Mumsey responded July 29, 2008 at 7:20AM

  

You'll want to bring some oyster crackers or some other bland cracker. After tasting a few different wines, you won't know what you like unless you clean your palatte. (In other words, not only will you get a hangover if you drink the whole taste at each place depending on how much they pour, you also won't get the true taste.) All the buzz on swishing the wine around the glass? That's just so air gets into the wine and you can taste it better. If you think you like something, write it down, then come back later and taste it again to be sure. Ask if there are discounts offered on a half case (a whole case maybe too much money) or if it's less expensive at the winery. (If it's a local winery). Good wine these days shouldn't cost more than $15 if that. And even if you LOVE their labels (labels are considered artwork these days, and there are some beautiful ones), don't be swayed by the label if you don't just love that wine inside. Trust me, I made that mistake once and ended up using the wine for cooking! Most of all, have fun, don't feel intimiated (and if a winery makes you feel that way, don't buy from them!)and enjoy the time with DH!

  LatteMommy responded July 29, 2008 at 10:20AM

  LatteMommy

Thanks for the GREAT advice Mumsey! I wish I could find the Westminister Oyster crackers to bring with us. They don't sell them down here, have to stock up when we go to New England.
Glad you told me what the swishing the wine around the glass does. DH was just asking and I was dumbfounded.
The local wines around here are more expensive but are still really good. Our favorite is Steeplechase Red by Linganore Cellers. We like the Sutter Home wines too.
We are trying to drink the dark red wines for the health benefits.
I love the sweeter wines (dh calls them grape juice). Dh loves the dry wines.
We have a lot of vineyards around here. I was shocked to here how many.

  dustbunny responded July 30, 2008 at 3:00PM

  dishing the dirt, cleaning the chaos

hope you had a blast! sticky mommy & I both visited a vineyard last week too :)try flemingjenkins.com, rose. tasty!