This is really the greatest time of year… warm-ish days, chilly nights.

I think the thing I miss most during late-Fall and Winter is the shortage of wine festivals (and beer festivals too)… at least the outdoor type.  I know there are indoor events and tastings, but most of those don’t excite me that much… although I’m more than happy to go LOL.

I managed to make it to the VA Wine Festival again this year, and that’s always a great time… there is something about an early fall day in the sunshine, sampling wine with friends and just relaxing, that being indoors doesn’t bring.  Unfortunately, circumstance and timing made me miss several of my favorites… Linganore’s monthly festivals from May to October are always mellow, fun times, even if the wine sampling is limited to their own varieties.  It’s the perfect place to hang out with friends a picnic lunch and a few bottles of wine. I also missed Wine In The Woods @ Merriweather… It’s in Symphony Woods which might possibly be the perfect outdoor wine festival venue.  Again, a great environment, incredible food and of course the best Maryland Wines too.

We’re lucky that there’s a local winery right here in town too… Frederick Cellars on East Street is great.  I did a broadcast there last Friday and had a chance to spend time with Charlie and Emily and their staff… great people and really good wine too!

This lamenting of the end of the outdoor wine festival season brings me to my greater point… Should you be looking for the perfect gift for me… (hint hint hint) might I suggest:

• Kluge Estate Winery (Charlottesville, VA) : Cru (Aged in Jack Daniels Barrels… SO GOOD!)
• Linganore Winecellars: Maryland Sangria (Great anytime, but especially in summer, with fresh citrus!) and to take the winter chill off… a mug of warmed Spiced Apple is perfect.
• Frederick Cellars: Reisling, Trail’s End, City Lights (also a great wine gift shop and yummy bistro menu too!)

So there you go… I started out to kinda gripe about the change of the seasons and we ended up with a small shopping list and a not so subtle hint for some good Christmas gifts for me.