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Bring Great Flavors to your Lehigh Valley Thanksgiving with Wine Ideas from Winemaker Brian Cheeseborough

By Joe Wehinger — 2 years ago

Bring Great Flavors to your Lehigh Valley Thanksgiving with Wine Ideas from Winemaker Brian Cheeseborough.

Thanksgiving is coming up fast, and you just have a few days left, do not panic just yet.

Most people are not “hosting” a Thanksgiving; instead, they are guests. Whether its family, friends, or you are the plus one, it is always better to make a good impression – and what better way than with an exceptional wine or two?

Wine can be inexpensive; our winemaker suggested a few wines between $15-$45.

Brian Cheeseborough has more than 20 vintages of wine experience and made 90+ point wines in 6 different regions worldwide (California, France, New Zealand, Argentina, and more). He is an expert at pairing flavors and (more importantly) how to fix sour or off flavors – think dry turkey. (yikes!)

Winemaker Brian Cheeseborough shares Delicious Wine Pairings for Your Thanksgiving Feast

Take it away, Brian!

Thanks for having me. I’m excited to share these ideas because there are two goals: if the food is incredible, we want a wine that matches it and makes it even better (think like a dancing partner), and secondly, if the food is not great, we want a way to elevate the experience and fix the mistake.

Wine can do that! Most of these wines are from vineyards I have worked with or fellow Fresno State alums, some of whom I sat in a lecture with about all things wine. Can’t find the exact bottle? There are numerous producers for these wines under $50 and some below $20 – follow the varietals.

So, let us get started.

Alexander Valley Vineyards – Gewürz, 2021 Mendocino County

This Gewürz can solve many problems. It is a great wine to start the night; It’s also great when you’re eating something dry or bland. Yes, it is on the sweeter side. The aromatics are floral, with enticing notes of apple, grapefruit, and citrus; the mouth is silky and rich. This will pair well with any course. I like it with turkey best!

Buy it here: AVV 2021 Gewürz – Organically Grown

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2021 Estate Chardonnay

Another great option to start the party. The nose is a fresh bouquet of apricot, lemon, lime, and honey. The mouth is rich and supple with flavors of golden apple, caramel, and vanilla, with a nice round, refreshing finish. You can easily pair this with rich seafood dishes like shrimp alfredo and crab-stuffed lobster tail. Also, creamy potatoes or spiced pumpkins. (If you end up with pumpkin or squash on your plate and try a glass of this, you will thank me later.)

Buy it here: Willamette Valley Vineyards – Estate Chardonnay

Pine Ridge Vineyards 2021 Chenin Blanc + Viognier White Blend

One more light suggestion to start off your feast! This is crisp, bright, and full of life. The nose is a bouquet of honeysuckle, and orange blossoms, with a twist of ginger spice. The mouth is full-bodied with refreshing acidity. Flavors of tangerine, lime, and green apple. It’ll pair great with a light salad, goat cheese, and olives.

Buy it here: Chenin Blanc + Viognier White Blend – Pine Ridge Vineyards

Now, let us go to the Reds!

Abacela Tempranillo Fiesta 2019

It has a gorgeous fruit-driven nose with aromas of red fruit, cherry, and plum. The mouth is sleek and silky, medium body with flavors of black currant and blueberry, with lush and velvety tannins. It would pair well with turkey, venison with traditional gravy, or cranberry.

Abacela Tempranillo Fiesta 2019

Buy it here: Abacela Tempranillo Fiesta

Dutton-Goldfield’s 2020 Mendocino Hills Pinot Noir

The nose starts telling you this is something extra special; classic rich blackberry, pomegranate, and a touch of vanilla to round out the aromas. The mouth is super juicy and decadent, full of bright red cherry and cola with a baking spice finish. You want this with your main entree – turkey, ham, and stuffing. The people at your party drinking this will be glancing at each other, smiling between bites – they will know why!

Buy it here: Mendocino Hills Pinot Noir

Porter Creek, Estate Pinot Noir, Russian River – 2019

On the nose, red fruit notes with cherry and plum. On the mouth, medium body with moderate oak, black currant, and blueberry, with delicate tannins. This pairs well with lean meat.

Buy it here: Porter Creek, Estate Pinot Noir, Russian River

The critical thing to remember is that regardless of your budget, you can find a great flavor to pair with what you are eating. Also, the wine can “save” the day, just in case it ends up a little (or a lot) dry or bland. You are not the chef du jour for Thanksgiving, but you can still contribute to the sharing.

Brian Cheeseborough is currently the Director of Winemaking at FermForge in West Texas.

Bookstore Speakeasy brings memorable style and flavor to Bethlehem’s bar scene.

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Bookstore Speakeasy Brings Memorable Style and Flavor to Bethlehem’s Bar Scene

By Joe Wehinger — 2 years ago

Bookstore Speakeasy brings memorable style and flavor to Bethlehem’s bar scene.

As the name suggests, Bookstore Speakeasy brings us back to the Prohibition era speakeasy times. The owners and staff work hard to recreate the look and style of the area and deliver incredible tastes.

According to their website, reservations are suggestions. They’re being modest.

Reservations are pretty much mandatory unless you want to wait over an hour. So, make a reservation. It’s worth it.

Also, since this is a “specialty” restaurant, please check out my tips at the bottom of the article.

You enter through a non-descript door on a plain-looking street. At first, I didn’t think I was at the right place. And, of course, this is all planned on-purpose to match the business’s theme.

Bookstore Speakeasy’s lobby

You walk down the steps into a different world.

The world of a prohibition-style speakeasy. The owners have done a thorough and detailed job on design and it pays off.

Bookstore Speakeasy’s specialty drink list

In the lobby you wait with other guests until you’re called by the hostess, and then your full party enters yet another world: the bar / seating area. It’s even more dense with speakeasy design.

Cuisine

The drinks are excellent. The food is excellent.

They have a full bar, but also offer custom drink specials.

Bookstore Speakeasy’s bar

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Their drinks aren’t traditionally straight forward. Rather, they’re almond infused, maple-infused, etc. Everything I tasted was “a little bit different” than what I expected.

I could see some people loving that detail. I could see others being very frustrated. The barstaff doesn’t want you to be frustrated, so ask questions.

Once I started asking more and more questions, the bartender (Ry) was very helpful and friendly. He ended up pouring me several small samples until I could figure out what I’d like.

The food was plentiful and outstanding. If you’re a foodie, it’s worth a visit for the food alone.

Ambiance

You’re there for the vibe and it pays off immediately and consistently.

The scene is locally award-winning and very well-crafted.

A mostly-finished Old-Fashioned with 2 samples

I would’ve expected dates, seduction and romance. To me, the vibe was swanky, lounge-y romantic. (maybe that says more about me).

Inside, there was a college-aged date at the bar, a Moms Night Out at one table and older couples (55+) at two other tables. A private group party cozied off in a secluded corner.

Made it hard to figure out the bar’s demographic as tonight’s crowd was very mixed. However it felt like a local hang, as “Lehigh” and “Moravian Academy” were both overhead several times.

For me, I’d travel from well outside the area to have this experience.

There is a corner of the room for a live band and supposedly there’s live music most nights. The overall area seemed too small for that, like the sound would dominate everything.

If you’re a live music lover, maybe that’s great news. Out for dinner, drinks and conversation, maybe that’s not great news.

Service

So here’s where I messed up. It’s not really a “walk-in and grab a quick drink” bar. You really want to make reservations ahead of time. This is “suggested” on their website, but it should be required.

The bar seems to be maintained at a quarter full. The restaurant is steady at ⅔ full.

So, I received rushed service. The hostess worked to squeeze me into their packed schedule. Once seated, the bartender was very helpful. I had a quick drink and a bite and moved on quickly enough to fit their next scheduled seating after me.

Hospitality

All in all, it reminds me of a mini-version Los Angeles’ Magic Castle. At the Castle their rules are very straightforward, respected, must be followed, and the venue is a better place as a result. If anyone asked my opinion, I’d suggest the Bookstore lean more into “rules”.

Bookstore Speakeasy can easily be a special night worthy of driving from anywhere in Eastern PA (roughly 30-45 mins). I’d go back again, but this time I know the rules.

Tips:

Make a reservation
Walk in with an adventurous palette
Sit down expecting to spend some money. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it.
Know there’s an automatic 25% gratuity added to your bill. Order accordingly.
Ask the bartenders and waiters questions. Have fun with the experience.

Bookstore Speakeasy is delicious, memorable and helpful.

For more info and to make a reservation: https://www.bookstorespeakeasy.com/

The Disco Biscuits Bring their 'trancefusion' dance party to Penn's Peak January 20 - 21 2023

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The Disco Biscuits Bring ‘trancefusion’ Dance Party to Penn’s Peak January 20 – 21 2023

By Contributor — 2 years ago

The Disco Biscuits Bring their ‘trancefusion’ dance party to Penn’s Peak January 20 – 21 2023

The Disco Biscuits are an entirely different band today than they were when they first broke out of Philadelphia in the mid-90s.

That’s not to say that they’ve abandoned their foundation, switched gears or set sail for distant shores.

The Disco Biscuits are still very much the pioneers of “trancefusion,” bridging the gap between electronic music and jam bands.

They still remain rock pioneers whose soul belongs as much to marathon dance parties as it does to live improvisational journeys. They still employ emerging technologies to help them create music that is 100 percent human although, perhaps, not entirely of this earth.

Tickets on sale Friday, November 18^th at 12:00PM at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Penn’s Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant and Bar. Penn’s Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant ticket sales are walk-up only, no phone orders.

General Admission

Advance: $35.00

Day of Show: $40.00

About Penn’s Peak

Penn’s Peak, a beautiful mountaintop entertainment venue located in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, can comfortably host 1,800 concertgoers. Enjoy a spacious dance floor, lofty ceilings, concert bar/concession area and a full service restaurant and bar aptly named Roadie’s. Complete with a broad open-air deck for summertime revelry, Penn’s Peak patrons enjoy a breathtaking overlook of nearby Beltzville Lake, plus a commanding, picturesque 50-mile panoramic view of northeastern Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Mountains. Choose Penn’s Peak for your next wedding, banquet or special event and treat your guests to an event truly “Above the Rest”.

Geographically convenient to residents of major population zones in Hazleton, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Stroudsburg, the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia and New York City, Penn’s Peak is an ideal location for any event. It is located only four miles from Exit 74 of the northeast extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

For more information on Penn’s Peak, go to www.pennspeak.com or call 866-605-7325.

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Youell’s Oyster House is the Lehigh Valley’s Answer to ‘Sea to Table’ Seafood

By Joe Wehinger — 2 years ago

Youell’s Oyster House is the Lehigh Valley’s answer to seafood.

Youell’s Oyster House is hidden in a cozy neighborhood of Allentown, PA within minutes of the Allentown Fairgrounds, Muhlenberg College and Cedar Crest College. About twenty minutes from the PPL center.

Youell’s Oyster House has History

Part of Pennsylvania history, originally opened in 1895. Then Gus Filipos, a longtime patron of Youell’s, bought the business in 1984 and his son Chris joined in 1987.

Youells-Oyster-house

Over the years they earned a reputation for excellent food. Their oysters, their Certified Black Angus beef. Their wine and craft beer selections.

And very fresh seafood.

According to their website the scallops (and presumably most of their seafood) is caught less than 12 hours before being served on your plate.

Pretty good.

The motto they repeat throughout their website is:

“Upscale dining

in a relaxed atmosphere.”

I was told a few times during a recent East Coast visit, that Youell’s has the best seafood in the Lehigh Valley, so I planned to try them out.