Basketball season is in full swing and once again we are in the Lexington area on game days. We were able to take some time after a late afternoon ballgame to visit Prodigy’s Tasting Room just off I-64, in Frankfort.
Prodigy Vineyard and Winery is becoming known for some of Kentucky’s best wines. I’ve written before about the excellent red wines at Prodigy, especially the Lemberger. This weekend I enjoyed a white that is exceptional. Chad Peach is making a dry Traminette, with a spicy, fruity taste and aromas of oranges and grapefruit.
As a white wine drinker, I am quite choosy about the wines I enjoy. One of my favorites has always been a dry Gewurztraminer, but that grape has been difficult to grow in climates similar to Kentucky’s. Vintners are finding that a hybrid called Traminette does grow well here. The grape produces a wine similar in aromas and flavors to its famous parent – Gewurztraminer. Most Traminettes are off-dry or even semi-sweet. Prodigy has an off-dry Traminette that has been quite popular with most visitors, but I have to say this new addition of a dry Traminette to the wine list is likely to become a favorite for me.
Our visit was, as always, enjoyable. Christmas gifts are being replaced with a wide variety of lovely items in the gift shop following Lenée’s recent buying trip. A visit to Prodigy is a great way to finish an enjoyable afternoon at the ballgame.
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People in love looking for a romantic evening think of candles, music, chocolate, and wine. Wine and romance seem to go hand in hand, and the wineries in Kentucky are observing the day with special events and dinners. Wine lovers looking for a romantic wine-filled evening can find them in many regions of the state, here’s a sampling of events.
Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery are hosting a Leap into Love and Laughter Valentine Dinner on February 14th.
From the 13th to the 17th of February, Chrisman Mill Vineyards and Winery, at Hamburg, are offering dessert and wine pairings.
Elk Creek Vineyards and Winery are hosting a Valentine’s Dinner on both the 9th and 16th of February.
Acres of Land Vineyard and Winery has a special dinner at their restaurant on Valentine’s Day.
Jean Farris Winery and Bistro offer special Valentine’s Dinners from February 14 to February 17.
MillaNova Vineyard and Winery’s special event is a Valentine’s Dinner and Dance, on February 16.
On February 9th, Wildside Vineyard and Winery will host a Valentine’s Dinner.
Equus Run Vineyard and Winery welcomes visitors to their Kisses and Calories Annual Event, on February 9th.
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Buying wines from other states is not always easy and is prohibited by laws in many cases. Kentucky residents are not permitted to have wine shipped to them except for rare occasions. Indiana laws keep most of their wineries from shipping outside their state. When you find wines you love in other states, visiting them and purchasing is your best choice.
Since we haven’t traveled much this year, we’ve really missed our visits to the French Lick Winery in Indiana. At least once and sometimes twice a year, we have enjoyed the winery as well as their vintage cafe. We have also missed their wines. We did go to the Swiss Wine Festival in the summer and bought a few bottles, but they have some new wines since then that we were looking forward to trying.
We have some friends to thank for visiting French Lick Winery for us. Thanks to them, we are able to taste their new wine selections of Dry Traminette, Noreit, and Cabernet Franc, as well as enjoy our old favorites of Norton and Heaven’s View Port (made with Norton).
Buying wines you haven’t tried is sometimes risky, but we know the quality of French Lick wines. I’ll let you know what the Noreit and Dry Traminette are like as soon as I get a taste.
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Located less than a mile off Madison Pike in southern Kenton County, Atwood Hill Winery has been welcoming visitors for the last few years. The winery is open each weekend offering tastings and a place to relax with a glass of wine. Events draw many wine lovers from the surrounding community, as well as visitors from all over the tri-state. In the summer months, there are outdoor concerts and dinners. This time of year, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Farmstead located next door to the winery for a monthly dinner.
This weekend, we had the pleasure of sharing an evening out with close friends at Atwood Hill Winery’s Farmstead Dinner. Guests are greeted and invited to taste and choose a wine to go with their dinners. Our table chose Cabernet Sauvignon, Harvest White and Vidal Blanc. The winery offers a wide variety of wines from dry to sweet, along with some fruit wines.
Home cooked food, furnished by caterer, Linda Padgett, included herb rubbed roast beef, pork tenderloin, butter parsley red skinned potatoes, green beans, tossed salad, yeast rolls, and desserts. Entertainment was provided by Lynn Holland Payne, who played the acoustic guitar player and sang an eclectic selection of songs.
Their next dinner will be in February. Those interested can check their event calendar for the date and menu. Reservations are required.
Anyone wanting a fun night out in the country will enjoy the food, the wine, the music and the lovely, homey atmosphere of the Farmstead at Atwood Hill Winery.
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A new year has started (Does anyone else have a hard time believing it’s 2013?) and vintners are beginning the process of creating new wines and getting the old well-loved ones ready. Unfortunately for wine lovers like us, many of the wineries are closed until spring and those that remain open have adopted winter hours. If you are planning a trip, be sure to check the new hours. Wineries that have wine shops are generally open, but their hours may differ.
Many wineries have special events for Valentine’s Day, for anyone wanting a special day. Spring hours will resume in March for most of those wineries that are currently closed.
Some wineries, such as Atwood Hill Winery, in Northern Kentucky, have special events in the winter months. We have reservations for a Homestead Dinner in January at Atwood Hill and are looking forward to an evening out.
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Word Press provides bloggers certain statistics about their websites. I recently reviewed my statistics and it has been a great year. The kentuckywinelover has reached over 2000 wine lovers in 17 countries. The top countries are the United States, Canada, and Switzerland.
One wonders when they are writing if anyone is reading. This report was quite exciting and I look forward to the next year.
Hope you continue to enjoy reading my comments on wine. I would love to hear from you.
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