My wife and I celebrated our 5th anniversary on the 24.May, we enjoyed a nice weekend minus our little one. Both of us really missed her, but it was nice to enjoy a quiet weekend by ourselves. The weekend started perfectly, bright sunny day and we were heading to Bedford Springs Resort in PA for the weekend. Before we got out of VA, we stopped at a new winery called Fabbioli Cellars. Very small operation, but the staff was very helpful and down to earth, which makes for a nice tasting. I am a little more selective than my wife when it comes to wine. We enjoyed the tasting and my wife really wanted a bottle of their desert wine, "Raspberry Merlot." I was not overly impressed with the wine, but everything takes time and with a great staff, people will continue to return for a visit. As soon as we were finished with Fabbioli Cellars, I was ready to stop by the next winery for more. This is my favorite part of wine, trying new vineyards from all over the world. My wife enjoys wine , but is slowly learning to "taste" instead of just drinking it. She was eager to arrival at Bedford Springs Resort, so my wine tasting journey was quickly halted, but only for a short period. She knows my passion for wine and also knew I had researched wineries in the PA area prior to our departure, lol.
We arrived at Bedford Springs Resort about 2 1/2 hours later. It was breathless as we slowly arrived at the resort property. This was an AMAZING sight. Check out their website: http://www.bedfordspringsresort.com/  If you checked the website, I do not need to say anymore....simply breath taking......
My wine tasting started shortly after we checked in and made our way to our room. I brought a bottle given to us at our wedding a 2001 Jefferson Vineyards, Virginia, Merlot/Petit Verdot/Tannit/Malbec. At first the nose was very heavy with tobacco and heavy oak notes. Typically a nose I enjoy, I was not overly impressed with this wine. I only consumed one glass and was disappointed, because I had only brought this and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne. What was I thinking only one bottle of wine!!!!
While at dinner we tried the 06 Cline Viognier, I must admit I have officially found a white/green grape I enjoy, VIOGNIER is the winner. It went unbelievably well with my Chilean sea bass and lentil main course. This weekend quickly became a great wine excursion. We got back to the room and the Director of HR sent us a 07 Cline Viognier!!!!! This was a perfect finish to a perfect evening.
The next day we visited the winery/tasting room close by the resort, "Briar Valley Winery." Once again a small, new beginnings winery, but Iwas very disappointed with their tasting room, it was right on a small river that runs throughout the town, but they did not setup the tasting room so you overlooked the river, it was just a room with a nice tasting bar, not my glass of wine (cup of tea). I like scenery to look at, while I'm tasting and talking. Their wines for lack of words were very light, almost watered down tasting, but for the new wine explorer this could be a perfect fit. My wife enjoyed the Pinot Gris. I realize that I am writing a book, not a blog and I do apologize, but I was so excited about the weekend and all my new trials, that I have tons to say.
I finished my trial weekend with a 2006 Schloss Reichartshausen, German Riesling, I am not a Riesling fan, too sweet for my taste, but this German Riesling had strong notes of apple both on the nose and mouth, it also paired perfectly with my crab and Spanish dip and onion rings.
My last trial was a Port. My first Port and I do not remember any details, sorry it was ordered at the end of dinner and the waitress took the wine menus, before I had a chance to memorize it . I do not know enough about Ports, but I know it is incredibly too sweet for my taste, even with the chocolate cake my wife and I split.
If you live in the eastern part of the US, please go visit Bedford Springs Resort, very pricey, but worth every dime.
RyE