Autumn Spirits: 5 Wineries To Visit

Harry DalianAs the season of apple and pumpkin picking is upon us, the smell of fall is in the air, and it’s the perfect weather for wine tasting too. Head to Virginia and Maryland for some of the best wines for autumn this year. According to The Washington Post, here are 5 wineries you can’t miss:

Old Westminster Winery
The past five years, Old Westminster Winery has impressed with its hand-crafted wines. This season (starting Nov. 7th), they will be opening a new tasting room to add to the experience. Recommendations include: any of the 2014 whites, but especially, the Greenstone (a blend of sauvignon and viognier) or the albariño. Keep a lookout for co-owners and siblings Drew Baker and Ashli Baker Johnson, who manage the vineyards and tasting room, respectively.
Paradise Springs Winery
Located in the corner of the southwestern region of Fairfax County, Paradise Spring keeps gaining in popularity. October 3rd, co-founder Kirk Wiles and his winemaker partner Rob Cox are releasing their 50/50 blend of petit verdot and tannat. The grapes are homegrown from the Williams Gap VIneyard in Fauquier County. Continuing to grow his business, Wiles has been traveling out to Santa Barbara, CA, creating yet another wine.
Casanel Vineyards & Winery
Family-owned and run, Casanel Vineyards & Winery was created by Casey Nelson and her husband Nelson in 2006. Two years ago, they decided to change directions and hired two winemaker consultants: Katell Griaud and Lucie Morton. Morton is the product of famed winemaker Michel Rolland. Together with the Nelson’s daughter Katie, they have released new reds including petit verdot, cabernet, and sauvignon. New whites include: a pinot gris and a chardonnay.
Big Cork Vineyards
Situated on rolling hills in Maryland, Big Cork Vineyards is picturesque and serene. The decor is quirky with cork-themed bar stools and a motif of Big Cork’s new labels throughout. Their food from their kitchen is also delicious so plan to stay for a late lunch.
Granite Heights Winery
Being right off of U.S. Route 29, Granite Heights Winery provides easy access to its perfected red wines. The 2011 reds are certainly something to try, but the soon to be released 2012’s and 2013’s are the real showstoppers. There are other goodies to find here too including homemade jams and homegrown fruits.

White & Red Wine Chiller

Perfect for those nearly Summer, not yet Fall days. Enjoy responsibly!

 

Basque Wine Tasting in NYC

Check out this great video about a Basque wine tasting in NYC! It’s great to get out and explore new foods, cultures, tastes, and experiences – all available in this oyster we call New York. Enjoy!

The Expert Way to Host a Summer Party

Harry Dalian Wine

Martha’s Vineyard is a place that many think of fondly in terms of summer and vacations. It’s a beautiful place that offers great wine from gorgeous vineyards, and is where many people go to get away from the bustle of every day life in primarily New York or Boston.

Summer is synonymous with Martha’s Vineyard. If you haven’t ventured out there, it is definitely worth the trip. It’s surprising how such a beautiful place with great positivity can be so close to the place you live and work in every day. The Vineyard at Martha’s Vineyard is a great place to host parties, events, or even weddings.

Creating, curating, and cultivating a beautiful summer event means understanding and imagining the scene, the vibe, and the people. Most importantly, we want to create an environment that is comfortable, memorable, and stunning. However, invoking the feeling of summer can be tough if some people are especially bogged down by this past years’ brutal winter, or by crazy work schedules. To get your guests to feel this feeling, It’s important to think of details; little things for people to focus on – such as candles, pillows, table settings, really immerse the summer culture into your environment.

A great idea that never fails: Make the best lemonade anyone has ever tried. Try sprucing it u p with fresh strawberries and high quality, chilled vodka. Have this on tap for guests to help themselves. Most importantly, it is important to have a great selection of different types of wine within each color, but make sure to have plenty of Rosé! Summer is almost over, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time to throw a great summer-themed party. It’s important to try to create these moments that later become good memories!

Great Cocktail Recipe

5 Best Wine Pairing Rules

Pairing wine with food can be tricky, especially when you’re hosting guests who are big wine lovers.
Here are a few simple rules to breezing through pairing wines with foods!

1. Serve a very dry Rose with appetizers. A good Rose brings together fresh acidity and light body of white wines along with the fruity, hearty characteristics of reds. Rose is the perfect middle ground to pair with any foods.

2. Serve un-oaked white wine with any citrus-based foods. Sauvignon Blanc and Vermentino wines have bright and citrusy accents that heightens other foods with lemony flavors.

3. Spicy foods call for low-alcohol wines. Alcohol accentuates spicy food to make it hotter. German Rieslings, with a touch of sweet flavor, help ease the spiciness.

4. Lighter meats’ sauce determines the wine pairing. The main protein in a dish isn’t the primary flavor. In most cases, the sauce determines the accompanying wine.

5. Lighter wine for desserts. Too much sweetness can be overwhelming, it’s best to choose a lighter wine that is a bit dryer help ease the sweetness factor. Moscato d’Asti is a great choice with fruity desserts.

Harry Dalian Wine

The Grade Cellars – Journey Through Wine Country

Beer Growing in Popularity in France

Man thinking about wineFrance has long had a reputation for focusing on drinking wine. However, according to an article recently completed for Wine Searcher, that fact has been in the process of changing in recent years. Three decades ago, the industry of microbreweries in France was on the verge of extinction. However that is in the process of changing; within recent years, the United States claimed the title of the world’s largest wine consumer, taking the title from France. In addition, figures recently reported indicate that over seventy percent of the French people consider themselves clueless in regards to wine.

Combining all these facts, it makes it less surprising that the French are in the process of turning towards beer as the alcohol of choice instead of wine. As a result, the number of microbreweries has increased incredibly in the last few years. Since 2010, the number of small breweries in the country has doubled. In 2010, there were only three hundred and thirty four microbreweries in the country; by 2013, that number had increased to six hundred small breweries. There are also now twenty microbrew bars with unique beers on tap and over one hundred and fifty others available in a bottle. Several well known microbrew bars in the country include Le Supercoin, Express de Lyon and La Fine Mousse. With all of these options available, craft beers are now able to be purchased very cheaply in the country, sometimes with prices as low as ten euros a bottle, which is the equivalent of thirteen American dollars a bottle.

Despite all of this, France still consumes less beer than its European neighbors, and what they do choose to drink is often softer, less bitter and more refined than the typical choice in beer. In general, craft beers only account for just barely three percent of the beverage market in France. However, as the microbreweries continue to be created and developed, more unique and craft beers are brought about. This allows for more options, which could motivate even the wary consumer to give beer a try; in essence, with more craft beers, there is nearly a beer for everyone.

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