Copyright © 1999 - 2010, Purdue University, All rights reserved.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
FRENCH LICK - The Indiana Uplands Wine Trail (IUWT) is enticing chocolate lovers to bring their sweethearts to the wineries this February. The cooperative wine group announced today it will celebrate Valentine's Day with the popular Wine and Chocolate Lovers' Weekends. Now in its fourth year, the program is gaining regional attention for its free chocolate delicacies and premier wines.
During the weekends of February 14-15 and 21-22 each winery along the trail pairs their wines with delectable chocolate treats. For example, French Lick Winery will offer chocolate cheese ball truffles and Italian pizelles and Winzerwald Winery will feature wine flavored chocolate ganaches like chocolate caramel chardonnay and chocolate strawberry champagne. The event attracts both enophiles and chocophiles alike. The best part is the event is absolutely free.
The winery owners are excited to showcase their vintages with chocolates. "I really enjoy the Wine and Chocolate Lovers' event because it's something very special for folks who stop by the winery," says Jim Pfeiffer of Turtle Run Winery in Corydon. "We set up dueling tasting bars, one in the production area and one in the tasting room, and just have a ball with it!"
Now comprised of eight wineries - Brown County , Butler , Carousel, French Lick, Huber, Oliver, Turtle Run and Winzerwald - the Uplands Wine Trail was formed in 2003. All eight wineries from Bloomington south to I-64 will be pairing mouth-watering wines with chocolates for wine lovers in the region. Dan Adams of Winzerwald Winery says the event is so popular that even snowy days during last year's event did not hurt attendance. "It's a really fun weekend, whether with a group of friends or as a romantic getaway. Combined with an overnight stay at an area cabin or B&B it's a sure cure for the winter blues," Adams says.
Visit www.IndianaUplands.com for links to individual wineries and their event schedules. Tickets are also on sale at the wineries for "March Gladness" March 14-15 and 21-22 the most popular of Wine Trail events pairing wines with a host of foods from entrees to desserts in a VIP atmosphere.