Tag Archives: Valley Wine and Liquor

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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I Wine a Little

Posted on April 25, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Friday nights I often go to Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer for a wine tasting.  It is a nice start to my weekend.  I have been remiss about making blog posts about them, but this past Friday’s was so memorable, I shall make the effort.

The tasting was of Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards in the Finger Lakes.  I love New York State wines!  Additionally,  I have been to Hazlitt.  My late husband, Steve, and I went there on our first Finger Lakes wine tasting tour in 2003.  I subsequently visited with my sisters and Mom on other tours.  I naturally told all this to Brian, the gentleman pouring.

Brian was very personable.  He said he used to have a whole spiel about the wines he poured but found people would rather tell him what they tasted rather than having him tell them what to taste.

“I like to hear about the grapes,” I said, “or hear the story of the wine.” Brian was able to supply this information as well.

He was a little reluctant to have his picture taken, but I think it turned out OK.

I tried several wines, taking my usual sophisticated notes such as, “I like this one.”  I was having a great time chatting with Brian and the other people tasting.  I only wished my friend Kim was there to enjoy the sweet wines.  Hazlitt makes Red Cat, one of her favorites.  Brian promised to return for another tasting, so Kim could be there.

He was giving out koozies of different colors.  He gave me a pink one then added a Red Cat koozie for Kim.  He said to tell her he said hello and thanks for being a Red Cat fan.

I see I have not talked about any of the wines.  There was a variety, ranging from dry to sweet. Perhaps I can talk more specifically when Hazlitt returns for another tasting.

Wine does out a smile on my face!

 

Since I had taken Brian’s picture, he thought he should take mine.  I feel I am not photogenic, but perhaps my readers will be amused by my goofy grin.

 

 

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Fun Friday

Posted on April 8, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a late Friday post that is not lame?  At least it will not be admittedly lame, as it includes two Mohawk Valley Adventures and  couple seasonal pictures.

My friend Kim and I started our evening with a cocktail tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  Felicia, one out our favourite pourers, was giving samples of pre-mixed drinks in cans.

I had to get a picture of the Eastery display.

Kim especially liked the sign:  “EVERY HOUR IS HAPPY HOUR.”  I was taken with the bunny butts.  The drinks were made with vodka or tequila with real fruit juice and no added sugar.  They were pretty tasty, but not really my thing.

From the liquor store we went to Yetty’s for supper.  We were happy to find seats at the bar.  We had not been there in a while, but the bartender remembered us and greeted us warmly.  The first thing I noticed was that the head that graces the shelf behind the bar was dressed for the holiday.

It was perhaps a little dark, but you can see the bunny ears.

We both had fish and chips.  Kim had mayonnaise with hers; I got tartar sauce.  It was quite yummy.  We had a very fun evening, and I got a real blog post out of it (or do I flatter myself?).

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at  326 S. Caroline St.  Yetty’s is at 109 Mohawk St.  Both are in Herkimer, NY.  For more information,  you can visit their Facebook pages.

 

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Still Scattered, Still Saturday!

Posted on February 19, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am going to make a fast Scattered Saturday Post and get back to enjoying my evening.  Maybe with another glass of wine.

I went for a run earlier this morning and eventually made my Lame Post Friday post.  More importantly, I wrote out a few post cards to send.  Regular readers know I like to send out a few postcards every week to folks who might need a pick-me-up.  I have not sent any for the past two weeks, so I felt happy to do so again.

I throw in a picture of the post office, just to add an illustration.

When I went to mail the post cards, I went on to Little Falls, NY, because I had to drop off a couple of catalogues I had borrowed from Mohawk Valley Funerals and Cremation.  Since this brought me past the turn-off to Dolgeville, I decided to visit Dolgville on my way back.

In Dolgeville I stopped at Stella’s Styles, a delightful consignment store I have been at before.  Alas, once there I felt disinclined to purchase anything, although I did see a  couple of fancy evevening bags I coveted.

Shortly after returning home, I joined my friend Kim for a tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.  Three Brothers Winery in the Finger Lakes, yes!  After the tasting, we stopped at the Waterfront Grille for a full glass of wine.

Back home, I made some popcorn and watched as episode of Svengoolie on DVR.

It was Godzilla on Svengoolie.

I must decide what to watch next, but for right now I feel perhaps disproportionately pleased with myself for making my Saturday blog post on Saturday.   Hey, I gotta take my  wins where I can.

 

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Once Again, I Indulge in Lame Post Friday

Posted on January 28, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here is something different:  I am making my Lame Post Friday post on Friday.  At least, I hope so.  I am feeling fairly wordless and brainless, even for a Lame Post Friday.  I guess some would argue that I am almost always brainless (you know who you are), but am I ever wordless? I think not.

I take a deep breath to try.

Can I manage a howl this Friday?  Better not.  It might scare the neighbors.

I did a couple of Friday-ish things earlier.  I went to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY, and to Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, also in Herkimer, for dinner.  I hope to write blog posts about those in the near future.  So I guess I can consider this post a Preview of Coming Attractions.

I’ll have a fabulous glass of wine, please.

Since I am indulging in a glass of wine, which many find appropriate on a Friday,  I searched my Media Library for a picture of same.  This is the glass presented to me by the cast of Leading Ladies,  the play I directed at Ilion Little Theatre.  All those corks do not represent tonight’s indulgence, by the way.

I see I am over 200 words without having said very much.  On the brighter side, I feel I have refrained from whining.  Oh dear, did that just ruin it?  Never mind, me, just have a little more wine.

 

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Look at Me, Having a Scattered Saturday!

Posted on January 22, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Look at me, making my Saturday blog post on Saturday.  And I think I can do a Scattered Saturday Post.  I have not done one of those in a long time.  For one reason, I have not done enough to scatter around at all on recent Saturdays.  Let us see how well I can do today.

I slept in a little this morning and made my Lame Post Friday post when I got up.  After coffee, I went running.  I thought of doing a Saturday Running Commentary Post, noting my caution about ice under the snow and speculating on my thoughts of running the Boilermaker 15K in Utica this summer.

After doing the dishes (judge me if you are so inclined), showering, and calling my mother, I wrote a very few post cards. Regular readers know I write some every week.  I only covered my regulars this Saturday.  I went to the post office, where I ascertained that my post cards needed first class stamps not post card stamps, and purchased some of each.

After the post office I went to Ilion, NY, to the new premises of Melfe’s Shoes.  Imagine my chagrin when I found out they no longer do repairs!  However, I was able to purchase a new pair of running shoes.  Boilermaker 15K, here I come!

They have upped their clothing game!

Returning home,  I attempted to do something useful, with no notable success, and found out my friend Kim, my usual partner for Mohawk Valley Adventures, had a debilitating headache.  After some debate, I decided to go out for some lunch on my own.  Well, why not?

I went to the Tin Cup Tavern in Little Falls (actually I would call it between Herkimer and Little Falls,  but nobody asked me).  I had a delightful time and a delicious sandwich.  I asked the bartender,  Jenna, if I could take her picture for my blog post.

She graciously agreed.

On the way home, I stopped at Valley Wine and Liquor for a bottle of Great Western Brut, a flute of  which I am sipping as I type this (actually peck this in one letter at a time with the stylus).  My husband, Steve, and I have watched a couple movies.

It has been an enjoyable Saturday so far.  And I am feeling inordinately pleased with myself that I made my Saturday blog post on Saturday.  I think this calls for another glass of Brut.

 

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I Wine on a Monday

Posted on December 13, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Regular readers know I love wine.  I appreciate it when the local liquor stores have tastings, because I can try before I buy.  This is one reason I often go to Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  I was delighted when I heard they were doing 12 Days of Christmas Tasting.  Of course I do not intend to show up all 12 days (although it is tempting). In fact, I had already missed the first three days on Monday when I stopped in and was delighted to see a wine tasting in progress.

I had not consulted the flier I had picked up so did not expect a wine but a liquor tasting (Valley seems to do a lot of those lately, but perhaps it is just the days I happen to stop in).  This was OK with me, because I need to pick up a bottle of booze for a Secret Santa I am participating in.  I had not even brought in one of my little notebooks I use to record tasting notes.  However, I always have a little notebook in my purse.  Surprisingly, I did not have a pen, but the pourer, Felicia, had one I could borrow.

Felicia is one of my favorite pourers.  She is so friendly and knowledgeable about what she pours.  She often has good ideas about food pairings, a subject about which I know very little.

A tasting is so much better with a good pourer!

We started with Ruffino Prosecco.  I had been under the impression that all Proseccos are sweet, but Felicia told me they can go either way.  This one was middle of the road.  Felicia pointed out it was not so dry that one needed to mix it with juice or soda to sweeten it.  I said I liked the dry ones.  We moved on to the Ruffino Pinot Grigio, which was citrusy and very nice.  The Simi Chardonnay was oaky but not too buttery.  Felicia and I agree on disliking the buttery ones (although I know others love it).  Moving on to the reds, I sampled the Ruffino Chianti. It was very light.  The Simi Cabernet Sauvignon was also very nice.

I decided to get a big bottle of the Ruffino Pinot Grigio, because I was in the mood for a white.  I greatly enjoyed the interlude.  It was a nice ending to a Monday.  Looking ahead, I may return to Valley on Wednesday for Menage a Trois Wines.  After that… well, we shall see.

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

 

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