CGC Home
The Stories
the places
the Philosophies
- Biodynamics in Wine Production
- Champagne & Sparkling Wine
Food & Wine Pairing
- Tempting Spoonfuls: Pairing single bites with glorious wines
- Food & Wine Pairing Recipe Videos
from dirt to glass
Videos
About us
12 days of Wine 2022

robin@42aspens.com

Adventures in Wine Exploration
the stories behind the vines

CGC Home
The Stories
the places
the Philosophies
- Biodynamics in Wine Production
- Champagne & Sparkling Wine
Food & Wine Pairing
- Tempting Spoonfuls: Pairing single bites with glorious wines
- Food & Wine Pairing Recipe Videos
from dirt to glass
Videos
About us
12 days of Wine 2022

Santa Barbara County

6 days…where to go in wine country? Well if you have a Prius and can get to California fairly easily, you don’t have to choose. Join us on our journey through California’s Central Coast Wine Country and a little beyond.

Central Coast Wine Country and Beyond – Day 1

Kaena Wines, How the Grenache King got his Block

Kaena Wines, How the Grenache King got his Block

Larner fete, how it came to be

Larner fete, how it came to be

Larner fete, how it came to be

Larner Fete 2016

maxresdefault 3

SAMsARA

maxresdefault 2

Winemaker, Mark Horvath speaks about his Sta. Rita Hills Syrah

maxresdefault

Central Coast Group Project

maxresdefault 1

Scott Sampler on his White Hawk Syrah

maxresdefault 1

Larry Schaffer – tercero on White Hawk Vineyard

Bien Nacido Vineyards

Bob Lindquist, Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard

maxresdefault

Larner Vineyard Special Vintage, Dedication

Larner Vineyard

Syrah Panel Santa Barbara Vintners April 2016 Episode 2 – Michael Larner

Contact Us

send us a message

Affiliate Wine Shops

Tempting Spoonfuls: Pairing single bites with glorious wines (On Sale Now on Amazon)!

Tempting Spoonfuls: Pairing single bites with glorious wines Paperback – August 29, 2022

Tempting Spoonfuls: Pairing single bites with glorious wines Paperback – August 29, 2022

crushedgrapechron

Texas Wine Month #TXWine I am not an expert on Te

Texas Wine Month #TXWine
I am not an expert on Texas Wine. I have tasted one bottle, brought back by a friend from Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country and it was tasty!
I do know several wine writers and other content creators who call Texas home and I expect we will see lots from them this month, regaling the best of Texas Wines. I will use it as a learning experience.
In the meantime, here are a couple of stats on the wines of Texas.
While you often hear about the first vineyard in America planted in California, Texas claims the first vineyard in North America, planted around 1662 by Franciscan priests.
The state has 8 AVAs (American Viticulture Areas) and plenty of vineyards outside of those AVAs.
They break the state into 5 growing regions with over 5,000 acres of vineyards. The biggest concencentration of vineyards in in the high plains and pan handle region. The bottle I tasted was an Aglianico, but they are growing over 45 varieties around the state.
It will probably not surprise you that Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape variety. They do promote “Texas Bold.”
Texas ranks 5th on the nations list of largest wine producing states!
70% of the wine produced in the state is red. When you consider all the cattle in the state (it is the top producing cattle state), it seems fitting. What grows together goes together and all that.
Visit https://www.txwines.org/ for more details!
If you want an in-depth peek at Texas Wine, visit https://thecorkscrewconcierge.com/category/us-tx/

Pennsylvania Wine Month #PAWineMonth There are ov

Pennsylvania Wine Month #PAWineMonth
There are over 200 wineries in Pennsylvania! They are happy to tell you that when in Pennsylvania, you are never more than an hours drive from a winery.
With 6 regions with wine trails, there are 5 AVAs in the state, some of which are shared by bordering states.
The largest number of wineries can be found in the Southeast corner of the state near Philadelphia.
While they grow over 2 dozen varieties here, most often you will find Catawba (a native variety) , Chambourcin (hybrid), Chardonnay, Concord (native), Merlot and Traminette (hybrid).
Visit https://pennsylvaniawine.com/ for more details!

Virginia #VAWineMonth
“Virginia is for Lovers” and for lovers of wine.
The wines of this east coast state have come along way since Thomas Jefferson tried and failed with his vineyards. You can still see his gardens and vineyard at Monticello.
In the state now over 300 wineries produce wine. There are 10 different regions and 8 AVAs across the state from the Heart of Appalachia region in the westernmost part of the state with just 3 wineries to Central Virginia with almost 80.
While they grow a range of varieties, the stars are Viognier, Cabernet France and Petit Verdot.
Then there is Norton, the grape variety discovered by Dr. Daniel Norton in Richmond Virginia. He was developing wine grape strains in his suburban farm and discovered this seedling in his experimental vineyard. While this grape became popular in Missouri, taken there by German immigrants, it is still grown and made in Virginia, notably at Chrysalis in Northern Virginia.
It's not easy to grow here. Disease pressure in the humid climate makes farming without chemicals difficult (hence Thom’s troubles). Some vineyards have chosen to work with disease-resistant hybrid grapes, to eliminate some chemicals. Sadly, I could only find 1 Organic Certified vineyard in the state. The east coast climate is tough for that, there are only a handful of organic certified vineyards on the East Coast of the United States.
They do work hard to be green in other ways with solar arrays, biodiversity and recycling practices. Some avoid insecticides, working with herbal tea sprays similar to biodynamic preparations.
If you want to taste at a variety of wineries, Charlottesville is a great central location to start. Keep in mind that wineries are out in the country and the roads are winding, so designate a driver, or charter a car service.
While you are there, take in some of the history with a visit to Monticello or a stop at Michie Tavern for a hearty lunch buffet of traditional fare in this historic tavern that first opened in 1784. The Viognier and Cabernet Franc coming out of this state, have found their own way and are delicious.
Visit https://www.virginiawine.org/ for more details

We received some beautiful media samples from Il C

We received some beautiful media samples from Il Conte Villa Prandone (@il__conte__ ) in the Monteprandone Hills of Ascoli Piceno, Marche, Italy.
I didn't realize what I was getting myself into. It was a full-day affair because I decided to make fresh pasta (not something I am familiar with!)
At least a dozen times, I thought I had ruined the dish, but you know what? It was delicious. 3 layers, as opposed to the 7 that I was hoping for, but amazing with the wines.
We paired it with the Il Conte Prandone Zipolo Marche Rosso IGP, which is a blend of Montepulciano, Sangiovese, and Merlot, and the Marinus Rosso Piceno Superiore DOP, which is a fresh blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese.
The wines were very different, but both went beautifully with this regional dish!
Head to CrushedGrapeChronicles.com to get the full story and the recipe!

I took these earlier this summer. No filter. The

I took these earlier this summer. No filter. The sky the sunflowers were just that vibrant and beautiful.
In the 2nd photo I love the bee zooming in like a small plane on a mission!
Enjoy the moment!

September 15th - International Grenache Day (3rd

September 15th - International Grenache Day
(3rd Friday of Sept)
#GrenacheDay #InternationalgrenacheDay
Grenache.
It’s the “G” in “GSM”.
Widely planted in the Southern Rhône, Languedoc and Rousillon, it is likely originally from Spain where it is known as “Garnacha.”
In Sardengna they claim it as their own, and call it “Cannonau.” Grenache is found in a rainbow of color variants from white to grey to red.
Ripening late in the season, this grape thrives in warmer climates.
For red wines, it is often blended with Syrah and Mourvedre in France, the US and Australia. In Spain it often accompanies Tempranillo in Rioja.
It is a favorite for California Rosés Flavors?
In Grenache rosé you can expect bright strawberry and watermelon!
In red wines, look for more warm fruit notes, cooked or baked strawberries and plums, Raspberry, Blood orange, herbal notes like dried oregano as well as richer deeper notes of leather and tobacco. You might find orange zest, nutmeg and balsamic notes depending on where it comes from.
We’ve been lucky enough to taste a wide variety of Grenaches!
Head to CrushedGrapeChronicles.com and do a search for Grenache you will find plenty of inspiration for wines to celebrate this holiday! Find a bottle! White, Rosé, Red…they are all delicious!
Happy #InternationalGrenacheDay!

Instagram post 17972787653536018

Instagram post 17972787653536018

September 10th – International Port Wine Day P

September 10th – International Port Wine Day
Port that fortified dessert wine from the Duoro Valley in Portugal.
A glass of Port and a cigar after dinner…wait, that’s outdated. Port is not a stuffy old wine, it is downright delicious!
There is red port, white port even a rosé port. Then there is Tawny Port, that’s the delicious aged stuff. There is Ruby port , Reserve Port, LBV (late bottle vintage) Port, Tawny Port, Vintage Port, Single Quinta Vintage Port, Colheita Port, White Port and Rosé Port. Then their are the 10 year, 20 year, 30 year and 40 year Ports. Whew! So many styles!
There are 5 main varieties of grapes used in Port, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão. When it comes to White Port, you find Gouveio and Malvasia Fina used.
Port can often have notes of blackberry, caramel, dark chocolate and spice (I said delicious, right?)
So spoil yourself! It’s time for the weather to get a little cooler. Curling up in the evening with a glass of port and a good book, sounds like a perfect plan!
Or pick up a white port and mix a cocktail with tonic and lime!
There are so many ways to enjoy port.
Happy #InternationalPortDay !!!

September 9th is International Box Wine Day! Boxed

September 9th is International Box Wine Day!
Boxed wine is not what it used to be! More & more wineries are packaging some of their wines bag in box.
Some details:
Bag in box typically hold about 4 bottles of wine and will stay fresh for about 3 months.
This packaging is meant for fresh style wines, not wines that need to be aged.
There are great benefits!
No glass to worry about breaking.
Easy to recycle (and less energy to recycle)
Larger package means less waste!
Boxes are lighter in weight than bottles and they pack better, all in all saving energy in storage and fuel to transport them!
With the savings on the bottle the winery is likely to be able to sell you the wine cheaper!
There are great brands out there to look for, Tablas Creek in Paso has packaged several of their wines in box (these are good wines my friends)! There is also Bridge Lane on the North Fork of Long Island, Field Recordings in Paso Robles, Original House Wiens out of Washington, Evolution from Sokol Blosser in Oregon and yes, you can get "the Chicken Wine" in a box! (I'm hearing a stampede of my friends heading to the store with that one!)
Get on board! Many wineries, are afraid to try this, they think you won't buy it! Ask for it! Get them onboard and then support them!
*This holiday was created by "Wine Nook." I went to look them up. They created these decorative containers to hold your boxed wine. Some are cute, some are sleek and there is a limited edition line that is downright gorgeous. They also plant a tree for every Nook sold in partnership with the Nation Forest Foundation. So feel free to dress up your boxed wine and support the planet a little more!
#InternationalBoxWineDay

Instagram post 17925102911679268

Instagram post 17925102911679268

Load More... Follow on Instagram

Contact Us

Crushed Grape Chronicles
robin@42aspens.com
https://www,crushedgrapechronicles.com

© 2008 -2020· Crushed Grape Chronicles

About us, wine stories from dirt to glass
Wine Events