Kidney for sale...

I love, love, love Gervasi Winery. I was there a few weeks ago and thought I might have to sell my kidney to pay the bill. Not really, but a bottle of Chardonnay and a cheese/meat plate set us back $50 (including tip). The place was busy and we sat upstairs in the loft. It's a cozy little seating area with couches and tables. The only thing that's odd is strangers can sit down right in front of you, but drinking wine promotes conversation.  We decided after that, we were slumming it and going to Penn Station and eat subs for supper. Gervasi is an amazing place...and i urge you to give it a try - especially for a special occasion. Make a reservation if you plan to go...you can do it online.  Visit their website to learn more about Gervasi. There is "something" magical about the atmosphere there...it's obvious because I would never pay $33 for a bottle of wine in the store (they assess a corkage fee if you open the wine there). You can purchase their wine at the Market Place to go and it costs less (minus corkage fee). During warm weather months, they open their piazza and have live music and pitchers of Sangria.

http://www.gervasivineyard.com/


















                                                                                     Gervasi's Tasting Bar

Camelot Cellars

While you won't find the Knights of the Round Table here, you will find some pretty amazing wine and a great atmosphere. Dennis and I visited Camelot on Friday afternoon. We arrived as they opened so we were the only people there...kinda weird. But, Brian, the wine steward, was very friendly. Camelot is a wine boutique and they make and label all of the wine. You can purchase international varieties as they have the juice shipped to them. You can even make your own wine there!  It is an upscale joint in the Short North in Columbus. You can rent the place for parties too. If you go and are hungry, Northstar Cafe is across the street and offers organic food, such as chicken basil burritos, pulled pork, the BEST wild rice salad (order extra to take home, it is that good), and flat breads.  They also serve craft beer and wine. We rounded out the evening with cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory - leaving me feeling like a bloated Queen Guinevere and Dennis a bloated Lancelot. Not feeling so romantic after that! 

http://camelotcellars.com/

Red is for Lovers...

My husband and I visited Perennial Vineyards in Brewster on Friday night. If you haven't been there...you must go. It is very cozy and reminds me of medieval times. We drank their Vidal Blanc and ordered a cheese and meat plate.  My husband kept saying "there's an older crowd here"...thinking to myself we are not exactly spring chickens. My two highlights of the evening were the couple next to us...they drank through FOUR bottles of wine. I think I was amazed and wishing I could get through one bottle and not fall asleep!  I noticed one of their wine bottles was red. I have never seen a red wine bottle. I thought to myself...that red wine bottle would look wonderful on my wine bottle tree.  After several minutes of coaxing my husband to get me a red bottle...he asked for one from the barmaid while purchasing a bottle to go (Wine Dog Red). Well, if anybody knows me...one bottle isn't enough. I persuaded my husband to ask the couple next to us, you know, the couple drinking FOUR bottles of wine, if we could have their red wine bottle. He really didn't want to ask, but for me, he did. I would have ordered it myself but it was a Chardonnay aged in Oak...which I don't do oak. So, I was happy leaving with 2 red wine bottles for my bottle tree and the best husband ever!   Happy Valentine's Day!

Featured Wine:

 Wine Dog Red 
A red blend of Chancellor & Leon Mullet. Sweet Red. Red Currant & Pomegranate with a tart sweet finish

This wine is dedicated to all Winemakers, Cellar Rats, and Vineyard Workers who work along side their pet.  A constant companion and friend.  A portion of your purchase will go toward helping animals in need. $1 from every bottle is donated to The Murphy Foundation (the name of our farm dog) . The foundation helps with vet bills, food, placing of animals in the local area.


 Vidal Blanc Dry white, floral, citrus, with a earthy finish. The character of the vineyard is expressed in this wine


http://www.perennialvineyards.com/

Sunday, Feb. 5th was my oldest daughter's birthday - she turned a big 24! Hard to believe since I myself am about 24..at least in heart!  We took her and her boyfriend to eat at Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Cleveland Saturday evening. This was her first time there. It was very crowded as usual. She ordered the Triple Dog Dare brew and it was delicious! I had my good ole' standby - Riesling.
Food was good, atmosphere good, and celebrating with Brittany the best!  One of my New Year's resolutions this year is to learn more about beer...and football.  So far, so good!

Belgian Tripel Dog Dare

A Belgian tripel with mild fruity and spicy flavors.

ABV: 9.5%
ABW: 7.6%
IBU: 30

"When there is plenty of wine, sorrow and worry take wing"

                       Ovid, "The Art of Love: (c. A.D. 8)


I started my first post with one of my favorite wine quotes. My name is Beth and I made a New Year's resolution 3 years ago to become more knowledgeable in wine...everything wine!  This is the only resolution that I have kept and been committed to. I'm not sure how much knowledge I have gained...but I sure have tasted many delicious wines along the way.  My blog is devoted to sharing the simple adventures I experience in the world of wine.  Hope you enjoy!