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

Behind the Bottle - Hudson-Chatham Winery

There has been a lot of press these days with Hudson Valley Wineries.  This article appeared in Edible Manhattan about Hudson-Chatham Winery.

Hudson-Chatham Winery is one of only 2 wineries in the Hudson Valley to produce a Baco Noir.  Here is his story as told to Amy Zavatto of Edible Manhattan Magazine


Behind the Bottle

Wines of Chile: Carmenere - What I learned, What I Tasted

I recently took part in a 'Wines of Chile' Carmenere Wine tasting. (for the blog police, the wines were samples provided by Wines of Chile.)

This wine tasting was executed via the web and we all logged in and got to chat with the 8 winemakers. The tasting was moderated by wine and spirits consultant Michael Green.

The Carmenere grape is known as "the lost grape of Bordeaux." Originally planted in the Medoc region of Bordeaux until a Phylloxera epidemic wiped it out in the 1870's.  Before the outbreak, Bordeaux rootstock, Carmenere among them were brought to Chile.  They thought Carmenere was Merlot and planted it accordingly.  It wasn't until 1993 that they discovered the Merlot was actually Carmenere when renowened viticulturist Professon Jean-Michael Boursiquit of Ensa de Montepellier did a DNA screening on the grape.

I have tasted the Carmenere before and it was very spicy, spiced with black pepper, some stronger than others.  With this particular wine tasting, I found many of the wines to have a green bell pepper taste.  I am unclear if that is the grape, or they harvested it to early, over cropped it, or didn't leaf pull properly.

The wines we tasted ranged in price from $10 to $44.  Of course I found the $44 wine the most enjoyable.

Here is a brief critique of what we tasted:

1. Santa Carolina Reserva Carmenere 2007, 100% Carmenere, $10 bottle - Black pepper on nose, green pepper on taste.
2. Odfjel Armador Carmenere 2007, 100% Carmenere, $13 bottle - eathy, herbaceous.  I didn't like the way this wine finished.  Had a taste of cedar on the finish.
   
3. Viu Manent Carmenere Reserva 2007, 100% Carmenere, $14 bottle - Alcohol on the nose with bell pepper.  I got a taste of sugar cube on the front of my tongue.
4. Cono Sur Vision Crmenere 2007, 85% Carmenere, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Syrah, $15 bottle - nose of pine, Eucalyptus and menthol.  Also very earthy.
5. Vina La Rosa LaCapitana Carmenere 2008, 100% Carmenere, $18 bottle - very nice.  I didn't find an green pepper on this wine.  Had black pepper on the long finish.
6. Ventisquero Grey Carmenere 2007, 100% Carmenere, $25 bottle - nice ruby red color.  I actually smelled buffalo chicken on the nose.  Strange, I know. 
   
7. Terra Andina Altos Carmenere-Carignan 2007, 70% Carmenere, 30% Carignan, $18.99 bottle - I didn't like the nose on this wine at all.  Kind of mustyness and sawdust.  Taste of cherry and blueberry with black pepper on the finish.
8. Carmen Wine Maker's Reserve Red 2004, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Carmenere, 25% Petit Syrah, $44 bottle - This was the favorite, figures the most expensive wine.  It had little nutmeg on the nose, smooth, nice cherry color, nicely balanced.

I would like to thank Andrea for including me in the tasting.  

Whitecliff Vineyard and Winery in the Wall Street Journal

This is a very nice article on Whitecliff Vineyard and Winery that was recently in the Wall Street Journal.  Congratulations Michael and Yancey.

Tasting the Winemaker's Vision

A Dessert Wine for my Sweet Tooth

Here's a style of wine I don't drink to much.  I usually am not a fan of sweet dessert wine.  However, lately I have acquired a taste for well crafted dessert wine.  By well crafted, it's to my taste buds.   I don't like it overly sweet and syrupy.

This Paperbirch 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Fine Ruby Dessert Wine is from Hudson-Chatham Winery in Ghent, NY.  This wine is 18% alcohol.

On the nose you get that sweet smell with raisins and alcohol. This wine had nice balance and a soft and silky feel in my mouth.  It was not overly sweet.  The flavors that came out were cherry and raisins.

I really enjoyed this wine after dinner.  We had it with apple pie and  I think it will go real well with something chocolate.

The Halloween Ball

I went to my first Halloween Ball Friday night.  I did dress up, I purchased a witch hat at the Halloween store and dressed in black.  I have to admit the Brotherhood Winery cellars are a great place for a Halloween party.  There are may undiscovered areas of these undergroud cellars.

The cellars were decorated tastefully and for the season.  As you can see my two previous husbands above.

There was a nice assortment of finger foods to munch on by Chef Sean.  Empenadas, Quesadillas, and an assortment of meats and cheese.  They had a nice selection of wine to choose from.  Of course I wanted to be difficult and wanted the dry Riesling which they weren't pouring so I settled for the Chardonnay. 

There were some great costumes. I saw Little Bo Peep and her lost sheep, Raggedy Ann & Andy, some Priests, and Monks, Witches and more.  However, even Cupid couldn't find me a date for the evening.  But I did run into a leprechaun who I haven't seen in a while.

Michelle even got me up and dancing.  Yes, I am picky about the songs I dance to as well as the wine I drink.  Sorry! I am a rock and roll girl.

I am told that next year Brotherhood will be utilizing the entire cellar caves for this Ball.  This was the first year of this event and I hope it continues.  It was a wonderful evening.  I leave you with a video that reminds me of the 'monster mash'.

Hudson Valley Halloween

Tomorrow is Halloween and all weekend is a celebration of some kind.  For some reason this is my least favorite holiday.  Maybe it's because my mother always dressed us in those cheap costumes that came in a box with the plastic masks.  Even as an adult, I just never became creative when it comes to Halloween.

I now find myself invited to the Brotherhood Winery Halloween Ball tonight.  Do I have a costume...NO.  Maybe I will go as myself - the Hudson Valley Wine Goddess?  I have a hat that says identifies me.  I wish I never got rid of those overalls.  I am looking forward to the party in their cellars.  They are kind of creepy and will create a good atmosphere for an spooky evening.

If you are going to the Ball - I am sure you will be able to spot me, the most uncreative one dressed as herself.

If you can't make it to the Halloween Ball at Brotherhood tonight, you can attend the Halloween Party at Benmarl Winery on Saturday.  That event begins at 7pm.

One Halloween party is about all I can go for this weekend.  I'll be home on Saturday handing out the candy to the Trick-or-Treaters and drinking a nice glass of wine in the comfort of my family room.