Renee A | Wine Institute of New England

The 5th Connecticut Wine Festival

June 27, 2013 By Renee A

Wine Institute of New England

to present a wine appreciation seminar

The 5th Annual Connecticut Wine Festival

Goshen Fairgrounds

Saturday and Sunday, July 27th & 28th

"Have A Grape Day"

The Connecticut Wine Festival will be returning for a fifth year of showcasing Connecticut’s wines, a reflection on the growing popularity of our local wines.

“From international gold medals to ‘people’s choice’ and ‘Best in Show’ awards, Connecticut wines continue to win fans and impress connoisseurs from around the world,” said George Motel, Festival Chairman and owner of Sunset Meadow Vineyards. “The Connecticut Wine Festival is a true showcase for introducing wine lovers to much of our state’s home-grown offerings. We look forward to another record year, and the opportunity to prove that our wines are truly the ‘hidden gems’ of the industry, as The Wall Street Journals calls them.”

The Festival will be staged again at the Goshen Fairgrounds in Litchfield County. Sponsored by the Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association (CVWA) and presented by the CT Wine Trail, the Festival features fine wines from a wide variety of local vintners, making it one of the “must attend” events of the summer. The Festival also features wine classes, specialty food vendors, artisanal crafts, and a variety of live musical entertainment.

Renée Allen, Director of the Wine Institute of New England, will be conducting a wine appreciation seminar at this year's Festival on Saturday, July 27th from 1:30-3:00 pm. Renée, a Certified Specialist of Wine, will cover wine tasting techniques and varietal information, and will offer terrific tips for getting even more enjoyment out of your wine.

The specialty food vendors are primarily members of the Connecticut Specialty Food Association, an association that is part of the Connecticut Food Association. They feature local foods made in Connecticut. Adams Hometown Market, a Platinum Sponsor of the Festival, will also sell advance tickets at its stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Daily admission to the CT Wine Festival is $25 in advance, available through July 19th at any participating CVWA winery, online, or by phone, and $30 at the door. These tickets include free wine tastings, a commemorative festival wine glass (for the tastings) and a tote bag. Guests under 21 and Designated Drivers can attend for a reduced admission price of $10. Photo ID with proof of age is required for the wine tasting. Hours for the Festival are 12:00 Noon to 7:00 PM, Saturday, July 27; and 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM Sunday, July 28. More information and a complete list of participating wineries can be found at www.ctwine.com.

Festival proceeds are used to promote the CVWA Wine Trail and the Connecticut wine industry. The CT Wine Trail, a state approved winery and vineyard awareness program, features trails that wind their ways through some of the most scenic and historic regions of Connecticut.

“The Connecticut Wine Festival is a great place to come and enjoy the day, taste some local wines, some great food and relax.” said Sherrie Palmer, the festival director. “Cases of wine will also be available at a discount, so guests can easily make back the price of admission in great savings. What more can you ask for?”

For more information and to purchase tickets, log on to www.ctwine.com. You can also email info@ctwine.com or call (860) 677-5467.

Filed Under: Connecticut Corkers

Auden’s Bachelorette Wine Tasting!

June 26, 2013 By Renee A

Wine Institute of New England

would like to thank Corrie Schmitt for inviting us to be a part of
the fabulous bachelorette party she threw for her twin sister, Auden.

CONGRATULATIONS AUDEN!

[Show as slideshow]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Food Friendly Wine: A Study in Food & Wine Pairing

May 25, 2013 By Renee A

Our Spring Wine Appreciation Class Series at Quattro's concludes with a seduction of the senses. Experiment with food and wine pairing techniques and discover how to enhance the flavors of both to increase your overall enjoyment of meals.

Owner Chef Luis Rojas will prepare a selection of tapas that will be expertly paired with wines from around the world.

June 10th, 2013

6:00-8:00 pm

$75.00/person

Quattro's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar

14 Water Street

Guilford, CT 06437

To register for this class and for more information:

www.wineinstituteofnewengland.com

or contact us at:

Phone: 860-591-WINE

renee@wineinstituteofnewengland.com

Filed Under: Tastings & Events

Brave New World Wines

April 14, 2013 By Renee A

Our wine appreciation class series continues at Quattro's Restaurant & Wine Bar with a look at wines in our own backyard. We will explore wines from California to Connecticut, with stops in Oregon, Washington and New York.

May 6th, 2013

6:00-8:00 pm

$55.00/person

Quattro's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar

14 Water Street

Guilford, CT 06437

To register for this class and for more information:

www.wineinstituteofnewengland.com

or contact us at:

Phone: 860-591-WINE

renee@wineinstituteofnewengland.com

* Every participant will receive a coupon entitling them to 50% off the price of a dinner at Quattro's when they buy another at full price.*

Limited to first time students.

Filed Under: Tastings & Events, Uncategorized

Wine and Weeds

April 9, 2013 By Renee A

Wine Institute of New England 

Presents

Wine and Weeds 

a forest-to-table foraging tour and wine tasting

Hosted by  Sunset Meadow Vineyards  Goshen, CT

With special guest forager “Wildman” Steve Brill

Saturday, May 4^th, 2013

Experience an event like no other you have experienced before.

Learn how to forage for wild edibles with the East Coast's most famous forager, Wildman Steve Brill. After the foray, Wildman will create a delicious salad on the spot from the day's finds and lead a discussion of his advanced healthful vegan cooking concepts. Samples will be on hand for tasting, including wild sourdough rye bread with a wild garlic spread, wild chocolate truffles, and curried sunflower seeds.

The afternoon will also include a tour of Sunset Meadow Vineyards with winemaker, George Motel, and a tasting of several of Sunset Meadow Vineyards' award-winning wines.

Wine education will be provided by Renée Allen of the Wine Institute of New England.

The foraging tour will begin promptly at 4:00 pm

Cost of event: $75 per person

This event will be limited to 50 people.

For reservations or information, please call 860-591-WINE

or register online here:

Meet the Wine and Weeds Team:

Renée B. Allen, CSW ~ Renée Allen is the Founder and Director of the Wine Institute of New England, a wine education and epicurean entertainment business. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine and a member of the Society of Wine Educators. As part of providing wine education, Renee has the opportunity to work closely with many local chefs and is especially excited about the events she does involving local wines and local, sustainable foods. She is an authority on Connecticut wine and specializes in organic, biodynamic and sustainably farmed wines from around the world. Renee is also a contributing wine writer for Connecticut Magazine. The idea for Wine and Weeds came to her one day while nibbling on a wineberry in the middle of the forest. www.wineinstituteofnewengland.com

George Motel III, Winemaker, Sunset Meadow Vineyards ~ George Motel crafts award-winning and highly palatable wines at the Motel family’s scenic winery overlooking the Litchfield Hills in Goshen, Connecticut. SMV won Best Family Winery in 2010, awarded by Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England, and recently won first prize in 3 categories in the CT Specialty Food Association’s Products Award Competition, including 2013 Wine Product of the Year. www.sunsetmeadowvineyards.com

“Wildman” Steve Brill, Forager ~ "Wildman" Steve Brill is America's go-to guy for foraging and a self-taught naturalist, environmental educator, author and artist. He's led thousands of foraging tours since 1982, working with the public, school classes, day camps, museums, parks departments, nature centers, libraries, garden clubs, organic farms, scouts and more, and also leads birthday party tours.

He designed and maintains his website, Foraging with the "Wildman," http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com, and has writtenIdentifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not-So-Wild) Places, (Harper-Collins Publisher, 1994),The Wild Vegan Cookbook (Harvard-Common Press, 2001), and Shoots and Greens of Early Spring in Northeastern North America (self-published, 2008). He created WildEdibles, a master foraging app for iOS and Android devices. He stars in the DVD, "Wild Edible Basics," and his next book, Foraging with Kids, will be available in 2012.

He's appeared countless times in major electronic and print media, but he's still best known for having been arrested and handcuffed by undercover park rangers for eating a dandelion in Central Park in 1986. The media ate it up and embarrassed officials negotiated with the naturalist, dropped the charges, and hired him to lead the same foraging tours for which they arrested him. He worked for the city for 4 years before resuming freelance work.

Filed Under: Connecticut Corkers, Tastings & Events

And The Winner Is…

April 2, 2013 By Renee A

The results of the 12th Annual Connecticut Specialty Food Product Awards Competition were announced this morning. We are pleased to report that Sunset Meadow Vineyards in Goshen, CT was awarded 2013 Wine Product of the Year for their outstanding 2010 Midnight Ice.

"We are proud of our entire staff for all of their efforts and share with them the recognition for this achievement," stated George Motel, owner of Sunset Meadow Vineyards and vice president of the Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association. "This is confirmation of the ability to create a quality wine that is also a genuine Connecticut product."

This was only the third year that Connecticut wines were included in what was formerly a food and non-alcoholic beverage competiton. All of the wines submitted were required to be made from 100% Connecticut grown fruit. The Connecticut Specialty Food Association (CSFA) received 28 submissions from 5 wineries.

"We applaud the CSFA for conducting the state's only competition that requires every wine to be made from 100% Connecticut grown fruit," said Motel, "and for recognizing the contribution of those wineries that work to produce these wines."

After participating in the judging last week, Renee B. Allen, director of the Wine Institute of New England, shared the four wines from among her favorites that she picked as likely to appear in the winner's circle. All four of the wines chosen were awarded first place finishes in their respective categories. To read Allen's impressions of these wines, visit https://wineinstituteofnewengland.com/judging-connecticut-wines-for-the-ct-specialty-food-association/

Analiese Paik, founder of the Fairfield Green Food Guide, served as a specialty food judge and was happy to see all of her picks for best products receive an award. For a complete list of food winners from the competition and to read about Paik's favorites, visit http://fairfieldgreenfoodguide.com/2013/04/02/2013-ct-specialty-food-award-winners-announced/

And the wine winners are…

THE CT SPECIALTY FOOD ASSOCIATION’S

2013 PRODUCT AWARDS COMPETITION WINNERS:

2013 Wine Product of the Year

Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen, CT

Midnight Ice 2010

Wine – Blush

1^st Place Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen, CT, Sunset Blush, 2010

2^nd Place Bishop’s Orchards Winery, Guilford, CT, Amazing Grace

Wine – Dessert

1^st Place Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen, CT, Midnight Ice, 2010

2^nd Place Taylor Brooke Winery, LLC, Woodstock, CT, Corot Noir, 2011

3^rd Place Taylor Brooke Winery, LLC, Woodstock, CT, Woodstock Valley Red, 2010

Wine – Dry Red

1^st Place Jones Winery, Shelton, CT, Cabernet Franc, 2010

2^nd Place Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen, CT, St. Croix, 2008

3^rd Place Jonathan Edwards Winery, North Stonington, CT, Cabernet Franc, 2011

Wine – Dry White

1^st Place Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen, CT, Cayuga White, 2010

2^nd Place Taylor Brooke Winery, LLC, Woodstock, CT, Wine Dog 1, 2011

3^rd Place Taylor Brooke Winery, LLC, Woodstock, CT, Woodstock Hill White, 2011

Wine – Fruit

1^st Place Bishop’s Orchards Winery, Guilford, CT, Hyland Red

2^nd Place TIE Bishop’s Orchards Winery, Guilford, CT, Celebration

Bishop’s Orchards Winery, Guilford, CT, Honey Peach Melba

3^rd Place Bishop’s Orchards Winery, Guilford, CT, Happily Impeared

Wine – Other White

1^st Place Jones Winery, Shelton, CT, Woodland White, 2011

2^nd Place Bishop’s Orchards Winery, Guilford, CT, Hard Cider – Semi-Sweet

3^rd Place Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen, CT, Blustery Blend, 2010

Wine – Rosé

1^st Place Taylor Brooke Winery, LLC, Woodstock, CT, St. Croix Rosé, 2011

2^nd Place Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen, CT, Rosé, 2011

3^rd Place Jones Winery, Shelton, CT, Rosé of Cabernet Franc, 2011

You can visit the Connecticut Food Association at www.ctfoodassociation.org

Filed Under: Connecticut Corkers, The Press, Wine Reviews Tagged With: connecticut specialty food association, connecticut wine, wine competition, wine judging. sunset meadow vineyards

Green Wines

March 28, 2013 By Renee A

GREEN WINES

Our wine appreciation class series continues at Quattro's Restaurant & Wine Bar with

a closer look at green wines. What exactly is meant by authentic and natural wines?

Do these wines taste better? Are they better for you?

Find out the answers to these questions and discover the true meaning of terroir

while tasting organic, biodynamic and sustainably farmed wines from around the world.

Basic wine tasting techniques will also be reviewed.

Advance registration required.

Each participant will receive a special coupon good for 1/2 off the price of one dinner at Quattro's

with the purchase of a regularly priced dinner.

Limited to new students.

To sign up for this class and to see our full schedule, click here:

https://wineinstituteofnewengland.com/wine-appreciation-classes/

Filed Under: Tastings & Events

Judging Connecticut Wines for the CT Specialty Food Association

March 28, 2013 By Renee A

Rows of Rosé

I had the pleasure again this year of being involved in the Connecticut Specialty Food Association's Product Awards Competition. The competition was held at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. Although this was the Competition's 12th year, it is only the third year that Connecticut wines have been included in the competition and the judging was intense. A total of 28 wines were submitted by five wineries for judging in seven different categories: dry white, other white, dry red, rose, blush, fruit and dessert. Only wines made from 100% Connecticut grown fruit were allowed to be entered into the competition.

Wine Judges (from left to right): Ken Turcotte, Owner, Divine Wine Emporium, Niantic, CT; Renee B. Allen, Director, Wine Institute of New England; Nicholas Paris, Fine Wine Public Relations Manager, E. & J. Gallo Winery

The wines were blind tasted with only the vintage and fruit or grape variety being revealed. Each wine was judged on its appearance, aroma, body, taste and finish. Judges conducted their individual assessment of a wine and, once all scores and notes had been recorded, some lively discussions ensued. Although the judges were often in agreement, there was some debate over the course of the 3-hour tasting, with each judge having his or her particular favorites. Some general observations were the fact that Connecticut wines continue to improve and that no serious flaws were detected. One judge was particularly excited to award one of the wines he tasted a perfect score.

The Connectiuct Specialty Food Association is now charged with the task of tallying up the scores and awarding the winners of each category. Once the list comes out, we will publish it here. In the meantime, here are a few of the wines that particularly stood out for me. I would not be suprised to see them in the winner's circle.

Sunset Meadow Vineyards Sunset Blush – a delicately sweet wine with hints of citrus, plum and blueberries, this wine earned one of my top scores for both its structure and balance. From first sniff to lingering finish, this wine provides a rewarding experience.

Jones Winery Cabernet Franc – made from my favorite red grape grown in Connecticut, this dry red wine hit the mark with its earthiness and black cherry notes. Nicely balanced.

Bishops Orchards Winery Hyland Red – made from farm fresh raspberries, this wine captures the essence of the fruit with a journey that begins with heady aromas and sweetness and ends with a pleasant, tangy tartness.

Sunset Meadow Vineyards Midnight Ice – one of only two ice wines being made Connecticut, this sweet nectar burst with tropical aromas and flavors like mango and lychee. Perfectly intoxicating.

Sunset Meadow Vineyards Midnight Ice

Filed Under: Connecticut Corkers, Wine Reviews Tagged With: connecticut specialty food, connecticut wine, judging wine, wine competition

The Crémant of the Crop

March 14, 2013 By Renee A

I recently had to face the horrifying self-realization that I am a hoarder. I am not sure of the exact moment I made this realization. That slight tinge of recognition when I saw a few minutes of a reality TV show on the subject? When I started having to ban houseguests from opening certain closets or even bedroom doors? I don’t know. But I buy things I think are wonderful and beautiful and then decide they are so wonderful and beautiful that I can’t possibly sully them with use. And so they sit, in packages, with labels still intact. If I ever mention wanting something in the presence of my mother, she tells me to go shopping in my closet first. She is sure I will find it there, whatever it is. She is usually right.

This hoarding instinct tends to permeate my wine buying habits as well. I find a wine I am incredibly excited about and carefully store it away because I can’t possibly bring myself to drink it and then be faced with the harsh reality that I no longer have it. For a while, I tried purchasing two bottles of every wine that excited me – one for now, one for later – but that got to be expensive. I decided just recently that it was time to start enjoying some of these beautiful and wonderful things before I was no longer around to do so. After all, things happen. And so, this is how on a recent Sunday evening I came to be drinking a delightful wine that had been chilling in my wine refrigerator for longer than I could remember. What had I been waiting for?

The wine was Jean-François Ganevat Crémant du Jura “La Combe” Rotalier, a sparkling wine from the fascinating wine region of Jura in eastern France. Jura, from which the term Jurassic comes, has topography similar to that found millions of years ago with the key soil types being limestone and marlstone. I was incredibly pleased with the wine. Its lovely pale amber hue with delicate bubble ballet immediately belied any notion that this was going to be just another Champagne wannabe. The nose was abundant with fruit. Pears and stone fruits such as peach and apricot flooded my taste buds and then were quickly enveloped by a pronounced biscuitiness that lingered for several glorious moments. It was during one of these moments that I recalled why I had purchased this particular bottle of wine. It was produced using biodynamic agriculture. Jean-François Ganevat converted his family’s estate in Rotalier to biodynamics in 2006 after returning from Burgundy where he spent time in the company of natural wine enthusiasts. Ganevat’s methods include minimal intervention with nature while growing his grapes as well as minimizing intervention in the winemaking process. For example, he limits his use of sulfur to a bare minimum. I have yet to try a biodynamic wine I do not like. This wine was no exception. And that was the most wonderful and beautiful thing of all.

Filed Under: Organic Wine, The Grape Picker, Wine Reviews Tagged With: biodynamic, ganevat, jura, organic, sparkling wine

That’s Amore! The Wines of Italy

March 5, 2013 By Renee A

That's Amore! The Wines of Italy

Our wine appreciation class series continues at Quattro's Restaurant & Wine Bar with

a journey to one of the most varied and exciting wine countries in the world ~ Italy.

Come explore what the various regions of Italy have to offer,

from the Veneto to Piemonte to Toscana…and beyond.