| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 6:52:07 PM
Cindy, I have loved and studied wine for a lot of years now. I finally decided to start a vineyard several years ago. I have 2 acres planted to Catawba, Golden Muscat, Vioneles, and Tramminette varietals, and some Concords for the juice. I live in Central Kansas and with all the sunshine we get here the grapes do very well. Just have to worry about drought ( I irrigate sparingly) and hot dry winds. I plan on putting 4 more acres to some red varietals; Cabernet Franc, Foch, and a new hardier Cabernet Savignion. Long term goal is to make some special Kansas wines. For now I am planning on selling grapes to other established winieries, and experiment with small scale winemaking.
You said you love champagne, well you got a friend here! For a while, back in the 90's I tried many different varieties of champagne. The French still make the best sparkling wine in the world, although some domstic I have sampled rival! For the millenium deal I tried my first taste of Dom Perignon! Oh my gosh, It was heaven! I have tried White Star, it is excellent! Have you ever tried Mumm? It is good too! But, the best, very best I have tried was Cristal! I had a glass ( wanted more) at a party of one of DH's friends. It was so smooth and tasted slightly of fresh baked bread spread with peach preserves. I cannot describe the feeling this wine was on the tongue. I probably sound wierd but I tend to wax poetic when I am talkin' wine. It is a passion isn't it? I do love Mimosas, they are gtreat for a brunch with the girlfriends. I cannot afford French champagne, and feel very fortunate I have been able to sample some great bottles over the years. But whenever I have tasted the champagnes it is a celebration, an event in itself! Having it so rarely makes it so special! Cheaper sparkling can be more affordable. I enjoy Seaview Brut, Chandon Perla or Fresca, Paul Cheneau, Mumm Napa. These are also rare treats, but memorable. WE should exchange champagne tales! My 25th anniversary is the 28th, and I think that deserves some White Star, chilled on ice!
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb101.html |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Sep 15 2005 : 11:41:15 AM
Ahhh memories Sara...I remember the purple passion parties in college. Could not handle that...everclear and grape juice. Night train was consistently ghastly wine! Yellow tail is great...try the Rosemont Shiraz from Australia, very good too.
Being is what it is. Jean Paul Sartre |
| Kim |
Posted - Sep 15 2005 : 11:34:03 AM
Sara, I like Yellow Tail, too.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| ksuprincess97 |
Posted - Sep 15 2005 : 06:21:21 AM
Wine, what a great subject!
Meadowlark-your posts made me laugh and brought back memories of drinking way too much Boones and Night Train in college. A friend of mine had Night Train parties every month with cases of the nasty stuff and Mountain Dew to chase it with.
I drink mostly red wines and prefer Syrah/Shiraz and Merlot. My favorite is Fess Parker Syrah, and the inexpensive one I usually keep on hand is Yellow Tail Shiraz. I like Chandon sparkling whites also. The best champagne I've had so far is Perrier-Jouet, it was amazing! |
| FarrarFarmgirl |
Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 12:14:16 PM
Kathy - another company that carries a really easy to use cork screw is The Pampered Chef, it goes for $19. It comes with a foil cutter, also. You place the cork screw over the cork, start turning the handle and don't stop until the cork is out - kind of like using a can opener. You can't miss with it. It's worked like a charm everytime I've used it. And if you go to my profile, you'll be able to get one without leaving your house with the click of a mouse.
This has been a very interesting thread to read through. Personally, I'm a cheap wine drinker, preferring it on the sweeter side than dry. I don't know much of anything about wines and food pairings, but see now that if I keep reading all your posts, I will be able to learn as much as I want from everyone. You all are so knowledgeable; that's fantastic! I've thought about taking a class or two at one of the wine shops in town, it just never developed into anything more than a thought. Goodness knows I love having a glass of wine every now and then, it would be even better if I knew a little more about what I'm drinking. And from the looks of it I have a lot to learn, but who better from, than a bunch of friends.
I'm glad you all started sharing about this subject, this will be lots of fun learning and taste testing. Cheers!
In His hands,
Lynda
Pray in faith and you will not live in doubt. |
| Bridge |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 11:46:19 AM
It is the town where the winery is.
Here is the history of the name
How French Lick Got It's Name
Many years ago, this area has a number of mineral springs. Water that contained a lot of minerals bubbled up out of the ground. As the water evaporated from the nearby rocks, mineral deposits were left on the rocks.
During this period of time, before the white man came to this area, there were great herds of buffalo, bison, deer, and other game animals in the area. Food for these animals was plentiful as was drinking water and other necessities for these animals, but most importantly, the animals craved the minerals in the deposits on the rocks. The animals were very plentiful in this area because there were here to lick the rocks in order to get their supply of minerals that they needed for their health.
Various tribes of American Indians came to this area to hunt the animals for food, furs, and hides for clothing. Some Indians came from far away, and spent longer periods of time here before leaving. Because of the animals licking at the rocks for the mineral deposits, the Indians called this immediate area, “Lick Springs”.
The first White men that came to the area were French traders, and they came here to trade with the Indians for the Indians’ furs and hides. Later on, other people started calling the area “French Lick Springs”.
I live 15 minutes from French lick and about 30 from Blue River |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 11:08:32 AM
Yummmmy!!!! Tight bubbles is what IT'S all about! Will try this soon! Thanks!
Being is what it is. Jean Paul Sartre |
| ByHzGrace |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 04:40:28 AM
Bridge
Do you live near the Blue River? I kayaked it and the Driftwood.Got swamped in one rapid and ended up with a Hellbender in my boat! Man those are snotty feeling!
French Lick is the next town over from WestBaden where the winery is. Lots of springs and caves to spelunk in this area.
Look at these photographs off the winery site:go to AmyDrake's Nature Gallery beautiful shots!
http://www.smalltownphotographs.com/
Baack to wine.
Sparkling Vouvray meets my wallet at 11$ and my mouth with loads of tight bubbles. Domaine Gangneux. |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Sep 12 2005 : 3:33:41 PM
Bridge! Thanks for posting the link! Very impressive! Alot of those wines Kansas produces too! Wonder why the name French Lick???? Hmmmm.... I like it! Would like to hear your personal review of some of them!
Being is what it is. Jean Paul Sartre |
| Bridge |
Posted - Sep 12 2005 : 3:23:18 PM
Too Funny... I was reading thru these posts thinking "where's the Boone's Farms"
I have drank many, many bottles of Boone's (maybe it's a Indiana thing)
I actually still like a few flavors of Boone's when budget won't allow the pricier wines.
I can't wait to try the lemon recipe. I also have a rose hip schnapp recipe I want to make when the hips are ripe.
We hava a few local winery's that are really great
http://www.frenchlickwinery.com/ this is one of my favorites |
| KJD |
Posted - Sep 12 2005 : 2:58:48 PM
Thanks for the reminder of Paul Chenau!! I have a friend who throws a great Christmas party and only serves champagne. That's her brand! |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Sep 12 2005 : 2:27:13 PM
Hi KJD! Your meal and pinot grig sounds wonderful and mighty tasty! I love pinot Grigio and I'll look up the Bella next time I wine shop. Champagne is made in a region called Champagne in France...it is really pricey. The sparkling wines (which are just like Champagne) are just as good and much cheaper. Try Seaview Coastal Brut from Australia around 10 bucks, Paul Cheneau Sparkling Wine from Spain around the same price. Both great, and much more budget minded than the French champagne. Lonestargal, Lucky you for being in Texas! Great wines down there! WE can't get them here in Kansas, unfortunately. I tried some when on vacation there a few years ago!
Being is what it is. Jean Paul Sartre |
| lonestargal |
Posted - Sep 12 2005 : 10:26:10 AM
KJD--I love Bella Serra Pinot Grigio!!! That stuff is way good. I've been hooked on a local wine here. They have white, blush, red, chardonnay, and they are all wonderful. A little pricier but well worth it. |
| KJD |
Posted - Sep 12 2005 : 09:52:47 AM
I'm just a few days into the Farmgirl Connection, and just found the wine talk! A little behind, but wanted to jump in...
Y'all know a lot more than I do - I just know what I like and stick with it! Pretty much Bella Serra Pinot Grigio - cheap and tasty! Unwrinkle your noses.
Favorite weekend afternoon meal: Aged Black Diamond white cheddar cheese, soprosatta sausage, baguette, with or without dipping oil, red grapes or pears and Bella.
I'm having a family brunch next Sunday for my Dad's b-day. We'll have scrambled eggs (good, made with cream), roasted asparagus, sour cream coffee cake, fruit and mimosas. Any recommendations for champagne around $10? |
| ByHzGrace |
Posted - Aug 30 2005 : 6:01:54 PM
Anybody but me like =Ever had Vouvray? any Claret's?
connio the calendar girl! great memory! still in touch with the boone farmers?
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| MeadowLark |
Posted - Aug 30 2005 : 2:19:42 PM
That is too funny Connie! Alot of us of a certain age have had varied and probably unmentionable experiences with ole Boone's Farm. My fav was the Strawberry Hill! It is not that much more expensive in cost over the last 30 years. I believe now it is a whopping 3 bucks! Would love to see that picture of ya! Have you heard of Night Train? It's along the same line as BF. Pure YUK!!!!
Being is what it is. Jean Paul Sartre |
| connio |
Posted - Aug 30 2005 : 12:55:25 PM
Hey Farm Girls!!!
Well, I a little late in perusing the posts on wine, but I just have to comment on good ole Boone's Farm Apple Wine. Have not thought about it in years!
Boone's Farm Apple was actually my very first Farm Girl experience when I was a Freshman in college in Indiana. I think that it was about 99 cents a bottle, and we could buy it near campus at a convenience store even though we were underage. My friends and I formed a group and called ourselves the "BOONES FARM GANG." I think that there were 5 of us. We even had t-shirts made. I dropped out of my very snooty sorority to become a Boone's Farmer. The Sorority girls could not believe it. One even stopped me in the dorm one day and said "I can't believe that you left us to become a Boone's Farmer!" We took dozens of photos; I will have to see if I can find them in my old albums. Our crowning glory was when we were featured on a fraternity calendar; think that we were "December" However, there were no skimpy clothes for us; we all were wearing our red Boone's Farm t-shirts, bell bottom jeans and had long straight hair parted down the middle!!! Ah, the excesses of youth!!!!!!! Lots of funs!!!
I will have to dig these photos out and show them to my nieces who are students at the University of Texas in Austin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Connie
cozycottage |
| greyghost |
Posted - Aug 29 2005 : 4:13:58 PM
I shall have to try this Seven Deadly Zins - sounds interesting!
My favorite wines come from a winery here in N. GA - a bit of a drive (a couple hours) but so worth it! It's called Habersham Winery: http://www.habershamwinery.com/ I've tried most everything and many, many of their wines are so good it's hard to choose one over another. |
| Kim |
Posted - Aug 29 2005 : 11:18:30 AM
Ok, girls, since I have been here in Kansas I have tried the following Merlots: Firefly (australian), Four Sisters (australian) and a Kansas Wine (red). All very good, though I think my favorite at this point is the Four Sisters.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| ByHzGrace |
Posted - Aug 28 2005 : 7:29:42 PM
I was looking for the bread thread and what goes bettern with my bread addiction then a little love potion.
Mimosas!!!!
Have you tried lime granites?
I finally got a drip system laid to grow muscadines. |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Jul 08 2005 : 09:11:51 AM
Hi Greyghost! Glad you are joining in our little wine discussions! I am a pinot gris fan too, and recently tried Cindy's rec. of Seven deadly Zins. WOW, it was excellent. Thanks Cindy! I'll have to check out Ravenswood Zin. Have you tried the Rosemont Shiraz? Pretty good stuff...not too tanic. Thanks for the limoncello recipe Cindy!
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb101.html |
| Cindy Young |
Posted - Jul 08 2005 : 04:19:31 AM
Hi greyghost,
I too have had Ravenswood Red Zin, very tasty! I love the fruity flavors of the red zin, yet still dry and not too sweet for my taste. Earlier I mentioned The Seven Deadly Zins, which is my current favorite red zin. I have not had the Lindeman's Shiraz, but I do love their Bin 65 Chardonney. A real bargain, and one of my favorites.
Glad to have you on board.
Cindy
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2Timothy 4:7 |
| greyghost |
Posted - Jul 06 2005 : 5:46:07 PM
Ahh! - a wine thread and I missed it for days!
I LOVE wine. I too am guilty of Lancers in college. And Blue Nun. And Liebfraumilch. lol.
After that it was Riesling by Schmitt Sohne (still my husband's favorite, now so sweet to me I cannot drink it!)
Nowadays I love a Shiraz, a pinot gris/pinot grigio... Ravenswood Red Zin - mmmmm.
And a great, cheap bottle that non wine-snob friends seem to enjoy and I find fairly smooth is Beringer's White Zinfandel.
I just tried a cheap bottle of Shiraz Cabernet by Lindemans. Falls flat on its face, IMHO. No great finish or anything. |
| Cindy Young |
Posted - Jul 02 2005 : 07:05:46 AM
Jenny,
AAHHH...a quiet moment to myself! I finally had a few minutes to look up the Lemon Liqueor recipe I promised you. I use cheap vodka for something like this.
4 cups vodka
2# lemons (about 8 large)
6 cups water
2 1/2 cups sugar
with veg. peeler or lemon zester, remove zest in thin strips. put zest in 1/2 gal. jar with tight fitting lid. Pour in vodka, cover, let stand, out of direct sunlight, 2-4 days. Shake jar several times a day. (I put mine near the ktchen sink as I am there most often, and it is an easy reminder). When zest is pale and crisp like parchment, you've extracted all the oil. Strain and discard zest. Make sugar syrup by combining water with sugar in saucepan over medium heat till sugar dissolves and mixture is clear. Let cool to room temp. Stir into infused alcohol. The mix will turn cloudy. Pour into clean bottles, straining if you like. Seal with cork or cap. Serve over ice.
I do not find this strong at all. It is a really nice after dinner drink, or you can use it in any sweet martini drink in place of regular vodka. Because you can bottle this in any size bottle you prefer, it is a perfect Christmas gift or hostess gift.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2Timothy 4:7 |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Jul 01 2005 : 12:29:53 PM
I tasted a little tiny taste of the limoncello. It is pretty strong, but does have a nice lemon flavor. I thought it might be good in real lemonade, just a touch that is. That stuff could curl my straight hair!
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb101.html |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Jun 29 2005 : 08:21:22 AM
Cindy, Best of luck to you! I know exactly what you mean about money being so tight these days! I may have to take a job outside the home also. We have a daughter in college and although she works hard at a job and pays many of her expenses it is still very tight for us. I filled her gas tank yesterday to return to her college town and it was 50 bucks! These gas prices are insane! We are all in the same boat! Take Care! Jenny
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb101.html |
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