Go ahead, wine and DINE affordably

When it comes to vacations, the culinary adventure is just about as important as the accommodations and itinerary.  Think back on your best vacations; you’re bound to remember at least one or more great food experience or fabulous drink you enjoyed.  Dining is a focus of the experience at each DINE member inn. Whether it’s breakfast, afternoon tea or dinner, each food adventure is drafted with care.

Today, DINE innkeepers are encouraging guests to wine and dine affordably at home or at the inn.  Here are three great innkeepers’ picks for affordable wines to try this summer.

From Jane Howard at Deerfield Inn

“We are very fond of Dog Point, a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Founded by chief viticulturist and head winemaker at Cloudy Bay, their Sauvignon is a beautiful alternative to the more expensive Cloudy Bay brand wine. Both Dog Point and Cloudy Bay have that delicious flinty, citrus-y aroma, with something going on like kiwi and passion fruit, yet Dog Point is $33 on the Deerfield Inn’s wine list as opposed to $50 for Cloudy Bay. The Dog Point Chardonnay is a particularly blissful dream, if you can find it, and besides, the labels are super cute, although I gather that the area is called Dog Point because a pack of herding dogs gone feral used to hang out in the region and feast on stray livestock – not so cute!” 

And if you’re not in the mood for wine, choose one of the signature martinis from the Deerfield Inn’s extensive martini menu listing more than 100 choices.

From Judy Heuber at Chesterfield Inn:

“My current favorite is an Italian sparkling wine called Mionetto Prosecco, the perfect summer bubbly. It’s delicious, inexpensive, and very festive. It will turn Tuesday night dinner into a party!  We have it in full bottles and in splits at Chesterfield Inn for $26 for the full bottle, $10 for the split, and it can be purchased in both the Keene and West Chesterfield liquor stores to take home.” 

Check out the wine list at Chesterfield Inn here where you’ll find plenty of additional affordable options.

From Leslie Mulcahy at the Rabbit Hill Inn:

“Innkeeper, Brian Mulcahy, takes pride in offering guests an intriguing, yet affordable and unpretentious wine list. Although there are several to choose from, two of Brian’s recent affordable wine suggestions are – Layer Cake Shiraz 2009 ($32) and  Columbia Winery Cellarmaster’s Riesling 2007 ($27).  The Layer Cake Shiraz is a creamy dark red w/ aromas on bing cherry and black plums; a nice full finish with a fun hint of licorice and black pepper. For those who lean toward the white – The Columbia Riesling offers peach, lime, and floral aromas. A nicely balanced, not-too-sweet, not-too-dry Riesling.”    

 For a complete description of culinary vacations from Distinctive Inns of New England, click here.