Author wpawinepirate

Strike Up The Band

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Common musical notes

     One of the most relaxing things that I can think of doing is to take my chair to an outdoor concert and spend the evening sipping wine with my wife and friends.  The festive atmosphere created by a musical performance is being used by wineries to attract new customers to their facilities.  These concerts range from nationally known acts to local solo artists and they cover just about every known genre of music imaginable. 

     The Seattle, Washington area is extremely fortunate to have the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery within easy access because this winery presents an outstanding calendar of events each summer.  Chateau Ste. Michelle has been hosting live performances since 1984 in an intimate amphitheater setting that has made the Chateau Ste. Michelle Summer Concert Series one of the Pacific Northwest great music venues.  Go to www.Ste-Michelle.com for more information.

     Traveling east to the Finger Lakes Region of New York you can find music at numerous wineries located around these beautiful glacial lakes.  Winestock is a wine, food and music festival that will be celebrated on Saturday, June 16th at Three Brothers Winery on Seneca Lake.  If you would like to make plans to attend please go to www.winestock2012.eventbrite.com/ for more detailed information.

     Let’s turn south to Western Pennsylvania and the Stone Villa Winery in Acme where you can enjoy a show and a glass of wine next to a picturesque lake on the grounds of the winery.  A complete calendar of events and contact information is available at www.StoneVilla.com.

     Our final stop will be Greensburg, Pennsylvania where the Summer Sounds Concerts will be held 7:00 every Friday evening from June 1st through August 31st.  These free shows are presented at the Robertshaw Pavillion in St. Clair Park thanks to the support of volunteers along with corporate sponsorship and donations from concert goers.  Additional information and schedules can be found at www.SummerSounds.com.  I sincerely urge you to attend these events and support the businesses and organizations that promote them in your area.  

Frankly Scarlet !

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moscato party !

moscato party ! (Photo credit: portobeseno)

     I will use the next few posts to look at light bodied wines that I believe would be good choices for your summer outings.  I like the lighter wines for warm weather entertaining because they are easy to drink and allow you to enjoy the company of friends and family without having to worry about what wines to serve.  Beringer Red Moscato 2011 fits nicely into this category by being light with fresh fruit flavors and a floral aroma.  It is a little sweet but often described as “not too sweet or not too dry with a smooth refreshing finish”.  This deep scarlet colored Moscato is produced in Argentina from a blend of Moscato, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah grapes and bottled in the Napa Valley of California.  I don’t think you will be disappointed if you take this one with you to the park for an evening concert under the stars.

Smell the Rose

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     Well it is Memorial Day weekend, the official start of summer with all of its festivities.  It is also the unofficial start of Rosé season, conditions are perfect for this wine to really shine in all of its styles. Rosé is made in many styles from very dry to sweet along with a wide range of sparkling wines.  There is no need to over think your Rosé purchase  I recommend just reading the tasting notes and picking

A glass being full of rosé wine

A glass being full of rosé wine (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 one that sounds good.  Mas de Guiot Rosé 2010 sounded good to me because it is made in the traditional dry crisp style of a Southern French Rosé.  This wine has a deeper Rosé color than do most Rosés along with a dry finish.  This can be attributed to the blend of grapes that is mainly Grenache with some Syrah and a little Mourverde.  I think the winery notes say it best “Fresh with bright red licorice and ripe cherry notes backed by a stony hint.  Very tasty.”  This is a P.A.L.C.B. store online exclusive with the product code 20370 and a WA rating of 88.  It is also has an unbeatable price of $7.99 on sale from $12.99

Related articles

Wine Tasting

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     The Monongahela Area Library Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour Fundraiser was held Saturday evening under a spectacular blue sky at the Ripepi Winery and Vineyard.  The guests were treated to a vineyard tour by owner and winemaker Rich Ripepi.  Rich kept the crowd entertained with his ability to weave his encyclopedic wine knowledge and storytelling together to create an atmosphere of fun, humor and learning.  We returned from the vineyard to find our tables had been set with a variety of cheeses to complement that evenings wines.  Rich conducted the tasting with a detailed explanation of each wine while fielding questions.  I had a great time at this event and urge any wine lover to take any opportunity to meet and talk to a seasoned winemaker because their abilities are truly impressive.  Rich Ripepi has reason to be proud knowing that four of his wines had just won medals at two different wine competitions.

The 36th Annual International Eastern Wine Competition in Santa Rosa, CA:    Niagra – Silver Medal      De Chaunac – Silver Medal      

The Finger Lakes International Wine Competition: Diamond- Silver Medal    Vidal Blanc – Bronze Medal

Congratulations to all the members of the Ripepi Winery family.

 

Winemaker

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     Winemaker Rich Ripepi informs and entertains the crowd gathered at the Ripepi Winery and Vineyard for the Monongahela Area Library Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour. 

Grape Blossoms

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     Grape blossoms at the Ripepi Vineyard.

Roll Out The Barrels

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     American Oak barrels rest on the floor of the Ripepi Winery.

Picnic Basket Wine

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A green wine grape.

A green wine grape. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

     I have just finished another enjoyable white wine from the New York Finger Lakes Region.  Swedish Hill Vineyards in Romulus produced my latest subject for review and it is Cayuga White 2010.  This wine is a light bodied semi dry that is crisp with aromas of apple and floral notes.  I think this wine would be a perfect choice for a picnic on a warm summer day.  Imagine reaching into a cooler and pulling out a bottle of Cayuga White and pouring a glass while sitting under a large oak tree in a lush meadow.  These were probably the same images that the researchers at Cornell University had in mind when they developed the Cayuga White grape for the Finger Lakes Region.  What they were thinking is open to debate but what is not in doubt is that they did an excellent job at the NYS Agricultural Station in Geneva, NY when they perfected this variety of wine grape.  All I have to say is “Job well done and Thank You”  

Party Time!!!

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Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting (Photo credit: gibsonsgolfer)

     The Friends of the Monongahela Area Library will be hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, May 19th from 5:30 P.M. until ?.  The event will be held at the Ripepi Winery and Vineyards located at 93 Van Voorhis Lane Monongahela, PA.  The evening will feature wine tastings and vineyard tours along with other activities.  This is an excellent opportunity to get a close look at the Ripepi Winery and Vineyards plus the added benefit of helping out an organization that provides essential services to the community.  Tickets cost $25 and are available at the Monongahela Library 813 W. Main St Monongahela Pa. 724-258-5409.  Hope to see you there. 

Why Wait?

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WAIT HERE I HAVE GONE TO GET HELP

WAIT HERE I HAVE GONE TO GET HELP (Photo credit: thefuturistics)

     I just could not wait any longer to open the bottle of Pinot Project 2010 that I bought in New York City.  It was very drinkable and was well worth the under $20 price.  It is hard to find an enjoyable bottle of Pinot Noir for a reasonable price but the Pinot Project 2010 did provide a satisfying wine that can be poured for friends during a relaxed evening at home.  I do want to repeat a recommendation from an earlier post (Keeping Score) and it is Louis Latour Volnay 2007.  I think you would like either of these wines but since the PA L.C.B. stores do not stock the Pinot Project you will be happier with the Louis Latour Volnay.