Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Dear Friends of A Kansan in the Kitchen, I would like to share some vineyard news with you. I am so excited about this upcoming weekend! Please join us!

Just out!....Somerset Ridge to release new Tawny Port this weekend at vineyard!

from the vineyard's newsletter:
Halloween is coming and shouldn't the adults have some fun too? Of course! So we decided to have a Hallo-wine celebration!
Join us at the winery this weekend, October 31 & November 1, for the release of a very special Halloween treat: our first Tawny Port!
What is tawny port? It is a port wine that has had extensive aging in oak barrels, where it undergoes oxidation and evaporation until the color changes from red to a golden, tawny color.Our Tawny has spent the last five years in old oak barrels turning golden and acquiring fantastic caramel and nut flavors. The addition of fine brandy during fermentation has resulted in a silky smooth after-dinner drink with 19% alcohol.
Only one barrel of this special wine is being released this year. Because of its limited production, we will offer tastings only this weekend. So come on down to the tasting room where you can sample and purchase this special wine before it's gone!

Also from the vineyard....want to know more about our grapes?



Of our thirteen different grape varieties, three are of the vitis vinifera species, one (Cynthiana-Norton) is all-American and the remainder are hybrids. Vitis vinifera are traditional European varities, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. Hybrids are varieties that have mixed European and American parentage, combining the good winemaking qualities of the European with the hardiness of the American. We are one of the few commercial vineyards in the midwest that grows both vitis vinifera and hybrids.

Chardonnay - This traditional European grape makes an excellent, full-bodied white wine. We age ours on American oak.

Chardonel - A hybrid cross between Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc. This variety grows very well in our hillside vineyard and makes an excellent crisp, refreshing white wine.

Traminette - Another hybrid whose main parent is the French/German grape Gewurztraminer. This is an excellent grape that makes several styles of rich, spicy white wine, from dry to late harvest sweet.

Cabernet Dore' - A recent addition to the vineyard. A cross between Cynthiana and Cabernet Sauvignon that came out white! (Not so surprising when you consider that one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon is Sauvignon Blanc.) Makes a wine very similar to Sauvignon Blanc.

Aphrodite - A beautiful name for a beautiful grape. This pink grape is a cross between Cynthiana and one of the great grapes of Portugal. Makes a rich white wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon - Often called the "King of Grapes." Makes outstanding, long-lived red wine.

Cabernet Franc - Actually a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. Produces wine that is slightly softer than its offspring. This grape is among the most cold hardy of the European varieties.
Cynthiana (Norton) - The classic American wine grape. A late addition to our vineyard, we're excited to begin making wine from this grape soon!

Chancellor - A French Hybrid that makes excellent red wine reminiscent of a fine Chianti.

Chambourcin - Another French Hybrid that makes excellent, fruity red wine.
Crimson Cabernet - Just planted in 2008. This is a ground-breaking hybrid that is a cross between Cynthiana/Norton and Cabernet Sauvignon. We are among the first vineyards in the country to have this fabulous new grape. It combines the best qualities of its two great parents.


Zinthiana - Another exciting Cynthiana cross. This one is from Zinfandel! Can't wait to start producing our own Midwestern Zin from this grape.
Marquette - One of the parents of this highly acclaimed hybrid is Pinot Noir. It makes a soft, yet complex dry red wine.


More fine wines from Somerset Ridge are in your future!





Also, from Cindy and Dennis...







Please join us at 6:30pm on Thursday, November 5 for a special Somerset Ridge wine dinner at the fabulous Loch Lloyd Country Club (168th & Holmes Road).
This will be an exquisite five-course dinner paired with Somerset Ridge wines. Among the amazing dishes will be Anaheim Chili-encrusted Diver Scallops, Blackbery-brined Pork Tenderloin and Bing Cherry-braised Local Buffalo Short Ribs! Our Cabernet Franc Reserve and Tawny Port will be just some of the Somerset Ridge wines served with this fantastic meal.Call 816-322-1022 by November 3 to make reservations. $55/person.

Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy

Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy
oil painting by Kay Tucker

Somerset Autumn on Wea Creek

Somerset Autumn on Wea Creek
Oil Painting by Kay Tucker, Private Collection

Floral

Floral
oil painting by Kay Tucker

Kansas Storm

Kansas Storm
oil painting by Kay Tucker, Private Collection

Watercolor Collage

Watercolor Collage

Tempo al Tempo....All in Good Time

Tempo al Tempo....All in Good Time
48"x36" sculptural painting by Kay Tucker