Monday, November 30, 2009
Wine Tasting & Events: Week of Nov. 30, 2009
Monday, November 30
Vino 100 Shop, Wine Bar and Lounge, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd., Suite C, Maumee – (419) 866-8466. Meet the Artist Night-Introducing Jorge Gallardo. Help us Welcome Jorge as he introduces us to his style of Art. A flute of sparkling wine, a glass of white wine, along with cheese and bread will be offered for only $10! Starts at 7:30 pm.
Tuesday, December 1
The wines of South America will be featured Tuesday, December 1, at Capers Pizza Bar, 2038 S. Byrne Rd, Toledo, (419) 389-9900 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. There will be seven wines paired with seven light courses. The event is very casual and will appeal to beginning wine drinkers as well as the aficionado. Tickets are for sale in advance or at the door.
Wednesday, December 2
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, Holiday Wines. $15.
Thursday, December 3
The Andersons. Wine Tasting. Maumee 5-7 PM. 2005 Bordeaux: 1. Chateau De Sales – mostly Merlot Blend – Pomerol, 2. Chateau Leoville Poyferre’ – Red Blend – Saint Julien, 3. Chateau Cantemerle – Red Blend– Haut-Medoc, 4. Chateau Talbot – Red Blend – Saint Julien. $20 per flight. Available by individual samples as well.
The Andersons, Wine Tasting. Talmadge Road 6-8 PM. Nominal fee.
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, Holiday Wines. $15.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Cost $1 - $3 per glass.
Vino 100 Wine Bar and Lounge, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd., Suite C, Maumee – (419) 866-8466. Vino 100 Live. Join us starting at 7:30 pm as we welcome Gregg Aranda to play for your enjoyment. See you there! 7:30 – 10:30 PM
Friday, December 4
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). Red Blends. 1. Palo Alto Reserve, 2. Bangin Red, 3. Mary Hill, 4. Rancho Sisquoc River Red. $10 tasting.
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, Champagne Tasting. RSVP (419) 351-3335.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Cost $1 - $3 per glass.
Saturday, December 5
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). Red Blends. 1. Palo Alto Reserve, 2. Bangin Red, 3. Mary Hill, 4. Rancho Sisquoc River Red. $10 tasting.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000—Noon to 5 PM. Pay by the sample or for the whole flight.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
CNW 2007 Chenin Blanc
Friday, November 27, 2009
Alamos Malbec and Alamos Chardonnay
The 2008 Alamos Malbec is dark, almost inky, in color. Malbec is the signature wine of the Mendoza region in Argentina. Malbec is a favorite with us because it isn’t quite as high in tannins, which my wife avoids. She is a relatively new red wine drinker and prefers a more fruit forward style.
Malbec can deliver what the Green Dragon looks for, but with a complexity and richness that can satisfy anyone who appreciates a nice red.
The nose for the Alamos Malbec shows black berries and a bit of spice. The has a smooth, medium body with flavors of black raspberries and currants with a touch of spiciness and smoke. This wine is aged in both American
and French oak. It also has 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Bonarda (another red Argentinean grape).
The 2008 Chardonnay is a bright golden color. It has a citrus and floral bouquet. The flavor notes are apple and pear with a nice acidity that gives it a bit of a snap. There is a touch of oakiness, but this Chard is more spicy than big and buttery. This may be due to how the wine was finished. The wine is aged for nine months in seasoned French oak, but 10 percent is aged in new French oak to highlight the smokiness.
We paid about $13 for each bottle of the Alamos, which is a great bargain. These are great buys and a nice change from the value California brands.
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Thursday, November 26, 2009
Michigan Beats Ohio State (In Wine Clash 2009)
The State of Michigan reigned supreme in 2009 with the overall winning wine (Longview “Winter Ice” 2007) and four of the top five ranked wines. In order of ranking with number of first place votes:
- Longview Winery and Vineyard “Winter Ice” 2007 (Dessert Wine) Leelanau Peninsula MI (4)
- 2 Lads Cabernet Franc Reserve 2007 (Dry Red) Old Mission Peninsula MI (2)
- Kinkead Ridge Cabernet Franc 2007 (Dry Red) Ohio River Valley OH (2)
- Gill’s Pier Meritage 2007 (Dry Red) (1)
- Wyncroft Avonlea Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 (Dry Red) MI (1)
“I am honored and excited to win this award, our first regional award,” said Alan Eaker of Longview Winery and Vineyard from his vineyards in the middle of 2009’s harvest. “This is a great time for wines and wine lovers.”
The real winners are the consumers of Michigan and Ohio who have an array of quality local wines to enjoy. “The selection process was very hard and rigorous this year with so many quality wines from both states,” said organizer Andrew Hall, “Any of the entrants would be welcome on my table.”
“There were a lot of good wines from both states,” commented one of the judges, “and I hope that people will give them a chance. Restaurants and consumers are starting to care a lot about local produce and wines should follow.” Another commented that it was a treat to taste the wines as neither state's distribution system currently offers consumers any wines from the other state.
The event is organized by Andrew Hall, a Columbus-area wine enthusiast and member of the local chapter of Slow Food Nation. Slow Food Columbus is the primary sponsor of the event.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Holiday Open House Set For Sandhill Crane Vineyard in Jackson, MI
Musicians scheduled to perform:
Saturday, November 28 - Ronnie Chmielewski & Greg Hurley
Sunday, November 29 - Kitty Donohoe & David Mosher
Saturday, December 12 - Rochelle Clark & John Natiw
Sunday, December 13 - BluHott Jam
Holiday "Tannenbaum Trail" Tour of Ohio Wineries
The Tannenbaum Trail is a self driving tour of some outstanding regional wineries. You have three weekends (Fridays & Saturdays-Noon to 6pm) to visit 13 northeast Ohio wineries.
At a designated winery, you will pick up a boxed 15” miniature Christmas tree, that includes ribbon garland and miniature lights. You also receive a Schott Zwiesel crystal wine glass. As you travel from winery to winery you will receive one or two samples of wine and an appetizer per person. You also get an Christmas ornament to trim your tree.
Tannenbaum Trail weekends are December 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19.The cost is $35 per person and $45 per couple.
Participating wineries are: Biscotti Family Winery and Buccia Vineyards in Conneaut, Debonne Vineyards, Grand River Cellars, Maple Ridge Vineyard and St. Joseph Vineyards in Madison, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Laurello Vineyards, Old Mill Winery, The Winery at Spring Hill and Virant Family Winery in Geneva, Old Firehouse Winery in Geneva-on-the-Lake and Emerine Estates in Jefferson.
For more information, call (800) 227-6972 or purchase your tickets online.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Pasta and South America Featured In Upcoming Wine Tastings
The wines of South America will be featured Tuesday, December 1, at Capers Pizza Bar, 2038 S. Byrne Rd, Toledo, (419) 389-9900 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. There will be seven wines paired with seven light courses. The event is very casual and will appeal to beginning wine drinkers as well as the aficionado. Tickets are for sale in advance or at the door.
On Monday, December 7, Gil and Jen Evans will host an Old World wine tasting at their restaurant Pasta Fina, 5931 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo, (419) 866-0670. The event is from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. Six wines will be paired with Pasta Fina dishes and appetizers. This event is casual. Tickets are on sale now, or at the door. Reserving your seats now could be a good idea, as space is limited.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2007
We popped the cork on this Chilean number with a couple of friends. This wine is widely available, not too costly and pairs well with a variety of foods.
When I originally bought this bottle my eyes were caught by the label on the neck proclaiming 2007 as a historic vintage for Concha y Toro premium red grapes. Due to a confluence of factors (low rain, low temperatures and low yield, the winemakers believe that 2007 is one of their best vintages.
The founder of this winery in 1891 set aside a special batch of wine. To keep the curious away he started the rumor that the devil lived in the wine cellar, the Casillero del Diablo. A legend was born – and we can enjoy some devilishly good wine today.
Large Turnout Enjoys Wine Affair
Wine was provided by 12 distributors:
- 55 Degrees
- Berman
- Bowling Green Beverage
- DJP Selections
- European Wine Imports
- Hammer
- Heidelberg
- Natural-States Wines
- Private Reserve
- Vanguard Wines
- Wines LLC
- Wine Trends
My wife and I began the evening with a taste of DV Merlot from Private Reserve distributors. This French Merlot is from the Med Atlantic wine region, which I must confess I hadn’t heard of before. It’s always nice to gain a little education – along with a nice glass of wine. We also sampled a nice DV Chardonnay.
One feature that was absent and I hope the Wine Affair has next year is a listing of the featured wines. This would make it easier to plan your tastings and ensure that you don’t miss any special wines.
Tucked in the back corner with a delightful assortment of wines was Michelle Ross of Wines LLC.
One of her offerings was Trinity, a proprietary blend of Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin and Pinot Noir from South River Vineyards, an Ohio winery in the Geneva area. I found this to be a very enjoyable, light blend. The star of her lineup was a Super Tuscan Orbiao from the Redi Winery in Montepulciano. This had nice blackberry layers and and intense flavor that’s velvety. We also spirited the remains of a bottle of Taft Street Chardonnay back to our table as the evening wound down.
Spiderman, one our tasting panel and dinner companion, always asks those pouring to give us a glass of their most popular wine. It’s a nice way to identify the stars at each table. As we hit the Heidelberg table we were served a nice glass of St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon. This Sonoma wine was ripe, rich and chewy with a round finish.
From Vanguard we really enjoyed the Hey Mambo red bistro wine from The Other Guys, a blend of Syrah, Barbera, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Malbec, and Alicante Bouchet grapes. This is an interesting blend with plenty of black cherry and leather.
Our friend Cory McQuillan from 55 Degrees was pouring the very nice white Cuvee A from Anne Amie, a Willamette Valley winery in Oregon.
At the Berman table there was a great selection including Gascon Malbec, Las Rocas Grenache and Layer Cake Shiraz. These are three sure to please wines. I love Malbec and the Gascon has a delightful complex flavor at a great Quality Price Ratio. The Las Rocas was a favorite with the Wine Affair crowd. The Layer Cake Shiraz from Australia has dark, dense aromas of berries and provides an explosion of flavor. Tricia Rasar was certainly pouring some tasty selections.
From Bowling Green Beverage, Melissa Crocket provided a nice sample of Tangent Pinot Gris from Edna Valley, California. This was flavored with tropical fruit, stone minerality and had a nice balance.
Our final glass was a wonderful white Bordeaux Chateau des Tuquets 2006. courtesy of Krystal Di Matteo and European Wine Imports. It has a complex aroma of citrus fruits with a crisp acidity. This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. I was very surprised that this lists for only $9.99. This is a really wonderful wine.
Due to the large crowd, there were some long lines at registration and the food stations and the dessert disappeared some time before we were able to work our way to it. Since we weren’t participating in the live auction, the evening lost some appeal when the wine stations were shut down for the auction.
However, these are certainly minor points in an truly enjoyable evening. Congratulations and thanks to the planners, sponsors and attendees of this event. Thanks for supporting the very worthy mission of the NWO Kidney Foundation.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Wine Tasting & Events: Week of Nov. 23
Wednesday, November 25
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, Latest Arrival Wines. $15.
Thursday, November 26
Thanksgiving: No wine tastings scheduled. Enjoy some nice wine with your turkey!
Vino 100 Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd., Suite C, Maumee – (419) 866-8466. Closed for Thanksgiving.
Friday, November 27
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). Italian Wines 1. Maso Canali Pinot Grigio, 2. Masciarelli Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, 3. Felsina Chianti Classico, 4. Uccelliera Rosso. $10 tasting.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. Comfortably Numb. So you survived another thanksgiving? Way to go. Chances are you’re ecstatic that it’s over, or just plain irritable since you knw that this is only the beginning. Either way, you’re filled to the gills. Let’s wind down and relax with some lighter-bodied whites and reds. But make no mistake – wimpy wines need not apply. 6-9 PM. Cost $1 - $3 per glass.
Saturday, November 21
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). Italian Wines 1. Maso Canali Pinot Grigio, 2. Masciarelli Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, 3. Felsina Chianti Classico, 4. Uccelliera Rosso. $10 tasting.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000—Blind Tasting of 2005 Bordeaux under $30. Noon to 5 PM. Pay by the sample or for the whole flight.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Finger Lakes: Thirsty Owl Wine Company
Thirsty Owl is a great stop on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail and has a prime location overlooking the lake. They have a nice bistro and a shady patio overlooking their 2,000 feet of lakefront frontage. The tasting room is spacious and airy.
The origin of the name is an interesting one: “Years ago a gentleman was stumbling home after a fine night of faster horses, younger women and older wine when he came across a 4 foot, six inch owl in his path. The owl stated: ‘I have a deal for you. I won’t interfere with your faster horses or younger women if you share your older wine with me. In return I will keep the birds and critters out of your vineyard.’ Thus the deal was made. The owl guards the vineyard and the gentleman shares with his thirsty friend the finest wines in New York.” You’ll find the owl on the patio keeping watch.
We began with the 2008 Pinot Gris which had green apple flavors but we rated as nothing special. Next up was the 2008 Dry Riesling, a gold medal winner with a nice balanced flavor of citrus and grapefruit.
Moving to reds, we sampled the 2007 Pinot Noir. This was a smooth wine with a strong pomegranate flavor. The tannins were refined resulting in a wine not overly oaked.
Thirsty Owl has some very nice reds and I was anxious to try their Chancellor. This French-American hybrid grape is common in the Finger Lakes, but scarce elsewhere. There are rows of Chancellor grapes in the vineyard right outside the front door to the Thirsty Owl.
This wine had a beautiful, dark purple color with a subtle berry flavor and soft tannins. Very smooth and satisfying.
Perhaps the best sample of the visit was the Thirsty Owl Meritage. This is a Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It it nicely balanced and rich with velvet softness and lively fruit. Out companions Glorious T and Spiderman grabbed a bottle of this.
My final tasting was of the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah-Malbec blend which they term as a “trilogy” of prestigious estate grown grapes. Who could not like a blend of these three great grapes? It was bold, smooth and just maybe a bit too tart. It retails for $17.95.
It was a great tasting experience. Last year my wife and I enjoyed a delicious lunch in the bistro. This was a gorgeous fall day and lunch on the terrace would have been grand. This was out last day for tasting on our trip so we reluctantly fired up the car and headed for our next winery.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thanksgiving Wines: Our Experts Help You Pick The Perfect Wine
Beaujolais Nouveau 2009 $9.99-$14.99
Good German Rieslings $14.99- ?
Red Zinfandels from Rosenblum $11.99-$49.99
Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut. One of the greatest sparklers in the store, and what a price! Perfect for the holidays and perfect with holiday meals. This wine is fantastic on its own, but has the ability to slice right through turkey, tofu, potatoes, and even pumpkin pie with elegance and grace. Its lively apple and creamy, spicy flavors just earned it a spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2009 list. $19.99.
Handley Gewurztraminer. Buck the traditional chardonnays and reislings, and give this spicy gewurz a go. Done in a dry, Alsatian style, this wine shows off huge lychee and bright, clean fruit. The rich spice and light acidity on the palate make this a winning partner with traditional Thanksgiving fare, not to mention Thai, Indian, or any other spice-driven cuisine. $12.99.
MooBuzz Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is one of those 'go to' wines for the holiday season. Take this one home for Thanksgiving and you'll see why. Beautiful raspberry and cherry flavors, tongue-dancing acidity, and the softest touch of velvety vanilla make this wine an attractive crowd pleaser. $14.99.
Las Rocas Garnacha Vielles Vignes. This recent addition has set the store on fire! Everytime someone tastes it at our wine bar, they end up going home with a bottle or two. Right now it delivers one of the greatest Quality Price Ratios in the market, as is the case with so many Spanish wines. Bright berry, firm spice, hot mineral, and a strong streak of acidity make this beautiful wine a must-have at your Thanksgiving meal. $16.99.
Steve Parks, owner of Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). Steve's picks:
2007 Argyle Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR. 100% Pinot Noir with a nice silky texture. No big tannins. This is double macerated to add excellent layers of flavor. 14% alcohol. $24.99.
There you have it. Fifteen fantastic suggestions for perfect Thanksgiving pours. Have a great holiday!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Castel Grisch 2008 Johannesburg Riesling
This Johannesburg Riesling from Castel Grisch in the Finger Lakes falls into this exclusive category. I first became acquainted with Castel Grisch during our winery visit last year. The winery had gotten rave reviews from our neighbors and ended up as a very enjoyable stop on our tour.
During our trip to the Finger Lakes last month we didn’t make it to Castel Grisch. This disappointed P&S, our neighbors. But luckily I had stashed a bottle. We cracked it open on Halloween before heading out on the town.
The Riesling grape can make a rainbow of wines – ranging from overly sweet ones to elegant dry Rieslings.
This Johannesburg Riesling strikes just the right note with many people because it is not over the top with sweetness yet is a breed apart from the Dry Rieslings (which I really love). The Dry Rieslings are crisp almost to0 the pint of being arid, while this wine from Castel Grisch has a refreshing sweetness that pleases many palettes, sophisticated or simple.
It has floral aroma and a pineapple citrus finish with a Spatelese-style crispness. As with many Finger Lake wines, it is a great bargain at $14.99.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Finger Lakes: Goose Watch Winery
There are advantages, however. You have an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Cayuga is the longest and largest of the Finger Lakes and the wineries tend to be less crowded than those on Seneca.
Our first stop was Goose Watch Winery. It was a sunny day, which added to the glorious scenery as we drove up the driveway past a grove of chestnut trees. The elegant tasting room is located in a beautifully restored century-old barn.
This is a fiesta for wine tasters. For the modest $2 tasting fee you can sample up to eight wines with an extra charge for a couple of reserve wines and an ice wine.
Goose Watch has a unique roster of wines including New York State’s only Villard Blanc, Melody and Traminette (two newer grape varieties developed by Cornell University), and two old Finger Lakes varietals Diamond and Rose of Isabella.
We started out with a very enjoyable Pinot Noir Brut Rose champagne and moved on to a 2008 Villard Blanc. This is a dry wine with flavors of citrus and herbs. Nice!
I always enjoy a good Viognier and the 2007 Goose Watch was a treat, laced with delicate tropical fruit and a bit more body than a Riesling. The price is a very reasonable $18. They had a special and so I was able to purchase three for the price of two.
Melody is a newer premium grape that has a fruity flavor with a touch of herbs and a flowery aroma. This was a bit sweet for me, and registers 2.0% residual sugar. The lower the number, the drier the wine. The Viognier, by comparison is 0.5% residual sugar.
Two wine varieties I hope you’ll try are Lemberger and Chambourcin. Lemberger is a German grape and the wine produced is light bodied and intended to be drunk young. The Goose Watch Lemberger had a peppery flavor and taste of berries.
Chambourcin is a French-American hybrid that is well suited to growing in the Finger Lakes. It is also popular in the Loire Valley in France. It has a beautiful deep color and our sample had flavor notes of raspberries. It is aged in oak and goes well with lean red meat and pasta.
Before hitting the road we strode out to the deck to enjoy the view of the lake and the vineyards. It was a sight that brought on smiles and laughter – but there was much more to see, so we were off to our next stop.
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Technorati Tags: Wine,Finger Lakes,Wineries
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Supreme Sweetness of Spanish Sherry
This interesting wine was the focus of the weekly tasting at Corks Wine and Liquor on Friday, November 13. For some of the guests, it was their lucky day. Cory McQuillin was presenting samples of three Sherrys from Emilio Lustau, a top quality Sherry producer as part of wine manager Mike Gregg’s Spanish wine tasting.
Authentic Sherry from southwestern Spain, is considered on the of world’s best fortified wines. Sherry can range from dry to very sweet. It is fortified with alcohol, typically brandy, which increases the alcohol content to 15 to 18 percent. Even premium Sherry is very reasonably priced.
Making Sherry is truly an art. Sherry is aged in oak casks in a bodega, which is an airy, above ground building which is very much in contrast with the dark, damp underground cellars usually used to age wine.
The Sherry is aged using the Solera system. Each wine barrel is filled about two-thirds full. To make room for the new wine, some wine is withdrawn from barrels and added to barrels of even older wine resulting in a continuous blending of new and old wine to make new Sherry.
As part of the fermentation process a type of yeast called Flor is allowed to grow in the cask. It floats on the surface of the wine to provide a barrier between the wine and the air. Flor has a big impact on the flavor and character of the Sherry.
We worked our way through a nice sampling of wines before we were ready for the Sherry. Other Spanish wines on the sampling list were: 1. Familia Oliveda Cava, 2. Alberino Ver Diniar 2008 a nice Rias Baixas white, 3. Naia 2006 Verdejo, 4. Atteca Grenache Old Vines 2007, 5. Tito Pesquera 2006 DOC Grenache and a bonus wine 6) Las Rocas 2006 Granacha. Of these, our favorite was the Tito Pesquera.
We were then ready for the Sherry. I told Cory that we were heading into an uncharted sweetness territory for my wife and I. We started with the Lustau Solera Reserva Dry Amontillado Sherry, “Los Arcos.” The last time I heard about Amontillado, someone was being bricked up in a wine cellar in an Edgar Allan Poe story.
This Sherry is made from the Palomino Fino grape varietal. It is dry (apparently as Sherry goes) and soft. It is nutty and raisiny. In fact raisin, fig and prune flavor predominate Sherry – at least in my initial experience. This was nice to sip and is suggested as a warming aperitif.
Next was the Deluxe Cream “Capataz Andres.” This was a deeper, tea-color amber. Again, it exhibited the raisin and fig flavor and has a creaminess to it. This is a blend of Paolomino Fino and Pedro Ximenez grapes. It has a whopping 20% alcohol content. Of the three Sherry, this was most to our liking.
The grand finale was the Pedro Ximenez “San Emilio” Reserve Sherry. This is not for the faint of heart. It is almost black in color with a thickness of warm maple syrup. The taste is off the sweetness charts. Green Dragon compared the flavor to prune juice – something that may not help market it to the young generation.
This is an acquired taste. We also found that pairing our sips with chocolate covered almonds or blue cheese cut the sweetness. This Sherry is usually served with sweet desserts or on its own as a dessert wine. It is also used as the sauce for on of the famous desserts of the Jerez region of Spain: vanilla ice cream with Pedro Ximenez Sherry.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
African American Vintners Highlighted in Detroit Event
A special African American Vintners wine tasting is scheduled Nov. 20 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 East Warren St., Detroit.
Red and white wines from three African American-owned wineries -- Vision Cellar Wines, Esterlina Vineyards and Brown Estates -- will be featured. There also will be South African wines that are not produced by vintners of color.
The cost is $35 per person. There will be live entertainment and hors d'oeuvres.
During the event Chuck Jackson, will present Wine Tasting 101. He will cover wine-tasting etiquette, tasting techniques and how to get the most out of the experience.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Holiday Wine Show Touts 2009’s Best
Walt Churchill’s Market was the scene for the Holiday Wine Show on Thursday, November 12. This special tasting featured wine manager Austin Beeman’s favorite wines for 2009.
This was not your average run of the mill tasting. Wines sampled ranged from a $24 bottle of German Riesling to “Dead Arm” Shiraz, priced at $42 for a half-bottle. The price for the full flight of 12 top end wines was $45.
I sampled three, which I found to be excellent. I started with the 2003 Paolo Scavino Barolo. I was introduced just recently to Barolo and had a sensational Batasiolo Barolo at a tasting. This Barolo was nice, but the body was much weaker than my previous Barolo experience and the flavors less complex.
The buzz during the tasting was around the 2005 Clio. This is a Spanish proprietary blend from Jumilla. It’s a huge, vibrant wine composed of 70% old-vine Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a palate of raspberries and blueberries and a long finish. It has a price of $57.
I finished up with the 2005 Chateau Fombrauge Saint-Emilon Grand Cru. This is a mostly (77%) Merlot wine with a marvelous aroma and taste of black cherries and coffee. I found this to be my favorite of the evening. While the Clio was a crowd favorite (and a wonderful wine), the Chateau Fombrauge had a smokiness and sophisticated flavor that earned my highest marks of the evening. A bottle goes for $60.
Here’s Austin’s complete Holiday Wine Show roster:
- Max Ferd Richter 2007 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett.
- Zind-Humbrecht 2006 Riesling “Herrenweg de Turckheim”
- Chalk Hill 2006 Chardonnay
- Phillippe Colin 2006 Chassagne-Montrachet “Les Chenes”
- Paolo Scavino 2003 Barolo
- Chateau Fombrauge 2005 Saint-Emilon Grand Cru
- Saint Luke’s 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Clio 2005
- Dona Paula 2005 Tannat-Malbec
- JC Cellars 2004 Syrah “Rockpile”
- D’Arenberg 2003 Shiraz “The Dead Arm”
- “Le Tertre du Lys D’Or 2002 Sauterns
Certainly a delightful dozen.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Cat In The Hat Wine Dinner Benefits Humane Society
Four wines were served with the dinner: Fat Cat Chardonnay, California; Little Black Dress Cabernet, California, House Wine Red, Washington; and Lunetta Prosecco, Italy. Wine was provided by Glazers distributors.
Also accompanying the delicious pasta entree was House Wine Red. This is from the Magnificent Wine Company in Washington that makes some terrific wine. Don’t be put off by the label, which looks like it was hand drawn. This is a complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Any wine that includes Malbec AND Cabernet Franc is a winner in my book. It is an opulent wine from the Columbia Valley with a taste of complexity and smokiness.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wine Affair at Levis Commons Nov. 20
Austin Beeman of Walt Churchill’s Market in Maumee is overseeing the wine. He relates that there will be 13 tables full of wine to sample. Black tie is optional, but not expected.
The honorary chairman is Robert LaClair, President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank of Northwest Ohio. All of the proceeds will stay in northwest Ohio to help the Foundation empower patients to manage kidney disease through patient assistance programs.
Grazing stations will feature appetizers from top area restaurants including Kotobuki, LaScola Italian Grill, Mancy’s Bluewater Grille, Poco Piatti, Beirut, Byblos, The Melting Pot and Wixey Bakery. Silent and live auctions will also be part of the evening. Artist Robert Schira will paint and frame watercolors which will be sold during the auction. Musical entertainment will be provided by pianist Gayle McClellan.
Funds raised during the Wine Affair will help continue patient assistance programs such as dialysis transportation, temporary financial assistance with renal medications, proper renal nutrition, medical supplies as well as help during emergency situations.
Tickets are $95. For tickets or more information call (419) 329-2353 or e-mail sevans@kfnwo.org.
Fishin’ For Wine at Bonefish Grill
Seafood sounded good so we opted for the Bonefish Grill. The Bonefish Grill is an upscale seafood chain and did not disappoint.
Green Dragon ordered the Lobster Thermador Dorado, which has lobster and Mahi Mahi. I ordered the Norwegian Salmon with sautéed spinach and gorgonzola cheese.
To go with my salmon I had the Brancott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This New Zealand wine is fruit forward and crisp – a classic example of a New Zealand Sauv Blanc. It is light gold in color with a citrus aroma and flavor of grapefruit. Although a good match for salmon, the sharpness of the gorgonzola almost overpowered this glass.
For my second glass, I tried the 2006 Merryvale Starmont Chardonnay. This Chardonnay is 50% oak aged and 50% stainless steel tank. This reduces the oaky flavor. The wine has flavor notes of pear and apple with a touch of spiciness. It has a nice round flavor and full finish.
Green Dragon enjoyed the Martin Codax Albarino from Spain. This white wine is food friendly and dry. It had flavors of apple, apricot and lemon. This wine was acceptable, but nothing special. On this night in a head-to-head comparison with the Brancott Sauvignon Blanc, it came up short. It lacked complexity and had no finish.
We finished our meal with a delicious chocolate crème brulee. Outstanding!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wine Gala Sumptuous Success
The charity, of course, is a most worthy one. Not only is this a sensational evening of wine and Mobile Meals home-delivered meal program is designed to enable the elderly, ill, disabled, homebound, the convalescing and all those who need assistance with diet and meal preparation to remain in their own homes and retain the dignity and independence they treasure. More than 600 clients are served daily and more than 500,000 meals are delivered annually.
To give you a flavor of the event, here is a list of each of the distributors participating along with two of the wines they provided (most provided six):
- 55 Degrees: Ormond Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot and La Fiorita Rosso Laurus, Montalcino.
- Berman Wines: Hayman & Hill Interchange White and Genesis Syrah.
- Bowling Green Beverage: Guntrum “Firewine” Kabinett and Schild Estate Shiraz.
- Cutting Edge Selections: 2006 Foxen Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, CA, and 2002 Eyrie Reserve Pinot , Willamette Valley, OR.
- DJP Selections: 2005 Five Star Cellars “Stellar” Red Bordeaux Blend and 2006 DASH “Icicles” Riesling Ice Wine.
- European Wine Imports: La Fleur Mondesir Bergerac Rose and 2005 Chateau Vergnes-Beaulieu.
- Glazers: Lost Angel Mischief and Volteo Tempranillo.
- Heidelberg: Folie a deux Zinfandel and Napa Cellars Merlot.
- Natural States Wines: Ledgewood Creek Three Clone Chardonnay and Willow Glen Port.
- Solera: 2008 Kiona Riesling, WA, and 2006 Zaca Mesa Z Cuvee, CA.
- Tramonte and Sons Inc.: Maryhill Winemaker’s Red Blend and Castillo de Monseran Garnacha.
- Vanguard Wines: Joel Gott Relative Red Blend and Joel Gott Dillian Ranch Zinfandel.
- Vintage Wines: Lucien Albrecht Pinot Blanc, Alsace, and Ravenswood Teldeschi Vineyard Zinfandel.
- Wine Trends: Pillar Box Red and Valentin Bianchi Famiglia Malbec.
- Wines LLC: 2007 Taft Street Winery Russian River Chardonnay, Sonoma, and 2008 Ascheri Moscato d’Asti, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy.
The live auction included an eye-popping assortment of wines. One lot of “sensational Cabernet Sauvignons” included a 1975 Sonoma Vineyards Alexander’s Crown, a 1990 Sterling Vineyards Diamond Mount Ranch and 10 other prized bottles.
Congratulations to Honorary Chair John Graham, General Chair Dr. Joanie Barrett, Executive Director Maureen Stevens, Associate Executive Director Carolyn Fox and all the volunteers, staff and sponsors who contributed to this outstanding success.
BOTTOM PHOTO – Executive Director Maureen Stevens and the featured live auction wine lot.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Vino 100 Wine Bar A Hot Spot
Owners Diana Whitman and George Burk made a short move that has paid off handsomely. The attractive wine shop now serves as the foyer for the wine bar, which is located in back.
We weren’t sure what to expect. The wine bar was open for only two days prior to our visit. We walked in and found the place abuzz with activity.
The wine bar is tastefully decorated in muted colors and low lighting. There was a hip, sophisticated vibe with plenty of energy, but not too noisy to have a good conversation with friends. George and Diana were hustling back and forth to keep up with the hungry and thirsty visitors. According to Diana, the turnout on opening night was almost too much to handle. You could tell by her smile that dealing with success is a pleasant problem indeed.
My wife and I had eaten, but Glorious T and Spiderman had not, so they were ready to test the culinary “chops” of the interns from Owens Community College. The food menu is tapas style – an assortment of small dishes – just right to accompany your wine. We ordered a pesto and red pepper cheese dip plate while our companions ordered the Greek Salad and the scallop plate (which came with a small salad of greens).
For my first glass I chose the Wild Rush Chenin Blanc from South Africa. Chenin Blanc is the main grape in Vouvray wines from France, which Green Dragon and I really enjoy. While wines from Argentina and Chile have received much play, South African wines are hard to find in the Toledo area. This wine is a winner with a straw yellow color and crisp citrus palate.
Green Dragon selected the Tenuta Rapitala Piano Maltese Bianco, a white blend of Catarratto and Grillo grapes from Sicily. It had a elegant somewhat spicy taste.
The Stacato Malbec Cabernet blend was the selection for Glorious T and Spiderman. They liked it, but didn’t love it and perhaps would have enjoyed a richer Malbec. The good news is that with 30 wines by the glass on the menu, if you find one you don’t like, there’s always more to try.
Vina Borgia Grenache from Spain was the next glass for Green Dragon. She likes fruit forward wines and this suited her perfectly. Grenache is a grape that produces soft yet full bodied wines with deep notes of red berries. The wines aren’t particularly complex, but certainly are pleasing.
I wrapped up with the most expensive glass on the menu ($14), the Duckhorn Merlot. This Napa Valley Merlot has small quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon added. It has a wonderful bouquet of plum and raspberry. The finish is long lingering and wonderful with a taste of graham cracker.
The Vino 100 Wine Bar is open until 10:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and until midnight Thursday through Saturday. This is a great destination for wine lovers and also those looking for a light bite in a different venue. The Vino 100 Wine Shop is also open in the same location to serve your wine needs.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Turkey Trot Event Scheduled Nov. 14
The cost for the event is $5 at each winery and includes wine samples, food pairings and recipes. The event is scheduled from noon to 5:00 p.m. No reservations are necessary. Here’s a list of what is planned at each winery:
* Debonné Vineyards - Pulled Turkey Sandwich
* Ferrante Winery & Ristorante - Cranberry Tart paired with Cabernet Franc Ice wine
* Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant – Stuffing
* Laurello Vineyards - Turkey pizza with ground turkey, leeks, roasted red peppers and feta cheese
* St. Joseph Vineyard - Pumpkin Cheesecake Tarts
Bring a canned food item into each winery and receive $1 off your ticket price. The donations will go to the local food banks. No reservations necessary. For more information call Debonne Vineyards at 800-424-WINE or e-mail info@debonne.com.