Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Toledo Zoo Vineyard Adventure Focuses on European Wines

Toledo Zoo Flowers

Image by barbmanning via Flickr

The next Vineyard Adventure at the Toledo Zoo will take place Friday, June 3, 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Sample a world of fine wines, graze on delectable edibles and enjoy sophisticated live entertainment on the overlook in the Africa! section of the zoo..

This Vineyard Adventure features a selection of European wines. You must be 21 or older to attend; call 419-385-5721, ext. 3092 or visit www.toledozoo.org to reserve your place today.

The cost is $40 for non-members and $35 for members.

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Monday, May 30, 2011

St. Francis 2006 Merlot Sonoma County

St. Francis Winery and Vineyards was the first Sonoma County winery to plant and produce Merlot and has championed the grape since their first vintage in 1983.

Although we missed the Merlot Day virtual tasting on May 19, we did have the opportunity to sample a bottle of 2006 St. Francis Merlot, Sonoma County

The grapes come from both mountain and valley vineyards in Sonoma. They were fermented in steel tanks and then aged in French and American oak for 22 months. We didn’t have the ideal pairing for our meal. We had lobster tail and shrimp and so we enjoyed some Soave with the meal. Ace of Bass, who was joining us, is more of a red drinker and went directly to the Merlot.

The wine has a super smooth front end with plenty of cherry and a dash of spice and vanilla. This is a solid but not heavy wine. I wanted more of a finish. The tannins seemed sufficient for a satisfying front and middle, but stumbled on the home stretch.

It’s time to respect the Merlot. Often it is bypassed in favor of a sturdy Cabernet or a delicate Pinot Noir. This is a noble grape! Done well, Merlot gives the palate a luscious and satisfying ride. This is a quality wine that represents a good value. It goes for about $20, but can be found on sale for less.

Full disclosure: We received this wine as a sample.

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Saturday, May 28, 2011

Toledo Museum of Art Announced Wine By The Glass Pavilion Schedule for June

New Glass Pavilion, Toledo Museum of Art

Image by mmeiser2 via Flickr

The Toledo Museum of Art has announced its schedule for the popular Wine by the Glass Pavilion series. The events are held Fridays from 7 to 9:30 in the Glass Pavilion. During these drop-in wine tastings you can enjoy four wines, light snacks, and a view of glassmakers working in the Hot Shop. Prices are $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.

  • June 3 Summertime Reds
  • June 10 Organically Grown
  • June 17 Wines for the Barby
  • June 24 South American Vinhos

The museum is located at 2445 Monroe St.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Favorites Abound At Charmed & Cherished Event


There’s a lot to like about the Charmed and Cherished benefit wine tasting held May 19 at the Toledo Club. The event supports Cherished Friends of Ahava which has provided patients who are newly diagnosed or currently in treatment for cancer with a day of pampering at the Ahava Spa.

On top of the very worthy cause, there is some very nice wine. For 2011 the event moved to the Toledo Club from its former location at The Docks. The new locale makes all the difference. For the past two years, the event has been crowded with long lines and barely enough room to raise your glass.

This year the Toledo Club used the main entryway for a nice spread of food. A room on the left was used for the wine tasting and a room on the opposite side was used for the silent auction. The beautiful décor, high ceilings and natural lighting created a light and airy mood for the event. By separating the eaters, auction-goers and wine tasters there was no feeling of being cramped.

Special thanks to Heidelberg Distributing for providing the wine and the friendly servers.

Here were some of the favorites of the TWAV tasting crew:
  • 2007 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2008 Sledgehammer Zinfandel, Central Coast
  • 2006 Conch Y Toro Reserve Chardonnay Amelia
  • 2008 Columbia Crest Amitage
  • 2008 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Meritage
  • 2008 Chateau St. Jean California Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2008 Banfi Centine Toscana
  • 2008 Hogue Genesis Merlot
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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Lone Oak Vineyard Estate Plans Memorial Day Party

A green wine grape.

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Lone Oak Vineyard Estate, 8400 Ann Arbor, Grass Lake, Michigan, has scheduled a special party on the deck Saturday, May 28th 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM to kick off summer this Memorial Day weekend! The event will be a day of great wine, great food and great music.

The appetizer menu is available all day, plus some specials that include: Pulled Pork Sandwich, Tropical Chicken Salad in a Multi-grain Wrap, and Grilled Chicken, Pecan & Stawberry Salad w/Raspberry Vinaigrette. All, of course, pair well with the Lone Oak wines.

There will be free live music on the deck by the ever popular local band, "Act III" from 4:30 to 8:30.

To help remembering the brave and selfless service of our armed forces, past and present, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, Lone Oak Vineyard Estate will donate 10% of proceeds for all wine sales on May 28th to the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, MI. This fine organization provides a host of services to the families of veterans and active military personnel. You can get more information at: www.vfwnationalhome.org.

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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Wine Tastings & Events: May 25-28, 2011

Wednesday, May 25
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. We are proud to welcome the Toledo Symphony String Quartet. 1. Picollo GaviI, 2. Gini “Il Novecento” Chianti Riserva, 3. Franciscan Magnificat, 4. Quady Electra Orange Muscat. $10.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Washington Wines Part 2. $15.

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. Email info@uptownvineyard.com or call (866) 276-1984.

Thursday, May 26
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Pizza wines: 1. Marchese Montefusco – Nero d’ Avola – Sicilia, 2. LeVignate – Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo – Italy, 3. 6th Sense – Syrah – Lodi, California, 4. Leese-Fitch – Merlot – California. $4.00 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Italian Wine Month - Wines from the South of Italy and Sicilia: 1. Tuburno Falanghina, 2. Arancio Nero D’Avola, 3. Tacco Barocco Primativo, 4. Feudo di San Nicola Negromaro, 5. San Pietrana Salice Salentino, 6. Tenuta Cureza Barrique Nerosso, 7. Harmonium Nero D’Avola. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Washington Wines Part 2. $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.The Best of Solera: Solera is a fine wine importer and distributor based out of Dublin, Ohio. Their portfolio is jam-packed with awesome wine from all over the globe, with a strong emphasis on Italy, France, and California. Join us as we welcome the brand new Solera rep, and real classy guy, Jeremy Fry. He's pretty cool, and has a lot of great wine, so this should be a super tasting! Nominal fee per sample.

Friday, May 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. Picnic Wines: 1. Uvaggio Vermentino, 2. Chateau de Campuget Rose, 3. Mi Terruno Bonarda, 4. Valckenberg Dornfelder. $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.The Best of Solera: Solera is a fine wine importer and distributor based out of Dublin, Ohio. Their portfolio is jam-packed with awesome wine from all over the globe, with a strong emphasis on Italy, France, and California. Join us as we welcome the brand new Solera rep, and real classy guy, Jeremy Fry. He's pretty cool, and has a lot of great wine, so this should be a super tasting! Nominal fee per sample..

Saturday, May 28
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Picnic Wines: 1. Uvaggio Vermentino, 2. Chateau de Campuget Rose, 3. Mi Terruno Bonarda, 4. Valckenberg Dornfelder. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Saturday wine tasting: 1.FlipFlop Pinot Noir, California, 2010, 2. Villa Sorono Pinot Grigio, Italy, 3. La Fiera Moscato, Italy, 4. Red Rock Reserve Merlot, California, 2007. $2.00 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Memorial Day on the Patio – A Three-Course Cafe-Style Wine Lunch. $50. Limited to 30 people. Lunch starts at 1:00pm.  Must buy tickets in advance. The Patio opens with this casual, yet delicious Café fixed-price menu that recalls the outdoor dining of Western Europe, but with an American flair. Each course is perfectly paired with a delicious glass of wine.

Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Summer whites and Barbeque Reds. Live entertainment. Nominal fee per sample or by the flight.

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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Karlo Estates 2008 Pinot Noir VQA Prince Edward County

Although I’ve tasted a fair amount of Ontario wine, I’ve never tasted any from Prince Edward County, which is on the north shore of Lake Ontario. The area was named a designated viticultural area under Canada’s VQA system in 2007 and now boasts 30 wineries. At TasteCamp North I was fortunate to receive this bottle of Prince Edward County Pinot Noir.

The driving force behind Karlo Estates is owner and winemaker Richard Karlo, who was making award-winning wines for 20 years before opening his own winery. The initial planting of the vineyard was in 2006 and includes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Fontenac Noir. The wines are made in the Old World style, with lower alcohol levels and less use of oak. The limestone soil and cool climate allow for wines with character.

This Pinot has a delicate black cherry flavor with slight pepper notes. The body is very light. Although enjoyable, complexity is needed to elevate it to the level of really good Pinot. The bottle shows promise not only for this winery but for the wines of Prince Edward County as well.
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Monday, May 23, 2011

A Wine From Canada… Really? Niagara Winemakers Seek Respect on the World Stage


 The first of our reports from TasteCamp North, a special Niagara wine event on both sides of the border for international wine writers.

I can’t be the only person who is more familiar with the wines from France, Chile, Spain, Italy and Australia than with the wines of our northern neighbor. It’s simply much easier to stroll into a wine shop and bag a wine from the Loire, let’s say, than find a Chardonnay from the Niagara Peninsula, which is thousands of miles closer.

It’s a crying shame. The wine industry in Ontario has grown and matured for nearly 200 years. The fruits are now apparent in glorious wines that cover a wide spectrum, world class wineries and skilled winemakers that are trekking to this up-and-comer on the world stage. Oh yeah, the Americans are also taking advantage of the spectacular terroir with the growth of the Niagara USA wine region.


Chateau Des Charmes Vineyard
Ontario wineries take advantage of a temperate climate, enhanced by the diversity of glacial soils and the moderating effect of the Great Lakes, to produce mature fruit and complex wines. Ontario wine country is located similar in latitude to southern France. The daily temperatures fluctuate providing conditions for balance between acidity and fruitiness.

Some observations.
  • The Niagara wineries offer an outstanding variety, not just ice wines. Get ready for some outstanding Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Meritage blends in addition to great Cab Franc, Riesling and Gewürztraminer.
  • Many of the wineries are huge operations but unknown to us since the wines aren't widely distributed in the U.S.
  • Some of the winery buildings are architectural masterpieces with a tendency toward clean, modern lines. The winery tasting rooms range from wine country casual to world class showrooms.
  • No one went hungry at TasteCamp
  • You will enjoy a top shelf wine tasting experience. Forget cheap industrial glasses or (gasp) plastic. Most wineries we visited served samples in high end crystal stemware including Reidel.
  • Much of the wine is pricey with costs of $35 to $45 Canadian very common. Sixty-nine percent of a wine’s price in Canada is taxes. It is one way the country funds its health care system.
  • The quality wines are just the “cherry on top” of a great wine country experience that includes superb scenery, cultural events and top tier restaurants and dining.
More TasteCamp reports will follow. In the meanwhile,these two links will serve to whet your appetite.
Wine Country Ontario
Niagara Wine Trail USA

Special cellar tasting at Vineland

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Saturday, May 21, 2011

12th Annual Vintage Indiana Wine & Food Festival Slated June 4 in Indianapolis

A glass of port wine.

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Wine sampling from more than two dozen Indiana wineries will share the spotlight with musicians Brigid’s Cross, Jennie DeVoe and The Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band at the 12th annual Vintage Indiana Wine & Food Festival. The popular outdoor fest is slated for Saturday, June 4, 11 am to 7 pm at Military Park in Downtown Indianapolis. Over 10,000 wine, food and music aficionados from throughout the Midwest are expected at this family-friendly event.

The wineries will offer literally hundreds of Indiana wines for tasting. Wine sampling and all entertainment, including the concerts, are included in the ticket price. Advance sale tickets are available now at Marsh Supermarkets, participating wineries and on-line at www.vintageindiana.com. Tickets are $22 for adults (age 21 and over) in advance; $25 at the gate. Designated drivers can attend the festival for only $10 – and receive free Pepsi products all day long. Tickets for youths ages 6-20 are $5, while children 5 and under are free.

“Vintage Indiana has become one of those annual ‘must attend’ events,” said Jeanette Merritt, director of marketing for the Indiana Wine Grape Council. “People love listening to our top name entertainment line-up, learning new food and wine pairings during cooking stage demos, exploring new food sensations served up by our on-site vendors, and, of course, discovering exciting new favorites from our Indiana wine makers.” Among wines sampled will be the state’s signature wine, Traminette.

A wide variety of cuisine from several of the state’s top eateries will be available for purchase at the event. Festivalgoers also will enjoy an eclectic arts & crafts showcase, the interactive KidZone presented by Indy’s Child, and mouth-watering cooking demos from the Wine & Food Experience Pavilion stage sponsored by Clark Appliance and the Indiana State Poultry Association.

Proceeds from Vintage Indiana benefit the Indiana Wine Grape Council, a not-for-profit advisory organization that furthers the development of Indiana’s wine industry from its headquarters at Purdue University. Over 50 wineries operate within the Hoosier state, whose wine industry dates all the way back to 1802.

For advance sale tickets or for more information, log on at www.vintageindiana.com. The 12th annual Vintage Indiana Wine & Food Festival is presented by the Indiana Wine Grape Council. Festival partners include Indiana’s Family of Farmers, NUVO Newsweekly, Indiana State Poultry Association, WISH-TV, American Dairy Association of Indiana, MyNDY-TV/23, Clark Appliance, 93.3 WTTS, National Turkey Federation, Indianapolis Ambassadors, Indy’s Child, and Marsh Supermarkets.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Sandhill Crane Vineyards 2005 Proprietor's Reserve Chancellor

Sandhill Crane Vineyards is a great Jackson, Michigan, winery with an expansive range of wines in their tasting room. It’s a great location for a day trip and an opportunity to sample some offbeat grapes such as Traminette, Vignoles, Seyval Blanc, Chardonel, and Vidal Blanc. During our last visit, we sampled and loved the 2005 Proprietor's Reserve Chancellor.

Chancellor, a French-American hybrid with origins in the Rhone area of France, is now found mostly in the eastern US. The grape can produce rich wines with strong tannins and berry flavors. The Chancellor grape was developed in the mid-1800s.

The 2005 Proprietor's Reserve has robust tannins that knocked us back a bit when we uncorked this baby. After the wine (and us) settled down a bit, the dark cherry flavors rolled out. The wine has a medium to full body with twinges of chocolate mocha, almost Italian in style. It is velvety smooth.

The wine has 12.5% alcohol and cost $23. For the adventurous wine explorer, this is well worth checking out.

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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Wineries of Lake Erie North Shore Offer Great Wine and “Southern” Hospitality


Tanya Mitchell smiles when she explains that “Southern hospitality” is what sets apart the wineries of the Lake Erie North Shore wine growing region. It may sound strange to a visitor from the US, where the phrase conjures images of magnolia trees and Georgia mansions, but LENS is the southernmost winegrowing region in Canada and is blessed with a unique maritime climate thanks to its location hugging the north side of Lake Erie.


The president of the Southwestern Ontario Vintner’s Association and winemaker at Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, Tanya had pointed out to me that while Toledo Wines and Vines has had numerous features on Niagara Peninsula wineries and those in Niagara-on-the-Lake, we had overlooked the LENS wineries, which are less than 100 miles from Toledo and just a short drive from Windsor. A visit was clearly in order.

“We have 14 wineries and four more are getting ready to open,” said Tanya. “We have the best growing season in Canada and the motivation to do it right.”

Sprucewood produces about 5,000 cases a year and is a beautiful destination winery with a beachfront on Lake Erie. It’s a family affair, as the owners are
Tanya’s parents, Hannah and Gord Mitchell.
We tasted through a couple of whites and several reds. The 2010 Chardonnay had a nice aroma and flavors of lemon and banana. On the red side, our favorites were the 2007 Lady in Red (blend of Cab Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon) and the 2007 Meritage. The 2009 Baco Noir was beautiful in color with a juicy fruit flavor and a touch of sweetness.

We were headed to London to catch a play before continuing on to Niagara-on-the-Lake for TasteCamp North (reports coming soon), but we wanted to hit a couple more LENS wineries before leaving the area.

Our next stop was Viewpointe Estate Winery, which boasts a panoramic view of Lake Erie and some tasty Ontario wine. The tasting room is spectacular and the most discerning wine lover would feel right at home. The winery offers an impressive array of wine education and culinary classes.

We opened up our tasting with the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc VQA. Sauv Blanc is currently Green Dragon’s favorite white, and she gave this one a thumbs up. It had a great aroma of grassiness and grapefruit. The 2008 Riesling VQA was pleasant but lacked the acidity to give it the necessary pop.  The 2008 Auxerrois VQA is a unique grape. It had a pineapple flavor with a slight tang. There was a bit of sweetness. I enjoyed this one.

The 2005 Cabernet Franc wasn’t available for tasting, but the server opened a bottle of 2002 Focal Pointe Cab Franc. We didn’t care for this. It was a red brick in color, light in body, and had a woody taste.


The 2007 Fine Point Pinot Noir VQA was on target. This had earthy tones and nice cherry flavors. Our favorite was the 2009 Colchester Cuvee. The Cuvee is a blend of three experimental grapes selected from 2,800 varieties grown in a test program. They are called HG01, HG03 and HG04, but all you really need to know is that they rock, producing a Cabernet Sauvignon type wine with a deep red color, meaty aroma, and juicy ripe fruit flavor.

Our final LENS stop was the case of the road less travelled. The two largest wineries in the region are Pelee Island Winery and Colio Estate Wines. Our path took us right past Pelee Island, but we opted to instead head north to Aleksander Estate Winery.



The winery is run by the Bemben family, and Genny Bemben was our very pleasant server. All grapes come from their five-acre vineyard atop one of the highest points in Essex County.

We tried the Pinot Grigio which was crisp with apple and pear flavor notes, but then moved to reds. Our two favorites were the Baco Noir, velvet-smooth with a tasty berry flavor and full body, and the Amarouge. The name Amarouge is a salute to the family's grandchildren. The wine is a medium-bodied blend of Cab Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz. This is a twist on the typical Meritage, which features the two Cabs and typically Merlot. This wine is dry and recommended.

We closed with the Cassis, a sweet wine made with black currants.

Although Aleksander doesn’t boast the impressive grounds of some of the other wineries, they pour the good stuff and it is worth the visit to sample their unique wines.

Focus on the LENS wineries if you are seeking an Ontario wine experience that offers great wine, eye-catching scenery, and exceptional value.

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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Wine Tastings & Events: May 18-21, 2011

Oak barrels full of Chianti Classico wine in a...
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Wednesday, May 18
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. A tour of Italy: 1. La Fiera Pinot Grigio, 2. La Fiera Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, 3. Dievole Chianti Classico, 4. Villa M Rosso. $7 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Washington Wines Part 1. $15.

Thursday, May 19
* Special Event * Charmed and Cherished benefit wine tasting. 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at the Toledo Club, 235 14th St., Toledo. $50 per person or $60 per person for the reserve tasting. Call (419) 241-5877 for tickets.
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Burger wines: 1. Senda 66 – Tempranillo – La Mancha region of Spain; 2. Massimo – Malbec – Mendoza, Argentina; 3. Armador – Cabernet Sauvignon – Maipo Valley, Chile; 4. Trivento – Cabernet Sauvignon – Mendoza, Argentina. $4.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Italian Wine Month: The Glory of Tuscany. 1. Seraphicum Toscana, IGT Sangiovese Cabernet blend; 2. Colitbuono Chianti Classico,
DOCG Sangiovese; 3. Guado al Melo, Cabernet, Merlot blend; 4. Baron Ricasoli Chianti Classico Riserva, DOCG Sangiovese; 5. Piaggia Carmignano Riserva, DOCG Sangiovese; 6. La Serena Brunello di Montalcino, DOCG Sangiovese; 7. Ilatria. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Washington Wines Part 1. $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Chile Chillin': Wedged between the mighty Pacific Ocean and the rugged Andes mountain range lies the mega-wine-producing nation of Chile. Chile is quickly becoming a hotspot for many high-quality and high-value wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc rule the roost here...  Nominal fee per sample.

Friday, May 20
* Special Event * The Wood County Humane Society Annual Wine & Cheese Benefit with Live and Silent Auctions, Nazareth Hall, 7:00  to 10:30 PM. For info and tickets go to  www.woodcountyhumanesociety.org. $65 per person or $120 per couple.
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Spring Sauvignon Blancs: 1. Joel Gott, 2. Guy Allion, 3. Alexandria Nicole, 4. Cloudy Bay. $15 tasting.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Chile Chillin': Wedged between the mighty Pacific Ocean and the rugged Andes mountain range lies the mega-wine-producing nation of Chile. Chile is quickly becoming a hotspot for many high-quality and high-value wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc rule the roost here...  Nominal fee per sample.

Saturday, May 21
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Spring Sauvignon Blancs: 1. Joel Gott, 2. Guy Allion, 3. Alexandria Nicole, 4. Cloudy Bay. $15 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Saturday wine tasting: 1. Ruffino Prosecco, Italy; 2. Jam Cellars Red Blend, California, 2008; 3. La Fiera Montelpulcianno D’ Abruzzo, Italy; 4. Seven Heavenly Chardonnay, by Michael David, 2010. $2.25 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Back to Bordeaux: We return to the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot-based wines of Bordeaux. These are the classic examples from the world’s most important wine region. Join us for high quality, highly rated, sophisticated wines. Premium tasting..

Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample or by the flight.

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Celebrating Riesling Month: Dr. L Prevails In Blind Tasting

There are no two ways about it: We are Riesling fans. The month of May is ours to celebrate this great white grape (at least according to winegrowers in the Finger Lakes who declared Riesling month 60 days long!).

To celebrate, we put together a blind tasting of top Rieslings and put a
tasting panel from TWAV to the test. Our wines included two from Germany, one from the Finger Lakes and one from Washington state.
Our lineup was:
Ravines Wine Cellars 2008 Riesling, Artsinger Vineyard, Finger Lakes, New York.
Chateau St. Michelle – Dr. Loosen 2008 Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington.
Loosen Bros 2009 Dr. L Riesling, Mosel, Germany.
Von Schleinitz 2008 Uhlen Dry Riesling, Mosel, Germany.
Joining Green Dragon and I were tasting team members Jazz Man and Wine Chick, two very noted connoisseurs of Riesling.
We used the cool blind wine tasting kit that I received as a birthday present. Each vino was designated W-I-N or E. The letter “S” was on standby in case we were still thirsty.

Tasting notes – Five point rating scale:
W - Ravines Artsinger Vineyard: Pale gold, some sheeting, pear and light floral flavor notes. Fruit and mineral approach and dry finish. Acidic and dry.  -- 4
 
I - Eroica: Pale gold some cloudiness.Medium floral with hint of citrus. Noticeably sweeter than “W.” Good match with food. Light body and minimal aroma. – 3

N – Dr. L: Color of pale lemon water. Sweet start and dry finish. Soft and fruity with crisp apple. Medium body. Pleasant mouthfeel. – 5

E- V.S. Uhlen: Golden straw color. Light floral perfume. Crisp with pronounced minerality. Club soda, floral flavor. – 4 

When the covers were shed, there was some surprise. Eroica is considered by some to be the best expression of Riesling in the U.S.

In fact, it is the product of a joint venture between Loosen Brothers in Germany and Chateau St. Michelle. Dr. L is a non-estate wine, but the grapes come from excellent Mosel vineyards and the wine is a perfect expression of the mineral-rich, stony soil. Uhlen is a Grand Cru vineyard in Mosel and one of the steepest in Europe. Of the four wines, this had the most mineral tone.

The Ravines Artsinger, available only to Ravines wine club members and made available courtesy of Jazz Man and Wine Chick, is a wonderful example of Finger Lakes Riesling at its best.

At the end of the evening, Dr. L Riesling was standing tall, but any of the four would make a great selection. Green Dragon and I enjoyed the rest of the Eroica bottle the next night and it seemed to exude elegance and balance.

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Monday, May 16, 2011

Great Lakes Wine Fest Scheduled May 21 at Michigan International Speedway

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The second annual Great Lakes Wine Fest at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan is scheduled Noon  to 9:00 PM May 21. It will feature 25 Michigan wineries, a number of state breweries and a special focus on Michigan foods.
Activities will take place in the reserved parking lot in the infield. There will be a store for purchasing bottles of wine.

Besides wine and beer tastings, visitors can enjoy food seminars, live entertainment and or take a three-lap ride around the track in a pace car for an additional charge of $10.

The event is presented by the Jackson County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Advance tickets are $25, and include $10 worth of tasting tokens; walk-up admission is $35. Advance pricing ends May 20. for tickets go to www.greatlakeswinefest.com or call (800) 354-1010. Camping is available.

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Saturday, May 14, 2011

Premier Cru Chablis Cools The Windy City With A Storybook Finish

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It was a challenging conference. The event had more than 4,600 attendees and the weather was just rotten. This meant long hours on my feet for an entire week – plus the windy and cold conditions for which Chicago is known. 

The end finally did arrive and to put on the finishing touches, the Executive Board had a reception and dinner at The Gage, 24 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The Gage is a former millenary shop (think hats) that has been converted to a funky gastropub with a great wine list.

We began with some light hors d’oeuvres in a cozy private area downstairs. The two wines I had selected were the 2006 Domain Bernard Defaix Cote De Lechet Premier Cru Chablis. I had originally selected a different Chablis, but the wine cellar was bare, so The Gage agreed to substitute an even better bottle at the same price.

Chablis is Chardonnay elevated by the French to a dizzying level. California may have its buttery, oaked Chards, but for me, a mouthwatering, acidic Chablis is the hands-down winner. This Chablis was a swirl of light apple and mineral flavor notes and a delicious texture. It’s a complex and powerful wine.

Our meal began with a Three Rivers Mixed Greens salad followed by an entrée of Chili Roasted Chicken Breast with Saffron rice, spinach, and tomatillo sauce or the filet mignon with broccoli rabe and blue cheese cream. Roasted fingerling potatoes and buttered peas with pearl onions were served family-style.

I selected the 2006 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Napa Estate Zinfandel (Mayacamas Range) as a nice pairing with the beef.


Storybook has a world-wide reputation for producing quality Zinfandel which has been produced in the red clay hills of the Mayacamas Range in California since the 1880s. The grapes are grown in certified organic vineyards and aged in oak barrels deep in centuries-old caves in the mountainside.

It is fruit-forward with rich blackberry and wild fruit flavors. It has a deft balance provided by ample but not harsh tannins.

These two wines were truly enjoyed by the group (perhaps too much, according to our finance manager). The meal was capped off by an Inside Out Lemon Tart.
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Friday, May 13, 2011

Spann Vineyards Betsy’s Backacher Mayacamas Range

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California winemaker Betsy Spann must have hurt her back bringing down the grapes for this wine from her vineyards at 1,700 feet of elevation in the Mayacamas Mountains in Sonoma. Despite the sore back, the wine is designed to be a funhouse wine that pairs comfortably with pizza or barbeque.

It is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Merlot, and Zinfandel. This is a non-vintage California North Coast red blend and the grape mixture must change from year to year.

We grabbed this in the clearance aisle at Anderson's for $8. It typically retails for about $17.

We’re fans of Meritage and other red blends, but this came across as unremarkable, lacking the lushness you might expect from such an eclectic round-up of grapes. We’ll chalk this up as an acceptable everyday wine since when I went to grab another glass, Green Dragon had already finished the bottle. 
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Thursday, May 12, 2011

Wine Tasting Benefit for North Coast Greyhound Connection & Adoption of Ohio Scheduled May 14

Greyhound, Foto gemacht und zur Verfügung gest...
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A benefit wine tasting for North Coast Greyhound Connection, a local dog rescue group is scheduled 2:00 - 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 14 at Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). The cost of the tasting will be $20 with half of that going to the rescue group.
North Coast Greyhound Connection & Adoption of Ohio is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization out of Fremont, Ohio, dedicated to finding homes for as many retired Greyhounds as possible, and to educate the community about Greyhounds and the need for adoption.
North Coast Greyhound Connection & Adoption of Ohio is run by unpaid volunteers who fell in love with this ancient breed and wanted to spread the joy of adopting a Greyhound to others.
The volunteer base stretches from the west in Toledo to the east in the Akron area with many points in between.
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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Wine Tastings & Events: May 11-14, 2011

Napa Valley
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Wednesday, May 11
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. High-End Blind Tasting: Identities and prices will be revealed after the sampling. $15.00 per flight.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Rose' Wines. $15.

Thursday, May 12
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. BBQ wines: 1. Rutherford – Chardonnay – Napa Valley, California; 2. Solnia – Tempranillo – Rioja region of Spain; 3. Liberty School – Cuvee – Central Coast, California; 4. Monkey Business – Zinfandel – Russian River Valley California. $6 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Italian Wine Month: Wines from Northeast Italy. 1. Il Follio Extra Dry Prosecco, 2. Canella di Conegliano Prsecco, 3. Plozner Pinot Grigio, 4. Fatorri Roncha, 5. Inama Soave Classico, 6. Milziade Anato Montefalco Rosso, 7. Marchese Biscado Valpolcella Superiore Ripasso, 8. Ceseri Mara Valpolcella Superiore. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Rose' Wines. $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. AVA Me Away: Sonoma. Nominal fee per sample.

Friday, May 13
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Kermit Lynch Tasting. Special Guest Diana Kerr Brown from Wine Trends. 1.Salvardunique Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Champalou Vouvray, 3. Jouget Petit Roches Chinon, 4. Domaine De Fontsainte Corbieres. $15 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. AVA Me Away: Sonoma. Nominal fee per sample.

Saturday, May 14
* Special Event * Benefit Wine Tasting for North Coast Greyhound Connection, a local dog rescue group. 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). The cost of the tasting will be $20 with half of that going to the rescue group.

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Kermit Lynch Tasting. Special Guest Diana Kerr Brown from Wine Trends. 1.Salvardunique Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Champalou Vouvray, 3. Jouget Petit Roches Chinon, 4. Domaine De Fontsainte Corbieres. $15 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Saturday wine tasting: 1. Oliver Moscato, Indiana, 2. Rapido White Pinot Grigio, Italy, 2009, 3. Rapido Red, Sangiovese Puglia, Italy, 2009. Nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. No tasting scheduled.

Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample or by the flight.

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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Mobile Version of Toledo Wines and Vines Now Available

Need wine information on the go? You can now access Toledo Wines and Vines on your smartphone with our convenient mobile version. If you access TWAV on your smartphone, you will automatically be redirected to our mobile version.

You can also use a barcode scanner app to scan the QR code that appears here. You'll be taken to TWAV mobile. Accessing TWAV with your smartphone will still leave one hand free for a glass of vino!
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