Murder Mystery at the Winery

Have you ever attended a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre?  Years ago for New Years Eve, I did a Murder at the Winery dinner.  Everything came in a box including the invitations and how to dress.  We had such a great time we forgot to eat dinner and it was 11:30pm when we realized so.  (I might even still have the box and scripts)

A few years later at a conference in Colorado I attended a Murder Mystery Dinner and it was a blast!  The characters are mingling with you, someone dies and you have to figure out who did it!

Now you have a chance to participate! Brookview Station Winery in Castleton-on Hudson is bring you Murder Mystery Dinner at the Winery on Tuesday August 14 6pm - 9pm

The Setting:  The murder occurs at  Brookview Station circa the roaring '20's and a mystery surrounding bootlegging of that era.  You, the audience, will help solve the mystery of who killed "The Vintner"There will be a prize for the best-dressed guest in the style of the 20's.

The cost for the dinner is $40.  Reservations can be made online at http://www.brookviewstationwinery.com or calling 518.732.7317

The Dinner: You will begin with Wine Tasting & Cheese Sampling 6-6:30pm

Mystery Dinner Theater Buffet Menu

Entrees 

Stuffed Filet of Sole

Wild Rice Stuffing in a  Lemon Butter Sauce

Orchard Pork Tenderloin-

Pork Tenderloin roasted with onions, cherries, apples

in an apple cider reduction.

Chicken Pear Pasta

Apple Chicken Sausage, Roasted Red Pepper sautéed with fresh garlic and finished with Brookview Station Pear Wine. Served over penne.

Accompaniments

Italian Roasted Potatoes

Grilled Summer Vegetable Medley

Marinated Tomato & Cucumber Salad 

Desserts

Apple, Peach Melba or Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Coffee, Iced Tea, Apple Cider

Presented by Mystery Theater Players

All Aboard

All Aboard - this 2010 red wine blend from Brookview Station Winery is a blend of 40% DeChaunac, 30% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot.

I found it light in body and the Cabernet Franc really comes through on the nose with aromas of raspberry and spice.

I found sweet cherry, some black fruit and nice subtle black pepper spice on the palate.  It had a lingering finish of sweet black fruit. But something was off to me.  I keep coming back to the word sweet. The sweetness did leave a sweet aftertaste in my mouth.  After a little research I found out that this wine has 1.3% residual sugar.

If you like your red wines slightly sweet, with no tannins, this is a wine you should try.  It sells for $11.99 in their tasting room.

Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail Season Kick-Off

The Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail is kicking off the season April 9th with their Pasta Trail Event.  What's unique about the Hudson Berkshire Beverage Trail is you have wine, beer and spirits you get to taste.  There is something for everyone.

The event cost is $15 and that gives you a passport good at Brookview Station Winery, Harvest Spirits, Chatham Brewery, Tousey Winery, Hudson-Chatham Winery and Furnace Brook Winery. The event runs from noon - 5pm.

I did attend this event last year and really enjoyed it.  The wine, the beer and the spirits!  If you are a vodka drinker, Harvest Spirits makes Core Vodka, very smooth! Have a beer tasting at Chatham Brewery is a great palate cleanser before moving onto the next winery. 

Office - Wine - Matchmaker

I am a firm believer that there is a wine for everyone.  I always keep an open mind when tasting,  just because I don't prefer a certain wine, someone else will.  There is nothing to say the wine is good or bad, it is personal preference.

With that in mind, the holidays rolled around and I decided to pair local Hudson Valley Wine with my co-workers. (my day job is in health care not wine).  I have one co-worker who likes sweet fruity wine.  During the summer I was in the liquor store at lunch with Jillian and she purchase Arbor Mist for a party.  She joked with me about being with the Wine Goddess asking my opinion and then walking out with Arbor Mist.  I told here not feel bad, she likes wine spritzers and you have to purchase what your palate enjoys.

For the holidays I purchased a Brookview Station Whistle Stop White for her.  Knowing Jillian liked fruity wine with some sweetness, I thought this would be a nice match for her.   On Wednesday evening I received the following text from her:
     "Ok can I tell you how good this wine is that u gave me for Christmas?  I opened it and said I am gonna have 1 glass.  Yeah right, I might have a hangover tomorrow!"

Score a wine match for me! Score a new customer for Brookview Station.  No she didn't have a hangover in the morning.  She only had 2 glasses and saved the rest for the next day. (stressful week at work)

Season's Greetings on the Hudson Berkshire Beverage Trail

Tis the season of holiday trail events.  This season marks the inaugural holiday event on the Hudson Berkshire Beverage Trail "Season's Greetings."

Can you say CHEERS?  CHEERS is what you are going to receive this weekend when your travel the trail that spans from Germantown, NY to Castleton, NY over into Richmond and Great Barrington, MA. Visit all the trail members this weekend and you will receive a sequined wreath bottle necklace that spells "CHEERS"

To participate in this event just purchase your trail passport at any of the locations on Saturday or Sunday for $15, $5 for your designated driver.  Each passport will entitle you to beverage samplings, snacks and a wine charm at all Trail venues.  Event hours are 12pm - 5pm Saturday and Sunday.  Remember, you must visit all members during the weekend to complete bottle necklace that spells "Cheers."

For more information visit the Hudson Berkshire Beverage Trail.  CHEERS!

Wine Pairings for the Associates in Your Life

Ever get stumped on what to purchase for the associates in your life.  The hairdresser, your boss, personal trainer etc...  Natalie McLean, of Nat Decants has put together a list of what to get for your associates.  I have added local wine suggestions next to each associate.  As of writing this post, the wines were available in the tasting rooms at all the wineries.  Some wines you will be able to find in local liquor/wine stores. If you don't see them, just ask.

Natalie’s Top Ten Gift Wines for Your ...

1. Hairdresser: For the person who combines humor and optimism every time she styles your mop. Go for a light, gulpable wine like a dry rosé. It’s versatile and fuss-free—a great quaff for your coif.  (Millbrook Vineyards and Winery Hunt Country Rose $15; or Benmarl Winery Rose)

2. Psychiatrist: Of course, he’ll analyze whatever you give him so choose a wine that’s all about balance. Easy-drinking pinot noir is medium-bodied yet packed with flavor. Surprise him with a large-format bottle, like a magnum. Big thinking means big progress for you. This wine also works for psychologists, marriage counselors and bartenders. (Millbrook Vineyard and Winery 2009 Pinot Noir $18)

3. The Boss: Pick too pricey a wine and your boss will think your last raise was too much; go cheap, and she’ll think you lack judgement. Focus on a label with a lot of white space since that makes the bottle look more expensive. A castle in the distance also works, but avoid fluffy animals. (Whitecliff Vineyards and Winery 2009 Gamay Noir $16.95 )

  

4. Personal Trainer: Think a muscular, robust red would work? Hold that position. Instead, try riesling: this light white wine pairs well with a health-nut diet of salad and seafood, plus it’s low in alcohol. You can also give it to Pilates instructors, yoga masters and Tai Chi coaches.(Brotherhood Winery Dry or Semi-Dry Riesling $9.99)

  

5. Financial Planner: You and he both know it’s going to take decades before your portfolio recovers after the crash of 2008. With that long-term view, vintage port makes the perfect gift. This fortified wine from northern Portugal, with its long aging potential, will be around for both of you into your retirements. (Brotherhood Winery Ruby Port $9.99)

  

6. Travel Agent: She’s been everywhere and seen everything, so go local with your choice of wine. Even better, if you live close to the winery, get the bottle signed by the winemaker. (Hudson-Chatham Winery 2009 Baco Noir)

7. Teacher: If you can’t find a suitably obscure wine with a Latin name, there’s always cream sherry. It’s the tipple of Oxford dons, not to mention the centerpiece of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic short story The Case of the Amontillado. (Brookview Station Winery Whistle-Stop White $12.99)

  

8. Mail Deliverer: Go for a winery that’s consistent year after year in producing a wine that can be enjoyed in snow, rain, sleet or hail. Try an Australian shiraz or Argentine malbec. (Whitecliff Vineyards and Winery 2009 Malbec $18.95)

9. Mechanic: Yes, there’s a wine called Red Truck, but try to be more imaginative. Why not give a wine made by Mario Andretti in California or Ferrari in Italy? (Glorie Farm Winery Red Monkey $13.50)

10. Online Date: So you’re on your second or third rendezvous with the person you met on eHarmony or Dating.com. If you’re not sure yet whether marriage is a possibility, try something middle-of-the-road, like merlot. Yes, it’s the soft jazz of wine, but until you know, play it safe. (Palaia Vineyards Merlot $18.99)

And after all that shopping, don’t forget yourself: even Santa’s little helpers need more than milk and cookies. Try something with high-alcohol like Italian Amarone or Rhone syrah: these big reds easily drown out tone-deaf caroling and pair beautifully with tired feet. (Whitecliff Vineyard and Winery 2008 Sky Island Red $23.95, Millbrook Vineyards and Winery, Millbrook Vineyards and Winery 2007 Cabernet Franc Proprietor's Special Reserve $29, Oak Summit 2008 Pinot Noir $30)

Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail Opening this Weekend

Since I last wrote about the creation of the Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail, two wineries have joined them.  These wineries are located not in NY, but in Massachusetts, just over the New York border.  Furnace Brook Winery in Richmond, MA and Les Trois Emme in Great Barrington, MA - Welcome!  


The festivities begin on Saturday April 10 at 12-noon with Pasta and Sauce.  You can purchase a Pasta Passport for $15 from any of the members of the trail.  A Pasta Passport will entitle you to a complimentary tasting flight of wine, beer or spirits at each location on Saturday.  Along with the tasting you will receive a taste of a special pasta dish.


I am a bit confused on what time the event ends.  I have a press release that states 5pm but on their Facebook Fan Page  and website it says 4pm.  I am sure they won't close the door on us.  


I am looking forward to this event and tasting at places that are new to me, especially if I make it over the border before 5p.  If I do, can anyone make an recommendations for dinner in Great Barrington, MA.  I haven't been there since my kids learned to ski at Butternut. (which I might add is a great place to for kids to learn, their ski school is excellent!)


Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail Members - Hudson-Chatham Winery, Brookview Station Winery, Tousey Winery, Furnace Brook Winery, Les Trois Emme Winery, Chatham Brewery and Harvest Spirits.

Apples and Pears

What do you get when you mix the fruit Apple and Pear?  You get Pomona by Brookview Station Winery.   Pomona is a tree fruit wine crafted with Apples and Pears.  The fruit is pressed in the apple press and blended together and put in stainless steel tanks fermentation begins and you have an end result of an Semi-Sweet Apple-Pear Wine.

Note - it is the fruit that is blended together, not the wine.

As I tasted this wine, I got a strong flavor of pear with a hint of apple and a nice finish.  When I voiced to Karen that I tasted mostly pear, she told me I like dry wine.  I did not voice my preferences prior to tasting.  When I told her she was correct, she informed me that people who like dry wine taste the pear in the Pomona.  People who like sweet wine taste the Apple.

I challenge you to taste Brookview Station's Pomona and tell me what fruit flavor stands out on your taste buds.

Fruit Wine

I will be the first to admit, I tend to shy away from fruit wine.  Wine made with apples, pears, cherries, etc.  In keeping an open mind, I recently had the opportunity to taste wine from Brookview Station Winery.  Brookview Station is located just outside Albany, NY in Castleton.  They make wine from fruit from their orchards.

All their fruit wine is processed in their cider press and aged in stainless steel tanks.

I'll begin with the Whistle Stop White.  This is a semi sweet Apple Wine.  We know I'm not much for sweet wines, but this wine wasn't that sweet.  Believe it or not, it had a dry finish.  The apple was not overpowering in this wine.  It was well balanced and I found that in all the fruit wines I tasted from Brookview Station.  This wine would be great and refreshing on a hot summers day.

I will review more of Brookview Stations wines this week.   Upcoming posts are Pear Wine, Apple-Pear Wine, Strawberry Sunrise.