fainting Goat. The group enjoyed our visit here.
(Feb 2014) We still needed to confirm logistics with Franklin Hill for the spring TVCEF tasting tour and we decided to visit the winery again. Our original plan to visit for Valentine's Day was foiled by a snowstorm, but we were able to visit the following day. This is the first time we've been to a winery in the heart of winter. We arrived and drove down the farm path to the winery; we were not the only ones visiting the winery. We started with the White Jade (vidal blanc) and Katie's Creek (vidal blanc and cayuga blend). Katie's Creek, even though on the sweet side, was crisp and refreshing. I tried the seyval blanc while my wife tried Kiss (rose). I was able to get my wife to try the Red Head (chambourcin and merlot blend infused with creme brulee) just for the fact that is should be dessert in a bottle; it was as expected. I tried the Trio (blend of three grapes) and enjoyed the balanced nature. My wife went to their speciality wines adn tried the Desire (mango) and Passion (strawberry-kiwi), which reminded her of fruit punch. I opted to stay with the reds and tried the Sir Walter's Red and the Fainting Goat (black cherry).
(April 2014) They say that the third time is the charm, well the TVCEF tasting finally arrived and our group was seated on their patio. It was a beautiful spring day; perfect for outdoor wine tasting. Although our tasting was planned for us, we were able to taste any wine on their menu. While giving us the history of the winery, they stared us off with their White Jade (for those who like dry) and Katie's Creek (for the sweets). They then poured the seyval blanc and their newest release, Carnival, cotton candy infused wine, reminescent of the carnival or county fair. As we moved into the reds, we were treated to a tour of their winery. We tasted the Evanswood, Trio, Sir Walter's Red and the Fainting Goat. The group enjoyed our visit here.
New Hampshire - Kingston - Sweet Baby Vineyard
Sweet Baby Vineyard - (August 2015) This was the first of many wineries we visited while traveling through New England on our vacation. They are a short drive off the interstate, but will be moving in the future. We walked into the bottling area and walked up the stairs to their tasting room (it did not overlook the operations). We were able to taste six wines.
I chose the marechal foch, with its soft oak taste, because it was a new varietal. The amarone, a red blend, was better on the palette. Callum's red is similar to a church wine, but not as sweet. For the whites, I tried the pinot grigio, with hints of pineapple, the chardonnay, crisp and not heavy on the oak, and the Farmstand white, a semi-sweet blend.
My wife started with Callum's red, but quickly went to their Niagara and fruit wines. She tried the blueberry, apple cranberry, which was tart, light in color and not a blush as expected, the bartlett pear, which was sweet like a Niagara, and strawberry.
(March 2017) - We were at the Eastern Wine Exposition in Syracuse, NY and they were part of the opening reception. We reintroduced ourselves to their wine. I could not get a good look at the bottle, but the white I tried was nice and balanced.
(March 2018) - We were at EWE in Lancaster, PA and for another year, were part of the welcome reception. There was a crowd at the table and by the time I got back around, the reception was ending. There will be a next time.
I chose the marechal foch, with its soft oak taste, because it was a new varietal. The amarone, a red blend, was better on the palette. Callum's red is similar to a church wine, but not as sweet. For the whites, I tried the pinot grigio, with hints of pineapple, the chardonnay, crisp and not heavy on the oak, and the Farmstand white, a semi-sweet blend.
My wife started with Callum's red, but quickly went to their Niagara and fruit wines. She tried the blueberry, apple cranberry, which was tart, light in color and not a blush as expected, the bartlett pear, which was sweet like a Niagara, and strawberry.
(March 2017) - We were at the Eastern Wine Exposition in Syracuse, NY and they were part of the opening reception. We reintroduced ourselves to their wine. I could not get a good look at the bottle, but the white I tried was nice and balanced.
(March 2018) - We were at EWE in Lancaster, PA and for another year, were part of the welcome reception. There was a crowd at the table and by the time I got back around, the reception was ending. There will be a next time.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Pennsylvania - Chester Couonty - Stargazers
Stargazers Vineyard - Aug 2015 - Just as their website states, follow their directions. As part of my dry run for the fall TVCEF trip, I made the trip here through the Brandywine Valley. Although not situated along the Brandywine Creek, they are close to it. As I drove to the end of the little development, I pulled in their driveway and drove into the vineyard.
Unfortunately, you only get to try the five wines opened for the particular weekend, but I was able to try the following: chardonnay sparkling wine - although not one for sparkling wine, once I got past the effervescence, the dryness and flavors made me want to try the traditional chardonnay. Lucky for me, that was also on the list. Stainless steel aged, much better than the sparkling version. The next on the list was a varietal I had not head of, gruener veitliner. A dry wine withe some citrus aromas; I enjoyed this better than the chardonnay. The last white was the vidal; it's the sweetest wine they have at the moment. The only red on the menu was the Warp Drive, a petit verdot blend. Another grape that I'm enjoying, this dry red was filled with flavor/ Starting with the deep color, this red left me wanting to try some others (but there are no others).
There is another varietal on the list that I was able to try, the Arneis. This dry white was better than all the others I tried; I'm glad I asked if there was any to taste. I purchased one for another evening dinner.
Unfortunately, you only get to try the five wines opened for the particular weekend, but I was able to try the following: chardonnay sparkling wine - although not one for sparkling wine, once I got past the effervescence, the dryness and flavors made me want to try the traditional chardonnay. Lucky for me, that was also on the list. Stainless steel aged, much better than the sparkling version. The next on the list was a varietal I had not head of, gruener veitliner. A dry wine withe some citrus aromas; I enjoyed this better than the chardonnay. The last white was the vidal; it's the sweetest wine they have at the moment. The only red on the menu was the Warp Drive, a petit verdot blend. Another grape that I'm enjoying, this dry red was filled with flavor/ Starting with the deep color, this red left me wanting to try some others (but there are no others).
There is another varietal on the list that I was able to try, the Arneis. This dry white was better than all the others I tried; I'm glad I asked if there was any to taste. I purchased one for another evening dinner.
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