A Visit From Greg!

Last December, a familiar face appeared on Facebook. He hadn’t changed much since we last saw each other 30+ years ago. The only significant change was the town he was residing in…Vienna, Austria.

When he made the announcement he was coming state side, I made a point to meet with him. He was interested in reconnecting and told me to make the proper arrangements. I choose Glen Manor Vineyards for our meet and he truly enjoyed his first visit to a Virginia Winery.

A few weeks ago, he gave me the heads up that he would be visiting his mother over the Thanksgiving holiday. He told me to pick the venue and we could talk about the good ole days once again.

Greg was open to either beer or wine and I decided to show him the Vineyards of Frederick County.

We met in town and I proceeded to the Shenandoah valley’s northern most wineries. Our first stop was James Charles Winery. One of Virginia’s newer Vineyards, it is part of the Bogaty Family Wine Group which includes 2 other wineries Veramar Vineyard in Berryville & Bogati Winery in Round Hill.

Since opening last August, James Charles is making some noise with their red wines.

Greg and I did a tastings and decided to get a bottle of Petit Verdot. Rich Garnet in color, dark cherry and smoke on the nose. Complex red berry flavors with a dry spicy, chewy finish. This is your steak, burger wine even fish and chips would go well with this wine.

I believe Greg said: “This wine has the legs of a super model!” We will go with that!

The day was gorgeous and we decided to take advantage of the warm November weather and enjoy their patio. Our next stop will keep us indoors as the sun began to set but this vineyard has evening hours which is a great perk, Valerie Hill Vineyard & Winery.

It was almost 4 years ago that I stumbled upon this vineyard as I was taking back roads home due to heavy traffic on I-81. Tish and I visit often, knowing Greg is partial to Merlot, he will not be disappointed in their Merlot Reserve.

Subtle earthy notes with a touch of leather on the bouquet. Soft, warm flavors of currants and black cherries. Nice concentration and fruit forward that transcends to supple dry/low spice flavors on the finish. This is a true pasta wine that could be enjoyed by itself or with an after dinner cigar.

Greg is very impressed with how enjoyable the wines are in Virginia. I told him that when he comes back for another visit, we will take in some other vineyards in the surrounding area. With more than 30 within a 25 mile radius, we have plenty to choose from. And so do you!

Get out and visit the areas wineries and show your support for Virginia’s wine industry.

Cheers!

I Love Beer!

From some of my previous posts, I bet you thought I had forgotten about this redneck’s favorite beverage … beer!

Ah, beer.

It is a word that stands on its own! We don’t need a definition or to be lectured on its description. We know that a little barley & hops makes a wonderful beverage.

I’m almost positive that “beer” was one of my first words. As a small child, I remember seeing those bright cans (and I mean “cans” made from steel, yes I’m that old) with the iconic logos of Pabst, Schlitz, Budweiser and Black Label. No pull tabs, you needed a can opener to get inside. Cool, huh? Hey Pabst, let’s bring back some of those retro cans! Cone Top or Flat Top…Hmmm?

One of my uncles would coax me over and convince me to take a pull from his cold beer. Tasted like crap, but it would only be a few years until I developed a palate for the nectar of the gods!

I was grandfathered in to Virginia’s drinking laws at the age of 18. This meant I could belly up to the bar and enjoy a frothy adult beverage. A restaurant in Winchester, Va. is where I encountered my first dark beer…Lowenbrau Dark. The crew I ran around with during those days would give me a hard time about drinking the “foreign crap,” but I wanted to see if it was good. I have to say: “Hell yeah it was GOOD!”

Today, I will sample any kind of beer put before me. I do have my favorites, and there are a few styles I don’t care for but I will give them a taste. Had a bad experience with a Russian Imperial Stout…enough said!

Now that spring has arrived, that means so has the annual beer festival at Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown, Va. I have been going to this event for many years, and have to say that it is the premier beer festival in our area. The best part of this event is the laid-back/chilled atmosphere, and of course…the beer. A local distributor is the key holder to the day’s beverages being poured. On occasion, a local micro-brewery will take part and pour their product. Local music, some excellent food vendors and a few purveyors of fine cigars round out the event. I do enjoy firing up an Ashton Virgin Sun Grown stick on this day. Plus the cigar smoke helps with the long lines, as most people don’t like the smell of a fine cigar…Sissies!!!

If you’re thinking of joining crazynvirginia, you can get your tickets here: www.BelleGrove.org

And if you’re in Virginia’s Frederick, Shenandoah or Warren counties, I expect to see you at this celebration.

This is one of many festivals Tish and I will attend this year, and I hope to see some of my crazy-ass friends enjoying themselves.

Let’s get outside to those festivals and enjoy a beer or two…or three!!

Cheers, Bottoms Up, Salute & Slainte Y’all!!