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Sizzling Summer Wines

June 23, 2011 By

It’s August, it’s even hotter than July, and you’ve been drinking the
same chardonnay all summer long. It’s time to spice things up! Join
Certified Specialist of Wine, Renee B. Allen, for a flight of specially
chosen wines to enjoy for the rest of summer, and beyond. In addition
to tasting 8 fabulous wines under $20, we will discuss wine-tasting
techniques that will have you sipping like a pro.
Summer wine and food pairings will also be discussed.
A selection of cheeses and chef-prepared mini appetizers will be paired with the wines.

$50 per person
This event will be held at Delia, 4 Laser Lane, Wallingford, CT
For reservations, please call Cristina at 203-303-2000 ext. 376 or e-mail at cristina@deliainc.com

Filed Under: Tastings & Events

Bishop’s Orchards Winery

June 20, 2011 By

Just ten days after the passage of a bill that will allow Connecticut farm wineries to sell their wines at farmer’s markets around the state, I caught up with one of the Connecticut winemakers instrumental in the creation of this bill, Keith Bishop. In addition to being a staunch advocate of our state’s wineries, this month’s Connecticut Corker is, himself, a winemaker, producing award-winning wines from apples, peaches, raspberries, pears, strawberries and blueberries, all grown on his farm at Bishop’s Orchards. Mr. Bishop’s most recent awards include medals for 13 of his wines entered into the 18th Annual Amenti del Vino International Wine Competition, including a Gold Medal for his Semi-Sweet Hard Cider and a much-coveted Double Gold Medal for Strawberry Delight.

If there is one misconception that fruit winemaker, Keith Bishop, could correct, it is that not all fruit wines are overly sweet. “(Fruit wines) can be sweet, but they don’t have to be, and they definitely all aren’t.” Gone are the days of the early Boone’s Farm Apple Wine, which might be remembered by some baby boomers out there as that cloyingly sweet, mildly alcoholic fruit juice. Fruit wines can be just as elegant as grape wines and can be paired with an entire panoply of foods. When it comes to fruit wines, Mr. Bishop should know. It is the only kind of wine he makes and he is quite successful at it.

The Bishop family, one of the founding families of Guilford in 1639, began this farm in 1871 and six generations have worked the farm throughout the years. Bishop’s Orchards has grown from a roadside farm stand in 1910 to the bustling market it is today, selling, among other things, meat, dairy, baked goods, wine, and fruits and vegetables, many of which have been grown on their own 320 acres of farmland. Standing at the wine bar, the site chosen by Mr. Bishop for our interview, I was struck by both the history and charm of my surroundings. Our discussion was intermittently interrupted by customers in search of assistance, and I was impressed by the grace and good nature with which Mr. Bishop responded. This is a man who keeps his finger on the pulse of his business. At one point in our conversation, a woman carrying a couple of well-worn books approached us. She had discovered a dozen scrapbooks at a local tag sale that contained newspaper clippings of the Bishop family. She offered to temporarily leave all of the books with Keith for his enjoyment. Keith took a moment to browse through one of the books. He paused at a picture of his father taken after he won a national junior vegetable grower contest. The history here was indeed palpable. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Connecticut Corkers Tagged With: , , ,

WINE Goes to a Tasting…Without Wine!

June 5, 2011 By

So what, exactly, do wine and honey have in common? More than you might think. Many people are familiar with mead, a centuries old honey wine often attributed with being the oldest alcoholic drink in the world. But last weekend, it was not wine that was being tasted. WINE attended a honey tasting laboratory at Red Bee in Weston. It was an eye-opening experience, to say the least.
As guests arrived at the charming red house with a bee painted on the side, nestled amongst the chicken coops, open gardens and colorful beehives, we were treated to a glass of Prosecco adorned with a floating raspberry. Doing the pouring was seasoned beekeeper, Al Avitabile, here to support the main act, honey sommelier, Marina Marchese. The term “honey sommelier,” coined by Ms. Marchese, was the first of many similarities to the wine world I was about to discover here.
Once all of the guests had arrived from Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York, Ms. Marchese began her story of how she accidentally became a beekeeper. Her fascinating tale was periodically accentuated by the crow of a rooster, an unwelcome interruption to Ms. Marchese, but one the audience found to be a delightful touch that lent an even greater note of charm to the experience. Ms. Marchese’s story is serendipitous and entertaining, and best left for Ms. Marchese, herself, to tell. You can hear the story in her own words if you follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wine-Institute-of-New-England/141753879218706
After regaling us with her fairytale-esque story, we were led to a banquet table, complete with white linens, on the other side of the yard. The table was set with water glasses, silverware, baskets of homemade bread from the Fairfield Bread Company, and tasting notes. Once seated, the knowledgeable and amicable staff set white plates with tasting foods in front of each guest. The goat cheese with lemon balm was placed at 12 o’clock so that the pairings would flow clockwise. Just above each plate were seven paper mini-muffin cups numbered 1 through 7, each containing its own type of honey. For the next hour, our personal honey sommelier led us through honey tastings and pairings in a manner similar to a wine professional conducting a wine pairing. Pumpkin honey with sweet potato, linden honey with honeydew melon, buckwheat honey with beets or raw chocolate truffles, and blueberry blossom honey with the goat cheese. It was like taking up a new sport and discovering muscles you never knew you had. Each pairing made me feel like I was tasting food for the first time. And while I definitely preferred some of the pairings to others, each was credible and provocative. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Connecticut Corkers, The Grapevine Tagged With: , ,

Jones Winery

May 19, 2011 By

We are excited to showcase the Jones Winery as our first CT Corker of the month. Among its many other accolades, Jones Winery earned the honor of Best Wine in Connecticut in 2010 from Connecticut Magazine. In January 2011, Jones was awarded first place in the Connecticut Specialty Food Association Competition in the white and fruit wine categories. Philip Jamison Jones is the President of the Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association, a non-profit association of farm wineries from around the state whose goals include educating consumers about wine in Connecticut, and promoting the business of wine through the Connecticut Wine Trail. WINE had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours at the Jones Family Farms last November.

Philip Jamison Jones emerges from the back of the Jones Winery tasting room. He is younger looking than I expected, but he does not appear apologetic for his age. Confident, not cocky. He is fitting me into what is clearly a busy day for the winery. I suggest we walk and talk to save time. Jamie, as this sixth generation farmer is known, readily agrees.
The tour begins outside, directly next to the tasting room. We are halfway up a hill lined with leafless vines (it is November), when Jamie suddenly stops and turns around. He looks out into the distance and raises his hands slightly, motioning to the rows of vines next to us. “These vines are planted here mostly for show; it’s nice to have vineyards directly next to the tasting room,” explains Jamie. “This hill actually faces due north, not an ideal site for grape growing. The hills you see in the distance? Those are the actual vineyards. They face southwest.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Connecticut Corkers Tagged With: ,

Introducing Connecticut Corkers

May 13, 2011 By

Welcome to Wine Institute of New England’s newest blog category, Connecticut Corkers. “Corkers” has a dual meaning: a person who puts corks into bottles; and a remarkable or astounding person or thing. Both of these definitions seem apt for a blog covering wine in Connecticut. Every month, this category will feature a Connecticut winery and its winemaker, or a Connecticut wine event. It is a very exciting time for winemakers in Connecticut right now. With more than 20 active wineries on the Connecticut Wine Trail, and new farm winery-friendly legislation passed or being considered, the wine industry shows no signs of slowing down. From providing farmers with a new source of revenue to aiding our state both in agriculture and tourism, farm wineries are doing their part for the Connecticut economy. There has never been a better time to become a “locabibe.”

Filed Under: Connecticut Corkers, The Grapevine Tagged With: , ,

Sipping with Singles

April 30, 2011 By

Socialize with other singles while learning about some of the sexiest wines in the world, including seductive pinot noir, sensuous viognier and wine from the land of amore, chianti classico. We will learn how to discuss what we are tasting, giving you the tools you need to impress your next date.

This event will be held at Delia, 4 Laser Lane, Wallingford, CT

$50 per person

For reservations, please call 860-591-WINE or e-mail renee@wineinstituteofnewengland.com

Filed Under: Tastings & Events

Eight Under $12.00

April 30, 2011 By

Our favorite class. Forget about hitting the auction block or spending a fortune to get that perfect wine. And do not even think about giving up quality to save a buck. This class will show you that anyone can find wines with an excellent PVR (price to value ratio) for under $12.

This event will be held at Delia, 4 Laser Lane, Wallingford, CT

$50 per person

For reservations, please call 860-591-WINE or e-mail renee@wineinstituteofnewengland.com

Filed Under: Tastings & Events

Drinking Local and the Birth of a New Word

April 29, 2011 By

I recently became involved in Connecticut’s Farm to Chef Program, a wonderful group whose mission is to connect local culinary professionals with producers and distributors of Connecticut grown products. My involvement began as a result of my work with a few Connecticut chefs committed to producing menus based on locally grown and produced food, and our mutual interest in promoting local wineries. The following is the story of my local journey. It was published in the May CT Farm-to-Chef Newsletter.

On Becoming A Locabibe

I first heard of the Connecticut Farm to Chef program when a mutual acquaintance email-introduced me (the new rage) to Linda Piotrowicz of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. This acquaintance thought she might be a good connection for me as I navigated the murky waters of beginning my own wine education business in Connecticut. During my course of study for the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) examination, we had covered “other” regions, including the Northeast, but there was no mention of Connecticut wineries. A native New Yorker, I did not take the slight too personally, but it occupied a little space in the back of my mind. [Read more…]

Filed Under: The Grapevine, The Press, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,

When New and Old Worlds Collide

April 11, 2011 By

I had the pleasure of attending my first wine tasting event at Divine Wine Emporium in Niantic last Wednesday. The Emporium is a liquor store with a “learning center” in the back for wine events. The store is well laid out, warm, friendly and interesting. Little touches catch one’s eye, like the collection of antique wine bottle openers at one end of the store. The owner, Ken Turcotte, is knowledgeable and passionate. After perusing the shelves, I headed for the back room. The event was packed, every seat was filled and bodies lined the walls. Things were getting warm and the wine had yet to be poured. The main event? Marcus Notaro, head winemaker at Col Solare vineyard in Washington State. Mr. Notaro looks too young to be a head winemaker but, after listening to him speak, I’m convinced he’s up to the task.
Mr. Notaro spoke of the unique topography in Washington and how it affects viticulture. According to Mr. Notaro, Argentina is the only other region in the world that is topographically similar to Washington. It is this unique topography, he continued, that brought Piero Antinori to Washington in 1992, known for his lifelong curiosity about how grapes are grown around the world. Upon seeing the Washington wine region, led by the oldest and highly acclaimed winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Antinori formed a partnership with CSM for the purpose of producing fine, cabernet sauvignon based wine. Their search for the right terroir brought them to Red Mountain, the warmest of the Washington AVAs. The nutrient-sparse soil, warm days with cool nights, and low rainfall was ideal for producing wines that met Antinori’s requirements: 1) ageability; 2) good intensity of flavor; and 3) authenticity. And so, a vineyard marrying old and new world styles and philosophies was born. Col Solare is the child of that marriage. It is Italian for “shining hill.”
Mr. Notaro was informative, eloquent and engaging. But how did the wines fare?
1. Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Pinot Gris – straw color with apple and pear on the nose. The flavor smacked of green apples. Acidic, thirst-quenching, not too much complexity, with a slightly tart finish.
2. Villa Antinori 2009 Villa Bianco Toscana IGT – made from trebbiano and malvasia, pinot bianco and pinot griogio, the color was pale straw yellow. I found the nose to be intensely herbaceous and floral which carried through to the taste. There was a slight woodiness to it.
3. Chateau Ste. Michelle 2007 Syrah – light garnet with fair clarity, the nose jumped with smoked meats, spice and dark fruits. This cured meat aroma was present in the flavor, along with spice, followed by dark berries and molasses.
4. Villa Antinori 2007 Villa Antinori Rosso Toscana IGT – sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah. Ruby red with good clarity, there was earth and tar on the nose. The flavor opened up with this earthiness, giving way to jaminess with currants and cherries. Nicely complex. One participant described this wine as “musical.”
5. Col Solare 2006 Shining Hill Red Blend – merlot, cabernet sauvignon and a touch of syrah. Dark ruby with a hint of smoke on the nose, the flavor was smokey and peppery with black fruit spice on the finish.
6. Col Solare 2006 Red Wine – predominantly cabernet sauvignon, with merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot and syrah. Garnet hued, aromas of cigar box and dark berries rose from the glass. This full-bodied wine was well-balanced with black cherries, pencil shavings and chocolate notes leading up to a long silky finish.

Notes:

After noticing a heavy smoked or cured meat aroma and flavor in the Col Solare wines, I wanted to know more about the cooperage. Mr. Notaro explained that they use a combination of new and old oak, as well as a combination of American and French oak, and that all of the barrels are charred. I could attribute the toasty aromatics to the charring, almost like a bbq flavor or, the way Mr. Notaro described it, like a marshmallow that’s been toasted over an open fire just a little too long.

Special thanks to Ken Turcotte, owner of the Divine Wine Emporium, for putting together an enjoyable and informative tasting. I look forward to spending more time in the learning center.

Filed Under: Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

And the Winner is…

April 1, 2011 By

The results are in and, although I would like to say I am shocked, I am not. Winetwits has just announced that, by a 2 to 1 margin, the 2009 Barone Fini Pinot Grigio was favored over the 2009 Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio in the Pinot Grigio Taste Challenge held on March 24. To read WINE’s tasting notes on the challenge, please see our blog from March 25. The event, tweets and twitpics can all be viewed at www.winetwits.tv.

Filed Under: Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
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