This year I finally made it to Fork and Cork. I'm graduating so I thought it would be a great experience for an up and coming wine lover! As it turns out, it was a really fun. But I definitely have some tips to make it better.
1. Volunteer - If you are a college kid like me, you don't have $20 laying around to blow. So volunteer! You work about a 3 hour shift at the beginning or end of the event. You also get free entry, a sweet t-shirt and glass to taste with after your shift. My boyfriend and I volunteered at the same time. He was at ticketing and I was helping out at the Chef Showcase. There are plenty of things to sign up for, but plan ahead so you can get the shift you want. I liked working the earlier shift because I didn't want to think about sobering up before my shift starts.
2. "Early bird gets the wine" - If you get there early, the lines are much shorter for the tastings. By 3pm you were waiting in lines for minimum 20 minutes.
3. Sunscreen - Use it. I learned the hard way. Blacksburg weather changes all the time. That morning it was cloudy, rainy, and cold. By 1pm, it was hot and sunny.
4. Buy a bottle or two or three! - Go with friends and take turns buying bottles. The lines are much faster to just buy a bottle and then you can go relax somewhere.
5. Learn something - There are chefs doing demonstrations all day with wine, food, and all sorts of stuff. Also, before you get too silly, take advantage of talking with the people next to you in line about the wines they have tasted at the festival. This will save you lots of time (if they know what they're talking about.)
That's probably all I have for now. As you scroll down, you'll see what the rest of the day was like (starting with my volunteer shift.)
I'm having difficulty uploading the pictures at the moment.. patience is appreciated.
This was the one place Camp and I waited for 20 minutes to get a tasting. Then we wised up and bought some bottles!
Pretty good crowd! Amazing weather.
Check out this sweet corker thing.
We went back later to Fincastle Winery and picked up this Hybrid Vigor. This and the Chardonnay were probably the best wines I tasted at Fork and Cork. This one was around $12 too.
Camp has a bottle of Eclipse from Horton Vineyards. It was a white wine, $12 bucks. The people around me loved it! I thought it was okay. It was simple, good chilled, and really nice for the temperature outside. But it wasn't very complex at all. A step above Chateau Morrisette Sweet Mountain Laurel.
Horton Vineyard Sweet Concord from Virginia. Now this was wayyyy too sweet. It was not bad, but I guess I'm becoming a "wine snob" because it just tasted like sugar water to me. Definitely don't need to try again. It was also around $12.
Irish tap dancers?
The rest are other wines that we didn't get to try and I'm not that sad because I probably didn't need to at that point.
Chateau Morrisette
Background
Château Morrisette is a wonderful place to spend an evening with friends or a significant other. They have a huge, impressive wine tasting room/gift shop in the main building. If you're up there, you have to go on a tour of the production facilities! It only takes about 30 minutes and they walk you through where they store the wine in barrels (smells amazing!) and steel containers and the bottling process. Throughout the year they also host special events and mystery theater dinners.
The tasting room/gift shop has a cool story. Here is an excerpt from the website about it: "Blue Ridge Timberwrights constructed a unique building from salvaged timber from the St. Marie River to create one of the largest salvaged timber frame buildings in North America: 32,365 square feet with 135,000 board feet of Douglas fir recycled"timbers.
I recently did a project on Château Morrisette and discovered a few fun facts from their website and others!
-- They now produce over 60,000 cases of wine per year.-- Stainless steel tank capacity is approximately 130,000 gallons with an additional 50,000 gallon capacity in French and American oak.
-- They produces nineteen different wines and utilizes production from over 150 acres of vineyards either on site or from growers throughout the Commonwealth.
-- "Virginia is ranked 10th in commercial grape production and grape bearing acreage."
-- "The Virginia Commercial Grape Statistical Report shows 4,120 tons produced from 1,730 bearing acres."
Tastings
I rated these all out of 10. This was toward the beginning of the semester and I think my taste have changed a bit. So take this from the point of view of an new wine drinking enthusiast. Pictures to come!Off-Dry
(1)
Name: 2010 Vidal Blanc
Grape: Vidal Blanc
Alcohol Content: 12%
How much? $9.99
Rating 5
Description
"Refreshing flavors of citrus and apples are augmented by grapefruit, melon, and floral aromas. Medium-bodied and smooth, this vintage features a lengthy, aromatic finish. Very food-freidnyl; pairs well with a wide variety of frilled or roasted poultry and seafood."
(2)
Name: Our Dog Blue
Grape: Riesling and Traminette
Alcohol Content: not listed
How much? $9.99
Rating 6
Description
"This popular white wine is a semi-sweet Riesling-Traminette blend, using Vidal Blanc for added depth. Aromas of melons, citrus fruits, apricots, and delicate flowers highlight the soft finish of this soothing wine. Serve chilled with fruits and cheeses, fish, or spicy foods."
(3)
Name: Blushing Dog
Grape: Vidal Blanc and Riesling with little Chambourcin
Alcohol Content: not listed
How much? $9.99
Rating 6
Description
"This refreshing, semi-sweet blush wine. Lush aromas of flowers and fruit are balanced by crispy avidity. Excellent on its own at a summer picnic."
Sweet
(4)
Name: Red Mountain Laurel
Grape: Native American grapes
Alcohol Content: probably 0% super sweet
How much? $9.99
Rating 8 - at the time, now I'd give it a 4. Still taste good, but just like grape juice. Nothing complex about it.
Description
"This is a distinctive dessert wine made from a blend of native American grape varieties. It exhibits flavors of fresh grapes and cherries that are complemented by a sweet, smooth finish. A nice accompaniment for chocolate desserts, delicious poured over pound cake, or served as an aperitif."
(5)
Name: 2009 Frosty Dog
Grape: not listed
Alcohol Content: 11.6%
How much? $18.99 for 375ml
Rating 10 - Very sweet but good dessert wine. A little expensive for what it is though.
Description
"Freezing resulted in a concentrated, aromatic juice, which when fermented became this sumptuous, complex dessert wine. Aromas of apples, citrus, and orange blossoms are accentuated by lively acidity. The lingering finish drips with honey, pear, and subtle mango flavors. This delightful wine is a great dessert by itself, and can also be served as an aperitif."
Fruit Wines
(6)
Name: Blackberry
Grape: not specified
Alcohol Content: 12%
How much? $10.99
Rating 9
Description
"Winemakers at Château Morrisette just couldn’t leave well enough alone. Not content with only grapes, they have crafted a delicious new fruit wine from summer’s bounty of sun-ripened blackberries. One of life’s simple pleasures here in our little part of paradise.
Sweet and smooth, our Blackberry Wine is packed with the vibrant fruitiness of succulent, sun drenched berries. Try it lightly chilled with most any grilled or spicy food. This all-natural wine may contain a harmless sediment."
(7)
Name: Blushing Dog
Grape: Vidal Blanc and Riesling with little Chambourcin
Alcohol Content: not listed
How much? $9.99
Rating 6
Description
"Refreshing, semi-sweet blush wine. Lush aromas of flowers and fruit are balanced by crispy avidity. Excellent on its own at a summer picnic.
Dry
(8)
Name: 2010 Chambourcin (Sham-boor-saN)
Grape: Chambourcin
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
How much? $15.99
Rating 6
Description
"Aromas of plums and berries lift from this dark violet wine, augmented by gentle notes of black tea. Tasting quickly fills the mouth with rich fruitiness, suggesting cherries and blueberries. Silky and soft, this medium to full bodied wine features a fruity and exceptionally long finish, revealing glimmers of black pepper. Chambourcin is an exceptionally smooth and food-friendly wine. Enjoy it with grilled meats, sausages, roasted poultry, and dishes with mushrooms. Try it with chocolate!"
(9)
Name: Independence
Grape: Tramineete, Vidal Blanc, and Riesling
Alcohol Content: not listed
How much? $11.99
Rating 5
Description
"A blend of Traminette and Riesling, this refreshing dry white wine is packed with lively fruit character. The smooth texture and entracing floral aromas complete this delicious tribute to Independence."
(10)
Name: 2009 Cabernet Franc
Grape: You guessed it - Cab Franc
Alcohol Content: 12.5%br />
How much? $15.99
Rating 6
Description
"Wild berry and cedar aromas illuminate the plum and black cherry flavors in this mid-weight, mouth-watering wine. The silky tannic structure is augmented by small amounts of Petit Verdot and Tannat, and slowly fades into a warm, lingering finish with emerging cocoa notes. Ideal with steaks, this wine also pairs well with lamb, game, mushroom dishes, and medium to sharp cheeses. Try it with dark chocolate!"
(11)
Name: 2007 Merlot
Grape: Merlot
Alcohol Content:13.2%
How much? $5.99
Rating 4
Description
"Reminiscent of Old World reds, this ruby red vintage fuses leather, black tea and tobacco box aromas with plum and berry flavors. Medium bodied, velvet-textured and slightly spicy, this wine pairs wonderfully with game meats, lamb, and mushroom dishes. This wine was blended with a small amount of Cabernet Franc for depth, and finished with a bit of Tannat for added structure. Great with food, this Merlot pairs well with roasted meats like turkey, duck, venison and lamb."
Wine Cocktails
Here are some simple Wine Cocktails I learned about during our visit.Red Mountain Sour
-- Sugar the rim of glass
-- 4 oz. Red Mountain Laurel Wine
-- 2 oz. Whisky Sour Mix
Combine wine & sour. Mix with ice.
Blackberry Fizz
-- 3/4 cup Blackberry Wine
-- 3/4 cup Lemon-Lime Soda
-- 1 tsp. Grenadine for sweetness if desired
Fill glass half way with ice. Add wine, soda, and Grenadine. Stir. Garnish with a sprig of mint or slice of lemon or lime.
Very Berry Pump
-- 4 oz. Blackberry Wine
-- 2 oz. Cranberry juice
-- 1 oz. Maraschino Cherry juice
-- Splash of Soda Water
-- Cherries for garnish
Combine with ice.
Red Sangria
-- 1 - 750mL Bottle of Black Dog Red Wine
-- 1/4 cup sugar
-- 1 cup orange juice
-- 3 Tbsp. key lime juice
-- 1 orange, sliced
-- 1/3 lime, sliced
-- 1 cup Lemon- Lime Soda
-- Maraschino Cherries
-- (optional pineapple chunks, apple slices)
Combine wine and sugar in a pitcher; stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add orange juice, lime juice, orange slices, and any optional fruit. Let stand covered in refrigerator several hours or overnight. Just before serving, stir in lemon-lime soda. Serve in a 16 oz. glass filled with ice and garnish with maraschino cherry.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Tasting #84 Red
Grape: ?
Color: red
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: California
Would you drink it again? I liked it and the bottle was cool looking. I wanted to keep an accurate account of the wines I have tasted this semester, but I forgot to take notes this one.
Tasting #83 White
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Color: white
Smell: simple, grassy
Taste: light, smooth
Dryness/Sweetness: sweetish
Food: Camp and I made Sushi with avocado, cucumber, salmon, and cream cheese
Country/Region: Moneteray County
Alcohol Content: not sure
How much? >$8.00
Would you drink it again? At least one more time - I'm sure there are a lot of good Sauv Blancs, but this was a pleasant match with sushi.
My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!
Tasting #82 White
Grape: Chardonnay
Color: rich, straw yellow
Smell: oaky
Taste: smooth, balanced
Dryness/Sweetness: medium dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Sonoma Coast, CA
Alcohol Content:
How much? $20
Would you drink it again? Going to get another bottle - My boyfriends mom picked this one out and it was a great choice! I really enjoyed drinking it with her. It had a nice balance of oak.I believe she got it from Total Wine.
My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!
Tasting #81 Red
Grape: not sure
Color: red
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Argentina
How much? between $10-$15
Would you drink it again? Sure - This is another one that I wanted to post, but forgot to take thorough tasting notes on.
My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!
Tasting #80 White
Grape: ?
Color: light white
Smell: floral
Taste: fruity, floral
Dryness/Sweetness: sweet
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Spain
Alcohol Content: 10.5%
How much? $5.95
Would you drink it again? At least one more time - it was okay for this price range.
Other reviews:
From the Vintage Cellar:
"Flowery and sweet smelling, then round and fairly smooth in the mouth. The flavor package of tropical fruits galore is pleasant and shouldn't offend anyone. Finishes clean and easy. A mango boat of flavor."
My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!
Tasting #79 Red
Grape: Tempranillo
Color: dark purple
Smell: blackberry, blueberry
Taste: spicy, blueberry
Dryness/Sweetness: very dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Spain
Alcohol Content: 14%
How much? $8.95
Would you drink it again? At least one more time.
Other reviews:
From the Vintage Cellar:
"The 2008 Senda 66 spent 8 months in new French oak. Purple/black in color, it sports a fragrant nose of spice box, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. Smooth-textured, layered, and remarkably rich on the palate for its humble price, the lengthy effort will drink nicely over the next 5-6 years."
My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!
Tasting #78 Red
Grape: Carmenere
Color: dark red
Smell: woody, smoky
Taste: spicy, dark fruit like blackberry
Dryness/Sweetness: dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Chile
Alcohol Content: 13%
How much? $6.95
Would you drink it again? At least one more time - I think I bought this to try with food.
Other reviews:
From the Vintage Cellar:
"As a member of the cabernet sauvignon family, carmenere (pronounced car-men-yare) originated in Bordeaux as one of the grapes permitted for use in the red blends of that storied region. Chilean winemakers have embraced it and several wineries in that country product it as a single varietal. The 2009 Sierra Cruz is a very pleasant, soft, medium bodied wine that has fresh cabernet-like aromas and flavors of spice, dark fruit and black pepper. It is a great value and also would be a nice match with marinated and grilled skirt or flank steak."
My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!
Tasting #77 White
Grape: Chardonnay
Color: pale straw yellow
Smell: not a lot
Taste: fruity, pear
Dryness/Sweetness: sweet
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Argentina
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
How much? $3.95
Would you drink it again? I'd keep it in mind - not really sure why, but it wasn't totally terrible.
Other reviews:
From the Vintage Cellar:
"Pale golden color. Perfumed peach, pineapple, and nougat aromas. Round and soft with a fruity-yet-dry medium body. Tangy apple skin and lemon zest notes lift the fruit nicely on the finish."
My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!