Swinging and Slurring

Do you like a little dancing with your wine?

Four friends of mine and I made the trek Saturday to Boordy Vineyards, located in Hydes, Maryland, about 15 minutes from the Baltimore beltway. A place that offers tours and reasonably-priced wine year round, Boordy also stages many events throughout the year. Craving stew in the winter? Go there one evening for the nights they serve hot pots of the stuff made with Boordy wines. They have a similarly-themed fondue night as well.

But in the sweltering heat of the weekend, wintery foods weren't on our minds. Music, dancing and drinking, though, seemed a great way to spend the night, and throughout the summer, Boordy brings out a different band for each event, with a corresponding dance class. They've got a zydeco group, motown singers, salsa instruction, and even an 80s night to finish off the series.

We learned the Fox Trot and danced and drank the night away to the sounds of Shades of Blue, fronted by a guy essentially doing a decent Sinatra impression. A warning - nearly every swing dancing event I've attended before has been very friendly to singles - there'll either be plenty of unattached people there, eager to dance, or many opportunities to swap partners. At Boordy, this wasn't the case - the dance floor was crowded almost exclusively with couples, and a lack of guys present meant I ended up being paired with an almost-elderly Asian woman for the entirety of the class. So if you're into dancing, bring a date - or at least a buddy.

As for the wine - the tasting is included in the admission ($15), but you know you always end up purchasing a bottle or two in the end. After our sampling, our group tried out Boordy's Merlot, Vidal Blanc and Sangria. The Vidal Blanc was citrusy, zesty, and sweeter than other versions of the wine I'd had before. The Sangria had plenty of personality, and maintained a bold fruitiness despite being bottled (I'm used to my sangria served in a pitcher with chunks of oranges floating around. The effect is the same here, but you miss the aesthetic). Bring your own glass, or pick up one of Boordy's for $3.

The weather was perfect, and it was a really fun activity to share with friends; I bet it'd be even better for a first date. It's a great place to bring a picnic, though we were lazy and brought mostly takeout offerings along with our chairs and blankets. If you're interested, this weekend boasts the Jacques Johnson Band (motown), and different events continue through Labor Day weekend.

Boordy Vineyards
12820 Long Green Pike
Hydes, Maryland 21082
Baltimore County