Saturday, June 30, 2012

Indiana’s Satek Winery Celebrates 11th Anniversary


Satek Winery, 260) 495-9463, 6208 N. Van Guilder Road, Fremont, Indiana, is celebrating its 11th anniversary. The  family-owned farm winery, nestled on a picturesque 16-acre property in Fremont, produces more than 20,000 gallons of wine, has 25 employees, and draws 65,000 visitors a year to the area.
At their Grand Opening in 2001, Satek introduced four wines (DeChaunac, 101 Lakes Red, Steuben, and Seyval Blanc), and eventually released (and sold out of) 12 wines in total that year. Satek Winery will release 38 varieties of wine over the course of 2012, including award-winning dry whites and reds, semi-dry wines, sweet wines, fruit wines, port-style and ice wines.
Larry Satek has been a key player in fostering Indiana wineries, having served for 9 years on the Indiana Wine Grape Council, and for nine years as President of the Indiana Winery and Vineyard Association, retiring in early 2012. He has actively lobbied the statehouse on behalf of fellow Indiana wineries, citing the economic impact of wineries as agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing entities.
This year’s Anniversary Celebration (which starts Friday, June 29 and continues through Sunday, June 8), will kick off with the unveiling of a large new entrance sign, crafted of sandblasted redwood with gilded lettering, crafted by TLA Signs of Angola.
The 10-day celebration is highlighted by a gift of a limited-edition wine glass with each two-bottle wine purchase (no limit, while supplies last). They will also release the new vintage of their signature DeChaunac, a dry red wine made from grapes grown on the original Lake James vineyard on Kreibaum Bay—and one of those first four varieties released on opening day eleven years ago.
Satek Winery is open every day, including the Fourth of July, with free tasting, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
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Friday, June 29, 2012

Moon Mountain Vineyard 2007 Petit Verdot-Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley


When we read that there was a closeout of Moon Mountain Vineyard wine we burned up the keyboard placing an order to stock up on these elegant wines. We were introduced to Moon Mountain a couple years ago by tasting team member Ace of Bass. He brought a Moon Mountain Cabernet to a tasting and it entranced the group – being rich, fruit forward, and sporting a super long finish.
We recently popped open the first of our Moon Mountain shipment, the 2007 Petit Verdot – Cab blend. Petit Verdot is best known as a blending grape in Bordeaux wines, but we have recently been appreciating it as a lead player. In a twist, Cabernet Sauvignon is a supporting player at 30% of the blend.
The wine is a luxurious deep purple with a dark berry bouquet. The name of the winery conjures up a bit of mystery and the wine delivers with flavor notes of plum and dark cherry. The wine has structure, but the mountains of the moon are smooth and this PV follows suit. Vanilla and spice flavor notes elevates this wine above a typical Sonoma Cabernet.
The grapes are estate grown and organic, adding to the allure. The winery is located on the Sonoma side of Mount Veeder at about 2,000 feet. The winery and vineyards were sold to Diageo Wines. It’s unclear if wine like this will be produced in the future. We certainly hope so. We nabbed this wine at an unbelievable price of $12.99.
Like a full moon, this vino beamed forth with radiant goodness. We’re ready to launch a moon mission again very soon.
Rating: 4.5 of 5  Value: 5 of 5
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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Exploring The Wineries of Hood River, Oregon

Tasting Team Member Dr. J continues his winery reports from his recent visit to the Northwest.
To break up our journey from the Willamette Valley to the Walla Walla Valley, we made a stop in Hood River for a night. There were quite a few signs for wineries. It’s hard to imagine there could be any not-so-good wineries in Oregon, but when you’re new to an area and there are several to choose from, how do you pick the best stops? Our first pick was based on recognition and achievements. Cathedral Ridge was named Oregon’s winery of the year in 2007. Their winemaker, Michael Sebastiani was listed as one of the top ten winemakers of the year by Sonoma Sommelier magazine. The premises of the winery are just beautiful and would be perfect for picnicking or even weddings.
Our tasting consisted of wines of the 2009 vintage. We started off with a Pinot Gris. The citrus and apple notes followed by a balanced acidity make this a pretty versatile wine.
The Chardonnay, one of their multi-medal winners, is full-bodied with buttery hints and lemon on the nose. On the palate it is “butterscotchy” as they say, and I couldn’t agree more. I was in love with this one.
Riesling is a wine that I used to prefer sweet. Anymore, I’m really leaning towards the off-dry to dry bottles. It turns out that this one is just under 3% residual sugar, yet drinks more like an off-dry wine. With light acidity and flavors of apple and sweetened grapefruit, this one pairs well with various nuts and curry dishes.
Continuing on to the reds, we were in for pure enjoyment. The Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend (50/50) has black cherry and chocolate on the nose. It is very smooth and balanced with soft tannins.
Bordheauxd Red (pronounced board head) was the big winner of this stop. Their previous 2007 vintage was rated 91 points by Wine& Spirits Magazine. It is an equal blend of Cab Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. With such an array of aromas, it’s hard to pinpoint any certain one. This wine showcases the complexity of each grape and the distinctiveness of the Columbia Gorge climate.
We finished with one of CR’s most prized wines, the Syrah. There are aromas of forest floor and wildflowers that lead to tastes of berries, spice, and pepper. I had to flip a coin between getting a bottle of this and the Bordheauxd. After all, it was still only the middle of our trip.
I am still pondering joining the Cathedral Ridge wine club. This place was simply wonderful.
Two other stops in Hood River that I’d like to make mention of include Springhouse Winery and Naked Winery. These were based on proximity and did not disappoint. We had to check out Naked just because of its name. Each of the wines on their list is named in sexual innuendo. We happened to catch them early in the day before they got too busy and were treated to their list top to bottom. I have to say, it’s much more than just the name that’s enticing. The wine was excellent.
Springhouse had a great lineup as well. The standouts for us were the Chardonnay and the Cherry Ort. A friend of the winemaker had a lot of cherries left over that he didn’t know what to do with. It was decided to make a wine from them. An ort is a scrap of food left at a meal and pretty fitting both for the name and to hint at the style of wine that it is. The Ort is made just like the famous dessert wine from Portugal, but careful because you can’t use that word…

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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: June 27-30, 2012

Wine tasting bar at Ridge/Lytton Springs, Sono...
Wine tasting bar at Ridge/Lytton Springs, Sonoma, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Wednesday, June 27
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. 1. Christian Moreau Chablis, 2. Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Muelheimer Sonnenlay Riesling Spaetlese feinherb, 3. Cota 585 Tempranillo Rioja, 4. Exitus Red. $8 or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Great Patio Wines. $15.
Thursday, June 28

Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. France vs. USA. 1. 2010 Domaine de la Villaudiere – Sancere – Sancere, France, 2. 2010 Medlock Ames – Sauvignon Blanc – Alexander Valley, California, USA, 3. 2007 Joseph Drouhin – Red Burgundy – Burgundy, France, 4. 2008 Dierberg – Pinot Noir – Santa Maria Valley, California, USA. Flight $11 or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Fresh Wines for the Start of Summer: 1. Pillitteri Gewurztraminer-Riesling, 2. Carles and Charles Rose, 3. Vin de Savoy Abymes, 4. Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre, 5. La Spinetta Vermentino, 6. 3 masses Basses Ventoux, 7. Geretto Refrosco, 8. Bonny Doon Clos de Gilroy Grenache, 9. Leitz Drangstone Riesling. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Great Patio Wines. $15.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

TREO Wine Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. Wine & Cheese Thursday. Explore the wonderful world of wine and cheese. Try four different wines with a sample platter of the day’s cheese.

Friday, June 29
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. White Blends: 1. Apothic White, 2. Folie a Deux "Menage a Trois" White, 3. Seven Daughters White, 4. Conundrum. $10 tasting.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine Tasting. 5:00 – 8:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

Saturday, June 30
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. White Blends: 1. Apothic White, 2. Folie a Deux "Menage a Trois" White, 3. Seven Daughters White, 4. Conundrum. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Wines to go with July 4th: 1. Firelands Gewurztraminer, 2. Liberty School Cuvée Red, 3. Vicious Petite Sirah, 4. Sutter Home Moscato. Flight $2 or nominal fee per sample.

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

AREA WINE BARS
  • The Bistro at Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee.
  • Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
  • Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville.
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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Tasting Pinot Blanc From Willamette Valley and Alsace

Pinot Blanc is a distant third or maybe fourth when wine lovers talk about Pinots. Leading the pack is Pinot Noir trailed closely by Pinot Grigio (at least in my handicapping of the race). Pinot Blanc comes struggling across the finish line far behind – perhaps even trailing Pinot Gris (which is actually the same grape as Pinot Grigio).

Pinot Blanc is a white grape variety popular in the Alsace region of France, northern Italy, Austria and Germany. The wine does remarkably well in Oregon too.

By chance I tasted two very different Pinot Blancs within 10 days, one that hit the mark and one that left me unimpressed.

I was in Houston for a meeting and our group went to T’Afia, the quirky restaurant of Chef Monica Pope. The menu features such dishes as Lamb’s Tongue Salad and Gingered Kobe Stirfry. The food was fantastic and the group mindset was white wine, no matter what. This might have had to do with the sweltering heat and humidity.

Rather than an obvious New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, I opted for a 2010 Elk Cove Pinot Blanc from Willamette Valley. It was a great choice. The wine is a true crowd pleaser with a crisp apple palate and a touch of minerality. It’s a versatile food wine and a recommended
summer thirst-buster. It’s medium bodied with an off-dry finish.

Feeling good about my Pinot Blanc experience, I chilled down a bottle of Alsatian Pinot Blanc upon my return home. 

The 2009 Domain Frey Rayon de Lune Pinot Blanc from Alsace laid an egg. I love wines from Alsace and was ready to be impressed. Hoping for some creamy apple goodness, I instead found this to be a very austere wine.

Minerality dominates some very light fruit notes. The wine starts with welcome freshness, but ends with a slightly sour finish. This was not terrible, but didn’t live up to my expectations.

I remain on the hunt for great Pinot Blanc. It’s a great choice for those who thirst for variety in their white.

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Monday, June 25, 2012

Willamette Valley: Winery Visit Highlights.

Tasting Team member Dr. J. wraps up his report on his recent Willamette Valley, Oregon visit by sharing highlights from several wineries.
I wanted to make mention of a few more highlights of our stops.
Anne Amie caught my attention because like St. Innocent, I had tasted their Pinot Noir at a tasting once before and thought it was exceptional. They were very familiar with Toledo as their winemaker was in town in early May for the Pedaling for Pinot event. I didn’t stick to my tasting notes too well, but I can tell you the Pinot Noir was exactly as I remembered it…wonderful. We took a bottle of this along with a Müller Thurgau dessert wine duo. I’ve enjoyed this wine dry the few times I’ve had it, but it made an incredible sweet wine as well.
In a back-to-back tandem, we made stops at both Torii Mor and Lange Estate. This was a long, winding journey up the side of steep hillsides on stone roads. Torii Mor has a beautiful Japanese garden and as well as very picturesque premises. Both whites we tried, the Pinots Blanc and Gris were excellent summer sippers.
There were three different Pinot Noirs from distinct vineyards. It was getting hard to distinguish between them; visiting several wineries a day. It’s safe to say that we didn’t try a bad Pinot in all of the Willamette Valley. We finished with a Syrah Port. I love Syrah and Port, so this was the best of both worlds! It was perfectly sweetened with rich berries, spice, and earth notes. We wanted a well-versed collection of great wines to take home with us, so we nabbed a bottle of the Gris and the Port.
At Lange Estate, the trio of single vineyard Pinot Noirs really shined. These are about as good as they get. Trying to pick what to take with us was difficult so we went with a bottle of the “Lange Estate Vineyard” Pinot Noir due to its 92pt. Wine & Spirits Magazine rating.
Other notable stops include Hyland Estates and Owen Roe. Hyland Estates is a newer winery and it was a nice change of pace to see Riesling and Gewurztraminer on the tasting list. The Riesling has a great fruity nose with great acidity and crispness on the palate. The Gewurztraminer was very aromatic; something this grape
is known for. It was nice and bold with a long, dry finish. We took a bottle of each of these exceptional whites.
Owen Roe is one that was on my list before we even got there. These are usually top-shelf wines in our local depots, and I had previously sampled an incredible Cab Franc. In research beforehand, I found out that they do not have a tasting room and you have to call for an appointment to taste. Luckily for us, they were very welcoming and got us right in. Everything on their list was outstanding; from the Syrah to the Merlot and red blend, to the Cab Sauvignon and Cab Franc. We were very impressed.
The Willamette Valley is a great place to visit for some exceptional wine. Our only regret is that we
were there on a Monday and Tuesday when many of our other “must-visit” wineries were closed.
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Friday, June 22, 2012

St. Clement Vineyards 2005 Oroppas Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley


St. Clement is a boutique winery located in the heart of Napa Valley. Its flagship wine is Oroppas, an opulent Bordeaux blend. Oroppas is a big, bodacious red that is rewarding from the moment the cork is popped until the last drop is drained.
Oroppas is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot included in the blend. In addition to its own vineyards, St. Clement includes grapes from some of the top Napa sub-appellations including Mt. Veeder, Howell Mountain and Rutherford in Oroppas. This wine (if you can find the 2005 vintage) sells for about $45.
The wine opens with succulent aromas of berries and jam.  On the palate, Oroppas exhibits great depth with black cherry, smooth dark chocolate and rich fruit. The tannins are smooth leading into a extended, complex finish.
This is a winning wine, delivering world class flavor and demonstrating the art of winemaking at its finest.
Rating: 5 of 5  Value: 3.5 of 5
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Thursday, June 21, 2012

Flying Otter Winery: Adrian Michigan Winery Visit

Winery report by Tasting Team member “Dr. J.”
I was sitting in the airport in Portland reading the blog while I waited for my plane to arrive.  In an article about the Pioneer Wine trail, I noticed a new winery that has shown up: Flying Otter.  It turns out that they have been open since last fall.  My wife and I just so happened to have a birthday party to go to in Adrian, so what a perfect opportunity! 
Have your map or GPS ready because this is not the most easy to find.  It is well worth the trip though.  The tasting list consists of 7 red and white wines made mostly from hybrid grapes, ranging from dry to sweet.  First on the list was the Noiret.  Noiret is a hybrid grape developed by Cornell University.  I have only had this once, so I needed a reminder on the great wine that this grape can make.  It is peppery with hints of berry and a good amount of oak.  It will go well with red meats.
Chancellor was up next.  This is becoming more and more popular to those who are starting to realize the quality of wine a hybrid grape can produce.  This one is done very nicely and is fruity on the nose and palette.  This will go well with red meats and especially pastas.
The Northern Lights is a blend of Chardonel and Traminette grapes.  I love this crisp, semi-dry white.  These are both hybrids that produce excellent wines.  Chardonel was bred from Chardonnay and to me; it produces the closest wine to the real thing.  
The Vignoles is a lighter wine with tropical flavors and floral aromas.  This is great for the patio or picnic.   
Continuing on down the list, we got to the Riesling.  This one is made in the German style and is semi-sweet.  I would consider this a nice sipping wine also.  It has big, bold varietal flavor and a nice citrus finish.
The “Cherry Pie” was a nice transition to the sweeter wines left on the list.  This is a blend of grape and cherry.  I thought it was a little light on cherry flavor but the acidity more than made up for it.  It is not too sweet and is a very drinkable wine.
Finally was the Starboard; a dessert wine made from Frontenac grapes and fortified with grape spirits.  This is a great wine for those who want a dessert wine that is not overly sweet.  It is just the right consistency and tastes wonderful with chocolate!
Flying Otter is a great addition to the local winery scene.  I look forward to future releases.
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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: June 20-23, 2012



Wednesday, June 20
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Wonderful and unique Italian wines: 1. Marramiero Pecorino DOC Superiore, 2. Rocca delle Macie Vernaccia di san Gimignano, 3. DaMa Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo, 4. Stefano Accordini Valpolicella Classico. $8 or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Thief Wines from Wahluke Wine Company, Columbia Valley, WA. Come out and meet Rachel Nasatir of Grand Cru Wines. These wines will steal your heart but not your wallet, affordable and delicious. $15.
Thursday, June 21

Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. 1. 2010 Mersoleil – Unoaked Chardonnay – Santa Lucia Highlands, California, 2. 2008 Fontevecchia – Verdicchio – Italy, 3. 2008 Cameron Hughes – Pinot Noir – Santa Maria Valley, California, 4. 2009 Mas de Gourgonnier – Red Blend – Provence, France. Flight $6 or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Pinot: Blanc – Gris – Grigio – Noir: 1. Au Bon Climat Pinot Gris & Pinot Blanc Santa Barbara County, California, 2. Foris Pinot Blanc Rouge Valley, Oregon; 3. Lechthaller Pinot Grigio Trentino, Italy; 4.A to Z Pinot Gris Oregon; 5. Sean Minor Pinot Noir Carneros, California; 6. 2 Two Pinot Noir
Santa Rita Hills, California; 7. Styring Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, Oregon; 8. Elizabeth Spencer Pinot Noir. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Thief Wines from Wahluke Wine Company, Columbia Valley, WA. Come out and meet Rachel Nasatir of Grand Cru Wines. These wines will steal your heart but not your wallet, affordable and delicious. $15.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

TREO Wine Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. Wine & Cheese Thursday. Explore the wonderful world of wine and cheese. Try four different wines with a sample platter of the day’s cheese.

Friday, June 22
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Rieslings: 1. Burg Ravensburg "Dry" Riesling, 2. Valckenberg, 3. Clean Slate, 4. Seven Hills. $10 tasting.

Saturday, June 23
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Rieslings: 1. Burg Ravensburg "Dry" Riesling, 2. Valckenberg, 3. Clean Slate, 4. Seven Hills. $10 tasting.


The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Vine Smoothies: White wine blended with Dutch cream and natural flavors (If you like Chocovine, try these). 1. Berry, 2. Strawberry, 3. Peach, 4. Pineapple. Flight $2 or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12 – 5 PM. Rock the Schrock!  - The Wines of Heidi Schrock. She is perhaps the world’s finest female winemaker and a true trendsetter in the world of organic/natural wines.  Her wines are also almost impossible to find.  We have put a together a collection of some of Ms. Schrock’s finest new releases and you will have a rare chance to taste these wines together.  Premium tasting. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine Tasting. 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

AREA WINE BARS
  • The Bistro at Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee.
  • Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
  • Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville.
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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

J. Moreau & Fils 2005 Chablis


In the not too distant past, Chablis had a bad name in America. Chablis was a generic term loosely and inappropriately used by some U.S. wine producers for inferior “jug” wines.
Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Chablis is an appellation in the Burgundy region of France known for its spectacular Chardonnay. Unlike the buttery, oaky Chardonnays of California, these are fermented in stainless steel and are light and very dry.
Green Dragon is not a Chardonnay fan, mostly because of the oak aging. So I thought we’d go French and see if this was more pleasing to her palate.
The color was pale gold and the bouquet was clean and slightly fruity. On the palate this was mineral driven with a crisp light body. The flavors were mostly subdued grapefruit and citrus peel.
This wine didn’t paint a masterpiece. I would consider this enjoyable but unremarkable. This wine was slightly past its drinking prime and perhaps that is why it lost its spark. It cost a paltry $12 and, unfortunately, I got what I paid for.
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Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 2.5 of 5
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Monday, June 18, 2012

St. Innocent Winery: Willamette Valley, Oregon, Winery Visit

Winery Report by home winemaker and Tasting Team Member “Dr. J.”
My wife and I recently spent our honeymoon in the Pacific Northwest. Our goal was to tour some of the major wine regions of Oregon and Washington. We did just that and we were very impressed. I will try to highlight some of our best experiences in a series of posts.
One of the first of our many stops was St. Innocent. We had tasted their Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir at a wine tasting in the past and really loved it, so it was exciting to visit in person. First up was the Oeil de Perdrix or more simply “ODP”. We were told this translates to “eye of the partridge”, which is an old name for a pale rosé made from Pinot Noir. This is an excellent white wine that resembles a German Riesling and would be great for sipping on the patio. A bottle of this went with us.
Next were the Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay. The Pinot Blanc had a wonderful refreshing nose; with flavors and aromas of peach and apricot. It was made specifically to pair with shellfish. The Chardonnay had great minerality and a soft, smooth texture from lees contact in the barrels it was fermented in. We really liked this, but knowing the Shea Pinot Noir was coming up and the fact that it was early in our trip, we refrained from purchasing this one.
We finished with a menagerie of Pinot Noirs from the Shea and Zenith vineyards and a Villages Cuvèe (blend) of other vineyards. All were of course, wonderful. The blend was to show off the winemaker’s style and vintage character, while the Zenith is a much warmer site that produces smoky nuances and the Shea produces the most complex and ageable wines. The Shea vineyard is one of the most famous in Oregon. The fruitiness, spiciness, berry flavor, and tannin structure were remarkable. We were told this particular wine could age as much as 15 years! I most definitely had to get a bottle of this.
Great wine, a beautiful tasting room, and a very picturesque setting made for a very enjoyable experience.
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Friday, June 15, 2012

Dry Creek Vineyard 2008 The Mariner, Dry Creek Valley


The Mariner is a proprietary red blend introduced by Dry Creek Vineyard back in 2004. The winery’s vision is to create the finest Meritage using the five noble Bordeaux grapes. The 2008 vintage is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc.

We sampled this with Ace of Bass and our new friend Michael. The wine came on strong with a bit of “heat” due to the 14.5% alcohol. We suggest that this wine be decanted for about a half hour to let it open up and settle before sampling.

The wine has flavor notes of plum, black cherry and red fruit. There were notes of black tea and spice. Most of the action took place up front and the finish did not linger as much as we would like.

We were tasting the Mariner along with several bottles from Napa and there was quite a contrast. The Mariner was spicy with a bit of earth and dust for a very unique flavor profile. The Napa wines, by contrast were big and fruity.

The 2008 vintage was an immense challenge for the winemaker. There were consecutive weeks of frost in March, heavy winds in April and fires in the area in June. Despite the tricky conditions, Dry Creek Vineyard has created a blend that is certain to intrigue the wine lover. The Mariner is aged 26 months in French Oak.The fruit comes from 20+ year old vines.

We found this to be a unique wine with a different flavor than most. For optimal enjoyment, swirl and decant liberally.

Full disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.

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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Robert Skalli 2007 Sud de France Reserve Grenache-Syrah Rosé, Cotes De Provence


The Green Dragon will never become the Pink Dragon. My wife has never been a fan of rosé, perhaps dating back to a bad experience with some schlocky sweet pink wine decades ago. But there’s a new rosé out there – it’s dry, refreshing and it’s cool.
I acquired this bottle of Robert Skalli Reserve Rosé with an online sampler of whites. A scalding hot day descended upon us and I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to sample this new phenomenon.
I boldly strode out onto the back patio, where the sun beat down with blinding rays. The first sip signaled sophisticated refreshment.
The rosé is a bright pink/orange color and has a medium body, which surprised me as I was expecting a lightweight drink. The overwhelming sensation is freshness, followed by citrus and floral notes.
It’s a thoroughly enjoyable wine, which shows unbelievers that there is a new breed of rosé that is well worth your time. This bottle cost a mere $10, but displays a tasty French sophistication.
By the way, this still failed to win over Green Dragon who tried doctoring up her glass with a touch of Riesling.
Rating: 2.5 of 5   Value 3 of 5
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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: June 13-16, 2012

Old Vine cabernet from Chateau Montelena, Napa...
Old Vine cabernet from Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, California. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Wednesday, June 13
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Celebrate Ohio Wine Month: Firelands Winery. 1. Firelands Pinot Grigio, 2. Firelands Pinot Noir, 3. Firelands Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Firelands Gewürztraminer. $7 or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. French Wines. $15.
Thursday, June 14

Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Pre-Father’s Day Tasting: 1. 2008 Mount Veeder – Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California; 2. 2008 Stags Leap Atremis – Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California; 3. 2009 Cameron Hughes – Cabernet Sauvignon lot 285 – Napa Valley, California; 4. 2005 Silver Oak – Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California. Flight $11 or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Ohio Wines Celebrating Ohio Wine Month: 1. Firelands 1812 Sweet White, 2. Firelands 1812 Sweet Red, 3. Firelands Chardonnay, 4. Firelands Gewurztraminer, 5. Firelands Riesling, 6. Firelands Pinot Noir, 7. Firelands Cabernet, 8. Firelands Ice Wine. $1 of every bottle of Firelands, Lonz or Mon Ami wine purchased in June goes to the Toledo Metroparks. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. French. $15.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

TREO Wine Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. Wine & Cheese Thursday. Explore the wonderful world of wine and cheese. Try four different wines with a sample platter of the day’s cheese.

Friday, June 15
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Dad's Cabs: 1. Poppy Hill, 2. Joel Gott, 3. Gunfighter, 4. Justin. $15 tasting.

Saturday, June 16
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Dad's Cabs: 1. Poppy Hill, 2. Joel Gott, 3. Gunfighter, 4. Justin. $15 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Watergate Break-In 40th Anniversary Tasting. 40 years ago, on June 17, 1972, five men were caught breaking in and trying to wiretap the national Democratic headquarters at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. We thought we’d have a little fun and commemorate the event with wine. 1. The Chardonnay “Conspiracy,” 2. Owen Roe’s “Sinister Hand” Grenache, 3. “Plungerhead” Old Vine Zinfandel, 4. Orin Swift’s “The Prisoner” Red. Flight $4 or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12 – 4 PM. 2nd Annual WCM Bistro Day. Walt Churchill’s Market’s Patio turns into a European-style Bistro. Join us for a 3 course bistro lunch. Starter, Dessert, and your choice between two main courses: Steamed Mussels in White Wine or Southwestern French-style Duck Breast. And let’s not forget Chef Bill Kolhoff’s delicious Duck Fat French Fries. $30 + tax per person if purchased before June 14th. $45 + tax the day of the event. Wine not included. Samples of wine will be available for purchase during event.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine Tasting. 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

AREA WINE BARS
  • The Bistro at Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee.
  • Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
  • Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville.

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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.] Flickr photo by Eflon
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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Laurello Vineyard Rodavi, NV

Laurello Vineyards is a great family-owned boutique winery located in Geneva, the heart of Ohio Wine Country. Laurello combines a wide variety of quality wine, a great tasting room and pleasant, knowledgeable staff. This being Ohio Wine Month, we wanted to highlight one of their popular reds, Rodavi.
Laurello is located in the Grand River Valley and the Wine Growers of Grand River Valley have been quite successful promoting their wineries through events such as their annual Turkey Trot and Ice Wine Festival events. They have a full line of whites, reds and ice wines, many with the Grand River Valley designation.
We have visited the winery several times and interestingly, they seem to have a real touch with Super Tuscan wines. Super Tuscans originated in Italy where winemakers broke the mold and began producing Sangiovese-driven blends in a break with traditional wines. Laurello produces Rodavi, which is a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Petite Syrah, and also Cosmo, which is a Sangiovese and Merlot blend. These have been top picks each time we have visited.
We were treated to a bottle of Rodavi by tasting team member Dr. J, who visited Laurello and came away impressed as well. We cracked the bottle open recently and found it to be a real people pleaser.
This is a smooth bottle from top to bottom with only a whisper of tannins. This is a dry wine with a refreshing dollop of red strawberry and cherry flavor notes. It is medium bodied and has a flourish of vanilla.
Rodavi is designated “American,” meaning that the grapes (some if not all) probably came from California. Not surprising since Sangiovese is not a staple of Ohio vineyards. However, the winemaker’s skill comes through in a delightful package at a reasonable price of about $19.
June is a perfect time to visit an Ohio winery and taste all they have to offer.
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Monday, June 11, 2012

Elegant Summer in Paris Fundraiser To Be Held On June 19 At TREO

Deutsch: Paris: Eiffelturm und Marsfeld

Deutsch: Paris: Eiffelturm und Marsfeld (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

TREO Restaurant and Wine Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266, will host Summer in Paris, an elegant five-course meal paired with French white wines on Tuesday, June 19, at 6:00 PM. The event is the signature fundraising event for Beach House Family Shelter, one of the oldest organization in Toledo entering its 91st year.  The emergency shelter has had great success in helping homeless women, children and families regain independence. Tickets for the event are $75.

The event embraces the European experience of the “Celebrer Solstice d’Ete,” a huge celebration to welcome the summer season.  The theme mirrors the celebration by hosting all white food, white wine and suggesting all guests where white as well.  The setting at Treo will be all white as well.

Guests will be welcomed in a special white tent erected on Maplewood Street directly outside of Treo’s entrance with champagne and appetizers to kick off the evening.  All the silent auction items displayed in the tent as well. 

Dinner will be inside Treo and will be four additional courses all with French flavor paired with wonderful French white wines.  Brett McIntosh, Treo Chef, has planned a great ‘white’ menu.  After dinner guest will return to the outside venue for a live auction and to continue the fun.  The event begins at 6:00 PM with seating for for dinner at 7:00 PM.

For tickets or information, please contact Kim Kaplan  at kkaplan@k-ltd.com  or call (419) 269-0002.

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Friday, June 8, 2012

St. Supery 2006 Napa Valley Syrah


We were introduced to this stylish Syrah by our new friend Michael who was paying a visit to the Ace of Bass. To call Michael “Mr. Napa” is no understatement. For him, the wine world circles around Napa, especially their Cabs and big reds.
Green Dragon and I were returning from a wedding reception and stopped in on the tail end of a tasting of several top bottles.
This deep red-purple wine is silky smooth with plenty of fruit. Michael is a fan of “pop and pour” wines and this wine was certainly drinking very well.
It’s full bodied with dollops of dark fruit. There is also a hint of toast. This would certainly be a great food wine paired with beef, barbeque or game.
The wine is labeled “winery exclusive” and is produced in small lots especially for the winery and wine club members. Ace of Bass and Michael were able to pick this up at Costco. I’m not sure of the price they paid, but it is listed elsewhere at about $22. Most of the wines from this family-owned winery in the heart of Napa Valley are $50 and above.
This is a slice of Napa Valley goodness, smooth and silky to the end.
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