Swirl Wine Gift Certificate Giveaway!!

Do you like wine, beer and/or liquor?  Do you like winning things?  Well then get excited friends because I have an AWESOME giveaway for you!  Swirl Wine is offering one lucky TofB reader a $20 Gift Certificate to their store in Timonium!!!!

I've written about Swirl a number of times, so this is very exciting for me!  What I've always loved about Swirl, is the enthusiasm the owners (husband and wife team, Austin and James) have for teaching others about wine.  They offer wine classes, as I mention below, and they also hold wine tastings on Friday evenings. 

Here are their two upcoming classes ($20 each).  I've taken Swirl 101 before with a friend of mine and not only did we learn a lot, but we had a blast!

• Swirl 101: The Basics, Saturday, February 26th  1pm-2pm
• Geared toward the new wine enthusiast. Popular styles, regions, and terminology will be explored.   
• Swirl 201: The Nitty Gritty, Saturday, March 12th  1-2pm
• Each "Nitty Gritty" class will be centered around an in-depth investigation of a particular region, varietal, or style. The dynamic region of Spain will be on the agenda for this class.

 So drop by Swirl, and enter my giveaway!  You can enter ONCE PER DAY!

Swirl Wine

2320 York Road, Timonium, MD

410-252-7787

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

- One winner will receive a $20 gift certificate to Swirl Wine.  The certificate may be redeemed for in-store purchases, including wine classes.
- Enter the contest by leaving a comment on this post telling me what kind of wine you like.  You can be as specific or as vague as you like :)
- You can enter ONCE PER DAY!
- PLEASE leave a contact email!
- This giveaway will end on Friday, February 25th at 11:59PM.
- I will choose the winner by random selection on February 26th and I will notify them via email and via a blog post!


Good Luck!!

2010 Maryland's Governor's Cup Competition

To go along with my Morning Haiku, another reason to check out the Wine Festival this weekend is to try some wineries that got top honors at the Maryland Governor's Cup Competition on August 15th. 

Also, as an aside.....I can't be the only one who thinks of Harry Potter everytime I read the word Basilisk, right?  I am deathly afraid of snakes, but for some reason I want to go to Serpent Ridge Vineyard for the SOLE reason of trying the Basilisk BECAUSE it reminds me of HP. 

That makes me officially nutty, doesn't it? 

I should open my very own Harry Potter Themed Vineyard.  OMG that would be AWESOME.  I could call it Gryffindor's Grapes or something like that. Let's think of some awesome names for Harry Potter wines. 

Ron's Red?  That's lame. 

Voldemort's Viognier?  Noooooo, blah!  I am not being creative enough!

Oh yea, back to the Governor's Cup........ :)

Here are the big winners:

Governor’s Cup Award Winner–Best in Show!
Fiore Winery • Sangiovese 2007

Best of Class Awards
Best Red: Fiore Winery • Sangiovese 2007
Best Rosé: Knob Hall Winery • Rosé Reserve
Best Red Blend: Serpent Ridge Vineyard • Basilisk 2008  (!!!!!)
Best Off-Dry: St. Michaels White • 2009
Best Fruit: Fiore Winery • Apple-luscious

Gold Medalists
Black Ankle Vineyards • Crumbling Rock 2008
Black Ankle Vineyards • Rolling Hills 2008
Cygnus Wine Cellars • Blanc de Blanc 2008
Dove Valley Winery • Gold 2008
Fiore Winery • Apple-lucious
Fiore Winery • Sangiovese 2007
Knob Hall Winery • Chambourcin 2009
Knob Hall Winery • Rosé Reserve 2009
Knob Hall Winery • Semi-dry Rosé 2009
Little Ashby Vineyards • Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Little Ashby Vineyards • Super Talbot 2007
Serpent Ridge Vineyard • Basilisk 2008
St. Michaels Winery • "Martha" Chambourcin 2008
St. Michaels Winery • St. Michaels White 2009
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • EVOE! 2007

Friday Morning Haiku

Wine from Maryland

All in one place this weekend

At the Festival

The Maryland Wine Festival is this weekend - are you planning on going?

Here are the details:

• When: September 18-19, 2010, Sat 10-6 pm, Sun 12-6 pm
• Where: Carroll County Farm Museum, Westminster, Carroll County
• How Much (price at the gate):
• Regular Adult - $25
• includes wine glass and unlimited wine sampling
• PREMIER - $55
• Saturday tickets are SOLD OUT
• Gives you entry to main area, but also private area with premier wine samplings and gourmet food from local restaurants
• Engraved Riedel wine glass
• 2010 Maryland Wine Art Series poster
• Most importantly - access to a private bathroom :)
• Designated Driver - $20
• Child (ages 7-20) - $5
• Children 6 and Under - Free

Fleming's New 100 List

Fleming's is unveiling their new “Fleming's 100” or their list of 100 wines by the glass (wow that's quite a selection!!) In order to celebrate, they are hosting a bunch of cool events throughout September. Here is a list they sent me:


The New Fleming’s 100 “Opening Nights” every Thursday (2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, and 30^th) in September – A series of wine tastings featuring 20 (!) of the 100 selections. Visit the website to see which wines will be served on each night.


Memorable Meal: A Trio of Fleming’s Classics, $99 for Two through September 30 – Guests are invited to experience a variety of tastes of classic Fleming’s entrees, served “flight” style with three small entrees on a plate – Filet Mignon, Ahi Tuna and Lamb Chop.  The three-course Memorable Meal also includes a Broiled Peach and Goat Cheese Salad, a trio of roasted vegetables and a trio of crème brulees for dessert.  For $10, you can add a flight (three 2-ounce tastes) of paired wines from the new wine list.

Exclusive Caymus Interactive Wine Dinner, $125pp September 21 or 22  –  Join Caymus Vineyards owner and winemaker, Chuck Wagner, Fleming’s Director of Wine Marian Jansen op de Haar and Executive Chef Russell Skall, via live video from Northern California.The Napa-inspired menu is paired with Wagner Family of Wines, Conundrum, Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay and Late, and a vertical tasting of the 2000 and just-released, 2008 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet. 

Wine Tuesdays every week in September – Every Tuesday (7^th, 14^th, 21st, and 28^th), receive 25% off any bottle selection from the new Fleming’s 100.  You will also receive a Fleming’s Card good for this same offer on a future Fleming’s visit any day of the week, valid through December 30th. 

New Icon Wine through September 30 – The Icon Wine series continues in September with the Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Salus Estate, 2006, at $125 per bottle.

Fleming's Steakhouse
720 Aliceanna Street
Baltimore MD 21202
410-332-1666

Fleming's Happy Hour and Husic Vineyards

 

I had the opportunity to go to Fleming's to try some wines from Husic Vineyards.  Fleming's was hosting a wine dinner (along with the chef from Roy's), and they had invited some media beforehand to try some of the wines and meet the owners, Julie and Frank Husic.  I was super happy to try the wine and meet the lovely owners, even though jealousy was probably seeping out of my pores.  To live in Napa Valley and own a vineyard?  Oh, what a life!!!

Their wonderful wines were a treat, especially because they are definitely out of my price range.  I tried a  Chardonnay that I actually enjoyed (I am not usually a fan of them) and some wonderfully robust Cabernet Sauvignons. 

I also got to try some of Fleming's Happy Hour Menu items. I had no idea Fleming's even had a happy hour, and a good one at that!  Their happy hour is "5 for $6 'Til 7pm" and they offer 5 wines, 5 cocktails, 5 appetizers all for $6 each!  Pretty ridiculous price!  

(Please note - these pictures are not indicative of what a Happy Hour plate would be since it was feeding many people!)

I tried the Seared Ahi Tuna which was served with mustard and some thinly sliced ginger. This was great and seared to perfection.  I wish I had taken more hahahaha.

The Mushroom Ravioli was by far my favorite.  I loved the cream sauce with the woodsy mushroom flavor.  This was so luxurious.  I would definitely order this again and again and again....... In fact, I think this is also available as an entree as well.

Have you ever been to Fleming's for Happy Hour or dinner?  It looks like one of those great places that you would go to after a Graduation or for a big business meeting.

Piedmont Wine Trail Goes Local, This Weekend!

This weekend from 1-4PM each day, the following wineries on the Piedmont Wine Trail will feature local products –from jewelry to vegetables and more!

Basignani Winery:
Beef and Bison with Basignani: Featuring Roseda Beef and Gunpowder Bison

Boordy Vineyards:
Paola’s Pesto – Paula Kunkel will be sampling Arugula, Sun-dried Tomato & Basil Pestos paired with wines.

DeJon Vineyards:
Helen Heckwolf will offer her handmade Native American jewelry and pottery.

Fiore Winery & Distillery:
Hawks Hill Creamery will offer samples of their cheeses with wines

Harford Vineyard & Winery:
Will provide samples of gourmet baked goods created by Kathy Fiedler, the owner of Kathy's Sugar & Spice. If you mention the Piedmont Wine Trail you will be able to taste their first estate Merlot wine, soon to be bottled.

Mount Felix Estate Vineyard & Winery: 
Unknown.  Give them a call 410-939-0913 for details about their local products.

Woodhall Wine Cellars:
Will feature Simmer Rock CSA who will offer sample comparisons of freshly harvested vegetables with the same vegetable from the supermarket. Patricia Della Casual Fine Dining will also be serving samples using Springfield Farm products.   Mention the Piedmont Wine Trail and receive a free sample of their Vintner’s Prestige!

Great Grapes in Annapolis, July 24-25th and Ticket GIVEAWAY!

I have the opportunity to be part of a Blogger Panel at Great Grapes in Annapolis on July 25th and I am super excited about this!  If you have any interest in coming to see the awesome panel dish about Maryland food, we will be speaking at 1pm.  Here is some info.

Or perhaps you really just want to taste all the amazing wines Maryland has to offer - that's good too!  I have always loved going to the Great Grapes Festival, so if you've never been, this is a real treat!

Here is some information about the Festival, and then scroll below for my Giveaway!

Where: 
The Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds
1450 Generals Highway (Route 178)
PO Box 372
Crownsville, MD 21032

When:
July 24th and 25th, 12-6PM

How Much:
- Adult Admission & Tasting Glass: $20 advance online or $25 on-site includes a souvenir wine glass, unlimited samples, all performances and cooking demonstrations.
- Designated Driver Ticket: $15 advance online or on-site and includes admission into the event ONLY.
- 2 Day VIP Adult Admission & Tasting Glass - ONLY 200 Available: $35 for a 2 Day Admission Pass & Tasting Glass To The Festival, and Event T-Shirt.
- Kids - 12 and under are FREE!

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

I have two tickets to give away for one day of Admission.  Here are the details:  
- Just leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite type of wine. 
- One comment per person and PLEASE leave a contact email! 
- This giveaway will end on Sunday the 18th at 11:59PM.
- I will choose the winner by random selection on July 19th. 
- I will give the two tickets to only ONE winner.
- If you do win, you will need to specify your date of attendance


Good Luck!!!

Free Wine at Pazo's?????!!!

Just saw this over at Dining at Large

Pazo's is giving out a free bottle of red wine before 7pm tonight (March 29th) to anyone who mentions Facebook....

read more info here

Pazo
www.pazorestaurant.com
1425 Aliceanna StreetBaltimore, MD 21231
(410) 534-7296

Wine Wednesdays at Crossroads Lounge

Remember my post about the new Farm-to-Table menu at Crossroads Restaurant at the Radisson Hotel in Cross Keys? Well now in the Crossroads Lounge they have another new event that they shared with me – Wine Wednesdays, a continued event that will support Maryland wineries each Wednesday from 6:30-8PM! The first event is on December 2nd and features Basignani Winery.

These Basignani wines will be available for tasting: the 2007 Piccolo (a 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot), 2007 Chardonnay and 2007 Riesling. As well as wine, there will also be samples of appetizers from Crossroads Restaurant. There will be the opportunity to buy wines by the glass or bottle. And p.s., did you know about a new Maryland law that allows unfinished bottles to be taken home as long as they are corked and bagged? I had no idea! Bring on more BYOB’s!!!!

A couple of years ago I helped harvest grapes at Basignani one October weekend. Ever since then I feel that I have a special connection with the winery, and indeed I sort of do – I helped bring along the production of Elena (a white wine) that year!

Check out more information about Basignani Winery Here: www.basignani.com

This event is free and open to the public, December 2nd, 6:30-8PM - Drop in when you can and stay as long as you want.

The next Wine Wednesday is Dec 16th and will feature Woodhall Wine Cellars.

Crossroads Lounge

Radisson Hotel at Crosskeys

5100 Falls Road, Baltimore MD 21210

410-532-6900

New Take on Wine Tasting at Swirl Wine

When I buy wine, I usually head towards a familiar bottle that I've had before, or I choose based on pretty packaging married with a happy price tag. I usually have an idea whether I want white or red, and after that I can also tell you which popular grapes I like the best - but sometimes even that throws me for a loop.

This is why it has been really helpful to go to Swirl, my local wine shop, for their free wine tastings on Fridays. They supply their customers with a list of the wines - and tasting notes they've written about each. I write ALL OVER that paper. I always take notes - especially if I like a bottle. Then I transfer those notes to my wine journal so I can keep a log of all the wines that I love. Because I've been going so often - I have a LOT!

Now, I know that many wine shops have free wine tastings, but I had to give a shout out to Swirl for coming up with an AWESOME idea for their tasting tomorrow (Oct 16th) - the Vs. Tasting.

They are going to have a blind tasting!

They will pair a Napa Cabernet (Freemark Abbey Cabernet) against an Argentinian Cabernet (Felino Cabernet)

and

An Italian white (Bidoli Pinot Grigio) against a Spanish white (Shaya Verdejo)

It will be interesting to see whether people like a wine they wouldn't usually choose on the shelf!

How much fun!

Swirl Wine

2320 York Road

Timonium, MD

410-252-7787

www.swirl-wine.net

This Weekend - The Maryland Wine Festival

The Maryland Wine Festival

September 19 & 20, 2009

Saturday, 10AM-6PM and Sunday, 12Noon-6PM

Carroll County Farm Museum

Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland

Admission Information: $25.00 for adults 21 and older. You get a wine glass, samples of Maryland wines, attendance at the Wine Education Seminars and all the other entertainment at the Festival. 7-20 year olds are admitted for $5.00, and children 6 and under are admitted free. And most importantly, designated driver tickets are $20.

As always - call a winery that you love and ask if you can volunteer, often they will pay your admission fee and maybe give you some wine to take home!!!!!!

I went to the Festival a couple of years ago when it was RIDICULOUSLY hot, it's going to be in the 70's this weekend which sounds perfect for the chance to walk around and sample all the deliciousness the local wineries have to offer.

Check out my personal favorite - St. Michael's Winery! If you are into white wines, definitely try their Viognier or their Long Splice.

p.s. Talking about Festivals....don't forget to enter my contest to win 2 free tickets to the Sugarloaf Craft Festival on Oct 2-4th. The contest will end on September 28th!

August Maryland Wine Events

One of my favorite activities is visiting vineyards, as you know. Here are some events going on in August at wineries throughout the state. If I've missed any, please let me know so that I can include them!

Information provided from the Maryland Wine Association's website and the wineries' websites.

BASIGNANI WINERY

T.G.I.F MOVIE NIGHT: 14th, 28th, 8-11PM. $8

Enjoy a movie on a big screen outside. Check website for movie. Wine tasting and popcorn included.

CASE CLUB EVENT 29, Noon-5PM

Join the case club for special discounts, Italian cheese and a wine glass with every case.

BLACK ANKLE VINEYARDS

LIVE MUSIC FRIDAYS: 7th, 14th, 21st, 5-8PM

LIVE MUSIC: 8th, 1-6PM. Free

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOD & WINE DINNER: 16th, 5PM. $30; $8 for Kids Plate

Enjoy a 3-course dinner from Chef Paul Congarra of Dionysus' Kitchen. Each course will be paired with wine. Advance reservations are required. Call 619-203-8230 or email melissa@blackankle.com.

BOORDY VINEYARDS

THURSDAY FARMERS MARKET: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, 4-8PM

Enjoy wine tastings, local farmers and musicians.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, 5:30-9:30PM. $17-20 for Adults; $5-10 for Children.

DOVE VALLEY

LIVE MUSIC: 8th,14th 6-9PM. Free

ELK RUN VINEYARDS

WINE DOWN FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC: 7th, 21st, 28th, 6-9PM

OPEN MIC NIGHT: 14th, 6-9PM

p.s. Last year I went to their winery- check out my review

FIORE WINERY

20TH ANNUAL WINE, ART & JAZZ FESTIVAL: 15-16TH, Noon-6PM. $15

Listen to jazz while checking out local artists and food and craft vendors. Tours available.

FREDERICK CELLARS

LIVE MUSIC FRIDAYS: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 7:30PM. Free

LIVE MUSIC SATURDAYS: 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, 7:30PM. Free

LINGANORE WINCELLARS - BERRYWINE PLANTATIONS

2009 SWINGING BLUES FESTIVAL: 29-30th, $15 for 21 and older; $Free-10 for under-age.

Enjoy live music, while food vendors, tours, and tastings will be available.

p.s. Last year I visited their beautiful winery, check out my review.

SUGARLOAF MOUTAIN VINEYARDS

LIVE MUSIC: 15th, 2-5PM

Enjoy live music with a sangria sale: buy one glass, get one free.

Additionally, on August 29th, the City of Rockville will be holding their 3rd annual wine and music festival. Check out the information here.

This Weekend: Great Grapes Wine Festival, Noon-6PM

Great Grapes Wine Festival, June 13-14th Noon-6PM

This weekend, come to the scenic Oregon Ridge Park to sample over 200 wines from 20 Maryland wineries!
I’ve gone to a couple of Great Grapes, and I’ve always had the best time. I’ve also always gone as a volunteer which is Great because I get to pour for a winery AND get into the Festival for free! I’ll be there this year, but I won’t tell you when and where so that my stalkers don’t find me (ahahahaha).
As well as our amazing Maryland wineries, there are always a number of vendors that will be there, including some very own Baltimore crafters, as mentioned in the Baltimore Etsy Team blog.

Here are the prices:
Adult Admission & Tasting Glass:
$18 advance online or $22 on-site includes a souvenir wine glass, unlimited samples, all performances and cooking demonstrations.

Designated Driver Ticket:
$15 advance online or onsite and includes admission into the event ONLY.

Group Tickets:
$16 (per ticket) for groups of 20 or more and must order by phone 800-830-3976.

Kids (12 and unde):

FREE!

Here is the address:
Oregon Ridge Park
13401 Beaver Dam Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030

p.s. If you are ever interested in volunteering at wine festivals in Maryland, go to the Maryland Wine Association website and sign up.

I Love This Wine

No. This is not a Maryland wine. I was very hesitant about posting this since this has nothing to do with Baltimore, except for the fact that I bought it at Swirl Wine (earlier post!).

But...I couldn't help myself. This was one of the best wines I have ever tasted AND
1) It's organic!
2) It was $12!!!!!

This is a terrible picture, so let me spell things out:

Vineyard: Santa Julia
Varietal: Malbec
Region: Argentina
Year: 2007

Delicious! Incredibly smooth. Incredibly yummy! (I told you I cannot describe wine).

If you find it in your local wine shop (Swirl?), then why don't you pick up a bottle for dinner!

Elk Run Vineyards, Mt. Airy

Well. Here was the last stop on my birthday winery tour! Another smaller operation than Linganore, but bigger than Loew's. It had a rustic and garden-y feeling to it....if that makes any sense. The tasting was $2 for 5 wines, or $5 for 5 wines and a souvenir glass.

Overall, their wines were good but nothing stood out to me on this trip. I did like the opportunity to taste their Malbec ($22) since I like that varietal. It smelled very strong, but it was actually a mild taste. One wine I didn't like was their Syrah, sadly enough, since it was the first Maryland Syrah! Oh well...

I also liked how they had bread and cheese for you to buy with any glasses of wine. Cute place.

A cute little area to sit and enjoy your wine with some bread and cheese.

Elk Run Vineyards
15113 Liberty Road
Mt. Airy, MD 21771
Phone: 410-775-2513
www.elkrun.com

Loew Vineyards, Mt. Airy

After going to Linganore, we stopped in at Loew Vineyards. This was a MUCH smaller operation. In fact, Lois Loew was the pourer in the tasting room! While I loved that it had such a family-operation feel, I unfortunately did not feel as much love for their wine.

But first let me say, tastings cost $2, or $5 if you want to keep a souvenir glass. You are able to taste whatever wines they have on the counter-- but it was a nice variety. I tried 7 wines. These are small tastings, let me remind you!!!!

For some reason I tasted a lot of mint in these wines, and in one I thought it tasted like mustard (The Country Classic). I think the problem with my distaste for these wines is that I tasted them right after tasting all those sweet wines back at Linganore. I'm pretty sure my taste buds had not recovered.

I hate to give a Maryland winery a bad review, but it's important to be honest. If you go to Mt. Airy, definitely check this place out and if you go to a wine festival-- please visit their tent and see for yourself!

Loew Vineyards
14001 Liberty Road
Mt. Airy, MD 21771
301-831-5464
www.loewvineyards.net

Linganore Winecellars/Berrywine Plantations, Mt. Airy

The main tasting room and shop

One of my most favorite ways to pass the time is to visit a winery (or some wineries). I love wineries. They are usually set in the most gorgeous locations, surrounded by really friendly and interesting people, and they usually have wine tastings! I've been meaning to go to Linganore Winecellars for a couple of years now. They probably have the most extensive wine list of any Maryland winery, and they allow you to taste any and all of them for free when you visit! I would advise you not to do that if you want to accomplish anything else that day :)

What did I tell you about gorgeous locations?

I tried quite a few of the wines offered, but I'm not going to sit here and write wine notes, because I am not good at describing wine other than saying "Yum" and "Gross."

The tasting room and shop from the inside. It was really lovely.

The White wines that I really loved were the Oak-aged Chardonnay ($16.04) and the semi-sweet white May Wine ($14.15).

The Red wines I loved were the cabernet sauvignon ($18.87) and Chambourcin ($26.41).

My absolute favorites, however, were the pure fruit wines. They were delicious! Definitely not something you could drink a lot of-- they are all very sweet--but perfect for sipping on summer nights. The fruit wines included: Peach, Plum, Stawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry and Blueberry (range from $12.26-16.04). I ended up buying the Raspberry wine ($12.15) which won the 2007 Governor's Cup Gold.

What I took home. Yum.

I really loved this winery. My pourer, Joyce, was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I know they have a bunch of festivals throughout the year, and most of their smaller events are free. This place is awesome!

Linganore Winecellars/Berrywine Plantations
13601 Glissans Mill Road
Mt. Airy, MD 21771
410-795-6432
www.linganorewines.com

Swirl Wine Shop, Timonium

It's such a great feeling (for me, at least) when you find a wine shop that you love. Personally it's hard to find because I'm not well versed on wines (even though I am a Maryland Wine Ambassador....), I like cheaper bottles of wine (no less than $7 and no more than $14), and I don't like to be surrounded by the typical wine drinking snobbery. I realize that most people at wine shops are trying to be helpful, but I hate it when they point me to a wine that is expensive even when I clearly look like I am not the type to be able to distinguish a buttery nose from a crispy nose (whatever that means).

Swirl wine seems to cater to me. It's eclectic, it's fun, it's NOT overwhelming at all, and the owners/employees are genuinely nice and NOT snobs! To be honest, they have a small selection of wines, but they do cover all the bases- even Maryland wine! Most of the wines they sell are VERY reasonable, and some are even on sale. They also write special handwritten notes about some of the wines on tags around the bottles.

Another reason why I love them is because they sell local chocolate from a friend of theirs! I bought a box and will review it once I actually open it.

***Actually, this is a shocking piece of information so let me just explain. I bought it for myself on my birthday 5 days ago and have still not opened the box! I've been having a LOT of sugar lately and decided I needed to not have something every night.***

Anyway, they also offer wine tastings every friday and saturday and sometimes they have winemakers come in to speak. I really think this wine shop is trying to market themselves to my generation, and they are doing a fine job!

Swirl Wine

2320 York Road (next to the fairgrounds)

Timonium, Maryland 21093

410 252 7787