Quady Winery Blog

Michael Blaylock invites you on Quady's Inaugural River Cruise in Portugal

Take a peek at Michael Blaylock's invitation to the QUADY INAUGURAL RIVER CRUISE

The Enticing Douro, Coimbra and Lisbon

July 11 - 21, 2017

Next year we are doing something very exciting. I (Michael) cordially invite you to join me on a 13 day/ 11 night cruise and tour of Portugal, sailing 7 nights on the beautiful River Douro aboard the 106 passenger vessel M/S AmaVida. Disembarking the ship in Porto, you will conclude with a southbound tour to the medieval university town of Coimbra and celebrated Fatima, before arriving in Lisbon, built on a series of hills overlooking the River Tagus, for three final nights. Comprehensive sightseeing is included and a special farewell dinner is arranged in that beautiful capitol of Portugal.

On board I will hold three informative as well as interactive wine tastings and a paired wine dinner, pouring what I consider my own and Quady North’s best work to date. More importantly you’ll explore together the towns and villages along the Douro where the mountains rise sharply from the riverbed, orange groves at their feet, their slopes covered with grape vines and olive trees; Porto city and the upriver villages of Regua, Pinhao, Barca d’Alva, Vega Terron and Bitetos. Portuguese estate winery farms, called “quintas”, are both excellent and fascinating, producing the famous port wines that captured the world’s attention long ago, as well as truly magnificent world-class dry red wines. Vinho Verde, the crisp dry white meant to be drunk young, will impress you. Along the way you will experience flamenco and fado, see extraordinary castles, palaces, iconic cathedrals and taste enough exquisite wine to last a lifetime.

For complete information visit: www.toursandwine.com/QuadyWinery or call Ruth Jelsma at Expanding Horizons, email [email protected] or call 1-714-975-9063.   Feel free to recommend this special holiday to all your friends and relations you believe will enjoy this kind of vacation; the time of your life shared and dedicated to friends, food and wine.

I look forward to seeing you in Porto next spring!

Sincerely,

Michael Blaylock

Director of Winemaking

 

Vya Sweet is "stunningly good in a blind Tasting of 6 Sweet Vermouths

The San Diego Union Tribune recently published a vermouth review that included a blind tasting of 6 top sweet vermouths, including Carpano Antica Formula, Dolin Sweet, Cocchi, The Boissiere, Noilly Prat, and Vya Sweet.

So what did the tasting consist of exactly?

First, a blind tasting of all the vermouths served neat, and careful analysis of the differing characteristics of each one. Second, a blind Manhattan tasting using: 2 ounces of Bulleit Bourbon, 1 ounce of sweet vermouth, a dash of Angostura bitters, and a luxardo maraschino cherry.

 The article is a quick read and an excellent overview of classic vermouth flavors, aromas, and, well feelings. Here’s an excerpt:

 “The complete surprise of the evening was not from a European producer but from the California winery Quady and its stunningly good Vya sweet vermouth. Our tasting group found this one to be the most complex, balanced and enjoyable of the lineup. It was also the most dry. There was a strong perfume of bark that melded perfectly with the cherry and spices and made for a delightful drink neat. Like the Carpano it had a timeless mystery to it. Kolodenko said it “catered to an antique audience.” It also made for the best Manhattan of the group, edging out the Carpano’s bold approach with a more elegant, complex touch. At nearly the same price as the Carpano — $21 for a 750-ml bottle — it was the out-and-out winner of our tasting.”

Take a look at the rest of the article here.

 

 

The Socialite

This Vya cocktail has a growing fan base in L.A. where our company mixologist introduced it to a local Peruvian place, Balcones. It's a new addition to their prix fix menu...and you can make it at home!

 

The Socialite

1.5 oz	*Raspberry infused Vya Sweet Vermouth
4 oz	Sparkling Wine
4	raspberries

Start with four raspberries in a champagne flute. Add Vya infusion. Top off with with sparkling wine.

*Vya raspberry infusion:
1/2 pint (1 cup)	Rasberries
6 ounces (3/4 cup)	Vya Sweet Vermouth
2 tbsp	superfine sugar

Stir raspberries, Vya, and sugar in a bowl. Let stand for an hour. Stirring occasionally. Strain.

Thinking of You: Holiday Specials Now through January 1st

Find the perfect match for everyone in your crew: whether it’s sparkly Electra, rich Starboard port, or unparalleled vermouth for the cocktail or apéritif crowd, everything we make has holiday appeal. We make it easy with our seasonal offers and shipping discounts. 

Tasting room: Purchase in our tasting room and receive 10% on your next wine purchase.

Electra On Sale: 375 ml half bottles are only $6, online and in the tasting room (reg. $11). 

Holiday Case Discount: Stock up on Quady wines and receive our holiday case discount: 15% off of 12 750 ml bottles or more, shipped at our holiday shipping rate (below) online or in our tasting room.

Holiday Shipping Rate: Enjoy 1¢ shipping on three to twelve 750 ml bottles. Each additional case thereafter, $9.99 to all U.S. states where we currently ship. 

Order online at: 

www.quadwinery.com/store or give us a call: 1-800-733-8068.

Electra Moscato Martini Shooter

Looking for a fun way to liven up your end of summer soiree? This classy take on a Jello-shots is a sure fire party fav!

Red Electra Martini Shooters:
16 oz. of boiling water
12 oz. of Red Electra Moscato
1 Small Rasberry Jell-o Package8
1 Small Peach Jell-o Package
Fresh cut Strawberries (or berry of choice)
Silicone ice cube trays or tiny shot glasses

White Electra Martini Shooters:
16 oz. of boiling water
12 oz. of Electra Moscato
1 Small Apricot Jell-o Package
1 Small Peach Jell-o Package
Fresh cut Strawberries (or berry of choice)

*for a vegan option use pectin and fruit juice instead

Boil 16oz of water. Once boiled, remove water from the stove. Pour the boiling water into a large bowl.
Empty both Jell-o (or Pectin) into the bowl of boiling water. Stir as the Jell-o completely dissolves.
Add 12oz of Red Electra or White Electra. Allow the mixture to cool.
Place a small piece of fruit in each ice cube compartment or individual shot glass.
Pour the entire mixture into silicone ice trays/ shot glasses. Place in refrigerator to harden.
We love serving the little shooter squares in a martin glass, but presentation is up to you… get creative and enjoy!

Electra Watermelon Punch

 

Electra Watermelon Punch

 

Nothing says summer like a crisp juicy watermelon! And nothing livens up your summer bbq like cup of Electa Watermelon Punch!

 

Ingredients:

1 watermelon

2 limes

750 ml Quady Electra

 

Easy DIY directions:

Scoop out all of the watermelon meat into a large bowl.

Add water and the melon to your blender and give the pair a whirl.

Strain out pulp with a fine mess strainer. You should end up with nine and a half cups of juice and about a cup of pulp.

Juice your two limes and add them to your strained watermelon juice.

Grab a pitcher and combine four cups watermelon/lime juice with a bottle of chilled Electra.

Place the pitcher in your fridge and let the punch chill until your friends show up!

Garnish with a slice of lime

 

Quady wines shine in first half of 2014

“A big thank you to winemaker Michael Blaylock, our production team, and our growers for making these delicious wines.”  - Andrew Quady

In this milestone year at Quady Winery, Quady wines have collectively won eighteen gold medals at ten international competitions. Vya Whisper Dry and Essensia Orange Muscat won Best of Show at the Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition. Vya Whisper Dry is Quady’s newest vermouth, and Essensia is the sweet wine that started the Quady success story back in 1980.  Quady winemaker, Michael Blaylock, is in his 31st year of crushing sweet muscat and port grapes at Quady winery. 

The accolades are very much appreciated, but Blaylock likes to say, "What really matters is I'm still having fun!”

 What makes Michael Blaylock's wines so unique? Adapting Quady’s original formulas, Blaylock follows a meticulous winemaking methodology that enusures quality year after year. Quady wines made by Blaylock celebrate the vibrant flavors of Orange and Black Muscat, and Muscat Canelli, in addition to several other distinctive varieties used in his wines.

"Michael has long surpassed my own winemaking ability. The quality over the years appears to be getting better – his attention to detail and intuition are impeccable," says Andrew Quady. 

Top awards for Quady wines so far in 2014 include:

Essensia Orange Muscat (2012) wins:

• Best of Show at the Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition, 
• Best of Class and Gold at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
• Best of Class and Gold at the Sunset International Wine Competition
• Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
• Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition
• Gold at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition
• Gold at the Orange County Fair & Orange County Wine Society

 

Elysium Black Muscat (2012) wins:

• Unanimous Gold/Chairman’s Award at the Riverside International Wine Competition
• Best of Class and Gold at the Sunset International Wine Competition
• Gold at the Dallas Morning News International Wine Competition
• Gold at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
• Gold at the Orange County Fair & Orange County Wine Society

 

Starboard Batch 88 (non-vintage ‘port’) wins:

• Double Gold and Best of Class at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
• Gold at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition

 

Vya Whisper Dry Vermouth wins:

• Best of Show (fortified) at the Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition
• Reserve Class Champion and Gold at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition

 

Vya Sweet Vermouth

• Class Champion and Gold at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition
• Gold at the International Wine Challenge

 

Quady Winery, in Madera, California, founded by Andrew and Laurel Quady, makes world-renowned sweet and apéritif wines from rare varietals suited to the hot San Joaquin Valley climate. Winemaker Michael Blaylock uses distinctive Orange and Black Muscat grapes to make Essensia and Elysium (fortified) muscat wines. Quady Winery’s Starboard ports are exceptional expressions of Portuguese grapes grown in California. Quady’s Vya is America’s first small batch, artisanal vermouth. The Quady crew offers entertaining winery tastings and tours, and moscato slushies in the summer. Visit www.quadywinery.com, www.vya.com for more information.

 

Read more about Quady wines and download updated bottleshots at quadywinery.com

Quady Winery shimmers after a rain

Holiday Cocktails

We created a new Vya website this year and we've been meeting a lot of inspired bartenders, who've inspired us to showcase their drinks. This list was vetted by Andrew and Laurel Quady and only the tastiest and most holiday of cocktails made the cut. We're sure they'll bring some more holiday cheer to your days and nights. My personal favorite, because I can both easily make and drink a lot of it, is the Mulled Vya. Vya is already full of spice and when you make it into a warm mulled drink with even more spice it all fits together perfectly and you're ready to cozy up by the fire and chat long into the evening. Plus, it includes Essensia, which adds that perfect orange marmelade element and brightens up the drink. Check out the Mulled Vya, last on the list, on our holiday cocktails page!

~ Allison Quady Shaylor

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with an Essensia Margarita

 

Andy Geanacopoulos publisher of  Wine in Glasses has blogged about a Margarita made with Essensia.   The recipe is found in Quady Cock-Tails, a drink book available from the winery with our wines as ingredients. We got it from the head bartenders at a popular Mexican restaurant, Barrio, in Seattle Washington after Barrio's Margarita was voted "Best Margarita in Seattle".    It was originally published it in the December 2010 edition of our newsletter:  Dessert Wine Digest.  Several years of our newsletters can be found archived on the  Quady Winery web site.   Using Essensia, which is made from the Orange Muscat grape variety (in place of triple sec) instills a new level of sophistication to this classic cocktail.    Although Petron tequila (shown in the photo) can be used, the recipe called for El Jimador.

 

 

From Barrio Restaurant, Seattle where Essensia is used in place of the typical Triple Sec or Orange Liqueur. 

Essensia Margarita

1/2 oz Essensia by Quady
1 1/2 oz Tequila (recipe suggests: El Jimador Resposado)
1/2 oz Agave nectar
1 1/2 oz Fresh lime juice to taste

 

Olé!