Readers of my blog know I am an Independent Wine Consultant and Team Leader with The Traveling Vineyard.  I absolutely love my job!  (It’s hard to even call it a “job”…sharing my passion for wine is not really “work”…but it certainly is a great career!)

Anyhoo…a new policy is going into effect where individual blogs about wine and the company are no longer allowed.  Wine is a highly regulated industry and the rules vary by state, so this policy really protects us all.  Being Independent means I can build my own business, but am supported by our home office (they understand and keep up with the laws by state).  I would never want to give someone incorrect information about The Traveling Vineyard or the wine industry!

I want to assure everyone that a job (or a career, or even a hobby) with The Traveling Vineyard is a great thing!  The wine is amazing and the format is really fun (for hosts, guests, and consultants)!  If you would like information, you may contact the company directly at www.thetravelingvineyard.com, or www.myttv.com.  They will answer questions and get you in contact with someone from your area for more specifics. 

You are still very much welcome to contact me (hopefully you will keep my contact info) – I will always be a Traveling Vineyard Team Leader and Independent Wine Consultant…I just won’t be posting about wine or the company on this site.

Hopefully, our paths will cross in the future.  Until then, a very heartfelt Cheers to You – Enjoy the Vino!

Penny Fitzgerald, Independent Wine Consultant and Team Leader with The Traveling Vineyard, 319-321-6045 (eastern Iowa), winechick@southslope.net.

The Traveling Vineyard is currently undergoing a website upgrade to better serve hosts, guests, customers and consultants.  Some of the enhancements include a host site for wine tasting hosts to add their guest lists, plan their event, view their consultant’s information, access recipes (if they’d like to serve specific food and wine pairings), and communicate with their guests.  Consultants will be able to view the on-line guest list and better communicate with the host and guests.   Customers will also find a more stream-lined, user-friendly shopping experience.

While The Traveling Vineyard team upgrades and tests the website, contact me directly for additional information regarding employment opportunities or to book a tasting.  Cheers!

Penny Fitzgerald, Independent Wine Consultant and Team Leader with The Traveling Vineyard at 319-321-6045; or e-mail winechick@southslope.net.

This just released from The Traveling Vineyard corporate office:

“It is a pleaure to announce The Traveling Vineyard is “open for business” for Wine Tasting Events in the District of Columbia!

“What an opportunity! 

“Bordering the state of Virginia, with roughly 600,000 residents, Washington, D.C.’s metropolitan reach encompasses 1 million day-time commuters.  As the Capital of the United States, D.C. is home to all three branches of the federal government and many historical monuments and museums.  Now, with The Traveling Vineyard opportunity available, D.C. will be home to many new TTV Wine Consultants!”

A Washington, D.C. area Taste of the Business (Traveling Vineyard Business Overview) is being planned for January, 2009.  Details to be announced – stay tuned!

Will you take advantage of this ground floor employment opportunity in the wine industry and become a Traveling Vineyard Wine Consultant?

For additional information or to find fabulous wines, visit www.myttv.com/penny9596; or contact Penny Fitzgerald, Independent Wine Consultant and Team Leader with The Traveling Vineyard at 319-321-6045; or e-mail winechick@southslope.net.

This just released from The Traveling Vineyard corporate office:

It is with great pleaure that The Traveling Vineyard announces, effective immediately, Indiana is ‘open for business’ to conduct Tasting Events and ship wines!

Great News!  Effective May 7, 2008, The Traveling Vineyard will offer its great wines and business opportunity to residents of Indiana.  The Traveling Vineyard team keeps growing as Indiana becomes the 28th state open for Tasting Events. 

Now, Indiana wine lovers are able to participate in the TTV experience by joining my team as a Consultant, Hosting a Tasting Event, or by buying wine from The Traveling Vineyard through my Personal Estate Website (www.myttv.com/penny9596).

What an Opportunity!  Indiana, known as the “Hoosier State”, with approximately 6.3 million people, is poised to be a great addition to The Traveling Vineyard family.  Residents of Indiana are fanatical for their sports teams (Indianapolis Colts and Indianapolis Pacers) and the Memorial Day tradition of the “Indy 500″ motor sports race.  They now can root for the availability of in-home wine tastings, great wines shipped directly, and a fabulous business opportunity through becoming an Independent Wine Consultant.

For additional information or to find fabulous wines, visit www.myttv.com/penny9596; or contact Penny Fitzgerald, Independent Wine Consultant and Team Leader with The Traveling Vineyard at 319-321-6045; or e-mail winechick@southslope.net.

Here we are in the middle of January, 2008… How’s it going with the New Year’s Resolutions?  Personally, the one I’m having the most luck with is “Drink more wine.”  Work, work, work!   

One of my new favorites is a Bonarda Reserva from the Tupungato district of Mendoza, Argentina.  The 2005 Ignis Bonarda Reserva (ARG032) is an amazing value at $12.99/bottle.  Full-flavored and rich, this wine is full of intense, black berry flavors, a hint of licorice and vanilla, and light floral notes.  The tannins are velvety, making the wine a perfect choice with a nice, juicy steak! 

Bonarda is a very common varietal in Argentina, but not so easy to find in the states.  For additional information or to order the Ignis Bonarda Reserva, visit www.myttv.com/penny9596; or contact Penny Fitzgerald, Independent Wine Consultant and Team Leader with The Traveling Vineyard at 319-321-6045; or e-mail winechick@southslope.net.

Known as the “king of grapes”, Cabernet Sauvignon is recognized as a big, bold, full-flavored wine. Cabernet also has a reputation for having exceptional texture and is often described as “extremely dry”. With age (or through decanting), this texture (produced from the tannins in the grape skins and seeds) settles down and becomes smooth and velvety, allowing the fruit and other flavors typical of the varietal (leather, tobacco, chocolate) to come forward and be appreciated.

What to serve with the king of grapes? A steak, of course! Preferably Au Poivre or smothered in grilled onions and mushrooms. A grilled portabella mushroom is a nice vegetarian option. And for the ultimate finish, try a bite of dark chocolate. The perfect end (or beginning?) to a romantic evening!

Top Picks:
03 Vina Alamosa, Premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Cachapoal Valley, Chile (CHI114), $14.99
05 Paseo Prestige, Cabernet Sauvignon, Maule Valley, Chile (CHI111), $14.99
05 Bentgate, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California (NAP938), $17.99

For additional information or to find fabulous Cabernets, visit www.myttv.com/penny9596; or contact Penny Fitzgerald, Independent Wine Consultant and Team Leader with The Traveling Vineyard at 319-321-6045; or e-mail winechick@southslope.net.

Syrah, as it’s known in “old world” wine producing areas and Shiraz, in Australian and “new world” terminology are the same grape varietal grown in different parts of the world. Shiraz is typically a “jammy” wine with rich texture and dark fruit characteristics such as black raspberries, plums, and Bing cherries.

Shiraz/Syrah is delicious paired with beef stew, pork chops and even as an aperitif with almonds and other healthy nuts. Not hungry? Shiraz is also the perfect wine to curl up with on a long winter’s night with a loved one (or a good book) and a crackling fire.

Top Picks:
02 Tria, Syrah, California (CAL866), $14.99
04 Stormy Cape, Wrattonbully Shiraz, South Australia (AUS274), $14.99

For additional information or to find fabulous sparkling wines, visit www.myttv.com/penny9596; or contact Penny Fitzgerald, Independent Wine Consultant and Team Leader with The Traveling Vineyard at 319-321-6045; or e-mail winechick@southslope.net.

Rosé has come into vogue again in recent months, allowing even ‘wine snobs’ to enjoy this once-ridiculed wine. Rosé is produced by removing the skins of a red varietal during the fermentation process, staining the wine pink. The ideal food wine, rosé has a crispness that is balanced by fruity (often strawberry) characteristics.

Pair rosés with barbequed meats like pulled pork, smoked sausage and ribs or spicy foods like a vegetable stir fry.

Top Picks:
06 Rushdale, Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, South Africa (SOA354), $11.99
06 Paseo Reserve, Syrah Rosé, Maule Valley, Chile (CHI113), $9.99

For additional information or to find fabulous rosés, visit www.myttv.com/penny9596; or contact Penny Fitzgerald, Independent Wine Consultant and Team Leader with The Traveling Vineyard at 319-321-6045; or e-mail winechick@southslope.net.

Sparkling wine has long been the beverage of choice for celebrating life’s milestones. Legend has it that Champagne was perfected in the 17th Century by a Benedictine monk named Dom Perignon, who upon tasting his creation exclaimed, “Come quickly brothers, I’m drinking stars!” A good bottle of bubbly can indeed be a celestial experience!

There remains some confusion when selecting a sparkling wine…what’s the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine? Essentially, Champagne is produced in the Champagne region of France and sparkling wine that is made in the “Methodé Champenoise” is from other regions of the world. All Champagnes are sparkling wines, but not all sparkling wines are Champagne.

And what about Frizzante wines? Frizzante wines are slightly carbonated and have fewer bubbles than other sparklings. A classic example would be Moscato d’Asti.

So what foods pair well with sparkling wines? Think about foods with interesting textures like soup and caviar when pairing with sparkling wine. Another great pairing would be an egg dish like quiche.

Top Picks:
N/V Calixte, Brut, Cremant d’Alsace (ALS115), $14.99
‘06 Meda Margherita, Moscato d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy (ITA617), $14.99

For additional information or to find fabulous sparkling wines, visit www.myttv.com/penny9596; or contact Penny Fitzgerald, Independent Wine Consultant and Team Leader with The Traveling Vineyard at 319-321-6045; or e-mail winechick@southslope.net.

Penny Fitzgerald, Independent Wine Consultant & Team Leader with The Traveling Vineyard is slated to accept the 2007 Innovative Business Award from the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors this Wednesday, December 12, 2007.

The Traveling Vineyard offers in-home wine tastings with boutique, premium wines in a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere.  Through in-home wine tastings, 5 wines from boutique vineyards around the world are offered by The Traveling Vineyard Wine Consultants for hosts and guests to try.  The Wine Consultant gives educational information about wine, from wine appreciation to etiquette, and food and wine pairing ideas. Guests are given the opportunity to order wines and accessories from The Traveling Vineyard at the tastings, giving them an opportunity to ‘try before they buy’. A wine club is also offered.

Part-time, full-time, and “Big Time” jobs/careers are available.  A Traveling Vineyard Wine Consultant has unlimited income potential and may choose their own hours. 

For additional information on hosting an in-home wine tasting or employment opportunities with The Traveling Vineyard, please contact Penny Fitzgerald, 319-321-6045 or e-mail: winechick@southslope.net.  Visit the website: www.myttv.com/penny9596.

The Award: Innovative Business Award Presentation
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM

The Location: The Englert Theatre Gallery
221 East Washington
Iowa City IA 52240
www.englert.org