Have You Been to Any of These Winter Wine Festivals?

Over the past three decades, winter wine festivals and winter wine activities have become increasingly popular, attracting thousands of wine lovers across the US. Many different cities each host their own festival, which offers great opportunities for wine lovers to travel, explore the country, try new foods, and, of course, taste different types of wines. For those of you interested in expanding your wine knowledge, enjoying sightseeing, and experiencing different foods, here are some winter wine activities that you will love!

1. Christkindlmarkt.  Located in the center of Chicago's loop district is the Christkindlesmarkt (there are two locations now). The winter wine festival usually runs from November 16 to December 24 each year, with an atmosphere more like a food festival. Besides sweet and savory foods, including candies, many new wines and German beer are available. Admission is free. The place does get crowded, and reservations for a table are recommended.

2. Winter Wineland – Northern Sonoma County, California. This is the place to come if you want to experience the taste of quality wines from many wineries. The festival offers a great opportunity to taste limited-production wines, library wines, and new releases. In addition, there are several hundred participating vendors, and you can even join the winemakers for a casual Northern California breakfast. 

3. Taos Winter Wine Fest – New Mexico. This festival lasts for four days and features exotic foods and wines in 24 nearby Taos restaurants and over three dozen wineries. The festival is held in the scenic village of Taos Ski Valley, where you can also spend time doing snow-related activities. 

4. Winter Wine Festival – New Castle, New Hampshire. This month-long wine and food festival is held at the posh location of Wentworth by the Sea hotel. Located on a tiny island on the New Hampshire coast, it is the ultimate wine festival with premium wines from around the world. 

5. Naples Winter Wine Festival – Naples, Florida. This is perhaps the most prestigious charity wine auction. Guests enjoy Michelin-quality foods with top-quality wines during romantic dinners in private homes. Of course, the festival fee is not cheap, and there are only a limited number of tickets available each year. 

6. New York Ice Wine & Culinary Festival – Fairport, New York. This winter wine festival showcases the traditional ice wines made in this region. The winter wine activities include wine tasting, ice wine seminars, horse-drawn wagon rides, and plenty of food. In 2023, it will be the 8th annual New York Ice Wine & Culinary Festival. The location for the festival is Casa Larga Vineyards in Fairport, New York. The one-day festival ran on Feb 13, 2023, from 11 am to 6 pm. There is an admission fee that covers the wine tasting and winter wine activities.

7. Long Island WinterFest – Long Island, New York. This is fast becoming a major winter attraction for wine lovers. The four-week winter wine, music, and performing arts festival takes place in many historical venues, hotels, and breweries. It runs from February 1 to March 21 (2023). There are numerous wine and beer-tasting venues with a range of local restaurant options.

8. South Beach Wine & Food Festival – Miami Beach, Florida, is a five-day winter wine festival that attracts some of the best winemakers, chefs, and culinary personalities. The event takes place at various locations in south Florida and attracts thousands of people. The festival runs from February 23 to 26, 2023, at various locations in Miami-Dade and Broward County. There is plenty of food to eat.  Prices depend on the type of event and package.

9. Vancouver International Wine Festival -- Vancouver, BC. Step outside of the US! A visit to the largest wine festival in Canada is highly recommended. Besides top-quality wines and delicious food, there is a champagne reception followed by a Bacchanalia gala dinner. More of a Spring fest, the festival will take place between April 22-30, 2023, at the Vancouver Convention Centre and other venues in Vancouver.

11. San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival -- San Diego. This festival offers some of the best scenery for wine lovers. The sandy beaches, sailboats, and tranquil Pacific Ocean provide the ideal backdrop for the wine festival that is held in November each year. The weeklong festival attracts both domestic and international wineries with celebrity chefs and legendary winemakers. This crowd-pleasing wine festival is always jam-packed and will run in the fall, between November 8 - 12, 2023. 

Choose one or more of these fantastic winter wine festival experiences and make great memories!

The Taste of Chenin Blanc vs. Sauvignon Blanc

Two famous French white wines that are popular globally include Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Both these wines tend to have moderate alcohol content and be high in acidity, while the flavor profile does vary on how the wine was prepared. What are some of the differences and similarities between Chenin Blanc vs. Sauvignon Blanc?

CHENIN BLANC

Chenin Blanc taste is known for its rich flavors, which include nuts, honey, and quince. It pairs well with shrimp and lighter seafood dishes, pasta, and poultry dishes. If you are looking for a wine to serve with complex dishes, the Chenin Blanc taste will be your “go-to” choice because of its richness, its flavor variety, and the fact that it makes a good balance between dry and sweet foods. Chenin Blanc can be found as a dry wine or a sweet wine; you can even find Chenin Blanc sparkling wine.  On average, it has a fuller body than Sauvignon Blanc with a slightly higher alcohol content. Typically, the Chenin Blanc taste seems to appeal to more people.

SAUVIGNON BLANC

The flavors of Sauvignon Blanc can generally be described as crisp with notes of grapefruit, gooseberry, and passionfruit which pair well with cheeses and more fatty dishes.  Some wine connoisseurs consider Sauvignon almost always a dry wine, while others describe some Sauvignon Blanc wines to be slightly sweet.  Once again, personal opinion and preference reign supreme. Sauvignon Blanc tends to have a crisper, fresher taste. Warm weather occasions that occur outside are ideal to serve Sauvignon Blanc.

BOTH GRAPES CAN BE FINICKY TO GROW

Unlike other grapes, when weighing Chenin Blanc vs. Sauvignon Blanc, both types of grapes can be finicky, and growth can be unpredictable. However, with the right environmental conditions, these two wines have unique flavors that can mimic sake, coleslaw, or jasmine. And, unlike other white wines, both Chenin Blanc vs. Sauvignon Blanc have higher alcohol concentrations, reaching close to 15 percent in some blends.

2018 HAHN HILL VINEYARD CHENIN BLANC

The 2018 Hahn Hill Vineyard Chenin Blanc is an exquisite choice because it hails from one of the best vineyards in the region of the Columbia and Yakima Valleys.  The grapes are grown among some of the oldest vines in the valleys.  Native yeasts are used in the fermentation process and the usage of stainless-steel tanks helps maintain the crisp character of the grapes. It is especially appealing when served with Mediterranean foods, soft cheeses, and grilled fish.

Is There Skiing in Washington State?

While Washington state is well known for its rainy weather, the state is also well known for its prolific snowfalls, which make it a great place to ski. As of 2023, there are 13 open ski resorts in the state, most of which are located in the Cascade Mountain Range between North Cascade and Mount Rainier national parks. There are at least half a dozen ski resorts located within one to two hours of Seattle.  No need to ask, “Is there skiing in Washington state?” Just pack up and go!

Washington ski slopes are affordable, less crowded than some other more famous ski destinations, and they are family-friendly. The slopes in Washington cater to both beginning and professional skiers. Some of the best ski resorts in Washington include:

• Summit at Snoqualmie
• Crystal Mountain Resort
• Stevens Pass
• Mission Ridge
• Mount Baker

The biggest ski resort in the state is Wenatchee – Mission Ridge (with a total slope length of nearly 100 km). The highest ski resort for skiing at an altitude of 2,137 meters can be found at Crystal Mountains Resort, but no matter which ski resort you visit in Washington, there are plenty of skiing and snow-related activities to be enjoyed. One of the favorite activities, après skiing, is enjoying a wonderful glass of wine near a nice, warm fireplace.

DRINKS AFTER SKIING

Is there skiing in Washington state? But of course! There are excellent wines available, too! Washington state has it all: mountains, beautiful scenery, ski slopes, verdant valleys, and rich soil that produces great wines. Wines that are great for drinks after skiing include our own:

1. 2021 Pacific Rim Wicked Good Red – this wine is delightful, offering a taste of juicy dark berries. Grown in Shano Silt Loam and put through a fermentation process by professionals, it is the perfect drink after skiing.
2. 2019 Rainstorm Pinot Noir – the fruit for this wine comes from the finest grape growers in Washington’s own Willamette Valley. With a bouquet blend of strawberry, cranberry, and rosehip flavors, this medium ruby-red wine adds the taste of delicious red berries, pomegranate, and cherry.
3. 2018 Vin de Glaciere Riesling – for drinks après skiing, this is one of the best choices. This is a dessert wine with hints of honey, pear, and jasmine. The natural acidity of the grapes is preserved, thus resulting in the quintessential sweetness that pairs well with cheesecake, blue cheeses, and fruit tarts. So add a little bite of dessert to your drinks after skiing and enjoy after a day full of fun and physical activity – now is the time to rest and relax.

Skiing is a fun pastime enjoyed by many people, but most people would agree that the best part about visiting the ski slopes is the après ski activities, which is when the real fun begins. Is there skiing in Washington state? Plan your ski trip today and now you know how to top off your time after skiing.

Some of Our Favorite Unique Wines

Did you know that the State of Washington is gaining popularity as part of “Wine Country”?  Many people think of California as Wine Country, but Washington state has made numerous inroads to claiming that title as well. Washington offers many unique wines. The wines are unique due to the soil and climate of the region, as well as the unique production techniques designed to get the very best from these very special grapes. Read the story here.

Washington’s history of grape growing goes back about 200 years, but it is only over the past 40 years that the wine industry has kicked up the pace and become competitive. In the 1980s, the state only had about two dozen wineries, but today there are over 1,000, with at least four new wineries opening each month. 

Due to the state’s favorable weather, rich soil, and environmental conditions, Washington state cultivates a wide range of grapes that include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Riesling. Many of these wineries are located in the Columbia Valley in the southeast corner of the state, traversing the Oregon border. Columbia Valley contains many important regions, including Yakima Valley, Walla Walla, Horse Heaven, and many others.

Columbia Valley is relatively new to unique world wines. First established in 1984, it has become the largest wine-producing region in the state. The area contains over 50,000 acres of vineyards (or about 99 percent of Washington’s wine country), making it even larger than NAPA Valley, which has 45,000 acres.

Today, Washington is the second largest producer of wines in the United States, making over 80 varieties from its 20 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). Out of the 80 wine varietals, there are five wines that make up nearly three-quarters of the region’s production, and they include Cabernet Sauvignon. Riesling, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Merlot.

While Cabernet Sauvignon and other red wines reign supreme, white wines are also fast catching on. In fact, Washington is the second largest producer of Riesling, only behind Germany.

The key reasons for the success of Washington wineries and their unique wines include a modern way of making wine, as evidenced by consumers who now prefer light, sweet, and low alcohol-containing wines compared to wines that have high levels of alcohol and tannins.

ICE WINE RIESLING

The 2016 Hahn Hill Vineyard Ice Wine Riesling is composed of grapes grown in the soil of Yakima Valley’s basalt bedrock. The Selenium Vineyard sits at an altitude of 1,200 feet above sea level and faces south.  The frozen berries, harvested in December, are pressed together and the resulting concentration of juice is fermented with R2 yeasts while cold. Its taste is of lilac and lemon with biting acidity and high sugar level. Unique wines of this type pair well with bread and cheese.

CHENIN BLANC

The 2018 Hahn Hill Vineyard Chenin Blanc is, like the Ice Wine Riesling above, also composed of grapes fertilized in the basalt bedrock soil with wind-blown loess.  The grapes are harvested from some of the oldest vines in Yakima Valley.  The flavors in this Chenin Blanc choice are pear, grapefruit, and quince, with hints of melon and key lime.  It is fermented with yeasts native to the area in stainless steel tanks, which helps preserve the crispness of its character.  It is delightful with Mediterranean foods, fish, and cheeses.

NOBLE WINE

The 2012 Selenium Vineyard Noble Wine comes from grapes grown in the Selenium Vineyard in Yakima Valley.  The vines face south/southeast and have a thin soil base, which encourages them to dig deeply into the rich soil to find the nutrients they need. This choice among unique world wines is a very rare botrytized Riesling that is 100 percent true to its name. This wine can be aged 15 to 20 years if desired. It has a blended aroma of caramel, honey, and apricot while offering a taste of stone fruit with medium acidity and rich levels of sugar.

GEWURZTRAMINER

The 2018 Ramos Vineyard Gewurztraminer is perhaps the most awarded Gewurztraminer in North America. It has a stunningly intense aroma of rose petals, cloves, and lychee with a complexity of spices. Grapes from this magnificent choice among unique wines come from the celebrated vineyards of Columbia and Yakima Valleys in Washington state. It is crafted to present a unique sense of place. The fermentation process is quite complex and includes several steps and stages to get the wine just right. The resulting taste is akin to passion fruit, tangerine, and melon. It blends well with lemon chicken, spicy Indian dishes, and blue cheeses.

Any of these unique world wines would make a joyful celebration even more joyful.

Does Red Wine Warm You Up?

There is no doubt that a cup of hot coffee or chocolate induces a warm sensation in the body, and that is why people prefer to drink these on a cold winter morning. But that is obvious, those are warm beverages. But what about wine? Does red wine warm you up? The simple answer is yes; some wines can induce a warm feeling. This warmth is most noticeable in colder weather. Some people may just feel a transient hot flush that lasts a few seconds, and others may feel a very intense warm sensation that may last longer. In most people, the warm sensation induced by wine is fleeting and causes no ill effects. But why does it happen?

ALCOHOL CONTENT OF WINE

The intensity of the hot flush with wine depends on the wine and the alcohol content since the reason wines induce a warm feeling is related to the alcohol content. The higher the alcohol content, the more intense the flushing sensation can be.  Does red wine warm you up? Histamines and tannins that can be found in red wines can cause a warming sensation in your body.  The alcoholic content in red wine can dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow, thereby lending to a warming feeling. The wine redistributes blood closer to the surface of the skin thereby allowing you to feel heated.  Not many things can feel as comforting as red wine on a snowy winter day, where you are, preferably, inside drinking it and looking out a window.

DOES WINE WARM YOU UP?  OTHER REASONS WHY

Aside from healthy people developing a warm sensation to wine, other reasons why some people may develop a flushed sensation include the following:

Some people may lack an enzyme that breaks down alcohol, and these individuals tend to develop an intense flush that may be recurrent and last 30-60 seconds.

In addition, individuals with high blood pressure are also at an increased risk for developing alcoholic flushes.

Recent studies show that wine flush tends to be more common in people who are dehydrated. Hence, people who exercise or perform physical activity and do not drink adequate water can develop an alcoholic flush after drinking wine.

Does red wine warm you up? The amount of wine you have to drink to derive the warming sensation varies from person to person. Some people drink a few sips of wine and immediately develop a warm feeling, whereas others may have to drink more wine to develop the same sensation.

How many people develop a warm sensation after drinking alcohol is not exactly known, but estimates indicate that it may range from 1-3 percent of wine drinkers. Does wine warm you up?  While it is impossible to tell ahead of time who will develop the warm sensation after drinking wine, the best advice is to select wines that are low in alcohol content, keep well hydrated, drink alcohol slowly, and eat some food at the same time.

Looking for a New Winter Wine?

Try some of these wines if you are looking for something new to try this winter, or something familiar and comforting.