October wine featured is Spellbound Petite Syrah

2008 Spellbound Petite Sirah, California


This "dark and brooding" varietal by Rob Mondavi Jr., is 76% Petit Syrah, 18% Syrah, 6% other proprietary red wines.

Rich in color, with black and branbly fruits, vanilla bean and roasted coffee aromatics. Wine Spectator says this wine tastes almost like an Aussie Shiraz, a big, jammy but drily acidic wine that explodes with blackberry, cherry and pepper flavors.

http://www.spellboundwines.com/

$14.49 at The Chatham Wine Thieve

The Brass City Beer Fest is coming up on Sept. 10 from noon to 5 p.m. at Library Park in Waterbury.
Features more than 250 brews, three bands, door prizes and food. Admission is $35 or $30 in advance. Presented by Main Street Waterbury. www.brasscitybrewfest.com
Free classic car cruise from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a 5K Road Race on Sept. 11.

Craft Beer and Chili Challenge at Rentschler Field!

Another great event is happening this month, but this time it's all about the beer!
It's the annual Craft Beer and Chili Challenge, planned for Aug. 21 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford from noon to 4 p.m.
Hosted by WNPR and CPTV, tickets for the event include samples of the event's vast selection of craft brewed beers from Connecticut and around the world and chili samples from some of Connecticut’s best restaurants.
Participants can vote on their favorites. For information on the event and tickets e-mail Amy Williamson at awilliamson@cptv.org or go to www.beerandchili.org

Wine Festivals in CT This Weekend!

Two wine events this weekend in CT:
The Taste the Shoreline Festival at the Guilford Fairgrounds is July 30, starting at noon, featuring local food vendors such asWestbrook Lobster, Som Sam Thai Restaurant, Quattro's and Ranchero's Mexican Bistro. SBC Brewery, Chamard Vineyards, Bishop¿s Orchards and Frank¿s Package Store will provide beverages. The event is free; food and drink are for purchase. 203-453-9677 or www.guilfordct.com.

Taste the wineries of CT July 30 and 31 at the Connecticut Wine Festival at the Goshen Fair Grounds, featuring 14 local wineries offering samples of wine and specialty foods. Live music on both days. Purchase bottles of wine directly from the local wineries at the festival. Presented by the CT Wine Trails, the festival starts at noon. Tickets are $25 for one day, parking is free. 860-677-5467 or www.ctwine.com

New Year's is the time to sample champagne

New Year's Eve is a great excuse to try a few new champagnes and sparkling wines - there certainly are plenty out there! A few of my favorites include Veuve Clicquot, a full flavored, crisp, delicious option that is easy to find and at about $40 a bottle, won't bankrupt you!

For a fruiter option, I enjoy Moet & Chandon Brut Rose, a champagne blend from France. It's beautiful coppery color and fruit and spicy aromas make it a special treat. It's a little bit more expensive - about $45-$50, but definately worth it!

Looking for something sweeter? Bitch Bubbly, created by Chris Ringland and Dan Phillips, makers of Bitch Grenache, is a blend of chardonnay, shiraz and grenache grapes. Fresh berries give it a sweet/tart flavor. Good price too, about $10 to $12 a bottle.

Fun New Year's Eve Wine Event

The Haight-Brown Vineyard at 29 Chestnut Hill Road in Litchfield will host a New Years Eve Chocolate Decadence on Dec. 31 from 6 to 7 p.m. featuring Haight-Brown wines paired with decadent chocolate selections.
Cost is $30, reservations required. Go to http://www.haightvineyards.com/ for more info or call

860-567-4045.

Fun wine event at Mohegan Sun

This event isn't until January, but it sounds like a whole lot of fun. The Sun WineFest Grand Tasting at Mohegan Sun Casino in Montville is going to be happening Jan. 28, 29 and 30.

Sample over 1,000 wines and beer and specialty spirits and celebrity chef demonstrations featuring Bobbly Flay, Todd English and Marcela Valladolid. Wine and beer experts will host seminars in the casino's restaurants. In addition, the Mohegan Sun WineFest Grae Stomp will include 16 teams who will try to get the most juice out of a measured amount of grapes. That part is going to be held on Jan. 29 at 4:15 p.m. in the Uncas Ballroom Main Stage.

Also on the 29th, the Elite Cru Tasting gives guests an exclusive opportunity to discover the "best-of-the-best" vintages from around the world, and meet the winemakers and principals behind them. This will be held in the Cabaret Theatre from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Admission is $200 and includes a Grand Tasting ticket and Bottega del Vino stem.

On Jan. 30, Bubbles and Bon Bons, featuring samplings of high-end champagnes, chocolates and cheeses inside The Cabaret Theatre. Jacques Torres, a highly regarded pastry chef and chocolatier, Executive Pastry Chef Lynn Mansel and Chef Robert Irvine from the Food Network will be on hand for this unique event.
Location: The Cabaret Theatre ad Mohegan Sun, 6:00pm - 9:00pm. Cost is $95.00
There are other events wrapped into this weekend. If you go, please share here and tell us about what you tried and what you liked!