|
Go Green for St. Paddy's
What could be more sustainable and earth friendly than vineyards? Skip the green beer this year, and support green in a new way—drink Maryland wine! There are 600 acres of land under vine in the old line state- each sustaining land, preserving farms and promoting agritourism. And lucky for us Marylanders, this state is full of delicious local produce to pair with your local wine. Go Green for St. Paddy's Day and eat, drink, go local.
GrapeView: Blaüfrankisch/Lemberger
This grape suffers from what Tim Lewis at Cove Point Winery calls a “name-recognition problem.” The dark-skinned grape goes by over six different names depending on which area of the world it is grown. The fact that one if its names—Lemberger—often triggers thoughts of a well-known "stinky" cheese in consumers’ minds does not help the grape much, either.
In the United States, this relative to the Gamay grape can be called either Blaüfrankisch or Lemberger, yet few know what the wine it is capable of producing. It typically yields a dry, medium bodied, delicately fruity red that was a favorite of Napoleon Bonaparte.
In the U.S., Blaüfrankisch is grown primarily in New York and Washington State. It was brought to North America and was first established in Washington in 1941. Tim and Sheryl Lewis of Cove Point Winery are experimentally trying out this fine grape in Southern Maryland’s town of Lusby. The couple came across this varietal while visiting a vineyard in Pennsylvania.
Cove Point wine tasting notes state “this full bodied wine’s aromas are unique and inviting with black plums and black cherry undertones. The first sip yields cherry and berry flavors. The tannins are very soft, barely noticeable, but they contribute a very nice spiciness.”
It will be exciting to see if Maryland continues to explore Blaüfrankisch’s potential. “It is one of the few red vinifera's that can fully mature in cooler climates and retain a wonderful deep-red color,” Lewis raved.Read more online.
Industry Annual Meeting Draws Big Crowd
The Maryland wine/grape industry's annual meeting hosted 130 current and prospective winegrape growers in Oxon Hill on Saturday, March 6. Seminar topics focused on soil analysis, label design, use of social media to promote wineries, sampling of experimental grape varieties and also a tasting of MD's commercial white and red blends.
Volunteers Needed!
Wineries need volunteers for the upcoming festivals to help
pour wines. Volunteers typically work half a day and gain
complementary entry to the festival. Learn
more and offer your help!
|
Photo by Duane Heaton.
Frederick Co. Wine Fest
Get ready for Frederick County's first indoor wine festival—April 10 & 11 from 12-6 p.m. The wineries of the Frederick Wine Trail have joined together with the e-ventplex at the Frederick Fairgrounds, and a great array of local restaurants and artists to create this celebration of all things delicious in the Frederick area. Come on out to enjoy some fantastic local wines paired with great local fare. Learn more and buy tickets online!
MWA's Exec. Director Honored by MGGA
At the recent industry annual meeting, Maryland Grape Growers Association President Jennie Schmidt presented the Veraison Award to Maryland Wineries Association Executive Director Kevin Atticks for his contributions to Maryland's winegrape industry. Atticks has led the Maryland Wineries Association since 2002. "Veraison" is the point at which grapes turn color at the beginning of the ripening process.
MDWine TwitterHunt
Stay tuned to our Twitter updates during the month of March—we will ask you a question about Maryland wine, and the first person to respond will receive two free tickets to the 2010 MWA-sponsored festival of their choice!
Wine Industry News
Legislation We're Tracking Annapolis
• MD winery rule changes ripen in session
• MD Alcohol Beverage Tax Increase Proposed
• Wine Shipping BIll All Bottled Up in Annapolis
What the French Always Knew. A new study shows women who drink wine have less risk of being obese.
Quake-Stricken Chilean Wine. The major quake that recently struck Chile has greatly affected the wine industry, causing millions in damage.
Options Expand or Lighter, Exotic Bottles. New technology helps to make bottles lighter and greener.
|
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
177 Liquors
Pasadena, Anne Arundel Co.
Restaurant of the Month
Maggie's Restaurant
Westminster, Carroll Co.
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.
|
March 2010 