The Other 46

Keel & Curley Strawberry Riesling

Staying true to my home state and my drink local motto, I recently pulled the cork on a local wine not far from my home base in Orlando.  Located in Plant City, Florida, Keel & Curley Winery was started in the spring of 2003 by founder and owner, Joe Keel.  A blueberry farmer, Keel decided to try his hand at producing blueberry wines from his excess fruit. What started with 10 gallons of blueberry wine has grown into a 20,000 case production facility known as the Napa Valley of the Tampa Bay Area.

The winery produces 3 blueberry wines (sweet, semi-dry and dry), 2 blackberry and a handful of fusion wines (part grape based wines blended with fruit juice).  Their wines are available for purchase online and throughout Florida.

The popular Keel & Curley Strawberry Riesling is a blend of strawberry juice and Riesling.  No surprises here with big strawberry and peach on the nose and palate.  $12.99 retail and 12% alcohol, the sweet wine is best served chilled on a warm, sunny Florida day.

I’m often asked what I miss most from Virginia.  Aside from the four seasons, the history and of course Virginia wine, I often receive a puzzled look when I mention apples.  As the cold weather moves in, I often find myself reminiscing about my trips to the farmer markets to get my fill of hot apple cider, the Apple Harvest Festivals and the familiar crunch of a Red Delicious.

To celebrate the temperatures dropping into the 70′s this past weekend in Central Florida, I decided to enjoy not one, but two apple wines.  The first apple wine, Orleans, is produced by Eden Ice Wine Company.  Located in West Charleston, Vermont, Eden is the husband and wife team of Albert and Eleanor Leger.  Founded in 2007, the farm consists of 800 apple trees and a small pressing operation and bonded winery in the basement of the rebuilt farmhouse. Renowned for their world-class Ice Ciders, the Orleans is an artisanal wine produced from 100% Vermont grown apples and herbs.

An explosion of flavors, red apple, honey, mint and a hint of basil display on the nose and palate. Perfect for cocktails or served over ice, the Orleans is the perfect apéritif or dessert.

The next night we decided to open our second apple wine from one of our favorite Virginia wineries, Corcoran Vineyards. Made from 100% Virginia grown apples, the crisp, dry wine is like biting into an apple while sitting in the orchard. 11% alcohol and 1% residual sugar, the apple wine was a treat.

Perhaps apple wine in 70 degree temps isn’t so bad after all.  Cheers!

I’m often forced to make difficult decisions when it comes to planning my Virginia itinerary.  With 200 plus wineries throughout the state, and that number growing each month, it’s a painful selection process. That said I always include the “classics” and make an effort to visit a new and upcoming winery. Since their opening in July 2010, Hume Vineyards has been high on my list.  Located on a historic 50-acre farm dating back to the 1880′s in Hume, Virginia, the tasting room is housed in a rustic, minimalist building, overlooking the vineyard.  Owner Stephane Baldi has created the perfect atmosphere to waste away an afternoon over a glass of wine.

Visitors get to taste 5 wines for a $5 tasting fee.  All of the wines I sampled were produced from fruit grown by Breaux Vineyards.  The first pour featured the 2010 Seyval Blanc.  Big floral nose followed by honeysuckle, green apple and plenty of minerality.  At $19, a bit pricey for my taste. The second pour included the 2010 Vidal Blanc.  Another hybrid that performs well in Virginia.  A fruit-forward, crisp, semi-sweet wine.  Before moving onto the reds, we sampled the 2010 Rosé. Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, red fruit, especially strawberry shine on the nose and palate.  A pleasing pour.

The recently released 2010 Chambourcin was the next wine.  I’m a big fan of Breaux Vineyards and was interested to see Stephane’s take on the fruit. Disclaimer, I’m not a big fan of Chambourcin and even less a fan of high ABV wines.  Plum, dark cherries and spice dominate.  At 15.1% alcohol, this is a hefty wine that needs food.  The new-world 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon comes in at $26 and has a splash of Cabernet Franc (5%).  An earthy, delicious wine that is drinking very well.  Consistent notes of bright red fruit on the nose and smoky, earthy flavors with a touch of bacon and vanilla (I had written “classic Virginia” on my tasting sheet).

I look forward to returning to Hume Vineyards and especially to sample their estate wines and the newly planted Sauvignon Blanc.  In the meantime, I recommend you visit and be sure to tell them TheOther46.com sent you.  Cheers!

I made an exception last year and published my first review on a wine from outside the other 46 states.  Since that inaugural post, I’ve managed to feature wines from not only New York, but Canada as well.  Highlighting emerging wine regions, or better yet, wine regions often neglected by the mainstream media has and will always be my primary goal.  That said I do enjoy wines from all over and enjoy a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from time to time.  I thought what better time to include my first California post while sitting on a plane headed home from San Francisco. And honestly, what better way to burn 5 hours.

I recently opened and enjoyed two wines from Napa Valley legend, Robert Mondavi, a true pioneer and innovator in California winemaking.  His winery remains an architectural masterpiece, and continues to be a popular tourist attraction for visitors.  His earlier wines were built to last, and are usually my wines of choice when I celebrate special occasions. It’s always a treat to drink vintage wine, especially with friends and family, but its even more exciting to pour wines from years that have special meaning (both vintages marked birth years).

After much wrangling, I removed the cork on the 1975 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, and decanted to remove any cork residue.  Brownish in color, the wine displayed an earthy and musty nose. Surprising fruit on the palate with short-lived notes of eucalyptus and leather.  Definitely past it’s prime, but still drinkable for a 36 year-old wine.

Up next was the 1979 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve.  The reserve wines feature fruit selected from the finest vineyard blocks and often showcase the most complexity and elegance.  This was definitely the case with the ’79.  Dark red in color, the 32 year-old wine would have fooled many.  The wine opened with bright red fruit on the nose. Plums, cassis, cedar, tobacco and leather notes on the palate.  Surprisingly complex and “alive”.  Well made and still has a few years left.

1979 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve

A fun evening was had by all, and more importantly, great memories.

Whatever you do, pour yourself into it. -Robert Mondavi

Tomorrow we return to our normally scheduled program, local wine from the other 46 states. Cheers!