Cheers from Vintage Connections  

We're back from taking a much-needed break.

We're going to experiment with writing our newsletter and blog about twice a month.  And, we welcome guest writers to contribute.  Send us your wine reviews, etc., we'll edit as needed and post in our Vintage Connections Wine Newsletter and on this Grapevine blog in the Pottstown Mercury.

Dean and Lisa Foster 

 Vintage Connections: Wine Educators and Consultants

  
Wine Tip of the Week

The Deck Carmenere 2006

  

This week's wine tip was provided by our wine friends and loyal readers, Bob and Jacki.  Thanks! 

We have trouble finding a Carmenere that we like, often because they are just a bit too dense for us without much, if any, hint of fruit.    

The Deck Carmenere 2006 from Chile (of course) overcomes that problem blending in small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Malbec.    

The 2008 vintage of this wine is available in PA by Special Liquor Order (SLO) from the PLCB, code 504259, with a minimum of 12 bottles at $17.49 per bottle.  If you're traveling to other states, you may find this wine by the bottle, maybe at a lower cost.   

Below is the information provided by Bob and Jacki.  This may be more technical data than some of you would like to know, but we've found some of our friends and readers, especially the winemakers who read our newsletter and blog, find this level of detail interesting.  

TASTING NOTES

Dark red color. In the nose it has red cherries and plums with a touch of toasty oak. Hints of chocolate and berries. Round tannins, soft but well structure.  (We agree!) 

  

APPELLATION: Central Valley (Chile)

 

HARVEST

Hand picked. Depending on the variety, between end of March to

beginning of May.

VINEYARDS

Grapes coming from vineyards located in Maule and Rapel Valleys. The soil is stony and shallow.

WINEMAKING

Grapes were cold macerated for 2 days. Fermented in stainless steel tanks at a temperature between  25° and 28° C.  Malolactic fermentation done in tanks. 40% of the blend was aged with American and French oak. Macerated for 15 days. 

Up-coming Events

   

** Berks County Wine Trail  Members are all participating in  

Artisan Wine & Cheese Pairing Weekend  October 8th & 9th

Noon to 5:00 PM both days!

** Manatawny Creek Winery 

Harvest Festival, Saturday, September 17
Music by AKA from 2-5 PM, winery tours, food and crafters.
Click to events.

** Pinnacle Ridge
Blues in the Barn and Harvest Weekend, September 10-11
Click to events.

** Blair Vineyards
Happy Hour
at the winery
Friday, September 9
5:30-8:30

Harvest Weekend
September 24-25 
Wine, food, music
 Click to events.
  
** Calvaresi Winery
Fall Evening Wine Festival
Saturday - September 10, 2011
6:00 - 10:00 pm
click to events

** Vynecrest 

Music in the Vyneskeller every Saturday.  

Winemaker Tour Saturday, Sept 10, 1 PM 

 Click to events.  

Galen Glen

Walking Tour of the Vineyard, Sept 3, 4, 5, at  noon only.  Please wear sturdy foot gear. No reservations required and weather permitting.

Harvest Weekend

Sept 10-11

Wagon and Tractor Tours

click to events

Lehigh Valley Wine Trail
All participating wineries.
See website for listing.

Harvest Weekend - The Butcher, The Baker and The Winemaker

September 10 & 11, 2011
click to events

Fun Fact
Carmenere is one of the original six grapes permitted in red Bordeaux, although it is rarely grown or used in Bordeaux today.  When it was transplanted from France to Chile in the 19th century, Carmenere was often confused with Merlot. 

Web Links

The Grapevine Pottstown Mercury Wine Blog    

(read our past 80+ posts)

Calvaresi Winery

Manatawny Creek Winery

Pinnacle Ridge Winery 

Blair Winery and Vineyards

Galen Glen Winery and Vineyards 

Vynecrest Vineyards and Winery  

Berks County Wine Trail

Brandywine Valley Wine Trail

Lehigh Valley Wine Trail   

Winedown Cafe and Wine Bar  

Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar

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