Showing posts with label Salem Oak Winery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Salem Oak Winery. Show all posts

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Tweetie Pies and Butterflies! A Sweet Reminder to Count Your Blessings!


The wine is already chilling (and NO, this is NOT sponsored) from my table to yours, Happy Thanksgiving Butterflies!

I selected this Cabernet Franc from Salem Oak Vineyards for a special reason that I thought fitting to share with you on Thanksgiving.

I met Salem Oak Vineyards during my Atlantic City 2016 Restaurant Week Press Trip during Tropicana Casino & Resorts' Winter Wine Festival.

The first thing I noticed was that the wines were all named after people and I couldn't resist asking about the people behind the names, Salem Oak names their wines after their employees who are all their partners in bringing their creations to life. The wine I selected is named after an employee named Brandon Jae. Brandon sadly passed away, very young. Too young. You may remember I featured their White Table Wine called 'Julia-Maria' HERE.

You guys know I love Dragons, and that is what initially drew me to the bottle. Brandon Jae is a dry red that starts off 'effervescent' but mellows as it breathes. My palate in most wines leans to dry and the bottle art really resonated with me.

It makes me sad to think the person this wine is named after, isn't here.

But it does remind me that life is fleeting, precious and something to be always grateful for.

MY TAKE:

Hug your family a little harder today, take photos even if you don't feel like it, count your blessings with those you love.

Love harder, Laugh often.

I'm grateful for many things, but I can tell you when I sit to eat and sip this wine I will remember to savor every delicious moment today. I hope you do too.

Readers Sound Off: What are YOU grateful for today?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Compensated or sponsored Post, (while perhaps it should be) and all thoughts and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Things that lure Ascending Butterfly out of her butterfly cocoon of fabulosity: Electronics/Technology (yes I am a Gadget Geek first!), Fashion, Jewelry, Bubbly/Spirits, Foodie/Restaurants, Photography and Travel. And remember Ascending Butterfly does NOT have children, please do not pitch her toys (at least not those that are intended for children).

If a campaign doesn't pay, this butterfly won't want to play.

Smile if you got this far, twirl around twice and sing Mariah Carey Butterfly.

Still here? Now go make someone happy today.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

{#WineWednesday} Let's discuss the White Table #Wine 'Julia-Marie' from @SalemOakWinery & my blinged out Glass too!

When I cover Wine Tastings sometimes individual glimpses can get lost as I try to present an event as a whole. I feel with Wine Events actual *feedback* or at least my perceptions on the wines I was introduced to was getting lost in covering the magnitude of an event.

I thought with the interwebs offering two choices for Wednesday - #WordlessWednesday or #WineWednesday I would try to use my Wednesdays for Wine Wednesdays as we all know I am NOT good at going totally Wordless.

Here is this week's 'Wine Wednesday' -  Salem Oak's Winery 'Julia-Marie' White Table Wine:



MY TAKE:

I first met 'Julia-Marie' during Tropicana's Winter Wine Festival which in case you missed it I covered HERE. Local Wineries were featured prominently at this Tasting Event and I really enjoyed learning more about Local Wines and Wineries. I hope to visit Salem Oak Winery in person and I greatly appreciated getting a sample of what they have to offer.

I am all about trying out a wide variety and when I attend a wine tasting event I 'taste through' starting with Whites and moving to Reds. (And needless to say Sparkling Wines which are my personal favorite). While I am open to trying out as many as I can to develop my palate and learn, I do tend to lean toward Sparkling Wine like Champagne and Prosecco, then White Wine, Rosé, Moscato then Reds. I also seem to have a 'dry palate' and am attracted to slightly drier wines (which is why my affinity for Moscato surprises even me) - Julia-Marie leans slightly dry to me which is probably why I found myself so drawn to this particular white during my Salem Oak Winery 'taste through'. The wines are actually named after real people - employees in fact, which I found fun! (I want a Champagne named after my blog - just think about that for a minute - Ascending Butterfly the Bubbly! YAS!!!!)

I think all wines take on extra flair when consumed from my favorite animal print painted blinged out to the max wine glass, don't you agree?

I like this one for a Seafood Meal, Shellfish Dishes etc (I tend to prefer a white that is not overly fruity when I am using it for a Seafood Pairing). Remember butterflies - it is not about how much the wine costs, learn your palate and buy what makes you happy!

Readers Sound Off: Have you visited any local wineries recently? Which one?

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FTC Disclosure:  Wine was provided for Editorial Consideration and my pure enjoyment, and as always ALL opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

{#WineWednesday} Photo Highlights from @TropicanaAC Winter #Wine Festival

My recent trip to Atlantic City was definitely Epic with a kick off event to preview Atlantic City's Restaurant Week, which coincidentally got extended for a second week (if you missed my coverage of it, click HERE), I also experienced a delicious Chef's Tasting at FIN Seafood Restaurant at Tropicana Atlantic City (if you missed my coverage of the menu tasting click HERE) and on my last day out there I got the opportunity to check out Tropicana's Winter Wine Festival. I always end up extending my trip when I visit there and it always turns out worth it! Always a fun mix of 'work' and 'play'.

I'm going to titillate your Wine Wednesday senses with a bit of what I got to see and sample: (In the order I walked through the room)

























Above: Needless to say my eye is immediately drawn to anything with a butterfly, check out this butterfly wine corks holder!

















Above: Transport your wine in style with this super cute mini guitar case Wine Holder!

An Etch of Glass Decanter and Wine Glasses





















Above: I love the soft leaves pattern on this Wine Decanter and Matching Wine Glasses by An Etch of Glass

An Etch of Glass Decanter and Wine Glasses


















Above: For those carrying the wine theme through this grape decanter and matching glasses would be perfect!

An Etch of Glass Decanter and Wine Glasses
























Above: These caught my eye as they totally remind me of 'The Scream' painting by Edvard Munch, these would be perfect for that art loving wine lover in your life.

Hank Sauce Hanks Rub Seasoning, Dry Rub
























Above: Hanks Rub Seasoning is a dry rub you can use on practically anything!

Hank Sauce Hot Sauce
























Above: Hanks was offering a 'Hot Sauce Tasting' and you know I wasn't passing that up!

Hank Sauce Hot Sauce Mystery Brew Witches Brew
























Above: I love the 'mystery batch' idea, this one is called 'Witches Brew'

Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski, Jewelry, Jewelry Home Parties
















Above: Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski is a Jewelry Home Party concept that is a great way to earn extra income!

Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski, Butterfly Jewelry Box
























Above: Needless to say the butterfly jewelry box caught my eye, sadly it was a display and not for sale!

Taste Artisanal Market presented their Herbal Infused Honey, Marinated Asiago Spread, Southern Pimiento Spread, Spicy Smoked Bacon Pub Cheese and Blue Cheese Walnut Spread
























Above: Taste Artisanal Market presented their Herbal Infused Honey, Marinated Asiago Spread, Southern Pimiento Spread, Spicy Smoked Bacon Pub Cheese and Blue Cheese Walnut Spread - these were delish, perfect for your crackers when hosting an at home wine tasting too!

funny napkins from Top Shelf Specialties
























Above: These funny napkins from Top Shelf Specialties caught my eye!

funny tees from Top Shelf Specialties
















Above: These funny tees are also by Top Shelf Specialties, definitely a fun idea when you and crew visit a winery so you can easily spot each other if you get separated! LOL :-)

Salem Oak Winery


















Above: The team at Salem Oak Winery was fun, we tasted from white to red and they were all a slam dunk which for me is pretty rare!

Salem Oak Winery, Julia Marie White Table Wine




















Above: One of my standout faves from Salem Oak Winery was their 'Julia-Marie' White Table Wine (Cayuga, not too sweet, not too dry, this one is very balanced)

Monroeville Vineyard and Winery
















Above: Monroeville Vineyard and Winery also had a great display

DiMatteo Vineyards, Traminette - a sweet-spicy white wine
























Above: We also tasted from white to red with DiMatteo Vineyards, featured is Traminette - a sweet-spicy white wine produced from a new American variety of grape - a cross between gavertz and sevval, a great compliment to seafood, poultry, pork, fresh fruits and desserts. Definitely a great hostess gift!

DiMatteo Vineyards, Crancherry Red Wine
























Above: The CranCherry is a perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving and Holiday Meals and certainly an interesting choice with Easter coming up.

Tomasello Winery, Sparkling Blueberry Wine
























Above: I had a great tasting with Tomasello Winery and my standout from the tasting was their Sparkling Blueberry Wine (you all know I am a 'bubbles' girl first and foremost! So it was no surprise to me or my palate that this one would be my fave!)

Gourmet Creations presented an assortment of their Veggie Dips and Wine Spreads
























Above: Gourmet Creations presented an assortment of their Veggie Dips and Wine Spreads

Bellview Winery
















Above: Bellview Winery took us through their wines as well, I am partial to their 'Dry Whites'

Fin Seafood Restaurant
















Above: Fin Seafood Restaurant was on hand with some soul-warming soups!

Fin's Award Winning Lobster Bisque and Cape May Clam Chowder
























Above: Fin's Award Winning Lobster Bisque and Cape May Clam Chowder was available for purchase. And after tasting enough wine, an eats break is a *MUST*

Amalthea Cellars
























Above: Amalthea Cellars took us through tasting from white to red, and again I found myself drawn to the white.

Valenzano Family Winery
























Above: We tasted through some great offerings by Valenzano Family Winery and their Vidal Blanc 2014 (crisp with hints of grapefruit, pears, and peaches) was my standout choice!

MY TAKE:

I love how most Wine Tastings have expanded their offerings to include seminars, tastings, live concerts during the tasting, and an assortment of food and accessories.

I got a strong sense of the passion that each winery puts into their wines, many are family owned, and many of the wineries also shared their food menus.

Tropicana utilized the space well and there was a good deal of walking room (which is one of the complaints I usually have at tastings, the booths tend to be so crammed it's hard to maneuver), and I thought there was an excellent variety of vendors. It was great seeing local wines featured and I want to add some of these New Jersey Wineries to my list, there is nothing more fun than a tasting at the actual winery.

Atlantic City on the whole has seen so many closings in such a short period of time that one of the things I feared was that the remaining Casinos would rest on the fact that they are still standing, Tropicana continues to reinvent itself and offers a wide variety of events and experiences, in fact this spring Ivan Kane's Kiss Kiss a Go-Go is set to launch at the Tropicana (I got invited to the Press Conference for it, but sadly couldn't take the time off!) and will be located inside The Quarter at Tropicana. (You may remember me mentioning Ivan Kane's Royal Jelly Burlesque Nightclub that was inside the (now closed) Revel Casino.) This is nightlife as art and I can't wait to see it for myself. Will report back on it once I have had the opportunity to visit.

Have you attended a Wine Tasting Recently? What is your Favorite Wine? What will you be sipping this Wine Wednesday?

Stay Thirsty My Friends!

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a monetarily compensated Post, press passes were provided for Editorial Consideration. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.