Wines of Washington Dinner

Right in my backyard is the Culinary Institute of America. So many people don’t take advantage of events and activities in their own backyard. I think that will be my theme this week. In Your Backyard.

March 26^th the Culinary Institute of America hosted a “Wines of Washington” Dinner. We started out the evening in the Danny Kaye Theatre for a lecture and tasting and then moved on to the American Bounty for dinner.

The presenter was Josh Maloney who is the Red Wine Maker at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Ironically enough Josh began his career in winemaking at Heron Hill Winery in the Finger Lakes.

Most of the wineries in Washington State are located east of the Cascades where the climate is dry and they have sandy soils. During the summer months the sun doesn’t begin to set until 10pm.

Chateau Ste. Michelle harvests their whites at night and get the grapes into the press when cold. They will harvest whites from 3am until 2pm at that time they will begin to harvest reds. The wineries of Chateau St. Michelle all have different specialties too. For example, Norhtstar focuses on Merlot while all red wines are made at Canoe Ridge.

The evening started off with us tasting 6 wines. 2006 Columbia Crest Grand Estates, Columbia Valley Chardonnay. This was buttery and smooth. Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyards 2005 Columbia Valley Chardonnay was nest. This wine was heavy, had a bit of chewiness to it. Beautiful golden yellow color with brown sugar on the nose. We now moved to the reds. 2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells District, Columbia Valley Merlot. This was fruity, jammy and had a toasty finish. Chateau Ste. Michelle,2005 Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley was next. This nose had a slight hint of Syrah and that’s because there is 9% Syrah blinded into it. The last two wines of the tasting were a 2006 Canoe Ridge, Horse Havens Hills Cabernet Sauvignon and 2005 Northstar Columbia Valley.

Then we were off to dinner at the American Bounty, which is one of my favorite restaurants at the CIA. We dined on Salad with Jumbo Crab, paired with a 2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Vineyards. Roast King Salmon paired with 2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells District Chardonnay. The main course was a slowly simmered Short Ribs paired with 2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot. This Merlot stood up very well with the short ribs. Then dessert….Vanilla Panna Cotta paired with 2005 Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, Horse Heaven Hills. The Chenin Blanc whet very well with the Panna Cotta. I am not much of a sweet, dessert wine person, but it is growing on me.

Palaia Vineyards - Newest Shawangunk Wine Trail Member

When you are waiting at the Dentist office, what are you thinking sitting there in the waiting room? Me, I usually pick up some gossip magazine and catch up. Jan Palaggi of Palaia Vineyards was sitting in the Dentist office and picked up a business magazine that said “What do you want to do when you retire..do something you have always wanted, or do nothing?” Jan thought..”I’ve always wanted to own a winery.” Now 9 years later her dream is a reality.

Set on a 200 year old cow farm, Palaia was officially licensed as a winery in 2001 and the spring of 2002 they planted their first vines. Today their vineyard consists of 1500 vines which include: Cab Franc, Traminette, Seyval, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. The tasting room opened in 2006.

Jan's labels are quite unique. They are all family members, including one of her when she was a teen. Very nostalgic.

I tasted most of her selections. Her Chardonnay was very nice. Hints of vanilla and lemon with a little oak. The 2006 Traminette was nice. I am so trying to like this grape. Jan crafted it quite nicely. A little minerally, but not overpowering.

I found their 2003 Pinot Noir light and the 2002 was more complex. I enjoyed both Cab Francs I tasted.

Fairly new to the winemaking scene, I expect wonderful wines to be produced at Palaia. She is off to a great start!

All year long Palaia has live music Thursday thru Sunday in the tasting room. Check their website for times. During the summer they have a stage set up on the lawn for music. July 25 & 26 they host a Neil Young Tribute which is a benefit for "Joan's Legacy" in the fight for Lung Cancer and they host a free Pig Roast for their customers. You have to be on their mailing list to be invited.

Palaia is a member of the Shawangunk Wine Trail and will be participating in all Shawangunk Wine Trail events.

Victory White by Clinton Vineyards

The year was 1992 when Bill Clinton was elected President of the United States. Phyllis and Ben Feder, owners of Clinton Vineyards in celebration of the election, released the first vintage of "Victory White" . Victory White is 100% Seyval Blanc. The year President Clinton was re-elected they released the second vintage of "Victory White" that was 1996.

In the late spring, Clinton Vineyards will be releasing their third vintage "2008 Victory White" in celebration of Barack Obama's Presidency. This vintage will be made with 100% Seyval Blanc as well.

I am really becoming a fan of Seyval Blanc. It's crisp and fresh, leaves you with sense of enjoyment after a glass or bottle. Goes very well with shell fish, and is wonderful on a hot summers day. (As I say that, it's +2 degrees outside and I'm waiting for that hot summers day)

Contact Clinton Vineyards to reserve your 2008 Victory White. It's sure to be a sell out.

Apple Picking and Wine

Yesterday I got out and went apple picking with my daughter, cousin Joanne and her children. We decided to try a new orchard and went to Dubios Farms. It was nice, but the map they gave us took us a while to figure out. We needed an Apple GPS in the orchard.

The apples tasted great! We were a little disappointed in the cider donuts, but after an hour of apple picking we were happy to sink our teeth into them. We couldn't have asked for better weather either. We lucked out.

After apple picking we stopped at Whitecliff Vineyards as I wanted to taste their just release Merlot and Cabernet Franc. All I can say is WOW! The Merlot was very good and is a great wine to purchase and cellar for about a year. The Cab Franc was outstanding!!! The Cab Franc I would say is a drink now wine. It has a nice spice on the finish. Just the way I like my Cab Francs.

As we pulled up to the tasting room, there was some harvest activities going on. Here is a short video of what was fermentating in the bin. In case you are wondering, a bee flew up my cousin's arm, hence her running away at the end of the video. It had nothing to do with the wine.

Hudson Valley Vintners and Wineries launch HudsonValleyWineCountry.org

I am proud to say that the Hudson Valley Wine Country is receiving the recognition it deserves. The Hudson Valley Vintners and Wineries just launched HudsonValleyWineCountry.org – The Roots of American Wine.

This is a very exciting time for the Hudson Valley! This website is a wonderful tool, and has a trip planner that will give you point to point directions for your wine touring, history of the wine region, descriptions of the grape varieties grown in the region, pictures, videos and more.

You can read all about it here.

New York Wine & Food Classic in the Hudson Valley

Today 25 judges will blind taste 790 New York Wines over the course of three days at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz.

At the Governor’s Cup luncheon on Wednesday, the top-rated (Governor’s Cup) wine will be unveiled along with Winery of the Year, and the Best of Category winners for Sparkling, White, Rosé, Red, Dessert, and Specialty wines.

The judging panel consists of 7 from California, 7 from other states, and 11 from New York. Quite an impressive list of judges. The California contingent includes Dan Berger, wine journalist; Rene Chazottes, wine director of the Pacific Club; Mike Dunne, food and wine writer for the Sacramento Bee; Traci Dutton, Director of Education at the Culinary Institute of America-Greystone in the NapaValley; Ziggy Eschliman of Wine Country Radio; Ann Littlefield, Direct Wine Marketing Brand Champion in Napa; and Dr. Bob Small, Director of the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition. Those from other states include Hudson Cattell, Co-publisher of Wine East (PA); Doug Frost, MW and MS, Wine Writer and Educator (KS); Ann Miller, Marketing Consultant for the Missouri Wine & Grape Board (MO); Jerry Pellegrino, Chef/Owner of Corks Restaurant (MD), Mike Riley, Wine Buyer for Wegmans (NJ); Coke Roth, Wine Consultant (WA); and Sandra Silfven, Wine Writer, Detroit News (MI). The New York contingent includes Molly Battenhouse, DWS, Wine Director & Educator at the International Wine Center; Shannon Brock, Wine Coordinator at the New York Wine & Culinary Center; Rory Callahan, President of Wine & Food Associates; Jim Clarke, Wine Writer and Director of Wine at MEGU restaurant; Lorraine Hems, CS, CWE, Lecturer of Wine Studies, Rochester Institute of Technology; Fred LeBrun, Columnist at the Albany Times-Union; Bill Mahoney, Wine Manager, Premium Wine & Spirits in Buffalo; Bert Miller, Food & Beverage Director of the Long Island Marriott; Jerry Shriver, Writer, USA Today; Eric White, Wine Consultant & Store Manager at The Winery in New York City; and Kevin Zraly, Wine Educator & Author.

I should have the result late Wednesday of the winners. I will let you know as soon as I find out. It should be an excitiing competition