Catching you up off news out of the weekend:
* There are of a number of wineries throughout the region that invites volunteers in to help with the harvest. Know there's a contingent out there that feels the practice is unethical, and it's an issue I want to tackle sometime. What adds to the quandary of being objective about the issue is that I've helped pick the past five or six years at Basignani, a winery in Maryland, then shared in the fabulous "thank you" lunch prepared by Lynne Basignani. It's as fun a day as I have during the year and about as close as I'll get to working in a vineyard.
* Mentioned the above because Terrapin Station Winery is Elkton, Md., is touting its harvest festival on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They're planning to begin harvesting that morning at 7:30 and welcome volunteers. The wine in a box producer, located at Ricketts Mill Road and Rt. 213, is planning to have live music, food for sale, family activities and discount on wine by the glass and the box. It also will provide a front-rown seat to those who want to see their labors go through the crusher. Their thank you for volunteer helpers will be a free pizza lunch. The Terrapin Institute, of which the winery has developed an association, will bring some live terrapins to the party. Those who would like to help should send a note to volunteer@terrapinstationwinery.com.
* Should also mention that the 27th annual Maryland Wine Festival is scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 18-19 (10 to 6 on Saturday and noon to 6 on Sunday) in Westminster. Plenty of Maryland are looking for volunteers to fill shifts behind the sampling tables. (pssstt: pay for the Premier Tent, well worth the extra money).
* One final note from Terrapin Station. Heard of Traminette? It has a fragrance you'll never forget. Here's a skinny on the grape one of which Terrapin Station grows.
is a hybrid cross of the German Gewürztraminer and the French-American varietal Joannes-Seyve 23.416. Traminette was developed at Cornell University and is a relatively new grape variety. It grows well in the Northeast, with partial fungal resistance and excellent cold hardiness.
- has a unique floral aroma and the wonderful spicy flavor of its parent Gewürztraminer. We make ours as a semi-dry, semi-sweet wine to bring out the elegance of its long nose and spice. This wine is excellent paired with spicy Asian, poultry and/or seafood dishes. Try it with Thai green papaya salad or chicken sate'. Also, excellent served chilled with Maryland crabs or crab/corn chowder or Smith Island cake.
* Sticking in Maryland, the Wine Association is planning an event Wednesday at Clementine Restaurant in Baltimore. Al Spoler, who directed the judging for the Maryland's Governor's Cup, will provide the dialogue and expertise as attendees some of the highest-rated wines in that competition in addition to nibbling on food. Proceedings get under way at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $48/person.
* Also, an opening worth noting: the Distillary Lane Ciderworks outside Burkettsville will open Sept. 4. Here's some background on the business.
* Stargazers Vineyard in Coatesville, a member of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, still has openings for its press pad picnic at 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5. The cost is $50/person, including tax and gratuity. Wines by the glass and bottle, of course, will be for sale. Here's the menu:
1st course:
Cold tomato puree garnished with saffron, roasted mixed vegetables and mushrooms.
Solar Celebration
% Sun 0% Oak. This wine allows you to taste and smell how special our site is for this white Burgundy grape without the influence of oak. It is fruity with a refreshing finish. A palate pleaser especially for those who do not like the oaky tannins usually associated with Chardonnay.
2nd course:
Mixed Grill - with Ribs, Salmon, London Broil, Bratwurst, Burgers, Veggie Burgers, Grilled Vegetables accompanied by potato salad, tomato cucumber & mozzarella cheese salad and/or coleslaw.
Briar Patch Dornfelder
: A wine with rich, red berry fruit and a hint of oak.
3rd course:
Dessert sampler accompanied by sparkling wine
.
Traditional:
a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this is the traditional blend for the sparkling wines found in the Champaign Region in France or
Rose:
100% Pinot Noir exhibits the flavors of raspberry and dark cherries characteristic of the variety.
Reservations are requested.
* Plenty to chew over from the most recent New York Grape & Wine Foundation e-letter. But let me share this one item with you:
GRAPE CROP this year is estimated at 170,000 tons, or 28% higher than last year but near the long-term average for the state. The 2009 Concord crop, representing about two-thirds of the total harvest, was unusually small due to unfavorable weather patterns, though this year the Chautauqua-Lake Erie grape belt has had great weather.
* Finally, always like to steer my readers toward Dr. Vino, who in this post laments the absence of rose in a box.