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Wine Tips of the Week - Wines of the USA "102" and Madison Lee Red from Shelton Vineyards

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:13:00 +0000

"Cheers" from Vintage Connections
Dean and Lisa Foster, Wine Educators and Consultants

This week we are previewing our Wines of the USA course and an easy-to-drink red blend from Shelton Vineyards in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina.

Wines of the USA 102 (or part II) - Almost every winery in almost every state produces Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, and many wineries in many states produce Riesling and Pinot Noir. In this class, we’re going to sample and learn about what may be unexpected wines from unexpected places.

Georgia. Hot, muggy, clay soil, not an ideal climate or environment for wine grapes (vinifera grapes anyway). But in the North Georgia mountains, spanning from Dahlonega to Clayton is the North Georgia Wine Highway. You never know what you might find at a winery here.

North Carolina. Some of our favorite wines are produced in the Yadkin Valley and we’re shopping for something special to taste and share in class.

Virginia. Virginia produces some signature wines, especially Viognier and Norton (also know as Cynthiana) as well as the usual vinifera grape wine.

Maryland. One of our all-time favorite wineries is Fiore, just outside Pylesville, Maryland. We hope to stop there and bring back something special.

Pennsylvania. We have some older vintages of some excellent Pennsylvania wines aging in our cellar (OK, a closet in the basement). We may just bring one of our favorites to share with the class.

Madison Lee Red Table Wine - 2006

From Shelton Vineyards in North Carolina, this easy drinking red table wine is a Bordeaux style blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvginon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. We often suggest this wine to our friends who aren’t sure if they like red wine. It is medium-bodied, rich deep red in color. It has aromas of ripe red fruits and flavors of berries, vanilla and a hint of spice. Alcohol is 13.5% by volume. Available only at the winery for $11.99.

Upcoming Wine Events in the Pottstown Area

Wines of the USA, Thursday, April 22. A one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown.
6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52 per person.

Wines of the World, Thursday, April 29. A one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Additional information about these classes is available on page 30 of this brochure.

Register for these classes by going to the College's non-credit registration webpage.

Cinco de Mayo, Wednesday, May 5. Wines from Spain, Chile, and Argentina at the Gallery School of Pottstown. Begins promptly at 6:30 PM. $45 per person.

Register for Cinco De Mayo by going to the Gallery School's website.

American Wine Society Educational Foundation Wine Tasting and Appetizer Pairing, Saturday, September 18, at the Perkiomen Library in Schwenksville. Time and Cost TBD. See the AWS Perkiomen Chapter website.

Mom's House Benefit Wine Tasting Dinner, Saturday, 6:30 PM, October 23 at the Kimberton Arts Center. $75 per person or $525 for a table for eight. See Mom's House website.

Contact us to schedule an event in your home, at your business, or for your organization.

Vintage Connections
Lisa and Dean Foster

Wine Tip of the Week - Franklin Hill Chardonnay and Baldor Syrah 2004

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:47:00 +0000

"Cheers" from Vintage Connections
Dean and Lisa Foster, Wine Educators and Consultants

This week we are recommending Baldor Syrah 2004 and Franklin Hill Vineyards' Chardonnay.

Baldor Tradicion 2004 Syrah

From Bodega Castiblanque in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. This is an excellent Syrah made from 100% syrah grapes then aged in 100% medium toast new French oak, where it undergoes forced malolactic fermentation followed by aging for 6 months.

It has a gentle, but “very expressive” nose with hints of licorice, cocoa and coffee. Deep purple plum in color, it has flavors of ripe red fruits and balanced tannins and a long satisfying finish. Great with lamb and other rich red meats.

Alcohol is 14% by volume. PLCB product code is 26270 and costs $12.99. It is available at many Wine and Spirits stores. Check with your local store and if not available there, have them request one of the other stores to ship it in.

For more information about Baldor Syrah, visit our Vintage Connections Wine Info blog.

Franklin Hill Vineyards Chardonnay NV

From Bangor, PA, in the Lehigh Valley, this Chardonnay was a pleasant surprise. A beautiful amber color delights the eye as you swirl and then sniff the fruit forward aroma. Hints of butterscotch, apples and pears. The finish is fairly long lasting with a pleasant oakiness. Franklin Hill Vineyards was one the first PA Wineries we visited (often) when we got serious about wine tasting many years ago. Their Chardonnay is available for $12 at the vineyard and at the three Franklin Hill Vineyard outlet stores in the Lehigh Valley.

For more information about our experience at Franklin Hill, visit our Vintage Connections Wine Info blog. For more information about the Vineyard and its many wines, visit their website.

Upcoming Wine Events in the Pottstown Area

Wines of the USA, Thursday, April 22. A one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown.
6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52 per person.

Wines of the World, Thursday, April 29. A one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Wine Making and Tasting Appreciation, seven Wednesdays, March 31 through May 19, 6:30-8:30 PM (no class April 21). Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, $189 per person.

Additional information about these classes is available at

http://www.mc3.edu/Media/Website%20Resources/pdf/coned/brochure.pdf

Register for these classes by going to the College's website at

http://www.mc3.edu/workforceDevelopment/register.aspx

Cinco de Mayo, Wednesday, May 5. Wines from Spain, Chile, and Argentina at the Gallery School of Pottstown. Begins promptly at 6:30 PM. $45 per person.

Register for Cinco De Mayo by going to the Gallery School's website at http://www.galleryonhigh.com/wineafter5.html

Mom's House Benefit Wine Tasting Dinner, Saturday, 6:30 PM, October 23 at the Kimberton Arts Center. $75 per person or $525 for a table for eight.

Contact us to schedule an event in your home, at your business, or for your organization.

Vintage Connections
Lisa and Dean Foster

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:03:00 +0000

Wine Tip of the Week - Brancott Reserve Sauvignon Blanc and Brandywine Valley Wine Trail

"Cheers" from Vintage Connections
Dean and Lisa Foster, Wine Educators and Consultants

This week we are providing one Wine Tip and Wine In Depth about the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail.

Brancott Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - From Marlborough, New Zealand.

We are constantly looking for good Sauvignon Blancs and those from Marlborough seem to be consistently good. The Brancott Reserve is no exception. As the chief wine maker Jeff Clarke states about the 2008 vintage “the flavors are bold, ripe and zesty, exactly what you’d expect from a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc”. Light straw color with slightly green highlights, the aroma is full of tropical fruits and grapefruit. The flavor is full of fruit and has well-balanced acidity for a long and lingering finish. Brancott feels that this wine could be cellared for 2 to 3 years to develop its complexity. Alcohol is 13.5% by volume. PLCB product code is 9326 and is currently on sale for $16.99. Available a most PA Wine and Spirit Stores.

Brandywine Valley Wine Trail

For additional information and photos, go to the Vintage Connections Wine Info blog at http://vintageconnectionswineinfo.blogspot.com/

Consisting of eight wineries in the Chester County area of PA, this is a wine trail worth the trip. Each of the eight wineries has something unique to offer. From the brand new Black Walnut Winery to the well-known Chadds Ford Winery, there is something for everyone in the Brandywine Valley. All but Patone Cellars offer tastings throughout the year in beautiful settings at unique and tasteful tasting rooms.

Just in time for trips to ease the winter “cabin fever”, the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail is having their annual Barrels on the Brandywine wine tasting during the month of March. A passport, good for tastings at all eight wineries, is available on-line for $25 per person and at the wineries. Only a limited number of passports are sold, so we recommend calling your closest participating winery to make sure they still have passports available. Order by Tuesday on-line for delivery before the following weekend.

Brandywine Valley wineries’ hours of operation and tasting fees vary. Check their websites or give them a call for details.

The Brandywine Valley Wine Trail website is http://www.bvwinetrail.com/

You can link to all eight of the wineries’ websites and find their phone numbers from there.

Up-coming Wine Events in the Pottstown Area

Wines of the USA, Thursday, April 22. A one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown.
6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52 per person.

Wines of the World, Thursday, April 29. A one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Wine Making and Tasting Appreciation, sevens Wednesdays, March 31 through May 19, 6:30-8:30 PM (no class April 21). Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, $189 per person.

Additional information about these classes is available at

http://www.mc3.edu/Media/Website%20Resources/pdf/coned/brochure.pdf

Register for these classes by going to the College's website at

http://www.mc3.edu/workforceDevelopment/register.aspx

Cinco de Mayo, Wednesday, May 5. Wines from Spain, Chile, and Argentina at the Gallery School of Pottstown. Begins promptly at 6:30 PM. $45 per person.

Register for Cinco De Mayo by going to the Gallery School's website at http://www.galleryonhigh.com/wineafter5.html

Mom's House Benefit Wine Tasting Dinner, Saturday, October 23. Location, Time and Cost TBD.

Contact us to schedule an event in your home, at your business, or for your organization.

Vintage Connections
Lisa and Dean Foster

Wine Tips of the Week - Wishing Tree Shiraz and Grape Leaves

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:02:00 +0000

"Cheers" from Vintage Connections
Dean and Lisa Foster, Wine Educators and Consultants

This week we are providing one Wine Tip and Wine in Depth about grape leaves.

This Week’s Wine Tips!

The Wishing Tree 2006 Shiraz

Named for a beautiful old oak tree in a park that owner John Larchet used to play in as a child and would make wishes under, this 100% shiraz (syrah) wine is from Western Australia and embodies all the best characteristics of a good Australian Shiraz. It has the “classic notes of black pepper and leather” with rich red and dark berry flavors. With a smooth, almost sweet finish, this dry ruby red wine exhibits almost no tannins and is ready to drink now. It is one of the Australian Premium Wine Collections. Great with lamb dishes. Alcohol is 14% by volume. PLCB code is 10536. Cost is $10.99. We found this wine at the PA Store at Berkshire Mall West. Check your local stores and if they do not have it, ask if they can get a bottle for you (at the $10.99 price).

Wine in Depth - Grape Leaves

Now that spring is nearly upon us and the grape vines will soon be budding, we thought we would give some thought to the grape’s leaves.

Did you know that leaf shapes and sizes vary from grape to grape? They all have the same general shape, but many are deeply lobed and some barely lobed at all. Some leaves are quite large while others are fairly small. Many viticulturalists use leaf identification to ascertain whether they are planting the correct wine grape in their vineyards.

And of course, there is the delicious custom that most middle eastern countries have of stuffing grape leaves and eating them. The grape leaves for this tasty treat are usually purchased at your local store already brined, but many purists want the fresh leaf for their recipe. If you find yourself wanting to try this, just be sure the leaves you choose have not been sprayed, but are completely organic, or you’ll end up with toxins in your stuffed grape leaves. Also, be sure to check with your local vineyard before you start clipping leaves. Some leaves need to be left on the vine and the vineyard owner will know which ones can be safely clipped and which ones not. For more information, go to our Vintage Connections Wine Info blog at

Up-coming Wine Events in the Pottstown Area

Thursday, April 22, Wines of the USA, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown,
6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Thursday, April 29, Wines of the World, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Wednesday, May 5, Cinco de Mayo, wines from Spain, Chile, and Argentina at the Gallery School of Pottstown. Begins promptly at 6:30 PM. Cost TBD.

Saturday, October 23, Mom's House Benefit Wine Tasting Dinner. Location, Time and Cost TBD.

Many other events are TBD. Contact us to schedule an event in your home, at your business, or for your organization.

Vintage Connections
Lisa and Dean Foster

Wine Tips of the Week - J. Lohr Syrah and the American Wine Society Perkiomen Chapter

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:11:00 +0000

"Cheers" from Vintage Connections
Dean and Lisa Foster, Wine Educators and Consultants

This week we are providing a tip about J. Lohr Syrah and a tip about the American Wine Society - Perkiomen Chapter, a wine-tasting group we participate in that you can join if you are interested.

This Week’s Wine Tips!

J. Lohr South Ridge Paso Robles Syrah

We've enjoyed this wine several times and recommended it to friends who have enjoyed it as well.

This remarkably well-balanced Syrah is made from 2 clones: French Chapoutier and Australian Shiraz #2 grown in the Estrella Hills area of Paso Robles, CA. With aromas of black cherry and blackberry, it is rich, dark and fruity with a light toasted oak flavor. It underwent primary fermentation in stainless steel, then malolactic fermentation in French and American oak barrels for 14 months. A great wine with grilled meats. The J. Lohr Syrah is available at most PA Wine and Spirit stores for $15.99. PLCB product code is 6311. Alcohol is13.5% by volume.

J. Lohr Vineyard was first started in Monterey’s Aroyo Seco region of California. Jerry Lohr then bought land and started a vineyard in San Jose` and finally moved into Paso Robles. His wines are divided into different series: the Cuvee` Series which is his “artistic” approach to wine-making; the Vineyard Series which is his “luxury” wine; the Estate Series which is his line of estate produced varietals; Cypress Vineyards which is his series of everyday wines; Painter Bridge series which he considers “entry level” wines, and the Aerial series of non-alcoholic wines. If you ever visit J. Lohr Vineyards in California, you may even get a guided tour of the winery by Jerry himself.

American Wine Society - Perkiomen Chapter

The American Wine Society (AWS) was created in 1967 as a non-profit organization to promote wine education, wine-making and wine appreciation. Its first meeting was held at Dr Konstantin Frank’s vineyard on Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

AWS membership is open to the general public and attracts members from all aspects of the wine community, from educators to wine-makers to just those of us who like a good glass of wine and would like to know more about what we’re drinking.

There are many local AWS chapters in Pennsylvania. Some chapters have very formal tastings while others are very relaxed. Most chapters have a visitation policy where you can visit a wine tasting to see if their style suits your needs. All chapters promote wine education. Attending wine tastings allows members and visitors a chance to sample various wines and to learn a little more about each wine. There is usually a tasting fee that helps with the costs of the wine. Some wine tastings are all the same type of wine, but from different vineyards while other tastings may be different wines from a particular wine region. Many chapters meet in individual members’ homes. It is often up to the host of the tasting to choose the wines and the theme of the tasting.

The local chapter that we attend and fits our needs is the Perkiomen Valley Chapter. This group is informal. Between 20 and 30 of us gather on the 4th Sunday of each month at 3:30 PM at someone's home, taste 4-5 wines and some snacks that the hosts have paired with the wines. Guests can attend up to three tastings before joining. If you are interested in attending a tasting, let us know. We are hosting a tasting at our home on Sunday, April 25. Tastings are usually $15 per person.

See the AWS website at http://www.americanwinesociety.org/

The Perkiomen Valley Chapter's website is
http://sites.google.com/site/americanwinesocietyperkiomen/

If you want more information about the Perkiomen Chapter, please email us.

Upcoming Events

March Madness is sold out according to the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail website http://www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com/

Many wineries may still allow regular tastings but most wineries will be very crowded on week-ends during March. If you don't have a ticket, we recommend you don't go to Lehigh Valley wineries on weekends in March. Check each winery's website for their weekday hours of operation. Some are open seven days a week while others are only open on the weekends.

Thursday, April 22, Wines of the USA, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown,
6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Thursday, April 29, Wines of the World, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown,
6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Wednesday, May 5, Cinco de Mayo, wines from Spain, Chile, and Argentina at the Gallery School of Pottstown.
Begins promptly at 6:30 PM. Cost TBD.

Saturday, October 23, Mom's House Benefit Wine Tasting Dinner. Location, Time and Cost TBD.

Many other events are TBD. Contact us to schedule an event in your home, at your business, or for your organization.

Vintage Connections
Lisa and Dean Foster

Wine Tips of the Week - St. Supery Moscato and "What to Drink with What you Eat"

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:56:00 +0000

"Cheers" from Vintage Connections
Dean and Lisa Foster, Wine Educators and Consultants

So far, our Wine Tips of the Week have been recommendations about wines that we have liked. This week we are changing things a bit and providing one tip about wine and one tip about a wine-related book we think is outstanding. Periodically, we'll provide some tips about wine-related books, wine trails, and other topics that we think will be interesting to wine lovers.

This Week’s Wine Tips!

St. Supery Moscato 2008

Made from 100% muscat blanc grapes, St. Supery's Moscato is a still wine from the Napa Valley. It is “deliciously floral, yet delicate with wonderful stone fruit aromas and flavors." The acidity balances its slight sweetness and makes it light and crisp with a long lasting floral finish. Great as an aperitif or with desserts. Serve slightly chilled. It is not a "dessert wine" but is a great accompaniment to dessert. We've had it several times and especially liked it with yellow cupcakes this weekend and look forward to having a refreshing glass on the patio this summer.

Currently, St. Supery’s 2008 Moscato and their Virtu 2006 Meritage are Chairman Selects. The Moscato is selling for $11.99 and its PLCB product code 18314. The Meritage is selling for $15.99 and its PLCB product code 17972.

St. Supery Winery and Vineyard is owned and operated by the Skalli family, originally from France. Known mostly for its cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and its Elu and Virtu blends.

The Moscato is more widely available than the Meritage, sometimes in large quantities at some Specialty Stores. But, not all specialty stores have either so check the PLCB Product Search webpage, and maybe call, before making a special trip.

What to Drink with What you Eat
by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page

Our friend, Frank, loaned this book to us at a recent AWS wine tasting event. He thought we would find it interesting. Interesting? We fell in love and immediately ordered it for ourselves.

This is a great reference book for any kind of dinner or entertaining. For the novice to the expert, it has all sorts of information on what to drink with what you eat and what to eat with what you drink. We had a great time looking up what to drink with what we were having for dinner that night, and then deciding what cheese to have with the wines we were planning to share with some friends on the weekend. It’s not just wines and cheeses. There is an alphabetical listing of all sorts of beverages from tea to vodka, and foods from cheese to rabbit and beyond. It is fun and educational to just sit and read besides being a “must have” reference volume.

Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page are a husband and wife team. Andrew is a former restaurant chef and Karen a Master Sommelier. They have used their expertise to create an invaluable book. What to Drink with What you Eat is the winner of the “Georges Duboeuf Wine Book of the Year” award.

Up-coming Events

March Madness

This extremely popular event at the Lehigh Valley wine trail wineries takes place during the month of March and at most of the wineries is truly madness. “Discover wine’s East Coast valley! The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is home to nine family-owned vineyards and wineries that have brought home the Governor’s Cup for eight out of the last nine years and won countless regional, state, national and international awards, including more than 50 for wines made from Chambourcin, its signature grape.

Designated an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2008, the Lehigh Valley is Pennsylvania’s fastest growing wine region. The fertile farmlands of the area provide an ideal growing environment, and the area’s close proximity to Philadelphia and New York City make the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail a beautiful and easy escape for wine lovers across the Mid-Atlantic region.”(excerpted from the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail http://www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com/

Each participant must purchase a March Madness passport for $30. This gains you admission to each of the wineries on the trail where they will have special wine and food pairings on each weekend during the month of March.

Many wineries have sold out of passports, so check the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail website for more information and to see if tickets are still available on-line. Just so you know, this event gets extremely busy at all the wineries and you may need to wait for space at the tasting bar.

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail website is http://www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com/

We'd really like to get some wine discussion going on about the Wine Tips of the Week.
Did you try them, like them, not like them? What are YOU drinking?

Additional Upcoming Wine Events in the Pottstown Tri-County Area

Thursday, April 22, Wines of the USA, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Thursday, April 29, Wines of the World, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Wednesday, May 5, Cinco de Mayo, wines from Spain, Chile, and Argentina at the Gallery School of Pottstown.
Begins promptly at 6:30 PM. Cost TBD.

Saturday, October 23, Mom's House Benefit Wine Tasting Dinner. Location, Time and Cost TBD.

Many other events are TBD. Contact us to schedule an event in your home, at your business, or for your organization.

Vintage Connections provide

* Wine Appreciation Classes and Seminars

* Customized Educational Wine Tastings in your home or at your business

* Wine Consulting

* Benefit Educational Wine Tastings for non-profit organizations

Wine Tips of the Week # 12 - Clos Reissier Pouilly-Fuisse` and Vynecrest's Lemberger

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:24:00 +0000

Thanks to those of you who participated in Wine after Five with Chocolate on Saturday night. Special thanks to Cathy, Erika, and Julie at the Gallery School, to Chef Steve O'Donnell for the wonderful chocolate desserts, and to Betsy Chapman for her romantic interludes on her harp. It seems like everyone had a wonderful time.

This Week’s Wine Tips!

Clos Reissier Pouilly-Fuisse` - From the village of Chaintre`, France. 100% Chardonnay - "the" white wine of Burgundy. Wine in France is named after the region in which it is grown and made, not the grape variety. Since this chardonnay is grown and made in Pouilly-Fuisse` rather than Burgundy, it's a Pouilly-Fuisse` not a Burgundy.

This Chardonnay is rich and full-flavored. Lovely straw-colored, it has a pleasant fruity flavor, is lightly oaked and has a pleasantly long finish. Clos Reissier Vineyard is one of the most famous vineyards in the Pouilly-Fuisse` region. We’ve had other Chardonnays from the Pouilly-Fuisse` region, but this was the best wine so far, in our opinion. Alcohol is 13% by volume. PLCB code 22292. At the time of this writing, it was available at PA Wine and Spirits stores in Lionville Shopping Center, Collegeville and Limerick at $17.99 per bottle. Check the PLCB website for availability near you, or ask your local store to order it for you.

Vynecrest Lemberger – This is a full-bodied dry red, also known as Blaufrankisch in Austria and Kekfrankos in Hungary. It is a German varietal and is deep red in color. It's distinctive flavor makes this wine an interesting alternative to the usual red table wine. Lemberger can be either very bold or gently light. The Vynecrest Lemberger tends to be more boldly flavored. It has good tannins so that it can be cellared for a few years, but is also great to drink now. It has a long finish. Alcohol is 13% by volume and is available at the winery for $14.99.

For more information about Vynecrest, go to our blog at http://vintageconnectionswineinfo.blogspot.com/

or to Vynecrest's website at http://vynecrest.com/index.htm

Upcoming Events

March Madness

This extremely popular event at the Lehigh Valley wine trail wineries takes place during the month of March and at most of the wineries is truly madness. “Discover wine’s East Coast valley! The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is home to nine family-owned vineyards and wineries that have brought home the Governor’s Cup for eight out of the last nine years and won countless regional, state, national and international awards, including more than 50 for wines made from Chambourcin, its signature grape.

For more information about the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail and March Madness, go to our blog at

http://vintageconnectionswineinfo.blogspot.com/

or to the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail website at http://www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com/

Thanks to those of you who have posted comments on our blogs. Please take a look and post some comments of your own. We'd really like to get some wine discussion going on about the Wine Tips of the Week. Did you try them, like them, not like them? What are YOU drinking?

Additional Upcoming Wine Events in the Pottstown Tri-County Area

Thursday, April 22, Wines of the USA, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Thursday, April 29, Wines of the World, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Wednesday, May 5, Cinco de Mayo, wines from Spain, Chile, and Argentina at the Gallery School of Pottstown.
Begins promptly at 6:30 PM. Cost TBD.

Saturday, October 23, Mom's House Benefit Wine Tasting Dinner. Location, Time and Cost TBD.

Many other events are TBD. Contact us to schedule an event in your home, at your business, or for your organization.

Vintage Connections provide

* Wine Appreciation Classes and Seminars

* Customized Educational Wine Tastings in your home or at your business

* Wine Consulting

* Benefit Educational Wine Tastings for non-profit organizations

Vintage Connections
Lisa and Dean Foster

Wine Tips of the Week - House Wine and Calvaresi Reisling

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:20:00 +0000

"Cheers" from Vintage Connections
Dean and Lisa Foster, Wine Educators and Consultants

Last chance to register for Wine after Five with Chocolate at the Gallery School of Pottstown this Saturday, Feburary 13 at 6:30 PM.
Go to the Gallery’s link for more information and to register for this Valentine Day’s treat. http://www.galleryonhigh.com/wineafter5.html

View the video of our last Wine after Five tasting at the Gallery. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNxdudt7SSI

This Week’s Wine Tips!

House Wine 2006

From The Magnificent Wine Co. in the Columbia Valley, WA. This was a pleasant surprise. Don’t let the rustic label fool you into thinking you will be tasting someone’s first try at homemade wine. A blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Syrah, 5% Sangiovese, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc, this wine has great flavor at a great price. Rich deep red in color, the flavor is bold and complex with soft tannins. It has flavors of dark berries. Alcohol is 13.9% by volume. On sale at many PA Wine and Spirits stores for $10.99 (regularly $12.99). PLCB product code 5656. Always check your local store's inventory for availability at the PLCB Product Search page at

http://www.lcbapps.lcb.state.pa.us/webapp/Product_Management/psi_ProductDefault_inter.asp
Just enter House Wine in the top line and hit "search" at the bottom of the page. You can then sort by county.

Calvaresi Riesling 2008 - From Calvaresi Winery in Bernville, PA.

This is one of our favorite Rieslings. It is full of fresh floral aromas, citrus flavors and well-balanced acidity. Even though it has 2% residual sugar, the acidity balances it so well that it doesn’t taste sweet, just wonderfully floral and citrusy. As Tom Calvaresi says himself “Rieslings are one of my pets” and year after year he makes an exceptional Riesling. Available only at the winery for $12.95. Alcohol 12% by volume. Great with spicy Asian food or all by itself. It won a silver medal at the PA Wine Competition. Check out Tom's other wines and hours of operation at his website

http://www.calvaresiwinery.com/

Up-coming Valentines Events

Wine after Five with Chocolate! Wine and food pairing seminar. Five wines paired with five chocolate desserts prepared by Chef Steve O'Donnell.
At the Gallery School of Pottstown
Saturday, February 13, beginning promptly at 6:30 PM

(snow date, Saturday February 20)

Begin with Manatawny Creek Winery's Sparkling Raspberry and White Chocolate Mousse.
End with Bogle's Phantom, a wonderful rich red blend, and decadent dark chocolate dessert.
$120 per couple, $65 single, $55 per person for Gallery members.

For more information and to register, go to the Gallery's website at

http://www.galleryonhigh.com/wineafter5.html

Berks County Wine Trail, Wine and Chocolate Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, February 13 and 14

For more information, go to the Berks County Wine Trail website at
http://www.berkscountywinetrail.com/

Cookies and Wine for Valentine's Day at Galen Glen Vineyard and Winery

Saturday, February 13. For more information, go to http://www.galenglen.com/

Pottstown Mercury Blog Site
The Pottstown Mercury has started publishing our weekly wine recommendations on-line in The Grapevine, a blog you can access through the Mercury's on-line edition at http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/pottstown/grapevine/blog.html

Thanks to those of you who have posted comments on both sites. Please take a look and post some comments of your own. We'd really like to get some wine discussion going on these two blogs.

Additional Upcoming Wine Events in the Pottstown Tri-County Area

Thursday, April 22, Wines of the USA, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Thursday, April 29, Wines of the World, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Wednesday, May 5, Cinco de Mayo, wines from Spain, Chile, and Argentina at the Gallery School of Pottstown.
Begins promptly at 6:30 PM. Cost TBD.

Saturday, October 23, Mom's House Benefit Wine Tasting Dinner. Location, Time and Cost TBD.

Many other events are TBD. Contact us to schedule an event in your home, at your business, or for your organization.

Vintage Connections provide

* Wine Appreciation Classes and Seminars

* Customized Educational Wine Tastings in your home or at your business

* Wine Consulting

* Benefit Educational Wine Tastings for non-profit organizations

Vintage Connections
Lisa and Dean Foster

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:42:00 +0000

"Cheers" from Vintage Connections
Dean and Lisa Foster, Wine Educators and Consultants

This Week’s Wine Tips!

This week we describe two more of the wines we will be serving and pairing with chocolate desserts at Wine after Five with Chocolate at the Gallery School of Pottstown on Saturday, Feburary 13. Go to the Gallery’s link for more information and to register for this Valentine Day’s treat. http://www.galleryonhigh.com/wineafter5.html

Villa Giada Moscato d’Asti

This lightly effervescent, gently sweet wine is made from the white muscat grape from the heart of the Piedmont area of Italy. It has a fresh fruity and floral aroma and tastes like spring in a glass. It tastes and smells of fresh pear, peach, mango fruits and has a pleasantly long finish. Not over powering or syrupy. Drink now, well chilled. We are serving the 2005 vintage during the Wine and Chocolate tasting at the Gallery. Only the 2006 vintage is currently available in PA Wine and Spirits stores and is in very limited supply (at the time of this writing a few bottles were available at the stores in Wayne, Media, Flourtown, Narberth) and lists for $14.99. We usually recommend wines that are readily available in PA, but this one is an exception. A friend recommended it to us, we found a few bottles, and couldn’t resist. Hopefully, a new vintage will be more easily available soon. PLCB code is 25210. Alcohol is 7% by volume.

Dona Paula Estate Malbec

This deep ruby wine with violet tones is made from 100% Malbec grapes. It is grown, produced and bottled on the estate in Mendoza, Argentina. It is “elegant and complex” with aromas of licorice, plum and black cherries and flavors of blackberries and peppery spice. It has a long and lingering finish. We are serving the 2008 vintage during the Wine and Chocolate tasting at the Gallery and have to admit, the wine is young and the tannins are noticeable. The 2007 vintage is currently available in PA as a Special Liquor Order (SLO) and lists for $18.19 with a minimum of 6 bottles. PLCB code is 54945. The tannins in the 2007 vintage should have softened a bit by now, but the wine is best laid down for 2-3 more years. Alcohol is 14% by volume, which is typical for a Malbec, especially from Argentina.

Wine Video - Go to the link below for a 3-minute video of our Wine after Five with Art on the Side wine tasting seminar at the Gallery School of Pottstown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNxdudt7SSI

Up-coming Valentines Events

Wine after Five with Chocolate! Wine and food pairing seminar. Five wines paired with five chocolate desserts prepared by Chef Steve O'Donnell.
At the Gallery School of Pottstown
Saturday, February 13, beginning promptly at 6:30 PM

(snow date, Saturday February 20)

Begin with a Sparkling Raspberry and White Chocolate Mousse.
End with Bogle's Phantom, a wonderful rich red blend and decadent dark chocolate dessert.
$120 per couple, $65 single, $55 per person for Gallery members.

For more information and to register, go to the Gallery's website at

http://www.galleryonhigh.com/wineafter5.html

Berks County Wine Trail, Wine and Chocolate Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, February 13 and 14

For more information, go to the Berks County Wine Trail website at
http://www.berkscountywinetrail.com/

Cookies and Wine for Valentine's Day at Galen Glen Vineyard and Winery

Saturday, February 13. For more information, go to

http://sz0051.wc.mail.comcast.net/zimbra/mail#8

Please take a look and post some comments on our wine blogs. We'd really like to get some wine discussion going on these two blogs.

Additional Upcoming Wine Events in the Pottstown Tri-County Area

Thursday, April 22, Wines of the USA, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Thursday, April 29, Wines of the World, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $52.

Wednesday, May 5, Cinqo de Mayo, wines from Spain, Chile, and Argentina at the Gallery School of Pottstown.
Begins promptly at 6:30 PM. Cost TBD.

Saturday, October 23, Mom's House Benefit Wine Tasting Dinner. Location, Time and Cost TBD.

Many other events are TBD. Contact us to schedule an event in your home, at your business, or for your organization.

Vintage Connections provide

* Wine Appreciation Classes and Seminars

* Customized Educational Wine Tastings in your home or at your business

* Wine Consulting

* Benefit Educational Wine Tastings for non-profit organizations

Vintage Connections
Lisa and Dean Foster

Wine Tips of the Week - Manatawny's Sparkling Raspberry and Pinnacle Ridge's Veritas

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:43:00 +0000

"Cheers" from Vintage Connections

Dean and Lisa Foster, Wine Educators and Consultants

This Week’s Wine Tips!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and that has us thinking (and planning) about wine and chocolate.

In many of our wine appreciation classes and pairing seminars, we've paired dark chocolate with our final, boldest red wine.
Many wineries also bring out dark chocolate to pair with their final red, which often retains a bit of sweetness, but not always.

Many people are surprised at how wonderful dark chocolate and a deep, dark, red wine taste together.
For Valentine's Day, whether you are staying at home, going to a restaurant, getting together with friends, or just looking for something interesting and delicious to do, we suggest pairing wine and chocolate.

Lighter, slightly sweeter white wines are best paired with lighter, even white, chocolate. Darker reds, especially those with some retained sweetness, pair well with deep, dark chocolate. Try to match lighter wines with lighter chocolates and darker wines with darker chocolates. Experiment. If one combination doesn't work, try another (and another and another). What fun the mistakes can be! How fantastic the right pairings can be!

Manatawny Creek Winery's Raspberry Sparkling

This week we recommend Manatawny's Sparkling Raspberry as a Valentine's wine to match with white chocolate. This wonderful sparkling wine is refreshingly semi-sweet and delicious and is made from fresh raspberries. Its festive pink color and tiny bubbles make celebrating Valentine’s Day a truly romantic experience. Try it with a white chocolate cheesecake or a white chocolate mousse, or both! Joanne Levengood, the winemaker, says this wine is a "pleasing pink semi-sweet bubbly made from raspberries and is a very special treat." She suggests it with Sunday Brunch, and we agree but also think it will be fantastic paired with white chocolate desserts. Although we don't usually like (or recommend) sweeter wines, this one has its place and is a wonderful treat. Manatawny's Sparkling Raspberry is available at the winery for $15.95. Their website address is http://www.manatawnycreekwinery.com/

For our Wine after Five with Chocolate tasting seminar at the Gallery School of Pottstown, on Saturday, February 13, we are pairing this wonderful Sparkling Raspberry with a White Chocolate Mousse, prepared by Chef Steve O'Donnell. For more information and tickets, go to the Gallery School's website at http://www.galleryonhigh.com/wineafter5.html

Pinnacle Ridge Winery's Veritas 2007

In good years, winemaker Brad Knapp blends several "Bordeaux" grapes to make his vintage Veritas. We have bottles from several previous vintages, and truly miss the years the grapes are not good enough for Brad to blend this premier red wine. 2007 was a fine year and Brad has produced an outstanding Veritas 2007. This classic Bordeaux blend is made with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is deep, rich red in color with aromas of “toasty oak, vanilla and black fruits”. It was aged for 16 months in American oak barrels and is extremely well balanced with flavors of blackberries and other dark fruits and has a long pleasing finish.

Initially, Veritas, like other high quality red wines, has lots of tannins, which come from the skin of the red grape and the oak barrels in which it is fermented and aged. So even though we are tempted to drink Veritas young, and we do, it is best when stored on its side in a cool, dark place for at least 5 years. This is a wine that you can drink now if you enjoy some tannin (it's not bitter, but has a "bite" which we enjoy). Over time, the tannins mellow, the different wines mature together in the blend, the wine changes, and an outstanding, well balanced, elegant wine results. Usually, you'll want to pair this hearty red with steak, lamb, or other red meats. However, as a treat for Valentine's Day, we are suggesting you give it a try with a semi-sweet or slightly dark chocolate. Let us know what you think!

Alcohol is about 12% by volume. The 2007 Veritas is $20 per bottle at the winery near Kutztown. Pinnacle Ridge's website is http://www.pinridge.com/

For our Wine after Five with Chocolate tasting seminar at the Gallery School of Pottstown, on Saturday, February 13, we are pairing Pinnacle Ridge's 2005 Veritas with incredible chocolate chip cookies. The tannins have softened, the blend has mellowed, and although it will still benefit from more years in the bottle, it is very drinkable now. The cookies with semi-sweet chocolate chips, toasted brown cookie dough, crisp edges and soft centers, are mouth-watering all by themselves. But the pairing of these chocolate chip cookies with Pinnacle Ridge's 2005 Veritas is fun and delicious.

Wine Video - Go to the link below for a 3-minute video of our Wine after Five with Art on the Side wine tasting seminar at the Gallery School of Pottstown. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNxdudt7SSI

Wine Tip of the Week - Old Vine Zinfandel from Bogle

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:53:00 +0000

"Cheers" from Vintage Connections
Dean and Lisa Foster, Wine Educators and Consultants

We hope everyone had a Happy New Year!

This Week’s Wine Tips!

Mid-winter is a great time for hearty reds.
One of our favorites is Old Vine Zinfandel from Bogle. In fact, a wine-maker friend of ours told us that he's "never met a Bogle he didn't like" so during our New Year's celebrations with friends and family we tried several red Bogle's we had not tasted before. We like ALL of them.

Bogle's Old Vine Zinfandel is outstanding, is available in almost every PCLB Wine and Spirits store as a "regular" purchase for $12.99. Product code is 5043. You should be able to find this wine and purchase it regularly, but still check your local store for availability before driving there.

We agree with the winemaker's notes as provided below.

Head-trained, dry farmed old vines are again the source for Bogle’s Old Vine Zinfandel. These gnarly old vines produce concentrated fruit of unsurpassed quality and intensity. This supple and mouth-filling vintage leads with juicy blueberry and ripe blackberry fruit. Black pepper and hints of chocolate notes integrate well with this soft, plush body. Subtle hints of spicy oak and pipe tobacco create structure, allowing this wine to stand up to a variety of fare.This is the perfect wine to pair with everything from rich sauces and unique dishes, to your favorite weeknight take-out.

To see a few other Wine Tips this week, go to our Vintage Connections Wine Info blog by clicking on the link on this page.

Upcoming Wine Events in the Pottstown Tri-County Area
Saturday, February 13.

Wine after Five with Chocolate on the Side - Wine and Chocolate pairing seminar for Valentine's Day, at the Gallery School of Pottstown. Begins promptly at 6:30 PM. Snow date February 20.

$65 per person, $120 per couple, or $55 for Gallery School members.

Make reservations through the Gallery School website by clicking on the Gallery's link on this page.

Saturday and Sunday, February 13 and 14.

Berks County Wine Trail Wine and Chocolate Event.

For more information, click on the Berks County Wine Trail link on this page.

Wine Tips of the Week - Blair Chardonnay and Marchesi di Barolo

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:04:00 +0000

Blair Vineyard Chardonnay

Blair Vineyards is a family-owned and operated vineyard and winery near Mertztown. Blair makes a variety of wines, mostly dry reds and whites including Chardonnay, in several styles. We could really taste the differences among the different styles and vintages, and truly liked them all.

We especially like the 2005 Chardonnay fermented and aged in both French and American oak. It is very fruit-forward with hints of melon and vanilla, with light toast flavors and a long finish. It has 12.5% alcohol so is not hot or harsh like some Chardonnays from California or Australia.

This wine was $15.99 and, like most of their wines, is available at the winery near Mertztown and at Frecon Farms near Boyertown.

Marchesi di Barolo, Maraia 2007 Barbera Monferrato

Marchesi de Barolo is a historic vineyard located in the Piedmont area of Italy. This is an easy-drinking red made with 100% Barbera grapes. This is a medium-bodied red wine with plenty of fruit and a pleasant dryness that unfolds to an attractively robust flavor and a long finish. It is splendid with red meats, but also goes well with pork, veal and even turkey. It has 13.5% alcohol by volume.

This wine is available only at selected Pa. Wine and Spirit stores for $11.99, so check with your local store for availability. PLCB product code is 08619.

Wine Tip of the Week - Manatawny Creek Cabernet Franc Port

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:49:00 +0000

Manatawny Creek Winery Cabernet Franc Port

We don't usually like port, but this one has become a favorite. It is lighter than many port and although it is sweet and high in alcohol (for a wine), it is not too sweet and the 18 to 20% alcohol content is easy to swallow.

This port is made from Cabernet Franc, one of the traditional Bordeaux varietals and one of Manatawny's consistently excellent grapes. While great for sipping alone, this wine is at its best paired with dark chocolate. Yummy!

The Manatawny Creek Winery is owned and operated by the Levengood family and is located just outside of Douglassville.

This is one of the several local Pa. wineries we highly recommend, not just for their wines, but for a wonderful wine tasting experience in their tasting room. They are open seven days a week and do not charge a tasting fee.

The staff is friendly, helpful, and they have a wide selection of wine, from bold dry reds to lighter, sweeter whites, to even a sparkling raspberry.

Wine Tips of the Week – Tariquet 2008 and Galen Glen Riesling

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:42:00 +0000

Tariquet 2008 - Sauvignon & Semillon Blend

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are often blended together in many parts of the world and are labeled many different ways. The best-known blend of these two grapes may be French White Bordeaux.

Sauvignon Blanc often stands on its own and when it does, has distinctive aromas of freshly cut grass and minerals. When blended with Semillon, the sharpness of Sauvignon Blanc is softened, the aroma of the wine is a bit more floral, and the wine may have a touch of sweetness that, for many people, makes it easy to drink and more appealing than 100% Sauvignon Blanc.

Tariquet 2008 is a good, affordable example of the Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend, and goes well with fish, poultry and a variety of cheeses. The 2008 vintage of Sauvignon and Semillon is made from 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillon. This blend is a good example of how Semillon can create a more complex wine than Sauvignon Blanc alone. It is an easy drinking wine with very floral aromas and a slight mineral scent. It has a light taste of grass and grapefruit typical of sauvignon blancs, made more complex and fuller bodied by the additional 15% Semillon.

This wine is available for $9.99 at many Pennsylvania Specialty Wine and Spirits stores. The PLCB product code is 18312.

Galen Glen Stone Cellar Riesling 2008

Galen Glen Vineyard and Winery is family owned and operated and is located outside of Andreas, Pa. Sarah, the winemaker, has been perfecting several white wines in the German style.

Called "halbtrocken," which is German for half-dry, this lightly sweet Riesling is bursting with floral aromas. It has a pleasant minerality with grapefruit notes and hints of peaches and apricots. This Riesling is easy to drink on its own and is even better when paired with cheesecake or with a glazed pork entrée. This wine is available for $12 at the winery.

For more information on these two wines, go to the Vintage Connections blog site at
http://vintageconnectionswineinfo.blogspot.com/2009/12/wine-tips-of-week-6-tariquet-sauvignon.html

Wine Tip of the Week – Pinot Noir

Vintageconnections@comcast.net (Dean and Lisa Foster) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:05:00 +0000

Pinot Noir’s light tannins and berry flavors pair well with roasted pork, other light meats, and heavier fish like salmon.

There are many Pinot Noirs (and French Red Burgundies, made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes) for under $20, even many under $10. But finding a Pinot Noir that is representative of the variety for under $20 can be a challenge.

One of our favorite and affordable Pinot Noirs is by Sebastiani. From the Sonoma Coast, their 2007 is made from 100% Pinot Noir and is a multi-vineyard blend which creates fruit-forward wines “with richness and complexity”. It has fresh cherry flavors with hints of maraschino cherries and “hints of oriental spice, vanilla and mocha”. The color is rich crimson. The grapes were cold-soaked before crushing to prevent tearing, keeping the tannins low for early drinkability. It was aged in Hungarian and French oak barrels for 5 months, giving it hints of toasty oak flavors. Alcohol is 13.5% by volume.

The current PLCB sale price is $12.99, but supplies are running low so check the PLCB Web site or call your local store to check availability. When you find it, ask them to hold it for you and go now! The PLCB product code is 004985.

If you would prefer trying a Pennsylvania winery Pinot Noir, as we often do, Pinnacle Ridge Winery north of Kutztown, Manatawny Creek Winery outside of Douglassville, Vynecrest Winery near Breinigsville and Blair Vineyards outside of Mertztown all carry excellent Pinot Noirs at or under $20. And you can taste and make sure they suit your tastes before purchasing them.

For more information on Pinot Noir, go to the Vintage Connections blog site at
http://vintageconnectionswineinfo.blogspot.com/2009/12/wine-tip-of-week-7-pinot-noir.html