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Spring Festivals at Kentucky Wineries
Though it’s still February, signs of warm weather are springing up. Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, and other early spring flowers are popping out of the ground, giving us hope of an early spring. Wineries are showing signs of spring too.
One of the early signs that spring is just around the corner is the start of wine festival season. Wine festivals are a chance for wine lovers to taste wines from many of our state’s wineries and choose their favorites to visit later.
First on the schedule is the McConnell Spring’s Barrel Tasting, on March 31, featuring the wineries of the Bluegrass. The month of May offers two chances for wine tastings; May 1 and 2, at the Kentucky Derby Wine Festival, on the Belvedere at Waterfront Park and Kentucky Wine and Vine Fest at Nicholasville, on May 10, 11, and 12. On June 9 and 10, Boone County’s Jane’s Saddlebag will host their annual wine festival.
Spring is a lovely time to get out and enjoy what the state has to offer, so mark your calendars. Watch for more information in the coming weeks.
by admin with No CommentsNational Drink Wine Day
A special holiday for those of us who
love our grapes in a glass, February 18th is National Drink Wine Day. Get ready wine lovers, find your favorite bottle, pour a glass, and toast the day. As a wine lover, it’s your duty to support the holiday!
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Valentine’s Greetings
Romantics look hopefully on Valentine’s Day as a day to celebrate their love. Some plan special evenings with their special someone, with dinner out or maybe dinner in. Others look for that special gift, maybe roses, candy, or jewelry. Wine lovers, who are also romantics, start thinking about what wine would be special enough to share with their loved one. A special wine should be one you both will enjoy, a wine that you rarely share, maybe even a bit more pricey than your usual choice. For our special romantic evening, we are toasting the day with Nebbiolo.
The Nebbiolo grape is a preeminent grape used in both Barolo and Barbaresco wines in certain regions of Italy. Nebbiolo wines have moved to other parts of the wine world. We discovered a Nebbiolo wine at Barboursville Vineyards in Virginia several years ago. This wine is one of their premium wines and has a large following for its aromas and flavors. Many descriptive words are used to describe this wine not all appealing, like roses and tar, or violets, herbs, tobacco, and prunes, but the wine is very appealing. It is one of our favorites and just the right wine to celebrate love and romance.
Whatever your choice for the day, hope you and your love have a happy and romantic day!
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McConnell Spring’s 11th Wine Barrel Tasting
For the 11th year, wine lovers of Kentucky have the opportunity to support the state’s history and taste some really good wine at the “Wine Barrel Tasting for the Springs.” Eighteen of Central Kentucky’s wineries will be giving tastes of a wine that is still aging in the barrel.
McConnell Springs, a National Historic Site, is the location where William McConnell and a group of explorers camped in 1775. While there, news reached them of a victory at Lexington, Massachusetts in the Revolutionary War. They named that future settlement Lexington. Today, visitors can visit the site with its natural landscape and historical remains of that early settlement. Proceeds from the Barrel Tasting will help fund improvements at McConnell Springs.
Each spring many wineries of the state that are within an hour’s drive of Lexington participate in this event. This year the event takes place on March 31, 2018. For $20, a person can travel around the Bluegrass at their own pace and in their own vehicle visiting their choice of participating wineries, and receive a commemorative glass.
Many wine lovers are familiar with barrel tastings and have enjoyed experiencing the stages of aging of their favorite wines. If you are new to the wine world and have never tried wine from the barrel, it is really a treat. Wine makers, while sharing facts about the wine, will draw wine directly from the barrel with some sort of wine thief and pour it directly into the taster’s glass. Wines change as they age and wine makers try the wine at different stages to be sure that it has reached the taste they want. A barrel tasting is an opportunity for wine lovers to be a part of this process.
Check my links page for more information on McConnell Springs.
We have enjoyed the “Wine Barrel Tasting for the Springs” many times in the past and look forward to the event this year. What a good way to celebrate the beginning of spring!
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Brianza in 2018
Last week, when the weather was still cold and terrible, we decided it would boost our spirits to visit our favorite local winery. We spent a couple of hours visiting Brianza Gardens and Winery. Not only did we have some wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon, but we also got to talk with Tony about wine, upcoming events, and his recent remodel of the tasting room.
From a beautiful antique swinging door to the lovely mural on the back wall, the additional space in the tasting room is fantastic. It adds seating room and gives the winery a much roomier, welcoming space. The room also connects to the party and event space and when there is music, visitors will be able to hear the music while still visiting with friends. If you haven’t been able to visit Brianza for a while, you’re in for a treat. An afternoon there will brighten even the dreariest of dreary winter days.
Happy 2018!
Happy New Year’s to all of you! Hope that 2018 will be a great year for wine lovers! There are new wines and wineries in Kentucky, and we’re looking forward to trying them out. Hoping my cooking with wine book will be ready for you soon.
Getting ready to settle down and celebrate midnight with one of the best wines made in the state of Kentucky – 3 Reds by Wight, made by Jim Wight at Wight-Meyer Winery. Hope you have a good wine chosen to enjoy toasting in the New Year!
Happy New Year from the Kentucky Wine Lover
by admin with No CommentsA White Christmas, or maybe a Red!
Celebrate the holidays with your favorite people and your favorite wines. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Best wishes from the Kentucky Wine Lover!
by admin with No CommentsChristmas Wine
Christmas Lists
It’s almost that time of the year. Christmas is on its way! Deciding what wine to put on my list is so difficult. I really do love many different wines. But if I have to choose…….
Santa, please bring me a bottle of Cabernet Franc Reserve, from Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery.
Of course, that’s my choice today. I reserve the right to change my mind!
Since you’re a wine lover, why don’t you share. What’s on your Christmas list?
by admin with No CommentsThanksgiving Wishes!
All the wine experts have spent the last couple of weeks telling wine lovers which wines to choose for Thanksgiving Dinner. With the variety of foods served and the differences in our guests, my simple recommendation is choose your favorite wines. Whether your taste is red, white, or rosé, enjoying the wine is more important than obeying someone’s rules.
For those who would like a suggestion, 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 Cranberry during the fall that is really good. Brown County Winery in Nashville, Indiana makes a delicious, tart Cranberry Apple.
As you gather together with family and friends, enjoy the food, the wine and the time spent with loved ones. Remember to be thankful and take time to relax.
Happy Thanksgiving from the Kentucky Wine Lover!
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