Playlist for Seven Springs Wine Festival – August 27-28 (Part One)

Next weekend is the 19th Annual Wine and Food Festival at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. If you've never been, we recommend you make the jaunt--just a few miles off the Donegal Exit on the PA Turnpike. Plan to satisfy your curiosity for only $20-25, and sample well-known wines such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurtztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Riesling or Syrah or those lesser-known eastern wine grapes like Chambourcin, Niagara, Seyval Blanc, Vignoles or Traminette.

Twenty-eight of the approximate 90 wineries in the state of Pennsylvania will have tasting stations. With so much wine... so little wine, we thought we'd provide some recommendations from each winery. Our "playlist" has been broken down into five parts. Here's Part One (A-B):

1. Allegheny Cellars Winery. Give the new kid on the block's (established 2007) semi-dry Riesling and Royal Red a chance. Got a sweet tooth? Try their Bigfood Shadows made from Concord grapes.

2. Allegro Vineyards. Do plan to spend some time at their booth. Try all the varietals they have on hand--Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling or Syrah, as well as some blends (Trio or Bridge).

3. Arrowhead Wine Cellars. Enjoy samplings of their award-winning Chardonnay, Dry Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin. If available, make sure you get a pour of Reflections of Lake Erie (Chardonnay-Seyval blend) and Pinot Grigio.

4. Benigna's Creek Winery. An alternative to their plentiful sweet and semi-sweet offerings include an off-dry Traminette and Cab Franc.

5. Blue Mountain. This winery has lots to offer including Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio, but be sure to try their Riesling or Shiraz.

Once you've tasted these wines at the festival, come back to visit us to tell us what you thought of our recommendations or make some some recommendations of your own.

PART TWO (C-F) to be posted next.