Tuesday, October 5, 2010

HUMMINGBIRD RIDGE WINERY - OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

HUMMINGBIRD RIDGE WINERY “WINE POURS”



OCTOBER 2010 NEWSLETTER
In This Issue: Fall Harvest is Here; Upcoming Events; October is "Ruby Is Back" Month; Art Exhibit; Recipe of the Month; Tasting Tip of the Month; Big Sign; HRW Wine By The Glass

 
The Fall is upon us and new wines are already fermenting in the tanks as the harvest this year is one of the earliest in recent memory. Many experts are saying that the 2010 vintage in the northeast could be one of the best in many years! Our September Port Month Celebration was a big success with many visitors enjoying our new Pordevino (Red) and Pordeblanco (White) port-style wines. We also had a great turnout for our first on-site winery charity event last Friday & Saturday that benefited the American Cancer Society. Thank You to everyone who came out!!!

- Our next major event coming up is our “Wine Off The Vine” Wine Dinner at the elegant Yorktowne Hotel in York on Friday, November 19th at 6pm. This wine dinner will feature 5 courses created by Yorktowne Hotel’s award-winning chef Mark Pawlowski, with each course paired with a delicious wine from York County’s own Hummingbird Ridge Winery, Central PA’s Newest Winery! This will be a fabulous dinner where you can discuss the wines, wine tasting, and winemaking with Hummingbird Ridge Winery winemaker! We are very honored to be partnering with such a distinguished and acclaimed restaurant as the Yorktowne and we look forward to seeing you there! Click on the following link for details: http://www.uncorkyork.com/index.asp?act=page&pag_id=81 

- Along with the Yorktowne Hotel wine dinner event, that same weekend (Nov. 19, 20, &21) is the Uncork York Wine Trail event “Wine Just Off The Vine”, where for just $10 you can sample the newest vintages at Wine Trail Wineries, along with food samples, a commemorative wine glass, and 10% discount on wine purchases. Click on the following link for details: http://www.uncorkyork.com/index.asp?act=event&evt_id=182

- October is “Ruby Is Back” month at Hummingbird Ridge Winery. In the 10 months since we opened, one wine has sold above all the others and has developed a large fanbase - Ruby Elixir!!! After several months off the shelves, Ruby is Back! For those new to Ruby, it is our playful red wine that begs to be taken to a party or anywhere there are good times and good friends. Stop in and have a taste.

- Also this month at the winery, wildlife photographer Melissa Earnshaw will be exhibiting her stunning photography. Stop by and see this fabulous exhibit!

- Recipe of the Month: This month's Recipe is a simple but flavorful way to prepare chicken - Garlic Riesling Chicken. 1 1/4 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs (salt & pepper to taste), 1 Tblspn olive oil, 1 head garlic (cloves separated & peeled), 1/2 cup Hummingbird Ridge Semi-dry Riesling, 1/2 cup chicken broth

Season chicken with salt and pepper; In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil; Add chicken thighs and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Place chicken in a slow cooker and add remaining ingredients. Cook on medium setting for 3.5 hours. Serve chicken with the garlic Riesling broth. Pair this with, of course, Hummingbird Ridge Semi-Dry Riesling. Enjoy!!!


- Winetasting Tip of the Month: We have had some questions from newer wine drinkers about reviewing the standard process for tasting wines in a critical manor. The following steps will allow you to critically evaluate wine:
Sight - hold the wine up to light, examine for clarity, brilliance, and depth of color; should not be cloudy; most commercial wines are filtered; white wines gain color as they age, red wines lose color and “brown” as they age.
Swirl - swirl the glass to expose wine to a larger surface area and release aromas. Smell - smell the wine; put your nose into the glass & inhale slowly and deeply; note the aromas; swirl again and smell again before drinking; wine flaw odors include Sulfur, Chemical, or Musty smells. Cork taint is a wet newspaper or musty smell.
Slurp - slurp some wine into your mouth, which aerates the wine and breaks up the molecules allowing the flavors and more aromas to be released.
Swish - swish the wine around in your mouth and allow the wine to coat every part of your mouth, and BEFORE you swallow the wine, close your eyes, focus your concentration on what you are tasting and note the flavors, sweetness, acidity, tartness, softness of the mouthfeel, and tannins (if it's a red wine). Is the wine light bodied or full-bodied (light or heavy on the tongue). Also note any unpleasant tastes.
Swallow - note the length of the finish (how long does the taste remain after you swallow).
Savor - think about your overall impression of the wine, were the components balanced, were there any "off 'tastes", would you drink this wine again, write notes.


- Many of you have suggested that we have more signs out so that people know where we are located. Well, we have listened to your suggestions and Hummingbird Ridge Winery will soon be on a billboard located along Interstate 83 Southbound, just after the Lewisberry Exit. Now that’s a Big Sign!

- Remember, we also sell wine by the glass. Stop by and relax in our Hummingbird Garden area with a glass of wine!

- Also, Be sure to ask for Hummingbird Ridge wines at the following fine York County eateries:
Silver Lake Inn, Lewisberry


Back Woods Grill, Etters


The Field House, Etters


Two Brothers, Etters


Culhane’s Steak House, New Cumberland


Hillside Cafe, Lewisberry

Please visit these fine establishments and enjoy a glass of Hummingbird Ridge wine!!!

- Thanks Again to all of you who have stopped in to see us and try our wine!!! Tell your friends about us!!!

- Visit us on the internet at http://www.hummingbirdridgewinery.com/  (official website), http://www.hummingbirdridgewinery.blogspot.com/ 
(our blog), and visit our new Facebook page and become a fan of Hummingbird Ridge Winery at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hummingbird-Ridge-Winery/261984513530

 
- Hummingbird Ridge Winery is a proud member of the Uncork York Wine Trail!!! Visit http://www.uncorkyork.com/  for more information.

HUMMINGBIRD RIDGE WINERY
"EXPERIENCE THE FLAVOR!!!"
OPEN FOR FREE TASTINGS SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS
FROM 11AM TO 6PM
735 KISE MILL RD (one-quarter mile from the Newberrytown Peddlers market & Susquehanna Speedway)
YORK HAVEN PA 17370
717-315-0209
Email: info@hummingbirdridgewinery.com