Greek Wine Tasting

Every year for the past four years I've poured at the Ladies of Philoptohos Greek Wine Tasting. It takes place Sunday, November 13 at the Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church in Poughkeepsie.  I am really quite disappointed because this year I will be out of town, but Mr. Hudson Valley Wine Goddess will be pouring in my place. 


I really enjoyed pouring at this event.  It gave me a chance to try the wines from Greece that you wouldn't normally seek out and learn about the indigenous grapes of the region. Surprisingly enough you come across a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. In the past three years I have seen some great strides in the winemaking that has come from this country.

The price of admission to this event is $25 or $30 at the door.  Well worth the price even if you don't drink.  The food is incredible!  Not to mention all those wonderful Greek desserts.  I am hoping my wonderful husband will bring me home those cookies with the powder sugar on it. (some long Greek name I can't pronounce nor spell)


If you want to taste the different wines from Greece, I highly recommend spending Sunday afternoon at this wine tasting.  You will be able to taste the different varieties of wines that Greece produces.  

• Xynomavro - a red variety from the northern Greece.  Typically grown in Macedonia and is compared to a Pinot Noir
• Agiorgitiko - a red variety grown in the Peloponnese region.  Tannic and fruity.
• Moschofilero - grown in the Mantinia region of Peleponnese.  This grape has high acidity with floral and spicy aromas
• Assyrtiko - this high acidic variety is originally from the island of Santorini but now grown throughout the country.

If you do attend the tasting, make sure you say hello to Mr. Hudson Valley Wine Goddess.

Winter in Hudson Valley Wine Country

Do you have cabin fever yet?  Why not spend the winter wine tasting in Hudson Valley Wine Country. Visit 10 wineries within 59 days - can you do it?

Hudson Valley Wine Country is offering a Winter in Wine Country Tasting Passport that is good from February 1 - March 31st at 10 wineries for $30pp.  You can taste at your leisure during the course of the winter.

The winter is a great time to visit the wineries.  Honestly, it is a slow time of year so it won't be crowded and you do get personal attention of the tasting room staff.

The 10 wineries participating in Winter in Wine Country are:

•  Benmarl Winery
•  Brotherhood Winery
•  Brookview Station Winery
•  Hudson-Chatham Winery
•  Millbrook Vineyards & Winery
•  Palaia Vineyards & Winery
•  Robibero Family Vineyards
•  Stoutridge Vineyard
•  Tousey Winery 
•  Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery

I see at least three weekend day itineraries here.  They would be:

Weekend day 1:  Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, Tousey Winery, Hudson-Chatham Winery, and Brookview Station Winery

Weekend day 2: Robibero Family Vineyards, Whitecliff Vinaryd & Winery, Benmarl Winery &; Stoutridge Vineyard

Weekend day 3: Palaia Vinards & Winery and Brotherhood Winery

Now that I have planned three days of wine tasting for you, purchase your ticket for Winter in Wine Country and choose three Saturdays or Sundays to venture out and go wine tasting! Ticket are on sale until January 31 

Hudson Valley Greek Wine Tasting

This Sunday I am pouring once again at the Ladies of Philoptohos Greek Wine and Food Tasting.  The event is being held at the Poughkeepsie Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church Hellenic Center in Poughkeepsie.  This is a great event to taste wines from Greece and to enjoy some fabulous Greek food!


I don't know what the selections are this year, but you may be in for a taste of Assyrtiko - a high acid white originally grown in Santorini, or Xynomavro, a red grown in Macedonia that is often compared to a Pinot Noir.   Last year there was a wine produced from Roditis, which is a pink skinned grape grown in the Peloponnese region that can be made into a white or rose wine.   I am sure there will be a bottle of Retsina floating around, wine infused with pine resin.  (I am not a fan of it, but it is something you have to try once)   You can read about the tasting last year by clicking here

There is still time to purchase your tickets.  Come taste some Greek wine with me.  Actually I'll be pouring it for you.  Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

Uncork the Experience of Woodstock at Winestock

This weekend "Uncork the experience of Woodstock" at Winestock being held at R Winery at Robibery Family Vineyards.

Relive the experience of Woodstock - listen to the music from the era as the Brian Dougherty Band, 1 Step West and Liquid Lunch get you rocking.  There will be food available for sale from Conklin Catering. They will be providing, hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue items, shrimp skewers, fruit and cheese platters and more. All food will be prepared on site. There will also be local vendors selling items of the “Woodstock” theme.

Tickets for the event are $10 and include one standard tasting flight in the tasting room. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.winestock.eventbrite.com/.

This is going to be rockin' day!

Pasta Primo Vino

These are busy times in Hudson Valley Wine Country.  This past weekend was the opening of the Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail and now this upcoming weekend is the Shawangunk Wine Trail's Pasta Primo Vino.

Pasta Primo Vino is a great way to introduce yourself to the Shawangunk Wine Trail wineries, celebrate Spring and Bud Break all for one low ticket price of $22 plus tax.  That one price allows you tasting at all 11 wineries on the Shawangunk Wine Trail for the day and they will each be offering free samplings of a pasta dish.  The event runs from 10am to 6pm - so you have 8 hours to taste at 11 wineries if you choose to visit all of them.

Here is what they will be serving:

Adair Vineyards - Spring Orzo Salad.

Applewood Winery -  Rigatoni Provencal

Benmarl Winery – Gnocci with sage & Butter sauce

Brimstone Hill – Pasta Provencal

Glorie Farm Winery – Kicked up Mac & Cheese

Whitecliff Vineyards - Pasta Fagioli

Warwick Valley Winery – Lasagna Bolgnese & Vegetarian Lasagna

Palaia Vineyards - Penne Chicken Pesto Ragazzi

Stoutridge Vineyards – American Cold Pasta Salad

Brotherhood Winery- Orzo Pasta with wild mushrooms, herbs and truffle oil

Baldwin Vineyards - Baked Four Cheese Pasta

I am sure many of the wineries will have some of their new releases available, especially the 2009 whites.  I encourage you to purchase you tickets in advance.  Advance ticket sales end April 15 at 6pm.  Tickets sold at the door will be at a higher cost.  

I am looking forward to hear about your experiences on the trail during Pasta Primo Vino.  Here is a look at some of my experiences from the event.

Your Summer Ticket to Hudson Valley Wines

 Hudson Valley Wine Country has a great way for you to explore their wineries this summer with the "Summer Passport Ticket."  This ticket allows you to receive a complimentary standard wine tasting at 14 participating wineries in the Hudson Valley.  This is a great way to taste at the different wineries in the valley. You can pack a picnic lunch and spend an afternoon at one, while two weeks later you can do the same in another part of the region.

The 14 wineries that are participating are:

• Adair Vineyards - 82 Allhusen Road, New Paltz NY  845.255.1377
• Applewood Winery - 82 Four Corners Road, Warwick NY 845.988.9292
• Baldwin Vineyards - 176 Hardenburgh Road, Pine Bush NY 845.744.2226
• Benmarl Winery - 156 Highland Avenue, Marlboro NY 845.236.4265
• Brimstone Hill Vineyards - 61 Brimstone Hill Road, Pine Bush NY 845.744.2231
• Brotherhood Winery - 100 Brotherhood Plaza Dr. Washingtonville NY 845.496.3661
• Clinton Vineyards - 450 Schultzville Rd. Clinton Corners NY 845.266.5372
• Glorie Farm Winery - 40 Mountain Road, Marlboro NY 845.236.3265
• Hudson-Chatham Winery - 1900 State Route 66, Ghent NY 518.392.WINE
• Millbrook Vineyards & Winery - 26 Wing Road, Millbrook NY 845.677.8383
• Palaia Vineyards & Winery - 10 Sweet Clover Rd. Highland Mills NY  845.928.5384
• Stoutridge Vineyard - 10 Ann Kaley Lane, Marlboro NY  845.236.7620
• Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery - 114 Little York Rd. Warwick NY  845.258.4858
• Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery - 331 McKinstry Rd. Gardiner NY 845.255.4613

Tickets are on sale now through May 31, 2010.  You can purchase the tickets directly from the Hudson Valley Wine Country Website.  This will be a great ticket to have this summer!  Tickets to the tasting room!

I'm pouring at a Greek Wine Tasting

On Sunday, November 15  I will be pouring once again for the Ladies of Philoptohos at the 2nd Greek Wine and Food tasting event from 3:00-6:00p.m at Hellenic Center on Park Avenue in Poughkeepsie.  I poured at this event last year and they had quite a turnout.  The women of the Ladies of Philoptohos really know how to put out a spread.  Just the food alone is a reason to come!

In case you are wondering, no I am not Greek.  However, my mother-in-law is from Athens, but that is not how I got involved with this event.  My long time childhood friend Demetra asked me to pour last year and once again this year.  How can I turn her down, she played Monopoly with me when all my friends went to the Prom and I didn't have a date. After we waved her sister Kally and her date off in the Limo, her dad offered me a shot of Ouzo to drown my sorrows, (before all you people go nuts, the drinking age was 18 then.)  Even though I was down in the dumps that day Demetra made it worse by beating me at Monopoly.  Yes, Demetra, I'll never forget!  Childhood friendships are to cherish, they are the friends that will always be there for you, no matter if you talk every day or once a year.  It's once a year Demetra makes that call and I accept.

The cost is $25 and below are the wines that will be poured.  I'll have a complete report next week on the wines I tasted. 

2009 Greek Wine Tasting