http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?u=2 North Carolina wine social community covering news, blogs, and events from vineyards and wineries across the state. Come share your wine experience, make new friends, and involved in the wonderful wines of North Carolina. en Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:32:57 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.ncvine.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?u=2 http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=36 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:57:44 GMT In case you need somewhere to go this weekend to truly get away from it all, take a trip to Boonville, North Carolina and visit Sanders Ridge. ... In case you need somewhere to go this weekend to truly get away from it all, take a trip to Boonville, North Carolina and visit Sanders Ridge. Located at 3200 Round Hill Rd, Sanders Ridge is set back in the woods and gives visitors the feeling of escape without really being that far off the beaten path. The restaurant and tasting room’s front porch rests lazily over a quaint pond while massive trees shade the area and its guests from bright sunny days and the Carolina summer heat. Guests are free to lounge on the front porch and take in the scenery, sit on the side patio and enjoy a well prepared dinner from the restaurant, or retire inside to either the tables, the bar, or the couches to enjoy the excellent assortment of wine and food.

As I bellied up to their impressive bar, I began my tasting with their Bordeaux blend, “2007 Big Woods”. This is an excellent blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a tiny bit of Syrah. This wine was very pleasant, it started with heavy oak on the nose and had a lovely, and lengthy, buttery finish. The chef had paired this wine with a pulled pork egg roll with a spicy peanut sauce and the flavors were very nice together. This wine would be great with Thai food or spicy Chinese.

Another standout wine from their tasting was their 2007 Chardonnay. While it is primarily aged in stainless steel, it spends 3 months in oak. This gives the wine a nice earthy feel but with no heavy oak linger that so many oaked Chardonnays acquire after aging for a while in oak. This wine has a nice aroma of apple and finishes crisply and cleanly; overall, a nice white wine.

Their “Sweet Kate” had just been released three days prior to my visiting them, so of course I had to try it. “Sweet Kate” is the Sanders Ridge Chambourcin, but with 6% residual sugar. This is a good wine if you prefer something sweeter, but still like a somewhat bolder wine. If you fancy a little less sweetness, then try the “2008 Round Hill”. It is also made with their Chambourcin, but with only 2% residual sugar. I wouldn’t call this a sweet wine at all. I thought the sugar of “Round Hill” balanced out the spices of the plain Chambourcin quite nicely. I could see myself drinking this wine on a regular basis.

Finally, Sanders Ridge had quite a surprise in store in the last wine that I tasted. Let me preface this by saying that I typically hate Muscadine wines, I often consider them too sweet for my palette. When I smelled the aroma of the “Carlos Muscadine” I had a feeling this wine was not the typical muscadine wine that I have found at vineyards and wineries across North Carolina. This wine is extremely aromatic and the smell took me back to my childhood, when I would stick my head in the fridge in the summer to escape the heat and encounter a large bowl of my mother’s fresh muscadines; it’s a cool, wonderful smell that you never forget. Once I actually tasted the wine, it was as if I had just picked a muscadine off the vine and popped it in my mouth. Their “Carlos Muscadine” has none of the annoying sweetness that so many other muscadine wines do. I was so impressed by this wine that I bought a bottle and enjoyed it the very next evening. Apparently I am not the only one that is impressed, “2008 Carlos Muscadine” won Double Gold at the NC State Fair and won a Silver Medal at the 2009 Indy International Wine Competition. I would suggest this wine to everyone, especially if you have despised muscadine wine in the past.

While their wines are excellent, Sanders Ridge has much more to offer. They have an experienced and excellent chef, an organic menu that changes seasonally, and a beautiful dining room. I look forward to visiting Sanders Ridge again soon to sit, relax, eat, and sip. I have heard that if you are planning on visiting them as the weather warms, then reservations are a good idea. I can see why this special place fills up quickly, it is wonderful on so many levels. I recommend Sanders Ridge to anyone and everyone that just needs to get away for a little while. ]]> MTGlass http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=36 http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=33 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:44:13 GMT *Yadkin Winter Reds Festival Closes: Visitors Consider it a Success* I rounded out the Yadkin Winter Reds Event on Sunday afternoon in the East... Yadkin Winter Reds Festival Closes: Visitors Consider it a Success

I rounded out the Yadkin Winter Reds Event on Sunday afternoon in the East Bend area of Yadkin County. It was a delightful afternoon and I got to meet new people at all three vineyards. This was an area that I had been meaning to get out to for a while and I was glad to get out and taste some very good wines. The pairings were perhaps the best of the festival and overall I have to say that this event was a complete success!

If you haven’t been out to Flint Hill Vineyards and Century Kitchen then make sure you go soon. Their Chambourcin paired with homemade potato gnocchi with marinara sauce was my favorite pairing of the festival. The marinara sauce was even made with their own Viognier. The acidity of the marinara sauce paired very nicely with the Chambourcin and the potato gnocchi was cooked perfectly as well. I will be back to revisit them again very soon for dinner and a tasting.

Cellar 4201 and Divine Llama rounded out the afternoon. Cellar 4201 had an excellent gourmet mac and cheese that was infused with nutmeg and cinnamon. When paired with their Sangiovese the flavors came alive and the mixture was very enjoyable. Their Sangiovese is excellent and if you are a Chianti or Syrah fan, you will likely enjoy this wine as well.

Divine Llama is a great place to visit. They have some excellent wines, most of which are named after their llamas which are on site. They paired “In a Heartbeat” with chocolates for the festival, but I got a real treat when I ordered a glass of their “Red Rita Rose”. I paired it with some cheesecake bites that they had on hand for the event and talk about a great dessert! I would suggest this great finish for any dinner party.

I really hope the Yadkin County Chamber chooses to host this event again next year. If you didn’t get to experience the Yadkin Winter Reds Festival in 2010, then I will suggest that you try to make it out in 2011. It is a great way to try out some new places, learn about some new wines, try some wonderful food, and do all of this for a very reasonable price. If you can spread it out over three days it gives you a whole weekend of enjoyable things to do. I can’t wait to go again next year! ]]> MTGlass http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=33 http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=28 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:06:50 GMT Yadkin Winter Reds Festival: One Day Down!

I've just finished up day one of the Yadkin Winter Reds Festival and I have to say I had a TON of fun today! I got to see some old friends at some familiar wineries and meet some new friends at some vineyards that I had never previously visited. All of the locations had some great food to go along with their wines and the flavors paired very nicely with the chosen wines.

I opted to take part in a full tasting as well at Sander's Ridge (thank you Sara!) and I encourage you to try to fit in a full tasting or two if you have time over the weekend. It will give your palatte a break from the reds and it will give you a broader tasting experience as well. I was also honored to meet a representative from Surry Community College and speak briefly about their Viticulture Department while I was tasting their Surry Cellars Petit Verdot. I was greatly encouraged by what I saw at all the vineyards I visited today (all 10 of them!); I think North Carolina has a bright future in it's wine industry and I feel like Yadkin County is a major part of it.

Thank you to everyone that I met today for being so nice and wonderful! Thank you also to the Yadkin County Chamber of Commerce and Bobby Todd for arranging this event, I'm so glad it has done so well! I still have 4 vineyards to visit on Sunday and I am looking forward to it. By the way, if you go out to the vineyards and wineries tomorrow, make sure to purchase a bottle or two. My readers know I always let you guys know what and where I buy from; today it was the Barbera from Brandon Hills and the Carlos Muscadine (which many of you know I typically despise muscadines, but not this time!) from Sander's Ridge.

I look forward to updating you after my adventures on Sunday! Make sure to check out the picture album that I created from today.

Happy Tasting!

MT Glass ]]> MTGlass http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=28 http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=24 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:18:34 GMT A lot of blogs and articles on pairing foods and wines try to zero in on one specific wine with a specific dish, however, as someone who likes to... A lot of blogs and articles on pairing foods and wines try to zero in on one specific wine with a specific dish, however, as someone who likes to host a dinner party every once in a while, I understand that you may not always have the means or the funds to find that one wine, and VERY rarely is the wine a North Carolina wine. So instead, I’ve given some guidelines to follow when pairing your dinner with wine, or hosting a dinner party. I have given you a handy list that is easily accessible when you are in a pinch. Of course I have made some North Carolina wine recommendations along the way, please visit the NCVine directory for the vineyard websites and information on the wines.

When pairing food and wine, try to keep some basic rules of thumb in mind. 1) The acidities should match wits, don’t pair an overly acidic wine with a very lightly acidic food. 2) Keep the regions together; sauces and foods go well with grapes and wines that are from the same region. 3) Try to match the weight of the food with the weight of the wine, in other words, a heavy red wine may not pair nicely with a fluffy white fish. 4) Take into account what spices and sauces that are going to accompany your dishes, don’t let the wine overpower your food, its there to complement, not to steal the show.

Happy Hosting!

Beef
Roasted or Grilled Steak- Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Zinfandel
**Looking for a NC wine to pair? Try Rag Apple Lassie’s Zinfandel.

Beef in a Rich or Heavy Sauce- Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon

Braised Beef- Burgundy, Zinfandel, Shiraz/Syrah
**Looking for a NC wine to pair? Try Junius Lindsay Vineyard’s 2006 Syrah

Beef in an Acidic or Tomato Sauce- Chianti, Sangiovese
**Looking for a NC Wine to pair? Try Raffaldini’s Vineyard’s Sangiovese.

Pork
Grilled or Roasted- Light Oak Chardonnay or Viognier for white wine lovers, Merlot if you insist on red wine, a Riesling will also pair nicely if you want a sweeter wine
**Looking for a NC wine to pair? Try Childress Vineyard’s Chardonnay.

Pork in an Acidic Sauce- Sauvignon Blanc

BBQ- Merlot for a red wine drinker, or a Pinot Grigio for a white wine pairing
**Looking for a NC Wine to Pair? Try Weathervane Winery’s Ionosphere

Poultry
Chicken- Baked, Grilled, or Roasted- Viognier, Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir for red wine pairings
**Looking for a NC Wine to Pair? Try Shadow Springs Stainless Steel Chardonnay

Chicken In a Heavy Cream Sauce- Oaked Chardonnay or Chianti if you must have a red wine

Fried Chicken- Sauvignon Blanc

Chicken- Spicy or in a Red Sauce- Rose΄, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti
**Looking for a NC Wine to Pair? Try Raffaldini Vineyard’s Chiara Rose΄

Turkey- Pinot Noir, Burgundy, or for a white wine try Chardonnay

Fish
Grilled- Sauvignon Blanc

In a Heavy Cream Sauce (mild Fish Flavor)- Chardonnay

In a Lemon Butter Sauce- Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc
**Looking for a NC Wine to Pair? Try Westbend Vineyard’s Viognier

Salmon- Pinot Gris or for a red wine pairing try a Pinot Noir

Crab- Dry Reisling, Viognier, Pinot Gris

Lobster- Viognier, Champagne or Sparkling Wine
**Looking for a NC Wine to Pair? Try Laurel Gray Vineyard’s Viognier

Shrimp or Scallops- Chardonnay

Pasta
In a Cream Sauce- Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio

In a Red Sauce- Chianti, Sangiovese, Zinfandel

Lasagna- Chianti ]]> MTGlass http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=24 http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=19 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:32:33 GMT Westbend Vineyards hosted an excellent event on Saturday at their 8th Annual Valentine’s Day Weekend Celebration. The tasting room was bustling with people, great wines and even some great suggestions by wine maker Mark Terry (thank you, Mark). There was even one very cute addition to their wine glasses that I wanted to point out; they added double hearts on the back (so adorable). If you haven’t been to an event at Westbend before, check their event calendar and make sure to attend one in the future, they do a really nice job of hosting and making their guests comfortable.

As we bellied up to the tasting bar we were handed our tasting menus and asked to pick 5 wines to taste. This is always so hard for me for fear that I will choose the absolute wrong ones, but in the event that you are new to tasting, do not fear, a good sommelier will lead you in the right direction as they learn which wines you are leaning towards; and in the event that you have made some wrong picks, they will gently guide you toward other wines that you will appreciate. This was precisely the case for me yesterday. I originally picked the Viognier, First in Flight, Merlot, Lilly B and West Bend’s new release “Les Soeurs” Cabernet Sauvignon.

First of all let me say, I loved the Viognier, it is dry but very pleasant and clean and has a beautiful, perfumed aroma. It was my favorite of the white wines that I tasted and I will be sure to revisit it in the summer months. It has just enough punch for a red wine lover and it doesn’t leave what I often consider an annoying white wine aftertaste. “First in Flight” was next and while it was an excellent white wine, it was perhaps too light for my taste. This wine is great for party atmospheres. I would recommend this wine for spring garden parties or even summer barbeques. This wine is even perfect if you are unsure if your guests are wine enthusiasts or not; even if they aren’t, this wine may make them one. It’s light, it has nice tropical aroma and I picked up on the lemon-lime flavor the most. It also closes with a nice finish, making it a safe choice for dinners, especially seafood or light pasta dishes.

The reds are where I led myself down the wrong path but got some much needed correction from the sommelier as to where my tastes and their wines matched up. As I said, I chose the Merlot and the new release Cabernet Sauvignon along with the white dessert wine, “Lilly B”. The Merlot was good. It has some wonderful tobacco notes, but the best part of this wine is the texture of it in the mouth. It is very smooth and silky and has a very low astringency. It’s probably one of the nicest wine textures that I have experienced out of a North Carolina wine. The new “Les Soeurs” Cabernet Sauvignon was released at this Valentine’s Day event, so of course I had to try it. It is a very nice red wine, not too dry, with wonderful cherry flavors and leathery aromas. It is sure to appeal to any red wine lover and will go with a variety of dishes. Be sure to check it out very soon.

The sommelier and I had very similar taste in wine and she and I kept agreeing on what we picked up on overtones and undertones and aromas and finishes, so before I moved to my dessert wine choice she advised me to try the Chambourcin. Let me just say that I am so glad that I listened to her. I ended up purchasing a bottle after tasting it. One of my friends at the tasting was not a fan, but for me, it was the perfect match. It is spicy, so it might be great for someone who is a fan of a Shiraz or Chianti. It has some kick, which I love, and has a berry flavor and aroma, which I absolutely love. It was an overall great choice and I am really looking forward to it. After I liked the choice of the Chambourcin, the sommelier felt confident that perhaps I might be better served with the “Aquarius” dessert wine instead of the “Lilly B”, this has everything to do with my taste buds and nothing to do with the wines, so when you visit Westbend, I still encourage you to try “Lilly B”. If you read my blog enough, you can probably figure out what kind of wine I like and dislike and compare it with your own likes and dislikes, and I encourage you to do just that. The “Aquarius” is a red dessert wine and it is a very enjoyable. Its more of a true dessert wine than a sweet fruit wine like some other NC wineries produce. It would be excellent paired with chocolate and it has the most delightful finish. I also think that it would be an excellent choice for the wine drinker that also enjoys coffee.

Overall, the 8th annual Valentine’s Weekend Event at Westbend Vineyards was great. I did want to mention that Mark Terry, the winemaker, suggested that I try and take home the “Shallowford Red” table wine for the spaghetti dinner that I was cooking for Valentine’s Day dinner, and he was correct. It was a great choice and it was very reasonably priced. I could easily see stopping by and grabbing a bottle for even a weeknight dinner treat. Westbend has beautiful grounds, a great tasting room and quite a few delicious wines to choose from. The next time you are in the Lewisville, Clemmons, or Winston Salem area, check out Westbend Vineyards, located at 5395 Williams Rd Lewisville, NC 27023. You can find out more about Westbend at www.westbendvineyards.com. ]]> MTGlass http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=19 http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=16 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:46:10 GMT It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that follows my blog here at NCVINE.com that NC wine has become a little more than a hobby to me and is becoming... It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that follows my blog here at NCVINE.com that NC wine has become a little more than a hobby to me and is becoming quite a passion. But when someone at my real job asked me why the other day, I had to stop and think about it. Why do I love NC wine so much? I don’t get paid to do this, I’m actually not a big drinker, nor is anyone in my family, so what gives? Well, I’ve given it some thought and I thought I would share with you guys. I hope that my answers are so persuasive that maybe I can make a believer out of you too!

1.In a down economy, it’s not all that expensive. Most tastings are only going to cost between $5-$10, occasionally you may find a vineyard that charges more, but once you know which vineyards those are, you just don’t put them on your regular visit list. In an afternoon there is probably only time to visit two or three vineyards, so you might spend $20 bucks on the tasting charges for 3 or 4 hours of fun. Not too shabby. Now, I feel guilty if I don’t buy a bottle at nearly every vineyard that I visit (especially the smaller ones) but given your own personal budget constraints, use your judgment, maybe purchasing a glass will make your guilt subside, or plan on buying just one bottle for the whole afternoon and choose very carefully. I also find it just as appealing to choose one favorite winery and spend an entire afternoon there; have a tasting ($5), have a glass ($5), buy a bottle ($15); an entire afternoon with a friend, some good conversation, some good wine, and something to go home with, all for a total price of $25. You just can’t beat it.

2.It’s good for you. For those of you who haven’t heard of the “French Paradox”, I just finished reading a book on Muscadine grapes that discussed this health illogicality and it’s fascinating. It talks about how the French manage to eat foods that are typically high in fat and cholesterol much like Americans do, but unlike us fat Americans, the French have a much lower likelihood of Heart Disease and Cancer partially because of the large amount of WINE that they consume. When taken in moderation (1-2 glasses per day) red wine has been suggested to aid in the reduction of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, digestive tract cancers, kidney stones in women, atherosclerosis, lung cancers, stroke and even diabetes in men. Wine also is known to be super high in anti-oxidants which have a number of benefits in their own right. There are numerous studies underway in numerous medical research facilities across the country to investigate the benefits of the phenolics of grapes and their skins. Why not take up a hobby that’s good for you?

3.It’s local. It’s in my backyard! Located in Winston Salem, I’m within an hour of nearly all of the vineyards in North Carolina. And besides the fact that I don’t have to use much gas to get to the local wineries, I am supporting the local economy. This is probably the biggest perk of having a local hobby. I’m not giving my hard earned money to some vineyard in California, or Australia. I’m giving my money to Chuck, or Sid, or Mr. Zimmerman, or Mr. Kroustalis; people that I can meet and speak to and exchange stories with and learn from. People who I might bump into at the grocery store or at the mall, people who may have met my grandma one time or saw an ad for my neighbor’s business once. Real folks with real lives and real bills and real businesses that I can relate to. Real people that are going to turn around and take my dollars that I just spent at their business and maybe spend it at their local florist that is going to turn around and spend it a their local bakery, which spends it at their local hairdresser that might happen to be my mom. Ah, the circle of local economics, isn’t it grand? Shop local, folks.

4.The people are great! These vineyard owners and the winery staff are genuinely nice people. I have met some great people in my travels to different NC wineries. These folks have southern hospitality down pat and it is so refreshing to walk in to a vineyard and know that you are going to be served with a smile and a “thank you”. I can probably count the people that weren’t so nice on one hand and they truly are the exception, not the rule. Everyone is just happy to do business with you and to let you in on their little secrets, which in most cases is their wine. I can’t say that I’ve ever met a stranger, so maybe I just make friends easily, but it seems like there are a lot of friends to be made in NC tasting rooms.


5.The Wine itself. If you’ve read any of my blogs then you know that I have a lot to say about NC wine, but what you may not know, is that when I started this hobby a year ago, I was very skeptical about the quality of NC wines. In fact, I’m ashamed to say that I looked down my nose at them. I thought that NC would never be able to produce as good a product as Napa or Sonoma Valley…I was a wine snob. I also couldn’t have been more wrong. I am constantly surprised by the quality, the depth, and the excellence of NC wines. North Carolina has a variety of wines that may not always be mainstream, but from experience I can say that they are always interesting and normally excellent. I can also honestly say that I only have two or three wines that I drink that are from outside of North Carolina now and I challenge each of my readers to try do the same over the next year. If you visit enough vineyards and experience enough tastings, you will eventually be able to compile a wine list of totally NC wines. I love being able to have friends over for dinner and instead of pulling out a bottle of red from the grocery store, going into my wine chiller and pulling out a bottle of NC wine and having my guests ask quizzically, “Hmm, this is good, I’ve never heard of it, where is it from?” And from there a new NC wine fan is born.

I just can’t express my passion for NC wines fully. I am proud to be a North Carolina native and I am so proud of North Carolina for going this direction with wines and vineyards. Our state has so much history and culture and atmosphere already, and now to add wine to the mix is just like the cherry on top of the sundae. I encourage everyone to at least try our wine industry. Even if you don’t like wine, give it a shot; even if you have no experience tasting, go ahead and go, the people will guide you through the process and be very helpful; and even if you don’t have much money, just try it once and give it a $5 try, you might just find something that you didn’t know you were missing. I know I did, and I can’t imagine my life now without the NC wine industry. I have made so many friends and contacts and I have had such great experiences and all of it happened in my own backyard. What a fantastic hobby! ]]> MTGlass http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=16 http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=14 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:18:40 GMT When I think about NC wine country, admittedly, Davidson County may not immediately jump to mind, however, as I recently discovered, it should. ... When I think about NC wine country, admittedly, Davidson County may not immediately jump to mind, however, as I recently discovered, it should. Davidson County is home to three exceptional vineyards, and with their close proximity to Winston Salem, Salisbury, and Greensboro, these vineyards are just waiting to be discovered. My husband and I took a Friday afternoon and managed to visit all three vineyards; what we found were three very different wineries with very different wines, philosophies, and atmospheres. This Davidson County Wine Tour provides an excellent cross section of what NC winemaking is all about.

We started off our tour at Weathervane Winery, located at 1452 Welcome Arcadia Road in Lexington, North Carolina. Weathervane has a nice relaxed feel that gives visitors an excuse to hang out for an afternoon and enjoy the wines. The ambience of the tasting room really feels like home and the staff ensures guests are treated as friends and family. Sid Proctor, the owner and wine maker, is normally on site, and takes the time to visit with guests, answer questions, and provide cool little tidbits about his winery and his wines.

Speaking of his wines, Weathervane has quite an impressive assortment of whites, reds, desserts, and even an original rose΄. As usual, I’ll highlight some of my favorites and I encourage readers to go try the rest for themselves. In the white category, the Evening Breeze Riesling was a definite standout. Crisp and fruity, this fresh white has slight flowery undertones and only a bit of sweetness, which is a nice contrast to some Rieslings. Whereas I may only want to drink one glass of Riesling typically, I can see how Evening Breeze could be enjoyable well past the first glass.

There are two notable reds at Weathervane, but they are very different wines. The Grand Vieux Chateau du Roi is a 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Southeastern Wine Competition Gold Medal Winner. It is a French style red wine with beautiful color; it offers bold aromas and a strong taste of cherries on the front end and woody flavors at the finish. On that note, Weathervane has an interesting way of oaking their wines. Instead of aging in oak barrels, they use oak chips is cheese cloth in order to better control the amount of oak flavor that a wine may have, it seems to pay off in the end product, as none of their wines come off tasting like a tree. The other notable red is their Zinfandel called Stratosphere; a 2006 Southeastern Wine Competition Gold Medal Winner. This wine is slightly sweet but not overly so, it is a good everyday red that would go well with a number of dinners on a regular basis, but most notably, steak and potatoes.

Probably the most interesting wine that Weathervane has isn’t actually on the tasting menu…yet (but they will let you taste it). The Cirrus White Rose΄ is a blend of red and white wines, but instead of having the sweet element that you would expect in a rose΄ from California or even from other NC wineries, Sid has blended this rose΄ in the Canadian or Washington State style. It has a totally different feel than other local rose΄ wines. I would say that this is perfect for someone who needs more punch than a white, but just hasn’t quite acquired the taste for a bold red. It’s the perfect “in between” wine.

Finally, the dessert wines. I can’t say enough about the dessert (fruit) wines. Weathervane has some of the best that I have tasted at NC wineries. Instead of only using the specific fruit to make the fruit wine, Weathervane carefully pairs a wine grape with the fruit and the pairings and the end result are simply phenomenal. I could go on about every one of the 6 fruit wines that they offer, but I won’t and can’t do them justice, so I can only ask that you visit Weathervane and give them a try. My personal favorites are Placid Peach and Tropical Wave, while my husband loved Blue Norther and Rooster Black; but with that said, Rooster Red was incredible and I gave Sweet Mountain Bliss and the chocolate that went with it 3 stars too. I mean I really can’t speak highly enough of these wines. There will be a limited release of a pomegranate wine coming soon, but it is sure to go fast, so make sure to check out their website for more info www.weathervanewinery.com.

Our next stop was about 5 minutes away at Junius Lindsay Vineyard located at 385 Dr. Zimmerman Road Lexington, North Carolina. This vineyard is a totally different style than the previous one. Junius Lindsay has a European feel to it’s tasting room, a little bit Mediterranean, a little bit French. The wine is all the way French, as is the intent of the owner, Michael Zimmerman. If you want a true sense of a French Vineyard, then Junius Lindsay is the place to go. The wines are evolved and very mature, and the tasting cellar also has a refined feel.

Before I get into the wines, let me take a minute to acknowledge something that may occasionally get overlooked, but is special in its own right…the labels! Junius Lindsay has the best looking labels that I have seen produced by a NC winery, hands down. Other vineyards have good looking logos and pretty designs but Junius Lindsay labels are works of art. I would hang them in my home, no kidding, you could collect them. It’s little attention to detail like this that led me to believe that I was in for a treat when the tasting began.

Now let me preface the tasting by saying that all the vines are French clones, and that the owner intends to stay true to the Rhone Valley of France which is a major wine producer of excellent (and expensive) French wine. Junius Lindsay offers guests the French wine experience without the French wine price.

It is important to mention that Michael recently entered two of his wines in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and walked away with two medals! The 2008 Second Leaf Viognier-Roussanne won the Gold Medal and the 2007 Triomphe Red won the Bronze Medal. The 2008 Second Leaf is a full bodied and bold white wine. It has a strong pepper finish and it has lovely floral aromatics. The 2007 Triomphe is a nice blend that displayed a smoky fruitfulness first but finished smoothly with traditional French spices.

Besides the award-winners, the 2006 Syrah Barrel Select is worth bringing up. This wine has an outstanding color and an intense pepper start followed with a strong oak and leather flavor. I would caution that this wine is made for a mature palette and wine novices may mot be prepared for the strong overtones that this wine has in store, but for those of you with experience in excellent, expensive bottles of wine, this is right up your alley.

Finally I’ll mention the Estelle Dessert Wine. If you ever wondered what would happen if they forgot to harvest the grapes, then try this wine. This is the Viognier left on the vine for two extra weeks. After continuing to ripen, the grapes are so much sweeter that the Viognier turns into a dessert wine. There is no extra sugar added, it is simply nature at work and it is fabulous. Overall, Junius Lindsay is a local look at French flair.

We wrapped up our afternoon at Childress Vineyards. Once again, this winery is a totally different experience than the other two we had visited. I recommend saving this one for last just because the other two are close together and they are more similar to one another than to Childress. Childress Vineyards is owned by NASCAR Racing Legend Richard Childress. The grounds are expansive and impressive and right off of Highway 52 in Lexington, NC. The tasting room is Tuscan styled and beautifully decorated inside and eloquently landscaped outside. There is plenty of parking, a hotel, a restaurant and a shopping center on the premises. Childress Vineyards is probably the most commercialized winery in North Carolina and thus probably draws the most tourists of all the wineries.

Childress has two tasting options for guests to choose from, either sweet wines or the varietals. I personally chose the varietals. I would like to note that tastings at this winery are going to be quite a bit higher in price than your average NC vineyard; however, when you consider the surroundings, the size, the distribution of the wines, and the splendor of the building, the price may be justified. This vineyard has a master wine maker and has won over 500 awards. This is indeed a high end experience.

Onto the wine. The mentionable wines in the varietals tasting were the 2006 Chardonnay and the Pinnacle. The 2006 Chardonnay is interestingly enough aged in both stainless steel and oak, with 80% resting in stainless steel. It still holds a good oak flavor though and is lightly fruity and clean. It’s color was nice as well, which normally doesn’t stand out to me in a white. The Pinnacle is a Bordeaux style red blend and the 2008 Mid Atlantic Wine Competition Gold Medal Winner. It is a pleasant red wine with light berry flavors that can be enjoyed by experienced wine drinkers and novices alike.

Childress Vineyards also has two dessert wines that are worth tasting. The Late Harvest Viognier and the Starbound Dessert Wines are excellent. The Late Harvest Viogner is honey tinged with hints of golden citrus. The Starbound is a port-style blueberry wine with a punch up on the liquor content that will warm the body and the spirit while still be very tasty. Overall, Childress is an experience that is not to be missed.

So that sums it up. Davidson County surprised me. These three wineries, different as they are, are all excellent in their own right. Each one has something special that the others don’t provide; and they all have something that leaves you wanting to go back and revisit them, which I plan to do soon, and so should you! ]]> MTGlass http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=14 http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=10 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:22:06 GMT So you want a great (inexpensive) way to spend a Saturday with some friends, or your spouse, or even family? Four girlfriends and myself ditched our... So you want a great (inexpensive) way to spend a Saturday with some friends, or your spouse, or even family? Four girlfriends and myself ditched our husbands and man-friends one Saturday and had an excellent day of adventure in North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley Wine County. Overall the trip was easy, inexpensive, and truly a blast. One quick disclaimer, we did have a designated driver to drive us from vineyard to vineyard; even though the vineyards aren’t that far apart, its never a good idea to drink any amount of alcohol and drive, so always be a safe and sober driver.

Outside of the tasting fees (which are normally $5-$15 and with which you typically get a complimentary glass) I limited myself to one bottle purchase per vineyard; this made it fun for me to really concentrate on tasting and choosing the wines carefully, it also kept the cost down and it gave me a reason to go back soon.

First Stop: Raffaldini Vineyards. This vineyard’s country setting is picturesque and the tasting room grounds are impeccably maintained. The Tasting Room has an Italian villa feel that the owners have made sure to match inside as well as out and visitors do not feel like they are in Wilkes County, NC while they are on the vineyard grounds.

We began our tasting immediately and we were all touched by the kindness and graciousness of the sommelier. Of all the vineyards that we visited, our visit to Raffaldini was probably the closest to something you’d experience in a California winery. The wines have a more evolved nature to them and the grapes are more mainstream than you may find in some other North Carolina wineries. All of Raffaldini’s whites are un-oaked, which I love; they are aged in steel, which in my opinion gives them a cleaner, crisper taste with light finish. I like their Pinot Grigio, and for someone that’s new to wine, this is always a safe staple; however, my favorite white of theirs is the Vermentino. This wine was selected as a Presidential gift by the White House, which speaks to the character of the wine. It has some soft fruity notes with a slight peppery hint, but what I like most about it is its crisp finish. Raffaldini’s Chiara was almost my purchase that morning, and probably will be in the very near future. It is an excellent rose΄ that utilizes the Vermentino and a blend of other wines and adds an effervescent punch that makes it a great summer wine. My actual purchase that morning was the Urbano. I tend to favor red wines, so it is no surprise that I did choose a red for my purchase. The Urbano is actually a blend of two other Raffaldini reds that I enjoy, the Sangiovese and Montepulciano. I am a huge Chianti fan, so the fact that the Urbano is reminiscent of a Chianti is probably part of the reason I purchased this one. It has warm cherry notes and the tiniest hint of chocolate. Adding to the appeal of the Urbano is the fact that there is a 2 bottle purchase limit. There’s just something about owning a bottle of good wine that you know is in limited production. As a matter of fact, it’s still resting comfortably in my wine cooler.

From there we were off to Laurel Gray Vineyards. This is a small vineyard about 15 minutes away from Raffaldini in Hamptonville, NC. Laurel Gray is a perfect example of a native NC winery. Laurel Gray has some wonderful items to purchase, among them is their Artisan Vinaigrette. I can’t do this sauce justice, so I’m not even going to try to describe it, all I can say is that it is the absolute best thing I have EVER put in my mouth. You will get a chance to try it with some Amish bread during your tasting and I recommend it highly. Not only does it cleanse the palette, but it is also a most flavorful explosion. Another food item that you get to try during a Laurel Gray tasting is their Chocolate Sauce. It ranks right up there with the Vinaigrette. For those with a sweet tooth, it’s like tasting chocolate heaven, they use their wines to make the sauce which adds to the richness.

As for the wines, Laurel Gray has quite possibly my favorite Viognier of any Yadkin Valley vineyard. It is a light white wine with the perfect blend of fruity tones, most notably peaches and apricots, rounded out with a tinge of honeysuckle. In my opinion, it is quite possibly the perfect white wine. It would have been my purchase for the visit, but unfortunately they were out for the year and won’t have anymore until February 2010. Laurel Gray’s most notable red wine is their Scarlet Mountain, and that happened to be my purchase that day. Scarlet Mountain is a blend of reds and it has some wonderful southern flavors including butter, tobacco (I know what you are thinking but it’s a good thing, think grandpa’s pipe), with just a touch of a sweet finish. The Rose΄ 1773 is also a wonderful selection and will be on my list to purchase soon. As with most rose΄ wines, it makes a great summer wine with it’s light and fresh fruitfulness. Laurel Gray provides guests with something extra in their food products that no other vineyard that we visited offered.

Our third stop of the day was our longest and most spectacular. Shadow Springs Vineyard won the gold star of the day, and anyone who has read my past blog entries knows that I chose it to single out and feature. Because I have featured this vineyard before, I won’t go into quite so much detail about it, but make sure you check out my Shadow Springs feature for all the details of our visit.

Shadow Springs has the largest variety of wines of any vineyard that we visited. They also have multiple different tasting options for their visitors. The most notable wines are the Reserve Chambourcin, the Meritage, and Crimson Sunset. For the sweet wine lover, they have multiple selections, the Shadow Mist was the favorite of the sweet wine lovers of our group (I don’t happen to enjoy sweet wines). My purchase for the visit was their “Shortcake” wine. In a totally uncharacteristic selection, I chose this strawberry wine because of its true strawberry flavor. It takes me back to summer in the south and I have never enjoyed a strawberry wine this much before.

Shadow Springs has a lot to offer visitors. Their tasting room is very clean and modern, their staff is friendly, their selection is vast, and they even have a cute little dog that watches over things. Another great thing about Shadow Springs is the variety of activities that they hold. They have a regular “You are the Winemaker” event at which you can blend your own wines, and even design your own labels. They also host Murder Mystery Weekends from time to time. It’s just a great place to spend an afternoon.

Just 5 minutes away, our next stop was Buck Shoals Vineyard. Buck Shoals is a quaint little vineyard in a log cabin style in North Carolina’s Amish Country. I will mention that Buck Shoals was the only vineyard that we visited at which we did not receive a complimentary glass, however the price of the tasting was slightly lower than other vineyards.

Buck Shoals has a pleasant patio area that makes a great surrounding for a tasting. Buck Shoals features a Viognier and a Chambourcin like many of the other local vineyards. Unfortnatley, when we visited they were out of the “Shoals Creek Gold” and the “Shoals Creek Apple Mead”, which I have heard are their best varieties. The Rocco Red was probably my favorite out of their wines, however at the end of the visit, I chose not to purchase a bottle from this vineyard. I look forward to revisiting this vineyard in the near future and I anticipate a much different experience.

Our final visit was quite possibly my most anticipated one. Rag Apple Lassie is a staple in the North Carolina Wine Industry. I had heard their name for years and I had never made it over to the vineyard, so I was excited to see their operation. Located in Booneville, NC; Rag Apple Lassie was a finalist for Best New Winery in the USA, so my expectations were fairly high upon entering their impressive establishment. A cow spotted silo greets you upon parking and there is a kitschy-chic feel to the winery.

Rag Apple Lassie has a large selection of wines to sample and choose from. Among the whites, the Kaleidoscope Gold is most notable. It has a fresh hint of pears, pineapples and peaches and is very enjoyable. It was one of my absolute favorite white wines of the day. My purchase at this vineyard was the Zinfandel, which was interesting for me because I am typically not a fan of the Zin. This one is estate grown and is one of their most popular wines. Its easy to see why with the warm dark berry tones with a punch of spice. During their tasting, they may offer you to try their Rockford Red with some bleu cheese; even if you hate bleu cheese (which I happen to) take the plunge and try it anyway. I can honestly say that my taste buds were pleasantly surprised by the mix of the bleu cheese with the sweet flavors of the wine. And finally the “First Blush” cannot be passed over. It’s light and aromatic and very enjoyable. If you didn’t have a purchase limit, you could get into some trouble at this winery; there are so many quality wines to choose from!

Well, that was our tour. Overall, our trip was fantastic. It was an escape from the real world and it was a great day with some great friends. I would recommend this particular tour to both wine tasting veterans and novices. If you have a little extra cash, a little bit of time and a little bit of intrigue, please check out some of these local vineyards.

Happy Tasting! ]]> MTGlass http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=10 http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=9 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:13:41 GMT On my recent Swan Creek area wine tour in late 2009, I was introduced to an absolute gem of a vineyard in the Yadkin Valley. Shadow Springs Vineyard was by far the highlight of our 5 vineyard tour and without our visit to the winery, our trip would have been sorely lacking. This small family owned vineyard offered the best hospitality, most tasting selections, nicest picnic accommodations and surroundings, and even some fun and potentially educational family activities.


The owners of the vineyard are always on site and take it upon themselves to guarantee that every guest has a spectacular visit. Guests can choose which tasting format they’d like, with the largest being a 12 wine tasting! Speaking from experience I can say that the largest tasting is definitely the way to go.

Shadow Springs has the basic North Carolina Wines that you may come across in numerous tasting rooms across the Yadkin Valley such as the Viognier and the Cabernet Sauvignon; however, there are a few different wines that prove to be standouts as well. Enter “Shortcake” and “Dark Shadow”. Now when I say different, I mean not a normal table wine, but I also mean different in a good way. The “Shortcake” is just what its name implies, Strawberry Shortcake, imagine you squeezed a strawberry and bottled it and there you have it. It is light, it is refreshing, and even for someone who doesn’t like a sweet wine, it is perfect in every way. I was concerned about “Dark Shadow” until I tasted it. They say that it is for chocolate lovers and I was imagining a heavy muddy tasting dark wine that left an admittedly bad mental taste in my head; however, it was quite the opposite and provides the taster with a pleasant finish to the tasting, it can serve not only as a dessert wine, but as a dessert in itself. While you are there, also make sure to take note of the Reserve Chambourcin, the Meritage, and the Crimson Sunset. The Chambourcin has an evolved and elegant taste reminiscent of more established wine areas such as Sonoma and the Italy’s Piedmont region; while the Meritage and the Crimson Sunset bring more of a native North Carolina flair while still managing to be equally good.

But enough about the wine. That may be the main reason to visit a vineyard, but it shouldn’t be the only reason. When you visit Shadow Springs you will find beautiful grounds with lake and vineyard views as well as picnic areas and gazebos. The day we visited was abnormally warm for late fall and it was beautiful beyond my expectations. The tasting room is also very nice and very comfortable. While you are there you feel as if you are visiting your wealthy relative’s new home, not a stuffy vineyard. They have merchandise for any wine lover and lots of things that would make great gifts for family and friends.

We had packed a picnic lunch for our travels that day and were allowed to sit outside on the patio and enjoy our picnic lunch in peace and quiet. The owners of the vineyard really are accommodating and friendly and go out of their way to make your stay an enjoyable one.

To top off our visit to Shadow Springs, a local farmer named Norman was giving hayrides around the vineyard and over to the local Amish Country Store. Many people may not realize it, however there is a small Amish community located just minutes from Shadow Springs Vineyards. The people are very friendly and peddle their well-crafted goods at the local store. It’s a great experience for children and adults alike and provides great insight into another culture and way of life. If Norman happens to be offering rides on the day you visit, take the extra time to take part, it’s a great little extra.

Be sure to check out Shadow Springs website for their upcoming events. That’s yet another great thing about their vineyard, they seem to have a lot of goings on. For very little cost a couple or family can spend an enjoyable afternoon creating their own wines, having a picnic, learning about other cultures around the corner, taking part in a mystery weekend, or even doing a little shopping. The website is www.shadowspringsvineyard.com. The vineyard is located at 5543 Crater Rd Hamptonville, NC 27020. ]]> MTGlass http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=9 http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=4 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:02:38 GMT A beautiful afternoon led to a beautiful evening at Raffaldini Vineyards Thursday night.* The clear October evening provided us with beautiful views... A beautiful afternoon led to a beautiful evening at Raffaldini Vineyards Thursday night.* The clear October evening provided us with beautiful views of our local foliage, and as we approached the Vineyard, the statuesque* winery loomed impressively in the distance.* With it’s rolling hills, numerous grapevines and large rock and stucco exterior, Raffaldini is reminiscent of it’s more famous counterparts in the Piedmont region of* Italy.* And although this winery sits at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, much like it’s Italian counterparts, upon entering the winery guests are quick to notice that no fine detail has gone untouched.

Thursday evening Raffaldini Vineyards hosted local artist John Furches.* Furches currently resides in Elkin and his work is well known in the region.* There was a large variety of hand-painted originals, etchings and prints on display as many local fans of both the artist and the vineyard gathered for an elegant evening of excellent wine and beautiful art.* John and his wife Shirley were on hand to answer questions, speak with fans, and even sign some purchased paintings.* The vineyard staff was also extremely accommodating and friendly as they recommended new wines and served old favorites.

The gallery area of the vineyard looks out onto the covered terrace and then onto the low lying foothills leading to the Blue Ridge Mountains.* The view was spectacular and the mood in the gallery paired with it beautifully as guests gazed at both the artwork and the scenery that surrounded it.* The evening was laid back, but classy, and cultured, yet comfortable.* It was an event that I would recommend to both young and old.* Even if you are an art and wine novice, the staff at Raffaldini Vineyards makes everyone feel at ease and respected.* The next time Raffaldini has an art showing make sure to mark your calendar and attend; it will surely be an enjoyable evening. ]]> MTGlass http://www.ncvine.com/blog.php?b=4