|
Wine by Mail in MD?
A serious effort to change Maryland's laws regarding wine shipping is underway in Annapolis. The legislature will hear two bills designed to allow a winery or retail store the ability to ship wine directly to a Maryland consumer. Learn more.
Profile: Mike Fiore
Though Mike Fiore's winemaking knowledge and skill have been honored by wine professionals throughout the U.S., it was his childhood in Italy that built his foundation of great vineyard and winemaking skills. "My family has been growing grapes for centuries," says Mike, of his family's operations in Italy. Mike grew up in the industry and was Italy's youngest winemaker before he left for America. When Mike arrived in 1963, he met his beautiful bride Rose and began working for BGE – but he always knew he'd plant vines and make wines. Read more online.
March 1: Winery/Grower
Annual Meeting
Whether you’re a commercial or grape grower or winemaker or grower or just someone interested in the industry the MGGA/MWA Annual Meeting will feature a keynote by New York Wine & Grape Foundation Director Jim Trezise, and includes winery and grower startup sessions. Read more and register for the meeting.
"For the Love of Wine"
Join Maryland wineries for a taste of wine to benefit a great cause. The St. Vincent De Paul "For the Love of Wine" event will feature wines from around the world, delicious food, live jazz and a silent auction. Get more details.
Save the date: March 12
"History of MD Wine" presentation and tasting
Come to the Baltimore Museum of Industry
for a guided tour of Maryland wine and the industry's history that brought
us to the current vintage. Read
all about it.
|
"Old Trunk" by George Menlow.
GrapeView: Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is an extremely productive grape. It is a great grower on the East Coast, specifically in Maryland. Mike McGarry of Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards in Dickerson says “It is the easiest grape we have to grow. It is very obedient, not finicky at all.”
In only the second year of harvesting at Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards, the Cabernet Franc grape produced four tons. “That vintage won double gold in the International Eastern Wine Competition up in Ithaca against 2,500 other wines from all over the world,” says McGarry.
Plantings of the Cabernet Franc grape began in 1980 in California when winemakers wanted to imitate the Bordeaux blend. Cabernet Franc is a medium-skinned, mid-ripener that usually produces a dry wine. It is the main red grape of the Loire Valley and one of the three major grapes of Bordeaux. Cabernet Franc is an extremely productive grape. Read more online.
Wine News Briefs
Laws.
Four bills are being considered that would raise the alcohol tax in Maryland – some would triple the tax!
Winery.
USA Today reports the concept of "Urban Wineries" is growing. We've already got three in MD!
Farming.
If passed in its current form, the federal Farm Bill will help grape growers via specialty crop provisions and grants, according to WineAmerica.
|
Learn More
There's so much more to learn about wine on our site!
• Food & wine pairings
• Know your limits
• History of MD wine
• Wine industry statistics
• Read or submit FAQs
• Host your own event
• MD wines winning awards
• Wine shipping: the facts
There's so much more information available on www.MarylandWine.com.
Festivals & Events
Our wineries offer a variety of special events from barrel tastings
to concerts, many wineries host events each weekend. And be sure to mark
your calendars for our festivals around the state. See the full list of upcoming events.
|
February 2008 