The cheese and wine menu for the “2014 Artisan Cheese & Wine Pairing Event Weekend” with the Berks County Wine Trail is pairing up nicely! A fabulous selection of cheeses will be enjoyed with locally produced wines during this popular harvest time event. Taking place Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5, from noon to 5 p.m. both days, this cheese-filled annual event is ideal for anyone who enjoys cheese, wine, fresh fruit and a peaceful Autumn day out on the rural by-ways of Pennsylvania. This event is a self-guided tour of the eight wineries along the Berks County Wine Trail. An ideal way to relish the many farms that dot the rolling pastureland and vineyards of Berks County, Pennsylvania. The Berks County Wine Trail is located just West of the Allentown/Lehigh Valley area; an hour East of Harrisburg area; and hour South of the Scranton area; an hour North of Greater Philadelphia and two hours West of Manhattan. So close by for a weekend wine adventure.
Tickets are available in advance and day of the events for a cost. Tickets are valid for the entire event weekend. Tickets can be purchased directly from any of the eight individual Berks County Wine Trail wineries, please visit www.berkscountywinetrail.com for winery contact information. Attendees have the option to purchase tickets online at www.localwineevents.com (online ticketing fees apply) via the easy link to online purchasing available on the “Events” page of www.berkscountywinetrail.com
Berks County Wine Trail’s “Artisan Cheese & Wine Pairing Event Weekend” offers a selection of samples of featured local wines with samples of regional cheeses. At each winery stop, you’ll get to sample unique, locally crafted wines with samples of unique cheeses. For a sneak preview of what’s out their to discover during this terrific wine and cheese event, here’s a taste of the upcoming menu:
Manatawny Creek Winery, Douglassville, will be featuring Valley Milkhouse Thistle cheese (brie) paired with the winery’s Chardonnay as well as a roasted garlic & pepper cheese spread made with cheddar from September Farms of Honeybrook (www.septemberfarmscheese.com) paired with Manatawny’s Syrah red wine.
Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Robesonia, will be featuring two clever cheese pairings: Cayuga White white paired with a Mango Ginger Stilton and their Fall-themed, Spiced Apple Wine paired with Colliers’ Cheddar. Cheeses will also be available for purchase at this winery stop. Please note, this event only takes place at Clover Hill’s Robesonia location.
Calvaresi Winery, Bernville, will be pairing their 2013 Riesling White Wine with a unique Sharp Provolone, and their two-time gold medal winning Baco Noir Red Wine will be paired with a classic Gouda. Both cheeses are from the ever-popular Esh’s Cheese of Lancaster (www.eshfoods.com).
Blair Vineyards, Kutztown, welcomes ticketholders to enjoy Lambsquarters, a creamy fresh cheese similar to a chevre; made with sheep’s milk it has a bright citrusy note. Lambsquarters will be served on a cracker with homemade wine jelly and paired with Blair Vineyards’ 2013 Sauvignon Blanc. Their second pairing is Foxtail, a rich and tangy feta style cheese made with sheep’s milk, aged in brine for 2 to 4 weeks, served with Blair Vineyards’ 2009 Pinot Noir. Cheese are crafted by Valley Milkhouse (www.valleymilkhouse.com) in Oley.
Wine & Cheese Pairings for Pinnacle Ridge Winery, Bashore & Stoudt Winery, Kog Hill Winery and Long Trout Winery will be posted on the wine trail website in the days ahead.
Event bonus! Samples of freshly sliced gourmet Asian Pears from Berks County area grower Subarashii Kudamono to be served during this event. Eight different varieties of freshly sliced Asian Pears will be featured at each winery. Subarashii Kudamono Asian Pears are a wonderful complement to cheeses and wines. This event is a terrific way to discover which is your favorite variety of Subarashii Kudamono Asian Pear as well as celebrate the Harvest Season! Curious to know which variety of Subarashii Kudamono Asian Pear will be featured at each winery? Visit the Events page at www.wonderfulfruit.com or www.berkscountywinetrail.com the day before this event for the complete list of Asian Pear varieties and which wines and cheeses they will be paired with. Information about ordering the fresh Asian Pears shipped directly from Subarashii Kudamono to your home or office will be provided during the event; or visit Subarashii’s online store: www.wonderfulfruit.com.
This grand tasting weekend is a great way to taste and explore different types of cheeses paired with different types of wines. Attendees will enjoy finding new combinations of wines and cheeses. All featured wines, as well as wines from the wineries’ regular menus, will be available for purchase during the event. During the event weekend, each of the winery’s full tasting room wine menus will be available for further discovery as well. Please note that one or two wineries do have a tasting room fee for their full wine menus. Tasting fee will be waived with purchase of wine. At several of the wineries, the cheeses featured during the event will be available for purchase as well; so toss a cooler in you car so that you can take some home with you.
For more info, list of winery information and maps/directions, visit: www.berkscountywinetrail.com or email berks_county_wine_trail@yahoo.com. For more info about Subarashii Kudamono Gourmet Asian Pears, www.wonderfulfruit.com