Tag Archives: Valley Wine and Liquor

Pre-Adventure Post

I thought I would make a quick blog post before setting out on whatever adventures I happen to have today.  I really do not know what I intend to do.  They should put my picture in the dictionary under “indecisive,” although somebody else would have to pick which picture.  I know, nobody uses dictionaries these days, they look it up on their phone.  I actually own a dictionary that was given to me by a friend in the late ’80s (the 1980s!  I am not that old!) (I know somebody made that joke, don’t pretend you didn’t).

One possibility for today.

I threw in a picture, because that was getting kind of bogged down.  I might make my way to Valley Wine and Liquor where Sugar & Milk is doing a pop-up from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Of course I will also go inside for the tasting.  There is one from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one from 1 to 4 p.m.  Who, me, get there right around one and attend both tastings? Kim and I used to do that every Saturday, when they almost always had two tastings.  We were their best customers.

Either would be worth a stop.

Basloe Library was where I had thought to stop for their book sale.  Yes, I have far too many books as it is, but I don’t have to keep what I purchase; I can pass them on after I read them.  The more potent argument is that once I start reading a book I cannot put it down and get nothing done for the duration.  It is a dangerous addiction.  However, looking for a picture of Basloe, I found this one which also features the sign for Exiled Games.  I stopped there on the Spring Shop Crawl, and they are very nice.  They have some delightful crocheted animals.  One cannot have too many crocheted animals, can one?

Well I have babbled on for over 300 words and plugged a few local businesses, so I shall call this a blog.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

Thanks, Lisa and Valley!

I have not been going to as many tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY as previously, but yesterday, I noticed that Adirondack Winery was there, so I had to make the trip down and see my friend Lisa, who I knew would be pouring.  It was a warm walk, but I needed the exercise.  I may have mentioned how grateful I am to be able to walk again.  I bet you thought I was going to whine about the heat (you know who you are).

She’s awesome!

Even though I am quite familiar with the product, I was happy to sample again.  There were also a couple of new wines to try!  I started with the Cabernet Sauvignon, one of my favorite flavors.  This one rated my ultimate accolade of “yummy.”  As regular readers know, I am not a sophisticated oenophile (I pronounce it “oh-nee-oh-file”).  I found the Pinot Gris a little sweet for my tastes, but then I tend to like my liquor bone dry.

Pina Colada was a new one for me (the Pina should have a tilda over the n, but I do not know how to do that on my Chromebook, or anywhere else for that matter) (as regular readers know, technology eludes me).  It tastes just like a Pina Colada!  It was amazing!  Sweet or not, that is a great summer drink!  I found the Strawberry very strawberry-y. Hey, my Chromebook is not underlining “strawberry-y.”  I guess it agrees that should be a word!

As always I found the Lavender delightful, the wine and the story behind it.  The owner of the winery invented it, because his wife so loved all things lavender.  I told Lisa of a conversation I had with a charming 12-year-old girl once where we were talking about lavender and rolling the “r.”  It sounds better when you say it than when you type it.  The Blueberry was also yummy: fruity but not too sweet.  I mentioned that 1,000 Islands Winery also makes a Blueberry wine.  I will have to get a bottle of both sometime and have a taste-off.  Perhaps sometime when I have another W(h)ine and Cheesey Party.

The last thing I tried was the Lavender Lemonade, two parts wine and one part lemonade.  I decided I liked the straight wine better, but for a summer party this would be OK.  I took a recipe for Serenity Lavender Lemonade, which is a little more complicated.  I also took a flier about the winery in Lake George and the Queensbury Tasting Room.  I would like to get a group together to visit one or both!  With a designated driver, of course.

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 South Caroline St., Herkimer, phone number 315-867-5800.  They have tastings almost every weekend.  You can follow them on Facebook or check out their website at shopvalleywine.com.

 

 

Slack Before Scatter

I thought I might try to make my Saturday blog post before I left the house and got caught up in a whirlwind of activities.  Doesn’t that make me sound ambitious?  In fact, all I plan to do is go to the Town of Herkimer Park in East Herkimer to attend Community Day and write about it for the Daily Sentinel.  I may avoid the inflatable obstacle course that was at the Wellness Fair.

Who could resist?

I took this picture at the Wellness Fair back in May.  Yes, I  went through the obstacle course after finding a friend willing to hold my bags while I went.  I got a nice scrape on my elbow for my pains, but it was fun.  I think it is supposed to be at the park again this afternoon.  I feel I have nothing to prove, but then again, I did not go through it before to prove anything;  I just thought it looked fun.

After I check out the Community Day, I may stop by Valley Wine and Liquor for their tasting:  Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream and Five Farms Irish Cream from 1 to 4 p.m.  Sounds fancy.  I was fancy yesterday, wearing a silky-looking red top.  I kept pointing out to people that I was wearing my fancy shirt.  Some of them were suitably impressed or humored me by pretending to be.  I like it when people humor me.  I am not dressed fancily today.

Oh dear, it seems I am babbling on to no purpose.  Well, my title did say I am slacking before leaving the house for my Scattered Saturday.  At least I have made a blog post of over 250 words.  Mohawk Valley Adventures await!

 

High Temperatures, Lame Blog Posts

Oh crap, I forgot to make my blog post earlier!  AND I already used my “I’m MELTING!” picture earlier this week.  Who knew I would be melting even worse today?  I guess anybody who was watching the weather reports, which in fact, I have been.  Anyways, it is Lame Post Friday, so I am just going to rattle on for 200 or so words, perhaps indulging in a few random observations or some half-baked philosophy. It is Friday; I checked.

There are wine tastings on Fridays.

This is a picture from last week at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  Full disclosure:  It may have been Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.  They have tastings all three of those days.  I believe they do not have a tasting tomorrow, on the Fourth. I did not attend yesterday’s tasting.  I am thinking of going to today’s tasting, which has already started.  It runs till six.  I have time. I just have to put my pants back on (do NOT say TMI) (you know who you are).

I do not have mine in a row, by the way

I throw in a duck, because who doesn’t love a duck (if it is you, I believe you have come to the wrong blog, because I love ducks and often include them)?  That is a duck I won in a claw machine in Boulevard Diner in Whitesboro and subsequently presented to my friend Michele on her birthday.  I won a spangly blue duck in a claw machine at Friendly’s in New Hartford yesterday.  It is presently residing on my coffee table, which really needs cleaning.

It is, in fact, too hot for me to worry about cleaning my house right now.  Perhaps I can get something done after the heat of the day today or before the heat of the day tomorrow.  Will it be worth a blog post?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my weekend.

 

Almost a Perfect Tasting

Emboldened by my success with breakfast out yesterday, I went to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  I do love wine.  I checked:  a little bit of wine is not incompatible with the medications I am on (I risk a HIPAA violation to soothe any fears my well-wishers may harbor).  Wines from two wineries were offered.

She was very knowledgeable.

First I tasted wines from Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, a New York State winery using grapes from Long Island.  I did not even know they grew grapes on Long Island.  Anita, the lady pouring, told many things about the wines, but I was not very quick at taking notes.  I enjoyed the Perfect Rose.  The Perfect Bubbly was sweeter than I like, but I am sure it would be perfect for many.

Revelation wines from Columbia Valley in Washington State were next.  This is a third generation winery, making sustainable vegan wines.  I tasted a lot of grapefruit in the Sauvignon Blanc.  The Riesling was sweeter than I like, but then I like really dry wines.

I decided to purchase a bottle of the Perfect Rose.  Anita nicely carried it to the register for me, and a young man carried it to my car.  Two crutches make things awkward, but one does what one can.

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 S. Caroline St., Herkimer, NY.  They have tastings almost every weekend.

 

Maybe a Trip to Cooperstown…

People (even ones who are not named Shirley) must understand that Mohawk Valley Girl had to  attend a tasting of Cooperstown Distillery’s wares at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer on Friday.  Cooperstown, NY is a most delightful destination in easy driving distance from Herkimer (where I live), and the distillery is just one for the many attractions.  I do not drink a lot of booze, being more of an oenophile (that’s a fancy word for wino; regular readers know I like to be fancy), but I do love to taste it.

Cooperstown Select!

Sasha is one of the regular pourers at Valley, and she pretty much expects to see me.  Regular readers may remember that I left my adventure book at the liquor store on Thursday (I believe I mentioned it in my blog post).  Sasha was holding it up as I walked in.  Phew!  Someday I may want to compile my tasting notes into an irreverent wine and booze guide.

I started with the American Blend, which I declared nice.  I move on to the Straight Bourbon at 100 proof.  My note is “I like that!”  I must stay away from the really strong stuff.  Still, a little at a time is perfectly acceptable.  I can also purchase some to share.  The Straight Rye was very smooth.  Of course I had to bring up the song about “Bye Bye, Miss American Pie” (I can’t just say “American Pie,” because it might get mixed up with the vulgar movie).

When I tried the Single Malt Whiskey, I tried to explain single malt as referenced in Malice, a guilty pleasure movie of Steve’s and mine featuring Nicole Kidman, Alec Baldwin, Bill Pullman (whose name escaped me at the time) and Ann Bancroft in a wonderful cameo.  I don’t think I explained it very well, but now I want to watch the movie again.

I enjoyed the tasting but do not plan to switch from wine to bourbon at the present time.  To find out about tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor, you can visit their website at shop valleywine.com.

 

Another Taste, Please!

I wasn’t going to go to the tasting at Valley Wine and Spirits in Herkimer, NY yesterday, because when I get a free taste I like to make a purchase and I have enough wine and booze on hand for my next party which is not yet scheduled (I think that is a run-on sentence, but it is so seldom that I have one, I shall not apologize).  Where was I?  Oh yes, showing up to say hello to my friends of DikinDurt Distillery at Valley Wine and Liquor.

Nice lady, nice booze!

I seem to have mislaid the adventure book where I took my tasting notes, but I remember what I tasted and think I remember what I thought about it.  I actually think I left the book at the liquor store, because now that I think about it, I seem to remember putting it on some boxes of canned drinks under the tasting counter when I went to take the picture.  I can only hope it is still there, or that one of the workers saw it and said, “This has to be Cindy’s.”  I am known for going to tastings and taking tasting notes.

The bottle Kayla is holding is the Bourbon, which I liked.  It is funny how one’s tastes change, because I used to not care for bourbon.  Now I like the really good ones.  Next I tasted the clear Moonshine, which I purchased the last time I tasted DikinDurt.  I thought it might be good to serve at a party or perhaps to donate to a Basket of Cheer.  It was pretty strong all by itself.  90 proof, I think she said.

“That’ll clear your sinuses!” I said.  I liked it, but these things can be dangerous if taken to excess.

Next I tried the Raspberry, just to try a sweet one, which I rarely do.  It was quite tasty, very fruity and sweet. I am not big on the sweet stuff, but I can see where others might like this, mixed with pink lemonade or ginger ale, or even over ice.

I greatly enjoyed my tastes and my conversation.  DikinDurt Distillery has a tasting room at 7447 Main St., Newport, NY, which is open Fridays by reservation, 315-868-1563.  Their products are available at Valley Wine and Wine and Liquor as well as many local bars and restaurants. You can follow them on Facebook.

 

Just a Taste!

This week Valley Wine and Liquors in Herkimer NY is doing three days of New York State tastings.  You know Mohawk Valley Girls plans to be there all three days!  So far I have attended two and can I just say YUM!

He had a lot of spirit!

Thursday was Old Home Distillers out of Lebanon, NY.  I met Aaron who, with his brother Adam and his parents run the show.  He poured me itty bitty tastes, so I could try all the different flavors. They distill small batch hand-crafted spirits using locally grown ingredients.  Regular readers know I am more into wine than liquor.  I believe this is because liquor is, as they say, quicker, and I need to take things slowly at my age.  But this stuff was good.  I think I could sip the Field Days Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bourbon slowly.

The rye from the Electric Mayhem straight rye whiskey comes from Richfield Springs.  I liked the homage to the band from the Muppet Show.  It was also a reference to the mayhem that  inevitably ensues when one begins to distill rye, Aaron said.  The one I purchased, though was the Peppershine.  When I tasted it, I said, “Ow!  I would have to have this one in a mixed drink.”  Aaron suggested a Bloody Mary or a highball.  He had me a Bloody Mary.  He gave me a flier of cocktail recipes which included one for a Bloody Mary.

I also picked up a flier for the distillery.  I wonder if I could persuade anybody to take a road trip with me.  I would love to go take a tour.

 

Where Have I Been? Where May I Go?

With apologies for missing my Wednesday blog post, I attempt another Throwback Thursday.  I have done a few things this morning, not many of course:  took a mile and a half walk, met friends for breakfast, talked to my parents, met with a contractor (long story, not very interesting)… OK, I have not done much.  I have a hair and toenail appointment this afternoon and a murder mystery rehearsal this evening (preview of coming attractions).  I certainly hope I remember to take a couple of pictures at rehearsal for a Post-Rehearsal Post.

Now what did I do with that little silver purse?

This is a picture of my bestie Kim and me at a Prohibition Party at Gerber’s 1933 Tavern in Utica, NY.  I actually have some better 1920s outfits now, and I am always hoping to add more. Note to self:  make the next murder mystery a 1920s theme.  I thought I would throw back to businesses previously visited, but of course I cannot get away from my theatrical (not to say drama queen) nature.

Cheers to a Cute Little Blonde!

Here is a local business I need to return to soon, Heelpath Brewing in Frankfort.  The Cute Little Blonde mentioned in the caption refers to the wine Kim is drinking, from Rustic Ridge Winery in Burlington Flats.  That would be more of a drive for me to visit, but it is a delightful place.

The bunnies were still there last week!

Now here is a place I have been recently and intend to return to today: Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  I go for their weekly tastings, for a naughty sip and some pleasant conversation.  I must see what they are tasting today.

I have cheered myself up, thinking of these places I have been to and can go to again.  I miss my Kim, who has moved halfway across the country, but perhaps she will return for a visit sometime.  In the meantime, there is no reason I cannot enjoy some Mohawk Valley Adventures with other friends or even on my own.

 

Snowman and St. Patrick’s Saturday

I did not exactly have a Scattered Saturday, but during my gyrations, I thought I might come up with a blog post.  I did not care to drive anywhere; there was not a lot of snow accumulation, but I didn’t trust the roads since we had started out with rain.  Walking would be all right, I thought. I wanted to get to the post office by two to mail out my usual Saturday post cards.

As I walked, I saw something odd at the side of the road.  I couldn’t tell what it was, till I got up close.  It was a snowman head! Not of actual snow, but one of those lawn decorations of wire and plastic. I looked around but did not see a headless snowman anywhere.  I did not want to leave the head to be run over countless times and ruined, so I picked it up and carried it along.  Then I had the idea to stick it in one of the remaining snowbanks.

He fits right in!

And on I went to the post office, where I realized I had lost the glove I took off to take the picture.  Well, I needed the exercise of more walking so retraced my steps till I found the glove.  Phew!  It was cold out, so gloves and hat were needed.

I went on to get some money out of the ATM at Cliff’s (to plug a local business) (yes, Cliff’s has many locations throughout the region, but it is a family-owned business based locally).  Then I was right across from Valley Wine and Liquor (another local business), so I went in for the Saturday wine tasting, which ran from one to four.  I did not purchase any wine, since I was walking and wine bottles can get pretty heavy, but I made notes of what to purchase later.

Regular readers know I like to drink wine.

This picture was actually taken at a previous date.  I wanted to show off my new bracelet from One Of A Kind Designs Handcrafted Jewelry by Debora Bruce.  It is a Facebook based business, run by a friend I have known since elementary school.  She makes some lovely pieces.  I must purchase more.

I did some more walking in the cold and ended up at the Elks Lodge, where I enjoyed a glass of wine.  I took a picture of a fellow Elk who was nicely dressed for St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

I think he had been golfing.

I myself was wearing a little green but failed to take a selfie.  Maybe today when I am out and about.  Since we all seem to be celebrating St. Patrick’s day all weekend.  Or I could wear a toga, because today is the Ides of March.  You know, Julius Caesar? In any case, I have gotten a lengthy (for me) blog post out of my Saturday activities.  If you read the whole thing, I thank you.