January 24, 2012
Probably no other wine is as versatile with food as Riesling and for that reason, it's a tradition when life gets spicy.Riesling is the highly-prized grape of Germany, crafted in world-class styles that range from dry to off-dry to sweet. In Germany, it l...
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January 10, 2012
Rare anywhere in the U.S., the Montepuciano grape is widely planted in central and southern Italy, yielding deeply-colored reds produced in a rustic, old world style.
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December 27, 2011
This tiny winery near Gibsonville produces a breath-taking variety of red, white and blend wines, including Tempranillo, the grape renown in Spain's Rioja region. Winemakers Max Lloyd and John Gladstone are unique in producing the only standalone Tempran...
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December 6, 2011
When it opened in 1999, Chatham Hill Winery near the RDU Airport joined a second generation of wine producers in North Carolina focusing on European vinifera. Marek had a business model different from most others: He would own no vineyard but instead buy...
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November 22, 2011
North Carolina sometimes struggles to get depth of color and complexity from its reds. Here, Westbend winemaker Mark Terry hits the, well, mark. He says he locked it up in barrel for 24 months - a little longer than most winemakers. It spent 18 months in...
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November 8, 2011
First off, no big, slightly sweet, Sicilian lemons at my grocer. So I settled for a bag of regular lemons and compensated for residual sugar by pouring in 3 Tablespoons of Moscato wine.My Italian friend tells me: "Don't scrimp on the oil and the parm...
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October 25, 2011
Old North State's Spring House ($12) is a field blend of Pinot Gris and Viognier, which can make for a crispy white when not beat up by an oak barrel. Old North State in downtown Mt. Airy changed ownership several years ago and since then, quality has imp...
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October 11, 2011
Skull Camp is a second line of "semi-dry" wines from Round Peak Vineyards near Mt. Airy, aimed at enthusiasts who find conventional varietals too dry.
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September 27, 2011
Shelton Vineyards near Dobson is a major player in the North Carolina wine industry, with far-flung distribution, enormous acreage, solid financial support at Surry Community College's viticulture program, political influence in Raleigh and, oh, it makes...
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September 13, 2011
Traminette is an off-shoot of Gewurztraminer, producing a crisp, floral, often fruit-forward wine that flies under the radar with most wine consumers. I had the privilege of tasting trial blends with Grove's assistant winemaker John Gladstone. We tr...
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August 23, 2011
This time of year, with so much coming out of the garden, this recipe was a no-brainer. It’s easy to make, the ingredients are easily obtained and the flavor is surprisingly rich and robust. I found nearly everything I needed in my garden. We found...
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August 9, 2011
Viognier (VEE-OWN-YAY) is a shy-bearing grape, riskier still perhaps in unpredictable east coast climes. But quite a few North Carolina wineries see this French Rhone grape as a way to differentiate their portfolio, so they gamble on the grape.
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July 26, 2011
Syrah's popularity has skyrocketed over the last decade in the U.S., thanks in large measure to growers in Australia and California. North Carolina winemakers have been experimenting with the grape as well, including Junius Lindsay Vineyards, which allowe...
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July 12, 2011
Chardonel is one of those Rodney Dangerfield grapes, never getting the respect it deserves. This is a crossing of the French-American hybrid Seyval Blanc with the ubiquitous French vinifera Chardonnay.
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June 28, 2011
"It's a very structured wine," says Michael Zimmerman, owner of Junius Lindsay Vineyards near Lexiingon. "I think it has the traditional classic aromas of peach and apricot. It has a strong floral presence of honeysuckle. I think it has a v...
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June 14, 2011
This is an easy dish to make, the ingredients easily at hand. but note: two plus hours go into creating something this rich. Don't rush it.
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May 24, 2011
Viognier (prounounced VEE-OHN-YAY) can be a headache grape because the vines are shy producers and often inconsistent at bud break. While the vines can stand up to drought, they are subject to mildew in high humidity. To maximize Viognier's heady perfume......
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May 10, 2011
RayLen winemaker Steve Shepard describes this red as "round and open textured...balanced with ripe cherry and pomegranate. The finish is firm with spicy yet silky tannins and hints of bittersweet chocolate." RayLen considers its Syrah - in this...
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April 26, 2011
The 2009 RayLen Vineyards Category 5, retailing about $18, is always a consistent, fruit-forward, medium-bodied red with complexity and elegance. Winemaker Steve Shepard blends five grapes – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet France, Merlot, Syrah and Pet...
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April 12, 2011
“Chambourcin is such a hardy grape, it can withstand extreme heat, rain, hurricanes, probably even a tornado,” says Westbend's Mark Terry at Westbend. At that Lewisville winery, the three acres planted to Chambourcin in the early 1980s are pro...
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March 22, 2011
More than a third of Misty Creek’s vineyard, in the Yadkin Valley, is planted to Chardonnay, the most popular white wine varietal in the U.S.
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March 8, 2011
Just your everyday pig-fish-naked wine mash-up. “This one is all about pushing the fruit,” says Shelton winemaker Murphy Moore.
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February 22, 2011
McRitchie Winery & Ciderworks is an eclectic operation north of Elkin in the Yadkin Valley, producing quality varietal wines alongside hard ciders and fruit wines that show remarkable finesse. The 2009 McRitchie Vineyards Viognier ($17) is Sean McRitc...
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February 8, 2011
This simple comfort food just seems right for February. A solid Chardonnay – in this case the 2007 Buck Shoals Vineyard Chardonnay – is cozy companion.
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February 2, 2011
Valentine's Day is around the corner. Here are 20 wines that cost less than $20, split between North Carolina and everywhere else. Hope something here fits your mood — and budget. North Carolina
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