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Share MD Wine During the Holidays
Maryland Wineries Association wishes you a happy and healthy holiday season, and a prosperous New Year. Think about taking a spin out to your local winery for a festive afternoon with your friends and family, and don't forget that Maryland Wine makes a great gift—affordable, local and delicious! Enjoy Maryland Wine responsibly this holiday season.
Calling All Photographers
Calling all photographers! Don't forget to enter the Maryland Wineries Association annual photo contest! The winning photographer will win $500, and the photo will be printed in a limited-edition "Maryland Wine Artist Series” poster. The winner will receive complimentary admission to 2010 MWA-sponsored wine festivals. Read more.
News & Event Briefs
Harford Vineyard Now Open!
Harford Vineyard in Forest Hill, Harford County, is now open for business. Stop in to try their four initial releases. Get the details.
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra FORTE
Join four Maryland wineries as they support the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's FORTE programs December through April. Get the details.
76th Anniversary of Repeal of Prohibition
December 5, 1933 was the day that Congress repealed the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition and giving states the right to regulate alcohol on their own individual terms. This monumental day in history gave rise to a reinvigorated wine industry, now vibrant in all 50 states.
States are currently in the middle of a tug-of-war as consumers, wineries and alcohol interests seek clarity and revision through courts and legislatures about access to—and the regulation of—alcohol.
RELIEF COMING! The Maryland Wineries Association is working with the other alcohol industries in Maryland to revise some of these outdated laws to allow wineries to live up to the potential expected of them by their customers. Stay tuned for details.
To read more about alcohol laws, visit:
• Repeal of Prohibition [Wikipedia] |
Winter in the Maryland vineyards, a photo by Bitten Norman.
GrapeView: Barbera
Like many Italian immigrants who have comfortably found a home in this country, the Barbera grape is thriving throughout the United States, especially in Maryland. This red grape, originally from the Piedmont region of Italy, is, acre by acre, beginning to make its impression on American vineyards and farms. Though a newcomer to the Maryland wine industry, the Barbera grape seems to be right at home.
According to Jennie Schmidt, president of the Maryland Grape Growers Association, in only its second year of production the Barbera grape is already producing award-wining wines. “Barbera is easy to manage compared to other Italian reds such as Sangiovese,” says Schmidt. Adding that the grape has not been susceptible to disease and that it is “not over vigorous,” Schmidt sees it self-regulating during the growing season. Tending her two acres of Barbera has been a relatively stress-free process for Schmidt.
Why grow Barbera in Maryland? Chris Kent of Woodhall Wine Cellars says it grows well and tastes great. “It grows and ripens very well and poses few problems in wine making,” Kent says Woodhall has had great success with Barbera, including a 2008 gold medal in the Governor’s Cup. Read more.
Wine News
New Year, New Regulations. Industry supporters hope that new regulation will help current and future winery owners.
Retailers Want Change. Maryland wine retailers want ability to mail customers their wine.
So MD, So Good. Port of Leonardtown Winery hopes to have wine ready in March.
Prince George's County Wine Country. Prince George's County Council passed two bills that will make opening a winery easier.
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Buy Maryland Wine
We appreciate it when a store or restaurant makes the decision
to recommend local wines—and the local agriculture
it supports.
Retailer of the Month
BottleWorks
Bel Air, Harford Co.
Restaurant of the Month
Blue Hill Tavern
Baltimore City
See
a listing of past
honorees —and please support these stores and restaurants!
Festivals
& Events
See
the full
list of upcoming winery events.
Our 2010 festivals are already in the works!
Wine in the Woods
May 15-16, 2010
12 - 6pm
Symphony Woods
Columbia, Howard Co.
Chesapeake Bay
Wine Festival
June 5-6, 2010
12 - 6 pm
Stevensville, Queen Anne's Co.
Great Grapes! Wine, Arts and Food Festival
June 12-13, 2010
12 - 6 pm
Oregon Ridge Park
Cockeysville, Baltimore Co.
The 27th Anniversary Maryland Wine Festival®
September 18-19, 2010
Sat 10-6 pm, Sun 12-6 pm
Carroll County Farm Museum
Westminster, Carroll Co.
Learn More
There's so much more to learn about wine on our site!
• Food & wine pairings
• Guide to MD
grapes
• Know your limits
• History
of MD wine
• Profiles
of MD winemakers
• Wine industry statistics
• Read or submit FAQs
• MD wines winning
awards
There's
so much more information available on www.MarylandWine.com.
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December 2009 