Feb 22ndWine for Cabin Fever

Earlier this winter, we were all watching the news from the Northeast and being grateful that Kentucky’s weather was mild in comparison. But this past week, Kentucky has had its own round of snow and cold. The region has reached colder temperatures and more snow than has been seen in years. Even those who love snow are saying enough. For someone like me that doesn’t like winter at all, it has been more than enough. There is one way I can think of to enjoy a cold winter evening. Build a fire in the fireplace and open a bottle of a Kentucky red wine. Just in time for the weather, we got a few bottles of really great wines from the Commonwealth.

The 2012 vintage of Norton Reserve from Chrisman Mill Vineyard and Winery was released in December. While this wine is always a favorite, the new vintage is an exceptional one. This full-bodied wine has the spicy flavors of a fine Norton, but has achieved a mellow finish that sets it apart.

Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery’s Cabernet Franc has aged to even better than when it was first released. At the time, the wine was excellent and demonstrated the quality of wine that Kentucky could produce. Now after nearly two years, the wine has the subtle flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg with a finish of milk chocolate. After my first sip, my first thoughts were the flavors of spicy hot chocolate.

The spice and dark fruit flavors of the Lemberger from Prodigy Vineyard and Winery is always a special choice. With its soft tannins, the wine is smooth and offers red wine lovers a medium bodied taste of pepper and light leathery aromas.

A glass of a fine Kentucky red wine, a blazing fire, and a special someone can chase the winter blues and offer a remedy for cabin fever. Just think spring is just about a month away.