Shelburne Orchards Food Fest

photo from shelburneorchards.com/events

We accidentally stumbled upon Shelburne Orchard's 12th Annual Food Fest last Sunday, on a mission to pick up some apples for Christopher's mother to bake a pie with. I was skeptical at first with a $5 admission to an unexpected festival that would surely be very crowded, because they were using the field for parking. I was ready to opt for a peaceful experience and get fresh apples from another Orchard, but Chris convinced me to give it a try. As soon as we got in, I was so grateful that I chose to stay. Yes, it was extremely crowded, but there were discounted wine tastings (for $2 each!) from Shelburne Vineyard, Lincoln Peak Vineyard, and Huntington River Vineyard to help ease any discomfort from the crowds.

At the Food Fest, I finally got a chance to try Shelburne Vineyard's Harvest Widow's Revenge, which I've had my eye on for months. Absolutely beautiful packaging and a clever name caught my eye, and the wonderful autumnal taste absolutely sold me. It was also my first time trying both Lincoln Peak and Huntington River, and both were pretty impressive - I will be visiting those vineyards before the first snow this year. I wish Becca wasn't living halfway across the country now so she could join me. I'll have to continue my Vermont Vineyard Tour solo, unfortunately.

photos from shelburnevinyard.com and citizencider.com

I also got to taste a sample cider flight from Citizen Cider. Their blueberry cider, the bROSé, was very... interesting. I haven't quite found another word for it yet. I will also be visiting their new cider pub on Pine Street as soon as possible.

At this point, I was pretty bubbly on all the wine and cider, so I forgot to take pictures of the vendors and I can't for the life of me remember the name of the amazing sausages and cheeses I tried. The cheeses might have been from Shelburne Farms, but I'm not entirely sure. My memory is a little fuzzy to say the least. We did get to bring home an entire bag of apples for Mrs. Bresnahan. I was entirely happy for the chance to climb trees and pick the highest MacIntosh apples I could reach, and then sit in the warm sunshine to munch on a few.

Thanks for an amazing day, Shelburne Orchards!

Buzz :: Shelburne Vineyard

I've never been to a formal wine tasting before, so this was a brand new experience for me. Much like other types of alcohol, my favorite type of wine is whatever happens to be in my glass at the moment. Thankfully, I brought my best friend Becca along to show me the ropes. She's been to a vineyard or two. This visit to Shelburne Vineyard marked the first official stop on our ongoing state-wide vineyard, distillery, and brewery tour.

Becca and I have been meaning to go to Shelburne Vineyard for a while, but little events like christenings and unexpected winter storms have prevented us from making it in until now. We could tell from the parking lot that they were already having a really busy Saturday afternoon. 

There were 2 tasting options available that day: 8 wines of your choosing for $5, or all 11 wines for $7 and your glass to take home. Naturally, we went for the full course. Lucky for us, Lake Champlain Chocolates were providing sample plates of selected chocolates to pair with the wines.

The interior setup of Shelburne Vineyard was really interesting, with a U-shaped counter in the center of the tasting room to stand around while you were served each wine. We had to wait a while for an opening at the counter, but it was all very cozy and we got to chatting with our neighbors. Saving the tour for a warmer day, we got right into our tasting.

I'm not a wine connoisseur in the least, but I did take a few notes on the wines, including the recommended pairings, which ones were my favorite, and what I liked about them.

2012 Louise Swenson - Very, very dry! The Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle paired with it was a perfect match. Also pairs well with fresh chèvre or creamy seafood chowder.

2012 Cayuga White - This was my favorite white wine. Pairs well with two-year aged cheddar or roasted root vegetables. I spent the duration of my tasting trying to remember which vegetables were root vegetables.

2012 Lakeview White - Definitely an excellent "back porch" wine. I was transported from a snowed-in tasting room to sipping this with friends on a porch swing in the summer twilight. Pairs well with one-year aged cheddar and stuffed squash.

2012 Riesling - I learned right away that I am not a fan of Riesling, and I am also pretty impartial to Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. Although, I can see how this white wine can really complement roast turkey, so I would be up to give it another try next Thanksgiving. Also pairs well with Alpine cheese. This was Becca's favorite white wine! We are ladies of different tastes, except when it comes to Raspberry truffles.

2012 Cabernet Franc - I loved this red wine! It was so… robust? I'm really excited to try it again with some herb roasted potatoes or herbed chèvre. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. The guy a few spots down from us dumped it out in the water jar after the first sip, so I guess it's not for everyone? The 70% Dark Peruvian Square paired with it was to die for.

2012 Marquette - After the Cabernet Franc knocked me dead, I don't remember much about this wine. Pairs well with rustic tomato sauces and pepper chèvre.

Artesano's Sparkling Cranberry Mead - My first mead! Interesting, to say the least. I imagine this is what a meadow in the summer tastes like, if it were to have a taste. Pairs well with roast poultry and fresh berries with cream.

Artesano's Traditional Cyser - The mead is to a meadow as the cyser is to an orchard. Pairs well with pork tenderloin and apple pie with cheddar.

2012 Vidal Blanc Late Harvest - Becca and I mutually agreed that this was our favorite wine of the day. This dessert wine fit both of our tastes spot-on, and we will be sipping this at all our future garden parties and girls' nights in. Pairs well with gouda and peach cobbler. Unfortunately, since I was in a sampling mood, I tried a bite of the Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel against my better judgement and was reminded why I hate caramel.

2012 Rhapsody Ice Wine - Once again, after the Vidal Blanc, I don't remember much about this wine either, except for the fact that Becca commented on how fast I drank it. Supposedly, it pairs well with baked brie and apple strudel.

Eden Ice Cider's Heirloom Blend - This wine was so full of apples, it will become a staple on my wine rack next fall when I'm not so appled-out. Pairs well with pumpkin cheesecake, if you are the type of person that likes pumpkin cheesecake, and 2 year aged cheddar. 

Becca and I will be going back to Shelburne Vineyard in the late spring or early summer to experience some more that the vineyard has to offer, including a guided tour and enjoying a bottle of 2012 Vidal Blanc Late Harvest on the patio.

Credit to Becca for all the photos! I totally forgot to even open Instagram while we were there. Check out her photography page here.