Downtown Abbey

January 6, 2016January 6, 20163 Comments

AbbeyPinotBison1

For those who loved the Abbey Burger Bistro in Federal Hill, then you will either love this post or be perplexed. This is not all of a sudden going to turn into a burgers n’ beer board but, the Fells Point location is bringing some excitement barely two weeks into opening.

AbbeyFront

Now the original location has gained a following and reputation by many as having the best burgers in Baltimore. I am not an aficionado in that respect. I do like ’em but never been a fan of the buns themselves. Fortunately, there’s plenty of alternatives. And that’s a major positive. Not every establishment is that accommodating.

So what does this have to do with wine? The original destination sells bottles for $28 and glasses for $8.50, which is the appropriate mark up of 2-3+ times retail price of what you would find in stores. However, the Fells Point locale is doing bottles for $15.00. Yes, you read that correct, $15. If you just wanted a glass that would b $7.50. So you actual benefit from getting it all for yourself or sharing a bottle with someone you care about, or loathe if that’s what you’re into.

AbbeyWineList

But this list is legit. I’ve seen many of these labels anywhere from $8-$12+ in my local shoppes.

I had a couple of ideas for what to write about today but this one found me over the weekend. Our awesome server Lindsey took great care of my friends and I this past Saturday.

The vibe inside was fantastic. It’s cozy enough that on non sports you’ll find peace and an comfy seat at the bar or a table off to the side.

Our visit over the weekend saw a packed house for college basketball and the college bowl games. We had a little bit of a wait time but nothing to get impatient over.

Alright I’m beating around the bush. Which wine did I get? By accident or not, the Pinot Noir I requested was already sold out. So I’ll have to write about that another time. Lindsey suggested the same grape from Root 1 which I sadly must have missed, because I’ve been a fan of them and their wines for quite some time.

I’ve had their Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere before, and loved them both. The labels are anything but an eyesore. One of the better ones I’ve had the privilege of looking at.

It was the first time I had the Pinot and it was a winner. This was a medium-bodied wine with a very cherry and jammy flavor that was so easy to drink. Traditionally it may not be the perfect pairing with our burgers, chips, fries, and tots but I didn’t care. No one else seemed to either.

AbbeyPinotBison2

I enjoyed my bison burger and as a first timer here, I wanted to get a brioche bun mainly because it looks good on camera. The meat was great, the bread was fine too but for what I was able to eat. My peers enjoyed a portobello mushroom and lamb burgers respectively.

The meals were great, the company was the same, and so was the energy of the place. That’s what matters.

AbbeyPinotTots

Like any new locale, there will be loose ends that will be fixed. We had ordered crab dip tots for the table and only got regular. These things happen and nothing to hold anyone against. And a few of the other wines were sold out too. That might be a product of a $15 steal gaining popularity so quickly. We all want the best deals in town so this didn’t come as a shock.

I didn’t because I’ve already been back since and will continue to do so. Eric was providing the drinks and food for round 2.He was cordial and pleasant. The photos of their wines are shown below. I guess I just have to write about them all eventually and in perpetuity.

AbbeyWines

The Fells location, from what I’ve been told, wants to have a separate identity from the original location, yet also remain the same. I can understand that. The Federal Hill spot has a hardcore following for the Arsenal football club. Many of those guys are dear friends of mine.

AbbeySide

I could go on and on but the word count is starting to grow. The Abbey is a winner. I look forward to visiting their Ocean City location sometime down the line.

And Root 1 is great. They’re a brand of wines I need to sip more of. And I intend to.

If you can’t make it to the Abbey, there’s a likelihood that you can find them at your local retailer. I’ve seen them all over Maryland and in various other wine stores.

All The Best,

Ideen

Boordy – Never Booring

November 11, 2015November 13, 20152 Comments

Another Landmark Reserve party took place this past Friday. This can only mean another post dedicated to our pals at Boordy.

This was by far the most laid back of the events I’ve attended and I’ve been to a few. Previous posts are linked here and here.

The package this week was created with the holidays in mind.

The 2014 Dry Rose will be used for a Friendsgiving event this year. It’s just too good not too. It was very light and easy to sip. Myself of course had no problem asking for repeated samples to taste.

My friends and I have always had a Rose or a White along with a Red to complement our hearty meal. And I look forward to opening up a bottle from the package this year.

Come to think of it, the majority of the bottles from previous packages I’ve yet to open. I still have the 2013 Rose or two in my collection. I can only hope I’m invited to a few Friends and Thanksgiving celebrations this year. There’ll be plenty to celebrate and be thankful for.

Otherwise some of these bottles are meant to age and sit for a couple of years. I do have the patience for it. When it’s the appropriate time to open it will mean that much more.

The 2012 Merlot Reserve is going to need time to age and grow. It tasted fine but you know it’s going to get better with time. It’s cliché but it’s apropos to this bottle. It was too light and too easy to drink for a Merlot. As time goes on I hope this becomes a success. My hunch says yes.

What isn’t pictured is the 2014 South Mountain Red. This red blend brings some of my favorite grapes; Cabernet Franc, Cabernet, Sauvignon, Syrah, and I’m now happy to say Merlot! This goes down so smooth. The vanilla and black cherry is detectable along with that oak I love so much. This was surprisingly lighter than I suspected considering the parties involved but this is a winner. I wish I purchased a bottle to go.

Finally, the 2013 Merlot did not start off as anything special but really got good after 15 minutes of breathing time out of the bottle. I could easily drink this on a regular basis. However with the price and prestige of the wine, this will be reserved (no pun intended) for celebrations and special occasions. That can be said for all of these wines

I enjoyed with this with a fantastic personal pizza. For more on this delectable pie, click here!.

The event was more laid-back than usual. The event, live music, and tasting was moved indoors to correspond with the gradual change in climate. But that didn’t take away from the fun. It was more of a cozier atmosphere than usual. My friends and I enjoyed ourselves and this event told another great and different story like all the others have.

One year in, I’m honored to be a member.

And speaking of time, here is a preview of a future hopeful gem :

For more on Boordy’s Landmark Reserve Club or if you’re interested in joining, click here!

Thanks so much.

Best,

Ideen

Mead & Merriment

October 21, 2015October 27, 201511 Comments

My fellow ladies and gentleman, along with thyself, attended the iconic and legendary Maryland Renaissance Festival this past Sunday. After going for nearly a decade now I still find myself immersed and transformed in all the splendor and all the pageantry that comes with said event. And all the food and booze too

There’s two distinct wines that are served at this wonderful party. The Mead is the official wine of the RenFest. I love honey and in the many forms that it’s produced. And I love when honey is added to many of my foods, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

However, when it comes to this, it’s an acquired taste. It’s a bit sweeter than most of the fruity wines I’ve tried over the years, and at least for me, it takes some time to complete. In a way I do like that. It’s to be savored and not engulfed at a rapid pace. I know many a peer and pal that love the mead.

When served with various foods that we had, it went down easier. I enjoyed mine with some mixed of cinnamon walnuts and cashews. I think they complemented one another well. I believe this would go well with spicier or heartier meals to counter-balance each others flavors. But the sweet nuts did just fine.

The color of the wine is very distinct and aesthetically pleasing to ones eye.

Whenever I am at this legendary bash I feel compelled to at least order one, even it’s not a favorite of mine. I appreciate the tradition and the sentiment.

Then there’s the raspberry. This one looks beautiful to the eye. That color cannot be mistaken for any other. You know what you’re getting. Well unless you mistakenly pick up this cup that was next to your cup of fruit punch. Then you might think something went awry.

Once again, this is not a preferred flavor of mine. But in the context of this event, it’s perfect. A friend and me shared this cup for a while as it’s also to be taken slowly and not chugged, or headaches will immediately follow thereafter.

If you’re curious to try these wines, they can be ordered from the wonderful Linganore Winecellars. Links to both wines and purchasing can found here and over yonder.

For more RenFest fun click here. And for my previous post on Linganore, click here!

I will leave with some photos from the event, and will add more as time goes on!

There’s only one weekend left of the Renaissance Festival, and if you are able to go, enjoy yourself! It’s worthy of all the praise!

Hip Hip Huzzah!

Best,

Ideen

A Great Cause

October 14, 2015October 14, 20151 Comment

When we have organizations close to home like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation that have good intentions, it makes most of us feel good. And thankfully this one is close to home.

I don’t pretend to know everything about CBF but I know the basics and I know what was naturally created should be naturally preserved. I strongly believe that.

So it was to my delight when I saw a display for wines that depict animals and the bay in all its splendor. My local wine shoppe, Wine World, always has a few wines that no one else around me seems to have. And literally the first thing I see when I walk in is a display for special made wines that support cleaner water for the Bay.

The winery behind it is Scheid Vineyards out of Napa Valley.

Now you might be wondering why this winery all the way across the country would help create a series of wines exclusive to only Maryland, Washington, DC, and Delaware? You could read their story off their site, or a more truncated version near the end of this page, and you see their stories are parallel. Helping the environment in any way possible is what it’s all about.

I don’t need to be preachy and say lets all do our part. I think many of us do at least that is our intentions.

So my little part this time was to purchase the 2012 Clear Water Cabernet. As it gets cooler, a lot more medium-to-full bodied reds will be written about. Cabs are great and there’ll always be a place in my heart for them.

Unfortunately this was not one of my favorite wines. Because of the circumstances I was really wanting to at worst, like this. I’d say it’s a little below average. I share the bottle with friends and they seemed to like it a bit more than me. Maybe it doesn’t match my palate and that is ok.

I sipped mine with some cheese, fruit, and crackers and that helped it go down easier a bit. The wine tasted a lot more bitter initially than I was prepared for. Actually I don’t know what I was expecting. There weren’t any fruits or spices of any kind listed on the back of the label. In a way I found that very refreshing. If you get the opportunity to try this bottle then let your imagination run free.

I’ve had plenty of California wines, especially Red Blends that I’ve adored. This one just didn’t work out. And that’s ok!

For the $9.99 price tag and part of my purchase going to a great cause, I can’t complain too much. I am grateful to be able to help out in any way I can.

I just posted a link on donating and in addition here is a link on doing even more. I know this a lot of information and this is a post I didn’t plan on making. As I’ve previously said, this wine seemed to have found me. It was right in front of me as I walked through the doors. And what the heck, I’ll write about it.

As you can see they have three others that I’d like to give a shot, and especially if that means more goes towards helping Save the Bay. I’m honored to give an assist.

Finally, what really resonates with me is the beautiful imagery. This is art that will just pull you in. The artist is from nearby in Annapolis, and his story can be found at the bottom of this link.

For only $9.99 you can do no wrong. Sure the wine wasn’t my favorite but they all can’t be. More to come as autumn is starting to really hit us.

If you get a chance to find one of these wines, I suggest giving it a try. At worst you’re bringing a little love and help to the universe as well.

All The Best,

Ideen

Dogs Are The Best

September 30, 2015October 2, 20154 Comments

There’s no other way to put it. Dogs are one of the greatest entities this universe has ever created. The fact that they’re on this planet and they want to love us for the sake of just wanting to love us is a remarkable gift.

And when you can combine the love of dogs, create beautiful labels, and place them on wine bottles, well that’s just icing on the top. Little Ashby of Easton, MD has merged both into one of the most memorable tasting experiences I’ve ever had.

The setting is back at The Maryland Wine Festival and this was one of the wineries I was looking forward to visit the most. I’ve never had the privilege of sampling their bottles until now. I’ve been to a multitude of festivals and events, and either never got a chance or they were not in attendance. This was well worth the wait.

Because the visuals of happy dogs are all ubiquitous, I was hoping these wines would taste better than usual. At worst, I was hoping they would at least taste good. They succeeded and then some.

For me, at least, when I’m in a happy place, beverages tend to go down smoother and food tastes that much better. This was arguably the happiest I was at the festival. So how were the wines?

In short but sweet fashion, I got to taste 4. And with all the commotion of the festival, it’s plausible that was the perfect amount for any of the visiting wineries.

I’ll go in order of the descriptions.

The 2013 Chardonnay was so easy to drink. It was very light and deceptively going down to quickly. I had to be careful as this event was a marathon, not a sprint. It was a beautiful day so drinking this was even that much smoother. And at $15, that’s a more than reasonable price for this bottle. I wouldn’t actively seek it out, but then again look at that label!

The 2011 Ashby Red was something special. I have sung the praises of Cab Franc. And I’ll continue to do so until the end of the time. You merge that with Merlot and you have something very special. The synopsis describes this was earthy. That actually does apply here. For me, earthy has usually tasted like pine trees or green grass. I did get some of that here.

Maybe I let my imagination run wild. It’s a flavor many don’t care for but I love it. A fantastic finish to a fantastic wine.

I would pay $22 for this. Licorice? Didn’t catch that. Oh and how about that adorable looking pup on the front? Yay!

Merlot is becoming more and more apart of my regular wine tastings and at home. A year or so ago I would avoid this grape like the plague. Now I appreciate it and it’s grown on me. This one definitely had the scents and flavors of berries and chocolate.

This will be perfect for the fall and as we approach those holidays that are too soon to talk about. $20 seems justified for this selection.

This 2011 bottle and the Ashby Red are definitely special occasion wines. And the label had a labrador retriever on it. How can you go wrong with that? They’re my favorite breed of dog!

I went crazy and spent an extra $1 for the Super Talbot. This is a homegrown Maryland special. This one had some power to it, for a medium-bodied wine.

I tend to overreact when I find a wine I love. I make this cheesy look and I tend to sway. I may fall forward too. But I also get this grin on my face, feeling my day has been made. I could say that about this wine, along with the Merlot and Ashby Red.

Maybe it’s the sentimentality of seeing mans best bud on the front. How can you go wrong?

They’re the first licensed winery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and production began in the year 2000. So they’re relatively new but doing everything right.

The staff was so nice and so attentive. The only thing left is to make a visit, which is by appointment only.

I was in Easton around December of last year and completely snoozed on visiting them. This is just extra motivation.

They don’t have a website or any way to be contacted via social media, which is actually adding to the intrigue and mystique. I like it.

More from the MD Wine Festival is coming, but this visit along with last weeks post are going to be hard to top.

For more awesome dogs click here. And for more on Eastern Shore wines, you can check this link out.

More to come!

Best,

Ideen

Frog Splash

September 23, 2015September 23, 20155 Comments

The Maryland Wine Festival took place this past weekend and there was no way I was missing this. I have months worth of material to write about and I will attempt to space it out accordingly. It’s also possible I’ll just give you a half-dozen posts in a row of the best and worst that Maryland Wineries have to offer! This post will be about the former.

The site was the visually stunning Carroll County Farm Museum. And for many this is the one time a year they visit Westminster.

In addition, this is the one time a year I get to meet up with certain friends, either because our schedules are conflicting, friends are busy raising a new family, or the near distance of an hour is too much for some. I love the drive and find myself in the area at least several times a year.

I got to the festival at opening time so I can could beat some of the crowd and get all the tasting and note-taking in that I could.Fortunately, it was never a struggle to do a tasting any time of the day and the weather was dazzling and awe-inspiring.

I got in, grabbed my tasting glass, and if I’m going to attempt to go by chronological order, got to my first winery, Great Frogs of Annapolis, MD.

I’ll give a brief back story on this place. A little over a year ago, I dropped someone off in a remote and beautiful part of our state capital. I didn’t know these homes and this area existed but, the houses looked like they were in the millions and right next door to where I sat, was Great Frogs Winery with perfectly cut grass and bushes. I had never heard or seen of them until this day. It looked so intimidating. I almost felt like I didn’t belong in the area and that someone would ask me to leave momentarily.

The signs read that the visits were by appointment only. I was intimidated but that was all my creation. If i had only known now what I had known the, there would be pictures and I could show you what a thing of beauty this was, from the outside looking in.

I had been hoping that one day I would get to try their wines, as the enigma I created intrigued me.

And the universe looked out for me.

The staff and volunteers pouring the wine were all so friendly and were happy to ask any questions I may have had. They also loved that I was taking so many photos. I think I explained to a few wineries that I write about this beautiful subject.

The wines itself and the labels are very charming. They range in price from $15 to $40 so some of these can get a bit pricey and not within many people’s budget. That’s the fun of these festivals and tastings. We can at least get to try some new wines and even if we’re not in a position to buy today. We now have a lasting memory and can always purchase at a later time.

My favorites were the 2012 Watermen and the 2012 Meritage. Yes, off the top I went with the dry reds and they were the perfect start to a warm and beautiful Summer event. The descriptions are listed in the links above but to me they both represent the greatness of Maryland wines.

The former contains Cabernet Franc, along with Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, but the Cab Franc is really what makes this awesome. Call it local sentimentality or just what I like. But this was fantastic, albeit a little pricey for me now. I would love to grab this and hold onto it for a very special event or party down the line. Lots of oak and different fruits were detected to make this my kind of wine. There was a summer into fall feel to this one.

The Meritage is Half-Merlot and Half-Cab Sauv and just as awesome. I could taste a mix of chocolate, vanilla, and some more oak. Once again, not at my price point, just yet, but still wonderful nevertheless.

The Lollipop Red was a huge favorite to many, but that wasn’t for me on this day. I thought it was ok, but I wasn’t in the mood for anything too sweet.

I also got to try 2013 Chardonnay and White Squall. These were both a joy and so easy to drink. I could enjoy either with a meal or with nothing. One marvelous detail to both of these is that they were both 100% grown on the estate. So you’re getting the full local experience at the palm of your hands.

I didn’t get the opportunity to try the $1.00 premium samples. All the more reason to make a visit!

I’m pretty sure I tried others but there were so many throughout the day to get into all. I’ll try to be as concise and approachable as I could with these experiences, and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead.

And speaking of approachable, this is exactly what this winery was on this day. I am so compelled to make a visit. And any reason to get back to Annapolis is a great one!

They have a dog here too! Yes! For more on the winemakers you can click here. And here’s their FAQ. Their online store can be found here. And for our pals local to the area, here are stores that carry it and restaurants that serve it.

Finally, a little more on the vineyard itself.

I cannot wait to make a visit!

Thanks so much.

Best,

Ideen

Beautiful Doves

August 26, 2015August 26, 20155 Comments

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love the positive vibe of a winery. There’s something usually so welcoming and approachable about the whole experience. From the usual remote location, to its endearing road signs to steer you in the right direction, makes the journey as wonderful as the destination.

This brings me to one of the most pleasurable tasting experiences I’ve had in quite some time. If you haven’t been to Dove Valley in Rising Sun, MD, I strongly recommend to make the journey. Even if you’re a few hours away, it’s highly work making the trip for.

And that leads to me. I only live about 30 minutes south and it’s taken me nearly seven years to finally make a visit. I’ve been living in the area for about that long. Why it’s taken me so long has no explanation. I’ve taken drives up to the Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York areas going up 95 North and always saw the signs for Dove. I always said to myself I need to go. Well it finally happened and maybe it was meant to happen on this day.

Additionally, I’ve rarely seen their wines at various nearby festivals, if at all, the more I think about it. Maybe the universe was telling me something. That I need to come to them. I’m grateful I did.

As I parked my car, the area seemed eerily quiet. In many instances I would take this as a sign to drive off and delay this visit once again. But the little voice inside me said no, get out of the car, and see what’s going on.

A nice lady came out and greeted me. She directed me to the tasting room where someone would be joining me momentarily.

Fortunately, there were a couple of dogs running around, so I felt at peace and was in no rush to get this tasting going.

Janel, who is such a wonderful person, came in a few minutes later and made me feel at home. One thing I’ve noticed about wines, when the person pouring it for you is approachable, caring, and sincere, the wine is almost always going to taste better. It’s just one of those amazing parts of life. My head and my heart is in a happy place and everything around me is the same. It’s so powerful.

Now there were wines I liked more than others, but some I was pleasantly surprised by. I did not find a single wine to be bad, that could also be the environment I was in, that I alluded to before. But this was so fun. And wine drinking is supposed to be one of those most fun and inspiring experiences.

I won’t write about them all but the Cabernet Franc, which is usually a favorite wherever I go, was very good, but my favorite was the Pinot Noir. It didn’t taste as light as usual Pinot’s but this one hit me and made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. I have no other explanation for it. It really struck a chord with me.

The Merlot and Red Zin were also very good, that can complement just about any meal at any time of year. The Rose and Dove Valley Red, which is their own special blend which full-bodied and full of fruitiness, also were stand-outs. The latter is not something I would usually drink, but as the weather is still magnificent, I would drink this now or through most of the year. I found it tasty and actually dangerously easy to drink. 🙂

But the two I purchased were the aforementioned Pinot and my other favorite of the day, the Vignoles. To me, these two wines are the red and white equivalent of the other. That was the glorious feeling I got when I was sipping them and decided to purchase both. The latter also had a full body and fruity taste, similar to the Dove Valley Red, but this one just hit me more. Don’t get me wrong, I would’ve walked out with about a half-dozen bottles if I wasn’t careful.

Janel also provided a masterful cheese and crackers plate for me to sample along with the wines and to cleanse the palate when necessary. The tasting glass is so pleasing to the eye, that it will be a welcome addition to my collection.

The most important thing I want to mention is she was so accommodating and helpful in regards to any questions I might have had. This was not a rushed experience. She took her time and made sure my visit was a great one. It was more than that. It was a memorable one. So memorable, that this is one of the longest write-ups I’ve ever done!

I also wanted to mention that she didn’t charge me for the tasting or the Vignoles. She had no reason to do so. I was so flattered and insisted that she didn’t have to. It was above-and-beyond any winery visit I’ve had before. This is their family business, I felt bad not paying, but she insisted. This is class personified. I wish I could use every superlative in the word for this one, but that would go on endlessly.

I splurged on the Pinot Noir. The bottle was $25 and that is extremely rare for me to do. I usually like my wines under $20, usually under $10-$15 if at all possible. This is the whole point of Wine Is Fun. We’re here to celebrate that great wine is fun to drink, to talk about, and be very affordable. In this instance, I still feel that $25 for this bottle was a bargain. And to have the tasting and Vignoles as part of the package, I felt like I was stealing.

This only means I will be back soon and many times over. Speaking of which, they have many fun events coming up, including live bands, and events such as Paint & Wet Your Palette, which is akin to many of the wine and paint nights that have become commonplace. I have yet to do one myself. I hope I get the opportunity.

They also have a Murder Mystery next month, which I always thought was the coolest thing when reading about them or seeing it depicted on television. To have it be so close is an event I don’t think I can miss.

And their big event coming up in October is Winestock, in which they will team up with several other wineries in the area for a day of wining, eating, and live music. If the wording is correct this is a hippie fest that is right up my alley, that I hope not to miss. All the events can be found here. And since you want to come here, here are the directions!

Here is a list of there you can find their wines in Maryland.

I could go on till eternity, but I’ll save some for a future post. Enjoy the photos. I think you will see the encapsulate how the brilliance of this place.

I was only here for under an hour but the visit will resonate me for a lifetime. This is how wine is done. There’s not enough gratitude to express how extravagant and spectacular this experience was.

Dove Valley thank you so much!

Best,

Ideen

Back To Boordy

August 12, 2015August 14, 20156 Comments

This past Friday, Boordy once again held their quarterly Landmark Club party. I am proud to say that I’m a member.

The wines you see above are a beautiful sight aren’t they? I am a three-bottle member. Per the synopsis you can have up to 6 to 12 (2 of each or 3 of each respectively), if you really want to add to your collection.

I did a recap of several of these wines earlier this year, and you can read about that here.

Events like this are more about a thank you and a time to enjoy the season. With this being Summer, the event moved outdoors, which was what I was expecting and grateful about.

Many of the pictures will reflect that. And the weather couldn’t be any more perfect.

When it’s been chillier, the party has been indoors in their second floor lounge area.

So how were the three bottles this time around? Well for one, I have written about their Landmark Reserve previously and loved it. I’m still holding onto that for something special.

I found the 2014 Pinot Grigio to be very easy to drink. They’re traditionally light to medium-bodied and this one fits the mold. I have really been into whites while the weather has been cooperative. I may open this within the next month. I found it refreshing and it’s fitting for a great for an evening involving a healthy meal of proteins and veggies.

Then we get to the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon. I am thankful this was in the package. This wasn’t even available to be tasted by the time I arrived. I was informed they have so few cases left, that they are going to be holding off on it for now. Luckily, a friend of mine had a bottle for me to try some. This was also in the package back in February. So I have two bottles sitting and aging gracefully. It may be a while before I open either one. And you can see on their list of Landmark Wines, it’s nowhere to be found.

And speaking of nowhere to be found, their 2012 Cabernet Franc, (which I have raved about many versions of in the past) will soon be joining that list. As of Friday night, there were only 28 bottles left per a conversation with the staff. I knocked that down to 27. This was also part of the package in the Winter. I will be holding onto the two I have for a while.

I know wine is meant to be enjoyed, for the moment as well, but sometimes the sentimentality and realizing certain wines are scarce or now near non-existent, and you have a bottle of it or two in your possession, is an exciting feeling. There’s something to be said for that.

And speaking of that, the Chardonnay Reserve for 2013 is now sold out. I will be holding onto that from January as well. But the 2014 version in the first picture, had such an amazing finish, that the aftertaste really resonated with me. It’s a wine I will look to purchase in the future, as long as it doesn’t go fast. I suspect it will. It had so much more power than the Chardonnay to its left.

The 2014 Dry Rose was part of the package in the Spring, and I noticed it wasn’t for sale at this past event. Rose’s have also grown on me while the weather has been warm, even though they were never my favorite. The same goes for the 2012 Merlot Reserve.

As far as wine goes, I’ve never loved Merlot, but the blogging and experimenting has led me to appreciate them more. They were a part of the Winter and Spring package. When the time is right I will open those up two. In a sea of wonderful wines, by default they’re still near the bottom on my favorites list.

And looking to the future… Here is a teaser of some young wines, straight from the barrel. These will include the 2014 Landmark Reserve and 2014 Cab Francs, which I am so excited for.

I am happy to support local and support Mayland Wine.

For more on joining their Landmark Reserve Club, click here.

I will depart with some fun photos from the event.

For more on this pizza, click here!

Have a good one!

Best,

Ideen

Happy Maryland Wine Week

July 22, 2015November 30, 2015Leave a comment

My love for the wines of Maryland continues to grow exponentially. It wasn’t always like that. I used to think that all this great state was known for was super sweet and fruity wines. How wrong I was and now many local bottles have become some of my favorites.

And with that I wanted to have a celebratory wine to celebrate Maryland Wine Week.

My friends suggested we do crab cakes for dinner for a variety of seasons. We were celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones. And what a better way to honor this great week with a savory meal that does it justice.

I was all set to grab a bottle at my local wine shoppe, but fortunately, circumstances led me to a wine that was right under my nose. Happenstance, fate and serendipity were on my side again. Or was it something else?

The wine chilling in the fridge is from one of my favorite Maryland wineries. I was pleased to uncover the 2013 Vintage Vidal Blanc from Harford Winery.

And I had researched wines that go well with crab cakes, and the fact that a Vidal Blanc is a strong suggestion and match, makes this all come together perfectly.

The cakes came from right up the street from me, via Box Hill Crabcakes or Box Hill Pizzeria depending on how you look at it. I am thrilled to keep the Harford County theme going. And these are to die for. I’ve had crab cakes from many restaurants and this might be my favorite.

I can’t put into words why or how. They just taste so great and look so full, like a real crab cake should. You get what you pay for and this is worth all of the $15 and then some. The photography does not do that justice. But isn’t this one of the prettiest things you’ll see all year-long?

So how was the wine?

I loved it. I didn’t think I would. And it’s not on the level of my current and at the time wine from them. You can read more about their Cabernet Franc here. It was my second ever post on this blog.

When I first sipped it, I detected something sour. I thought maybe some golden apples or lemons. But when I researched, it mentions hints of grapefruit which makes total sense.

Actually I didn’t need to research after I turned the bottle around and saw what the wine contained. Whoops! When they mention orange zest I could sense the taste but only after I read about it. Otherwise I would think there were apples or hints of flowers, which is mentioned.

Again, it’s all about your palate and what you’re feeling at the time. The core flavors can be detected with constant sampling but everything else is open to interpretation. There will more about this incredible winery from me in near future.

This wine is the perfect dichotomy to eating something hearty as a crab cake.

And this is one of the best experiences I had having one and the wine had so much to do with that. There really seemed to be an explosion of flavors I might not have gotten before. I would usually just enjoy my meal with a glass of water or a soft drink. This is the way to enjoy it.

I think the wine can be drank on its own since its fairly light. But I am so happy to have paired these two. It’s a match made in heaven. And I like to think I added my tribute to this wonderful week.

More information about Maryland Wine Week and how we can be involved can be found here. And information on many of the events revolving around this special occasion can be found here.

And on where to find their wines, you can follow this link.

Enjoy this wonderful week!

Best,

Ideen

Alison Road

July 1, 2015July 1, 2015Leave a comment

This is the third and final installment of my recap at this years Great Grapes event. For my previous two write ups on the goings on at Oregon Ridge, you can click here or even here.

This weeks wine is the 2014 Alison’s Watermelon Wine from Layton’s Chance.

It was suggested by friends to mention a less than lavish or popular grape, and show a lighter side. In this case, it’s also a sweeter side. Wine festivals are not always designed for the wine aficionado or connoisseur.

I’ve been to so many of these things, that it’s whatever you want these events to be. I’ve had great wines, some disgusting ones, and everything in between. If you want high-end bottles, you will find them. If you want the lighter and sweeter types, you will find those too. If you’re just looking to have a good time and get drunk while doing so, well you’re in luck.

At this point of the event, we were all getting into a pretty sedated state. So any and all expert analysis – what the nose was, what fruits, herbs, and spices could be tasted, or any other terms are out the window at this point.

I said there would be no evaluation of this wine, but one thing should be mentioned. The nose or smell was horrific. It reeked of barley and some other vileness. I’ve smelled worse, but this was painful.

However, on a warm Sunday afternoon, it tasted so refreshingly good. The scentl was so deceiving. This was an enjoyable drink that we passed around with friends that we were with and ones we ran into.

That’s what this event is all about. We were having fun and enjoying one another’s company. It was a beautiful day. We had good wine, good food, and good music.

And when it came to food, we had anything and everything with this wine.

This is a wine I will definitely try again in any setting. And I would love to try some of their others when I get the good fortune to do so. And I find great joy in visiting wineries, and I would love to make the drive to the Eastern Shore to visit this one.

For more on this winery you can click on any of the links in this sentence. Where to buy or how to get in touch can be found here.

I’ll leave with you a couple more photos from the experience.

See you at the next festival!

Best,

Ideen

One With Vino

It's a spiritual thing.

Category: Maryland

Downtown Abbey

Boordy – Never Booring

Mead & Merriment

A Great Cause

Dogs Are The Best

Frog Splash

Beautiful Doves

Back To Boordy

Happy Maryland Wine Week

Alison Road

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