Cheers from Vintage Connections 

As we said in last week's newsletter and blog, we're taking a break from writing but will be back September 1st.  

We're looking for guest writers.  If you want to review a wine or two or have an amusing anecdote about a wine or a visit to a winery, we'd love to hear from you.  We'll copy and share your tips and stories with our readers.   

Dean and Lisa Foster
 Vintage Connections: Wine Educators and Consultants


Quiz Winner and Quiz Answers

Congratulations to John Nase, whose name was pulled from a hat that included the names of all who answered all five questions correctly. 

1.  We love wine made from 100% Cabernet Franc.  However, it is often one of the "minor" blending grapes used in either (red) Bordeaux or (red) Meritage.

2. French Red Burgundy is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes.  

3. American, Hungarian, and French oak are often used to make wine barrels.  Which one is the most expensive? French

4.   Blaufrankisch and Lemberger are the same grape.   

5. French Chablis is made from what grape? Chardonnay

Thanks to all who entered!!    

Up-coming Events

We deleted past events but will not otherwise update this list until we return to writing on September 1.

Blair Vineyards
One-year Celebration
Saturday and Sunday August 13 and 14.

The next Happy Hour is September 9th!
Click to events for more details.

 

Vynecrest 

Music in the Vyneskeller every Saturday. 

 Click to events.  

Wine Down Cafe and Wine BarSparkling Wine Class
Monday, August 22nd 6:30-8:00pm
$25 per person.
Reservations Required by
  email to
benfranco@winedowncafe.net
(Vintage Connections is not teaching this class, but expect it will be excellent.)

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

Cheers from Vintage Connections  

For the past two months, we've been writing about nearby PA wineries and wine bars.  

This week, we're writing about the Seasonal Harvest Grill and Wine Bar near Glen Mills (Route 202, Wilmington Pike).   

This will be our last newsletter and blog for a few weeks.  We're taking a break but we'll be back September 1st. 
 
We're still looking for guest writers.  Even if you want to review a wine or two, have an amusing anecdote about a wine or a visit to a winery, we'd love to hear from you and share it with others.  Send it to us and we'll get it in the blog and newsletter!  


Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar

We first visited Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar (located in Glen Mills, PA) this spring. 
We had been visiting Longwood Gardens and decided to treat ourselves to dinner out.  What better place than a wine bar?  It's called "Seasonal Grill" because they change their menu each season and get many of their ingredients from local producers; from cheeses and meats to vegetables and fruits, and even wine (at that time they carried one wine from Paradox Winery.  We wish they carried more wine from PA wineries - hint, hint). 

The food was very good, healthy and fresh. 
The atmosphere was pleasant and relaxing and the service friendly and excellent (that just right combination of attentive, but not invasive).  We sat at a booth in the bar, but they have a large dining room and an outdoor seating area.
But we're here to talk about the wine! 

We were pleasantly surprised with their wine list.  They have an extensive wine list of wines from all over the world. 

There's a small selection of "house wines", both red and white, then a large selection of whites, reds, rose`s, sparklings, and ports/dessert wines.  Most of these are offered by the glass (a choice of 4 ounce or 7 ounce portions) or by the bottle, though there are some wines only available by the bottle. 

When we visited, they offered their wines in flights.  These consisted of 2 ounce servings of 3 different wines.  So, of course, that's what we tried! 

We ended up sharing 3 flights; two white and one red.  We tried wines from many different countries, in many different styles and liked every one!  They were all very good (some excellent) and sorry, we can't remember the names.

We found the entire dinner to be a pleasant experience and look forward to another visit next time we're down that way. 

For those of you with food allergies, they are also willing to accommodate food allergies as much as possible.  Just let them know you are coming and what your allergy is.



Quiz Time (easy this time)
One more chance!

Answers due by midnight, Sunday Aug. 7 to us at vintageconnections@comcast.net 

It's been too long since our last quiz and we have a Wine Box/Basket from Manatawny that we've been waiting to give away.

Five Easy Questions.

Get all 5 correct and we'll enter you into a drawing for the prize donated by Manatawny Creek Winery.  We will pull one winner from all those emailing all 5 correct answers to us by the deadline. 

"Correct" answers are those found in our Fun Facts.  The winner will be required to pick up their prize from us at a mutually agreeable location near Pottstown, PA. 

1.  We love wine made from 100% Cabernet Franc.  However, it is often one of the "minor" blending grapes used in ____.     

2. French Red Burgundy is made from 100% _____ grapes.  

3. American, Hungarian, and French oak are often used to make wine barrels.  Which one is the most expensive? _______

4.   Blaufrankisch and ___________ are the same grape.   

5. French Chablis is made from what grape? ___________

Email your answers to us at vintageconnections@comcast.net 

Up-coming Events

  

** Berks County Wine Trail  Members are all participating in  

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:

both days.

  

** Manatawny Creek Winery


** 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

Chef Jared Cohen will be on hand with another great menu including the Ahi Tuna Sushi Rolls, Sweet Chili Soy Chicken Wings, Hummus & Pita, Grilled Eggplant Babaganoush with Pita, as well as other great options. Wine can be purchased by the glass or bottle to be enjoyed with the delicious menu. No reservations necessary. Can't make it this month? The next Happy Hour is September 9th!

One-year Celebration, Saturday and Sunday August 13 and 14. 
Click to events.
 
** Calvaresi Winery
 

** Vynecrest 

Music in the Vyneskeller every Saturday.  

Winemaker Tour Saturday, August 6, 1 PM ($5 fee). 

 Click to events.  

Galen Glen

Walking Tour of the Vineyard, August 6 and 7 at  noon only.  Please wear sturdy foot gear. No reservations required and weather permitting.

Wine Down Cafe and Wine BarSparkling Wine Class
Monday, August 22nd 6:30-8:00pm
$25 per person.
Reservations Required by
  email to
benfranco@winedowncafe.net
(Vintage Connections is not teaching this class, but expect it will be excellent.)

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

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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