Kevin Zraly to host wine classes at Millbrook Winery

Kevin Zraly, the founder and teacher of the immensely popular Windows on the World Wine School, and the author of the Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, will bring an abridged (but equally entertaining) version of his 8-part "Windows on the World Wine School" to Millbrook Winery this summer. Seating for all three sessions will be limited so we encourage you to call soon! Cost is $125 per session or $325 for all three.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13 from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Session 1: Understanding Pinot Noir

Kevin will discuss and taste through Pinot Noir wines from around the world. Our tasting will focus on the different styles that these regions offer and the vinification procedures that are used to make a great Pinot Noir. The tasting will include wines from Côte Chalonnaise, Côte de Beaune, and Côte de Nuits from Burgundy and from the best regions in California, Oregon and New York. Join us from 5:00 - 5:30 for a short reception featuring Millbrook wines and local cheese.

SATURDAY, JULY 11 from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Session 2: Understanding Cabernet Franc

Kevin will discuss and taste through Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc wines from around the world. Includes wine and cheese reception.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Session 3: The Art of Red Wine Blending and Dinner

Discover your inner winemaker with this unique opportunity to create your own wine blend. After mastering the use of pipettes and graduated cylinders, your final cuvee will be bottled and corked in a 375 ml bottle complete with your own custom wine label. A 3-course dinner featuring Millbrook wines will floow the blending portion of this event.

These seminar are going to be fantastic! Kevin Zraly is a Hudson Valley resident and it's an honor to have him sharing his knowledge locally.

To reserve your seat at one or all of these seminars call Stacy at 800.662.9463 ext. 17. Don't forget to tell her the Hudson Valley Wine Goddess sent you:)

Whitecliff Awosting White with Blue Cheese Risotto

You know what they say, a little wine for the dish, a little wine for me. The menu was Blue Cheese Risotto and I chose a 2008 Whitecliff Vineyards Awosting White (Hudson Heritage White) for the dish. A glass for me a cup for the Risotto.

The Awosting was very clear, almost white with a slight yellow hue. You could really taste the apricot in this. It was crisp, but not as crisp as I usually like it. This wine is made from 40% Vignoles and 60% Seyval Blanc. More of the Vignoles seem to come out in this wine, when usually the Seyval Blanc stands out and brings the crispness. It was a very nice wine and went well with the Risotto.

Blue Cheese Risotto

2 tbs buter
1tbs olive oil
1 shallot finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
6 ounces bacon
12 ounces arborio rice
1/2 cup white wine
6 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 tsp chopped fresh sage
juice of 1 lemon and zest
6 ounces blue cheese
4 tbs parmasean cheese, freshly grated.

Bring stock to a simmer. Melt 1 tbs butter with olive oil and saute shallots about 5 minutes until soft. Add bacon and cook. Stir in garlic and rice. Cook for about two minutes stirring until the rice is coated in the butter and oil. Add wine to pan. When wine is almost gone, add hot stock a cup at a time. Stirring constantly until it's absorbed. Once one cup is absorbed, add another until you've added all the stock. Add fresh sage. turn off the heat. Stir in the leamon juice, zest, 1tbs butter, parmesan and blue cheese.

Enjoy

Quadricentennial Labels Commemorate the 2009 Vintage of Hudson Valley Wines

A Quadricentennial Commemorative Wine Label will brand special 2009 releases of Hudson Valley wine to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Hudson River. Participating Hudson Valley wineries will release one red and one white wine made from 100% Hudson Valley-grown grapes or fruit to commemorate the year-long celebration.

These special gold labels are emblazoned with the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial-themed logo, “ExploreNY400” and will help to place a spotlight on the contributions the region has made in the world of viticulture since its earliest origins. Tourists can visit the wineries or attend one of the many wine events around the region this year and take home a souvenir of the Quadricentennial in the form of a bottle of locally-made wine. More information about the labels and the winemaking history of Hudson River Valley can be found in the Spring 2009 issue of Hudson Valley Wine magazine or online at www.hvwinemag.com.

Nearly 50,000 bottles of these special 2009 commemorative Quadricentennial wines will be available for purchase at participating wineries throughout the Hudson Valley. The wineries include (in alphabetical order):
- Adair Vineyards, New Paltz
- Applewood Winery, Warwick
- Benmarl Winery, Marlboro
- Brookview Station Winery, Castleton-on-Hudson
- Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville
- Hudson-Chatham Winery, Ghent
- Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, Millbrook
- Palaia Vineyards, Highland Mills
- Pazdar Winery, Scotchtown
- Silver Stream Winery, Monroe
- Stoutridge Vineyard, Marlboro
- Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, Warwick
- Whitecliff Vineyard, Gardiner

The Hudson River Region is one of nine designated AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) in New York State, and is the oldest winemaking region in the country with its grape growing origins dating back to the discovery of the river by Henry Hudson in 1609. Hudson remarked on the abundance of native grapes and fruits growing alongside the banks of the River during his maiden voyage and shortly thereafter, early settlers were encouraged to grow grapes to make wine. The earliest vineyards in the country are attributed to the French Huguenots who settled in present-day New Paltz, Ulster County. There are now over 30 wineries located in the region on both sides of the Hudson River, with the oldest winery, Brotherhood Winery, remaining the oldest winery in continuous operation in the United States.


About the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial:
This year, 2009, marks the 400th anniversaries of the voyage of English Captain Henry Hudson, who led the first European expedition to sail up the river that now bears his name, and the voyage of Frenchman Samuel de Champlain, the first to discover the namesake lake. To celebrate these simultaneous 400th anniversaries – as well as the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s maiden steamboat journey up the Hudson River – New York State is planning a yearlong series of events, programs and projects that highlight the discovery of New York, celebrating the State’s Dutch, French and English roots and heritage. For more information go to www.exploreny400.com.

Hudson Valley Wine Competition Video

If you all wondered what goes on at a wine competition here is the video from the April 25 Hudson Valley Wine Competition.

I invite all of you to join me at the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Pairing Dinner - A Celebration of Hudson Valley Wines on June 12 at Terrapin Catering at the Dinsmore Golf Course. Purchase you tickets here

Wines of Chile - Natura

I am blessed to have wonderful friends and to share great wine with them. As part of a tasting trial I was sent a bottle of 2008 Natura, Sauvignon Blanc form Valle Casablanca Chile. This wine is also organic.

No one better to test a Sauvignon that to share it with Ann, the Sauvignon Blanc Queen.

I thought this wine was wonderful. Very crisp smell and soft acid. On the palate it was lemony, sweet and sour.

We had this with jerk chicken and Salmon and it went very well. In fact, it subdued the sweet and sour of the lemon and smoothed it out.

Fresh Fish in the Vineyard

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, stop by Whitecliff Vineyards in Gardiner NY. They are having their annual "Fresh Fish in the Vineyard."

Michael Migliore, owner/winemaker headed up to the Finger Lakes today to go fishing with friends. They will be bringing back rainbow trout to grill for guests. This trout will be served as fish tacos that will be complemented by Whitecliffs selection of white wines.

Tickets for this event are $14 in advance and $16 at the door. Contact Whitecliff if you plan on attending. I might be stopping by.

WBW - California Inspiration

California is where it all began. A trip to Napa in 1997 before a friends wedding, led us into the world of wine. Not knowing much, I stopped to see a travel colleague and he sent us up the Silverado Trail. We came home with what we later learned was some really good wine! It was a good thing we cellared it. (Silver Oak and Staggs Leap)

Because we enjoyed it so, I searched the then young Internet for a wine club to join. I came across a winery called Goosecross in Napa. I didn't know anything about them, but I liked their label. I joined, I liked, I shared.

What I later learned when my friend from CA was in town in 2000 was that she knew the owners of Goosecross. Having just placed an order, I emailed Colleen and told her of our mutual friend. What we later learned was that her husband David and I both grew up in our young childhood in New Rochelle, NY not to far from one another. Six degrees of seperation.

Now over 10 years later, I am still a member of their wine club. I visit when I'm in the Napa area and I send clients their as well, we exchange Christmas cards, it's a friendship that's been created over a label and a desire to join a wine club.

Since the picture above which was taken July 22, 2006 while fishing off the coast of Cape Cod with a bottle of Goosecross Syrah, I opened a 2006 Goosecross Syrah that recently came in my wine club shipment.

The Syrah had alcohol on the nose at first. But as it opened the vanilla came out. I could taste cherry in the back of my palate. It was oaky and on the finish had earthy spice with some toasted oak. I know this will improve within the next year as the flavors will come forward.

This Syrah sells for $34 on their website.

Now that I have a smile on my face from the memories and friendship created over this wine, I look forward to stopping by in July when I'm in the area for the Wine bloggers conference.

Hudson Valley Riesling

Boy am I lucky. I went into the wine cellar looking for a Riesling in honor of May - Riesling Month, and I found a Riesling bottle that had in marker Whitecliff 2007. No label, just marker. (hence no picture)

The 2007 growing season was the best ever in the Hudson Valley and in all of New York State. I had high expectations on opening this wine. I wasn't let down. This is an estate grown riesling.

This wine was a beautiful rich yellow. On the nose it had honeydew melon. On the taste it had hints of pineapple. On the finish it had a soft spice on the roof of your mouth followed by a soft acidic finish.

This was a wonderful Riesling. Unfortunately, I checked the Whitecliff website as I am writing this blog and it's sold out, but it sold for $15.95.

TasteCamp Wrap-Up

It was a fantastic weekend on the North Fork. Lenn Thompson out did himself with TasteCamp. Many kudos to him. Thank you Long Island Wine Industry for welcoming all of us bloggers into your tasting rooms and vineyards.

It was great to meet the many bloggers and twitters I converse with on a daily basis.

What I find interesting is that many wineries in the Hudson Valley source (purchase) their Merlot grapes from Long Island. Some people aren't going to like my next comment, but Merlot prices in the Hudson Valley are under $20 made with grapes sourced from Long Island. What makes the Long Island Merlots so much more expensive? A question that I don't think there is an answer to.

I am looking forward to next years TasteCamp in the Finger Lakes. I can compare Rieslings then:)

I have taken many videos of the weekend, to numerous to post. You can view them by going to http://www.youtube.com/hvwinegoddess

In addition pictures of TasteCamp can be viewed here.

TasteCamp East - A Wine Region Away - In the Vineyard with Barbara Shinn & David Page

A couple of years ago I was out on the North Fork with Michael & Yancey Migliore of Whitecliff Vineyards and we visited David and Barbara of Shinn Estate Vineyards. The time was mid July and we toured their vineyards with them and what a tour and education I received. So when I saw the TasteCamp itinerary we were going to Shinn, I was thrilled! Barbara and David are so knowledgeable! They are using substainable and biodynamic viticulture practices in their vineyard, I feel many vineyard owners and managers can learn a great deal from them.

They fertilize their soils with natural ingredients like fish, seaweed, and compost. Their vines gain strength by seeking out these nutrients rather than by feeding chemical fertilizers.

Barbara and David talk about their vineyard.

TasteCamp East - A Wine Region Away - Shinn Estate

On Saturday we were treated to a wonderful lunch and tasting at Shinn Estates. On the table were a Shinn Estates Sauvignon Blanc and Macari Savignon Blanc. Both were very good. The Shinn was blended with a bit of Semillion which I thought was very good. I can be very critical of my Sauvignon Blancs. There was also a very nice Rose served at lunch. There were some reds on the table, but I seemed to stick with the whites.

While we were eating the discussions began. Joe Macari of Macari Vineyards spoke about his vitniculture practices in his family owned winery.

TasteCamp East - A Wine Region Away Day Two

Day two of taste camp was jammed packed with lots of tasting, talks, and relationship building. I enjoyed everyone's company, made new friends and look forward to the next TasteCamp.

We met at Roanoke Vineyards at 10AM sharp Saturday morning. The five of us staying at the Red Barn B&B were the first to arrive. Of course we all came together (Tom, Robbin, Melissa, Paul and myself) We were quite the Five Some! I enjoyed their company and would stay with them again at a B&B.

I will share with you our tasting at Roanoke Vineyards with owner Richard Pisacano. We tasted some wonderful wines with Richard. The 2004 Blend One ws very nice. It was comprised of 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 43% Cab Franc. It had pepper mid taste, with a nice balance, aroma and plum color. Unfortunately this one is a tease as they are all sold out. It sold fro $30. What was very interesting is the 2006 Cab Franc ($32) and the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($40) were blends of complete opposite. The Cab. Sauv. was 88% Cab Sauv, 3% Merlot and 9% Cab Franc, while the Cab Franc was 9% Cab Sauv, 3% Merlot and 88% Cab Franc. The Cab Franc brings the pepper to each of these wines in different places. The last one we tasted was 2007 Marco Tulio (Blend Three - named after Richard's father-in-law)). The 2007 growing season was spectacular! This blend was aged 12 months in barrels and was just bottled in February. It is a drink NOW wine, not to be cellared. Price is undecided but will be aroud the $22 mark.

Taste Camp East; Long Island Wine Country - A wine Region Away

I attend Taste Camp East this weekend that was hosted by Lenn Thompson of Lenndevours. Lenn did an outstanding job of hosting 30 wine bloggers in Long Island Wine Country. We had weekend packed with wine tasting and activities.

We arrived on the North Fork around 1pm and turned to the GPS for a place to eat some lunch before tasting. We found ourselves at Cliff's Elbow Room Two in Jamesport, NY. Great local place. I had a marinaded burger that was wonderful!

Afterwards, we headed up the street to Laurel Lake Vineyards which we had a nice tasting at. Then we went to Peconic Bay, Jamesport and Pellegrini Vineyards. We were just in time for Bud Break..the start of the season where the buds burst on the vines.

One thing I have to say is we found the tasting fees and wine prices quite inflated. At Pellegrini we opted for the reserve tasting of $12. So we received a tasting of 4 wines and some oyster crackers. $12, I don't think it was worth it, but for the $7 tasting we weren't offered some of the reserve wines we wanted to taste. We found most of the wines were price over $20.

Friday night we were treated to a wonderful reception and dinner at Raphael Vineyards sponsored by the Merlot Alliance. A wonderful reception it was. We had some nice tastings of Merlot and a great dinner. They brought out the big ones for us. One that really stood out to me was a 1998 Wolffer Merlot.

Thank you Long Island Merlot Alliance!

My next few post will be about my weekend with TasteCamp, complete with winemaker video. It was a great weekend and wonderful to put faces to many people I speak with during the course of the week. I am looking forward to the next gathering.

Off to Taste Camp

I'm off to the North Fork today to experience Long Island Wine Country with fellow bloggers.

We have a full weekend planned with tastings at Roanoke Vineyards, Paumanok Vineyards, Shinn Estate Vineyards, Bedell Cellars and Lenz Winery on Saturday. Unfortunately I have to get back on Sunday so I won't be going to the South Fork with them to visit Wolffer Estate and Channing Daughters Winery.

I am looking forward to our reception Friday night at Raphael. Two or so years ago they made a fantastic Sauvignon Blanc that you could only purchase 2 bottles per person. I wanted a case! Saturday nights dinner is a BYOB at Grand Cru Classes. I've packed two cases of Hudson Valley Wine that was left over from this past weekends competiton. The award winning wines of course, so everyone can taste!

I am looking forward to meeting my fellow bloggers. Hopefully my crackberry will stay charged and you can keep up with me on Twitter. Follow me at www.twitter.com/hvwinegoddess