tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61630776785637810662024-02-07T20:19:17.659-08:00WineGirlBlogging about wines local to Jersey and the northeast region.winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-21930281762008393692016-08-29T16:29:00.000-07:002016-08-29T16:29:52.061-07:00Mama's BACK!...and getting psyched for <a href="https://valenzanowine.com/event/winefest-2016" target="_blank">Valenzano's WineFest 2016</a>!<br />
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STAY TUNED!<br />
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<br />winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-10868739568801309012015-04-16T12:44:00.002-07:002015-04-16T12:44:39.536-07:00Bud's Picks: Callia Malbec 2014Just when you think you have covered the bases, another one comes in and you are back in the game!<br />
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The management of <a href="http://www.hopewellbuyrite.com/" target="_blank">Hopewell Buy Rite</a> where I work decided we should have Callia Alta Malbec 2014 from Argentina. I looked at it and did the usual eyeball evaluation - "label looks pretty good, so it much be okay." The Boss said, "Try one, you will like it."<br />
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I was hesitant, but broke down and bought one. He was right! A nice, everyday table wine, good fruit, lingers on the palate for just the right amount of time, soft drinker. It's got everything I want in a Malbec and the some. The "then some" is the price! Get this - $8.99 on sale at <a href="http://www.hopewellbuyrite.com/" target="_blank">Hopewell Buy Rite</a>. $6.97 with your club card. I'm taking one for each hand today. It's a winner!<br />
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<br />winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-18430793775857815612014-09-01T09:59:00.000-07:002014-09-01T09:59:23.099-07:00Bud's Picks: Spanish RedYet another Bud's pick, this time a Spanish Red to rock your Labor Day:<br />
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Hacienda Lopez de Haro Riga Reserva ‘05<br />
Rated 92 Wine Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.hopewellbuyrite.com/sku3753474360.html" target="_blank">$11.49</a><br />
90% Tempranillo 5% Graciano 5% Garnacha<br />
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It’s a nice one! At first sip I knew it was going to be good. It went down soft and easy with no burn. The tannins are really mild. It’s very fruit forward and lingers nicely, but not too long. This is one to keep in the rack, if you can leave it alone. I bought it at <a href="http://www.hopewellbuyrite.com/" target="_blank">Hopewell Buy Rite</a>, <a href="http://www.hopewellbuyrite.com/sku3753474360.html" target="_blank">on sale, for $11.49</a>. At that price it’s a “must” have. At least it is for me! Another fine Spanish Red at a great price!<br />
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Okay, now I'm excited. I served 2 Bud's Picks at my last wine party, <a href="http://winegirlblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/buds-picks-v-nj-grenachetempranillo.html" target="_blank">Protocolo and Bodegas Borsao Garnacha</a>, both of which received rave reviews from the crowd. With their grace and strength, Spanish grapes tango the thrill of the Mediterranean across the palate, enticing you to give yourself over to the temptation of exploration and discover the thrill of a new terroir. This wine will be making an appearance at the next WineGirl Wine Party. Stay tuned for the full review!winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-23915875430256929852014-05-26T09:13:00.001-07:002014-05-26T09:13:06.451-07:00Bud's Picks: Voga Pinot Grigio<i>We're back with another installment of Bud's Picks! Local wine enthusiast, WineGirl's Uncle Bud, picks his favorites from the stash at <a href="http://www.hopewellbuyrite.com/" target="_blank">Hopewell Buy Rite in Hopewell, NJ</a>. </i><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.hopewellbuyrite.com/sku2189379508.html" target="_blank">Voga Pinot Grigio</a></b><br />
<i>Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy</i><br />
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Looking for something a little different in Pinot Grigio? You need to try Voga Pinot Grigio! Take a step up in flavor and body. It combines the soft flavors of Veneto and the structure of Trentino to produce what I call “a little more in your mouth”. Not overbearing, but a noticeable pleasant flavor you don’t usually get in a Pinot Grigio. </blockquote>
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Great package too! Tell me it doesn’t look like a perfume bottle! </blockquote>
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I’m buying it for $9.99, on sale, at <a href="http://www.hopewellbuyrite.com/" target="_blank">Hopewell Buy Rite</a>.
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Uncle Bud isn't the only one drinking Voga Pinot Grigio. Tim at <a href="http://cheapwineratings.com/2012/01/23/voga-italia-pinot-grigio/" target="_blank">Cheap Wine Ratings</a> agrees:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This wine has some really nice pear and floral aromatics, with moderate intensity. The flavors are mostly pear and apple, but it also offers some lime and subtle peach notes. The acidity is sufficient, but not dramatic. The finish is nice and long. Overall, it’s a pretty nice wine. And it will look stylish sitting on your shelf before you drink it.</span></span></blockquote>
Just in time for summer, this refreshing wine should be enjoyed chilled at a picnic or poolside.<br />
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<i>A fan of "Bang for your Buck" wines, Uncle Bud has worked in wine shops for over a decade, sampling the best from around the world and the states. Bud's wine travels have encompassed the Napa Valley, the Finger Lakes, and a few wine adventures in Arizona.</i>winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-90384111706755951052014-03-18T12:40:00.000-07:002014-03-18T12:50:49.696-07:00Bud's Picks v NJ: Grenache/TempranilloWe're starting a new feature here at WineGirl Blog: <b>Bud's Picks</b>. A taste for wine runs in my family, so every once in a while we'll feature a comparison post to see how my Uncle Bud's wine picks hold up against my own. This week, we're comparing Spanish varietals: grenache and tempranillo.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenache" target="_blank">Grenache</a>, or Garnacha, is a widely planted vinifera varietal that dwells best in hot, dry climates. Grown in the south of France and southern California, the grape is most popular in Spain, its region of origin. Generally lacking tannin and acid, it's soft on the palate, proffering strong berry flavors and spicy nodes. What does that boil down to? An incredibly easy to drink red wine that functions simultaneously as a cocktail and a dinner drink (think tapas and saltier meat dishes).<br />
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Grenache on its own doesn't have that much color to it, so it is often mixed with any number of grapes, including <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempranillo" target="_blank">Tempranillo</a>, a rich black grape loaded with body that is often referred to as Spain's noble grape. Common nodes include plums, tobacco and leather.<br />
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<b>Bud's Picks: </b><br />
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<b><a href="https://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=17837" target="_blank">Protocolo</a></b> (100% tempranillo) - Rates 89 points on the Wine Enthusiast scale and ranked #2 on their list of Best Buys from 2011, this is a wine that defines the word "structure". It hits every node on the tempranillo list, proffering fruit, herb and leather in equal measure, balancing on its tannin like an Olympic gymnast. Speaking of which, the guys in the room did full flips for this dry wine, adding it to their Vivino collections without a second thought.<br />
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<b><a href="http://bodegasborsao.com/borsao-tinto-seleccion-usa/" target="_blank">Bodegas Borsao Garnacha</a></b> (85% grenache, 15% tempranillo) - hailed by Robert Parker as "Possibly the single greatest dry red wine value in the world, this is an unbelievable wine." With a powerful fruit flair, this was described by one taster as "a party in my mouth." Semi-sweet drinkers favored this fruitier version, embracing the gift of the grenache.<br />
<b>My Pick:</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.lauritawinery.com/wines.php" target="_blank">Barcelona Red</a></b> - Billed as a "grenache style" wine from Laurita Winery in New Egypt, NJ, this fruit-forward wine is billed as a medium-sweet on the Laurita scale. Laurita tends towards dryer wines in general, so for this Jersey palate, I'd dub Barcelona Red a semi-dry. Leather to the left, ripe berries to the right slip down your palate leaving a tannic finish in the wake. It is a nice compromise between the rich fruitiness of the Borsao and the definitive structure of the Protocolo.<br />
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<b>What Won?</b><br />
As always, it depends on the drinker. The dry fans in the crowd devoured the Protocolo while the sweeter fans aimed towards the Borsao. My husband and I, who range in the middle, devoured the Barcelona Red with ease.
At $6 - $9/bottle, and available practically anywhere, the Protocolo and Borsao are amazing deals to be appreciated. At $19, the incredibly quaffable Barcelona Red should be actively sought out by local winery fans and encouraged onto store shelves, a move that would hopefully help to lower the price a few bucks and bring it into the playing field where it rightfully belongs.winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-19699398740553039622014-01-22T10:24:00.001-08:002014-01-22T10:24:15.165-08:00Imperfect Pairings is the Perfect Match for Your Wine Reading List<br />
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I am grotesquely late in publishing this review, but such is life - we sneak in our pleasures in the sparest of spare moments and revel in the opportunity to share them when the time arises.<br />
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<a href="http://jackietownsend.com/" target="_blank">Jackie Townsend</a> was kind enough to send an autographed copy of her latest novel <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Imperfect-Pairings-Jackie-Townsend/dp/098379152X" target="_blank">Imperfect Pairings</a></i> my way last year. Billed as "not your typical Italian love story" I was pleased to find the antithesis of the typical saccharine, unimaginable plot that has come to define paperback novels geared towards a female audience. Light on sex and deep in thought, <i>Imperfect Pairings</i> is, in fact, a romance novel for women who despise romance novels.<br />
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The plot revolves around Jamie, a high-paced American junior executive, and Giovanni, a brilliant Italian engineer who falls for Jamie at first sight. A fling quickly turns into a romance, and when Jamie is swept off to Italy to attend a cousin's wedding at the family vineyard she encounters a life she never could have imagined in more ways than one.<br />
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The book hits all the right notes for wine lovers. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barolo" target="_blank">Barolo</a>, a Northern Italian wine based in the Nebbiolo grape, plays a deft supporting role triggering well paced character and plot development. A quick decision creates an elegant plot twist forcing Jamie to grow in profound ways, not unlike a fine wine reaching maturity with each passing day in the barrel. And as the story grows, so does Jamie's taste in wine; it is a clever move on the part of a writer obviously well versed in the wine scene.<br />
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<i>Imperfect Pairings</i> reads like a full-bodied dry red; well balanced, emotionally rich with just a hint of sweetness, this novel pairs well with snowed-in days, quiet evenings, and a glass of your favorite wine. An enjoyable read that will also motivate your interest in the vine, <i>Imperfect Pairings</i> should find a place at your reading table.winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-61226563343306871812014-01-22T07:42:00.002-08:002014-01-22T07:44:30.199-08:00Rambling Along the Lehigh Valley Wine TrailEver just need to get away for a weekend? Consider the <a href="http://www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com/" target="_blank">Lehigh Valley Wine Trail</a> for your next adventure in short-term relaxation.<br />
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The association of 8 wineries sweeping a radius that ranges from the natural beauty of Jim Thorpe, PA in the north to the city life of Allentown, PA in the south is easily navigated. Follow your GPS as you ride the back roads to take in the beauty of PA Dutch farmlands and small towns like Kutztown (of Kutztown University fame) home to the Renninger's Antique Market and a sweet downtown shopping area.<br />
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Our favorite wineries along the trail featured a number of excellent varietals with a focus on vinifera. Most wineries charged a $5 fee for 6 tastings that was reimbursed with a bottle purchase. With barely 20 minutes between wineries along the western side of the trail, the day moves quickly - plan to stop and shop (and eat!) along the way.<br />
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Now, as for the wine, these were our favorites on the trail:<br />
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<b>Galen Glen Winery</b> <i>Andreas, PA </i>Located atop a mountain a short drive from Jim Thorpe, Galen Glen should be a mandatory stop just for the view from the tasting room. Inside a friendly staff proffers a full list from which you may select 6 wines for the tasting. Galen Glen specializes in award winning German varietals; do not miss the <b>Gewurztraminer 2012, Stone Cellar</b>, a dry white with an excellent nose and crisp finish, accurately described as "boasting sweet rose and honeysuckle" nodes. From the many rieslings on the list I preferred the <b>Riesling 2012 Semi-Dry</b>, a golden rich brew with a creamy texture and crisp yellow apple flavor. <b>Erin's Auslese</b> is Galen Glen's unique semi-sweet blend of Riesling and Vidal Blanc, described as "the essence of Germanic wine" with its floral fragrance and green apple finish. <b>Galah</b>, the whitest blush I've seen to date, has a fruity, not sugary sweetness making it a pleasurable sweet wine for the sipping.<br />
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The red wines were pleasurable, most notably the <b>Cabernet Franc 2012 Stone Cellar</b>, a dry, light bodied red with strong pepper nodes, and the fruit-forward <b>Chambourcin 2012 Stone Cellar</b>. The <b>Crooked Stick Red</b> made for an interesting offering on the red list, a blend of Cab Franc, Zweigelt and Chambourcin producing a mildly peppery, balanced dry red that brings out the best in all 3 varietals.<br />
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<b>Blue Mountain Vineyards</b> <i>New Tripoli, PA</i> is the creation of a local winemaker with a California wineducation. A gorgeous tasting room that hosts live music and events offers a bird's eye view of a cellar loaded with tanks. Many of their wines favor the dry end of vinifera. The <b>2012 Vidal Blanc </b>had a citrus edge, the <b>2011 Sauvignon Blanc</b> possessed good acidic balance, and the <b>2012 Riesling</b> was bright and tangy. I found the <b>2012 Vignoles</b> light and refreshing. The <b>2011 Petite Syrah</b> was a full bodied offering that packed a pepper punch. The winner here was the <b>2008 Merlot</b>, a gorgeous medium bodied wine with a distinctive plum on ruby color, this wine offered a balanced flavor with just a hair of oak intensity. A smooth drinking wine, this blend attests to the winemaker's California influences and will be easily consumed by the bottle.<br />
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<b>Pinnacle Ridge Winery</b> <i>Kutztown, PA</i> is located in the basement of a huge red barn that backs up to the vines. Bringing a new, fresh attitude to winemaking, Pinnacle Ridge is a friendly place to explore the power of the grape. The 2012 Naked Chardonnay, unoaked like I like it, has a great nose and the perfect balance of butter and citrus on the palate. Their 2012 Traminette had a gorgeous perfume more noticeable to the taste than the smell. At 1.3% RS, it is billed as a semi-sweet wine for its reliance on tropical fruit flavors. The 2012 Vidal Blanc, a gorgeously wet wine, was the perfect balance of mineral on the palate and fruit on the finish.<br />
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The phenomenal part of the Pinnacle Ridge experience, however, comes with the tasting of two of their Rose wines. The <b>2013 Oasis</b> is, indeed, a magical isle of flavor; this gorgeous fruit with a smack of acid on the finish is an addictive Pinot Noir brew. Down this elixir by the bottle. The <b>2012 Chambourcin Rose</b> will convince even the strongest haters of the peppery labrusca grape that Chambourcin really is a gift of the vine. This gorgeous wine is an Olympian strutting the balance beam, crisp and refreshing, loaded with strawberry aromas for the picking.<br />
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At this point in your trip, you'll wind your way through Kutztown. As you near the town a blue sign pointing you to "Winery 2.0 miles" will appear; follow it! You do not want to miss the off-the-trail experience of:<br />
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<b>Blair Vineyards</b> <i>Kutztown, PA</i> This is gorgeous vinifera at its finest atop a beautiful ridge. With a great outdoor space for events, the tasting room also boasts a full open kitchen at which the winemaker hosts a variety of culinary pairing events. The lovely staff welcome you with an education on each wine and enjoyable conversation in-between. We left with four fabulous wines: <b>The Savuignon Blanc, Metamorphosis, 2010 Pinot Noir, </b>and<b> 2010 Off-Dry Gewurztraminer</b>. These folks <i>know</i> their wines, especially their Pinot Noirs, bottled based on the varying farm fields on which they were grown throughout the county. Each has its own unique terroir, providing an opportunity for a wineducation as well as the chance to taste some amazing eastern-U.S. pinot noir.<br />
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Both Pinnacle Ridge and Blair Vineyards are members of the Berks County Wine Trail. Two of the best on the ride, we plan to make both regular stops when we're out that way again.<br />
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<i>Back on the trail....</i><br />
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<b>Franklin Hill Vineyards</b> <i>Bangor, PA</i> also has a tasting room in downtown Bethlehem, PA. This was the location we were able to visit, giving us a great opportunity to sample more wines from a winery we'd first encountered at the York, PA Wine and Beer Fest in spring. These folks know wine well enough to have some fun. Traditional offerings like <b>Seyval Blanc</b>, with its fresh, crisp flavor and <b>Vidal Blanc</b> with its gorgeous perfume make for award-winning wines. While <b>Redhead</b>, a dry blend of Chambourcin and Merlot flavored with a tinge of creme brulee that both softens the tannin and compliments the oak, proves to be an unique treat to the palate. Fruit wines include <b>Thin</b>, an acai berry wine sweetened with stevia, and <b>Bliss</b>, a blueberry wine that is electric blue in color - bring these bottles to parties with non-wine friends to prove that wine is, indeed, a fun thing to drink and easy to enjoy.<br />
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For a great sampling of vinifera wines fortified in American terroir, check out the wineries of the Lehigh Valley. Whether you're looking for a sweet sip on a summer day, or a Pinot that would make <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375063/" target="_blank">Miles proud</a>, these wineries can't be missed.<br />
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<b><br /></b>winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-35545679588986680992014-01-03T09:15:00.000-08:002014-01-03T10:00:26.708-08:00Wrapup of 2013 Wine Reviews at PJLifestyle2013 was a great year for WineGirl Blog, primarily because I was able to review New Jersey Wines (and even one New York bottle) for an international audience through <a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle" target="_blank">PJLifestyle</a>. In case you missed any of them, here are my reviews originally published at <a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle" target="_blank">PJLifestyle</a>:<br />
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<a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/08/06/new-jersey-wines-challenge-your-assumptions/" target="_blank">New Jersey Wines: Challenge Your Assumptions</a> - a wrapup of the Renault Summer Chill Wine Festival, featuring a review of Tomasello's Palmaris 2010 Cab Sav and Renault's 2011 Unoaked Chardonnay.<br />
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<a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/08/13/5-tips-for-novice-winos/" target="_blank">5 Tips for Novice Winos</a> - drink the labrusca grapes, already!<br />
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<a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/08/20/valenzano-winery-and-the-surprising-appeal-of-the-garden-state/" target="_blank">Valenzano Winery and the Surprising Appeal of the Garden State</a> - I can't lie; Valenzano is one of my unabashed favorites in Jersey. Their tasting room is welcoming and warm, their staff knowledgeable and friendly, and you can sample everything on their list. Take the tour of the barrel room for added insights. I loved the Plum Wine (drinks like an American saki) at their Holiday Wine Trail Weekend event and am looking forward to trying the Dry Hopped Chardonnay next time around.<br />
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<a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/08/27/cold-soil-white-the-finesse-of-german-wines-american-style/" target="_blank">Cold Soil White: The Finesse of German Wines American Style</a> - a review of Terhune Orchards in Princeton, NJ. A gorgeous farm with a renown bakery (apple cider donuts, anyone?) Terhune also offers up a series of wines, my favorite of which is their traminette/muscat ottonel blend.<br />
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<a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/09/03/sip-spanish-style-wines-while-you-walk-leisurely-among-the-vines/" target="_blank">Sip Spanish Style Wines White You Walk Leisurely Among the Vines</a> - Laurita Winery's Irish festival introduced me to a Jersey take on some gorgeous Spanish grapes, a wine that drinks like a fine scotch, and one of the most beautiful vineyards in the Garden State.<br />
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<a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/09/10/savoring-almondberry-with-my-cousin-vinny/" target="_blank">Savoring Almondberry with My Cousin Vinny</a> - Cream Ridge Winery. Gotta love 'em, especially Tom. Again, a chill tasting room that leaves their entire selection open for the tasting, this warm and friendly winery makes some of the most unique wines in the state.<br />
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<a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/09/17/what-exit-for-great-new-jersey-wine-old-york-of-course/" target="_blank">What Exit for Great New Jersey Wine? Old York, of Course!</a> - Old York Cellars raised $5,000 for Sandy Relief with their What Exit Wines, proving that good wine makes friends of us all.<br />
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<a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/09/24/a-revolution-in-high-class-winemaking/" target="_blank">A Revolution in High Class Winemaking</a> - Unionville Vineyards has the right combination of Revolutionary history and remarkable vinifera, making it one of the classiest wineries in the state.<br />
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<a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/10/01/5-indispensible-wine-o-tools/" target="_blank">5 Indispensible Wine-O Tools</a> - Stock your bar right!<br />
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<a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/10/08/beneduce-vineyards-the-next-big-thing-in-jersey-wine/" target="_blank">Beneduce Vineyards: The Next Big Thing in Jersey Wine</a> - Can I tell you how excited I was to come across this vineyard in the middle of Northern-Central Jersey suburbs? The Cornell-educated 4th generation farmer and his Rutgers-educated sister who run the winery prove the Finger Lakes and Jersey are a winning match.<br />
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<a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/11/26/give-thanks-with-these-jersey-wines/" target="_blank">Give Thanks With these Jersey Wines</a> - Featuring a variety of my favorite wines from across the Garden State.<br />
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<a href="http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/12/19/mulled-wine-spice-up-your-holiday-table/" target="_blank">Mulled Wine: Spice Up Your Holiday Table</a> - Ever drink a Shakespearian-influenced wine that mirrors those served in the time of Elizabeth I? Don't miss this wine from the Lake Erie region of New York State!<br />
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<br />winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-47204496929910339482013-11-03T11:43:00.001-08:002013-11-03T11:43:53.568-08:00Sending tons of folks to AHG Creative<p dir=ltr>@Six Flags Grape <u>Adventure</u></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemTz8vVbViyAp1XGlcOWfhXU5eje0kKmrWXpHsZqniKpFt8AUJtzrYLwqS8UqvnkqHtffQggUAs1G5q7Vyc47tVm2yyvNr1Wi0C2RQCeTxwhnbcz3ja2M9_m-aQ05xC02AhbhohhMtkY/s1600/20131103_144246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemTz8vVbViyAp1XGlcOWfhXU5eje0kKmrWXpHsZqniKpFt8AUJtzrYLwqS8UqvnkqHtffQggUAs1G5q7Vyc47tVm2yyvNr1Wi0C2RQCeTxwhnbcz3ja2M9_m-aQ05xC02AhbhohhMtkY/s640/20131103_144246.jpg"> </a> </div>winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-79558354570263255792013-10-05T12:00:00.001-07:002013-10-05T12:00:35.243-07:00Liveblog Morristown contd<p dir=ltr>Dulcinea at Auburn Road along with Good Karma of course. </p>
<p dir=ltr>Traminette at Amalthea and DiMatteo.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Almondberry at Cream Ridge.</p>
winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-37041250923700394682013-10-05T10:52:00.001-07:002013-10-05T10:52:17.381-07:00Hit these tents!<p dir=ltr>Heritage for the un-published specials. This winery scored big in the Judgement of Princeton and does not disappoint dry drinkers! </p>
<p dir=ltr>Four Sisters for concierge attention and phenomenal unheard of grapes.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Like  Italian varietals? Coda Rossa and Hopewell Valley's Barbera. </p>
winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-21794866026269404512013-10-05T08:24:00.001-07:002013-10-05T08:24:44.997-07:00Fall Harvest Wine Fest<p dir=ltr>Fosterfields <u>Living</u> Historical Farm in Morristown, NJ where the crowd is lining up 45 min ahead of schedule!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpR1YUCT_5VK73q3n6x2-K-Kwvrd4KP70PQvfGrxoQSzab9fChBai1vT68z97_xUreauYZpvEZ7rmbm8XUYxfHaSly7F1Le1SygxWUaixAXVFcFrX_CNgyembX9T_bftkck3uZFW_BVM/s1600/20131005_112240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpR1YUCT_5VK73q3n6x2-K-Kwvrd4KP70PQvfGrxoQSzab9fChBai1vT68z97_xUreauYZpvEZ7rmbm8XUYxfHaSly7F1Le1SygxWUaixAXVFcFrX_CNgyembX9T_bftkck3uZFW_BVM/s640/20131005_112240.jpg"> </a> </div>winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-17082898441636280192013-08-23T14:48:00.005-07:002013-08-23T14:48:58.018-07:00Weekly Column at PJLifestyle!Hey Fellow Wine-O's!<br />
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I'm now writing a weekly column on the wines of New Jersey and the tri-state region over at <a href="http://www.pjmedia.com/lifestyle" target="_blank">PJLifestyle</a>! Look for me on Tuesday evenings - a great lead into #wineWednesdays :)<br />
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Happy Sipping,<br />
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~WineGirlwinegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-74004752919565138172013-07-24T10:08:00.004-07:002013-07-24T10:08:44.596-07:00Making Connections With the VinesI picked up a book titled <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reading-between-Wines-With-Preface/dp/0520271491" target="_blank">Reading Between the Wines</a></u> by <a href="http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2008-07-09/news/36805472_1_german-wines-washington-wholesale-liquor-terry-theise" target="_blank">Terry Theise</a> in a used bookstore a while back. Recently, I began reading and found the book to be akin to my own personal beliefs about why I enjoy studying, drinking and writing about wine in a number of ways. We (Theise and I) both believe that <em>Connection</em> as he calls it is an essential foundation block in the appreciation of wine. A consumer cannot possibly appreciate a wine - any wine - without some knowledge of the network of connections that have gone into producing it. Call it the social network of <i>terrior</i>, call it six degrees (or more) of separation between you and the maker of the wine, in either case if you don't have some viable connection to the wine you are drinking it's nothing more than alcoholic grape juice.<br />
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Obviously, this doesn't mean that you're going to fly around the world visiting every vineyard from which you've ever purchased a bottle. But, you simply aren't going to have the same relationship to a bottle of Cab Sav you picked at random based on an anonymous store clerk's recommendation versus the bottle you came across at a wine fest or on a lazy Sunday drive through a vineyard. You're probably never going to meet the wine maker or have a chance to discuss the in-depth process behind what wound up in that bottle (if you do - bully for you!) but you will at least have seen the vines growing or met one or two of the folks who play a role in making that happen. In other words, you'll have an understanding of the <em>connections</em> to that wine and, in turn, you will have become a part of that chain.<br />
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I've tried browsing wine magazines, reading wine websites, even foraging through a few wine stores in my search to understand why it is that wine proves to be a constant attraction to my intellect. All of that research has only resulted in my conclusion that I enjoy wine not for wine's sake, but for the story behind it. I have no story behind a rating of a vinifera on a website, except that some dude (or dudette) I don't know tried to quantify their taste buds (as if that scale somehow applied to my own). Hey, that's great! I'm glad you liked that wine! Tell me about you - your likes and dislikes - about the vineyard that grows that wine - who those folks are, what's their story - and maybe I'll have some way to relate to the essence of tobacco and dried cherries you're raving about. <br />
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The other day I stopped off at my local wine shop to browse after a long week at work. Walking the aisles I studied labels and realized two things. One, the only thing I would be able to appreciate from this vantage point were the artsy labels. Two, if my husband knew I bought a $350 bottle of Chateau Montelena Chardonnay he'd kill me. Why would I want that bottle, per se, and not something at a lower price point? Because I didn't connect to Chardonnay - I connected to the story of the vineyard that triumphed in Paris in '76! I wanted to know what was so great about this wine, sure, but I only wanted to know because I already knew the story and, thanks to however fictional <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0914797/" target="_blank">Bottle Shock</a></em> may or may not have been, I felt some level of connection to the land and the people behind that wine. That is what drove me to know more. (Visions of my husband's bug-eyed glare is what drove me to tell myself, "Save it for a special occasion.")<br />
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I left the wine store with nothing in hand and returned home to my collection of wines, each one purchased at a regional vineyard or festival, after tasting and talking with a wine maker or one of his or her crew. These are the wines I know and the wines I know I will enjoy drinking. And each time I pop a cork, the spirit of that initial encounter will come to dwell wherever I am, and I will have established yet another connection between myself and the grape that started off as a seed buried in the land. <br />
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A few weeks back I talked wine at a party with an older gentleman who fancied himself somewhat of an armchair sommelier. (This, mind you, is not an insult but an objective observation.) We talked body, structure, tannin and then he dropped a line that made me cringe: "I'm not a fan of Jersey wines, they don't have much body. I actually prefer Yellow Tail."<br />
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I'm way too polite to actually say, "Are you kidding me?" Instead, I referred this Yellow Tail fan to wineries like <a href="http://www.amaltheacellars.com/wine-list.html" target="_blank">Amalthea Cellars</a> in south Jersey and <a href="http://www.unionvillevineyards.com/sites/courses/layout.asp?id=825&page=45606" target="_blank">Unionville Vineyards</a> up north, two wineries well known for their striking - and award winning - vinifera wines. I also asked if he had ever been to the Finger Lakes. He brushed me off. When I persisted he said, "Oh, maybe we'll have to try it."<br />
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Only today I stumbled across a new (to me) <a href="http://www.anotherwineblog.com/archives/15371?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AnotherWineBlog+%28another+wine+blog%29" target="_blank">wine blog wherein a twentysomething wine fan</a> covered "Around the World in 80 Sips" - a wine fest for Millennial drinkers. The Chateau Montelena table was packed (most likely because the Chris Pine fans were looking for him to pour samples) and was stationed in the same room with a college start-up company offering "orange wine-based beverages" for a low budget. It was a hipster scene meant to sex up a commercial product; you could have easily filled the room with the new <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDwQqQIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2Fblogs%2Fthesalt%2F2013%2F07%2F19%2F203389542%2Foh-france-now-you-re-drinking-cola-flavored-wine&ei=WgLwUfu9GePE4APb34DQDQ&usg=AFQjCNFcCblB6ja1XuNBpdV05OUQSRo6-w&sig2=by6IqaWEpyQJFrk0V7x6nA&bvm=bv.49641647,d.dmg" target="_blank">French Coke & Wine creation</a> and these kids would have been just as impressed. <br />
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That is not wine, that is industry and while I have nothing against industry I do hear an inward soul scream radiating from my being every time I see sales take value over character and substance. What good is it to market your wine if you strip it of its character and force it to dance to the latest pop hit? To paraphrase Anne Shirley, it's like seeing your baby tattooed with eye-catching advertisements that read "Drink me, I'm cool!"<br />
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This is why I will always gravitate towards the local winery, not just in New Jersey (although I have developed a special affinity for the wines of my home state) but wherever my travels take me. Here, in these places, I engage in a conversation with the wine; I am talked <i>to</i>, not <i>at </i>by the wine, the worker, and the land. This is an essential experience; without it, wine would be nothing more than another beverage you could buy at a liquor store. And what would be the purpose in that? To be like everyone else? If so, why are you even drinking wine in the first place?<br />
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Wine by nature is unique; no two vintages are exactly alike. Nor should their drinkers be. Embrace Connection in your wine and you will find that you will do the same with others and within yourself: appreciating the unique, valuing the essential, and making your story your own.<br />
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winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-44636747345773489962013-07-14T16:03:00.004-07:002013-07-15T03:53:26.892-07:00Auburn Road Vineyard - the Full ReviewWait a sec - let me get the last of the Rosalita...<br />
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The semi-sweet blush is bright and juicy with a light mouthfeel and pleasantly puckering tannins dancing along the sides of your tongue. Chilled and carrying all the appeal (and none of the sugary nature) of a candy apple, this wine pairs as well with cheeses as it would BBQ, and should frequent your summer dining experiences under the stars as it did ours last evening as we sat watching Shakespeare amidst the vines of <a href="http://www.auburnroadvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Auburn Road Vineyard & Winery</a> in Pilesgrove, NJ.<br />
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The evening started as all visits to a winery should, with a tasting. We sidled up to the packed bar in the Enoteca and were quickly welcomed with two logo-emblazoned glasses that were ours to keep with the tasting fee ($5/person for 10 wines on that day's list).<br />
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Our favorites included:<br />
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Sole - a bright Vidal Blanc containing strong mineral notes and a fruit-forward finish.<br />
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Good Karma - a vinifera red blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, this fusion of Italian body and French flavor carries all the tannins you'd expect from a dry red in a light body, making it the perfect wine for grilled chicken or salmon. Slightly too tannic for my husband, the sweet drinker, I find Good Karma to be a great balance between semi-sweet and dry pallates. This is the bottle I can easily share with friends who are the driest of drinkers.<br />
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Roxanne - the light dry rose that acts as the base for the Rosalita, this wine offers the crisp tang of grapefruit and is best served chilled.<br />
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Kind of Blue - Hammonton, NJ blueberries are used to create this fruit wine that rides the line between sweet and tart<br />
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Blessington - the husband's favorite, this wine rings a Concord note, but is actually a sweet red blend of grapes that don't include the labrusca favorite. Chill it for a great summer sipper.<br />
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A few of the wines, including Rustica, aren't currently available; I look forward to tasting the 2012 vintages when they are released. The Classico - the motivation behind the creation of Auburn Road Vineyards - is a gorgeous dry red wine. I will readily admit to not being a dry red drinker, but in my humble semi-opinion, Classico is a distinctly American vinifera blend with a healthy balance of tannin and fruit.<br />
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Auburn Road Vineyards and Winery offers the Enoteca - a beautiful dining area boasting a patio that looks out into the vineyards and offers enough green space for live performances, of which there are many. With dinners on Friday nights and light fare all around, this is the place to cap your wine ride or hang out on a relaxing summer day/evening. For the oenophile, Auburn Road's Enoteca offers the kind of space you're looking for when you're out to contemplate the wine you're drinking.<br />
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To compliment our bottle(s) of Rosalita, we ordered one of the artisan cheeses from the Italian Market in Philly, a crusty loaf of Italian bread with olive oil, a bowl of the soup du jour (yellow pea with roasted red pepper) and the Coco Bar for dessert (think a high-end Klondike with a coconut infusion). Everything was fresh, delicious and a perfect match for the wine. <br />
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An excellent performance of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) by the <a href="http://www.commonwealthclassictheatre.org/" target="_blank">Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company</a> provided excellent theatrical accompaniment to thoughtfully crafted wines. What a fabulous show put on by three talented actors and a staff of dedicated professionals. If you have the chance, catch this show! Watching Shakespeare unravel among the vines was a transcendent cultural experience I will forever cherish.<br />
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Auburn Road Vineyard and Winery is the quintessential experience for wine drinkers seeking an American twist on vinifera grapes. With an environment as welcoming as the wine, Auburn Road is already a Jersey Wine classic.<br />
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<br />winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-23699181403211010072013-07-13T18:26:00.005-07:002013-07-13T18:46:24.147-07:00Liveblogging Shakespeare in the Auburn Road Vineyards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfluE-ZMexgL1hAYkONSDybKgHPpbpkfCLNudpXcDSP-GLvcX-WcG3_N_x0c-soKMLO5E9RSb58XsecyDH1-gxQJUwDLlgN976lF9CWpiL9G34SyQpZckqJaCivIQlBFFlqU4TPRH9ko/s1600/20130713_201100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfluE-ZMexgL1hAYkONSDybKgHPpbpkfCLNudpXcDSP-GLvcX-WcG3_N_x0c-soKMLO5E9RSb58XsecyDH1-gxQJUwDLlgN976lF9CWpiL9G34SyQpZckqJaCivIQlBFFlqU4TPRH9ko/s640/20130713_201100.jpg"> </a> </div>winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-30894977568814723602013-07-13T18:26:00.003-07:002013-07-13T18:53:38.512-07:00Auburn Road Vineyards<p dir=ltr>A gorgeous evening in the vineyards at the Enoteca</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMQkCZ4rK1Ipq5_hQnDclP4cnlpmfBnqhl3KV3IMUA1YnWYhpVlfhaB_dt4Z482k_wza0pJeDrV7VkzsWNYgj9o2pkk4JH4calBwIcJDZguvg7MlFMgfe8uMmvKbBZzkFJe0S2U4OMwA/s1600/20130713_210635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMQkCZ4rK1Ipq5_hQnDclP4cnlpmfBnqhl3KV3IMUA1YnWYhpVlfhaB_dt4Z482k_wza0pJeDrV7VkzsWNYgj9o2pkk4JH4calBwIcJDZguvg7MlFMgfe8uMmvKbBZzkFJe0S2U4OMwA/s640/20130713_210635.jpg"> </a> </div>winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-50887284528351917612013-07-13T18:26:00.001-07:002013-07-13T18:46:51.300-07:00Shakespeare in the Vines<p dir="ltr">Romei & Juliet by the Commonwealth Classic Theater at Auburn Road Vineyards. Not to be missed!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjeAHL0k4rdZHWNzZVC_G-RCBjsRQFC9dH55jwfWnLvuXT22mSbT4_62TAqsw5KKkG081PnLM0Z_z77jL_-ShUZbWUNaJsT5CnSdSUmy0ftao_1_sjJj3J0Bmw_FrpdzD0jQmoK2mj68/s1600/20130713_192207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjeAHL0k4rdZHWNzZVC_G-RCBjsRQFC9dH55jwfWnLvuXT22mSbT4_62TAqsw5KKkG081PnLM0Z_z77jL_-ShUZbWUNaJsT5CnSdSUmy0ftao_1_sjJj3J0Bmw_FrpdzD0jQmoK2mj68/s640/20130713_192207.jpg"> </a> </div>winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-79457604357294085772013-07-13T18:25:00.001-07:002013-07-13T18:47:35.470-07:00Shakespeare and wine<p dir="ltr">At Auburn Road an experience of a lifetime.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGroxMhv6OjRfExSqXpifqY3bhgSa9hdiBfby_0SXMG78vd-Q74mBJwYpd-uCi5RiqovkF74amcv5V18Nyh6KPaz94O41dqI7OR4PQJgTPof3J8siYogOFrOWh9QMyfyuWzL9kprbdVg/s1600/20130713_205747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGroxMhv6OjRfExSqXpifqY3bhgSa9hdiBfby_0SXMG78vd-Q74mBJwYpd-uCi5RiqovkF74amcv5V18Nyh6KPaz94O41dqI7OR4PQJgTPof3J8siYogOFrOWh9QMyfyuWzL9kprbdVg/s640/20130713_205747.jpg"> </a> </div>winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-47304352420566283102013-07-13T15:15:00.003-07:002013-07-13T15:15:32.793-07:00Awaiting Shakespeare in the vineyard at Auburn Road!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoLaYHztfPUakZPKhCvxjvHo5S5Ut8hKtwSN9aM_dIviOUt53tP57uBqcQWnByuDh686DPowEfHK1k-pLcpgQjjXbANvQXjbqMu8SKbRkBzjxpLuheVXP9iquy8bwq1ivhD9xXVhiSaY/s1600/20130713_181010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoLaYHztfPUakZPKhCvxjvHo5S5Ut8hKtwSN9aM_dIviOUt53tP57uBqcQWnByuDh686DPowEfHK1k-pLcpgQjjXbANvQXjbqMu8SKbRkBzjxpLuheVXP9iquy8bwq1ivhD9xXVhiSaY/s640/20130713_181010.jpg"> </a> </div>winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-38054431628393857742013-07-13T15:15:00.001-07:002013-07-13T15:15:06.781-07:00Auburn Road liveblog<p dir=ltr>What a fantastic oasis in the Jersey farmlands. This is how an American enjoys fine vinifera wines. Rustica, Good Karma, Classico - amazing dry red blends that please pallates otherwise suited to lighter bodied fare. And the sweets- manifique! Stay tuned for a full review!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7RIbcUt7MTBT_8KFuw_csiukmP6wqdKGVDos7gJyRSQvJat6iUM11w2vWfLalzxjHqQAh2tvAyZHjyjvQuCcSbPbeOgZmGhjuUvA99e8m4ki9LmTqJuPjOiyY8AdyiVYi070Q2hippU/s1600/20130713_170842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7RIbcUt7MTBT_8KFuw_csiukmP6wqdKGVDos7gJyRSQvJat6iUM11w2vWfLalzxjHqQAh2tvAyZHjyjvQuCcSbPbeOgZmGhjuUvA99e8m4ki9LmTqJuPjOiyY8AdyiVYi070Q2hippU/s640/20130713_170842.jpg"> </a> </div>winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-59996527443324901282013-07-13T06:10:00.003-07:002013-07-13T06:10:56.147-07:00Tips on Surviving (and Enjoying!) the Finger Lakes Wine FestivalMy husband and I are fairly new to wine. When the opportunity to take a vacation came up, we immediately decided a road trip to the Finger Lakes was in order, and it just so happened that Finger Lakes Wine Festival fell during that time frame. Of course, we immediately bought tickets, not fully realizing that the Finger Lakes Wine Festival is a bit like ComicCon for wine lovers -- intense, overwhelming, and impossible to conquer in a day.<br />
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Thinking about going to the FLX Wine Festival? DO IT! Here are some tips - especially for newbies - to make the most of your experience.<br />
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1. Go both days. Heck, if you can, go Friday night for the opening party. Fireworks, togas, launch of the lakes -- soak it all in.<br />
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2. Camp out at the festival. Cops line the exits and breathalizer tests are required upon exit. If you're a serious drinker, park and hang out for three days.<br />
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3. If you aren't a camper, there are tons of cute places to stay in and around Watkins Glen. Some hotels even offer packages that include transportation to and from the event. Take advantage!<br />
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4. Try to get in a few days before the event. We had time to visit a few wineries beforehand. All of these folks are seasoned fest participants and they will happily share the lay of the land with you - when to go, what to expect, what to bring, etc. Get the inside scoop.<br />
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5. If you can only attend one day, choose Sunday. We received the tip early on (see #4) that Saturday is the Drunk Fest. Hey, everyone drinks wine for their own reasons and everyone unwinds differently. If, like us, you're into wine for the full experience and prefer to avoid folks getting plastered at 11 am, wait until Sunday. The crowd is generally calmer, especially during the first half of the day when the Saturday folks are still sleeping it off.<br />
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6. Bring nosh. Technically you aren't allowed to bring food into the Festival, but we saw a few girls munching on pretzels handily strung up around their necks like candy necklaces. Brilliant idea. Most tables do not have pallate cleansing munchies and the sandwich you get in the food area - no matter how tasty - is not going to balance out the amount of wine you will drink.<br />
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7. Speaking of which - don't drink every single wine. There were 90 wineries in attendance last year. 90 wineries offering a minimum of 5 wines to taste. Do the math and you'll quickly realize how incredibly impossible it is to taste all that wine. Take it from someone who tried and burned their taste buds very badly (not to mention couldn't eat anything for at least a day - your stomach can't handle that much wine, either) even your best game face can't match the power of that many grapes.<br />
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The best advice I received from a winemaker was to set your mind on 1 or 2 varietals and sample those at each table. You'll be able to better distinguish what you like from what you don't and you'll learn more about why you like or don't like a certain varietal. You aren't there to conquer the world of wine - you're there to become a part of it and learn from it.<br />
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8. Beware of broken glass. The FLX Wine Fest crew does an INCREDIBLE job of sweeping up broken glasses 5 seconds after they crash to the ground, but keep an eye out, especially if you're wearing flip flops. You'll know instantly when a glass has crashed, because even if you haven't heard it smash to the ground you'll hear a cry of "AAWWWWW!!!!" from at least 50 onlookers. It's a festival tradition.<br />
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9. By 2 pm it is packed. Be patient. Table hop. Stick your glass in when you see a chosen varietal coming your way. Be prepared to be knocked into at least 2 or 3 times. It's all part of the fun, unless you're claustrophobic, in which case you wouldn't be there anyway.<br />
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10. Classes are offered - but it's hard to find the time to attend. This is where choosing a couple of varietals comes into play - you can hop tables a lot faster and find the time to attend at least one seminar and learn a thing or two.<br />
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11. Stay hydrated! Water coolers are everywhere for you to rinse - take a drink or two or three as well! The biggest cause of a wineover is dehydration - stay hydrated.<br />
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12. If you are driving - stop drinking by 2 pm. I can't stress enough - cops are posted at every exit and while the sign says "voluntary" -- that breathalizer isn't. <br />
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Have fun and share your stories and favorite flavors with me on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/winegirlblog">https://www.facebook.com/winegirlblog</a> !winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-75843240027916038692013-06-23T13:31:00.001-07:002013-06-23T16:20:06.546-07:00Rose Bank Winery<div dir="ltr">
We're hiding out under the porch of the old tasting room as wedding guests pour into the beautifully restored 1800's barn/tasting room. A great way to end your tour, this pour your own tasting featured nearly 20 wines ranging from super dry to delicious desert. We left with the infamous Acai and Raspberry Secret in hand. As I sit sipping on my rather fruit forward Reisling I have to admit, the Bucks County Wine Trail is going to be one of my hotspots for ages to come.</div>
winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-85676497600375856412013-06-23T12:55:00.000-07:002013-06-23T16:19:43.800-07:00Rushland Ridge Vineyards<div dir="ltr">
Lisa hosted a pour your own tasting featuring 15 wines including Traminette, Ravat and Foch alongside traditional viniferas, labruscas, and blends. Warm and welcoming, we were invited to take a dip in the pool that sits amidst vineyards producing 1,000 cases annually. We left with a most amazing and unique Traminette offering both the perfume and taste of a gorgeously balanced fruit/mouthfeel, as well as a delightful Ravat. Don't miss the Foch, a rare dry, fruit forward varietal for the area.</div>
winegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107691971633603739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6163077678563781066.post-7691971644591915982013-06-23T12:54:00.000-07:002013-06-23T16:19:11.957-07:00Wycombe Vineyards<div dir="ltr">
Rich, the wine grower, harvester, and maker will guide you through a tasting of some of the most unique vinifera wines grown on his family's estate. Spare yourself the stress of choosing and get a bottle of each. Our favorites included the Just Married, a blend including some of the most delicious Chardonnay this anti-buttery pallate has ever tasted.</div>
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