It is going to be a busy month at Vynecrest. The power is back on and we are done cleaning up from the storm. The Winery lost power for a few days but other than that there was no damage. Have no fear, Nouveau Beaujolais was ready for release on time!
Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem is now open and we have a wine booth there. The festival runs Thursday through Sunday until December 23 (closed Thanksgiving Day). It starts at 11 a.m. each day and closes at 6 p.m. on Thursdays & Sundays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays.
November Specials:
Wine of the Month -Traminette, additional 10% off
3 Pack of the Month - All American Special, any combination of DiVyne Red or Niagara for $25**
**at winery only, 3 pack can't be combined with other discounts
Upcoming events:
November 24 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Brian Xander, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
November 25 - Jazz Sunday, Live jazz in the Vyneskeller, Body & Soul, 1-4 pm
December 1 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Rob & Marty , 1:30 - 4:30 pm
December 8 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Jake Kaligis, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
December 15 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Arianne, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
December 22 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Allison Goodin, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
Glass Half Empty
by Jim Hutchings
Vynecrest Weekend Warrior
Jan's story in the August newsletter covered what some might think of as an 'unconventional' pairing of wine with chocolate, since many people only think of pairing red wine with red meat and white wine paired with chicken or fish. Being such an avid wine drinker, I enjoy wine with meals and even snacks on a regular basis and I've come up with some "interesting" pairings along the way. When I work in the tasting room and share some of these offbeat food pairings, people often think I'm kidding. You see for so many of us wine is not just a drink for a special occasion or nice meal. It's a passion we enjoy daily, so it's only natural to come up with some fantastic pairings from everyday meals and snacks.
When I first heard of wineries offering a pizza wine, even I thought it was a joke. Now I'm surprised when a winery doesn't offer a pizza wine! Ours, of course, is Vynecrest Red. It's great with pizza or anything else with a red sauce. Even though we're past the summer barbeque & picnic season, I still like to enjoy a glass of Cabernet Franc with an all-beef hot dog or cheeseburger from the grill. That's right - our rich and robust dry reds aren't only for drinking with a nice steak. They're good with just about anything that comes off of the grill!
Our sweet and silky Vignoles isn't just for dessert anymore. I think it's a fantastic breakfast wine - try a glass with pancakes and syrup this weekend. Sticking with the sweeter wines, there's no match to Spiced Winter Red and the gingersnap cookies we sometimes pair with at the winery. Also try a warm glass with a piece of cinnamon toast for another breakfast with a kick. Our tasting list says to pair Traminette with Asian cuisine, including Thai food or anything with a bit of spice. This suggestion can go even further, pairing Traminette with Mexican or Indian food. It's just as good with tacos and curry chicken. For my money, though, I think Traminette is at its best with Buffalo wings.
Even recently I've discovered some amazing new pairings. I still have a few bottles left of the Last Syrah from 2008 and it was delicious with homemade beef jerky. The salty, gamey jerky really brought out the ripe berry flavors in the Syrah. I think this year's Chambourcin would also go very well with jerky. Finally, and most surprisingly, I discovered the joy of Sparkling Chardonnay with potato chips. The salty crunch of the chips with the bubbles in the wine (which is perfectly balanced with a touch of sweetness and acidity) creates a pairing that must be experienced to be truly enjoyed.
I'm sure I'm not the only one out there with offbeat tastes for pairing wine and food. What other combinations are customers enjoying?
No comments:
Post a Comment