Tag Archives: wine

Thanks, Lisa and Valley!

Posted on August 29, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

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.

 

 

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Sour Stomach on Tired Tuesday

Posted on August 25, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I said I was going to keep making posts using pictures I took at Community Day at the Town of Herkimer Park on Saturday, but my phone is across the room charging, and I am too lazy to go across the room and try to add pictures to my Media Library.  Also I am a little sick to my stomach.  I am just too careless about what I eat and drink.  In my defense, coffee.

What my stomach sometimes feels like after coffee.

I’m afraid coffee is not solely responsible for my digestive woes. Regular readers know I enjoy a glass of wine.  Then there was last Friday, when I went into PK’s Pub, having just been talking about fish fries, and a fish sandwich was on Special… I am only human.  Oh dear, my stomach hurts just thinking about that fish sandwich.  But it sure was delicious.

What I would look like if I only ate things that did not disagree with me.

Sometimes the most innocent-sounding of foods will disagree with me, like a plate of scrambled eggs.  What’s that all about, body?  I guess this happens when you get old.  I keep saying, I can live with the wrinkles and the turkey neck, and I never minded the grey hair.  But the digestive issues are going to Do Me In.

And what’s this blog post all about, me whining about my stupid stomach?  Is this another symptom of getting old?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!

Never mind: I am over 200 words.  I shall bill this as a Tired Tuesday and drive on.  As always I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Post-Lobster Post

Posted on August 9, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I suppose some people are waiting for a Post-Lobster Post, to follow yesterday’s Pre-Lobster post.  I traveled with some of my Elks friends to Cobleskill Elks Lodge where they were having their annual Lobsterfest.  The others had been there before, but this was my first fest and indeed my first full lobster. Yikes!  I heard they were hard to get into.

Yes, wine was involved.

I did not remember to take a picture of my two lobsters and all the fixings.  Instead I had at the first one right away, working with a nutcracker and determination.  I did not even begin the second one but had brought a couple gallon storage bags to take leftovers home in.  I brought home the corn on the cob, cole slaw, and watermelon, too, although I did eat the salt potatoes.

I put in for several items on the basket raffle too, but did not get lucky this time.  I also got in on the 50/50 and a wooden rocking chair raffle, so I feel I supported the Cobleskill Elks Lodge.

Only part of our fun bunch!

On the way home, we stopped at the Esperance Elks Lodge, just to say hello.  That’s the fun part about being an Elk, lots of lodges to check out.

I did not go up these stairs.

We also stopped for ice cream.  I got a root beer float with chocolate ice cream.  Yum!  It was quite the fun day, and I have a whole lobster in my refrigerator, waiting for me to crack it open and enjoy.

 

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Breakfasts and Beverage on Waste Not Want Not Wednesday

Posted on August 6, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would do a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post today.  A quick check of my phone showed I had a few pictures I had not used, so let us see what I can find to say about them.

The road not taken.

I impulsively took this picture outside of Bridge Street Diner in St. Johnsville, NY after breakfast with my Elks Friends one Thursday.  I wish I had zoomed in closer to the hill and bridge. The road is another way I could have taken to go home.  I decided not to that day, because I wanted to make a stop in Dolgeville, which was the other way.  Of course I first turned the wrong direction at the end of the street and went the total wrong way to get to either destination, but I soon righted myself.  This is how I see new sights.

Speaking of breakfast…

Sometimes I fix myself an cheese omelet for breakfast.  The shape of this one struck me as so unusual, I took a picture.  I suppose I only could have cleaned off the coffee table for a better picture, but then the omelet would have gotten cold.  The coffee table is still a disaster, but I am working on it.  Slowly.

I was drinking wine at the time.

When I was at the Herkimer Elks Club after the car show on Saturday, a fellow at the bar ordered what sounded to me like “rum and coke.”  No, no, it was this whiskey, Roe and Co.  The bartender gave me a little taste.  I liked it but not enough to get a serving like the one shown here.  I made a note in my notebook (I never leave the house without at least one notebook) about it, as well as taking this picture.

This puts me over 300 words.  I say, Yes!  I leave the house soon for further Mohawk Valley Adventures.  Or at least a walk to the post office, to mail a letter to a friend.

 

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Almost a Perfect Tasting

Posted on June 27, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

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.

 

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A Little Farther Afield

Posted on June 4, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

This past weekend my sister Diane took me to the Liverpool Elks Lodge.  I admit I am kind of an Elk-aholic.  I love to go to the Elks Lodge and visit with my friends.  It was fun to go to another lodge.

Our Lodge doesn’t have a deck!

I got the grand tour, but I didn’t take any pictures inside.  They do have a nice big banquet room and bar.  I was envious of their deck, although with my sun sensitivity, I would probably not spend much time on one.

I’m also envious of the water view.

I should have gotten a close-up of the little pavilion.  I said that was probably a good place for weddings.  The lady giving me the tour said she had gotten married there.  Another thing I didn’t get a picture of was their nice pavilion, which was build entirely with volunteer labor.  It looks like a great place for barbecues or clam bakes.

A handsome memorial.

The bricks have names on them, memorializing veterans.

I took a close-up, in case I needed to remember the lodge number.

Inside the lodge, Diane and I enjoyed a few drinks, some popcorn, and conversation with other Lodge members.  Her husband and daughter joined us later, and it was altogether a very nice time. Of course I like my own Lodge best.

 

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Scattered St. Patrick’s Day

Posted on March 18, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’m not one to  party heartily all day on St. Patrick’s Day (or any other day for that matter, because I poop out too soon and always have).  However, yesterday when I saw a picture on Facebook of a California friend raising a glass with a group in a nicely decorated pub, I thought, “Why am I sitting home?”  I also reasoned that it would make a good blog post.

First I put on as much green as I could muster, which is harder than it sounds, because so many of my clothes do not fit my current rotundity.  I resorted to Christmas socks and one Christmas earring (my three earrings almost never match, and I found two others green enough).  One excuse I decided was the weather was in fact a little Christmas-like.  I figured if anybody called me on it, I would get a very sad look on my face and say, “I thought I looked pretty.”

I went first to the Elks Lodge, where one member called out another member on not wearing green.  He agreed he was not wearing green.  I pointed out that he was Italian, and again he agreed.

“You will wear red on Thursday for St. Joseph’s Day,” I speculated.  Note to self: wear red on Thursday for St. Joseph’s Day (I am part Italian myself).

After one glass of wine (and not a shot of Jameson, although another member offered to buy for anybody who wanted one) I went to the End Zone, where the owner, Brock looked so cute, I asked if I could take his picture.  He agreed, but lamented that I must not think he was cute the rest of the time.

A sly leprechaun. I was going to put “sly little leprechaun” but, well…

After a glass of wine there, I went across the street to Stone Soup American Bistro and Beer Garden in search of food.  I ordered a McDowell’s Big Mick smash burger, which had Cooper cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions and 1127 Sauce.  I chose the 1Velo 2 Pour Red Blend to go with it.  It was yummy!

I also took a picture of the menu, but this is more colorful.

After that I went home to crochet and watch television.  I hope all of you enjoyed your St. Patrick’s Day or run of the mill Tuesday as much.

 

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Snowman and St. Patrick’s Saturday

Posted on March 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

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.

 

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It Was a Sauvignon Kind of Day

Posted on February 6, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have not done a wine tasting post in a while.  In fact, I go to fewer wine tastings these days, but Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer has them almost every weekend.  In fact, many area liquor stores do, but Valley is the closest one for me.  When I still worked it was oh so handy to stop by on my way home on a Friday.  When I would go adventuring with my friend Kim on Saturdays, we often stopped in to taste, if something was going on.  I have a lot less wine in my house since I stopped being so faithful!

This weekend, Valley Wine and Liquor has tastings Thursday through Sunday.  I speculate that they are helping people get stocked up for Super Bowl parties.  I have not been invited to a Super Bowl party, but one never knows when a last minute invite may come along.  I needed exercise, so I walked down to the store Thursday afternoon.  I questioned my ability to carry multiple bottles of wine home but hoped for the best.  Sasha, one of the regular pourers, was sampling Bonterra Organic Wines from California.

We love wine!

We started out with Cabernet Sauvignon, which I declared very tasty.  Regular readers know I do not have a sophisticated palate and rarely taste notes of anything, but I liked this.  I liked the Red Blend, too, but not as much.  Alas, I neglected to ask what it was a blend of so cannot tell you.

For whites, I was quite taken with the Sauvignon Blanc.  I told Sasha I found I liked California Sauvignon Blancs best.  She said she liked all California wines.  Indeed, there are great wines coming from CA.  I liked the Chardonnay a lot, finding it not the least bit buttery.  I know some people like buttery chardonnays but I prefer the crispy, unoaked ones.

I purchased the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Sauvignon Blanc.  I confess I did not enjoy my walk home.  Two bottles of wine are heavy for an old, un-muscular broad like me!  It reminded me of a blog post I made years ago, when I walked home from the much missed Ramar’s Liquors with my even more missed dog Tabby and a box of wine.  I could have made a whole post about yesterday’s walk home but prefer to give a shout-out to a local business instead.

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 S. Caroline St., Herkimer, NY.  You can check their website at shopvalleywine.com for the tastings schedule.

 

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Oh Yeah, We Tasted Wine

Posted on October 15, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I just realized I neglected to make a blog post about my sister Cheryl’s and my stop at Montezuma Winery in Old Forge two weeks ago.  Me, neglect wine? Say it ain’t so!

Wine? Yes, please!

We have been to the original Montezuma Winery in the Finger Lakes, and I visited their tasting room in Cooperstown with my friend Kim.  I did not realize they were in Old Forge till Cheryl suggested we stop there.

I started with the Duck Duck Lam Goose Co.  It was just too cute a name to resist!  It is a red sparkling wine.  I do love a few bubbles!  I felt it smelled New Yorky, which to me is a great compliment.  Then I foolishly asked what grape it was.  Hello!  Lam Goose Co/Lambrusco?  Silly me!  (I even wrote “silly me” in my tasting notes).

I love a wine with a goose on the label!

I took tasting notes on the other wines I tried, but none of them are very descriptive.  Regular readers know that I rarely taste “notes” of anything, nor can I describe the “finish,” but I do like to come up with something a little more interesting than “good”  and “I like this one.”  My favorite was the V0luer 2023 Pinot Noir.  Cheryl tasted all different ones from me, because she likes sweet wines better. Of course we made the usual jokes about how she is sweet and I am not.

We finished up with Judd’s Grape Pie, a grape liqueur.  It was indeed grapey and very sweet.

I do love tasting wine.  I wonder if I can get anybody to go with me to the Finger Lakes any time soon.

 

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