Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Wine Tastings & Events: Week of March 29, 2010



Wednesday, March 31

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, $15. 

Thursday, April 1
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting.  5-7 PM. Staff Picks – Bob’s Picks: 1. Hopler – Gruner Veltliner – Austria, 2. Taburno – Falanghina – Italy, 3. Plan Pegau – Red blend – Southern Rhone, France, 4. Orin Swift Cellars – The Prisoner Red blend – Napa Valley, California. Nominal fee per sample or $8.50 per flight.
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Anderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8:30 PM. Featured wines: 1. 2008 Teruzzi & Puthod Vernaccia, 2. 2008 X Winery North Coast Winery, 3. 2007 X Winery Red X, 4. 2005 Di Arie Syrah, 5.2006 Gregory Graham Grenache, 6. 2006 The Barrel Blend. Nominal fee.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting, 6-8 PM. Don’t Fool With Me! Wines to amuse your palate: 1. Wise Guy Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, 2. Verget Macon Villages Chardonnay, France, 3. Wrongo Dongo, Spain, 4. Rabbit Ridge Bunny Cuvee, Paso Robles, 5. Raw Power Shiraz, Australia, 6. Rootstock Cellars 99W Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, 7. Powers Meritage, Columbia Valley, 8. Rosa di Rosa, Italy. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Vino 100 Shop and Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Noon to 10 PM. Live music scheduled 7:30 to 10:30 PM. Jason Quick will be playing acoustic guitar.

Friday, April 2
* Special Event * Wine by the Glass Pavilion Winemakers Series, Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 2445 Monroe St., 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Ampelos Cellars with special guest Rebecca Work, co-owner and co-winemaker. Enjoy four wines, light snacks, and a view of glassmakers working in the Hot Shop.Cost is $15 for museum members and $20 for non-members.

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Easter Wines: 1.Ogier Caves du Papes Rosé, 2.J.K. Carriere "Glass" White Pinot Noir, 3.Leelanau Late Harvest Riesling, 4.Rabbit Ridge "Bunny Cuveé"$10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Saturday, April 3
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Easter Wines: 1.Ogier Caves du Papes Rosé, 2.J.K. Carriere "Glass" White Pinot Noir, 3.Leelanau Late Harvest Riesling, 4.Rabbit Ridge "Bunny Cuveé"$10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 1-3 PM.  Wines for Easter Dinner: 1. Bortoloti Sparkling Rose Brut, Italy, 2. Cupcake 2008 Riesling Columbia Valley, 3. Grayson Cellars 2008 Pinot Noir California, 4. Frost Bitten Ice Riesling. Nominal fee per sample or $2.50 per flight.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Napa Valley Part 1 – Lagier Meredith & More…  Premium tasting, special pricing applies. Pay by the sample or flight. 

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Sandhill Crane Vineyards Kicks Off Michigan Wine Month April 3

Sandhill Crane Vineyards, 4724 Walz Road, Jackson, Michigan, (517) 764-0679 will kick off the celebration of Michigan Wine Month on with an open house on Saturday, April 3, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Live music will be featured, a new wine will be released and there will be free munchies. Admission is free.

You can check out TWAV's recent visit to Sandhill Crane Vineyards here. It's a great outing with great wine.


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Monday, March 29, 2010

What In Blazes Is VQA?

If you enjoy wines from Ontario, chances are you will come across the VQA Ontario designation. What exactly is it?

In short, it is the label of quality, similar to the systems in use in European counties. Quality wine in France is marked AOC and in Italy DOCG. The Vintners Quality Alliance Act was approved in Ontario in 2000. The VQA label indicates that the wine meets certain standards in production and marketing. The VQA system was established:

•To establish, monitor and enforce an appellation of origin system that allows consumers to identify wines on the basis of the area where the grapes are grown, the methods used in making the wine and other quality standards;

•To control the use of specified terms, descriptions and designations associated with the VQA appellation system – by both VQA wines and non-VQA wines made in Ontario;

Ontario has four primary Viticultural Areas or appellations of origin: Niagara Peninsula, Lake Erie North Shore, Pelee Island and Prince Edward County. Within the Niagara Peninsula appellation, decades of grape growing experience and extensive geographical research has identified ten distinct growing areas. These sub-appellations include areas on the plains close to Lake Ontario and the benchlands of the Niagara Escarpment. There are nine appelations in Canada and they account for 98% of the fine wine produced in the country.

VQA Ontario’s long term strategic goal is to build a strong and credible appellation system, supported by quality and label integrity, and to raise the recognition and knowledge of each of Ontario’s wine appellations and their unique features.


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Saturday, March 27, 2010

First Grand Tasting Features Artisan Wines

07_red_cote_bottle_master From Paris to Aspen and New York to Napa, all the top wine events have Grand Tastings. This event typically is the highlight of the gathering and spotlights reserve wines, library wines, the rare and unusual. Toledo Wines and Vines has been in existence for more than six months now, so I figured it was high time we had our own Grand Tasting.
We don’t have the resources of the Wine Spectator or a location nestled amongst California wineries, but we put together an interesting and entertaining line-up as follows:
  • Ferrante Signature Series 2008 Pinot Grigio (Grand River Valley)
  • Red Cote 2008 Rose’
  • Seven Artisans 2007 Syrah (Suisun Valley)
  • Sly Dog Cellars 2007 Meritage (Suisun Valley)
  • Seven Artisans 2007 Petite Sirah (Suisun Valley)
  • Ravines Wine Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc (Finger Lakes)
The Ferrante Pinot Grigio is an award winning white from the Ferrante Winery in the Geneva, Ohio, area. It’s light and crisp with delightful apple and floral flavors. Just the right wine to get the evening rolling.

Rose’ can bring varied reactions from wine lovers. Let’s face it. There is some ghastly rose’ out there. So, I had to chase some of the guests around the rooms for a while before filling their glass with the Red Cote Rose’.

The pursuit ended well. The Red Cote was a pleasant surprise. The wine has a touch of sweetness, with 1% residual sugar, and enough acidity to keep it balanced. The group commented that this is a nice hot tub wine and a good choice for patio sipping in the summer.

Continuing to explore the Artisan Family of Wines, we next sampled the Seven Artisans Syrah. This wine hit me with a spicy blast with my first sip and the deep rich red wine began opening up. It is a hearty wine with strong pepper and rich blackberry. As with the Meritage and the Petite Sirah, this wine comes from the Clayton Road Ranches, a vineyard that is a stone’s throw from Napa. This wine continued to grow on me with each sip and earned the mark of evening favorite from two of our tasters.

Our liquid tour of Suisun Valley continued with the 2007 Sly Dog Cellars Meritage. Meritage is the American byword for itssly_dog_logo_gold Bordeaux style blends. This wine has a smooth approach that was a hit with our tasters who prefer the mellower reds. The wine had a medium body and displayed some nice legs on the glass. This tasted of cherries and lighter fruit in contrast with the more assertive Syrah and Petite Sirah. This is an elegant and enjoyable sipper.

The heavyweight of the evening was the Seven Artisans Petite Sirah and it came out punching. The mouthfeel is smooth, but then the palate gets a pop. The finish is dry. Our tasters described the flavor as punchy and bold. This wine is the expression of the dark side of the fruit, mysterious, dark and almost inky.

The power of this wine appealed to Mark, one of our tasters, and certainly made an impression on everyone. Interestingly, it was suggested that this would be a good pairing with a Jiggs Dinner. (This is a traditional sauerkraut and corned beef dinner served on St. Patricks Day.) This is a great selection for those who like a dramatic and delicious wine.

Rounding out the evening we uncorked a Ravines Wine Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc (Finger Lakes). The color is cranberry. One wit commented that “this is not Napa” and went on to say the Cab Franc was woodsy. Perhaps, but in the most delightful way. It is peppery with a dash of tobacco that contrasts with the warm red fruit. It’s an accessible wine that will certainly please the connoisseur as well.

As the tasting wound down, we discussed the Artisan wines. The verdict? We found consistent high quality across the bottles. The Syrah and Petite Sirah each had their fans. The Meritage was nice, but I preferred the Seven Artisans Meritage I had tasted previously, which seemed to have another level of complexity.

We also are fans of the “letting the grapes speak for themselves” and that’s a winemaking philosophy ably demonstrated in Artisan wines. It’s a small wine operation with some really big wines.

Full Disclosure: We received the Artisan wines as a marketing sample.

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Friday, March 26, 2010

Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail Celebrates Michigan Wine Month

ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Galen Turner fr...Image by Getty Images via Daylife
Celebrate Michigan Wine Month at Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail's "Michigan Wine Celebration" on Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18!

Tickets are $25 per person for this self-driven tour of the wineries of south-east Michigan.

Each winery along the trail will feature an appetizer or dessert prepared by a local chef and paired with their featured wine. The ticket price also includes one tasting glass. A recipe card with the featured recipe will be given out to ticket holders at each winery.

The wineries included in this event are:

  • Burgdorf's Winery (Haslett) - Saturday only (until 5:00 pm)
  • Chateau Aeronautique Winery (Jackson)
  • Cherry Creek Cellars Old Schoolhouse Winery (Brooklyn)
  • Lone Oak Vineyard Estate (Grass Lake)
  • Pentamere Winery (Tecumseh)
  • Sandhill Crane Vineyards (Jackson)
  • Sleeping Bear Winery (Parma)
Chateau Aeronautique will be featuring delicious smoked salmon canapés with Chardonel cream sauce & cucumber relish prepared by Chef John Jones, paired with their Chardonel. The winery will be featuring live music from local musician Steve Tucker on Saturday from 2 pm to 5 pm

Ticket holders are welcome to visit each location over the two-day event, or they may choose to limit their visits (as time permits). The Wine Trail encourages ticket holders to bring a designated driver.

Hours of the event are Saturday, April 17, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday, April 18, from noon to 6:00 PM. There are a limited number of tickets available, ticket sales will end on Thursday, April 15, at midnight (or when sold out), and tickets will not be available the day of the event.

For more information call (517) 531-3080.

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Artisan Family of Wines: A Conversation with Winemaker Jeff Miller

When we did the recent review of Seven Artisans Meritage, it prompted Jeffrey Miller, winemaker for Seven Artisans, to contact us. Seven Artisans is part of the Artisan Family of Wines, which also includes Sly Dog Cellars and Red Cote. The winery has been producing wine in Suisun (pronounced "sue soon") Valley, California, a stone's throw from Napa, since 2007. It's a small yet up and coming wine operation with much to offer. We hosted a tasting recently to review four Artisan wines. We'll feature that story in the next day or two, but to provide some background, TWAV interviewed winemaker Jeff Miller. Here he provides a winemaker's perspective on the launching of a new wine brand and the Artisan Family of Wines.

TWAV: How did the Artisan Family of Wines come to be?

Miller: There were three of us, one a grower, one a wine marketer (Richard Burnely) and me, who became a grower and winemaker. Since we were all interested in having our own brands, we started the company and now have three brands: Sly Dog Cellars, Seven Artisans and Red Cote.

TWAV: Were there any particular challenges you faced leading up to the bottling and release of your first wines?

Miller: The winemaking part wasn't out of the ordinary, but starting a new brand is full of challenges. There are what seem to be a thousand decisions, ranging from the style of the wine, the variety, the blend, etc. but then there are decisions about the name of the wine and the look of the bottle. The effort seemed endless at the time; and since there were several of us, and everyone had an opinion, the work involved was overwhelming. For Sly Dog Cellars we actually circulated a number of names that we liked to get people's opinions on them and Sly Dog Cellars was the favorite. On the other two we didn't go to those lengths as it was just too much work. It's hard enough to get the wine together, believe me. You also wouldn't believe the time and effort dealing with compliance issues. Not at all sexy, but needs to be done. So that's what really stands out for me about our first bottlings.

TWAV: I'm interested to learn about your vineyards. Suisun Valley isn't well known to many of our readers.

Miller: Suisun Valley is just east and south of Napa Valley. In fact, one of our vineyards, Clayton Road Ranches, is only a few hundred feet from Napa Valley. It gets less marine influence than Napa Valley does, and therefore is hotter. It's an excellent locale for the Rhone varieties and Petite Sirah also does extremely well here.

TWAV: You have three different brands, do you have a particular approach or niche for each?

Miller: We did originally, but the lines have become somewhat blurred. Seven Artisans was and remains for our own vineyards. Sly Dog Cellars originally was not our own grapes, but recent bottlings have used our own grapes. At this point it would be fair to say that our Seven Artisans is intended for our upper echelon wines, Sly Dog Cellars for a mid-point and Red Cote as our value line.

TWAV: Petite Sirah is a very unique grape. What led you to plant this variety and how would you describe your Petite Sirah?

Miller: When planting grapes, I think it's critical to plant what works well in a particular location, not just what you think the market wants. Petite Sirah produces grapes and wines of stunning quality in Suisun Valley, so that's why we planted it. It also happens to be one of my favorite varieties. Petite Sirah is a very big, bold wine and ours is certainly no exception. It also tends to be tannic, which makes them very age-worthy (although I like to drink them young as well). I would also say our Petite emphasizes the dark fruit side of the flavor spectrum, with dark fruit as opposed to bright cherry, with some plum thrown in.

TWAV: Do you have a particular vision for your wines and winemaking?

Miller: My goal in winemaking is to do the absolute least in the winemaking process that I can. I don't say that because I'm lazy (though I am), but because when you have to do something to the wine, to some extent it means the grapes and the winemaking process failed to achieve the optimum on their own. To give you an example, we've fined our Petite Sirah to reduce the tannin levels, but tannins tend to be extracted later in the fermentation. So last harvest I pressed the wine off the skins earlier to hopefully reduce the amount of tannins, and avoid fining. There are some things that are just unavoidable, such as the necessity to add acid to many lots, but I'm trying to reduce the interventions in what the wine wants to do on its own to a minimum. Every time you do something to the wine, while it may be necessary, it also seems to take something away from the wine as well.  So I only do something to the wine if it really seems to need it.

I would like to say that I've never needed to manipulate my wines to any great degree, but there have been a few lots where we really had to work hard to make them the quality we wanted them to be. I'm thinking especially of our first Syrah, which we had to do a lot of blending in order to make it a wine I felt comfortable with. We made some changes the second vintage and it hasn't needed nearly the amount of work the first vintage did.

TWAV: Any other thoughts you'd like to share?

Miller: I'm a big believer that every person has their own individual likes and dislikes when it comes to wine for two reasons. First, our physical equipment is different. Some people can perceive certain flavors at much lower concentrations than others. Second, we simply like different things. Just as some people prefer bananas and others apples, different people like different types of wines. I would certainly say that people have a right to expect wines to be competently made, but beyond that personal preference is really what matters. So I encourage people to trust their own palates and not give undue weight to what other people, whose palates and preferences may be very different, have to say. I know I am amazed by the fact that if I'm pouring our wines, there's no consistency in which one of the wines people prefer.
Photo by Amy
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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Thirsty Owl Wine Company 2007 Meritage

It was a special occasion -- the celebration of a milestone birthday for our tasting team member Spiderman. Following a delicious meal at Real Seafood, we adjourned to our friends' home to enjoy a bottle of "treasure" wine secured during a recent visit to the Finger Lakes.

That bottle was the Thirsty Owl 2007 Meritage. (If you're not familar with Meritage, you can check out our previous post, Meritage: America's Tasty Blend.) Thirsty Owl is a great winery with an oustanding tasting room and patio looking out on Cayuga Lake. We've visited there twice and each time has been a blast. Read about our visit and learn the story behind the Thirsty Owl name.

The Meritage has a beautiful deep purple color. We decanted this baby and it unleashed a nice aromatic blast as it swirled in the decanter. It's a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. There's a velvety mouthfeel with some nice supporting tannins. Blackberries and a slight hint of pepper.

Thirsty Owl Wine Company is a must-see destination on your next Finger Lakes trip. We suggest that you swoop in and snatch a bottle of this fine Finger Lakes Meritage at the very feathery price of only $23.

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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Wine Tastings & Events: Week of March 22, 2010



Wednesday, March 24
059216-yellow-road-sign-icon-food-beverage-food-grapesAnderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Kosher Wine: 1. Hagafen Chardonnay (Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley), 2. Efrat Cabernet Sauvignon (Tzora, Israel),  3. Tishbi Cabernet Petite Syrah (Shomron, Israel), 4. Efrat Riesling (Tzora, Israel). Nominal fee.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, $15. 

Thursday, March 25
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting.  5-7 PM. Birds Of A Feather: 1. Raptor Ridge Pinot Gris - Willamette Valley Oregon, 2. Eagles Rock Malbec Rose' - Argentina, 3. Burg Ravensburg Pinot Noir - Germany, 4. Buttonwood Hawk Red - Santa Ynez Valley, California. Nominal fee per sample or $5.50 per flight. 

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting, 6-8 PM. Wines for dinner: 1. Prieler Chardonnay, Austria, 2. Mirth Chardonnay, Oregon, 3. Meulenhof Riesling Kabinett, Germany, 4. Ca del Solo Sangiovese, California, 5. Casa Girelli Vintoso Syrah, Sicily, 6. Columbia Crest Walter Clore Red, Washington, 7. Darting Riesling Kabinett, Germany, 8. Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva. 9. Smith Woodhouse 10 Year Tawny, Portugal. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  Super Funtime Blind Wine Tasting Extravaganza. Yes, finally. Six wines tasted blind. Be a sport and take a guess and impress your date. Not feeling adventurous? Secretly pick and choose. Whatever you do, don’t be shy. This type of tasting is fun and educational. Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Manhattan’s Restaurant, 1516 Adams Street, Toledo. Wine Tasting with Uptown Vineyard. 6:30 PM. $15. Five wines and appetizers. In Union Square room. Reservations required. E-mail info@uptownvineyard.com or call (866) 276-1984.

Vino 100 Shop and Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Noon to 10 PM. Live music scheduled 7:30 to 10:30 PM. Calen Savage will be playing the acoustic guitar.

Friday, March 26 
* Special Event * Wine by the Glass Pavilion Winemakers Series, Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 2445 Monroe St., 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Spring Riesling. Enjoy four wines, light snacks, and a view of glassmakers working in the Hot Shop.Cost is $15 for museum members and $20 for non-members.

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Easter Rieslings: 1. Kuhl Riesling, 2. Dr. Loosen Riesling, 3. Studert Prum Spatlese Riesling, 4. Heaven's Cave Late Harvest Riesling. $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  Super Funtime Blind Wine Tasting Extravaganza. Yes, finally. Six wines tasted blind. Be a sport and take a guess and impress your date. Not feeling adventurous? Secretly pick and choose. Whatever you do, don’t be shy. This type of tasting is fun and educational. Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Saturday, March 27
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Easter Rieslings: 1. Kuhl Riesling, 2. Dr. Loosen Riesling, 3. Studert Prum Spatlese Riesling, 4. Heaven's Cave Late Harvest Riesling. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 1-3 PM.  Wines of Lake Erie: 1. Mon Ami, 2008 Pinot Grigio, 2.
Mon Ami, 2007 Gewurztraminer, 3. Heinemans White Riesling, 4.  Firelands, 2007 Pinot Noir. We will also have food demo’s to pair with these wines. Nominal fee per sample or $2 per flight.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Mourvedre: From Jumilla to Bandol.  Premium tasting, special pricing applies. Pay by the sample or flight. 

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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Monday, March 22, 2010

2nd Annual Southern Ontario Food & Wine Show Scheduled April 8 to 10 in Windsor

The 2nd Annual Southern Ontario Wine & Food Festival is scheduled April 8 to 10 in Windsor, Ont. The event offers food, wine from area wineries and entertainment. Admission is $15. The event will be held at the Windsor Expo Center and the show hours are: Thursday, April 8th ~ 5:00 PM - 12:30 AM, Friday, April 9th ~ 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM and Saturday, April 10th ~ 4:00 PM - 1:00 AM.

Featured entertainment includes:

Thursday: (Presented by University of Windsor Alumni), University of Windsor Jazz Ensemble - 5:45 - 6:45 PM, Alexander Zonjic - 7:00 - 8:30 PM and The Bomb Squad - 9:00 - 11:00 PM. http://www.bombsquadboom.com/

Friday: Shade Stone - 5:30 - 6:30 PM, Lynne & The Rebels - 7:00 - 9:00 PM http://www.myspace.com/lynneandtherebels, and Nemesis - 9:30 - 11:00 PM http://www.nemesisrocks.com/.

Saturday: Brooke Pashley & Brad Ouelette - 3:30 - 4:30 PM, Dream Catchers - 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Shakin Hoodoos - 7:30 - 9:00 PM and Big Wiggle - 9:30 - 1:00 AM.

Hotel packages are available at Quality Suites Windsor and Travelodge (Huron Road).

For further information on all shows, call (800) 787-9328.
Photo by Bill Masson

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Saturday, March 20, 2010

Finger Lakes Winter Wine Weekends Extended to April 30

New York's {{w|Finger Lakes}} A late fall snow...Image via Wikipedia

Winter Wine Weekends in Finger Lakes wine country are now extended through April 30. Demand for these packages has been strong, so most of the 27 participating accommodations are extending their valid dates from March 21 another 5 weeks until the end of April.

Participating lodging properties are offering "stay two nights, get the third night free." To make this promotion even more valuable you will receive a free bottle of a select Finger Lakes wine, and a free exclusive Palate Passport which offers free wine tastings, free museum visits, and other cool free stuff.

Did I mention, "free?"
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Friday, March 19, 2010

Pittsburgh Pick of Reds: Padthaway Parson's Flat Cabernet Shiraz

Our good friends Russ and Eileen live in the Pittsburgh area and accompanied us on a trip to the Finger Lakes two years ago. They both enjoy a glass of good wine and sent this dispatch from PA...

"Eileen and I found a super wine recently and I wanted to pass along the recommendation. It's a red wine -- Padthaway Parson's Flat Cabernet Shiraz from Australia. We tried a 2005 vintage. We found it at a local state store on sale for about $20 but, alas, none to be found when we were out yesterday. I looked it up on line and it lists for about $36, so we got a good deal. If you ever find it, I think you'd like it. I don't know that I'd pay $36 for it but it's an excellent $20 wine. Keep an eye out for it on sale."


This Aussie wine is produced from 6- to 12-year-old vines and is a blend of 70 percent Shiraz and 30 percent Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American oak. It's a full bodied red with dark, delicious espresso and blackberries.


"Two other fun red wines that are great for everyday sipping are both California Reds -- one is Big House Red and the other is Red Truck," says Russ. "They're inexpensive, less than $10 per bottle but they're both quite good and I think you'd like them, too."

"We managed to get in some snowshoeing this winter with all of the many many snowstorms. My snow blower was a true lifesaver."

Time to pack away the trusty snow blower and hit the wine trail! Thanks for the report.
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Thursday, March 18, 2010

Finger Lakes Wine Country Launches iPhone Travel App


The Finger Lakes Wine Country travel marketing group, in partnership with Discovery Anywhere Mobile, has announced the launch of a free travel application (app) for mobile devices. The travel app allows users to have information on wineries, attractions, restaurants, accommodations, and events in Finger Lakes Wine Country while also sharing their trip on social media. The app is one of the first in the travel industry to incorporate Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, into the trip sharing process.

The Finger Lakes Wine Country app places the user in driver seat to plan the perfect Wine Country getaway. To plan a wine country trip on-the-fly or in advance, the app’s interactive, location-aware capability features hundreds of continually updated listings. One user shared his thoughts: “Really slick app for exploring the possibilities of a FLX getaway. Love the AR feature – shows me what lies in store no matter which direction I’m headed. Great interface – smooth and simple with lots of info.”

The user can plan an escape to indulge in wine tours, peaceful views and unique experiences by searching through hundreds of activity listings. The user can read, write and share reviews for hundreds of accommodations, restaurants, wineries, and events. See what’s nearby with location-aware listings. Call accommodation providers, wineries, and restaurants with a single (iPhone) tap. The user can share experiences while on the go and read others’ reviews with live Twitter updates. With the live interactive map the user can drive off the beaten path and discover hidden treasures. With this app, the options are endless and the opportunities are great for the user to build an on-the-fly Wine Country getaway that will fit every personality.

To download the app visit the Apple Store on your iPhone or at http://www.apple.com/ and search “Finger Lakes.” The Finger Lakes Wine Country app is free to download. Applications for Blackberry and other mobile devices are coming soon.
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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Clos LaChance Wines Are For The Birds

I joined WineChatr a few months ago and it has enabled me to connect with bloggers and wineries across the country. I've had the good fortune to connect with Clos LaChance Winery, a San Martin, California winery.  They produce estate-based wines from their 150-acre vineyard property that showcase the diversity of Northern Central Coast varietals.

They produce wines under three categories, a Special Selections Series of limited production of bottlings from exceptional sites, the Estate Series and the one that caught my attention, the Hummingbird Series. This is their line of affordable wines and each is named after a species of hummingbird that demonstrate similar characteristics of each wine varietal.

In addition to loving wine, I dabble in birdwatching, so this was a nice discovery. The hummingbird is one of the most fascinating birds to watch and normally found amidst blossoms and warm weather -- which is a good thought as we trudge through the end of winter here in Ohio.

Naming the wines after hummingbirds has resulted in some very original monikers, such as Buff-Bellied Zinfandel, Ruby-Throated Cabernet Sauvignon and Glittering-Throated Emerald Chardonnay. To get some background on their colorful line of wines, I contacted Clos LaChance marketing manager Melanie Gameng.

"The Hummingbird Series wines are named after different types of hummingbirds," she said. "Year to year we have a Meritage that incoroprates an endangered Hummingbird species and this year it's the Colorful Puffleg. Twenty percent of the proceeds goes towards help saving the bird."
 
She explained that co-owner Brenda Murphy loves hummingbirds. Hummingbirds also keep grape eating birds away from vineyards in which they are very territorial. The winery has incorporated the hummingbird theme in their wines since the early 90's.

Clos LaChance has an online store, so a Colorful Puffleg could be winging your way soon!
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Wine Tastings & Events: Week of March 15, 2010

Tuesday, March 16
Vino 100 Shop and Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Fisher Vineyards Tasting: 6:30 to 9:00 PM. 059216-yellow-road-sign-icon-food-beverage-food-grapesPlease join Vino 100 in Welcoming Cameron Fisher from Fisher Vineyards as we taste through five terrific wines. Here is what we will be tasting: 2006 Mountain Estate Chardonnay, 2005 Cameron, 2006 Mountain Estate Cabernet, -2007 Unity, 2005 Coach Insignia. We will be pairing wines with recipes taken directly off the  http://www.fishervineyards.com/ website. Tasting is from 6:30-9:00 pm. Cost is $40. RSVP

Wednesday, March 17
Anderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. This week Jeff Stroud, wine representative from Natural State Wines, will be joining us with four selections from his outstanding portfolio. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Jeff (and ask him every question you can possibly think of!) Nominal fee.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, $15. 

Thursday, March 18
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting.  5-7 PM. Late arriving close-outs, wine manager picks. 1. Montemaro Pinot Grigio, 2. Hawley Chardonnay, 3. Pegovino Grenache/Syrah Blend, 4. Kruger Rumpf Spatlese Riesling. Nominal fee per sample or $6 per flight.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting, 6-8 PM. How much does price matter? Same winery, same grape variety – does the more expensive wine taste better? 1. Beringer Founders’ Estate Chardonnay, 2. Beringer Napa Chardonnay, 3. Four Vines Zinfandel, 4. Four Vines Biker Zinfandel, 5. Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet, 6. Mondavi Napa Cabernet, 7. Badia a Coltibuono Clianti Classico, 8. Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  2005: A Grape Odyssey. 2005 was a great vintage for nearly every wine region on the planet. Let’s open the pod bay doors and see exactly where these wines are on their voyage. Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Friday, March 19 
* Special Event * Wine by the Glass Pavilion Winemakers Series, Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 2445 Monroe St., 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Cab versus Merlot. Enjoy four wines, light snacks, and a view of glassmakers working in the Hot Shop.Cost is $15 for museum members and $20 for non-members.

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Spanish Reds: 1. Vina Borgia Garnacha, 2. Milcampos Tempranillo, 3. Wrongo Dongo Monastrell, 4. Can Blau. $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  2005: A Grape Odyssey. 2005 was a great vintage for nearly every wine region on the planet. Let’s open the pod bay doors and see exactly where these wines are on their voyage. Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Saturday, March 20
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Spanish Reds: 1. Vina Borgia Garnacha, 2. Milcampos Tempranillo, 3. Wrongo Dongo Monastrell, 4. Can Blau. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 1-3 PM. Closeouts. 1. Huntington Sauvignon Blanc, 2.  Solaris Cabernet Sauvignon, 3. Strub 2002 N.O. Riesling Kabinet, 4.  Tractor Shed Red Closeout. Nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Six Reasons to Love Riesling. Pay by the sample or flight. 

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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Monday, March 15, 2010

Three Sisters Project Connects Three NY Wine Regions

Three of New York's premiere wine growing regions have joined forces to give wine lovers a chance to sample "great grape" they might normally miss.  The Three Sisters Project is a mutual sampling program conceived by Carlo DeVito and David Jackson of the Hudson-Chatham Winery.

This program not only highlights two of our favorite Finger Lakes wineries, but is a model that could be played with for use in other wine growing regions. Aside from that -- it's fun!

The "sisters" refers to three wine regions -- the Hudson Valley, Long Island and the Finger Lakes. Two wineries in each region will sample and sell wines from the other regions along with their own products. The event is kicks off on Saturday, April 3, and runs through May 2.

The participating wineries are:
These three regions all share something in common – water. The three great wine growing regions of the program are all near a body of water. The Finger Lakes region is near the great clear water lakes that were gouged into the state’s land mass by the glaciers dating back to the Ice Age. Much of the North Fork of Long Island faces the Atlantic Ocean, while the North Shore is buffeted by Long Island Sound and the New England states which are just across that body of water. And the Hudson Valley follows the great and mighty Hudson River, first explored by Henry Hudson and his men more than 400 years ago, that stretches from north of the state capital in Albany, all the way down past Manhattan into New York Harbor.

These three bodies of water create very specific micro-climates that help form some of the best grape-growing and winemaking regions on the east coast. Set among the rolling hills of the Hudson Valley and the Finger Lakes, and the slow, sloping land of the North Fork of Long Isalnd, these vineyards and wineries are among the best wineries in the state, and are dedicated to making quality wine.

Wines from these regions have been celebrated in major press all across the country, including The Wine Spectator, The Wine Enthusiast, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and many, many more. And they have won recognition of critics and peers alike from judges in compeitions from the east to the west coast, as well as internationally.

The cross-sampling and sales will happen as follows:

HUDSON VALLEY: Benmarl Winery -- wines from  Anthony Road and Macari Vineyards; Hudson-Chatham Winery -- wines from Fox Run and Lieb Cellars.

FINGER LAKES: Anthony Road -- wines from Benmarl Winery  and Lieb Cellars; Fox Run Vineyards -- wines from Hudson-Chatham Winery and Macari Vineyards.

NORTH FORK OF LONG ISLAND: Lieb Family Cellars -- wines from Anthony Road and Hudson-Chatham Winery; Macari Vineyards -- wines from Benmarl WInery and Fox Run Vineyards.

The goals of The Three Sisters Project are to help increase overall consumer awareness of the great local and quality wines being made in New York State, and to give wine buyers a chance to sample some of the great local wines from around the state.

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Saturday, March 13, 2010

Ohio, Finger Lakes Wines Claim Grand Harvest Awards Gold

Vineyard above Canandagua Lake, New York State...Image via Wikipedia

Wines from Ohio, Niagara Peninsula Ontario and the Finger Lakes region of New York have claimed gold medal honors in the Grand Harvest Awards, a unique wine competition that focuses on terroir.

Established in 1990, it is the only wine-judging event in North America that is based on terroir - a group of vineyards (or even vines) from the same region, belonging to a specific appellation, and sharing the same type of soil, weather conditions, grapes and wine making savoir-faire, which contribute to give its specific personality to the wine. In other competitions, this factor is ignored. At the Grand Harvest, judges taste wines with other wines of the same appellation. Thus, with cross-regional competition removed, the inherent quality of wines can be seen without the influences that sometimes eclipse even a wine of very high quality.

Gold Medal winners were as follows:

Ontario, Niagara Peninsula (DVA): Hillebrand Winery, 08 Trius Riesling, $14.05; Hillebrand Winery, 08 Trius Chardonnay, Barrel Fermented, $18.95; and Peller Estates Winery, 08 Family Series Riesling, $11.05.

Ohio, Grand River Valley (AVA): Chalet Debonne Vineyards, 08 Riesling, $10.99; Ferrante , Ferrante Winery, 08 Riesling, Signature Series, $15.00.

New York, Finger Lakes (AVA): Dr. Konstantin Frank, 08 Gewurztraminer, Reserve, $24.99.

New York, Cayuga Lake (AVA): Hosmer Winery, Riesling, $12.00.

The full list of winners can be found here.

Dr. Frank and Ferrante are favorites and other great wineries can be found among the silver and bronze medals. I was a bit surprised that Michigan didn't land some medals.

A goal of Grand Harvest is to learn more about how terroir contributes qualities of excellence and distinctiveness to wines. Over the course of this event, judges have learned to recognize when terroir is - and is not - a factor of wine quality. We think the bar has been lifted a little, and as a result, each year we perceive greater interest in terroir by winemakers and critics alike. Favorable awards support increased local and regional sales. A win in Grand Harvest can put your wine into a whole new sales category.

All wines are judged in the context of their viticultural region in order to accomplish two things: greater sensitivity to the complexities and nuances of regional wines and also to measure the influence of regional soil and weather characteristics on the taste and quality of individual wines.

The 2010 Grand Harvest Awards, completed its mission to recognize outstanding wines from all over the world and simultaneously studying the effects of terroir on wine characteristics. The 20th annual Grand Harvest Awards was held February 24-25, 2010 at Sonoma Mountain Village, Rohnert Park, California. Twenty-three judges evaluated over 1,500 entries and awarded a total of 141 gold, 426 silver and 457 bronze medals. Garnering medals at the Grand Harvest Awards has been tough to achieve historically because of its high standards of excellence. Wine competitions are invaluable purchasing tools that help consumers choose from over 5,000 wineries in the US alone.

Most entries in the Grand Harvest Awards were grown and produced in the United States and Canada with some originating in Australia, Eurasia (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Turkey), Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and South America (Argentina and Chile). In Grand Harvest there are two principal classes of entry; those with specific geographical appellations and those without. Both are treated with equal emphasis, but terroir discovery is not attempted in classes without geographical specificity. To win, your wine must be nominated for Bronze or higher by each of the three judges per panel.




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Friday, March 12, 2010

Finger Lakes: Leidenfrost Vineyards

Continuing a wrap-up of our fall Finger Lakes winery visits. The Leidenfrost family has raised grapes and made wine at their scenic Seneca Lake location since 1947 and was a stop on our2009_1004fingerlks20055 whirlwind wine tour I was really looking forward to. During our Finger Lakes visit last year we were just a hop, skip and a jump from this winery, but it somehow didn’t make our itinerary. The somewhat Germanic name and chalet-style architecture of the winery beckoned to us this time around.

Leidenfrost Vineyards began production in 1990 and soon was selling some of the earliest Pinot Noirs, Merlots and Cabernets in the Finger Lakes. Their first shop was set up in a log cabin adjacent to the estate. The winery remains a family run operation and produces only 3,000 cases of wine annually.

The small, homey feel is apparent as soon as you enter the tasting room. The deck has a spectacular view of Seneca Lake and on the brilliant sunny day of our visit, it was a million-dollar panorama. Inside the tasting room, peanut shells littered the wooden floors as wine lovers munched on the nuts and tossed the “empties.” Leidenfrost is known for its reds, which are fermented in small batches in stainless steel tanks, keeping the emphasis on freshness and fruit. We dove right in to the Pinot Noir.

The 2007 Pinot Noir was nice with a touch of cedar in the bouquet, followed by fresh fruit and black cherry. We then had a tasty glass of Tango, a red blend with a smokiness and a touch of bacon.

The winner of the day was the 2008 Baco Noir, an awesome, delicious glass of this medium-bodied French-American hybrid. This is has a soft fruitiness with warm black pepper flavors.

The only place you can get all the Leidenfrost wines is in the tasting room. The winery is beginning to distribute to some locations in upstate New York, but your best bet is to go right to the winery Web site. The prices are amazingly low -- $15 for a great bottle of smooth Cabernet Sauvignon or an ‘07 Cabernet Franc.

The vibe here is a small, friendly winery with high-quality, low production wines in a scenic setting. During our visit they were offering a case discount of 25% (much better than the typical 10%) plus a “Winemaker’s Seven” where you could purchase seven bottles for the price of six.

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Toledo Museum of Art Announces Wine by the Glass Pavilion Schedule

The Toledo Museum of Art has announced its schedule for the upcoming Wine by the Glass Pavilion tastings. These popular drop-in tasting event are scheduled Fridays from 7:00 to 9:30 PM at the Glass Pavilion. Enjoy four wines, light snacks, and a view of our Hot Shop. Prices are $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.

Winemakers Series

  • March 19: Cab vs. Merlot
  • March 26:  Spring Riesling
  • April 2:  Ampelos Cellars with special guest Rebecca Work, co-owner and co-winemaker.
  • April 9:  New French Discoveries
  • April 16:  Buttonwood with special guest: Winemaker Karen Steinwachs will be in from Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara.
  • April 23:  Erika's Picks
Photo by Quaktackulous

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

International Wine Festival in Cincy March 11-13

The 20th annual Cincinnati International Wine Festival, one of the Midwest's largest wine events, is scheduled to take place Thursday, March 11, through Saturday, March 13. The festival was founded in 1991 to promote the wine industry and raise funds for local charities. Each year the festival has grown with increasing winery participation, events and attendance. Wine legend Michael Mondavi is the honorary chair for this year's event.

The Festival is made up of four prominent events: the Winery Dinners, the Charity Auction and Luncheon, the Grand Tastings and the Russ Wiles Memorial Golf Tournament. Through these events the Wine Festival has donated almost $3 million dollars to local charities in the past 19 years.

"The Grand Tastings" are the centerpiece events of this multi-day festival and feature more than 130 wineries pouring nearly 600 wines, as well as delicious foods, souvenirs and live music. New, rare, and exciting wines from around the world are available for tasting. Whether you're a seasoned expert or an intrigued beginner, winemakers and winery representatives welcome you as they mix useful knowledge with exquisite samples of their art. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door. A ticket for the special tasting room allows you to enjoy high end wines for one hour prior to the Grand Tastings. Each ticket will be an additonal charge of $35 for 7 tastes.

Winery Dinners combine the country's best winemakers with greater Cincinnati's finest chefs for an incomparable evening of perfectly complemented wines and fine cuisine. Reservations are limited and some dinners are now sold out. Other Festival events include cooking demos, wine-themed seminars, wine maker meet and greet opportunities and  off-site wine tastings.

Here's an overview of the schedule:

Grand Tastings: Duke Energy Convention Center
  • Friday, March 12, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 13, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 13, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $60 - $75

Special Tasting Room: Duke Energy Convention Center
  • Friday, March 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 13, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $35 plus the purchase of a Grand Tasting ticket

Winery Dinners
10 of Greater Cincinnati’s Finest Restaurants
Thursday, March 11, 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $125 - $150

Charity Auction & Luncheon
Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Hall of Mirrors
Saturday, March 13
9:30 a.m. Reception and Auction Lot Preview
11:00 a.m. Live Auction
Winery Luncheon immediately following
Tickets: $125

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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Wine Tastings & Events: Week of March 8, 2010

The Four GracesImage of The Four Graces via Snooth

059216-yellow-road-sign-icon-food-beverage-food-grapes
Wednesday, March 10
Anderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. The Close-Outs continue. 1. Newman’s Own Chardonnay, 2. Pezat Bordeaux Superior, 3. Greg Norman Reserve Shiraz, 4. Selbach-Oster Riesling Spaetlese. Nominal fee.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, Great Value Wines of Spain. $15. 

Thursday, March 11
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting.  5-7 PM. Screw-top wines: Poorly made, cheap wine? I don’t think so… 1. 2008 Kim Crawford – Malborough, New Zealand – Sauvignon Blanc, 2. 2005 Stoller –Dundee Hills, Oregon – JV Pinot Noir, 3. 2007 Di Arie – Sierra Foothills, California – Zinfandel, 4. 2008 Leitz – Rheingau, Germany –Dragonstone Riesling. Nominal fee per sample or $9 per flight.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting, 6-8 PM. Australian Wines: 1. Peter Lehmann Layers Chardonnay blend, 2. Yalumba Dry Riesling, 3. The Stump Jump GSM, 4. Simon Hacket OV Grenache, 5. Marquis-Philips 9 Shiraz, 6. Elderton Barossa Shiraz, 7. Peter Lehmann 8 Songs Shiraz, 8. Old Codger Tawny Port. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, Great Value Wines of Spain. $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  Willamette Valley Oregon Wines. Oregon's Willamette Valley is home to some very talented winemakers. Riesling and Chardonnay are really starting to take off there, however Pinot Noir rightly rules the roost. Come in and see why this is one of the most exciting and terroir-driven AVAs in the states! Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Manhattan’s Restaurant, 1516 Adams Street, Toledo. Wine Tasting with Uptown Vineyard. 6:30 PM. $15. Five wines and appetizers. In Union Square room. Reservations required. E-mail info@uptownvineyard.com or call (866) 276-1984.

Friday, March 12 
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Oregon Pinot’s: 1. King Estate Pinot Gris
2. Anne Amie "Prisme" Pinot Noir Blanc, 3. Van Duzer Vin Cuvee Pinot Noir, 4. Four Graces Pinot Noir. $15 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. No tasting tonight. Mike is off.

Saturday, March 13
* Special Event * Toledo Zoo Vineyard Adventure: Titled Wines from Down Under, 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Enjoy wine, entertainment and hors d'oeuvres in the Aquarium. Price for Toledo Zoo members is $35. The cost for non-members is $40. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. For information call (419) 385-5721, ext 3092.


* Special Event * Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Wine Tasting & Art Auction, 6:00 PM, Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons in Perrysburg. $45 per person. Reservations are required and payment is due upon reservation. Call (419) 878-5188 or e-mail at admin@watervillechamber.com.

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Oregon Pinot’s: 1. King Estate Pinot Gris 2. Anne Amie "Prisme" Pinot Noir Blanc, 3. Van Duzer Vin Cuvee Pinot Noir, 4. Four Graces Pinot Noir. $15 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 1-3 PM. 1. Penfolds, Hyland Chardonnay, 2. Meulenhof, 2002 Riesling Kabinet, 3. Strub 2002 Riesling Kabinet, 4. Castle Hill Pinot Noir. Nominal fee per sample or $2.25 per flight..

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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