The Wine Journey Came to Me

If you would like to checkout Groupon click on the picture. 

Recently the wine journey came to my door via UPS.  A few months ago there was a groupon for wine insiders.  It was a deal I could not pass up ($25.00 - $10.00 coupon); $15.00 for $75.00 worth of wine!  I normally like to post about wines from the wineries I have visited; however, I felt that I needed to post about the wine journey that greeted me at my front door via UPS and the Internet.



The world is swiftly changing and getting smaller all thanks to the Internet. The Internet has become a tool of conveyance, and the ultimate tool for everyday life.  The Internet makes accessing information, shopping online, bill payment, and social networking more accessible to all who can afford a computer, ipad or iphone.  Online shopping has grown over the years, so it is only fair to say why not have wine available for online shopping. There are some states that do not allow for wine to be shipped to the wine lovers.  So if you live in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Montana. and Utah you are out of luck, but luckily there is an organization out there helping you get your wines from other states and who are helping your local wineries sell their wines to people all over the country. The organization that is helping these states gain the right to sell their wine is free the grapes.      

Thankfully, I live in a state that allows me to visit wineries online and have my wine sent to me via UPS or FedEx.  So when Groupon offered the Wine Insiders online deal, I just could not pass it up.   I used my $75.00 online offer to order 4 bottles of wine plus their shipping cost.  All the wines I purchased were from the California market. Wine Insiders does offer wines from all over the globe; however, their main focus is bringing their customers fine wines that are unique and hard to find.  Wine Insiders started out as a company that featured California wines only, but has since grown.  When looking at their wines they seem to only offer very dry to semi dry wines (but verging on the more dry side). After looking at all their wines and reading about what wines I might enjoy I decided to make my purchase.  The wines I chose were the Maddalena Riesling (2 bottles as I love Riesling), Twin Bridges Pinot Grigio, and Myth Chardonnay. Making the purchase through Wine Insiders was very easy.  You can order strictly online without personal contact, or you can call their 800 number and speak with one of their staff members.  I opted to speak with someone for this experience.  The woman that I spoke with was friendly and very helpful.  She answered questions about residual sugar and the pH of the wines I was selecting.  She really listened to what kind of wine drinker I was and offered some suggestions to the bottle of wines I was selecting.  Because of her advice, I changed my order to add the Myth Chardonnay and the Maddalena Riesling.

The Maddalena Riesling was the first bottle I opened.  I just happened to want a glass of Riesling with my dinner. This Riesling was from Monterey, California.  The wine had a nice natural sweet flavor, it was soft and subtle for a semi dry wine.  I don't believe I would classify this wine as semi dry, but more as a semi sweet wine.  The aroma of this wine was also very subtle and soft with a nice relaxing feel to it.  When you smelled this wine it was like your mind and muscles in your body were at ease.  You could taste notes of apricot, pear, a hint of golden delicious apple and honey.  The Riesling grape was there in taste and smell.  I would recommend this wine with a shrimp and mushroom risotto or with a fruit and cheese appetizer.  Either way you choose to have this wine (as a stand alone, along with your main course or appetizer) it is a great wine to try.

Watch for my other reviews of the wine journey that has come to my door step.

Penguin Bay on Seneca Lake - Rose of Chambourcin

On my family's Riesling to Visit the Finger Lakes wine tour, we stopped at Penguin Bay.  We tasted many different wines; however, the Rosé of Chambourcin caught the taste buds of our party.  While we enjoyed the Rosé of Chambourcin, Penguin Bay may be best known for its Percussion wine label.   The Percussion wine uses a blend of Cayuga White, Traminette, Vaidal Blanc, and Valvin Muscat grapes, that is quite popular with  white wine aficionados.  Their popular red wine is  called Maroon Four,which is made primarily with Corot Noir and Noiret Hybrid grapes developed by Cornell University (good job Big Red for cultivating grapes that make great wines!).

Our group took home a few bottles of the Rosé of Chambourcin as this bottle was the choice of the day.  If you are unsure about rosé wines (and men if you think that it is  too girly because it is pink), you need to think again.  This wine is not a White Zinfandel, it does not even come close to a White Zinfandel.  The Rosé of Chambourchin is a refreshing dry wine.  I am not always a fan of dry wines; however, this wine is crisp and clean.  It is a rich, full, flavored Rosé that has a nice finish to it.  You can taste hints of strawberries, cherries, and I believe raspberries.  I could taste the famous Riesling grape as well as the buttery texture of a Chardonnay.  In June it was refreshing on a very hot day with picnic food.  However, I also found it enjoyable on this cool crisp September night paired with Eggplant Parmesan or Rotisserie Chicken with Alfredo Parmesan noodles. Either way you have it I am sure you will find it enjoyable too.

Some History about Penguin Bay Winery
Penguin Bay, formerly known as the Finger Lakes Champagne house on Seneca Lake, is now owned by the Peterson Family which owns Swedish Hill and Goose Watch wineries.  Penguin Bay Winery wines are great for a good cause, because a portion of the proceeds from all Penguin Bay wines support endangered Humboldt Penguins at the Rosamond Gilfford Zoo in Syracuse, NY. So raise a glass to the endangered species.

If you would like to taste what Penguin Bay has to offer go and visit them. They are located 12 miles north of Watkins Glen.  For all you NASCAR fans out there who are looking for something else to do near the Glen, here is another option.

Penguin Bay Winery
4565 Rte. 414
Hector, NY 14841
607.546.5115

Pugliese Vineyards Raffaello White Port

Pugliese Vineyard opened its winery in 1980.  This winery is a family owned and operated vineyard that is most notable for their full - bodied Red and Ice Wines that feature the Gewurztraminer grape, not only does Pulgliese specialize in wine but beautifully designed bottles and glasses that make their wines have a signature look and feel to them.

One of my wine adventures led me to Pugliese Vineyards where I tasted and brought home a bottle of Pugliese Vineyards Raffaello White Port.  For those who may not be too familiar with what a Port wine is, it is a wine making making process that originated in the Douro Valley in Portugal.  Most Port wines are red wines that are typically richer, sweeter, heavier, and have a much higher alcohol content than most other wines.  Port wines are aged in oak barrels.  Port wines are known to be dessert wines, and they say that storing Port is very easy.  Keep the bottle cool, on its side and in a dark place.  To serve a Port wine requires no extra work either.  It can be served un-chilled... well it can be served at the temperature that it should be stored at 60 degrees to 70 degrees.  However, I found that the Pugliese Raffaello White Port has a better taste when served cold.  Once I put an ice cube in my glass the wine I found the Port much more enjoyable. 

I found that the Rafaello is much lighter than most Port wines I have tried.  I also found it to have a crisp, fresher taste as well. There is a note of the oak taste to it that is masked nicely by the sweet smoothness this Port has to offer. While I did not get the chance to pair it with a dessert, I would say that if I had to pair this Port I would choose to pair it with fresh cut pears, or maybe even some grilled pears in a light sauce that has a hint of the Raffaello Port wine in it. 

Here are the tasters’ notes from the winery:

Raffaello White Port 2007
A truly extraordinary dessert wine, Raffaello White Port provides a light and sweet contrast to Pugliese's fuller bodied Ports. This fine port is an excellent apéritif, and it accompanies cheeses and biscuits well. 

You can taste this Port Wine at:

Pugliese Vineyards

Main Road

Cutchogue, Long Island NY

Phone: 631. 734. 4057

Long Island Winery Events

September 2011


Long Island Wine Trail

• Osprey's Dominion
• Concert Series 
• September 10 - Below Average White Band
• September 11 - Take 3
• September 17 - East End Trio
• September 18 - Southbound
• September 24 - Joe Hampton / Kingpins
• September 25 - Mangos 
• Palmer Vineyards
• Harvest Wine Salon --- September 10
• Concert: Todd the Guitar Man --- September 10
• Mutts and Mimosas --- September 10
• Harvest Wine Salon --- September 17
• Harvest Festival --- September 17 -18 and 24-25
• Peconic Bay Winery
• Live Music
• September 10 - Sly Geralds Band
• September 11 - Fred Bedfry
• September 15 - Open Mic Night
• September 16 - Ray Penney
• September 17 - Noble Rotten Trio
• September 18 - Caroline Doctorow 
• September 22 - Open Mic Night
• September 23 - Jon Divello
• September 24 - Nina Et Cetera 
• September 25 - Lonesome Moonlight
• September 29 - Open Mic Night
• September 30 - East End Trio
• Pellegrini Vineyards
• Pellegrini Harvest Celebration --- September 23
• Pindar Vineyards
• Sunset Fridays Live Music
• Live Music on Saturdays and Sundays
• Vineyard 48
• Dance Party
• September 10 - 11
• September 17 - 18
• September 24 - 25
• Wolffer Estate Vineyard
• Twilight Thursdays
• Certain Moves (Jazz) - September 15
• Iris Ornig (Jazz) - September 22
• Sunset Fridays
• Alfredo Merat and Radio Europa - September 16
• The Majestic
• At the Vineyard and Beyond --- September 17
• Martha Clara Vineyard
• Oktoberfest --- September 11
• Stomp Party --- September 18
• Kent Animal Shelter Wines and Canines 5k Run/Walk - September 25
• Concert Series 
• September 17 - No Soup for You
• September 18 - Nina Et. Cetera
• September 24 - East End Trio
• September 25 - Keith Maguire
• Laurel Lake Vineyards
• September 11
• Music - The Earthtones
• Pig Roast
• September 18
• Music - Alan St. Jon
• Wine and Chocolate Paring
• September 25
• Music - Bruce MacDonald
• Diliberto Winery
• September 17
• Light Jazz
• Fall Saturday nights
• September 24
• Music
• Fall Saturday Nights
• Pugliese Vineyards
• Music each Saturday

Finger Lakes Wine Trail Events for September

 September 2011:
     2010 Finger Lakes Riesling Official Launch --- September 19-24


Keuka Lake WIne Trail   

• Harvest Tour of Food and Wine --- 17th and 18th
•  Keuka Springs Vineyard -- 10th and 24th Harvest Tours of the Vineyard
• Heron Hill Winery --- Music on the Blue Heron Cafe Terrace Series
• September 4 - Brett Beardslee
• September 11 - PJ Elliot
• September 18 - Matt Cross
• Heron Hill Winery --- Tunes in the Tent Series
• September 25 - Crosseyed Cats
• Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Celler
• Harvest in the Square  (NYC Union Square Park) September 22nd

Canandaigua Wine Trail

• Naples Grape Festival --- 24th and 25th
• Casa Larga
• Clothesline Festival --- September 10th and 11th
• Purple Foot Festival --- September 18th
• Race for the Grapes 5k --- September 25th
• Inspire Moore
• Friday night is Music night
• September 15 - White Woods
• September 23 - Out of the Blue
• September 24 - The Prickers
• New York Wine and Culinary Center
• New York State of Mind - September 17

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

• Vino Visa Coupon Book 2011
• Finger Lakes Cork and Fork --- September 16th and 17th
• Americana Vineyards and Winery
• Friday night Concert Series
• September 9th - Blue Skies
• September 16th - Cool Club of Hector
• September 23 - The Yardvarks
• September 30 - Nate and Kate
• Patriots Weekend --- September 10th and 11th
• Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
• September 11 - Ironwood
• September 18 - Lone Rangers
• September 25 - Zydeco Trail Riders
• Hosmer Winery
• Some Like it Hot! --- September 10
• Autumn Harvest Farm's Dinner --- September 17
• Swedish Hill
• September 10 - 11 ---Fall Fever Days
• Thirsty Owl Wine Company
• September 10 -11 9th Anniversary Bash 
• Saturday Music Series
• September 17 - Delta Mike Shaw
• September 24 - Ken Campbell
• Goose Watch Winery
• Fall Fever Days - September 10
• Jazz Festival - September 18
• Six Mile Creek Vineyard
• Sunset Music Series
• September 15 - Leeann and Gary Reynolds
• September 29 - Doug Robinson Duo 
• September 17 - 18 --- Harvest Festival
• Buttonwood Grove Winery
• September 17 - Early Fall Foliage
• Cobblestone Farm Winery
• Glorious Grape Day --- September 17
• Knapp Vineyards
• La Cena Con Vino --- September 17
• Fall Fiesta --- September 24
• Kings Ferry Winery
• Fall Arts Festival --- September 17
• Lucas Vineyards
• German Festival --- September 18
• Bellwether Hard Cider
• Fabulous Fall Feast --- September 24
• Montezuma Winery
• Harvest Hoedown --- September 17

Little Lakes Wine Trail

• Deer Run Winery
• Country Artisan Open House --- September 10 -11
• Free Concert --- September 15

Seneca Lake Wine Trail

• Ventosa Vineyards
• Concert Series at Ventosa
• September 14 - John and Chris
• September 21 - PJ Elliot
• September 28 - The Dirtybirds
• Harvest Hayrides and Birthday Celebration --- September 25
• Red Newt Winery
• Wine Lovers Night
• September 8
• September 15
• September 22
• September 29
• Free Flight Friday
• September 9
• September 16
• September 23
• September 30
• Wednesday Night Concert Series
• September 14 - Caribe Jazz Allstars 
• September 21 - Lynn Wiles
• September 28 - Young Lovers
• Glenora Wine Cellars
• Wine Pairing Dinner --- September 15
• Leaves and Lobster on the Lawn --- September 17 - 18
• Riesling Hour at Veraison --- September 22
• J.R. Dill Winery
• Live Music Thursday Nights
• September 15
• September 22
• September 29
• Fall Kick Off --- September 18
• Atwater Estate Vineyard
• Vine Dine --- September 23

I Love NY

Have you ever walked into a restaurant and looked at the wine list only to find that the wines you just tasted at local vineyards are not listed on their wine list.  Then let’s say you go to a very nice restaurant that has a wine list the size of a New York City telephone book, and a sommelier who is some middle aged man with this superior sneer and the only advice he gives you comes with a snooty attitude.  It's no wonder that many Americans choose a glass of White Zinfandel; however, have you ever just said to this snooty old fart "just leave me the wine list."  When you look at the wine list you may find wines from all over the world, such places as France, Italy, California, and may be a South American country.  What you do not find is wines that are locally made in the very state you are visiting or from.

I grew up in the Finger Lakes of Upstate New York.  A place I call home; to my surprise when visiting a local restaurant in Upstate New York, I was shocked that this restaurant that is linked to a very well known store and got its start in the Rochester NY did not feature any local wines.  I visited Wegman's Tastings (great restaurant by the way, I was sad to see it closed).  I ordered the Seasonal Tasting Menu with the Tasting Wine Pour.  At each course I was served a wine from Spain, CA, Argentina, France, and Portugal.  I am not saying that every wine pour needed to be from the Finger Lakes, but it would have been nice to see some wines featured from the area.   Wegman's has closed Tastings and moved the restaurant across the street and renamed it Next Door Bar and Grill.  When looking at their wine menu they have 18 wines from the Finger Lakes and from only a handful of wineries. In an area that is largely populated with wineries, I would have thought that there would be more local wineries listed.  

I now live in New York City and have visited many well known restaurants and some have since closed their doors because of the recent economic downturn. Two places that I absolutely loved was Tavern on the Green and the Rainbow Room.  Their departure saddens me; however, their wine lists did not feature any wines from New York.  Other restaurants I have visited are the 21 Club and The Four Seasons.   The Four Seasons wine list features wines from France and Italy and they have two sections: one section is labeled American wines and the second is labeled Great American Estate Wines.  Not one wine in these sections is from the Great State of New York. If you want to talk about your snooty sommelier and wait staff this can easily be found at the Four Seasons.   At the 21 Club our wait staff and sommelier were nice and I can honestly say that they were not pretentious pricks at all.  This is why my husband and I now frequent there and we always tip them very well.  They seem to always add a little extra and not over charge you.  The 21 Club has a very large wine list and they do feature wines from California and other states.  They also have wines on their list from New York but only from 2 wineries.   

New York State has over 200 wineries, some are smaller than others and each has their own distinct favor.  While we can debate the individual merits of each winery, restaurants should feature wines that are produced in their home state.  I am not saying that they should list only New York wines and I am not saying that they should list all 200+ NY wineries on their wine list.  What I am saying is that these restaurants and other restaurants could put more than just 2 wines or list more than 3 different wineries from their home state on their menu.  So I invite you to visit your favorite restaurant and ask them to see their wine list, and if you have visited a winery in New York State and love a particular wine ask that restaurant to put it on the list.  Tell that snooty wine sommelier to stop with the attitude and say no I do not want a white Zinfandel, give me something good.