Monday, February 12, 2007

Time for a break...

After five days of bone-chilling cold (where the high was around 20F/-6.67C), we finally got a break with the temp when Saturday came around and we were finally greeted with a high of 33F/0C! Trust me, that extra 13 degrees really helps specially when the sun is out in all it's glory. Ahhh, I miss the sun and it's warmth. Though I get that every night when I snuggle with truenorthgal.

Anyway, we woke up late. It was nice just to lay in bed soaking in all that goodness. I've suggested a wine tasting activity for Saturday. I thought truenorthgal wouldn't go for it as she doesn't like drinks with any alcohol content but she said yes. I was just glad we could get out of the house and I was excited by what we will taste and find.

We were headed to Alba Vineyard near the Delaware River. It wasn't that far off from where we lived. Here is an example of how bad it got. We actually had ice falls along the highway.




Here is a better shot:



It was interesting to see all that water freeze up after just a couple of days of cold weather. Though just remember, this happened over time. As water melted a bit, it refroze over the existing ice. The constant thaw/freeze cycle resulted in these icicles.

Eventually, after enjoying the company of the winding creek below, we got to our destination.


It was a wine and chocolate weekend, where various vineyards open their doors to the public so we could sample their wine and some food that really goes great with it. After paying a fee for me and truenorthgal, they handed us free glasses and a taste of their brut-sparkling wine. We excitedly checked on the different bottles on display. Eventually, we heard other guests in the next room and decided to join them.

It was a pretty simple setup. There were various people serving wine and food. They would recommend what type of cheese would go with what white wine or how you eat a piece of chocolate by using it like a straw to get to a nice red. In the end, we tried about seven or eight wines including two ice wines. They measured the amount of wine they poured using bottle pourers so you won't have to worry about getting too tipsy to drive on the road. They were nice enough that they didn't mind pouring a little bit more for you to get a real taste of the wine.

I was really excited with their rieslings and blueberry wine. I specially liked it when I found out they made an award winning gevurtztraminer in 1987 and they were making some from the grapes they planted in 2006! I will definitely come back to the vineyard in the fall and see where they are with it.

Here is a shot of their sign followed by a couple of shots of part of the 30 acres of vines they are preparing for the next season.




Here is one of their corks. I can't wait to pop this one out of the couple of bottles we took home. Thank you Lord!

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