Chandler Hill VIP Tasting and Tour

We took advantage of our first Missouri Wines passport program reward this month with some friends at Chandler Hill Vineyards.  The Level 2 prize for visiting 30 wineries last year included a VIP wine taste and tour for up to eight people.  We chose Chandler Hill Vineyards because they have a large variety of wines to sample and was within a close vicinity to where we reside.

We didn't know what we would experience, but all of our expectations were blown out of the water when we were greeted with a private seating section and a glass of sparkling wine.  The next thing that surprised us was the amount of food that they served with the taste.  From gourmet cheeses to bbq pulled pork sandwiches as well as an assortment of cheesecake, it truly was a feast fit for kings.  

Our hostess customized our wine tasting based on the overall palette of the group, which was dry to sweet Missouri whites.  The favorite of the group was most definitely the dry Vignoles that was poured first, though the Cold Spring Rosé came in at a close second.  We were served five generous tastings, in addition to our sparkling wine starter, which paired splendidly with the canapé.  

Following our exquisite wine tasting, we were hosted to a winery tour by the CEO, Chuck Gillentine.  It wasn't a far journey, just downstairs to the cellar under their tasting bar.  Chuck explained what wines they produced on-site and the process they utilize.  For our last taste we opted for a barrel sampling during the tour.  The wine of choice was our favorite Missouri red, the Chambourcin.  It was delightfully smooth yet still had potential given more time in the cellar.  The taste and tour were an enlightening glimpse at the inner workings of this winery.

Overall, we could not have been more pleased with our choice of Chandler Hill for our VIP Taste and Tour. The service was impeccable, the food was well paired, and the wine was superb.  Visiting 30 wineries wasn't easy, and this award felt well deserved.  We look forward to our Level 3 reward of a Food and Wine pairing which we chose St. James to host coming up in May, stay tuned.

Allergies and Wine

Yesterday was the first official day of Spring even though it didn't feel that way. I'm still hopeful that warm weather is just on the horizon. Any day now, flowers will be blossoming, birds chirping, and of course wine flowing. I'm eager to pack my picnic basket and take in all the sites and sounds of wineries awakening from a cold winter. However, I want to take a moment to let you all know about a sad situation, that you may find yourself in as well. If you're like me, you suffer from seasonal allergies. Yes, sneezing, running nose, itchy eyes, stuffy head, I have all the symptoms. I take medicine, but they never work as well as I would hope. Going to wineries in the spring is a love/hate situation. I love getting out of the house after being cooped up all winter and rolling on the hills of a winery after a few bottle of Vignoles or Tramminetter, but I hate feeling like crap and having a pocket full of tissues and poofy, watery eyes.



And here's an extra dose of knowledge that some of you may not know about when you're out at the wineries, the pollen isn't the only thing triggering your allergies. The wine itself could be adding to your misery. Yes, the wine is an enemy for people with allergies. It's hard to accept, but it's been proven. The histamines in wine (and alcohol in general) worsens allergies. Histamines are produced in wine and beer during the fermentation process. And if that isn't enough, the sulfites in beer and wine also provoke asthma and other allergy-like symptoms. One more fun fact, women are affected by this 3 times more than men. On the brighter side, if you don't suffer from seasonal allergies, the sulfates and histamines in wine should have no effect on you!

Of course there is some controversy about the idea that wine increases allergies symptoms  I live it, so I feel comfortable agreeing with the studies. I did find one study that encourages drinking more RED wine during seasonal allergies. Red wine is high in quercetin, an antioxidant that reduces the amount of histamine the body releases. Since I'm not going to let allergies stop my wine drinking this spring, I will be sticking to red wine and popping allergies pill regularly. I don't want to discourage anyone from heading to the wineries this spring. I just want you to be aware of what you're getting yourself into and advise you to bring extra tissue! Happy wine trailing!

Mardi Gras Whiskey, Wine, and Beer Taste

by: Michael Crowell & Davina Horton

  
If you've never been to the Mardi Gras Wine, Whiskey, and Beer Taste, we highly recommend it.  For $35 ($40 at the door) you get unlimited tastes of a plethora of AB In-Bev products, Southern Comfort and Jack Daniels Whiskeys, and all the wine your heart can desire.
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We volunteered at this event serving wine and had a fabulous time as usual. Our wines were all from the Hahn distributor including Hahn Cabernet Sauvigon, Hahn Pinot Noir, Hahn Chardonnay, Hahn Pinot Grigio, Gladiator Chardonny, and Galdiator Zinfindel. We had a table full of dry wines and the Cabernet was the hot ticket.
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The great thing about this event is that it's really more of a social event than a tasting. You don't have that stuffy, pretentious feeling like at some wine tastes, and it's really nice that it includes beer for people who aren't into wine. The whiskey is a fun option that kind of kicks it up a notch.
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The event has a DJ and yes, people dance! (as you can see from the video.) The event's venue is St. Louis City Hall and is really breathe-taking.
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Overall this is one of the best Mardi Gras events. They really do a fabulous job providing a great Friday night and entertainment.
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For more Mardi Gras fun, check out there website.



http://www.mardigrasinc.com/events/

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