I started out my weekend the way I always used to, by stopping in at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY for a tasting. I no longer make it every weekend, but this past Friday, it was Hazlitt Winery. I had to support a New York State Winery!
I have been to Hazlitt a number of times, most memorably in (I think) 2003 when my late, beloved husband Steve and I went on our first wine tasting tour in the Finger Lakes. Wow, that was a long time ago! I have learned a little bit about wine since then. Not a lot, of course; my ultimate accolade is still “Yummy.” One thing I have learned is that you might as well take a taste, because you never know.
I make friends at these tastings!
The gentleman pouring was Connor Hennessy (one of the all time great names). I have met him before and perhaps included him in the blog (too lazy to go back and check). I started with White Stag, a sweet table wine. I found it tasty. I am not a fan of sweet wines, but I do enjoy a taste now and then. If somebody was serving this at a dinner party, I might take a small glass.
I went on to try the Peach Mango and Strawberry Watermelon. Yum! I liked the Peach Mango best. It was sweet but not too sweet. We discussed how it would be good on a hot day, perhaps over ice or in a wine slushy. I know wine slushies are very popular these days, although I have never had one.
I finished up on the Red and White Sangria. The Red was the sweetest of the day, but I did not think the White was too sweet (it was sweet, it just wasn’t too sweet). I still prefer a drier wine, but I may pick up one of these when I am entertaining and want a variety of tastes available.
It was an enjoyable interlude. I enjoyed chatting with Connor and hope to see him again. Valley Wine and Liquor holds tastings almost every weekend. You can check out the schedule at http://shopvalleywine.com.
Mohawk Valley Girl 