A few weekends ago, I went to see if what I heard was true. That, Cesar Milan, infamous Dog Whisperer from his internationally acclaimed TV show was making a pit stop at Charm City. Lucky for me, this rumor was fact. Cesar Milan gave away free photo opps, autographs and merch to throngs of animal lovers, who were at the store front since 6:30 a.m.

When I first visited the location, I was in awe over the spread of land, long lines for wine tasting and with the overall structure of their immediate building designed for guests. Interior doors were constructed to slide open, wooden floors were glossy enough to shine, and there was a spiraling staircase that led guests into this palacial area where they can dine and wine on a wide arrangement of goodies.

Everything was arranged in such a cordial way that I wished I brought my camera that day. There’s not enough words in the English dictionary for me to paint this robust, wonderful and memorable experience I had at this vineyard.

However, I will try my best to recreate it on this blog.  Before I get into my wonderful experience, here’s a bit of their backstory that can be found in fuller detail on their website:

The winery is housed in a 19th century stone barn whose massive walls provide an ideal environment for the production and aging of wine. Rob Deford, who received training in enology at the University of California, Davis manages Boordy with his wife Julie Colhoun Deford.  Boordy currently produces 97,000 gallons of wine annually and cultivates forty acres of grapes in the Long Green Valley (Central Piedmont region) and in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western Maryland.

Anyways, I was able to partake in a wonderful selection of wines from their Landmark, Icons of Maryland and Just for Fun series.  For 65 years, Boordy has been crafting the finest regional wines in the east coast and just by sampling their 2010 Chardonnay, I can taste the quality. 

Landmark series

“These handcrafted wines are the finest representations of vintage year, varietal character, the soil of our region and the soul of our winemaker.  Beginning with the 2010 vintage, our Landmark wines are sourced from 100% Maryland grown grapes, principally from Boordy’s estate vineyards.”

Icons of Maryland

“The wines in this series are crafted with food in mind but are friendly enough to enjoy on the porch with friends. Their labels feature original engravings of iconic Maryland wildlife such as the Baltimore Oriole and the Rockfish, and symbolize Boordy’s iconic stature in the history of Maryland winemaking. The grapes from our Icon wines are sourced from within Maryland and from other states.”

Just for Fun

“We offer five wines in a series that express our belief there is always a time & occasion for wine.  As their name suggests, these are sweet party styled wines that may be served over ice, chilled, or warmed for chilly night sipping.”

As was previously aforementioned on this entry, I was humbled to have sampled a little bit of everything from each of Boordy Winery’s series. My taste buds are highly selective and I did have personal favorites that I highly recommend to all Wine-o’s out there. And here they are:

Landmark  Series

Eisling 2009: This was my favorite of this particular series.  It’s a beautifully balanced sweet reisling reserve that compliments several high-end creme brulees, custards, fruit pasteries and soft cheeses. Boordy was able to balance a soft but subtle aroma of orange, honeysuckle and melon into this addictive concotion. It’s so good that there’s only a limited production of 524 cases left. Check out Boordy’s website for more information on this and other wines.

Icons of Maryland

Chambourcin Merlot:  This wine has a medium body, supple residual sweetness and a lovely dark red hue.  It’s aromas of raspberry and cherry accompany the wine’s smooth but tender sweetness. It goes great swedish meatballs, dishes with spicey red sauces, and creamy soft cheeses. Check out Boordy’s website for more information on this and other wines

Just for Fun

Tango Peach: It’s a celebration in your mouth. A kick to the right direction. A great way to commemorate a fun occassion. Which is why Tango Peach is Best of Baltimore Blog’s choice wine.  It’s honeyed aromas of melon, peach and citrus can allure anyone to its tart yet sweet flavor.  If you can’t vacation in  a hot, and summery place this winter. Then crack open this bottle with close girlfriends and have a ball. This website highly recommends it.Check out Boordy’s website for more information on this and other wines

Here you have it, Best of Baltimore Blog’s choice wine and choice vineyard for 2011. Contact Boordy Vineyards if you ever want to visit their lovely vineyards or if you want to order the best riesling this side of the East coast.

By Sherryn Daniel

www.sherryndaniel.com

If you missed Selena Gomez’s concert last weekend, i’m sorry to hear that.  However, just because you missed Miss Gomez’s show doesn’t mean the Maryland State Fair has ended. Check the fair out September 3 and 4th to see country super star Blake Young and local fave All Time Low.

If you’re not a country or alternative rock buff, you can always ride on fast rides, pet cute animals and eat enough fried food to screw up your Atkins diet up.

When: Every day until September 5, 2011.

Price: $3-8 dollars ( excluding concert tix cost)

Venue: Timonium Fairgrounds.

                2200 York Road, Timonium, MD, 21093

Phone: 410-252-0200

View Website

Baltimore is known for having the best wine, concert and sports festivals and conventions. Lest we forget, comic conventions too.

This years Comic-Con is jam-packed with comic vendors, appearances by artists/ author signings and with life-size appearance of costumed characters.

 Legend Stan Lee, who created “The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman” will also be in attendance. It’s a great price to have a once-in-a-lifetime meet with him.

This two-day event ranges between $15-30 bucks ( kids 10 and under are free), and it’s held on West Pratt Street. Here’s more information:

Dates: August 20th : 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
August 21st : 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Venue: Baltimore Convention Center
1 W. Pratt St. , Baltimore , MD , 21201

Contact:  410-526-7410 (Phone)

View Website

By Sherryn Daniel 

www.sherryndaniel.com

Spring and Summer is the time to test your wine pallates. Yes, the DMV area is strife with wine tasting events but only Baltimore can partner wine and brew tasting with charm.  From May 28- 29, take part in this hallmark event by partaking in an unlimited sampling from national and local breweries and wineries.

Only at the Maryland Zoo (Druid Hill Park Mansion House Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21217 ) will you be able to taste top notch drafts, red whines, and meads. Each day, from 1- 7 p.m,  festival goers can also see bands Fools and Horses, King Street and The Reagan Years play all of their top hits.

Prices range from $40 (non-members) to $25 (members), and if you want more information, please call: 410-396-7102 or better yet: View Website.

By Sherryn Daniel

www.SherrynDaniel.com

The World Trade Center Institute, located in Baltimore, MD, along with  Jhpiego, Title Sponsor Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Murthy Law Firm, P&G, and Laureate Education are sponsoring this year’s 5th Annual Women Spanning The Globe  event. 

This highly coveted event will serve as a great opportunity for local businesses to network, mingle and to learn about women leaders all across the globe. It will also showcase senior women in leadership positions who will share success stories, best strategies, and women-to-women global insights at this year’s program.

Covering topics at this year’s event  include: Global Women in a Man’s World, Women and Positive Leadership, Global Women in Government, Public/Private Partnerships, Marketing & Brand-Building Across the Global Economic Spectrum, and “I Did it My Way” in the Corporate World.

Featured Guest Speakers:
H.E. Meera Shankar, Ambassador of India to the U.S.
H.E. Josefina Pitra Diakité, Ambassador of Angola to the U.S.
Marc Pritchard, P&G, Global Marketing & Brand Building Officer

Featured Panelists & Moderators:
Deb Kielty, WTCI, President & Executive Director (Moderator)
Leslie Mancuso, Jhpiego, President & CEO (Moderator)
Sheela Murthy, Murthy Law, President (Moderator)
Ellen Lord, Textron Defense Systems, Sr. VP & General Manager
Linda Maloney, Sabre Systems, Sr. Systems Engineer and 
 My Mom Flies, President Jessica Glazer, JHU Carey Business School,

 Asst. Director and Head Teaching Fellow, Harvard University
Ellen Yankellow, Correct Rx Pharmacy Services, President
Christina Huang, McCormick & Co, Director Q.A., Asia Pacific
Martine Rothblatt, United Therapeutics, Chairman & CEO

Date: June 1, 2011

Time:9:00am – 3:30pm  (8:15am registration/coffee)

Address:  Jim Rouse Visionary Center, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD

Tickets: $90 (early bird)
$125 (after May 1

What people have to say about last year’s event:

“I gained inspiration from the panelists that has energized me to deal with significant challenges in a different way.” – ARINC
 
“The speakers were inspiring, and their message of passion and commitment to their work in deserving regions of the world is one that we can all take to heart.” – Embassy of Canada

 Prices: Vary on film

Location:The Charles Theatre
1711 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD, 21201

Phone:410-727-3456 (Phone)

View Website

By Sherryn Daniel

www.sherryndaniel.com

Philips Seafood’s Cook, Crack and Eat  Clam Bake Class is held monthly in the Baltimore harbor  and it’s a first-class session adorned with fine wines, delectable appetizers, and, ofcourse, the most scrumptious clam bake in the area.

It’s hard not to get engulfed with a breadth of knowledge on quality seafood, imported foods and on addictive appetizers from this class since it’s taught by a  veteran chef who has worked for Philips since 1998 and who masterfully knows how to handle his  “lively” ingredients.

In between being  served soft but tart Crab Dip, robust Salt & Pepper Calamaris, and rich Crab Stuffed Mushroom Cap appetizers; everyone was  served fine red and white wines that paired well with certain seafood items.  For an hour-long cooking class, students  learned:

Philips Seafood Clam Bake Tidbits                 

• When you cook lobster, make sure it’s lively.
• Best snow crabs come from New Finland.
• When you purchase shellfish, make sure all scales are intact and it doesn’t smell fishy.
• When you make your clam bake, try to add white corn, lemon, parsley and  red potatoes.
• White wine always compliments seafood dishes. So make sure you have plenty of it for your own clambake. 

 Baltimoreans also had a great opportunity to network with fellow seafood addicts in a refreshing atmosphere free of boisterous noise, loud music and  of tight space–to socialize freely, ofcourse.Though the clam bake is made for two, there’s truly enough for four.  If you want to learn more about Philips Seafood’s Cook, Crack and Eat Clam bake class  please visit them at: 

 Philips Seafood

301 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 685-6600

By Sherryn Daniel

www.sherryndaniel.com

Amidst all the Pop bands saturating Baltimore’s concert venues, there are a few indie rock bands that highlight great venues like Ramshead Live, The Recher and even The Mariner.

For this weekend only, check out TV on the Radio at Ramshead Live.  With an affordable tix price of $31, you get to rock out to all of their great hits ( even new stuff off of their album Nine Types of Light).

Doors open at 7p.m and if you come early enough, you can also catch  Baltimore indie band Celebration.

For more information call:  410-244-1131.

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By Sherryn Daniel

www.sherryndaniel.com

Have you been wanting to get a tattoo for quite awhile? Or do you need advice on how to add more excitement towards  your tiger tattoo that you had since you were a freshman in college?

If you are free from April 8-10, come check out B-more’s Tattoo Arts Convention. This is the only time of year where experienced tattoo artists, vendors, seminars, live entertainment and tattoo contests will be held.

 After you get your dream tattoo, also check out performances by Enigma and Serana Rose, Suspension by Crash, Olde City Sideshow and more.

When: April 8-10th

Where: Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel (101 West Fayette St., Baltimore, MD, 21201)

Price: $20-$40; kids under 12: free

Phone: 1-800-541-8239

View Website

By Sherryn Daniel

www.sherryndaniel.com