Couple At A Winery
During these summer months my wife and I love to drive to the wineries in Bucks County and its surrounding areas. We like to go to sample various wines, often ones we’ve never tried. Buck County’s vineyards are exceptional because of the grapes that can be grown here. We are a designated viticultural district, meaning that we have soil that is able to produce a variety of grapes with equal success. One Bucks County winery explains on its website that we are, in fact, one of the few places in the world that can grow these grapes with equal success.
Wine tasting is fun. You get to try a variety of wines and can buy wines based on your tasting experience. Tasting wine does not have to be intimidating. You don’t have to be an experienced oenophile or sommelier to taste wine. In fact, whether you are a professional wine taster or someone who typically only drinks wine at special occasions, there are five steps to tasting wine. These are known as the 5 S’s of wine tasting. Here are those steps:
See: Look at the wine. Notice if the wine is clear and brilliant or cloudy and dull. A wine’s color is better judged by putting it against a white background. Colors give the taster clues to the grape variety, and whether the wine was aged in wood. Typically, wine that had been oak aged is darker in color. The intensity of color within each varietal gives the drinker an idea of how the wine will taste. As a general rule, color saturation tends to go hand in hand with flavor intensity.
Swirl: Swirl the wine a couple times. Heavy wines will be deeper in color and generally more intense on the nose. Sweeter wines, being denser will leave thick, viscous streaks (called legs) down the inside of the glass when swirled.
Sniff: Smell is the main sense used in wine tasting, so sniffing the wine before tasting is essential. A wine’s quality can be judged by its nose and taste. Consider what you are smelling. What does the aroma remind you of? Fruits or vegetables? Herbs or spices?
Sip: Take a slightly larger sip than usual and hold the wine in your mouth for 3-5 seconds letting it coat the surface. It is here that the complex taste experience and characteristics of a wine actually happen. Look for sweetness, fruitiness, saltiness, acidity, bitterness, and alcohol. What’s your overall impression? Does any component over power the others or is the wine is balanced?
Savor: The finish is the sensation you get from actually swallowing the wine and it can be very different from the taste you get on your palate. What you want to look for is an alcohol taste and the length of time the wine taste stays with you. This length of time is called the finish and some wines can linger for as long as a minute.
Generally, we do not follow all the steps above. Trips to wineries in Bucks County and Hunterdon County are dates for us. We go to these wineries and order a tasting board to enjoy the wine and the beauty of the Bucks County countryside. Often our tasting results in us buying something different. Trips to Bucks County and Hunterdon County wineries are romantic times when we can relax, enjoy a day, and bring home some exceptional wines made from grapes grown right here in our own backyard.
We’re sure you’ll enjoy the wine tasting guide we put together for you. These fine wineries are waiting for you this summer and fall. Get out there and enjoy!
Alba Vineyard
Nestled in the scenic rolling hills of Warren County where the Musconetcong River joins the Delaware. Sustainably farming premium grapes and crafting wines of exceptional value. Open daily we encourage a visit to our beautiful estate. Tours, tastings, private events, wood-fired pizza, live music, corporate team building, and much more. Visit www.albavineyard.com
Buckingham Valley Vineyards & Winery
Founded in 1966, Buckingham Valley is one of Pennsylvania’s first wineries. Offering more than two dozen wine varieties, ranging from deep oak-aged reds to light whites and Bucks County’s only champagne–all very reasonably priced. Tastings, picnic tables, wine by the glass or bottle. A nice place to visit. www.pawinestore.com
Bishop Estate Vineyard and Winery
Bishop Estate Winery offers fun to go with your wine, beer, or wine slushy, with 21 wines to choose from, dry to sweet. Do a tasting and find a wine you’ll love. Live music and food trucks on weekends. We are open every day, year-round, with seating inside and outside. Visit www.bishopestatepa.com
Crossing Vineyards and Winery
Crossing Vineyards and Winery is tucked away on a 200-year-old Bucks County estate in the heart of historic Washington Crossing. The lovely grounds offer a unique setting for weddings, private parties, corporate gatherings, wine tasting events, classes and concerts. A calendar of activities, tasting options, pricing and availability is listed at
Innocenti Family Wines
Langhorne’s Only Micro-Winery. A small family-owned Micro Winery located in the Langhorne–Hulmeville area. We produce and bottle and sell wine in our home. Currently producing nine varieties of wine. We offer wine tastings at our quaint 9-seat bar. Call ahead for a tasting or pick up at 267-496-6089.
Manoff Market Cidery
The Manoff family began producing hard cider from fruit grown at their Bucks County orchard in 2018. The cidery makes 13 varieties of dry, sparkling cider with no added sugar. The main varieties are Comfort, Goldrush and Pink Lady. All ciders are matured in wood for 1 year. Learn more: www.manoffmarketgardens.com/cidery
Rose Bank Winery
Located in the heart of historic Bucks County, Rose Bank Winery is the definition of rustic elegance. From award-winning American fruit wines to fully customizable event spaces, Rose Bank Winery is theplace for memories to be made and cherished for years to come. To learn more, please visit www.rosebankwinery.com
Rushland Ridge Vineyard and Winery
Rushland Ridge Vineyard and Winery has been owned and operated by the Ullman family since 1986. The property is home to 18 grape varieties used to make 16 types of wine. Its Cabernet Franc won “Best Red” in a 2017 Pennsylvania Winery Association contest. For more information, visit www.rushlandridge.com
Sand Castle Winery
Located in Upper Bucks County, Sand Castle Winery is a pioneer in East Coast viticulture. Its mature European vinifera vineyards have been producing world-class wine for over 40 years. Visit our estate to experience not only our products but the property’s commanding Delaware River view. For more information visit www.sandcastelwinery.com
Vino by Zzino
Located in Quakertown, Vino by Zzino is the outgrowth of a nearly lifelong hobby of winemaker Lou Carrozzino, who makes a variety of wines. The winery is open Friday-Sunday spring through fall and takes wines on the road in their Wine and Dine Food Trailer. To learn more, visit us at
Vivat Alfa Winery
Vivat Alfa Winery–a family owned and operated boutique winery in the heart of Bucks Country, PA. We handcraft artisan wines that exhibit pure and true varietal character.
Our wines are an expression of our passion and commitment to quality. Taste our European tradition. Nothing added, nothing subtracted; that is our fine wine. For more information visit www.vivatalfawinery.com