Wine Tips - Blair Vineyards Lower Block Pinot Noir

Blair Vineyards

Owned and operated by Richard and Carol Blair and their five children, Blair Vineyards is a delightful mixture of modern technology and traditional wine making.  Their new facility at 99 Dietrich Valley Road, near Kutztown, is filled with some of the latest wine making equipment including a "SK Punch Down Station" which gently punches down Pinot Noir grapes to produce the the highest quality juice possible. Rich is the only winemaker in the USA that uses this advanced piece of equipment.

The beautiful building houses not only a large, beautiful tasting room, but the complete winery as well.  The crush pad is at ground level while the tank and barrel rooms are 18 feet below ground, allowing the juice to flow freely by gravity without the use of pumps.  The building is surrounded by breathing-taking views of the vineyards and countryside.  Here, Rich and his staff create delicious wines in the time-honored European, mostly Burgundian, style.  
 
Rich and Carol's daughter Missy expertly handles the tasting room.  You will often find her there with her two beautiful daughters.  Missy keeps her tasting room staff up to date not only on Blair Vineyards' wines but also about the world of wine in general, insuring each visitor with an exceptional wine tasting experience.  

Blair Vineyards Lower Block Pinot Noir 
Blair produces several different Pinot Noirs, along with several chardonnays, a Bordeaux-type blend called Wedding Cuveee, and several other excellent wines.

We chose their Bordeaux-type blend, Wedding Cuvee, for our Pennsylvania Wines class on October 14 at Montgomery County Community College in Pottstown.  We will be using Blair Vineyard's Lower Block Pinot Noir at the benefit wine dinner for Mom's House on October 23.  This excellent Pinot Noir is brilliant garnet in color with earthy aromas and flavors of black cherry. 

Wines of Pennsylvania class

Thursday, October 14, at Montgomery County Community College's Pottstown Campus.

We got so excited about these wines, we bought extra so you can still register until 4 PM the day of the class, this Thursday, October 14.  Class begins at 6:30 PM and will last until about 9 PM.

We have chosen 6 wonderful wines from 6 local wineries. There are over 100 commercial wineries in PA and these are six of the best.

Galen Glen Winery 2009 Gewutztraminer - This German style wine won a gold medal at the recent 2010 Finger Lakes International Wine competition. 

Calvaresi Winery 2009 Riesling - Typically a German wine, this delicious Pennsylvania Riesling has become the signature wine of Calvaresi Winery.  Made in the Germanic style, it is fermented slowly in stainless steel tanks.  It has a fresh tropical fruit aroma with sweet floral scents, but is not sweet on the palate.  Beautifully balanced acidity makes this a great pairing with spicy Asian food.

Manatawny Creek Winery 2007 Cabernet Franc - Aged primarily in Pennsylvania oak barrels, this richly-colored, aromatic red wine contains hints of tobacco, cherry and herbal notes. The perfect accompaniment to Filet Mignon!

Pinnacle Ridge Winery 2008 Chambourcin -  This signature Pennsylvania Wine won a silver medal at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Wine Competition, and a bronze medal at the Pennsylvania Wine Competition.  It is aged 10 months in Pennsylvania oak barrels and displays an intense fruit aroma. It is full-bodied and has dark fruit flavors with toasty oak overtones.  Great with savory foods and pasta. 

Blair Vineyards 2005 Wedding Cuvee - This rich full-bodied dry red wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  It was aged for 20 months in oak barrels.  It has aromas of coffee, licorice and blackberries with dark fruit flavors.  It has a medium finish and is great when paired with grilled steaks.

Vynecrest Vineyards and Winery 2009 Lemberger -  This deep, dark red dry wine is Vynecrest Winery's "Flagship" wine. Originally it was grown primarily in Austria where it is also known as Blaufrankisch. It received a bronze medal at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Wine Competition.  With aromas of black cherries, it has rich bold flavors with hints of raspberries and blackberries.  Great with hearty winter foods like pot roast. 

UPCOMING EVENTS
(click on the highlighted links)
 
MCCC Classes
See page 11 of the flier.
Call 610.718.1861 to register.

Wines of PA
Thursday October 14
6:30-9 PM

Wines of the Finger Lakes
Thursday, October 28 6:30-9 PM
 

Mom's House Benefit Wine Dinner

Saturday, October 23

Five course dinner, each course paired with a different wine.  Kimberton Arts Center  6:30 PM, $75 per person or $525 for a table of 8.

Contact us to schedule an event in your home, at your business, or for your organization.  

Fun Fact

The Pinot Noir grape cluster is a tightly packed cluster looking vaguely pine cone shaped.  The grapes themselves are very dark purple.  The French, therefore, called the grape Pinot (pine) Noir (black).

Congratulations to Bob and Jacki Folwell, winners of the first quiz.  They choose a free ticket to Mom's House "Wine Tasting Celebration" on October 23.