Friday, October 31, 2014

Moon Mountain 2006 Estate Cabernet Franc, Sonoma Valley

This bottle is the end of my online score of Moon Mountain wines. The wines were on sale and I bought five of them.
Aroma of wet leaves was prominent on the nose. The tannins were soft on the front end, but the finish prompted a pucker.
The flavor of the wine has grown complex. Flavors of blackberry and violet come forth mixed with a taste of pencil shavings. For me the finish had a chalkiness.
Notably absent for me was the green pepper flavor which, in small doses, can be great. In larger concentration, it signals a young or badly made Cabernet Franc.
Will I see wines from Moon Mountain again? Probably not likely. The vineyard has been acquired by a large wine producer. They have been eclipsed. Speaking of which, here is my photo of the recent lunar eclipse. If I have to get up at 6:00 in the morning with my camera equipment, I’m darn sure going to use the photo somewhere!
Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 3 of 5 (based on $15 online purchase)

Thursday, October 30, 2014

2014 California Winegrape Harvest: Earliest and Third in a String of Great Vintages this Decade

While wine producers in Ohio, Michigan and other cold climates experienced devastating damage to the 2014 grape crop, that’s not the case in California. In fact, despite the impact of the drought, California had its third largest harvest ever. Here’s a report on the California harvest of 2014.
California vintners and growers across the state are grateful for another excellent vintage, despite an ongoing drought and earthquake that rocked south Napa in late August just as crush was getting underway. A mild winter and spring caused early bud break, although the overall length of the growing season was similar to past years. A compacted harvest began in July for sparkling wines and started winding down by mid-October for later ripening varieties. Moderate temperatures, with only minimal rain in September, allowed for even ripening.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture Pacific Regional Crop Production Report of August 2014, California's winegrape production this year is forecast at 3.9 million tons, down 8 percent from 2013's record high crop. The 2014 harvest is the third largest on record.
"We are about 80 percent done, going into the second week of October," said Glenn Andrade, vice-president winemaking for Trinchero Family Estates, farmers of more than 10,000 acres of vineyards across Napa, Sonoma, the Central Coast, Lodi and Amador. "We've had pretty light to moderate yields this harvest, resulting in exceptional quality. Our Amador Zinfandels are amazing—great intensity and quality. We should be done by the week of October 20, which is early for us, as typically, it's the first week in November."
"The 2014 vintage was by far the earliest start of any harvest I can recall," said Adam Mettler, director of winemaking for Michael David Winery in Lodi. "Early concerns about adequate storage quickly faded as our vineyards continued to check in at 20-25 percent down in volume from the previous two years. The moderate crop size allowed for rapid sugar accumulation early, which created some challenging high-density fermentations, but resulted in some real nice wines."
Renee Ary, winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley is also very pleased with the vintage. "2014 will be noted as one of the earliest vintages in over a decade, but it will also go down as one of the best. Challenged by drought, an earthquake, rain, hail and significant heat, you would think there would be a lot of obstacles to navigate, however the timing of the events paired with some planning allowed us to dodge these curveballs and land another fantastic vintage. Tannins are in check and berries are small, which is translating into great balance and concentration in the cellar. Yields and quality are above average across all varieties, and I am anticipating a lot of beautiful 2014 wines to come."
"Quality is outstanding," echoed Chrissy Wittmann, winemaker at Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards in Paso Robles. "There are small berries with good tannin and color release on the reds, and flavorful fruit with bright aromatics on the whites. Now, we are in the home stretch, with this latest heat wave pushing the last of the hanging grapes into pick mode."
"The 2014 vintage was phenomenal for Wente Family Estates and Livermore Valley," exclaimed Karl Wente, fifth generation winemaker for the family winery. "We had outstanding color, the extractions were fantastic and we had great fruit character throughout. The lack of late-season rain and a long growing season helped ensure optimum fruit maturity."
In Sonoma County, there were more accolades for the vintage from Corey Beck, president and director of winemaking at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. "In the past 17 years that I've been with Coppola, this has to be the best vintage I've ever seen. I remember saying that about the 2013 vintage, too. We've been so fortunate to have two back-to-back phenomenal harvests. We buy grapes from a variety of growers in various sub-appellations throughout Sonoma County, and to see that level of quality and consistency in each of the diverse varieties across the region is remarkable. The Chardonnay grapes were supple and succulent; the Cabernets were deep and complex—across the board, it's a great vintage."
"We are very pleased with the assessments of an exceptional 2014 vintage for California wine statewide," said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, president and CEO of Wine Institute. "And we look forward to sharing these outstanding 2014 wines with wine lovers throughout the nation and the world. Although we came through this harvest without major impact, we're keenly aware of the ongoing drought and its effects on California's entire agricultural community, including wine. We are doing our part as vintners and growers to mitigate water usage through a variety of sustainable practices."








Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: October 29–November 1, 2014

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Wednesday, October 29
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Explore the Beauty of Greek Wines.
Special Guest Rachel Nasatir of Grand Cru Wines. 1.Alpha Estate Malagouzia White Wine, 2. Skouras Moscofilero White Wine, 3. Skouras St. George Agiorgitiko Red, 4. Alpha Estate Axia Red. Nominal fee per sample or $8 per flight.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 6-8 PM. World of Wine: Santa Cruz Mountains, California. One-hour seminar with a tasting of two or more wines. $15 per person. Seating is limited.
Thursday, October 30
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. New Wines You Will Love: 1.
2013 Chateau Suau Bordeaux Blanc – France, 2. 2010 Boccadigabbia – Rosso Piceno D.O.C – Italy, 3. 2009 Tenuta Monteti Caburnio I.G.T – Italy, 4. 2011 Frascole – Chianti Rufina D.O.C.G – Italy. Nominal fee per sample or $7.50 per flight.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Southern France & the Grenache Experience: 1. Domaine Boisson L'Exigence White Rhone, 2. Altitude 500, 3. Michel Chapoutier Bila-Haut L'esquerda, 4. Mas de Gourgonnier, 5. Domaine de la Tourade Gigondas, 6. Domaine du Terme Gigondas, 7. Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape. Nominal fee per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Thursday Night Tasting. Nominal fee per sample.
Noir Fine Wine and Beer, 1616 East Wooster, Bowling Green, 6-9 PM. Nominal fee per sample or priced per flight.
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, October 31
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting. 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
Saturday, November 1
Mobile Meals Wine Gala, (419) 255-7806, Parkway Place, 2500 Parkway Plaza. 6:00 PM. Tickets start at $150 per person. Online tickets at www.mobilemeals.org
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
AREA WINE BARS
  • Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.

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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.] Up & Coming:
November 21 – Wine Affair Savory Soiree, (419) 329-2353, Parkway Place, 2500 Parkway Plaza. 6:30 PM. Benefits the Kidney Foundation of NW Ohio. Wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions, music. $90 per person. Order online tickets here.
Tuesdays – Weekly wine tasting at Forrester's on the River, 26 Main St. Toledo – (419) 691-2626. 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Five to six unique tastings of wine, that are not found on the menu, along with an assortment of tapas style appetizers to complement the wines.  Tastings are between $10-$15 per person and are held in their wine bar (Paige's Wine Bar).  

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Chateau de Leelanau 2012 Hawkins Red, Leelanau Peninsula


Each year our neighbors venture up to Traverse City to take part in one of the many festivals in this great wine-producing region of Michigan. This year they brought back a red to sample.
While their taste runs a bit sweeter than ours, they brought back a real winner: Chateau de Leelanau Hawkins Red. It is our first sampling of this wine, and we hope it isn’t our last.
The wine is made from the Regent grape – and that’s a first for us. It is a cool-weather red grape that is disease resistant. It was introduced in the late ‘90s. The wine is inky black in the glass and silky smooth on the tongue.
This has become a trademark wine for CDL and we can see why. It has delicious flavors of blackberry juice and strawberries. There is a kick of Sweet Tart and a hit of toffee.
It retails for $17 and is an anytime wine that is sure to please the wine novice as well as the wine expert who probably has never tasted Regent grapes.
Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 3.5 of 5
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Monday, October 27, 2014

Murder Mystery Dinner Showcases Killer Wines


As long-time winemaker at the Underwood Estates at Napa, I was shocked to discover a murder had been committed in the wine cellar. At least Papa Vito, who I was playing during a murder mystery dinner last weekend, was shocked.
Green Dragon and I attended a charity event last winter for the area Red Cross. During an auction we bid on and won a murder mystery dinner for eight. The dinner was contributed by Larry and Gail Nader, who own a large historic home on Wooster Street in Bowling Green.
We had a choice of several murder scenarios and – surprise – selected “A Taste for Wine and Murder” about a murder in Napa Valley. Larry and Gail are former California residents and know Jed Steele, owner of Steele Wines in Lake County. Our meal was accompanied by a dazzling selection from Steele.
Three of our characters had large bushy mustaches, including me. In order to drink our wine, we experienced a first: drinking wine through a straw. After a short while I did away with that and allowed my fake mustache to filter out any sediment in the wine.
Green Dragon played the role of Heddy Shablee, a rival winery owner, Glorious T was Marilyn Merlot, a beauty queen with a tarnished crown, and the Cabinator played FBI investigator Bud Wizer. Our friends Larry and Donna, and John and Maria rounded out the cast of characters (Otto Von Schnapps, Tiny Bubbles, Bonnie Lass and Ralph Rottingrape).
We started out with a cheese tray, lobster rolls and salmon appetizers while we got the low-down on the game. This was accompanied by the 2013 Steele Cuveé Chardonnay. As the name suggests, the Cuveé is a blend of Chardonnay grapes from three different regions: Santa Maria Valley, Carneros and Mendocino County. The wine has great depth thanks to malolactic fermentation. It pleases with tropical fruit flavor notes and complexity.
While we enjoyed a kale Caesar salad, we sipped the Steele 2013 Viognier. Viognier is a favorite white wine for us. This has delicate floral flavors that matched the appetizers well.
The 2012 Shooting Star Sauvignon Blanc was also offered during the appetizer course. Shooting Star is a second label for Steele and this Sauv Blanc is the only white that doesn’t spend time in the barrel. The was a fresh wine with a full aroma of pineapple and citrus and tropical flavors.
Our first course was curry carrot soup. We moved to the red wines and I was surprised and pleased to see that grapes for the Steele 2010 Pinot Noir come from the Santa Barbara AVA of Santa Barbara County. Santa Barbara is one of the top Pinot producing regions in the US. What a great pairing with the soup! The Pinot has a velvet smoothness with dried cherry and strawberry flavors. This wine was decanted and was top top pick of the evening!
The wine kept getting even better. We next sampled the Steele 2011 Pacini Vineyard Zinfandel. This comes in 375ml bottles and is a superb Old Vine Zin tasting of berries, spice and a sprinkling of dust.
We returned to our crime busting  activities. Otto Von Schnapps kept flashing a stack of cash and we learned that Ralph Rottingrape had a criminal background. Meanwhile, Papa Vito (me), wasn’t getting props for the success of the winery. Nothing to do but enjoy more wine.
Our main course was prime rib, with new potatoes and green beans. This hearty wine was paired with two cabernets: Steele 2011 Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon and the Guenoc 2012 Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon. This was beyond a “win-win” situation. I’ll call it a win-win-win situation. Both wines are food friendly and have soft tannins. The Steele has a sprinkling of spice while the Guenoc has a rich black cherry flavor that won over our crowd of diners.
Things started to get a bit crazy as we tried to solve the murder. Turns out Papa Vito is an expert with the ring knife, Marilyn Merlot is an expert knife-thrower and Tiny Bubbles has a half-dozen or so previous husbands who have all died mysteriously.
We headed back to the dining room to have dessert and solve the crime. We enjoyed a great crème brulee with a delightful Steele 2006 Sangiacomo Vineyard Late Harvest Chardonnay. This has 15% residual sugar, so it is very sweet, but still less than ice wine or other dessert wines. The amber colored wine has opulent flavors of honey.
A favorite Steele wine was also served, the 2007 Syrah Port-style wine from Lake County. (I call it Port-style, because it is not from Portugal.) This is a dark and rich wine with flavors of raisins and coffee – just perfect for the evening ending glass.
Who committed the murder? Everyone had a motive and the opportunity. That extra time I was in the wine cellar was to install a left-handed doorknob – not to hide a body. After all, Papa Vito is more than 80 years old, I certainly couldn’t have killed Barry Underwood… Or could I?
Thanks to our cast of players and to Gail and Larry Nader for a deliciously suspenseful evening.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Megalomaniac 2012 Homegrown Riesling Cellar 4379, Niagara Peninsula VQA

John Howard is an egoist – that is, a man with an outsized image of himself. His friends thought he was full of himself when he decided to name his winery John Howard’s Cellars of Distinction. That’s how his wine brand came to be dubbed Megalomaniac.
We had the opportunity to visit his winery in the Niagara Peninsula a few years ago and had an excellent tasting in his underground cellar. With names light Bigmouth Merlot, Bravado Cabernet and Narcissist Riesling, it was a lighthearted experience. The wines, though, were not lightweight.
During a recent trip to Point Pelee in Ontario, I breezed into an LCBO store. Due to restrictive laws north of the border, we hardly see any Canadian wines in the US. I scooped up a few bottles and was checking out when I saw this one on display near the register.
Homegrown is 100% Ontario wine, which the bottle proudly proclaims. For us, that is great news. Without a doubt, the Niagara region is ideal for Riesling. Howard is also quite proud of the location for his vineyard, latitude 43 and longitude 79.
This is a quality Riesling for a very palatable cost, only $13 Canadian. This offers the full spectrum of Riesling flavors with a rush of peach and citrus and some honeyed sweetness. The sweetness is somewhat kept in check by the acidity, but this is sweeter than we typically drink.
The time to bring out the man with the bowler hat (that graces the Homegrown label) is when you have a casual get-together or need something to cool down a spicy dish. Or maybe when you need to send a subtle message to your egotistical friend.
Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 3.5 of 5

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Proper 2012 Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley


When family drops in, it’s always a good time to open a special bottle. It’s even better when they bring the bottle.
My cousin Christie stopped by earlier this week on her way back home to Chicago. For dinner Green Dragon cooked a sensational meal of butternut squash soup followed by linguini in clam sauce. We accompanied the meal with Pinot Gris from Yakima Valley.
We stayed with the Washington State wine theme after dinner. As we chatted and enjoyed music, we opened up a bottle from Christie: Proper Wines 2012 Estate Syrah from the wine Mecca of Walla Walla. Syrah from Washington is one of my top recommendations to any wine lover.
You might notice in the photo that the bottle is empty. That’s because we wanted to give it a good decanting. And we did – for about an hour while we enjoyed dinner.
The Proper Wines brand is relatively new, selling its first wines in 2011. The winery is a project of “five guys from Colorado” who are passionate about building something remarkable. Proper doesn’t have a tasting room and considers itself a micro-winery. Their focus is Syrah and… Syrah. They certainly have picked a premier location for the grape.
The wine is a dark ruby color. Despite the decanting, this took some time to evolve in the glass. With my first sip, I was unable to get a good reading on it, but as the decanter slowly emptied, I was appreciating its style and sophistication.
Full bodied with an edge of spice, the Proper profile is earthy rather than fruit forward. A splash of raspberry mixes with herb. Cousin Christie swears there were flavors of beets. Could that have something to do with the beet salad we had for dinner, perchance?
Christie likes a more fruit-driven Syrah, but Proper clicked with me. I think this would hit its peak drinking window in about two years – although it certainly is delicious now. The best solution is to buy two bottles. The price is about $39.
Thanks, cousin. You are welcome any time – especially when you bring the Proper wine!

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: October 22-25, 2014

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Wednesday, October 22
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Perfect Wines for Halloween: 1. Skeleton 2013 Gruner Veltliner (Austria), 2. Skeleton 2012 Zweigelt (Austria), 3. Vampire Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles), 4. Bogle 2011 Phantom (Cal.). Nominal fee per sample or $5 per flight.
Thursday, October 23
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Fall Italian Wines: 1. 2011 Falesco – Est! Est!! Est!!! – di Montefiascone, Montecchio, 2. 2011 Fattoria Rodano – Poggialupi, Castellina in Chianti, 3. 2011 Poggio Amorelli – Chianti Classico, Castellina in Chianti, 4. 2010 Podere Sapaio – Volpolo, Bolgheri. Nominal fee per sample or $7 per flight.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Jim's 20th Wine Anniversary Party: 1. Terredora Fiano di Avellino – Italy. 2. Tres Picos Garnacha – Campo de Borja, Spain. 3. Tait Ball Buster – Australia. 4. Black Rock Petite Sirah – California. 5. Fin Amour – France. 6. Amor Fati Syrah – California. 7. Domain Tempier Bandol – South of France. 8.
Lapostole Clos Apalta – Chile. 9. Alto Moncaya – Campo de Borgia, Spain. 10. Smith Woodhouse 1999 LBV Port and some super secret special attractions. Special cheeses by Liz Donaldson from our Cheese house & treats from Tony Packo’s Café. Nominal fee per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Thursday Night Tasting. Nominal fee per sample.
Noir Fine Wine and Beer, 1616 East Wooster, Bowling Green, 6-9 PM. Nominal fee per sample or priced per flight.
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, October 24
Toledo Museum of Art, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Wine by the Glass Pavilion. Liquid Indulgences: Smart Wine Splurges. Enjoy four wines and light snacks at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion. $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers. Purchase during Museum hours by phone at 419-255-8000 ext. 7448.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting. 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
Saturday, October 25
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
AREA WINE BARS
  • Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.

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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.] Up & Coming:
November 1Mobile Meals Wine Gala, (419) 255-7806, Parkway Place, 2500 Parkway Plaza. 6:00 PM. Tickets start at $150 per person. Online tickets at www.mobilemeals.org
November 21 – Wine Affair Savory Soiree, (419) 329-2353, Parkway Place, 2500 Parkway Plaza. 6:30 PM. Benefits the Kidney Foundation of NW Ohio. Wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions, music. $90 per person. Order online tickets here.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Estancia 2011 Reserve Meritage, Paso Robles

We cracked open this wine during a recent visit to Poco Piatti, our favorite tapas restaurant. We started with a bottle of 2010 Stags Leap Artemis and as we settled in, we were ready for a nice accessible red wine to pair with our small plates.
The Meritage is a flavorful blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. I’d also say that it is 100% Paso Robles, where the wines are lush with fruit and ready to savor. Although Paso wines can become refined with aging, many are ready to enjoy now.
We were into our servings of chorizo tacos when we opened the Estancia. This was a perfect pairing – not too aggressive and bubbling with fruit – the wine, that is. I had hoped to get a 2009 or 2010 vintage red, but the 2011 Estancia is right on target. There is some earthiness with some dark berry fruit. This isn’t a bottle that should be aged for a long period – it’s drinking just great now.
This is a solid, all-around performer. It is a crowd pleasing wine that pairs well with a variety of foods or can stand alone. A Meritage is a good bet in most social situations as is wine from Paso Robles.
Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 3 of 5

Monday, October 20, 2014

Walt Churchill’s Market in Maumee Offers World of Wine Wednesdays

English: Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000, is offering a special series of wines tastings called, “World of Wine Wednesdays.” This is a series of one-hour wine seminars designed to introduce you to the places responsible for some of the world's most interesting wines.  During the hour you will get a quick overview of the area, a tasting of two or more wines from the region, and an opportunity to get your questions answered.

The programs start promptly at 7:00 PM most Wednesdays this fall.  The cost is $15 per person.  Programs are limited to 20 people. These will take place at the seating in the front of Walt Churchill's Market Maumee and be lead by either Austin Beeman or Jim Krusinski of the Churchill’s wine department. You must prepay to reserve your space.

The schedule is as follows: October: 22 - Piedmont, Italy, 29 - Santa Cruz Mountains, California. November: 5 - Carneros, California, 12 - The Mosel Valley, Germany, 19 - Priorat, Spain. December: 3 - Bordeaux, France, 10 - Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France, 17 - Porto, Portugal.

Call for more information.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Tannenbaum Wine Trail Event Scheduled For November, December Weekends

Wineries on the Northeast Ohio Vines and Wines wine trail will be hosting their annual holiday-themed Tannenbaum Trail event for three consecutive weekends November 28-29, December 5-6 and December 12-13. This event sells out so quickly we wanted to give our readers a chance to take advantage of this great event. The cost is $50 per couple, $40 per single.
The event gives you the opportunity to travel to wineries in northeast Ohio. Between noon and 6:00 PM each day to enjoy complimentary appetizers and samples of wines. You will pick up your 18" Christmas tree at the first stop. At each winery you visit, you will receive a ceramic ornament with the winery's name printed on it to decorate your tree.
There is a great list of participating wineries this year:
- Benny Vino Urban Winery, Mentor website
- Buccia Vineyards, Conneaut website
- Debonne Vineyards, Madison website
- Deer's Leap Winery, Geneva website
- Emerine Estates, Jefferson website
- Ferrante Winery & Ristorante,Geneva website
- Goddess Wine House, Ashtabula website
- Grand River Cellars, Madison website
- Hundley Cellars, Geneva website
- Kosicek Vineyards, Harpersfield website
- Laurello Vineyards, Geneva website
- M Cellars, Geneva website
- Maple Ridge Vineyards, Madison website
- Old Firehouse Winery, Geneva-on-the-Lake website
- Old Mill Winery, Geneva website
- Sharon James Cellars, Newbury website
- Tarsitano Winery, Conneaut website
- The Lakehouse Inn & Winery, Geneva-on-the-Lake website
- The Winery at Spring Hill, Geneva website
- Virant Family Winery, Geneva website
To make your reservations please call (800) 227-6972 or order online here. The event is sponsored by the Ohio Wine Producers Association.
Photo by Fofie




Thursday, October 16, 2014

11 New Wine Regions Added Within Paso Robles AVA

When I visited Paso Robles this summer on an excursion before the Wine Bloggers Conference, I attended a special session sponsored by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. The subject was plans to establish 11 new viticultural areas within the greater Paso Robles AVA.
In the US, wine regions are called American Viticultural Areas or AVA. An AVA can also have sub-regions (also called AVA) provided that these smaller regions have climactic, geologic and/or historical attributes that make them unique as a grape growing area.
On October 9, the US Department of the Treasury announced its final ruling establishing the new areas. This historic announcement concludes a seven-year process by a dedicated group of Paso Robles vintners and winegrape growers who created a unified approach to develop a comprehensive master plan for the greater Paso Robles American Viticultural Area.
The 11 AVAs are as follows: Adelaida District, Creston District, El Pomar District, Paso Robles Estrella District, Paso Robles Geneseo District, Paso Robles Highlands District, Paso Robles Willow Creek District, San Juan Creek, San Miguel District, Santa Margarita Ranch, and the Templeton Gap District.
This is a big deal. Until the ruling, Paso Robles was the largest unsubdivided AVA in California with about 614,000 acres. By comparison, Napa Valley is about one third the size and has 16 AVA within its boundaries. Just as Stags Leap, Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder and Rutherford have created unique identities in Napa, these new AVA provide the same opportunity in Paso.
“These new AVAs will be a powerful tool for wineries to explain why certain grapes are particularly well suited to certain parts of the appellation, and why some wines show the characteristics they do while other wines, from the same or similar grapes, show differently,” said Jason Haas, general manager of Tablas Creek Vineyard and Paso Robles AVA Committee member. “Ultimately, the new AVAs will allow these newly created sub-regions to develop identities for themselves with a clarity impossible in a single large AVA.”
AVA labeling provides information to consumers and trade about what is in the bottle, helping them make a better informed buying decision based on expectations of the region. Thanks to a conjunctive labeling law spearheaded by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance in 2007, the Paso Robles AVA retains top billing on a wine label with the individual districts serving as a way to fine-tune location and potential character of wines.
"Our AVA is an incredibly diverse region that has taken its rightful place on the world wine stage,” said Steve Lohr, chairman and CEO of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, and former chairman of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. “These sub appellations will allow growers and vintners to tell their stories more clearly, which in turn will give consumers and the trade a much greater understanding of Paso’s diversity and complexity."
The official map of the 11 Viticultural Areas, as well as a comparison grid detailing climate, rainfall, topography, etc., is available on www.pasowine.com/media-center/the-avas-of-paso-robles.php.



Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: October 15-18, 2014

English: Part of the Justin Winery vineyard in...
Part of the Justin Winery vineyard in Paso Robles, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Wednesday, October 15
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Three New Wines (Plus a Great Closeout Chardonnay!)1. Elizabeth Spencer 2012 Chardonnay, 2. Marquis de Grinon 2010 Caliza, 3. Gran Passione Salice Salentino, 4. La Selva 2008 Ciliegiolo. Nominal fee per sample or $7 per flight.
Veritas Cork & Craft, 505 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, (419) 214-9463. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Wine for Tapas.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 6-8 PM. World of Wine: McLaren Vale, Australia. One-hour seminar with a tasting of two or more wines. $15 per person. Seating is limited.
Thursday, October 16
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Fall Wines: 1. 2012 Chateau Lamy – Corbieres – Lezignan-Corbieres, France, 2. 2012 Ancient Peaks - Merlot – Paso Robles, California, 3. 2012 Orin Swift – Machete – Napa, 4. 2013 McManis – Viognier  –  River Junction, California. Nominal fee per sample or $8 per flight.
TREO Wine Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. New Zealand Wine Tasting. Six fabulous wines paired with small plates. $25 per person.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Big California Reds: 1. 
Annabella 5 Red Blend, 2. Saved Red, 3. Beringer The Waymaker, 4. Bogle Phantom, 5. Norman No Nonsense Red, 6. Round Pond Kith & Kin Cabernet, 7. Elyse Morisoli Zin, 8. Rocket Science Red. Nominal fee per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Thursday Night Tasting. Nominal fee per sample.
Noir Fine Wine and Beer, 1616 East Wooster, Bowling Green, 6-9 PM. Nominal fee per sample or priced per flight.
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, October 17
Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee. 6:30 – 7:30PM. Italian Wine Tasting. $25 per person. Two whites and four reds from Tuscany, Piedmont and Sicily (Gavi, Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo). Hors d’oeuvres including lasagna. Call for reservations.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting. 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
Saturday, October 18
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
AREA WINE BARS
  • Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.

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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.] Up & Coming:
November 1Mobile Meals Wine Gala, (419) 255-7806, Parkway Place, 2500 Parkway Plaza. 6:00 PM. Tickets start at $150 per person. Online tickets at www.mobilemeals.org
November 21 – Wine Affair Savory Soiree, (419) 329-2353, Parkway Place, 2500 Parkway Plaza. 6:30 PM. Benefits the Kidney Foundation of NW Ohio. Wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions, music. $90 per person. Order online tickets here.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Pintar 2011 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough


New Zealand’s Marlborough region is tops for producing the racy style of Sauvignon Blanc we so enjoy. Pintar is a product of Cooper’s Creek winery and crafted from grapes sourced from seven different vineyards.
The Green Dragon, my wife and expert on NZ Sauvignon Blanc, rates this wine highly as it offers a similar flavor profile to her favorites Kim Crawford and Starborough. At $12 per bottle, it’s an easy way to keep the Dragon happy.
In the glass, the wine is a light yellow-green. On the nose, you can detect the trademark Marlborough notes of citrus and cut grass.
The flavors are a blast of lemon and lime laced together with vibrant acidity. The overall impression is sunshine and light. It is rich with flavor and the texture feels full.
Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest wine producing region, accounting for almost 80% of that country’s production. The shining star is Sauvignon Blanc, which is available at remarkably low prices. Pintar is a solid addition to the the field.
Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 4 of 5

Monday, October 13, 2014

EastDell Estates 2013 Black Cab, VQA Ontario


We became acquainted EastDell Black Cab during a trip to their winery in Ontario a couple years ago. We sampled the wine and couldn’t believe the low price of this unique and flavorful wine.
On a recent visit to Pelee Point Provincial Park in Ontario recently, Black Cab again caught my eye in an LCBO store. I snagged a bottle to see what the new vintage tastes like.
There may be some others, but this is the only Cabernet Sauvignon and Baco Noir blend I’ve every seen. Baco Noir is a French-American hybrid grape that grows well in New York state and flourishes in Ontario.
Black Cab is dark as midnight. The Baco Noir imparts luscious fruit into the blend. The blend is 42% Baco Noir, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Cabernet Franc. Although Ontario Cabernet is not highly tannic, the Baco smoothes the Black Cab blend into a silken texture.
On the palate there is a hint of smoke and flavor notes of dark fruit, cherries and cranberry. On my first sip I got a bit of green pepper, due not doubt to the Cab Franc, but that flavor soon dissipated. This is an easy drinking wine that’s high in enjoyment and low in complexity.
The price for Black Cab, which sports a nice graphic of a Great Blue Heron, is only $13.95 Canadian. A magnum and double magnum are also available at the cost of $19.95 and $49.95 respectively. These large formats are very affordable and would be a great party purchase.
Black Cab is not a connoisseur's wine, but it is certainly a wine lover’s wine.  The only flaw with this wine is that I expect you can only buy it in Canada.
Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 4.5 of 5

Friday, October 10, 2014

Island Wine Fest Focuses On Fun, Fine Wine At Put-In-Bay


The Island Wine Fest is an annual Put-In-Bay event we’d rather freeze than miss. That was almost the case last weekend.
The beautiful fall weather turned breezy and cool, but our band of wine tasters wouldn’t be deterred from this top-notch event. We bundled on our wind resistant gear and boarded the Miller Ferry to transport us from Catawba Island to the wine wonderland.
The waves were choppy and we were glad to be inside the cabin of the ferry. When we arrived at E’s Golf Carts, we hopped onto our 4-person ride, dubbed “Homer Simpson.” Homer was a little reluctant to start, so we jumped into “Reba” and motored down the road to Put-In-Bay Winery, the scene of the annual event.
Green Dragon and I were joined by Tasting Team members Cabinator and Glorious T. We have a saying, no matter what the weather, “it’s always sunny in the tasting room.” That was the case here.
There are three things you should know about the Island Wine Festival: 1) There are wines from all around the world, more than 400 of them, including some premier wines; 2) The festival is a great value: It is $10 for a starter pack of admission, a souvenir tasting glass and four tasting tickets. Extra tasting tickets are $1 each with tastes running from $1 to $5 each; and 3) There’s a lot to see and do in Put-In-Bay, including some great restaurants.
Here are some of our top picks from the festival:
Chateau Tebeau 2013 Frontenac – This hearty grape is the only one that survived the cold Ohio winter. It is a dry wine with a unique plum and blackberry flavor. $22.
Fattoria Teatine Qvinto Pecorino – This Italian wine was my favorite white of the festival. Light, beautiful with a pop of sweetness. $20.
Langtry 2007 “Old Soldier Road” Proprietary Red, Lake County – This is one of two top QPR (Quality Price Ratio) picks. It has ripe fruit with cedar and vanilla. It costs $45 but drinks like a $75 bottle.
Avalon 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, California – This is our second QPR pick. At only $14, this is a great value buy and you can afford to buy a case. Strawberry with a hint of spice. It’s “pop ‘n pour” time!
Ferrari-Carano 2012 Siena, Sonoma – A great blend of Sangiovese, Malbec, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet. Cinnamon and oak flavors blend with lush Sangio. $27.
Chimney Rock 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap – One sip of this tells you that 2010 is an amazing vintage for Napa Valley. A perfect balance of power and finesse. $83
Groth 2010 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon – Vanilla and black cherry with excellent structure. A towering wine. $66
Raven’s Glen Winery Autumn Interlude – They call themselves the crown jewel of Ohio wineries. This Vidal Blanc is sweet but balanced. $16.
Other top picks: Handcraft Petite Sirah, Concannon Crimson & Clover, Taken Napa Valley Red Blend, Beringer Knights Valley 2010 Reserve Cabernet, Michael David Freak Show Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon and Venge Red Scouts Honor.
After some world famous lobster bisque at the Boardwalk restaurant and a chocolate crepe back at the wine tent, we hopped aboard our “luxury liner” back to the mainland. Put-In-Bay has a many festivals and activities in addition to the historic Perry’s Monument and the natural beauty. Learn more at www.visitputinbay.com

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Osoyoos Larose 2008 Le Grand Vin VQA Okanogan Valley


Osoyoos Larose – what a great memory. A friend and I traveled to Penticton, British Columbia, for the 2013 Wine Bloggers Conference and soaked up the fantastic wine and scenery there. Osoyoos Larose was one of our favorite reds out of more than 200 wines.
We didn’t have a chance to visit the winery though, and had the prospect of bringing home no wine at all. Until, that is, I discovered a wine shop at the airport in Kelowna. Since the shop was inside security, I could purchase the wine and bring it on the flight to Windsor, Ontario. From there, it was a short drive home to the US.
The winery is a partnership between Vincor Canada and Group Taillan of Bordeaux, owners of Chateau Gruaud Larose. The goal is to produce world-class Canadian wine from Bordeaux grape varieties. In our opinion, they have succeeded wonderfully.
Osoyoos is located at the far south of the Okanagan Valley and is Canada’s only “pocket” desert with mountains shielding it from wet and cold weather systems. The soil is a mix of sand, clay, rocks and gravel. The hot and dry climate makes it ideal for grape growing.
The 2008 blend is 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 3% Petite Verdot. A proper Bordeaux blend indeed. The wine is barrel aged for 18 to 20 months. The wine could age for 10 to 12 years – but we just couldn’t wait.
Osoyoos Grand Vin is rich and wonderful. The nose has raspberry, toast and vanilla. On the palate there is dark blackberry with spice. It also had herbal notes and I could sense the flavor of the sage that grows plentifully on the hills of the region. There are tannins that will help this wine age gracefully, but they are not intrusive now.
This is a delicious bottle of Old World goodness from Canada’s most unique VQA. I paid $45 Canadian for this and would gladly buy more if I could get my hands on it in Ohio. This wine is highly recommended as is the Oliver Osoyoos wine region in British Columbia.
Rating: 4.5 of 5  Value: 4 of 5

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: October 8-11, 2014

Sterling Vineyards
Sterling Vineyards (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Wednesday, October 8
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. New Blends – A White and Three Reds: 1. Ca'Momi 2013 Bianco di Napa, 2. Ca'Momi 2013 Rosso di Napa, 3. Beringer 2012 "The Waymaker" Red Wine, 4. Haka by Labyrinth 2010 "Freebird."  Nominal fee per sample or $6 per flight.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 6-8 PM. Kobalt Wine Tasting with owner/winemaker Kevin Carriker of Kobalt Winery of Napa Valley. $20 per person.
Thursday, October 9
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Mid-Fall Wines: 1.
2013 Ca’ Momi – Bianco Di Napa – Napa Valley, 2. 2010 Colonia Las Liebres – Bonarda – Mendoza, Argentina, 3. 2010 Donati – Claret – Central Coast, California, 4. 2009 Sterling Vineyards – Platinum – Napa Valley. Nominal fee per sample or $7 per flight.
TREO Wine Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. New Zealand Wine Tasting. Six fabulous wines paired with small plates. $25 per person.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Penfolds, and Thorn-Clarke from Australia. These are two of the most dynamic wineries in Australia. Penfolds is an icon producing basic wines to the world class Grange Hermitage. Thorne-Clark is not exactly an upstart, producing solid fine wines, but with a different verve. 1. Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Shiraz, 2. Penfolds Bin 8, 3. Penfolds Bin 9, 4. Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Quartage, 5. Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz, 6. Penfolds Bin 389, 7. Thorn-Clarke William Randell Cabernet. Nominal fee per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Thursday Night Tasting. Nominal fee per sample.
Noir Fine Wine and Beer, 1616 East Wooster, Bowling Green, 6-9 PM. Nominal fee per sample or priced per flight.
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, October 10
Toledo Museum of Art, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Wine by the Glass Pavilion. Up & Coming: Next Great Wine Regions. Enjoy four wines and light snacks at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion. $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers. Purchase during Museum hours by phone at 419-255-8000 ext. 7448.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting. 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
Saturday, October 11
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
AREA WINE BARS
  • Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.

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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.] Up & Coming:
October 15 - Veritas Cork & Craft, 505 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, (419) 214-9463. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Wine for Tapas.
October 17 - Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee. 6:30 – 7:30PM. Italian Wine Tasting. $25 per person. Two whites and four reds from Tuscany, Piedmont and Sicily (Gavi, Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo). Hors d’oeuvres including lasagna. Call for reservations.
November 1Mobile Meals Wine Gala, (419) 255-7806, Parkway Place, 2500 Parkway Plaza. 6:00 PM. Tickets start at $150 per person. Online tickets at www.mobilemeals.org
November 21 – Wine Affair Savory Soiree, (419) 329-2353, Parkway Place, 2500 Parkway Plaza. 6:30 PM. Benefits the Kidney Foundation of NW Ohio. Wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions, music. $90 per person. Order online tickets here.
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Tuesday, October 7, 2014

The Traveling Vineyard Home Wine Party Experience

By Tasting Team Member Green Dragon
The Traveling Vineyard is a home marketing concept focused on our favorite product – wine! The company, founded in 2001, uses “wine guides” to offer wine through home parties. Recently I attended a Traveling Vineyard party put on by good friend Jeanne English. She considers herself “Not a wine expert, merely a wine enthusiast.”
The evening I was attended was a “girl’s night out” theme. When you get approximately a dozen women together, you can be assured it will be a lively, entertaining evening. I was not disappointed! The women came from a range of wine experience and different palates and there was something for each of them.
The wines are sourced from different locations around the world, with an emphasis in California. They do offer wines from South Africa, New York State and Italy too.
The wines we tried included:
2013 Screaming Goat Gewürztraminer, from Alexander Valley, CA. Although I’m not a big fan of Gewurtz. because I don’t like the rose petal taste some Gewürztraminer has, this was voted the favorite of the group, proving that a wine should not be, as Jeanne stated “yucked, because your yuck can be someone else’s yum.”
2010 Zeffer Hills Chardonnay, Edna Valley, CA. I avoid Chardonnay that is too oaky, but I found this one to be very nice and, if fact bought a bottle. What convinced me was the flavor that not only included lemon and toast, but banana as well. We recently popped open the bottle to pair beautifully with salmon.
2011 Whiskers Red Blend, Lake County, CA. this is a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon plus 39% Merlot and 15% Petite Sirah. This has some black pepper, cherry and black fruit notes. It was enjoyable with soft tannins. It was lighter bodied than expected.
2012 Small Hours Zinfandel, Lodi, CA. This Lodi Zin had flavors of cherry and spice, but missed the mark for me as it was weaker in body than I had hoped.
Fissata is a red dessert wine with a slight frizzante (like a sparkling wine), that comes from Hammondsport in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes region. It is made from Baco Noir, Catawba and Concord grapes. This was the surprise of the night – in a good way!
Although I didn’t try it there, I ordered a bottle of Tanglewood Backyard Red. This is a winemaker’s blend of 29% Syrah, 17% Malbec, 14% Petite Sirah, 12% Mourvedre, 8% Zinfandel,5% Petit 5% Tempranillo,4% Grenache, 2% Pinot Noir. That’s a lot of different grapes! The bouquet is nice, the body is light and the taste offers some brambly fruit flavors.
This was a fun evening made better by some good wine, courtesy of “wine enthusiast” Jeanne. You can learn more about her business on her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/winewithjeanne .











Monday, October 6, 2014

Dry Rieslings From Alsace Delight With Crisp Finesse, Flavors

Alsace is located on the German border in the northeast corner of France. Its 33,000 acres of vineyards extend along rolling foothills and picturesque villages.
Alsace is unique among French wine regions for at least two reasons. The region has a widespread German influence. This extends to the graceful Riesling bottles that are similar to those in Germany’s Mosel region. The primary grapes are also those favored in Germany including Gerwurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris.
The second difference is the use of varietal labeling – listing the primary grape as is done in the United States. In other French wine regions, the emphasis is on the appellation, such a Bordeaux or Cotes-du-Rhone. That can be confusing to wine consumers not familiar with the characteristics of French regions.
Alsace is a wonderful French location with which all white wine lovers should become more familiar! Although many great whites are produced, their greatest fame comes from their Rieslings, which are produced in a dry style that contrasts with sweeter German wines.
We recently sampled two standout Rieslings from Alsace: Ruhlmann 2013 Riesling Cuvée Jean-Charles and Meyer-Fonne 2012 Riesling Reserve. Both are outstanding and have remarkably low prices for the quality.
The Ruhlmann Cuvée is yellow-green in the glass with a medium body. The balance is extraordinary. The acidity keeps the wine taut, but it never bites. On the palate there are wafts of lime with a bit of tartness. This is a fresh wine with a smooth texture. It is restrained in terms of fruitiness, but an unquestioned beauty of a wine.
The Ruhlmann family has been making wine in Alsace since 1688. They certainly have learned a thing or two. The Cuvée sells for $19.
We enjoyed the Meyer-Fonne with Teriyaki Shrimp on our patio during what I now might think is one of the last warm days of early fall. This wine is imported by Kermit Lynch, which is usually an indication of a good bottle.
The producer of Meyer-Fonne was founded in 1732. Although the “reserve” tag doesn’t have any legal meaning, the first sip tells you that this is a special wine. It has smooth notes of minerality with a moist pop of citrus flavor. It feels plush on the tongue and is a rewarding wine.
The Reserve has a price tag of $22. It has 12.5% alcohol, which makes it a perfect food-pairing wine. Both Rieslings are good picks with seafood and shellfish.
Alsatian Riesling is a gift to the world. It offers elegance and balance in a wine that will enhance your meals or gatherings. The pricing is such that you can enjoy a tremendous wine from Alsace at the same price as a humdrum domestic Riesling.
Full disclosure: These wines were received as marketing samples.
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Friday, October 3, 2014

Simple Wine Storage Tips Can Avoid Damage To Your Vino

This is but one of the racks of wine in the re...

Wine storage is a key to avoiding damaged wine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

OK, wine aficionados, today we’re happy to pass along these wine storage tips courtesy of our friends at Underground Cellar.

"I don't have a fancy cellar or wine fridge to protect my wines- how should I store my small-yet-important stash of bottles? I don't want to ruin them before I can drink them!"

Look, most casual wine drinkers are not utilizing a climate-controlled walk-in cellar of any sorts, and many folks don't even have a small countertop wine fridge in the kitchen or dining room.

The thing is, you don't have to spend big money on a fancy wine cooler that's bigger than your kitchen refrigerator or dig a small cave into the hillside next to your house to safely store your bottles of vino.

Here are a few easy yet important tips on keeping your wine from being damaged in your home:

* Consistency of temperature is key. Major temp fluctuation kills wine, and may lead to cork leakage due to the wine expanding/contracting from the wide temp changes. No bueno!

* Keep the wine out of direct light- be it sunshine or direct bright indoor lighting of any kind. There's a reason almost all wine bottles use tinted, colored glass- it's like wine sunglasses to protect the juice inside from damaging UV rays.

* Store your wines on their side, ensuring the cork stays moist. If a bottle is aged for many years upright there's a chance that dry cork could crumble and be a pain in the ass to extract in one piece! I hate trying to fish out cork bits from my precious wine...it's torture.

By remembering these very simple yet very effective storage tips, you can find a suitable spot in your humble abode to keep your wines safe and provide you with a little peace of mind as well.

1) First grab a few crates, racks, or simple storage shelves to hold your bottles. There are many options online, at the wine shop, or hardware store that are cheap and effective.

2) Next clean out that half-full, disorganized, under-utilized closet/pantry space. Reorganize that cluttered basement. Clear out those old golf clubs from underneath the staircase. Make room for your cherished vino collection to move in and find a new, safe home:)

3) Then get your DWSA (Designated Wine Storage Area) identified, prepared, and stocked up. Minor temp fluctuations in your home are normal and just fine. Keeping temps between 55-65 degrees in your DWSA would be ideal, but again as long as things are pretty stable you should be fine.