Thursday, August 11, 2011

Turning Point

It’s that time in August when things turn a different direction in the garden. You notice the sunlight rises a bit later and the sun sets a tad sooner and there is a sense of harvest in the air. That’s the grape news. Yep, you got that right. The grapes are at a turning point –starting to ripen and change color, making them ready for picking, stomping, eating. With that said, the local wine industry has flourished with many small vineyards popping up across New England. (Not to be confused with the New England wine region of Australia!) Many of these vineyards aren’t even on the map. Some, like ours, aren’t officially a vineyard (not yet) but with over 100 vines dotting our landscape, it’s a hobby gone amuck.

But for those vineyards that are official, now’s the time to check them out. Need to find one close by? You’d be amazed at how many might be just around the corner from where you live. Some of them provide entertainment, picnic areas, and distinguished tasting rooms - just like you’d find in Napa.

So make this August a turning point. Schedule a local vineyard visit as part of your summer ventures. Let's end with the words of the infamous Robert Mondavi, straight from his autobiography, ‘Harvest of Joy’. “Wine to me is passion. It's family and friends. It's warmth of heart and generosity of spirit. Wine is art. It's culture. It's the essence of civilization and the art of living.”

Here are two links to send you off in the right direction. Cheers!
http://masswinery.com/web/
http://www.chiff.com/wine/index.htm (This link appears to have all the info you need for wines in any region. Explore. Have fun!) Feel free to post, comment, or send a link of your favorite vineyard using the social media avenues below.
Image of grapes turning in the vineyard by Greg Bilowz
(The photographer surfaces when it comes to his grapes!)

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