Tag Archives: Valley Wine and Liquor

I Should be Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Posted on January 13, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s been a while since I did a post on a wine tasting, although I have been to a few. Today my husband, Steven, and I went to a nice one at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.  I took notes, so I will try to write a few words.  Full disclosure:  one reason I am doing it is that Lana, the lady pouring, said she was going to check out my blog (it came up in a conversation).

Beringer Wines were featured in the tasting.  I have tasted them and liked them before.  Additionally, the Facebook event promised dry wines, my favorite!  The tasting started at noon, and we made it there by one.  Lana was pouring for a lady but she happily included us in what she was pouring, Bourbon Barrel Chardonnay.  I tend to like Chardonnays that are aged in stainless not oak (I don’t really have that much wine knowledge, but I retained that tidbit after I discovered that I liked some Chardonnays way more than others), but this Bourbon Barrel stuff is something different. I liked it.

We went on to a Bourbon Barrel Red Blend, which I liked but was not particularly struck by.  I liked the Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon better.  It was different from your usual Cab Sauv.  I say “Cab Sauv” not because I am trying to sound like a real oenophile (I pronounce it oh-nee-oh-file) but because I am too lazy to say all the syllables.  The Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was even nicer.  I did not make a note of what that was aged in.

My favorite of the day was The Waymaker, a red blend from Pasa Robles.  It contained Malbec, Syrah and Petit Syrah.  We bought a bottle of that and may even save it for a special occasion.  No promises, though.

Lana noticed I was taking notes.  I said I always did.  Steven said it was because I have a blog (I told you in came up in a conversation).  Lana was pleased to hear this and said she had one too.  She made a note of mine.  I stupidly did not make a note of hers.  However, if she reads mine and hits “Like,”  I can easily find her.  Oh dear, now if she reads this she will feel obligated to hit “Like” even if she didn’t like it.  Oh well, maybe she will Like it.  I like to think I have a fairly likable blog.

Valley Wine and Liquor, located at 326 S. Caroline St. in Herkimer, NY, has tastings almost every weekend.  You can Like them on Facebook to keep informed.

 

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Post Before Dancing

Posted on December 16, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I pause in the midst of my adventures for a Scattered Saturday post.  I went for a run this morning, the first run since the Reindeer Run 5K last Saturday (don’t judge me).  It felt pretty good.  I was going to do a Saturday Running Commentary, but I had other things on my mind.  I wrote my post cards, called my Mom and Dad, and Steven got ready to get moving.

First we went to a big box store that needs no plug from Mohawk Valley Girl.  For one reason, it is the only place around here I can get my yarn. Then we went to Cash for Cans Redemption in Herkimer, where we cashed in some cans we have had for longer than we meant to.  With a little bit of cash in our pockets, we went to Ilion to Moose River Coffee for a little breakfast.  Yum!  It is the BEST coffee!

Then we came home and hung out till the afternoon, when we got together with our friend, Kim.  The first stop was Valley Wine and Liquor for a scotch and bourbon tasting.  Kim did not taste, but Steven and I did. We kind of liked a couple of them, but we bought a little wine instead.  For one reason, the Werewolf Chardonnay with glow in the dark label was on sale for $5.99.

Next we went to Ilion to another tasting at Beer Belly Bob’s.  Bob had told us about it when we were there for the tasting last night.  We tasted several beers and a couple of sodas. Fun and tasty!  Then we went to the Municipal Building to see if we could get one of the horse and carriage rides.  They were almost done giving them, and a number of kids were still waiting, so we tactfully retreated.  We walked to the Knights of Columbus, where I had heard there was a Chinese Auction.  The auction was over, but there were a few booths from the craft fair still operating.  We enjoyed looking over some of the goods.

Now we are home, but only for another hour or so.  Then we are headed to the Ilion Elks Lodge to hear The Posers, one of our favorite bands!  I hope to do a LOT of dancing!  I may be too tired to do even a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post tomorrow.

 

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Not a Substantial Scattered Saturday Post

Posted on December 9, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, once again, it is time for a fast Scattered Saturday post, so I can get back to the sitting on my couch, crocheting and watching TV portion of the evening.  But I have had a WONDERFUL day!

I got up early (for others; for me it was kind of sleeping in) for the Reindeer Run 5K.  Alas, my dear husband, Steven, was not feeling well, so he went back to bed (at my urging) and I got ready and went.

The run was awesome, although it was quite cold.  A friend did show up to cheer me on at the end and take a picture, which he posted on Facebook, at my request.

I looked silly AND I jingled!

I went home after the run to see how Steven was doing.  He was feeling better enough that I went out again later with my friend Kim.  We went to a double tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer then to lunch at Lombardo’s in Ilion.  We had so much fun!

I could write entire blog posts about the run, the tastings, and the lunch.  Perhaps I will, although past posts may call that prediction into question.  I’m sorry.  When I wait till too late in the day, I am not inclined to make a substantial post.   Perhaps I should work on posting earlier in the day.  In the meantime, Happy Saturday, everyone!

 

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Shopping Small on Scattered Saturday

Posted on November 25, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I may have used this title before, but it is getting late on Saturday, and I have had a few drinks, so I must make my post as best as I can and hope it is OK.  I went running this morning and hoped to do a Running Commentary, but time got away from me.  For one reason, I went running late and still had to write my post cards.  And call my Mom and Dad (I have called home on Saturday mornings for many years).  And check Facebook (I am still Liking birthday wishes from Thursday).

Our first stop was The Medicine Shoppe in Ilion, NY, to pick up a re-fill (more I cannot say, because, you know, HIPAA).  It is a shop local shop, because it is a locally owned franchise. Nice!  It was also handily located for a stop at Honey Brook Hobbies.  They were having a craft fair. Nice!  Additionally, we found out our dear friend Jerry is now employed there part time as a baker.  He is quite awesome in every respect. Yet another reason to like the nice people at Honey Brook!  In fact, when we paid for our purchases, we told the lady at the cash register that Jerry is one of our best friends.  She said theirs, too.  I said I guessed Jerry became best friends with almost everybody he meets.

After Honey Brook, we went two doors down to Ilion Wine and Spirits.  We got a couple of bottles to ensure our good cheer.  On the way home, we stopped at Mohawk Village Market, where we purchased sausage and chicken gizzards.  Yum!  I did not see any books to borrow from their Little Library but made a mental note to bring some books to donate. I know I have some.

After relaxing at home, we ventured out again with our friend Kim to a liquor tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.   Amaretto, Vodka and Fireball Whiskey, yum!  After that we went to Asteroga Ale House for another drink and a little food.

I fear I am too tired after all these stops to include links to all these businesses, or even their addresses and hours.  Perhaps you could google any in which you are interested.  Or perhaps tomorrow I will remember to edit and add same. In the meantime, Happy Saturday, and I hope you found an opportunity to shop small.  It’s fun!

 

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The Sting of Lame Post Friday

Posted on November 3, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh dear, it is Lame Post Friday and I am, indeed, lame.  Earlier today I went to a Wine Tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor with my friend Kim. Then we went to Asteroga Ale House for “just one” (of course it was two). Now I am sitting at home on my couch while my husband Steven watches The Sting.  I have always loved that movie, although as years pass I am increasingly less enamored of con stories.  Well, that is a discussion for another blog post, when I have had fewer than three glasses of wine.

I wish I had found a better picture of Redford and Newman,

I thought at first this was a picture of a VHS of the movie. That would be appropriate since Steven and I are currently watching a video.  Yes, we still watch some movies on video.  It takes time to replace a movie collection such as ours with the next technology.

I spent a little time looking for better photos but could find nothing down-loadable.  No doubt there are more photos available, but we all know I am not internetally astute.

So what is a blogger to do on Lame Post Friday when one feels one MUST make a post but has only one apropos photo to share. Perhaps share one that is not so apropos?

He’s so fine.

Found another apropos photo!  The divine Paul Newman.  And that is a lovely place to stop for a Friday Lame Post.  I hope to see you all on Saturday.

 

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Cooking with Wine Tasting

Posted on October 13, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Friday Food does not have the same appeal as Saturday or Sunday Supper.  Yet, I feel I would like to make a cooking post today.  I had meant to do a Running Commentary, because I had an excellent run this morning (I posted a Facebook status of “THAT is how a run is SUPPOSED to feel!”), but, you know, things happen.

I was supposed to be away this weekend, but those plans were derailed by a stomach bug my husband, Steven, is currently suffering.  He has not wanted to eat much, so I thought a pot of homemade chicken soup would help.  Accordingly, I took some chicken out of the freezer. It was two thigh sections, which is a good dinner for two people when baked and served with a vegetable.  I have also found that it will also make a good pot of soup

I put the chicken on to boil about 3 p.m., when I was doing laundry and waiting till it was time for a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY (where I live).  After it had boiled a while, I used a slotted spoon to scoop some of the brown crud off the top.  I don’t think the brown stuff seriously degrades the taste of the soup, but I skim off what I can.  I was waiting for my friend Kim to pick me up for the wine tasting.  Eventually I got tired of waiting and had a small glass of white wine we had on hand (don’t judge me; I wasn’t driving).  I also thought I should progress further on the soup so peeled and crushed some garlic.  I turned off the burner under the chicken; I figured it was cooked through, and I did not want it on when I left for the wine tasting.

It was after right after this that Kim texted me that she was ready to go to the wine tasting, so I did not bother setting the timer for 15 minutes (to let the garlic breathe, remember? I’ve talked about that before).  I figured we’d be gone at least that long.   And we were.  I came home with two boxes of wine, one red, one white.  Yum!  I may do a blog post about the tasting (I have been seriously remiss in not making more posts about the wine tastings I attend).  I poured myself a glass of red and continued to cook.

I pulled the pieces of chicken out of the broth and put in the garlic.  I sliced a yellow onion, put it in the broth and turned the burner back on.   I took the chicken off the bones and put it in the broth too.  After a while I will add some frozen vegetables.  Probably some spinach (Steven only likes it in soup, dip or sauce), maybe some broccoli or corn; I’ll see what’s in the freezer.  And I will cook some pasta, probably ditalini.  Yum!

For you wine snobs out there, I will no doubt switch to white with my chicken soup.  I do not want to injure anybody’s sensibilities unnecessarily.  Anyways, this is my Lame Post Friday post for the week.  I hope you are all having a good supper and enjoying the beverage of your choice.

 

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Tasting and Typing on Lame Post Friday

Posted on July 7, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was all set to make my Friday Lame Post when Steven said, “Write about our tastings!”  So I will.

Earlier today, I thought we were into the relaxing portion of the day (full disclosure: we have been pretty relaxed all week since I’ve been off work).  I knew there was a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, but I don’t have to go to every possible wine tasting.  Then I saw on Facebook that Beer Belly Bob was having a beer tasting.  I don’t have to go to every possible beer tasting either, but all of a sudden, going to two tastings sounded like a fun thing to do!  I put my jewelry (and my bra) (please do NOT tell me TMI!) back on and off we went.

The wine tasting only featured two wines:  Harken Chardonnay and Exitus, a red blend.  The lady pouring (I stupidly did not ask her name) said the Chardonnay was buttery but not too oaky.  I’m not nuts about buttery Chardonnays, but I gave it a try.  I felt it was distinctive, not too buttery, but I wasn’t nuts about it.  The Exitus, though, was yummy.  It was Bourbon barrel aged so had a higher alcohol content, 16 percent.  Yikes!  Well, just a small taste was fine.  We purchased a bottle, which we will save for a special occasion.

On to Route 51 Beer Belly Bob’s Discount Beverage Center in Ilion!  I mention as an aside: this was our second trip to Ilion for booze.  Earlier we went to Ilion Wine and Spirits for a bottle of Barefoot Pinot Noir, one of my favorites.  One reason we like Ilion Wine and Spirits is that they are big supporters of Ilion Little Theatre.  All kinds of local shout-outs today!

Adirondack Brewery was offering samples today.  A few people were already enjoying tastes.  I right away grabbed a cracker and some Original Herkimer Cheese Spicy Tomato Chutter, which was on the bar.  I loves me some Original Herkimer Cheese!

Stacy (I remembered to ask her name) poured us some Hefeweizer.  She was very good at keeping track of who had tasted what, pouring for several people at once as she was.  We liked the Hefeweizer as well as the Bobcat Pilsner we tried next.  Those were our favorites, although we also tried and liked Bear Naked Amber, Tangerine Dream Dirty Pale Ale, Wildest Dreams, and Bear Wizz Root Beer.  I took detailed notes about each of these.  At least, I took notes.  But I guess it is still Lame Post Friday, because I’m not going to go on about them.

We purchased a mixed 12-pack, because that was the only way our two favorites were available.  I considered purchasing some of the root beer, because I thought it would make a great float with chocolate ice cream, but regular beer won.  I’ll keep the Bear Wizz in mind for future purchases.

We are now back home. I fixed a quick dinner, and we are definitely back to the relaxing portion of the evening.  Happy Friday, everyone.

 

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And That Murderer on 20/20 is a Self-Justifying Slime Bucket!

Posted on June 8, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

When it gets to be after 7 p.m. on a weeknight (and my bedtime is EARLY, don’t judge), it is time for a Non-Sequitur Thursday post. This will be, actually, more of a Scattered Thursday post, but that lacks the alliteration of Scattered Saturday.  I know, I know, so does Non-Sequitur Thursday, but as long as I can’t have my alliteration, I’ll take the cool word.  Are we done with that?  Can I get on with the post?

I was tired after work today.  What is it with me?  I thought I was eating healthily (for the most part) and exercising (some) and even taking vitamins and supplements.  In any case, I knew it would be a good idea to run, since I did not run yesterday, yet I arrived home completely disinclined to do so.  I read my mail (I got a couple of real letters!  Woohoo!) and checked my email and Facebook notifications.

One thing I checked on Facebook was if there would be a tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor.  Merritt Winery was going to be there!  Unfortunately, my usual wine tasting buddy, Kim, is in a play tonight.  She did not have time to go to a wine tasting.  I might as well run.  Or I could go to the wine tasting without her.  Or I could run.  Then I said, “Oh, what the hell,” and looked for a couple of sports bras.

As soon as I realized I was going to run after all, I felt pretty good about myself.  This would be great!  Of course, it was not. My whole body complained for most of the run, but I persevered.  As with almost all runs, it had its moments.  I came home, showered, put on a cute outfit, including my “Keeping It Cheesy” t-shirt from Original Herkimer Cheese, and drank my usual recovery beverage of chocolate milk.

Then I went to Valley Wine and Liquor.  It would be a good idea to write a whole blog post about the tasting. In fact, I was at a tasting for Three Brothers Winery last week I still have not written about.  I’d better get on the ball.

After purchasing a bottle of Reisling, I went to my husband’s place of employment and suggested I get something for dinner.  He said pizza sounded good, so I picked up one with sausage and pepperoni on a thin crust.  I still had some asparagus in the refrigerator, so I roasted that with garlic oil I also had in the fridge.

And that is my Thursday.  As you can see, I have a couple of things I could write a blog post about, but I am going with what I have just typed in.  Like I said, Non-Sequitur Thursday. If only I could think of a catchy but unrelated headline, my life would be perfect.

 

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Dinner Indecision on Lame Post Friday

Posted on April 21, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Full disclosure:  I was supposed to cook.  Well, with one thing and another (one thing being working out after work, another being going to a tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor with my friend Kim), I wasn’t ready to start cooking till about 20 minutes before Steven was due home.  Only I didn’t feel like cooking.  I wondered if Steven would be interested in going out to dinner.  I kind of thought he would not be.  I wasn’t sure I was.  I had put on a cute outfit to go to the tasting (although I daresay I flatter myself), but I was also looking forward to the bra off, sweats on portion of the day.  And the wine drinking portion of the day.

At least I could do something about the latter.  I poured myself a glass of Chardonnay, put Snapped on the television, and awaited events.  In due course, Steven came come.  He didn’t mind that I had not started cooking but did not immediately commit to going out.

“Let’s have a glass of wine and think about it,” he suggested.

“I’ll make a quick blog post,”  I said.

He said, “A blog post about whether we’re going out to dinner or not?”

So that is what my blog post is about.  I think we are going to Salvatore’s in Herkimer.  As soon as I finish my wine and Steven gets changed.  I hope he puts on a cute outfit.

 

 

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About that Wine…

Posted on February 20, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

The first stop my friend Kim and I made on our Scattered Saturday adventures was Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer for a wine tasting of Swedish Hill Winery.  I had promised Kim some sweet wines, because I have been to Swedish Hill in Romulus and tasted sweet wines there.  Well, what a surprise to me, they were sampling two dry, one sweet and one semi.

We tried the Mooscato first, which was sweet.  I absolutely love the name, which probably comes as no surprise to anyone.  I liked the wine too, even though I don’t usually drink the sweet ones.  I liked the Vidal Blanc, the semi dry, better.  I am not real familiar with the vidal blanc grape, so I may have to try a few more.  I bought a bottle of Swedish Hill’s to start with.  I did not take any tasting notes on the Dry Riesling or Dry Rose, but I remember liking them.

After tasting, Kim and I walked around looking at other wines.  I  love to look at the different labels.  Yes, I confess sometimes I choose a wine based on the cool label.  I’ve found some good wines that way.  And if you don’t like them to drink, you can always cook with them.  Waste not want not.

So, how was this for a blog post on a Monday?  I bet you thought I was going to do a Monday Mental Meanderings and never mention again the cool stuff I did on Saturday.  Oh, OK, I’m the one that thought that.  Only now I can’t come up with a good conclusion.  It’s Monday.

 

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