Wine Tips of the Week # 4 – Blair Vineyard Chardonnay and Marchesi di Barolo, Maraia 2007 Barbera Monferrato

We will be discussing and tasting both of these wines as two of the six wines featured at the "Wine after Five, Wine and Dine Tasting Seminar" at Churchill’s in Pottstown on December 11.  Call Churchill's at 484-941-5100 for reservations.

Churchill’s Website is located at http://churchillinc.net/

Blair Vineyard Chardonnay
Blair Vineyards is a family-owned and operated vineyard and winery near Mertztown, PA.   Blair makes a variety of wines, mostly dry reds and whites.  They have been making Chardonnay in several styles using French and American oak.  These different styles and vintages of Chardonnay, as well as many other excellent wines, are available at their tasting room near Mertztown.  The tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday, 12-5 PM or by appointment (610-682-0075).  However, many Blair wines are available at Frecon Farms near Boyertown.  Call Frecon for their seasonal hours (610-367-6200). 

Blair Vineyard Website is located at http://www.blairvineyards.com/whitewines.htm

Frecon Farms Website is located at http://www.freconfarms.com/

We tasted all of Blair’s chardonnays, fermented and aged in oak in the Burgundian style.  The 2005 was fermented and aged in both French and American oak.  In 2005 they also made a Chardonnay Reserve from the free run juice.  For 2006, Blair aged half of his chardonnay in American oak and half in French oak.  We could really taste the differences among the different styles and vintages, and truly liked them all.  We especially like the 2005 Chardonnay fermented and aged in both French and American oak.  It is very fruit-forward with hints of melon and vanilla, with light toast flavors and a long finish.  It has 12.5% alcohol so is not hot or harsh like some chardonnays from California or Australia.


Marchesi di Barolo, Maraia 2007 Barbera Monferrato
Marchesi de Barolo is an historic vineyard located in the Piedmont area of Italy.  Maraia means “little rascal” in Italian and is a fitting name for this easy-drinking red 100% Barbera wine.  This is a medium-bodied red wine with plenty of fruit and a pleasant dryness that unfolds to an attractively robust flavor and a long finish.  It is splendid with red meats, but also goes well with pork, veal and even turkey.  It has 13.5% alcohol by volume.  The Marchesi di Barolo, Maraia 2007 Barbera Monferrato is available at most PA Wine and Spirit stores.

The PLCB website is http://www.lcb.state.pa.us/