Tag Archives: Valley Wine and Liquor

We Interrupt this Christmas Celebration for a Blog Post

Posted on December 26, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been off WordPress since, I believe, Christmas Eve Eve (of COURSE I am too lazy to go back and check).  I just typed in some 600 words about my parents’ house, coffee, tea, and the 21st century.  It needs editing.  I must say it is rather a joy to be composing at the keyboard.  I have not even had a pen and paper in front of me in a number of days.  I do not recommend fasting from writing.  It feels good to get back at it, but I believe it would have felt better never to have stopped.

Here’s a festive lady!

No, I have not been away from the blog due to excessive consumption of wine, although those who know me may be forgiven for thinking so.  I merely wanted to put in a Christmasy picture, and this is one I have not yet used. It is Lisa from Adirondack Winery pouring for a tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY recently.  I walked down specifically to see her.  She is there on a regular basis, and we have become friends.  I told her all my Christmas-related drama, and she told me some fun stories of her day job (she works in the school system).  I had to take a picture of her seasonal outfit.

Still jingling all the way!

These slippers, a gift from my late husband Steven, made another appearance, as did the fun socks.  I am Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time, as the song goes (I love that song).  This is, as you may have guessed, another placeholder post, to keep my hand (fingers, really) in as a blogger (keep my finger in the blogger pie?  Mmmm…. pie!).  I need to begin my celebration of Boxing Day, or the Feast of Stephen, or perhaps Second Christmas (you know, like Second Breakfast).  More blog posts to follow!  Eventually.

 

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Jim Beaming

Posted on October 12, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I often go to the weekly tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY but have not made a blog post about them in a while.  Yesterday (Friday; yes I am making my Friday post late, but for once I hope it will not be Lame) I had a nice time sipping Jim Beam and chatting, so I thought I would make a blog post about it.

I was actually out for a walk, bringing a notebook and adventure book with me, because I did not know where I might end up. I had vague thoughts of stopping by Valley but since I did not want to purchase anything heavy I would have to carry, I hesitated. I stopped at Cliff’s to get some cash out of the ATM.  Could I cross the street to the liquid store (as a niece referred to such stores when she was four)?  A car stopped and waved me across.  What else could I do?

She was great!

Caroline, the pourer, was happy to see me, remembering me from other tastings.  She likes that I take notes about what I taste.  I always chat up the person pouring; it is one of the sociable things I enjoy.

I started with a mixture Caroline had made with 1 1/2 parts Honey Jim Beam, 4 parts lemonade, a splash of club soda and lime.  It was very tasty and refreshing.  It would make a good punch to serve at a party.  I moved on to tasking the flavored product straight.

The Jim Beam Fire was not as hot as I had expected but flavorful with a cinnamon taste.  The Jim Beam Vanilla was delightful.  Caroline said that was everybody’s favorite.  The Jim Beam Sunshine Blend tasted more like a straight whiskey to me; if you prefer unflavored spirits, this would be the one for you.  The Jim Beam Apple was, well, apple-y.

For anybody tsk-tsking me because I got free tastes but didn’t purchase anything, I intend to return the Valley Wine and Liquor today and buy something.  Will I get there at the time of the Saturday tasting?  Perhaps I will.

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 S. Caroline St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-867-5800.

 

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Did I Say Daily Blogger? Oops

Posted on August 7, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

So… another gap in what I wanted to be a daily blog.  Never mind why; explanations are tiresome.  Since it is Wednesday morning (is it Wednesday?  I somehow thought it was still Monday), I will try for a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post.

Pretty!

I took a couple of pictures in my back yard a while ago, after I had spent some time cleaning out fallen branches from the last storm.  My Rose of Sharon as a whole is not looking as lovely as some I have seen in my walks and runs, but I was happy to see some blossoms.  I need to get more aggressive in cleaning out the wild grape vines which are taking over the place.  I am a little afraid my back yard will turn into some cheesy sci-fi/horror flick:  The Vines That Ate Mohawk Valley Girl.  I was thinking maybe The Grapes of Wrath,  but it doesn’t pay to get to literary.

I tried to get just the blooms.

Another area I have to clean out is where my Black-Eyed Susans reside.  I don’t mind them taking over an area, which they also tend to do, but there are a number of other things growing there which were not invited.

She was so cool!

Changing the subject, here is a lovely lady who was pouring canned cocktails at a recent tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY (just to throw in a brief shout-out to a local business).  I did not make it to any tastings last week (they had three!).  I must see what they are pouring this weekend.

I see I am over 250 words.  I call that respectable.  If only I could get back to doing it every day!

 

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Cheers to the Luna Moth!

Posted on July 25, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had two authentic Mohawk Valley adventures last night with the result that I was too tired to blog about either one.  This morning I feel pressed for time, so I will put those on hold (which I hear receptionists should not do to a bomb threat), and try for a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post.

Beautiful!

I took this picture at work a couple weeks ago.  Isn’t it awesome?  It is only the second or third time I saw a Luna Moth.  I forgot to share it on Facebook (it was the end of break at the time) so thought it was perfect for a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday.

Full disclosure: He was not drinking at the time.

This is Elvis, a pourer at a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  I have sadly not blogged about a tasting there in a while, but I usually mention the blog while I am taking tasting notes.  This time, Elvis said to me, “Do you want to take a picture for the blog?”  I confessed to not having used the previous picture.  Now, if he is pouring at another tasting, I can say I used one of the pictures.

I miss my adventure partner!

Here is my friend Kim on her recent visit to the Mohawk Valley.  We had paused at the Waterfront Grille, also in Herkimer, for a libation and a snack.  I suggested we take the previously obligatory pictures of each other toasting.

I had to stand up, because I was back-lit. No, I wasn’t lit!

My picture also gives a shout-out to Herkimer College, previously (and to some always) known as HCCC or H-Trip-C.

As I approach 300 words, I sign off on another late post.  Full disclosure:  there is every possibility today’s post will be late too.  But how appropriate for a Non-Sequitur Thursday post.

 

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A Fine Start to the Weekend

Posted on April 13, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t always go to the tastings at Valley Wine and Liquors in Herkimer, NY, but I had to go yesterday, when they were sampling F%&*(ing Good Wine (they spell out the word on the bottle).  Who could resist?  I have also been inconsistent in making blog posts about the tastings I have attended.  However, in chatting with Dave, the pourer (is there a technical term for that person?  I think there is, but I do not know it), I mentioned my blog, and he seemed so impressed that I feel almost obligated to write this post.

He was very cool.

Alas, he had only one wine to sample, Pinot Grigio, but I liked that quite a bit.  Pinot Grigios tend to be  almost middle of the road to me, even semi-sweet at times.  This one was dry and tasty. I purchased a bottle, for future consumption with my sister who also likes dry wine.

Luckily for me, Dave was also pouring samples of Talk House canned cocktails.  Talk House is a bar on Long Island, actually more than a bar but also a venue for music and events.  A female entrepreneur wanted to bring the taste of Talk House to the world.  I remarked how canned cocktails are a wonderful thing for going to the beach, on picnics, etc.  Cans are safer than bottles, and the cocktails are already mixed.

I tried Blood Orange and Grapefruit Tequila, the latter earning my ultimate accolade of Yummy.  Although I am not big on vodka, I also tried Cranberry, Lime, and Hampton Mule Vodka.  Dave also mixed a little of the Lime with the Hampton Mule, because that is the way he likes it.  My favorite was the Hampton Mule, but it was not something I would crave.  I purchased a four-pack of the Grapefruit Tequila.  If it gets warm enough for porch sitting next week, I am all set (this weekend is predicted to be cold and rainy).

As I paid for my purchases, I chatted with the cashiers, saying how this was a fun way to start the weekend.  I like to try something new, but even more I enjoy chatting with the pourers, who are always friendly and often full of stories about the products they sell.

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 S. Caroline St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-867-5800.  They have tastings most Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons.

 

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Too Tired to Post on Scattered Saturday!

Posted on March 31, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, I broke my streak of days in a row posting by neglecting to post anything yesterday.  In my defense, I have no defense.  These things happen, and we must make the best of them.  I took a nice long walk yesterday, ending up at the End Zone pub in Herkimer, NY, one of my favorite watering holes.  I confess to enjoying a daytime libation on a Saturday.  Anyways, I wasn’t driving.  I did not take any pictures, but perhaps I have one in my Media Library.

Here’s one!

This, unfortunately, was not the bartender yesterday.  It is Tino, son of the owner and somebody I am always happy to see, though, so I felt free to share the picture again.  My friend Kim joined me at the End Zone.  After she enjoyed a glass of Moscato, we went to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor.  Ooh, I think I took a picture of the pourer on my phone.

She was nice!

Her name was Leigh, and she was pouring all sweet wines, so Kim was happy.  I personally prefer dry wines.  We were especially taken with some carrots she had as decorations. She laughed and said for things she had picked up at the dollar store, they had gotten more attention than the wines.

I must get to the dollar store, although I have far too many decorations in my house as it is.

After the wine tasting, we went to Heelpath Brewing in Frankfort, NY (was it a Freudian typo that I first put “Hellpath”?  My obsession with Halloween and horror!).  It was such a pretty, sunny day, I wanted to sit in a place with lots of windows to look out.

Cheers, Kim!

This is a picture from a different visit, but we sat in the same seats.  We had a very fun afternoon, and I am only sorry I did not write about it yesterday.  But I think you for tuning in today!

 

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It Is Not a Headache to Find Mohawk Valley Adventures

Posted on February 10, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday turned into a real Blogger’s Sick Day as I left work with a dreadful migraine.  And then I had to deal with some stuff I did not want to deal with, with a headache or at all.  Oh dear, that sounded mysterious since I do not intend to explain.  Regular readers know I consider explanations tiresome.  Never mind. Suffice it to say (I love that expression, “suffice it to say”), I dealt with stuff, competently or otherwise, continued to deal with stuff Friday afternoon, and it is now Saturday morning when I hope to make my Lame Post Friday Post.

Full disclosure:  I have another headache.  However, it is not a migraine, and I have reasonable hopes it will go away, if not with coffee, perhaps with food and an OTC pain reliever.  Enough about me; on with the post.  Which may also be about me, but you will have that with a personal blog.

I don’t usually whine when I wine.

This is a shot from a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  It was Bully Hill, a New York State wine, obviously something near and dear to my heart.  There is a tasting today of Menage a Trois wines, another favorite.  I thought a picture of local interest and a preview of coming attractions would be a nice change form my beloved monster pictures.

Fun bartender at a fun bar.

Here is Tino, one of my favorite bartenders at the End Zone Pub, also in Herkimer.  I was there last night (not long enough to be the source of this morning’s headache, I don’t think, unless my capacity has gone WAY down in just the last few months) (SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!).  It is easy walking distance from my house, which is nice.  It also tends to get a nice clientele.  I had a great conversation with some folks I just met.  So there is another shout-out to a local business.

They were nice!

Speaking of nice people I just met, this picture was right there when I returned to my Media Library.  This was a couple who sat next to me at the bar on a busy night at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort.  The husband said, “We’ll be your new acquaintances.”  We had a lovely visit.  I gave the wife a piece of my garlic bread with mozzarella.  The husband gave me one of his bucket of beers.  We enjoyed the music of Tom Maneen.

Well, this has turned out to be not such a lame post after all.  I wonder if I ought to bill it as a Scattered Saturday instead.  In any case, over 400 words and three pictures, I call it a post.  Thank you for tuning in.

 

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Bully for Bully Hill

Posted on August 19, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

A great way for me to start my weekend is with a tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  I went there last Friday and sampled wines from Bully Hill Vineyards of Hammondsport, NY. I have known about Bully Hill Wines almost since I first began drinking wine, so long ago the drinking age was 18. I love their fun labels, and the price is nice, too.

Nice pourer nice wines, nice price.

All the wines I tasted were sweet, which is not my favorite.  However, you never know when you might find that one exception.  Additionally, I like chatting with the pourer.   I like hearing about the different wines and the people who make them.  Caitlin was very friendly and knowledgeable.

The Riesling is billed as semi-sweet, but to me it tasted sweet.  The Ravat 51 was more of a citrusy blend.  I felt there was a lot going on there, so I enjoyed that one.  The Sweet Walter Peach was peachy and very sweet.  The Sweet Walter Loganberry was also tasty.

The last one I tasted was the Sweet Walter Midnight Mission Dessert Wine.  It was indeed very desserty.  I thought it would pair well with a rich chocolate dessert, like the Spoon Cake at Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer.  I am of course no expert at pairings, but it sounded good to me.

I ended up buying a bottle of the Loganberry for my sister Cheryl, because I seemed to remember she liked loganberry wine.  I later thought that maybe it was the Loganberry from a different vineyard she liked, but perhaps she will like this one just as well.

Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer has tastings most weekends.  You can go to their website at shopvalleywine.com for a schedule.

 

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About That Saturday Post…

Posted on August 6, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Can I make a Scattered Saturday Post?  We shall see.  There is in fact not a lot of scatter to blog about this Saturday.  I had a fun on Friday,  going to a tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor and to dinner at Salvatore’s.   Today I had hoped to make strides in cleaning my horrible house.  Of  course these things are more readily hoped for than accomplished.

Earlier this morning I went for a run,  did a load of laundry and the dishes, even spent a few minutes cleaning my living room.  I was not entirely useless.  I wrote a few post cards and walked them to the post office. I walked by the Elks Club Vintage Car Show in Meyers Park on the way.  Alas I took no pictures.

Fun bartender for me.

 

After walking to the post office,  I went to The End Zone in Herkimer,  NY  for a libation.  I saw one of my favourite bartenders,  Tino.

I had an enjoyable interlude at the End Zone.  Now I am home on my couch, wondering how much longer I need to blog before I sign off for the evening.

I am thinking not a whole lot longer.  As always, I will try for a better blog post tomorrow.

 

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Lots of Fun on Scattered Saturday

Posted on July 30, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh it has been a Saturday!  It has in fact been the sort of Saturday in which I often wait till Sunday to make my blog post.  Judge me if you are so inclined.

I began the day as a pretty much Scattered Saturday.  I went for a run. I had a video appointment with the VA.  I drove to Rome, NY to my parents’ house. I helped my mom and dad with a few lawn and garden chores.  With their help I loaded their bottles and cans into my car.   I returned said bottles and cans with  my friend Kim (plus more of my own and hers).  I had a late lunch with Kim at Yetty’s Pizzeria in Herkimer. We went to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor. I came back home, made some popcorn, and started watching cheesy horror movies.  Have I left anything out?

He is so cute!

At Yetty’s in Herkimer, NY, we had Piel, a bartender we have had before and loved.  He is so fun and nice!  We had a delightful time.

I loved her hair!

After our fun time at Yetty’s,  we stopped at Valley Wine and Liquor for a wine tasting of Glenora Winery of the Finger Lakes.  Gabby was the poured.  She graciously agreed to let me take her picture.

I see I have attained 200 words or more.  Score!  I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

 

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