Wine Knots were “tickled pink” by MaryAnn and Mike Ballard’s North Carolina wine selections.
Joan Newcomer
When Wayne and Mary Ann Ballard set out to plan the April gathering for the Wine Knots, little did they know that the love of their daughter and granddaughter would bring a taste of North Carolina to their doorstep. Mary Ann’s casual mention of her quandary about choosing a theme set her family in motion, and soon a package from the Shelton Vineyards arrived with the answer.
Shelton Vineyards is located in the Yadkin Valley near Dobson and Mt. Airy, North Carolina. The clay loam soil of the valley is ideal for growing European varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. The first vines were planted at Shelton in 1999. They now grow 10 different varieties of grapes employing no-till farming techniques to reduce erosion. Shelton Vineyard wines have won over 450 awards with 13 Best in Show awards.
Our tasting began with the Bin 17 Un-oaked Chardonnay. Produced with cold fermentation, this wine leaves pleasing tropical mango and clean lemon zest on your palate. It was crisp, refreshing and well-liked. Next we sampled Shelton’s Estate Bottled Cabernet Franc. This tasting room favorite is filled with blackberry and raspberry fruit that balance its cinnamon, black pepper spiciness over a solid tannic structure. Cabernet Franc is a solid but not overbearing wine that was enjoyed by all.
The Wine Knots were over the top with North Carolina-themed appetizers. We enjoyed boiled shrimp, chicken wings, bar-b-q pork sliders and bacon brittle (yes bacon) with sides of cinnamon fruit salad, southern caviar and pimento cheese stuffed celery. Dessert was a North Carolina State Fair award winning blueberry coffee cake. The evening was capped off with a delicious carrot cake to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Tom Zumann’s “Jack Benny” birthday.