Southern Connecticut Wine Company Invites You To Make Your Own Wine Features Ingredients Education Cooking Classes WIne Wine Tasting Vineyard Wallingford Emma Jane-Doody Stetson October 31, 2017 In 2016, Forbes Magazine claimed to have discovered the “secret to happiness.” “Spend money on experiences, not things,” they told their readers. CNN took it one step further. “That's in part because the initial joy of acquiring a new object, such as a new car, fades over time as people become accustomed to seeing it every day…,” they reported. “Experiences, on the other hand, continue to provide happiness through memories long after the event occurred.”Those looking to invest in a meaningful experience can find a solution tucked away in Wallingford, just off the highway, but hidden from view. Southern Connecticut Wine Company, located in an unassuming garage-like building behind the railroad tracks, affords people the unique opportunity to create their own wine over the course of a season. I had the chance to be an honorary co-op member for the day and witness a little bit of what they have to offer. Read More
Saugatuck Grain + Grape Launches Wine Education Class Series Ingredients Cooking Classes WIne Wine Tasting Stephanie Webster April 02, 2015 Saugatuck Grain + Grape is going to be holding a series of wine education classes. Classes will be held every other week this spring. The series will cover everything from "Introduction to Wine Tasting, Lexicon, and Labels" to "The World Through Rosé Covered Glasses" as they dive into specific varietals. For those who don't know Mimi and her team, there will most definitely be fun, food and some bad wine jokes in every session. Classes will be led by Mimi McLaughlin and Jon Carr, the newest member of the SG+G team. There will be nibbles prepared by Mark Hepperman, their in-house chef, so your tummy and taste buds will be happy in a multitude of ways. Below is a break down of the syllabus, cost and dates. Please call the store to reserve your spot. Read More
Recap: Mohegan Sun's Winefest 2015...Good Times! Ingredients Wine Chat Wine Tasting Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 11, 2015 2015 marked the 12th year of Mohegan Sun’s popular WineFest. The format continued as it has in years past, with a Friday night bourbon tasting, Grand Tastings on Saturday and Sunday, an Elite Cru tasting, and a Celebrity Chef Dine Around on Saturday night. The event also featured many celebrity chefs beloved from previous years like William Kovel, Todd English, Michele Ragussis, Govind Armstrong, Manouschka Guerrier, and Betty Fraser. Yet, 2015 managed to stand apart with new additions and changing trends. This year, I attended the Sunday Grand Tasting rather than staying the span of the weekend. Sunday is slightly less attended, but still provides ample opportunity to see creative chef demonstrations and sample the offerings. Read More
Wine Making Class & Tasting @ Barcelona West Hartford Ingredients Restaurant Cooking Classes WIne Wine Tasting CTbites Team December 10, 2014
Best of Wines Recap: Greenwich Wine + Food Festival 2014 Ingredients Features Greenwich Wine + Food Festival WIne Wine Tasting Emma Jane-Doody Stetson October 07, 2014 The Greenwich Wine + Food Festival feels a lot like a rock concert. People from across the state come by bus, train, cab, and car to Roger Sherman Park. This year marked the 4th year of the festival. Although I have attended the event for the last three years, it never gets old. Each year, Greenwich Food + Wine evolves with new guests and changing formats. This year, the first thing I marveled at was the organization. The number of demonstrations and participants had definitely increased, but guests were evenly distributed throughout the grounds. As wine correspondent, I enjoyed the food (understatement!) but focused on the wines and drinks served that day. Wine is central to the festival; demonstrations not only include the best chefs, but also revered mixologists and sommeliers. Here are my selection for some labels to watch: Read More
5th Annual Connecticut Cheese & Wine Festival 2014 Ingredients Restaurant Cheese Festival Wine Tasting CTbites Team September 23, 2014 The 5th annual Connecticut Cheese & Wine Festival, a celebration of local artisan made foods & wines will take place at Hopkins Vineyard, 25 Hopkins Rd in New Preston, on Saturday, October 18, 2014, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event will feature locally made handcrafted cheeses, boutique wines and specialty foods and crafts from some of the Northeast’s top producers. This varied celebration, with the special wine and food pairings, promises to be the artisan food event of the year. Read More
Spring Wine Picks: Austria's Hopler Vineyards, Gruner Veltliner + Ingredients This Week In Wine Wine Chat Wine Tasting Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 24, 2014 It seems as though everyone loves a good Riesling for springtime and summer sipping. Last year, New York City was just one of the regions to participate in a “Summer of Rieslings” with a number of selections on the High Line and in restaurants. Germany is revered for its remarkable versions of the varietal. However, a lesser-celebrated varietal promises to satisfy all of your desires as the warmer weather approaches. Gruner Veltliner, a national grape of Austria, shares Riesling characteristics, but has lighter, crisper, and fresher tones than its counterpart. On Friday March 28, Fairfield County hosted Christof Hopler, a respected winemaker and owner of Hopler vineyards in Austria. He presented a selection of his delicious wines to an eager room of wine enthusiasts at South End Restaurant in New Canaan. Read More
Sun Winefest's Wine Review: What To Buy & Try Ingredients This Week In Wine Wine Shop Wine Tasting Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 08, 2014 The annual Mohegan SunWineFest caters to a variety of interests. Restaurants, artisans, winemakers, and distributors unite in the sprawling Convention Center to deliver an epic weekend. However, wine lies at its heart; it is a “wine” fest after all! I enjoyed all of event’s facets, but as CTbites' wine correspondent, I paid careful attention to the hundreds of bottles presented. I researched the offerings ahead of time, questioned the representatives, and- of course- tasted the bounties to bring you a full report on which wines reign supreme. Check out my full report on: The Rise of Sauvignon Blancs, Is Oak a Joke?, Hail a Cab, Pleasing Pinots, Behold the Blend as well as a few other wine and spirit highlights. Read More
The Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events Ingredients Restaurant Beer Dinner Cooking Classes Events Wine Shop Wine Tasting Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 21, 2014 Monday March 24, Plan B in Stamford presents “Distill it with Willett.” Five courses will be paired with bourbon and bourbon cocktails… and they’ll use bourbon in every single course! 6 pm. $75pp, tax and tip included. Also on the 24th, Napa & Co in Stamford presents “A look at Sauvignon Blanc the hot white grape!” They’ll guide you through a global look at the varietal in New Zealand, Sancerre, Russian River, Napa Valley, South Africa and Washington! $45pp. 6:30pm. Brewery Ommegang comes to Harlan Social on Tuesday, March 25th for a 5-course menu paired with their beers. $70 plus tax and tip. 6:30- 9:30pm. Call 203.883.8000 to reserve seats. Event Menu: Tuesday March 25, Barcelona in West Hartford presents “New England Beers & Tapas.” In celebration of March Madness, Chef Eric is going to prepare some savory tapas to pair with some of New England’s thirst-quenching beers. $29 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 860.218.2100 March 25 is “Good Meats! An Evening with Charcuterie” at Fairfield Cheese Co. 7-9pm. Call 203.292.8194 for more information. Wednesday March 26 is the “Iron Bar Gala” at Plan B Burger Bar in Milford. Read More
Sun WineFest 2014 @ Mohegan Sun: The Recap Ingredients Celebrity Chef Wine Shop Wine Tasting Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 26, 2014 Mohegan Sun’s annual WineFest is my Super Bowl. Before the big game, football aficionados took to twitter in anticipation of the showdown. I, too, waged a full out blitz on social media- enthusiastically counting down til I could try some great wines and see my favorite chefs back in action! For the Super Bowl, avid fans suited up in team apparel and NFL jerseys. I also donned some fancy getup; my yearly uniform is a pink shirt bedazzled with “Wine Diva” and a sparkly headband. Some people love calfskin; I love food, wine, and fun. From the moment I entered the Convention Center, it was apparent that this year’s festival was bigger than ever. Media members are granted an additional hour to peruse the venue. Last year there was a handful of us and it was easy to get a preview of what was to come. This year, however, it seemed that people everywhere were vying to cover the event. Media members were elbow-to-elbow before the doors even opened to the public. It was an extravaganza! The SunWineFest’s signature event is its Grand Tasting, which spans the weekend. Read More
The Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events Ingredients Features Restaurant CT Beer Wine Dinners Wine Tasting Beer Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 13, 2013 Thursday December 12 at 7:30, Ancona’s in Ridgefield will host a high end wine tasting. Cost is $30/person. To RSVP please call (203)544-8958 or e-mail monica@anconaswines.com. On Friday December 13 from 7:30-10pm, try out a class at Muse Paintbar, a combination between a painting studio and beer & wine bar in downtown Manchester, CT. 10 beers & 12 wines will help bring out the artist in you… and you’ll go home with a painting. $39pp. View more info here. Every other Friday, Half Full Brewery holds an “Open House.” From 5:30-8:30pm, the taps are open and guests can try their hand at bags, life-size jenga, draw on the chalkboard wall, and hang out. $15pp. Details here. Lidia Bastianich will be spending some time in Stamford on Saturday, 12/14 at Fairway Market. From 1-3 pm you can meet her at the store and she’ll sign your copies of her brand new book, Lidia’s Commonsense Italian Cooking: 150 Delicious and Simple Recipes Anyone Can Master. While there, you’ll be able to try out and buy some of Lidia’s pastas and sauces, too, with demos and tastings. Read More
The Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events Ingredients Features Restaurant Cooking Classes Education Wine Tasting Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 06, 2013 On Friday December 6, join 109 Cheese and Wine and Jim Morrison from Artisan Wines for some exceptional Italian red wines including Barolo, Brunello, and a few others. The event will take place in Ridgefield, CT and costs $55pp. 7-9pm. http://www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/507053 Saturday December 7 from 4:30– 6:30pm Amity Wines and the CT Craft Brew Guild will have a beer tasting. It will include Down East Appe Cider, Breckenridge Regal Pilsner, Green Flash Saison, Wachusett Larry IPA, Six Pints Global Warmer, Andechs Dopplebock, and more. Please RSVP to Kim or Tony directly at 203-387-6725 or tony@amitywines.net. Amity Wines Tasting Room: 65 Amity Rd, New Haven, CT 06515. http://www.amitywines.net/events/ Bishops Orchards in Guilford, CT conducts wine tours every Saturday this month at 2:00pm. Tasting and Tour combo for $10pp. http://www.bishopsorchards.com/index.php Monday December 9 at 7pm, Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market, 55 degrees Restaurant, and Vias Imports present a “Piedmont Holiday Wine Dinner” with guest host Michael Petrizzo, Northeast Brand Manager. $89 plus tax and tip. 5 courses with wine pairings. http://www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/508378 Tuesday December 10, Barcelona New Haven will hold a “Spanish Holiday Dishes” cooking class. Guests can join Chef Frank as he demonstrates how to prepare Barcelona-inspired holiday and New Year’s dishes. 7pm, $25pp. http://www.barcelonawinebar.com/calendar.htm Read More
The Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events Ingredients Restaurant Beer Dinner Events Wine Shop Wine Tasting Beer Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 29, 2013 Celebrate Black Friday with Val’s of Greenwich! Barhill Gin will be hosting a tasting to get us geared-up for the holiday season. This complimentary event will take place from 3-7pm on Friday November 29. On Monday December 2, Buon Appetito Restaurant will partner with Super Cellar Liquors for a 4 course wine dinner. It begins at 6:30 at the restaurant in Canton, CT. $75 pp. For the menu and reservation information, see https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs126/1102509927877/img/1248.jpg . Get an introduction to homebrewing beer on Tuesday December 3. The free event takes place from 6:30-8:30pm at Yale University’s International Center. Learn more and claim a seat at http://eventful.com/newhaven/events/introduction-homebrewing-beer-/E0-001-063499321-0 On Tuesday December 3, Luca Wine Bar and Visco Wines will partner with Harry’s Wine & Liquor to present a wine dinner called “The 4 Big B’s of Italy.” It will feature four of Italy’s coveted wines: Barbera, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino, and Barolo. They will be paired with 4 courses including homemade crepes, ravioli, veal shank, and poached pear for dessert. $98 pp, all inclusive. Please call Luca Wine Bar for reservations: (203) 286-5617. Read More
The Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events Ingredients Restaurant Beer Dinner Wine Tasting Beer Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 21, 2013 Mama’s Boy Southern Table & Refuge in Sono hosts a blues brunch on Sundays from 1-4pm. On November 24 and December 1 you can enjoy the Walter & David Blues Duo. More information here. On Monday November 25, Barcelona in West Hartford will offer a Thanksgiving Prep cooking class. Guests can learn to make chorizo stuffing, red chimchurri for the turkey, and more. The class starts at 7pm and costs $35pp, plus tax and gratuity. The Spread in Sono will have a pre-Thanksgiving Party on Wednesday November 27. Get the details here. Tuesday, November 26 Fairway Market will partner with Fox Radio to hold a food drive to benefit the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. 8am-7pm. On November 30, Breckenridge Beer Company is partnering with the Craft Beer Guild of CT for a wine and cheese class. The class is $20/person, limited to 12 people due to size. Class begins at 4PM at Grand Vin Fine Wines of New Haven 28 E. Grand Ave. More information here. Red Stone Pub in Simsbury, CT will host a Beer Festival on November 30th from 1-9pm. There will be live music and a wide selection of craft beers. http://www.redstonepubs.com/1/post/2013/11/beer-festival.html Read More
Summer School @ 109 Cheese & Wine in Ridgefield Ingredients Restaurant Cheese Cooking Classes Education Wine Chat Wine Tasting CTbites Team July 11, 2013 Ridgefield's best source for artisinal cheese and wine, 109 Cheese & Wine has recently expanded its footprint and education offerings. The shop, located at Ridgefield's Marketplace, has posted an impressive and fun line-up of events throughout the summer. Classes include: Red Bee Honey Pairing, Home Brewing and a Bar B Cue, The Champagne Diet, East Coast Craft Brews and Artisan Cheese & A BBQ Throw Down Wine vs. Beer. See complete listings below. Advance reservations are recommended as class size is limited, call 203-438-5757. Read More
Winesday: When It Rains, It “Pours”... Wine & the Weather Ingredients This Week In Wine Wine Tasting Winesday Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 06, 2013 “What’s going to come next- a sandstorm?” asked my friend as we stared out at the never-ending expanse of snow in front of us. This season certainly has seen its share of weather anomalies from Hurricane Sandy to the recent blizzard that hit some parts of Connecticut with more than 30 inches of snow. As I assessed the damage and tried to get my daily routine back in order, I couldn’t help but consider how these extreme storms have affected the wine industry. A wine’s quality depends on a host of climate factors including the length of the growing season, temperature, and composition of the soil. Even a small deviation can alter an entire bottle. What happens to production in the wake of such monumental weather upheavals? In order to find the answer to my question, I turned to Andie Martin, Tasting Room Manager, and Chris Moore, Vineyard Manager, at the Jonathan Edwards Winery. Read More
Amuse Bouche: The All Beverage Issue Ingredients News Wine Tasting Beer James Gribbon July 26, 2012 Stew Leonard’s Wines is getting into the Olympic spirit. They will also be hosting a “Wide World of Spirits” on Friday, July 27 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 28 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. featuring four drinks from four continents. Westport's new wine shop, BottleRocket will host several events this weekend. If you haven't stopped by yet, this top notch wine haven is worth a taste. Thurs, July 26: Magic Hat Elder Betty beer (seasonal, weiss-style and super refreshing), 4-7pm: Fri, July 27:Mer Soleil Chardonnay from California, 4-7pm & Sat, July 28: Laxas Albarino (refreshing summer sipper from Spain), 1-4pm Hartford's City Steam brew pub, already distributing their Naughty Nurse pale ale in bottles at retail, is rolling out bottles of their Innocence IPA in the coming weeks. We've asked, and we'll update you when we know Ffld. Co. locations. Read More
Stew Leonard’s: "Taste of CT" Wine, Beer & Spirits Tasting Ingredients Wine Tasting Beer CTbites Team March 12, 2012 Stew Leonard’s Wines of Danbury invites customers to a complimentary “Taste of Connecticut” wine, beer and spirits tasting on Saturday, March 31 from Noon – 7:00 p.m. This tasting is celebration of local Connecticut producers who will be pouring samples for customers to taste throughout the day. The schedule is as follows: Read More
The Wine Mapp Opens in Greenwich Ingredients Greenwich Specialty Market Wine Chat Wine Tasting Jessica Ryan November 17, 2011 The Wine Mapp, a unique wine and spirits boutique, recently opened its doors in Greenwich. The store is nicely sized, cozy and intimate. There’s a feeling of warmth at The Wine Mapp that eludes the larger competitors. The store is owned by Allyson and Charlie Do of Norwalk. It was Charlie who first had the idea of opening up such a shop after visiting a restaurant in New York City where a waiter came out with a list of wines that were stored on an electric tablet of some sort. He knew, at that moment, that he was going to open a wine shop that would incorporate technology - more specifically, he knew he was going to incorporate the iPad to give customers the best possible shopping experience. Read More
Connecticut Wine Festival 2011 Ingredients Restaurant Events Wine Chat Wine Tasting Amy Kundrat July 05, 2011 Explore then the best of Connecticut’s wineries under one "roof" at this year's Connecticut Wine Festival on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday July 31 at the Goshen Fairgrounds. Included in the $25 price of admission ($20 in advance) are wine tastings, a commemorative festival wine glass and tote bag, specialty food samples, a craft fair and live music. Read More
