Jan 7thKentucky Wine – There’s an app for that!

If you are interested in having more information about Kentucky wine at your fingertips, go the app store and download the Kentucky wine app. The app gives you a list of the Kentucky wineries with links to their websites. You can also download a passport to the Kentucky wineries for a record of your visits and a free gift.

I’ve used the app mostly for the links to the wineries websites, but I recommend it to anyone who is interested in visiting or finding out more information about Kentucky’s wine industry.

Dec 20thWight-Meyer Vineyard and Winery

Everyone who has tasted Wight-Meyer wines knows Jim Wight makes excellent wine. Over the years, he has won many awards for his wines at various competitions. We have enjoyed his Norton especially for several years. With his new, limited release wine, he has exceeded his past achievements.

Last spring on a visit to the winery, Jim gave us a taste of a blended, dry, red wine that was still in the barrel. He gave us the chance to purchase the wine before it was bottled. Last weekend we were able to take part in the bottling of the wine we had bought; by the way bottling your own wine was really cool. We also sampled the wine and it is amazing. Wines that are recently bottled are left alone for a while to allow the wine to readjust from the “bottle shock” of the bottling procedure. Jim advised waiting at least six weeks before opening the first bottle. He also believes that the wine will get better as it ages. Waiting will be difficult; the wine already demonstrated its superior quality.

The wine, “3 Reds by Wight”, is in a Meritage style, made of a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Syrah. When we are finally able to open that bottle, I will get back to you with a full description. I can’t wait.

Dec 20thLovers Leap Vineyard and Winery

During the summer, Lovers Leap released a new wine, a Cabernet Franc. We had tasted the wine in the barrel and were looking forward to its release. We had our first bottle this fall and I must say that it lived up to our expectations. This wine proves that Kentucky vineyards and wineries can produce a wine that is excellent by any standards of red wine.

The flowery aroma is followed by a flavor of black raspberries. It has an understated elegance that leaves the wine lover wanting more. Kudos to Lovers Leap for producing such a great Kentucky wine.

Nov 3rdKentucky’s Wineries

When visiting a wine festival, you don’t get to try all the wines you’d like. You might want to give it a try, but there are so many varieties offered that you usually have to pick and choose. At recent festivals, I’ve been talking to visitors and signing books and haven’t been able to try many at all. But our recent visit to the Incredible Food Show was different. I was a taster and enjoyed the experience of trying some new wines.

At Rose Hill Farm Winery, we tried their estate grown Cabernet Franc, which has a deep garnet color. The wine is a very nice dry red with herbal flavors. The Cabernet Franc from Horseshoe Bend Vineyard and Winery is also an excellent choice for tasters. The vintage we tried is blended with a Carmenere grape, which gives it a smooth finish. As lovers of Cabernet Franc, it’s good to find good varieties in Kentucky.

I also enjoyed getting the opportunity to try the wines from the site of Kentucky’s first vineyard. First Vineyard Winery is located in Jessamine County on the grounds where J. J. Dufour planted the first vineyard in Kentucky, in the late 1700’s. First Vineyard Winery offers a Reisling, that though described as semi-sweet, has enough dryness to appeal to me.

A tasting wouldn’t be complete for us without trying the available Nortons. The new one we tried was from Rising Sons Home Farm Winery. As one might expect from a Silver Medal winner, the wine is a welcome addition to Kentucky’s Norton selections. First Vineyard Winery also offers an exceptional Norton.

If you enjoy wines and love trying new things, I recommend going to wine festivals. They offer the opportunity to try many wines at the same time. Kentucky hosts many wonderful festivals each year.

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Jun 26thSmith-Berry Winery & Highland Renaissance Festival

For several weekends in early summer, the Kentucky Renaissance Festival. in Eminence, welcomes visitors from around the region. The festival provides wonderful entertainment and shopping experiences, from jousting to buying oils and period clothing.

Visiting the Renaissance Festival also provides an opportunity to stop in New Castle to visit Smith-Berry Winery. We stopped by last weekend. The reds at Smith-Berry are superior. We were especially pleased by the release of a Norton Reserve. If you are in the region, I recommend a stop.

The Renaissance Festival will be around for two more weekends. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. We’ve been many times and have always enjoyed ourselves. Smith-Berry Winery is open both Saturdays and Sundays. I recommend visiting there to relax and taste some wines on your way home.

Jun 11thGlisson Vineyards and Winery

While at the festival at Jane’s Saddlebag, I had the opportunity to meet the people from Glisson Vineyards and Winery. They came from Paducah to take part. Many visitors were able to taste wines that they are not usuallyable to get in Northern Kentucky. Glisson Winery is still rather small with a lovely tasting room in downtown Paducah, featuring their wines, tapas, and arts.

I’m always interested in meeting and hearing about the new wineries, that have opened since I wrote my book. Check out their website(glissonwinery.com). If you are going to be in Western Kentucky, try out Glisson Vineyards and Winery and let me know what you think.

May 30thForest Edge Winery

While driving to Nashville last weekend, we decided to stop at one of Kentucky’s newer wineries. Forest Edge Winery is quite impressive. Visitors will find the building and the décor to be especially attractive. But what is really impressive, for a winery only two years old, is the wine. The quality of the wine is easily understood when you find out that the winemaker is Butch Meyer. Meyer has been making wine for quite some time and either makes the wine or consults with several other Kentucky wineries.

The winery is owned by Brance and Tracy Gould (Tracy is Butch Meyer’s daughter). They have a winery that will become a popular destination with wine lovers. Not only are the facilities inviting, those working there are friendly and helpful. The winery is located in Bullitt County, on the edge of the Bernheim Forest, near the start of one of Kentucky’s Bourbon Trails. Of course, wine lovers are most interested in the wine and they will not be disappointed.

Their best seller is Black Cherry Pomegranate, one of their sweet, fruity wines. The winery also offers a wide variety of dry wines, such as, Cabernet Sauvignon, Old Vine Zinfandel, and a Dry Chardonnay (with no oak). My favorite was a Dry Riesling which is an unusual find.

I strongly recommend a visit. You won’t regret it.

May 30thChrisman Mill Vineyard and Winery

To begin our celebration of our anniversary, we visited Chrisman Mill Vineyard and Winery for their first Tuscan Dinner of the year. What a wonderful way to begin the weekend. While drinking one of our favorite wines, Norton Reserve, with our meal; I also got a special labeled wine as a gift for my husband. The food was excellent. My favorite was the second course of Lasagna with Wild Pheasant and Chicken, but each course was great. We enjoyed the company as well, from our son and daughter-in-law who joined us for the evening to chatting with Denise, Chris, and Cory.

May 13thProdigy Vineyard and Winery

Prodigy entered several wines in the Derby competition and won Gold with their Diamond, Legacy, Raspberry and Chambourcin; Silver with their Blueberry, Estate Lemberger, Meritage Blend, Blackberry, Vignoles Estate and Ky. Blush;  and Bronze medals for St. Vincent Rosé, Vidal Blanc, Sweet Traminette and Cabernet Franc.

The tasting room has several nights of music scheduled during May; check their website for dates. When you’re there, you might want to try their new Wine Frappé.

The farm will be open on Sundays from 1 to 5.

May 13thHorseshoe Bend Vineyard and Winery

Burgers and Banjos are back beginning Friday, May 17th. Call 859-375-0296 to make reservations today!

Check their website and sign up for their e-mails to get news of upcoming events.