A Tatse of Seneca Lake Wine and Food at Villa #Bellangelo #SLWT #WBC15

There are over 30 wineries on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, and at Villa Bellangelo we were given a wonderful overview from our hosts,  and a small group of local food and wine artisans.

The bus pulled into the driveway, and 50+ bloggers were greeted by Christopher Missick, owner of Villa Bellangelo and author of A Sense of Place (Book Review CTC).  As I stepped off the bus, stretched my legs, and set up my camera, I watched a goat being led, and a news crew setting up - this showed promise of an interesting afternoon....

As we entered the tasting room, we were greeted with a delicious, crisp Bellangelo 2013 Dry Rosé ($13) it was a great pairing for the local artisanal charcuterie laid out for us. In addition to the meats, nuts, fruits, honey and cheeses, Bellangelo had a tasting line up of their olive oil/balsamic "dippers" - it was a serious "flavor festival".

After picking my way through the display of food, glorious food (slideshow below), I spied, over in a corner, a bar set up with seemingly identical bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon.  I had heard rumors on the bus that there was to be a 10 year vertical tasting.

I took my glass, plopped my plate on the bar, and settled in for interactive wino story time. (some schools have sing-a longs, #WBC15 had "drink-a longs" - as we learned about wine, weather and terrior - oh if kindergarten had been like this, I may have done better in school)

"Make what you love to drink"

This Cabernet Sauvignon vertical from Kings Garden Vineyards  Blew. My. Mind.  ("Make what you love to drink!" was sage advice from Owner and Wine-Maker, Mike Oleksyn). Located just across Seneca Lake from Bellangelo in Lodi, NY, King's Garden is  in Seneca Lake’s “banana belt”, the warmest growing region on the lake. Is that why the Cabernet thrives? The 10 year vertical was a highlight, and I found myself just hovering, nibbling and sipping - eavesdropping on the conversations that were being held by much between educated #winelovers than myself.  I learned so much; It was amazing to taste the same varietals, from the same vines, dramatically affected by different seasons. What an enjoyable education.  I'll be going back to King's Garden for a case or two... it was THAT good.

Side Hill Acres, Candor, NY

By the end of the afternoon, we shuffled back onto the bus - stuffed, and  a little buzzed talking about the goat and the vertical as and our driver brought us to the delightfully surprising gritty/neoclassic Geneva, where we were to spend the night at the Geneva Hampton Inn.

After a quick check in and afternoon nap, there was more adventure awaiting us at a sunset celebration of #flxwinewomen, a walk through the vineyard with a vineyard scion/burlesque diva, and a sunset pairing menu on the balcony of Ventosa Winery. (I'll save that story for another post!)

About that goat….  She was unimpressed with my miking abilities, but I really, really, liked the cheese from her farm.

Bloggers on the Bus: Senaca Lake Wine Trail #SLWT #WBC15

Seneca Lake as seen from Route 14

New York is a BIG state, and tucked away in west central New York, just south of the Erie Canal, nestled between Rochester to the North and Ithaca to the south are the Finger Lakes, a budding empire of wine/food/cider and spirits.

To kick off to the 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference, around 50 of us attended the Seneca Lake Wine Trail pre-conference excursion aka “Bloggers on the Bus”. As you can imagine, at a wine bloggers conference, there is a lot of wine, a lot of swishing, swirling and spitting, pictures and notes are taken. (With hopes that all the drinking does not impede the quality of the photographs or note taking.  All of this is academic - well, in name only, I can barely read my notes, and my pictures are sparse (I vaguely remember having battery issues - but upon second view - the root cause was focus.  I was focused on tasting). That being said, I’m going to share with you the sights, stories and taste recollection of a wine region that you should know about - the Finger Lakes AVA and the sub regions of Seneca Lake AVA. and Cayuga Lake AVA. The world does not revolve around Europe or Napa. 

There were 50 various writers, winos and culinary partners on the bus.  A few of us have been doing this for years… So as we settled in, explored our gift bags, (I ate my granola bar in 6 seconds flat – I was starving) our featured winemakers prepared to pour and talk about their wines.  All on a bus making the 40 mile trek from Corning, NY past Watkins Glen to the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. I have to give it to  Dr. Mark Karasz of Rock Stream Vineyard. and David DeMarco of Seneca Shore Wine Cellars. They told us their stories, talked about their wines and walked up and down the aisle of a moving bus while pouring their wines.

First to take the challenge of pouring his wine at 40mph was Dr. Mark Karasz of Rock Stream Vineyard. Each time I hear the genesis story of a vineyard, passion and enthusiasm (and maybe one or two amazing trips to Italy) are at the forefront -  followed by a colorful life, in this case, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with a PhD in chemistry with a musician's soul!
 

Rock Stream Vineyards wines were a good introduction to the region: tasty, and easy to drink - (even while sitting on a bus watching the clouds change the color of the sky). Ever the scientist, his Dry Cayuga White wine was local - an American hybrid developed at Cornell's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY. There is a bright future for the wines and vines of Seneca Lake.  

Just a brief tasting of Rock Stream Vineyard wines can only give you the glimpse of the depth and flavor of wine, the same goes for the person telling the story.  A vineyard can be a place where farming and art are cultivated together. - wine, an expression of place, art, and music, the expression of a culture.  Rock Stream encapsulates this on every level.  Mark Karaz is also a musician (iTunes) and the work of his his aunt, the late artist Ilonka Karasz is incorporated in their wine labels. 

David DeMarco and Queen Charlene's Dry Rosé

Our second winemaker and raconteur (after all, who SPITS wine on a bus, after Mark's pourings, we were primed for colorful stories) was  David DeMarco of Seneca Shore Wine Cellars. After the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993, A classified ad led to a 50 acre vineyard n the banana coast of Seneca Lake. Now operating as Seneca Shores, Medieval Wines of the Finger Lakes.  David wove a take of Kings and Queens as he poured his wines.  Queen Charlene's Dry Rosé - a crisp, easy to drink homage - it was wonderful to taste and listen as the bus brought us closer to our first stop. Looking past the romantic medieval branding, we heard about the hard science of Seneca Lake and the work of cultivating grapes in the northeast.

 

David also gave us a brief overview on soil dynamics of Seneca Lake (my first of the trip) neutral soil (Seneca North Shore) encourages European Vinifera (Riesling, Merlot); and acidic soil (Seneca South Shore) is good for Native American Labrusca vines (Concord & Niagara).  During this two day trip, I would be hearing more (Hint US NAVY secret research) about Seneca Lake, the deepest of the Finger Lakes at 617'. In the winter, the depth allows the stored warmth of the lake to be released keeping the vines above -10F (the minimum bud killing temperature).

The wine was finished, Mark was dropped off at his tasting room on route 14, and we continued up the road to Villa Bellangelo, where I was to meet a news crew, and milk a goat... in addition to a 10 year Cabernet Sauvignon vertical tasting.... more to come!

Anam Cara Rosé of Pinot Noir `11 *** #WBC12

I flew in for the annual Wine Bloggers Conference #WBC12 this year in Portland Oregon.  My friend Valerie, Wine Dog Review's writer, blogger and producer hosted a #WINELOVERS Wine County Dinner.  Sadly, I was at 36,00 feet when all my wine writer friends sat down to a local cheese tasting, with wine pouring throughout the night as they made their way through four delicious courses prepared by Chef Abby McManigle of Tina's Bistro.  Even though I was five hours late, they saved some plates for me! And some wine!!!

I fell in love with this Anam Cara  Rosé of Pinot Noir.  It was really well balanced, fresh, pretty with just a hint of sweetness. At 12% ETOH I was in no danger of a headache the next morning.  I paired it with poached salmon with tarragon, new potatoes and beets...  Well, even though Nikita and Jory (the dogs of Wine Dog Review) were begging for some scraps form the table, I showed great will power and I didn't share.

I ate out of sequence and then moved on to the starter: a delicious duck salad, and then braised lamb on a bed of farro.  Dessert was a fresh, local berry riff on shortcake, paired with Anam Cara dessert wine (there was just enough left in the bottle).

Experiences like last night are why I love writing about wine.  I meet the most amazing people, and we get share memorable meals and adventures.  And I had a chance to discover a fantastic Oregon wine producer:  Anam Cara. Thank you Valerie!

When Wine Writers Party.... The Aftermath

Mionetto Sergio Rosé Prosecco NV *** $19.99 (gift)

This was one of my gifts from the Easter Bunny!  Little did EB know what happy feelings I have for Mionetto.  Their il prosecco was the last wine that I drank before I got "the call" for my kidney transplant! (That fantastic meal is a very happy memory)

I'll set the scene:  After a very long day at work, I arrived to find the dog guarding an empty house.  JPH had done the dinner shopping and sent me the menu along with a pairing.  I was confused, all of the ingredients were right there, but I searched the wine rack and the fridge high and low and could not find his suggested Vernaccia di San Gimignano to go with Chicken fricassee with rosemary, garlic and lemon, Asparagus with homemade mayonnaise and Cacio e Pepe (JPH is desperate to recreate a dish he tasted at a villa outside of Naples a couple of years ago).

It was opportunity knocking!  I had put the rosé in the fridge over the weekend, and I needed something elegant and bubbly to lift my mood after a long day of bureaucracy.  I grabbed Marcella Hazan's Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking, poured a glass of well chilled Sergio Rosé and with the dog patiently waiting at my feet for any scraps that may fall her way, I started cooking dinner.

This really is a good all around Italian Prosecco Rosé.  It's a bright, bubbly and refreshing blend of 70% Raboso and 30% Lagrein grapes with a hint of raspberry dryness that is not sweet.  And, at 11% ETOH there was no risk of me getting "experimental" with my dinner prep. (ahh, the things I have done under the influence of Australian Shiraz must never be published while I am alive...)

As I sipped and cooked dinner, S. and JPH came home bearing a box a Macaroons for dessert and revealed the secret hiding place of the Vernaccia. (there were two bottles in the beer drawer)  JPH stepped in and made the Cacio e Pepe and we all sat down to a really nice dinner.

Mionetto is well known for producing good, inexpensive bubbly that really adds a highlight to any day or meal. $19.99 is a high retail price.  It can be found for $12.99 and for that price it is a "MUST BUY" - really, why not make Tuesday night a special occasion?

And just so you know, the wine was great as a stand alone sipping wine,
really good with dinner and with the Macaroons???  PERFECT!

Chateau Trinquevedel Rosé `08 AOP $16.99 ***

Conundrum: Hamburgers need a wine that stands up to their meatiness, but summertime needs a wine that is refreshing.

Solution: A dry yet fruity classic Rosé. Chateau Trinquevedel fit the bill for dinner. It was delicious. Chilled with the flavor of slightly tart strawberries, with the ghost like finish of a dry red wine.

This wine is a great reminder that Tavel AOC is the Cradle of French Rosé.

Made from Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Bourboulenc grapes, this amalgam of varietals is a great blend.

Menu:
Grilled Burgers, Fresh Corn on the Cob, Potato Salad, Roasted Red Peppers.

Stepping Stone by Cornerstone Corallina Napa Valley Syrah Rosé `10 #wbc11 live blog

Craig Camp presented up with this dry 100% syrah.  Nice color, bright taste, floral, Stainless ferment.  Easy to drink with a nice depth.  I'd have it with veal or chicken. It really shows a lot of the varietal in this wine.  It is really good! Notes of Fresh Strawberries.  Delicious.

Stepping Stone by Cornerstone Thank you Napa for this delicious Rosé! You've really created an American Classic.

Château du Rouet "Cuvee Reservée" Côtes de Provence Rosé `10 $13.99 (not TJ's) ****

We've had this 2010 rose twice now, and I'm liking it more and more.  It is dry, light with a predominantly tart raspberry flavor that was perfect with both our fresh Striped Bass and Arroz Verde (left); and our dinner earlier this month of grilled Langoustines (right) with Mark Miller's Indian Market Cookbook's Roasted Corn and Mushroom Salsa, Black Bean Pancakes and Chipolte Crema (we are on a southwestern kick this summer).

How is it that a classic French Rosé can pair so perfectly with a southwestern menu?  I think that it is the dry fruitiness that cleans you taste-buds after bite of fiery chipotle.  I love that this is NOT sweet.  It is fresh, light and has some depth.  I like it for what it is not. It is not white, it is not red, but it has highlights of each in every sip.  The bottle is feminine, the color is a light salmon, and the scent is fruity, but there is a slight musk that belies how it was made. 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, this is our first 2010 vintage wine.  At 12.5% ETOH it added a slight kick, but all in all this is just a perfect, subtle Rosé at a great price point.

Mulderbosch Rose `09 $10.99 (not TJ's) ****

How to take the edge off a terrible commute? (2 hours on the LIRR due to someone having a much worse day that I)

Arrive just past 10pm to a plate of delicious leftover salmon, pasta with capers, red peppers, garlic and anchovies. To complete the whole picture was a glass of this rose.  It made the long week and terrible commute melt into a distant memory.

I am really loving South African wines and this rose is just adding to my small list of tasty& economical bottles (the Indaba are stand outs as well).  It is a dry Cabernet Sauvignon rose, with a hint of citrus (grapefruit) and a fresh strawberry/fruity finish, not sweet, but bright.  Two glasses went down really well and were a taste treat accompanying the subtle wild sockeye salmon and the savory pasta.

I am going to give this wine four stars. It is a GREAT price point, a great change from typical white summer wine and it has a fun history from a South African Vineyard Mulderbosch, that has been in existence for centuries.

Note on the photography:  The pictures on this blog should be getting better.  I have just inherited a Nikon Digital SLR.  Although the photo above was taken by the chef on his new Olympus, the next post should have a photo from the Nikon, his hand me down to me.  I won't be hastily snapping with my Blackberry anymore. It was at their dinner table that I started traveling the world via wineglass, and Friday night's trip to South Africa proved that there is some great and exotic drinking out there that won't break the bank.

Cantele Negroamaro Rosato IGT (not TJ's) $12.99 ***

This Italian Rose is from the heel of the boot, Puglia.  I planned my menu and then I had to find a wine that fit. This rosato fit the bill very well.  It is a dry yet slightly effervescent wine.  Not as crisp as a white wine. Slightly chilled though, it has a great light fruity smell, and a slight effervescence on the tongue. It is very easy to drink.  Not sweet, dry as a matter of fact.  No tannins, clean and good. Strawberries, I taste strawberries, tart not sweet.

Today was a glorious day at the Farmer's Market.  Mussels were $3.99 a pound, and new red onions were $3.00 a bunch.  I grabbed a bunch of parsley for a dollar, and tonight's supper was born! (bread was in the freezer from the market a few weeks ago)

Tonight's Menu:
Mussels in vermouth with celery, parsley, bay leaf, new red onions and butter.
Garlic bread

Raphael Rose of Merlot `08 (not TJ's) $12.99 ***

This is my favorite Raphael wine so far.  Dry, a bit effervescent and crisp.  I bought it after a tasting at Bacchus.  This rose was good at around 60 degrees.  Crisp, kinda grapefuity.  I liked it with my standby pesto flat bread pizza -  flatbread and pesto stored in freezer - all you have to buy is fresh mozzarella & grape tomatoes (I usually have Parmesan & onions on hand in the fridge).  This Rose cut the fat of the mozzarella and the olive oil in the pesto, added a citrusy punch and is a dry wine (like a super light, refreshing Merlot!).

This is a good summer wine to chill - it was a perfect day to use the vacu vin rapid ice wine chiller (they really do work). I think that it would be a good picnic wine too. It cuts through fattiness, and just lifts up what you are eating to a new level.

Good job Raphael.  I am happy that I liked this, after not really liking your Cabernet Franc.  I'm glad that I found a Long Island Wine of yours that I can recommend. I like that we have a burgeoning vineyard economy here in NY.

About Raphael Winery: (from their website)
The winemaking philosophy is based on an understanding of the cycle of nature, the climate and soil, the ripeness of the grapes and the success of time-honored techniques. Utilizing gravity flow and a natural winemaking philosophy, Raphael wines are produced sustainably, utilizing spontaneous fermentation with little fining and filtration resulting in wines that purely express our local terroir. Our goal is to produce ripe, fruit-driven wines that exhibit a marriage of depth, finesse, elegance, and balance – the flavors of the North Fork – provided first by the terroir and secondly, by the dedicated, impassioned attention of our own hands.
The winery was designed by John Petrocelli who was inspired by the Italian monasteries of his ancestral home. Our production facility blends classic Mediterranean architecture with modern winemaking equipment. By building the winery 12 feet underground we are not only able to make our wines using a gentle gravity-flow method, but were able to construct a very energy efficient building using the earth’s natural 55F temperature to cool the winery in the summer and warm it in the winter.

Albero Organic Bobal Rose `08 DO $5.99 ***

Organic, vegan.  (umm yeah, I am neither of those, but it is good to know...)

Tonight tapas.

Alone, this rose is kind of astringent - better word, dry. Clean, fruity. Not my favorite Albero, I was expecting it to be sweeter.

BUT

Since I had it with shrimp & Chorizo sauteed with garlic and cherry tomatoes in olive oil, I have to say that is is a nice wine.  I wouldn't have it alone to drink, but it is like a nice light red wine.  Slightly chilled on a summer's day - I could easily see this wine working. With food.  Because it worked so well with the Chorizo and Shrimp, and it is only $5.99, I'll give it 3 stars.

Goats do Roam Rose 2007 *** $5.99

I liked the GDR Red so much that decided to try the Rose. Here's the menu - Curried Chicken served with broccoli al la romana and pine nut cous cous. I know, I know a rose served with curry, garlic & cous cous - well - we'll see.

The way I see it, life is an experiment. Could be a colossal failure (ahem corn pancakes, hangs head in shame) or it could be interesting - either way, I have a kick ass dessert so all will end up good. Individual pound cake rounds layered with ice cream & strawberries topped with a chocolate sauce (if you were wondering)

Verdict - wonderful. The idea is to unscrew the cap and pour a glass before the food is served. 39 mins later and you have a nice buzz from a wine that isn't a red and isn't a white but encompasses aspects of both - crispness of a white and spices of a red. hmm rose... hmmm well if it were a boy I might go out on another date with it - but since it is a wine, I'll file it away and move on... it is not relationship material.