Cheers from Vintage Connections  

During June and July we're writing about nearby PA wineries and wine bars.  The weather is great (a bit hot last week and next) and there are lots of fun activities, in addition to tasting wine, going on at PA wineries.  Take some time, take a drive, and enjoy!  

This week, we're writing short features about three wineries.  

Next week, we'll write about two wine bars we've visited and liked.  After that, we'll take a short break but invite our readers to contribute as "guest writers" for this newsletter and Grapevine blog.

Allegro Vineyards and Winery Outdoors at Allegro Allegro was one of our early favorites many years ago when we started visiting PA wineries.  Carl is the winemaker and makes some superb dry reds, along with a great chardonnay, and then a full line of semi-sweet, sweet, and dessert wines (Jazz has been a favorite). In addition to the winery near Brogue, PA, Allegro wines are sold at five other locations including the Red Rose Wine Tasting Room in Lancaster, owned by Tamanend (which we featured last week). We often combined a trip to Allegro with visits to other wineries on the Mason Dixon Wine Trail , which includes wineries for south central PA and north central MD,  especially the  Fiore Winery .  Allegro charges a tasting fee and limits the number of tastes as do many wineries these days.  They also have music at the winery on Saturdays from 2-5 PM in July.  Since we are keeping this week's info short, visit their website for more information.

Calvaresi Winery

Calvaresi has also been one of our long time favorite PA wineries.  Tom Calvaresi is the owner and winemaker.  He started making wine in the basement of his row home in Reading many years ago and eventually bought land and established his winery on top of a hill just north of Reading near Bernville.  Tom buys grapes and juice from reliable farmers and vineyards and focuses on making excellent, affordable wine rather than spending his time farming and tending vineyards.  However, the view from his winery is beautiful and is another reason, in addition to excellent and affordable wines, to visit him at the winery.

Calvaresi is on open Thursday through Sunday and does not charge a tasting fee.  Tom still uses small plastic cups for tastings (to keep his cost down) so we take our own glasses (we always have wine glasses and corkscrew in the car). 

Check out his website for more information.

Waltz Vineyards and Winery

Waltz opened their winery, located in Lancaster County, in 2008.  They began their vineyards in 1997, grow most of their own grapes, and so make excellent, traditional vinifera wines, aged in French Oak.   

 

Because of the meticulous care taken in their vineyards and their exclusive use of French Oak, the wines are relatively expensive compared to most (but not all) PA wineries.  Only two wines are priced under $20, and they charge an $8 tasting fee for a selection of wine paired with artisan cheeses.  For those of you who want to experience a more upscale, traditional winery, visit Waltz.  More information is available at their website 

Up-coming Events

** Berks County Wine Trail Members

Christmas In August!
Saturday August 6th & Sunday August 7th
Noon to 5 PM

Enjoy "Cool Wine Treats" paired with featured wines of the region...and get a jump on your holiday shopping, too!

Join the wineries of the **Berks County Wine Trail for this festive event:


** Manatawny Creek Winery

Saturday, July 23th, Anniversary Festival
Music by Acoustic Vuja De.

** Pinnacle Ridge
August 7
Jazz and Blues in the Barn
Click to events.

** Blair Vineyards
Happy Hour
at the winery
First Friday (August 5), 5:30-8:30
Click to events.

** Calvaresi Winery

** Vynecrest
Music in the Vyneskeller every Saturday.
Click to events.

Galen Glen
Walking Tour of the Vineyard, every Saturday and Sunday in July, noon only. 

 Fun Fact   

French oak imparts a more subtle, rounded flavor to wine than does American or Hungarian oak.  That's because of the nature and "flavor" of the woods itself, and because the pores of the wood are more dense than American and Hungarian oak, moderating the oak influence.  French oak, however, cost twice as much or more than do oaks from the US and Hungary, adding to the cost of wine aged in French oak.