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Willie: Life & Songs of an American Outlaw
Yes, I realize that doesn’t sound like it’s wine related; and it’s not, except we had some really good wine on the way there and the way home. We visited Forest Edge Winery, in southern Bullitt County. An excellent start and end to a great weekend visiting Nashville, Tennessee.
While in Nashville, we did a little bar hopping on Broadway and visited the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. Our stops at Tootsie’s and Old Red were both enjoyable; and along with the regular exhibits that make the museum a must see, there were special exhibits on the Outlaws, Emmylou Harris, and Little Big Town.
But the highlight of our visit was the concert honoring Willie Nelson. Over twenty well-known entertainers were there to pay tribute to Willie, with performances by greats, such as: Kris Kristofferson, Chris Stapleton, Emmylou Harris, George Strait, Vince Gill, Norah Jones, Lyle Lovett, Dave Matthews, Jimmy Buffett, Willie’s sons Lukas and Micah, Jamey Johnson and many more. Several were joined on the stage by Willie himself. The finale was the entire ensemble on stage to perform On the Road Again, but that wasn’t all. The all-star line up followed that up by Will the Circle be Unbroken, I’ll Fly Away, and Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die. It was an amazing concert!
For those wine lovers who are country music fans, like we are, keep an eye out. The show was taped and will be shown on A & E sometime this year. I can’t wait to see it again!
Forest Edge Winery
Several of the wineries that we visit now opened after the publication of A Wine Lover’s Odyssey Across Kentucky. I have written about them here on the blog. One of our favorites is Forest Edge Winery. Just south of Louisville, in southern Bullitt County is a lovely tasting room just off I-65. The wines are all exceptional and there is something for every wine lover. We visited both on our way to Nashville and on our way home. It was a good way to relax along the way.
Butch Meyer, the winemaker, was there during one of our visits and we had the opportunity to chat with him about wine as well as drink some of his best wines. My choice was his Sauvignon Blanc, easily the best made in Kentucky. My husband had a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon one of the best in the state.
They had made some changes since we visited last summer and have moved the wine production to another building. This left room for a new space devoted to gatherings of wine lovers. As a destination or as a relaxing stop on your way somewhere, I recommend a visit! You’ll love it!
Cave Valley Winery
Earlier this month, a visit to Cave Valley Winery was the first step to completing my New Year’s resolution of visiting more wineries in the state. While driving to Nashville, we looked at Kentucky’s winery map for wineries we might pass. Just off I-65, at Park Mammoth Resort in Park City, visitors can stop for a taste of some Kentucky wine.
The winery is located at the lodge at the resort which sits on top of a hill overlooking cave country. Known for golf and shooting sports, the winery is the newest addition at the lodge. There’s also a Bistro, but since it was January, wasn’t open when we stopped by.
They offer wines from Wight-Meyer Vineyards and Winery along side of some made by Cave Valley Winery, it was an interesting first visit.
New Year’s Resolutions
As a Kentucky wine lover, my resolution is simple this year — visit more Kentucky wineries. Since interviewing all the owners and wine makers for my book A Wine Lover’s Odyssey Across Kentucky, the state has had a winery boom. The book featured the 32 wineries in the state in 2011 that had tasting rooms and regular hours for visitors. My premise was that most people would be more likely to visit those wineries rather than plan and call ahead. Boy, has that number changed!
Looking at the most recent Kentucky winery guide which we picked up at the end of 2018, there are around 70 wineries in the state now. Most of them have tasting rooms. So my resolution will be challenging. I will let you know how we are doing!
by admin with No Comments2019 is almost here!
Wine Highlights of 2018
As the year is nearing its end, one can’t help but look back over the year and consider the highlights. For a wine lover, this naturally means wine news. 2018 was a good year for wine lovers in Kentucky. For me, it meant the discovery of a new place to shop for wine. Joining Louisville, Lexington became home to a Total Wine store at Lexington Green. For those who have never heard of them, these stores are opening around the nation and provide wine lovers (plus those who love spirits and beer as well) with a way to shop for their drinking needs. The choices are amazing with more wines from around the world than most stores have and the prices are quite reasonable. Even better news, Lexington will be opening a second Total Wine at Hamburg in the next few months.
On a personal tasting note, early last summer we visited a winery we had not visited for a few years. We spent some enjoyable time at Brooks Hill Winery and discovered a very special wine that has become a favorite. They make a medium body red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Lemberger grapes, with flavors of spice and dark berries. We love it!
Looking forward to 2019 and more great Kentucky wine.
by admin with No Comments
Happy Holidays from the Kentucky Wine Lover
Merry Christmas from our home to yours!
December 5th
Wine lovers have a reason to celebrate today. On this day in history in 1933, the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution repealed the 18th Amendment. For those who are not history buffs, that brought an end to Prohibition of the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the United States.
While some wineries continued to exist during Prohibition, the only wines created were for communions. Most just closed their doors from 1919 to 1933 and were slow to begin again. Laws in Kentucky were so restrictive that the wine industry didn’t restart until the 1990s.
Oddly enough, rather than waning, the popularity of wine grew during Prohibition because a clause in an act that defined enforcement of the amendment allowed for the making of wine for personal consumption by the head of households. Wine became a homemade treat.
So wine lovers, raise a toast to the 21st Amendment whose sole purpose was to end Prohibition.
by admin with No CommentsA Kentucky Wine Lover’s Case
You always read about Governors and wine writers choosing their favorite wines that would fill a case. Governors, of course, choose from their state’s wineries; while writers are choosing wines from anywhere to recommend to their readers. As a self-proclaimed wine lover, I’ve wanted to select twelve wines to recommend for quite a while. My Kentucky Wine Lover’s case will be a selection of reds, whites, fruits, and dessert wines from across the state.
Dry Red Wines
- Lemberger from Prodigy Vineyards and Winery
- Norton Reserve from Chrisman Mill Vineyards and Winery
- Cabernet Franc from Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery
- Cabernet Sauvignon from Brianza Gardens and Winery
- Estate Reserve from Brook’s Hill Vineyards and Winery
- Brother John from Smith-Berry Vineyards and Winery
Dry White Wines
- Cabernet Doré from Wight-Meyer Vineyards and Winery
- Dry Riesling from Forest Edge Winery
Sweet Dessert Wines
- Walnut Ridge from MillaNova Winery
- Peach from Prodigy Vineyards and Winery
- Blackberry Wine from Chrisman Mill Vineyards and Winery
- Allen’s Blueberry from Purple Toad Winery
by admin with No Comments
What wine goes best with a Happy Thanksgiving?
My suggestion whenever choosing a wine, whether to go with food or to drink alone, is the wine should be one you will enjoy. While it is true that particular wines will enhance certain foods, you are more likely to enjoy yourself if you love the wine.
Thanksgiving dinners raise a lot of questions. Is your menu the traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings, what is your budget, who are you breaking bread with, and do your guests enjoy wine are the most pressing. Traditional Thanksgiving dinners have a range of flavors and to match each course, several (maybe many) different wines are called for and this would be costly. The more people you are sharing your meal with, the costlier it becomes. Some guests might not even want wine. (Really, you know people like that?) So, deciding on the wine is not a quick choice.
I looked at suggestions I’ve made it the past and really can’t improve on them. A nice dry, or semi-dry Gewürztraminer or a Beaujolais Nouveau will enhance the flavors of that Thanksgiving turkey. For dessert, a nice sparkling wine will pair well with those favorite pumpkin and pecan pies. For the adventurous wine lovers, many wineries, including those in Kentucky, make a semi-sweet spicy style of wine for the holidays, such as Prodigy Vineyard and Winery’s Holiday Cheer, a blended wine with added spices.
Hope your Thanksgiving is a good one! Enjoy the day!
by admin with No Comments