Page 10 - Indulge October/November 2014
P. 10
to by Patrick O’Donnell onthetrail
chamboof urcin
By Patrick O’Donnell
“Wine,” Robert Louis Stevenson once said,
“is like bottled poetry.”
If that’s true, then the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is
like a chapbook: a collection of vinaceous poetry that
artfully describes the rolling hills and shale-filled soil
that make this region a wine-lover’s dream.
Photo by Patrick O’Donnell
10 | INDULGE • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014 The Lehigh Valley is Pennsylvania’s fastest growing wine “It has been a beautiful red grape,” says Elaine
region, due to the efforts of the nine trail wineries and Pivinski, owner of Franklin Hill Vineyards in Lower
the one grape variety they all grow: Chambourcin. Mount Bethel Township, near Bangor. “Prior to [growing
The wineries will celebrate the Valley’s signature grape chambourcin] we had trouble with red grapes. It’s our
on Oct. 18 and 19 with a chambourcin weekend. All the second-largest planting now.”
wineries will feature tastings, and some will include live
entertainment, tours, or food and wine pairings. Gregg Amore, owner of Amore Vineyards outside of
Chambourcin’s claim to fame is its adaptability. Bath, says one reason the chambourcin does so well
“It’s a very versatile grape,” says Denise Gardner, Penn is that it acclimates readily to the Valley’s climate and
State College of Agricultural Sciences extension enologist. short growing season.
“It can be made into a dry red or a sweet red, a rosé — it
“Climate is a big issue,” he says. “For instance,
has so many options. … I think that’s part of its popularity California can do things there that we can’t do here.
with wineries. Not only does it grow well here and produce Here, we’re compressed by when our spring starts and
a good crop, it can be used for so many types of wine.” when our fall ends.”
chamboof urcin
By Patrick O’Donnell
“Wine,” Robert Louis Stevenson once said,
“is like bottled poetry.”
If that’s true, then the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is
like a chapbook: a collection of vinaceous poetry that
artfully describes the rolling hills and shale-filled soil
that make this region a wine-lover’s dream.
Photo by Patrick O’Donnell
10 | INDULGE • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014 The Lehigh Valley is Pennsylvania’s fastest growing wine “It has been a beautiful red grape,” says Elaine
region, due to the efforts of the nine trail wineries and Pivinski, owner of Franklin Hill Vineyards in Lower
the one grape variety they all grow: Chambourcin. Mount Bethel Township, near Bangor. “Prior to [growing
The wineries will celebrate the Valley’s signature grape chambourcin] we had trouble with red grapes. It’s our
on Oct. 18 and 19 with a chambourcin weekend. All the second-largest planting now.”
wineries will feature tastings, and some will include live
entertainment, tours, or food and wine pairings. Gregg Amore, owner of Amore Vineyards outside of
Chambourcin’s claim to fame is its adaptability. Bath, says one reason the chambourcin does so well
“It’s a very versatile grape,” says Denise Gardner, Penn is that it acclimates readily to the Valley’s climate and
State College of Agricultural Sciences extension enologist. short growing season.
“It can be made into a dry red or a sweet red, a rosé — it
“Climate is a big issue,” he says. “For instance,
has so many options. … I think that’s part of its popularity California can do things there that we can’t do here.
with wineries. Not only does it grow well here and produce Here, we’re compressed by when our spring starts and
a good crop, it can be used for so many types of wine.” when our fall ends.”
