Wine Station

I love to travel around the DMV (DC, MD, VA) for great places to taste wine, and food. Today I ventured to a hidden space on the east side of Baltimore County, Liquid Lib's. I was very intrigued by the fact that they had a wine station. What's a wine station you ask, well so did I? I was actually curious by the concept of a wine station. Unfortunately after giving it a try,  I quickly learned that it was a alternative to charging unreasonable prices for a 1oz tasting. The food was ok. I'm a Foodie by nature and expected more than the Lib's had to offer. The wine collection was average. There were not many wines available that I had not already tasted. But hey, wine tasting is my part-time profession so no judging allowed, laugh out loud 😃. 

BIG ZIN

I'm a sucker for a "Great Red Zin". Rubus 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel is as good as it gets! This three year old vine zinfindal is a awesome addition to my wine collection. I was so impressed, I purchased one bottle to immediately taste and another to hold. My palate actually likes tanin. I'm looking forward to tasting this same great vintage three years from now to celebrate my daughters voyage to her first year as a college freshman. But until then, I'm enjoying this old vine zin as a relaxing end to my looooooong day. There are notes of blackberry, and raspberry. I normally would pair this wine with a juicy steak or cheese steak sub. Because I'm in dessert mode, I'm actually pairing my glass of Zinfandel with milk chocolate (thanks to my sons PTA candy drive). Over all this is a great wine and with 15.75% alc content there is nothing to lose. I suggest this vino to my bold red vine drinkers. Cheers!!!

Pinot In A Can

Union Wine Company has created an awesome concept for packaging their Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Rather than using the average method of glass bottled or cardboard boxed, they decided on metal cans. I love when thinking out of the box becomes the "new normal" process of gathering great thoughts. Canned wine is definitely a eye-catching conversation piece. I'm an adventurous vino lover. I've purchased a few cans to enjoy and will back with you on what my taste buds say. Until then, enjoy a few pictures I snapped at the wine store of Union Wine Company soda can persevered Pinots. CHEERS!!!

Harvest 2014

When I grow-up (well actually, when my children are off to college) my career will exist consumed with my passion for wine, the fermented grape. The big question is what position will I play in the wine industry? It's not a bad thought to ponder. It is vey exciting, at the least. I recently had the opportunity to assist an awesome wine maker with the 2014 harvest season. During this fun and messy session, I worked with the continuous fermentation of freshly picked Syrah grapes as well as other varieties of red and white grapes. It was very interesting to me to learn about the complex stages of making wine. Cheers to Mrs. L. Baker-Hinson. I'm in debt to you and your family forever more!!! Looking forward to the next session. 

Uncorked in Rockville Maryland ....

The summer of 2014 may be coming to an end but the wine festivals continue through October. Enters the Uncorked Wine and Music Festival in Rockville, MD. I love the wineries, music and cooking demonstrations. This event is not one to miss. 

Check out the website to more details

http://www.rockvillemd.gov/index.aspx?NID=666

*Photo courtesy of www.rockvillemd.gov

Summer, Summer, Summer Time- Rose' Wine

OMG! What a summer? I have been learning so much about wine that I've not had time to do what I do best, "write about it"! One of my obsessions this season of sunshine has been dry rose'. I am totally in love with the saignée method of producing rose' wine. Saignée is a method of rosé production that involves bleeding off the juice after limited contact with the skins. What's left is a beautiful dark pink colored vino fermented primarily in stainless steel. I have tried a few dry rose' this summer and my favorite is from Old Westminster Winey. Maryland wine, Oh Yeah!!! Their Rose' is deliciously crafted using the signee' method. It leaves the vino smelling of crisped fresh berries chilled especially for summer wine tasting. 

Check out the website: 

http://oldwestminster.orderport.net/product-details/0027/2013-Rose

*picture curtesy of http://oldwestminster.com*

Millstone Cellars- Hopvine

This is my second year blogging about new comers Millstone Cellars. I know that this will not be the last. I had a chance to taste their Hopvine cider at the Decanter Wine Festival this year. I fell in love with it's taste that resembles a sparkling white wine. The palate of the cider is very floral with a honey aftertaste. Millstone Cellars is making cider the new alternative to wine and beer. Check out their tasting room. You will enjoy every slurp!

Cheers!!

http://www.millstonecellars.com/our-products/uncategorized/hopvine/

*picture courtesy of millstonecellars.com