Valentines of all kinds hit the Berks County Wine Trail on a snowy Valentine’s Day weekend, Feb. 14 and 15, for the annual “Chocolate & Wine Pairing Event Weekend” at eight wineries in the county.
From the start on Feb. 14, winery parking lots were filled with visitors ready to taste popular and specially featured wines paired with a Valentine’s must have: chocolate. Some even turned the event into a special outing with buses and limos used as the mode of transportation along the self-guided tour.
With owners and employees on hand, it was a perfect holiday-themed weekend for wine-lovers and those not so knowledgable but interested. Along with suggestions on which wine would go best with which treat or meal, employees were able to suggest which wine would be best for each person based on their own personal preferences. Many attendees went home with a bottle, or more, from the wineries.
The event weekend was a chance for those familiar with Calvaresi Winery in Bernville to meet new owner Shannon Birosik with current owner Tom Calvaresi also on hand.
Along with their usual tastings, each winery along the trail featured special wine tastings paired with some chocolate goodies for the weekend.
Wine and Chocolate pairings at the wineries were:
Calvaresi Winery (Bernville) featured chocolate covered dried cherries with Concord red wine and ultimate malted milk balls with Cavaresi’s bold Port wine.
Bashore & Stoudt County Winery (Shartlesville) featured the popular chocolate fountains (including white chocolate) with fresh fruit, cookies and pretzels paired with Strawberry Wine.
Long Trout Winery (Auburn) featured chocolate cherry cookie truffles and feta cheese with walnut/date cigars and other chocolate goodies paired with their signature Berried in Chocolate red wine.
Pinnacle Ridge Winery (Kutztown) featured samples of Mexican Mole with chicken paired with the winery’s two power reds, 2013 Merlot and 2013 Quaff.
Blair Vineyards (Kutztown) featured Earl Grey Chocolate Truffles with the winery’s 2009 Pinot Noir.
Clover Hill Winery (Robesonia) featured its popular Vignoles white wine with White Chocolate Almond Bark from Premise Maid Candies.
Manatawny Creek Winery (Douglassville) featured homemade Syrah chocolate cake made with a Syrah wine glaze with Syrah Sangria.
Kog Hill Winery (Morgantown) featured its Merlot red wine with samples of double chocolate fudge cake as well as its Dry Riesling white wine with white chocolate covered grapes.
The event wwas a great way to spend Valentine’s Day weekend with a quick trip to a favorite winery or a chance to explore multiple wineries and pairings, in any order, throughout the day.
For more on the Berks County Wine Trail, visit www.berkscountywinetrail.com.
