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Oliver Winery
We made our annual trip to Nashville, Indiana, and enjoyed ourselves, but the weather was not that good. Much of the time we were there, it was raining. Anyone who has visited that lovely town knows that walking along the streets and visiting shops is one of the reasons for your trip. It was interesting to see all of the visitors scurrying from one shop to another. Everyone did seem to be enjoying themselves. We did.
One of our favorite times was our trip to Oliver Winery just a short trip north of Bloomington. While the day was dreary outside with the beautiful views slightly damp, inside was warm and cozy. The wine was excellent as always. Bill Olivers’s Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favorites. It has the flavors of citrus and melon and a crisp finish. Mike’s favorite is the full fruit flavors of the Shiraz. This year, I also enjoyed a new Blackberry cider.
We took a break from the rainy weather, and enjoyed some wine in the barrel room. What better way to spend a wet day!
I’m dreaming of a white (or red) Christmas!
Mike and I wish you, your families, and your friends a wonderful holiday. We’ll be snuggling in front of a roaring fire, enjoying the tree, and having some excellent Kentucky wine. Pour a glass of your favorite and lift a glass – here’s to a great season with loved ones and peace on earth!
by admin with No Comments
Thanksgiving Wine
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Have a bottle of your favorite wine, whether a red or a white, and enjoy the company and the food.
Thanksgiving is a good time to relax and reflect on all those who make life so special. Have a great day!
by admin with No CommentsProdigy Vineyard and Winery
Visitors to Prodigy are in for a treat. Last month the old tasting room was closed and visitors now can enjoy tastings at the vineyard. The new tasting room is large with various amenities that many will find pleasing. The gift shop, while larger, offers the same unique, fun, wine-related items. A raised stage for entertainment, a fireplace surrounded by comfortable seating, more seating, and a larger tasting bar are all very welcoming for those visitors who find their way there when visiting the state’s capital. Wine lovers, who have made Prodigy one of their favorites, will be pleased to find that the Prodigy tasting room is still a great place to relax and enjoy some of the best wine in the state.
Brianza’s Food and Wine Event
Last weekend, Brianza welcomed visitors to an event that had it all — great wine, delicious food, good music, gracious hosts, and a great atmosphere. Local food vendors shared cheese and beer cheese during the day. During the early evening, we were treated to a sausage on a baguette, with a wonderful Marinara sauce. Both the sausage and the Marinara are made for the winery locally, using Tony’s special recipes. Of course, there was wine. Brianza features both white and red wines, offering dry and sweeter tastes. Rucca, a local duo, performed a wide variety of songs, from Johnny Cash and June Carter to the Indigo Girls.
A lot of wine lovers are finding their way to Brianza. Though only open for a few months, the winery has created a well-deserved reputation for themselves. This is definitely a place to visit over and over.
by admin with No Comments
Cookbook Updates
Visitors to the KentuckyWineLover know about the new book I’ve been working on for the last few months. The last couple of months have been hectic with lots of experimentation and cooking with wine. Denise Nelson and I have been working on the book and trying out recipes and making decisions about what we want to include. Hopefully, we’ll have some news soon about what’s included and when you can expect a release.
by admin with No CommentsKentucky Wine Festivals
Fall is the time for festivals in Kentucky, celebrating everything from ham to apples. Wine lovers will find celebrations of wine as well.
Bullitt County will once again host a wine festival on September 25 &26, at the Bullitt County fairgrounds. Go to www.bestkywineries.com for details about hours and times.
The Northern Kentucky Wine Festival will be held at MainStrasse in Covington on October 17. Visit http://www.mainstrasse.org/ for information about the upcoming festival.
In Lexington, on October 24, wineries from the state will also pour tastes at the Incredible Food Show held in Lexington Center next to Rupp Arena.
Many of the wineries host their own events. Check out the website of your favorite winery to look for their event or go to the Kentucky wine page at kentuckywine.com
Festivals are a fun way to try wines from many wineries so you can choose which ones to visit.
by admin with No CommentsKeswick Vineyards
Central Virginia’s wineries are some of the finest in the state. Keswick Vineyards is one of the best. Located on the historic Edgewood Estate, the vineyard covers 40 acres. The drive to the tasting room winding through the vineyard in lovely and inviting, making visitors enthusiastic to try the wine. We have always found our visit to be enjoyable and the wine to be special.
Our favorite wine this visit is Trevillian Red, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Petit Verdot. The wine is a superb big red with fruity aromas and flavors of dark fruits and coffee.
You will want to plan a visit if you’re in Virginia. The trip is worth it. The vineyards, the tasting room, and the wine make the visit one to remember.
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Jefferson Vineyards
Our visit to Virginia this summer included a visit to Jefferson Vineyards, located just a couple of miles from the grounds of Monticello. With gorgeous views in every direction the winery and tasting room is open to the public every day of the year except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, and many visitors find their way there every day.
We have visited there many times over the years and always enjoy ourselves. One of their most memorable wines is their blended red, Meritage. The 2012 vintage, is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The wine has flavors of bright fruits but with an earthy finish. Lovers of big reds will find this wine to be superior.
Last week, we opened a bottle of white we purchased there, a Petit Manseng. The Petit Manseng grape, mostly grown in Southwest France, has found its way to the eastern American vineyards and many wineries are offering this flavorful white wine. Jefferson’s Petit Manseng is one of the best I’ve tried. Aromas of lemon zest, almond, and honeysuckle are followed by flavors of grilled pineapples. The wine is delightful.
If you’re visiting central Virginia, you won’t want to miss a stop at Jefferson Vineyards.
Gabriele Rausse Winery
Until this year, wines from Gabriele Rausse Winery have been difficult to find, but definitely worth the search. We first happened upon one of his wines a few years ago and loved it and have continued to buy his wines whenever we found them. Gabriele is one of the founders of the Virginia wine industry, first coming to the United States in the 1970s. His first position at a Virginia winery was at the new Barboursville Vineyards, in 1976. He left there in 1979, and has since helped get many other wineries on their feet, either by working there or just consulting. In 1997, he established his own winery, where he continues to make wine with his two sons Tim and Peter.
Also, he is Director of Gardens and Grounds at Monticello, and cares for the vineyard there. Grapes, like Sangiovese, can be seen on the terraced vineyard below the gardens.
This year, we were pleased to discover that Gabriele Rausse Winery had opened a tasting room. While the hours are limited (only open Thursday, Friday, and Sunday), it is well worth the planning to fit it in your schedule if you are visiting. When we visited, we discovered a charming facility with a wide variety of wines to try. Tim Rausse served us and shared information about the wines. Our favorite was the Nebbiolo, an Italian grape, that produces a full-bodied, elegant red wine.
Our tasting experience was great and we will be sure to plan more visits there in the future. I recommend it.
