After a marvelously long Thanksgiving week visiting family and friends from Tennessee to Texas, we’re coming back to reality. This is actually very good, the Christmas decorations are beckoning to be displayed, getting a head start on organizing for the new year and our real estate listings need some TLC. 2012 is around the corner and I’m looking for wine related topics to cover for the future.
We’ll be passing through southwestern Virginia and on up to Charlottesville in the next two days. Any suggestions or curiosity regarding grapes or wineries through this region? Chateau Morrisette certainly one of interest. I’m excited to visit Rockbridge next weekend for their Christmas open house! We actually tried some wine from Arkansas and I have to admit, it was smoother than the roads we bumped along. In the meantime, I’d love your input before we hit the highway again!
On a seldom free afternoon while browsing the internet on a variety of topics, I landed on an eHow site that captured my attention for hours. One of the most frequently asked questions I get regards wine tasting. How to taste wine, how to describe the taste and aromas, and how to develop a taste for wine and not come across as a “snob”.
I found Jane Nickles video series on wine tasting to be basic and simplified, yet detailed enough to arm you with tasting tips to make you seem like a pro. Impress your friends and learn by watching some of her videos! Ultimately, who cares how you sound as long as you are enjoying the wine experience to its fullest.
Jane Nickles, described on eHow, is the author of “Wine Speak 101″, and a wine writer for “The Texas Wine and Food Gourmet”, and “Eat and Drink Magazine”. Jane is a certified specialist of wine, recognized by the society of wine educators. “Miss Jane,” as her students call her, is the Sommelier Instructor for the Texas Culinary Academy, and she presents her popular wine seminars at Wine Bars, Restaurants, and Culinary Festivals throughout the country.
I was so caught up in her series of Wine Tasting Tips for Beginners, I watched 14 video clips in a row. It occurred to me a fun evening with friends would be to plan a wine tasting party for friends and have Jane Nickles on your big screen TV demonstrating technique! It’s great practice and thought-provoking, plus, you’re drinking wine with your friends!
At the Wine Bloggers Conference in Charlottesville this year we were given a color wheel of adjectives and descriptions for wine and it really makes you contemplate the aromas and taste of wine. See how clever your friends are and make it a game! One game that is a bit pricey is Aromaster’s Ultimate Wine Aroma Kit at $380 USD. Another game is online, free and quite educational, Anivin de France Aromas .
Personally, I like to hang out with family and friends sipping wine by the firepit listening to some favorite music. No games here, just enjoying good company and good wine.
Here are a couple of the video clips offered by Jane Nickles on eHow for you to sample:Thanksgiving Wine Pairings
Stone Mountain masqueraded as “Snow Mountain” on October 29th & 30th for the 12th Annual Stone Mountain Vineyards Open House. “Bacon Holloween” at Stone Mountain Vineyards drew a nice crowd of leaf peepers, snow seekers and wine sippers. The winery is situated on the side of the mountain above Bacon Hollow, an area known long ago for moonshine and revenue agents. Last Saturday brought an unusual dusting of the white stuff adding a sugar-coating on pumpkin and scarlet colored leaves. Visitors enjoyed private tours of the wine cave and sampling directly from the barrel with winemaker Chris Breiner and tour guide, Brian Taylor. Vertical tastings were also available. We found Gabrielle Rausse pouring tastings of his own wines at a separate bar. Surprised to see Gabrielle, I inquired about the reason for his presence. Winking, he explained that he considers himself Chris Breiner’s life coach. In fact, he does coach Chris on winemaking and in return, periodically showcases some of his own signature labeled wines at Stone Mountain.
Wine on Tap
A new venture for the owners is serving wine on tap. Stone Mountain Vineyards wines are featured on tap, yes, on tap at Aida Bistro Wine Bar in Columbia, Maryland. Aida installed a new Wine on Tap System with 20 Wines on Tap. Based on customer acceptance and demand, they are increasing it to 30 Wines on Tap by Fall 2011. Their Wine on Tap System is the largest in Maryland and second largest in the U.S! They feature Stone Mountain 2010 Pinot Grigio, 2010 Chardonnay and 2008 Cabernet Franc and Aidatage. Aidatage is a special blend the staff created at the winery with
their 2009 Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvigon and Petit Verdot. According to Chris, the
staff had a lot of fun creating the Aidatage and in turn presenting it to
their customers. I wish I had tasted that one. My husband and I have brought friends to Stone Mountain Vineyards numerous times and after a little apprehension about the drive up, they conclude it is well worth the trip. With the vineyards sloping just below the back deck they have found the Autumn views unrivaled by any of the other wineries in our area. Sited at a 1700 foot elevation, the vantage point provides expansive views of Greene County and Northern Albemarle County.
On this particular visit we selected a bottle of Chardonnay rather than going through a complete tasting. It was an ideal afternoon for relaxing on the deck and taking in the scenery, albeit a bit chilly. Later, we joined a small group for the barrel tasting guided Brian Taylor. We sampled 3 Cabernet Francs, 2007, 2008, 2009 and one Chardonnay from the barrels. The 2008 was my favorite and given some more time, should be excellent!
Brian demonstrating bottling for us
The 2008 Chardonnay was delightful, with ripe green apple flavors aged in 100% stainless steel for a full but crisp mouth feel. I particularly liked the die-cut label with the Blue Ridge Mountains cresting the top. If you have friends who haven’t developed a taste for wine, the Maquillage (Make-up in French) has 3% residual sugar and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay. Fruity, it pairs well with cheeses and lightly spiced dishes. Naming wines can be quite fun and a few give a humorous nod to the history of the “hollows” of Greene County, especially the Bacon Hollow Revenuers Select.
The Winery
Stone Mountain’s log cabin style winery hugs the mountainside below a tumble of large rocks, hence the name. The natural heart pine wood tasting room is spacious, rustic and cozy. I had so many pictures that I’ll close with a mini gallery of scenes to entice you up the mountain. Part of the fun of Stone Mountain is the approach, passing streets like Mutton Hollow, Bacon Hollow, Brokenback Mountain and finally arriving at Wyatt Mountain Road. Another tidbit- the tasting glasses for collectors have the logo for Stone Mountain and on the back, the Chinese Year, this one being the year of the rabbit. Helpful hint: Drive slowly up the mountain and stay right, it is only one lane and after rains can be quite bumpy. Still, it’s worth the effort. Definitely have a DD for the ride back down!
Fall FoliageWrapping around the winery
Their Motto
Climb the Mountain, see how a positive change in altitude,
brings a positive change in attitude..
Winery Hours: Open March 9 thru December 18, 2011 – Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays and Federal Holiday Mondays 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Closed Easter Sunday).
Directions:
From Charlottesville area (approx. 30 minutes)
Take 29 North to Ruckersville, VA.
Take Route 33 West to Stanardsville
Turn left onto Route 810 (Dyke Road) to Dyke, VA. (Intersection Route 810 & 627 – Bacon Hollow Rd.) Turn right onto Route 627 (Bacon Hollow Rd.) and proceed 3.6 miles
Dreaming Tree Afoot!Paulette Musselman snapped this at Dave's Blenheim Winery in Charlottesville
If you’re a fan of Dave Matthews and a wine lover, you already know aboutThe Dreaming Tree Wines. I wrote a post about Dreaming Tree Wine in September when very few people were aware of it; now, in a short period of time fans are all over their wines (disclaimer-not because of my blogpost). If you have “fanned” or “liked” theirFacebook page, the prevailing question is regarding availability. The Crush wine is very high on DMB fans Christmas wish lists.
Even though the Dreaming Tree representatives respond quite well to comments on Facebook questions still persist.
So, here’s the lowdown:
You can order from their website, but shipping regulations restrict them from shipping to certain states
Dreaming Tree Wines is licensed to ship wine to the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
At this point, they do not ship internationally.
Unfortunately, the website does not have a list of retailers, although it may be coming soon, retailers that carry Clos Du Bois is a good bet, small local discount liquor and wine stores, Randalls, Central Liquor Stores Jewel grocery stores and where I found it, Target!
Definitely follow them on Facebook for the latest events.
After a marvelously long Thanksgiving week visiting family and friends from Tennessee to Texas, we’re coming back to reality. This is actually very good, the Christmas decorations are beckoning to be displayed, getting a head start on organizing for the new year and our real estate listings need some TLC. 2012 is around the corner and I’m looking for wine related topics to cover for the future.
Stone Mountain
Charlottesville UnCorked 