Garguilo Vineyards 2006 Money Road Ranch Cab

WOW! Is what I have to say about Gargiulo Vineyards Money Road Ranch 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon I had during my girls weekend trip to the Bay area.

This well build sophisticated Cabernet shows strong aromas of prune and black fruit with hints of cassis.  On the palate there are soft and sexy tannins.  Blackberry and layers of black fruit are throughout this wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is silky and smooth and will leave you with a smile on your face. You will not want to share!

Gargiulo Vineyards is located in Napa with three vineyards, Oakville, Money Road Ranch and 575 ovx.  The Money Road Ranch is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 20 months in medium plus French barrels with 78% of those barrels new.  There was 900 cases made.

I Passed The Wine Location Specialist Certification Exam

I don't know why I do this to myself.  While at the Society of Wine Educators conference last summer I signed up to take the Center for Wine Origins Location Specialist Certification Exam.  This certificate program is a collaboration between Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC) and the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP).

I was originally scheduled to take the exam in September but with the launch of Happy Bitch Wines I deferred until the January exam.  Like I would have more time then - What was I thinking?  Then I thought it was only multiple choice test, and a week before the exam I realized there was a 500 word essay.  I would put my stress level on high.

I studied and it did pay off.  Passing is a getting 40 out of 50 correct on the multiple choice and at least 3 out of 5 on the essay.  I was hoping for the best because I usually don't tell anyone when I take an exam, but two people in the industry knew and I sure didn't want to be embarrassed.  I guess I don't give myself enough credit.

What does all this mean?  It means as a Wine Location Specialist I am accredited by the CIVC and the IVDP and certified to lead wine education seminars, tastings and dinners specific to Champagne and Port. I am also one of 125 people across the globe with this certification. 

So if you are in need of an educator, let me now! Champagne and Port, with wonderful pairings.  I'd be happy to work with you.

Nice Vidal Blanc - Brimstone Hill Vineyards

Boy was I surprised when I opened and tasted the 2010 Brimstone Hill Vineyards NYS Vidal Blanc, surprised at how nice it was. This wine won a bronze medal at the Hudson Valley Wine & Spirits Competition.

The nose was very clean and crisp.  Floral and pineapple aromas filled the glass.  It made me think of spring.

The wine had a very nice mouth feel with strong flavors of Bartlett pear.  It's semi sweet with 3% residual sugar which balances out the acidity quite nicely. The wine paired well with the flounder I cooked for dinner.

The wine sells in the tasting room for $10.88.

Robibero Family Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Franc

Once you put your nose into the glass of this 2008 Cabernet Franc you get an initial aroma of black pepper and cherry.  It's a very nice nose with strong aromas. As the wine opens it gives way to soft hints of oak and cranberry.
 The palate doesn't have as much fruit as I was expecting.  It's slightly bitter on the finish fading with hints of pepper and tart cranberry.

Billsboro 2009 Finger Lakes Pinot Noir

On a trip up to the Finger Lakes last summer, my mission was to visit wineries I haven't visited in the past.  Billsboro Winery was the first we stopped at after a wonderful lunch at the Belhurst Castle.

Billsboro Winery was purchased in 2007 by local winemaker Vincent Aliperti and his wife Kim.  Vincent has been in the wine industry for a while.  He began his career in winemaking on Long Island in 1997 at Wolffer Estate and moved to the Finger Lakes to work at Herman J. Wiemer Vineyards.  He spent one harvest there before moving across the lake to Atwater Estate Vineyards where he has been head winemaker and operations manager since 2003.  I've been to Atwater before so I was excited to taste the wines Vincent could truly call his own at Billsboro.

Aromas of strawberry, cedar and spice filled your nose with this 2009 Billsboro Finger Lakes Pinot Noir.  There was a little smoke in the distance on the nose. I found hints of allspice on the palate with strong cherry throughout.  There were soft tannins and some earthy qualities that rounded out the wine.

There were 117 cases of this wine produced.   The grapes were sourced from Sawmill Creek Vinayards and Leidenfrost Vineyards.  The wine sells for $18 bottle.

This Pinot paired very well with a turkey pasta casserole I made with leftover turkey, sausage and rice stuffing, gravy and a little wine.

Visit Happy Bitch Wines at the New York Wine Expo

Happy Bitch Wines is hitting the town again and this time we are going to the Big Apple!  We are very excited to be participating in the New York Wine Expo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center March 2 - 4.  Make sure you GET YOUR HAPPY ON and come visit us in booth 558.

Besides tasting Happy Bitch Wines Rose, you will have the opportunity to taste wines from approximately 150 producers throughout the world.  Finger Lakes Wine Country will be there with their and have a variety of wines and information on the region. This year Wines of Greece will have a nice presence. I am looking forward to tasting some of their wines. (Keryl does let me out of the booth to go mingle and taste)

Don't forget about the wine education.  The wine seminars are an additional $30.  The seminars being offered are

• Wine 101: Taste Like a Pro with Wine Spectator
• Portugal - Discover a World of Difference (Friday only)
• The Rhone Valley: A River Runs Through It (Saturday only)

Come spend Friday evening or Saturday afternoon with us.  Use discount code GODDESS and receive $15 off your admission ticket.


See you at the Expo!!

Valentine's Weekend in the Hudson Valley

Looking to treat your Valentine to a special weekend.  There are many events to treat your loved one to this weekend.  Begin you planning.

Saturday February 11, Whitecliff Vineyards will be featuring truffles from Lagusta's Luscious paired with a rare sampling of their Methode Champenoise Sparkling Wine.

Saturday and Sunday February 11-12, Robibero Family Vineyards is featuring Moxie Cupcakes at their Sweet & Sinful Revenge. You will indulge in cupcakes, chocolate and wine.  What every women loves! Sample 4 wines and learn the history of grapes and the art of pairing.  This event needs reservations and cost $15 per person.  There are three seatings - 1pm, 2:30pm and 4pm.

Saturday and Sunday, February 11-12 Millbrook Winery is having a special tasting event featuring  their new wine infused chocolate truffles paired with their wine. Reservations are recommended. Special chocolate and wine tasting times are 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm and cost $20 per person.

Friday, February 10 kicks off Tousey Winery's "Art and Wine for Lovers" weekend.  Friday from 5pm-8pm their will be an art reception and showing by Rhinebeck artist Thomas Cale. The event will feature wine tastings and expert recommendations for art and wine pairing.  The art showing will continue for 6 weeks.