Cheers from Vintage Connections  

Wine Educators and Consultants    

 Please support Mom's House of Phoenixville and the  

Pottstown Regional Public Library through their up-coming wine tasting events.  Basic information is available in the Up-coming events column of this blog.  More information is available in our Grapevine blog last week.

We'll be presenting and talking about some very good wines that are available at many local PLCB stores. 

Dean and Lisa Foster 

Wine Tip of the Week #1

Clos LaChance Hummingbird Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

This dry red wine from the Central Coast of California is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and small amounts of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to make up the last 7% of this Bordeaux-style blend.  

It is deep dark ruby red in color and has aromas of dark red berries and anise.  Flavors of black currants and plums are gently subtle.  It is best to allow this wine to sit open for about one hour previously to drinking.  It has well-balanced tannins and a long-lasting finish.  Alcohol is 13.5% by volume.  PLCB Product code is 32236 and is currently a Chairman's Select.  This is a great bargain at

$7.99 a bottle. (quoted at $18.00 a bottle).  It is available at most PA Wine and Spirit Stores. 

We will be pairing this wine with Carved Top Round of Beef  at the up-coming fund-raising dinner for  Mom's House in Phoenixville. Register by clicking on this link or call 610 935-7711.

Wine Tip of the Week #2

Llai Llai Chardonnay 2009

This 100% Chardonnay wine comes from the Bio Bio Valley in Chile.  Llai Llai is light yellow in color with light aromas of fresh flowers and delicate oak.    It is able to ripen slowly in the climate of the Bio Bio Valley which allows the fresh tropical fruit flavors to come through with a light minerality.  It has a long and pleasant finish.  Alcohol is 13.3% by volume and residual sugar at 2.6 g/L (which is still very dry).  PLCB product code is 18797 and sells for $12.99 at many PA Wine and Spirit Stores.    

 We will be using this wine at the up-coming

Pottstown Regional Library fund-raiser.  Register by calling  (610) 970-6551.

Fun Fact

As a general guideline, Chardonnay is best served at 55 degrees.  If served  cooler, the fruit flavors are lost.  At  warmer temperatures  the oak flavors become too strong and the wine begins to taste dull.  To achieve the 55 degree optimum temperature for Chardonnay, chill in the refrigerator approximately 2 hours, in the freezer for 15 minutes and on ice for 5 minutes. This varies somewhat depending on the specific Chardonnay but it's easier to warm the wine a bit by cupping the glass in your hands than it is to cool it more after serving.

Up-coming Events 

Schuylkill River Festival Saturday, October 8,

11 AM - 4 PM

Riverfront Park in Pottstown

This is not a wine event but we will be there demonstrating geocaching.  

Fun for the entire family.

** Berks County Wine Trail  Members are all participating in  

Artisan Wine & Cheese Pairing Weekend   

October 8th & 9th
Noon to 5:00 PM both days!

** Pinnacle Ridge

Jazz and Blues in the Barn 

Sunday, Oct. 9 

click to events 

** Manatawny Creek Winery 

** Blair Vineyards
  
** Calvaresi Winery

** Vynecrest 

Music in the Vyneskeller every Saturday, 1-4:30 PM 

 Click to events.  

Galen Glen

Mom's House  
Benefit Wine Dinner

at Columbia Station

Robert Ryan Catering

 Phoenixville

(new location and food)
Friday, October 21
Begins promptly at 6:30 PM
$75/person
$525 for table of 8

click to website for reservations

Pottstown Public Library
Benefit Wine Tasting
Saturday, November 5
Begins promptly at 6:30 PM
$40 per person
Call Library at 610-970-6551

Contact Vintage Connections to arrange a customized wine seminar, wine tasting, wine and food pairing, or any kind of wine related event.