Greetings! In my last newsletter I mentioned I would again be judging at the Virginia Governor’s Cup in August. And the winner is: Paradise Springs, a local winery in nearby Clifton. Their 2009 Chardonnay was awarded the coveted Governor's Cup. The award was presented by First Lady Maureen Mcdonnell at Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson this past September.

And with September comes our glorious autumn, arguably the most beautiful season here in Virginia. Since Virginia has about 2,500 grape-bearing acres, late summer and early fall found vintners watching their crop judiciously. This year's grape expectations saw an early crop, coming in about two weeks ahead of schedule.

So how do you mark the change of season from green to gold, bronze, red, and cool? We'd like to hear from you! Even better, I'll give you money.

Let us know what you love about fall and your name will be entered in a drawing for a nice $50 gift certificate. Just in time for the holidays.

You can enter till November 30th. Good luck - Jan.

A great finish for your wallet, turkey, ham and yummy holiday fare. wines are In stock now and sure to impress, for less.

Whites: Under $10
2010 Riebeek Cellars Chardonnay - South Africa
2009 Goccia D'Oro Malvasia Dell'Emilia - Italy
2009 GPG Garganega Pinot Grigio - Italy
Under $15
2009 Crucero Chardonnay - Chile
2009 Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc - South Africa
2008 The Wishing Tree Chardonnay - Australia
2009 Laurent Miquel Chardonnay/ Viognier vin de pays – France
2008 Mosel River Reisling - Germany
2008 Farnese Trebbiano D'Abruzzo -Italy

Reds: Under $10
2008 Torre Castillo Monastrell - Spain
NV Mateus Rose - Portugal
Under $15
NV Tomasello Winery Cranberry Wine - USA

RECENT CLUB SELECTIONS
2008 Glen Manor Cabernet Franc : OCTOBER
Glen Manor Vineyards, located in Virginia approximately 70 miles due west of Washington DC, is situated on a western flank of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 5 miles south from the north entrance to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. Nearby mountains, ranging between 1400 and 3400 feet in elevation, surround the vineyards forming a “Glen”. The vines are growing high on steep mountain slopes, in very deep and well drained stony soils. Learn More>

2007 Bressia, Monteagrelo, Malbec : NOVEMBER
Aged in French oak barrels. No filtration and no fining. This wine is a blend from five parcels. Monteagrelo Malbec is an attractive and intense red colored wine with purple tones. It exhibits ripe red and black fruit aromas mixed with vanilla, chocolate and coffee nuances. Good concentration, great structure, delicate tannins, and a long, harmonious finish. Learn More>

DEFINING TASTE

Squash
Members of the gourd family, squash lovers go back as far as 5000 BC. Winter squash is best from Fall to Winter. Varieties include acorn, buttercup, butternut, hubbard, spaghetti and turban. They do not require refrigeration so using squash to decorate and then eat works out nicely. Cut, seed and roast it with a little sea salt, brown sugar and olive oil; pure simple autumn greatness.

Oh HONEY!
We love this thick, sweet liquid made by bees and flavored from the flower the bees pollinate. Can this be used to fight allergies? Maybe. Honey contains a variety of the same pollen spores that give allergy sufferers trouble when these flora are in bloom. So eating honey is kind of like gradually vaccinating the body against allergens, a process called immunotherapy.

There is no hard scientific data, just anecdotal claims from former sneezers. It still tastes great and is just about the only foodstuff that will last forever, except Twinkies. We don’t have Twinkies here, but we have local wildflower honey.

THINGS WE LOVE

Table dressing

A) Turkey-ready large "Give Thanks" serving platter.

B) From our popular Falling Leaves series. "Give Thanks" ceramic serving platter, 12 3/4" x 19 1/4" with metal stand. Generous 11 1/2" ceramic pie/casserole dish with lid. Display tempting tidbits in this coordinating sectional server 13 3/4" x 13 3/4".

All are dishwasher and microwave safe.

C) "Grateful hearts Gather Here" expresses the season's sentiment in this charming Indian Summer Series ceramic sunflower bowl. Measures 10" wide and 4 1/4"h.

Dee-lish

Using the original 1938 recipes, Gifford's continues to produce a line of signature caramels, and rich, creamy Hot Fudge and Caramel sauces. To ensure freshness and the highest quality, they use the finest all-natural ingredients. Take some home today!

GET OUT.

We love to visit the stunning Hylton Center for the Performing Arts, right here in Manassas, VA. You will too.

OUR NEXT WINE CLUB EVENT

“Wines of Value – drinking good wines at a great price”

We have two ‘seatings.’ Wine club members can bring a guest or two. Quarterly events are held for our members.

These popular events fill up quickly so make sure you RSVP early. Wine Club members, please check your mail for the postcard invitation. Not a member yet?
JOIN OUR WINE CLUB NOW»