Sideways... just some fun

Watching sideways for the first time (I know shocked I haven't seen it right?!).
Best quote:
     "I like to think about what was going on the year the grapes were growing; how the sun was shining; if it rained. I like to think about all the people who tended and picked the grapes. And if it's an old wine, how many of them must be dead by now. I like how wine continues to evolve, like if I opened a bottle of wine today it would taste different than if I'd opened it on any other day, because a bottle of wine is actually alive. And it's constantly evolving and gaining complexity. That is, until it peaks, like your '61. And then it begins its steady, inevitable decline."

Yes... thank you. But ok I mean come one CAB FRANC IS NOT A BAD GRAPE NOR IS MERLOT! Ok sure I can't speak for CA grapes but here in VA we got a handle on it. Pinot Noir is not my favorite Red though. Anyway... I would love to hear everyones reasons on why they love wine and their comments on this classic movie!

Tarara and things :)

First off sorry for not posting more frequent though I was excited to see I have hit over 100 views! So if you tried on of my recipes please post! It is so pleasant to see people are checking out my blog! And a special shout out to Derek who I met and CONGRATS to hitting your Level 4 Sommelier license I hope one day to join you in that!

     Today I decided to try a vineyard I haven't checked out yet Tarara. First off let me tell you the view is breath taking. I rolled up on that dusty road with gorgeous vines to my left and right and was happy to see it was not crowded (my favorite times to check out new vineyards) so I got a more personal wine tasting experience with my taster Brian. He was more then knowledgable and pleasant on all of Tarara's wines and was able to give me information on not only their back story on why they were named Tarara (backwards Ararat the Noah's Arch ship) and we even shared a personal connection being both Catholic School raised. Again I have nothing but pleasant things to say. The vineyard itself reminded me of a little paradise tucked away in Luckettes. Though not close to my home I can tell you the drive was worth it! I have always been a fan of blends (though some people only are a fan on the 100% wines I think blends are the best of both worlds) my favorite being their Nevaeh blend being a little bit of Syrah, Cab Franc, and Merlot. Making a great sipping and foodie wine altogether. I appreciated the tasters personal connections he made with me clearly fitting my tasting to how he perceived I would want. Though it was a wednesday afternoon he completed the tasting with finesse and took his time, not trying to just rush through but let me enjoy my experience. He convinced me to not only buy a bottle of their dry Rose (instead of a glass) as well as buy a copy of the Wine Enthusiast magazine in which their wine maker was featured in their 40 under 40 coverage.
   Overall My little VA wine connoisseurs, if you like amazing views, personal experiences, delicious blends, and intriguing ports (literally a port I could not quite place on my pallat that was how complex the delicious port seemed to be). I totally recommend the place. They have a big property and also they have a ton of events and concerts (If I didn't work so much I would love to try). Overall an amazing experience. Thank You Brian! Thank You Tarara!!!

PS. Bloggers please comment!!! I would love to get feedback!

My day off! Play catch up!

Ok so I finally have a day off at the vineyard so I plan on doing a little update on my recipes and going to some vineyards (old and new)

Sarah's Brownies
- a sweet Norton (hint look at the name of the recipe)
-Brownie mix
-Hersey's Hot fudge

Substitue the about of water in the brownie mix for the amount of wine. Then reduce the hot fudge sauce in a pot with the wine. Drizzle over brownies. Enjoy

Petit Manseng Cider Mull
-Petit Manseng (or an apple Ice Wine)
-Apple cider
-cinnamon stick

This is simple just heat up apple cider and put the wine in to taste! Stir with cinnamon stick!

Lazy Girl's Marinera Sauce
-Spanish verital blend (my wineries Red Table wine)
-Marinera sauce
-basil leaves

To appear to be an amazing chef just add some peppery wine to your marinera and basil leave in a pot and let it simmer. I find that the wine gives the sauce a little zest.

Those are a couple short and sweet ones. Easy enough to do. I will keep updating though!

Casanel- A little slice of family :)

     As I sit at home enjoying a nice 2011 Don Lorenzo from Casanel, I think of how the wine industry in Loudon County is so close and dependent on each other for business. I am asked all the time if I have any recommendations for vineyards and I make a point to only say great things about other vineyards and trying to use detailed notes to get the people excited about the vineyards. In return all the time I will hear "You all were highly recommended by [insert vineyard] so we had to come out". I get upset if I ever hear other vineyards talk bad about another one. I like to think here in NoVa its Team VA vs. Team CA. So I decided since I am hoping to now share my blog with va wine tasters to do just that. I am going to start to leave POSITIVE ONLY feedback and experiences I have had myself at vineyards when I visit on my day off. Like mom always said "If you don't have anything nice to say... don't say it on a social media page..." or something like that.
     I can honestly say first and foremost the first vineyard I am going to post about I have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING bad to say. Remember when I said a taster can make or break your tasting experience. Well Katie, the daughter of Casey and Nelson (thus the name), has only improved their already excellent wines. I remember the first time I went to Casanel it was a horrible monday for me and I was coming home from my weekday job sulking because I was stuck in traffic and all I wanted was wine. When I thought well let's see if their is any wineries around here that's when I saw the tiny sign for Casanel and made a swift turn. I was nervous to go in at first because it was close to their closing and I know how frustrating that can be when you are ready to leave. I was welcomed though with a smile from Katie and Anna daughters of the owners and was given a knowledgable personal tasting, with enthusiasm that made even my perky tastings put to shame! I was blown away by their Chardonnay since I am not a huge Chardonnay fan to begin with. It was light and buttery with just enough fruit forwardness to make it an easy sipping wine with or without food and paired well with my shallot and chives cheese spread I bought. I bought a bottle and was welcomed to grab some snacks and have a glass until the trafic died down. I expected I was going to sit their in quiet with my glass being awkwardly the only one there on a monday evening, but the sisters kept me engaged in conversation and I quickly felt as if we were old friends. I left a little after close and swore I would be back.
    I told my other friend Aaron who works in the industry he just had to check out this gem, so we went to visit. TWICE MORE! We enjoy going on weekdays when they are slow and Katie has time to chat with us and shoot the breeze. We both enjoy the complexities of their Norton Rose (especially me I really like the uniqueness they brought to such a funky grape... it is a good porch wine) as well as we both have bought bottles of Don Lorenzo (unfortunately the blend is slipping my mind right now... Pinot and Chard I believe) but as I sip on the wine now I appreciate the apple honey notes in the wine making it full bodied, but finishing with a smooth taste. I am going to try to make up a recipe with the Don tonight and maybe share it with Katie and you all on here. I am thinking soaking apples in it before i put my honey and salt on for my apple glaze? I will try it and get back to you all.
    Anyway so today I got off work and with fond memories of Casanel drove up the dirt road to see even though it was a crazy saturday and the winery was packed I was greated with a warm smile by Katie and she even gave me a little moment to talk and then as I left she promised to come visit me and asked to hopefully see me soon. I may go tomorrow and do a tasting if its not to crazy.

So in short go to Casanel: Tell Katie you know Katie (easy to remember) and buy a glass or a bottle. I recommend it highly and if you are one for conversation go on a weekday and shoot the breeze with the family.

Katie's Norton Brie Delight!

So Its the weekend! I have been busy at the vineyard doing my speech when someone asked me to write them down the recipes and I thought well I can give you my blog page! So to my loyal tasters here are a few recipies I gave you!

Katie's Norton Brie delight!:
1/2 cup caramel (melted)
1/2 cup 100% Norton
Brie Wedge
1/2 cup walnuts
Salt
Thin sliced apples
Honey

First preheat the oven to about 350 and slice your apples (thin) and dip them in honey and salt them, ( thin layer of honey). When oven is at 350 put in apples for 10 min max (keep an eye until they are just glazed and crip). Put 1/2 cup of caramel and 1/2 a cup of Norton into a pot and keep burner on low keep stiring the mixture and adding more Norton to thin the consitency. Nuke your brie for about a minute until creamy in consistency. Pour norton carmel on top, then walnuts, then apples! Viola! Serve with crackers!!

Food for Thought and A Rose Salmon

  I just got home from a shift at the vineyard with some food on my mind. But before I get to today's awesome recipe (for you wine foodies out there) picture this if you will- You are at a busy bar and you order a shot of tequila or a shot. Your at this point expecting your bartender to pour and move on, but he stops in front of you and starts to tell you how your drink was made, the sugar amounts, recipes with this drink, where it is from, what different process they used to make this drink. You see how busy he is and yet he stopped to talk to you and communicate with you. Surely you will tip him at LEAST 20% of the bill, if not more! But now your at that same pub the bartender does the usual pours you his drink and moves on. He was not exceptionally fast and even seemed to ignored you some times when you were trying to grab his attention. Now your probably going to tip him 10%-15% right? Well us wine tasters sometimes have parties of 40-30 people by ourselves doing 1 hour presentations pouring them (the equivalent) of 5-6 shots worth of wine. We make about the same hourly as a bartender would make... and yet we are lucky to walk out with 10$ in your pocket (today I walked out with 15$! The most yet?!) Now don't take this as me as complaining. I love my job and I actually don't expect tips. If you did a tasting with me and didn't tip me I would not be surprised one bit... most people don't. But why is this the normal? Trust me when I say most tasters do not expect tips, though when ever I do a tasting for someone in the industry they always tip me. So next time you do a tasting- leave a tip... doesn't need to match your bill... it can be a little bit just to say thank you for taking the time to make a connection with me and not just walking on by. So please, start a trend- tip your taster :)
 
     Ok so today's recipe I kind of played around with I call it Rose Salmon (I don't know how to get the tilde over the e but its the wine not the flower).:
-First you soak your salmon in lime juice and Rose (use a VERY dry Rose not a sweet one, the one I used was a blend of Tannat, Petit Verdot, and Fer Servado)
-Then pepper it and put it on the grill. Add some lemon citrus for touch and then sever with the Rose you merindaded it in!
I will be adding pictures soon!

Rave, Rant, and a Recipie

     So this week I have really been working at the vineyard a lot, I needed some extra hours so I practically work everyday- which is fine with me! I love working weekdays, because unlike the busy weekends you have time to get to know the people who you do a tasting with. Get to find their love in wine and their story and teach them a little about you. I have only been working at this one winery (I worked at another for 1 1/2 previous) since February, but already I have obtained so many business cards and recipes of fond costumers and now friends who have come in. I have even gotten some that will help me to pursue my acting career which is phenomenal.

RAVE:
 Now a lot of times people come in and its their first wine tasting. They usually will smile from embarrassment and tell me they don't know how to do a proper wine tasting. 9/10 times THESE are my favorite people. I love them because for the pure simple fact they are not wine snobs, but they are willing to learn. It's exciting because you get to help them figure out on what scale does their pallat start: Sweet white, dry white, light bodied red, Dry red, Big red, Rose, desert wine. Then you get to get more in depth- do they like stone fruit, tropical fruit taste? Oak or Steel fermented? High tannic levels or low? High residual sugar or low? Blends or one grape? You also then as the taster have a HUGE influence on how they perceive wine from here on out. Wine has so much psychology to play- if some one just getting into wine has a horrible tasting experience with someone who was a wine snob scoffing at the lack of knowledge a costumer has (that may sound intense, but believe me I have seen it happen) that person, no matter how bad or good the wine they drank was, is going to put wine tastings as a negative experience. One of my favorite moments in this industry will be when someone who wasn't a wine fan finds a wine they are shocked how much they love and buy a bottle or a glass.

RANT:
Let me start this story by saying this- WINE TASTING IS AN ADULT ACTIVITY. The end. You don't ask a bartender for a high chair then get upset when he tells you your dimple darling tax deduction is not allowed to sit at the bar until he is 21... then why shouldn't the same hold true to a vineyard? First off let me start off by saying the vineyard I work at is semi kid friendly. We don't allow children at the tastings on a weekend (when we are outside in the adult area), as well as we have an adult only patio and yard. We do however allow children in the indoor tasting room as well as we have a lovely partially shaded family picnic area with benches and a large yard for kids to run around in. I love that we do this, and often times we have parents come in who say "THANK YOU for not being kid friendly everywhere... I do wine tastings to get away from my kids!" Which is what wine tasting should be like a little mini adult vacation. Some people, however do not feel the same and always (very loudly) complain via yelp or to me in person about our policy... now to start this story. Usually I get the complaints only on weekends when they find out they can't have their kid next to them while they do a tasting so someone has to sit out (I think this is good for also DD reasons). It tends to not matter as much on weekdays since we do tastings in the indoor tasting room where children are allowed. They are still however not allowed in our out door adult area patio or yard. So a woman with a young baby, a man, and I assume her mother- walk in asking if we are kid friendly. I tell them we are with the exception of the adult area. She looks at our beautiful patio and frowns "Why can't we sit there?!" I tell her again it is an adult area but if she wants to do a tasting her baby is more then welcome indoors "Well its relatively slow does it really matter!?" (at this point her child starts to cry loudly) "I really can't make an exception ma'am. We have loyal VIP members who have wanted their children in that area, but we have turned down. If we made an exception for one person we'd have to make them for everyone". At this point her mother says "HA, VIP's on a Wednesday" The women then says "FORGET IT WE ARE LEAVING!" and makes a scene as she walks out the door. The husband (who the entire time was looking through merchandise we sold and not listening to this conversation goes "wait the baby is allowed inside though and in that picnic area?" I nod. He then convinces his wife its fine and proceeds to order a bottle. The woman didn't say another word and left to go sit in our family section. So please if you do a tasting respect the wineries rules. If you do end up doing a tasting, many wineries are in fact kid friendly! Just do your research, but just don't blame the ones that aren't. Each winery has a specific vibe that want to set up and it's their call on the rules they want to use.

RECIPE:
     Now usually I tell people to use the wines at my vineyard for this, but I want to make it helpful for all. I have been sharing my kick ass Sangria recipes during my tastings and people always say.... wait... stop... repeat that again. So hear it is.

White Sangria:
Fill up a pitcher, glass, or whatever the volume is with it being:
1/2 Vidal Blac, Tremienette, or a Riesling (or a blend of any of those)
1/4 Cran-rasberry juice
1/4 Club Soda
with thin orange slices (as many as you want)

Red Sangria
Fill up a pitcher, glass, or whatever the volume is with it being:
1/2 Sweet Norton, Red Moscato, or a Red Sangria blend
1/4 Lemonade
1/4 Club Soda
with lemon and line wedges (as many as you want)

Nice for a hot summer day and makes the wine last longer!

Why Wine?

Wine is what you perceive it. In the eye of the drinker you really decide its worth. Its complex though: it has history, stories, objective statures in how a wine should be perceived. Don't get me wrong though. At the ripe age of 22 I am no where NEAR a wine expert- but I am learining and I do hope one day to be a Somalia or open my own vineyard (that's ever if I learn enough about wine). This blog serves a few purposes:
1)Teach people (and record for myself) a little bit about wine
2)Rant and rave about certain experiences I had tasting myself or conducting a tasting
3)Hand out Winecipes (wine recipes) that I have tried or gotten from people.

So grab a fine glass of Tannat, Albarino, Petit Verdot, Viognier- or what ever your fancy... and enjoy :)