Friday, January 30, 2015

Heron Hill 2010 Reserve Blaufränkisch, Finger Lakes


Blaufränkisch is a grape with its roots deep in Austria and Germany. It has taken hold in the Finger Lakes and the results are tasty indeed.
During our latest visit to the Finger Lakes, we noticed widespread offerings of Lemberger, which is another name for Blaufränkisch. In my mind Blaufränkisch allows the Finger Lakes winemaker to produce a complex, medium bodied red in an area where the climate isn’t suited to Pinot Noir. It also blends wonderfully with the Finger Lakes best red grape: Cabernet Franc.
Perhaps the best Blaufränkisch/Lemberger wine we tasted was Heron Hill’s 2010 Reserve Blaufränkisch. This is a low production gem that was the highest priced wine on our trip at $39.99.
My wife, the Green Dragon, is quite a cook. Not only does she prepare gourmet meals, but she delights in creating meals to pair with specific wines. When we were in Cleveland we tasted some amazing mushroom bisque at Amp 150. She decided to create her own version. After securing some artisan mushrooms and truffle oil, she cooked a masterful meal.
The soup was topped with homemade parmesan garlic croutons and accompanied by spinach salad and suitably crusty bread. The earthiness of the soup and the delicate earth tones of the Blaufränkisch were a heavenly union.
Heron Hill has an outstanding line of reserve wines and the excellent results were apparent on the palate. Threads of plum, leather and pepper mesh in a smooth, rewarding glass.
For me, the finesse is what is special about this wine. Heron Hill continues to burnish its reputation as one of the Finger Lake’s top wine producers.
Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 3 of 5

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Musset-Roullier 2010 Les Neuf Vingt La Maturite de la Passion, Anjou


Anjou is a wine region in the western part of the Loire Valley in France. Loire wines are known for their fresh, ready-to-drink juicy flavors.
Musset-Roullier enjoys extra long monikers for their wines. As well as I can translate it, this means “The Twenty-Nine: Maturity of the Passion.” You can contemplate that while sipping this very unique Cab Franc.
The wine is a lovely garnet color in the glass. On the nose there is black fruit and a slight smokiness.
Loire wines are rarely full bodied. This fits into the medium-bodied category.
The Green Dragon turns up her nose at Cab Franc that has green pepper flavors, but this one has nothing of the sort. On the palate there are flavor notes of black pepper, mint and graphite. That’s right, graphite.
The Musset-Rollier vineyard has soil with lots of shale, limestone and sandstone. No doubt that contributes to this pleasing and somewhat quirky flavor profile.
Any wine from Musset-Roullier is highly recommended as a easy-drinking value choice. I paid $10.99 online for this and felt I got a full helping of je ne c’est qu’a.
Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 4 of 5

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: January 28–31, 2015

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Wednesday, January 28
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Closeouts, Part Deux: 1. St. Supery 2012 Napa Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Periodic 2012 Pinot Noir, 3. Chapelle de Potensac 2008 Medoc, 4. Alto Moncayo Veraton 2010 Grenache. Nominal fee per sample or $7 per flight.

Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Wednesday Wine Tasting. Come out with friends, have fun, taste good juice! $15 per person.

Zinful Wine Bar, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville, 5:30 – 8 PM. Wednesday Wine Tasting.

Thursday, January 29
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Thursday Night Wine Tasting: 1. 2013 Jezebel Blanc – White Blend – Oregon, 2. 2010 Clos du Mont-Olivet – Cotes-du-Rhone, 3. 2011 500 Altitude – Red Blend – Ventoux, France, 4. 2011 Assobio – Red Blend – Douro, Portugal. Nominal fee per sample or $5 per flight.

Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Classic Blends: 1. Giraud G Bordeaux Blanc, 2. Grand Veneur Cote du Rhone Blanc Reserve, 3. .
E. Guigal cote du Rhone Rouge, 4. I Massi Chianti Classico Riserva, 5. Mazzi Valpolicella Classico Superiore, 6. Penfolds Bin 138, 7. Chateau Coutet Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 8. Chateau Magnol Haut-Medoc. 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. Close-Out Wines from Vintner Select with special guest Tricia Rasar. 1. Tavignano Verdicchio, 2. Elicio Rose, 3. Masserie Pizari Negroamaro, 4. Le Cinciole Chianti Classico. 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, January 30
Toledo Museum of Art, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Wine by the Glass Pavilion. White Winter and Red Hot Shop. 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. German, Austrian and Hungarian Wines: 1. Darting Muskateller Kabinett Trocken, Pfalz, Germany, 2. 2013 Hexamer Spatburgunder Weissherbst, Nahe, Germany, 3. 2012 Glazer Blaufrankish, Austria, 4. 2012 Alzeyer Sybillenstein Dornfelder, Rheinhessen, Germany, 5. 2007 Disznoko Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos, Hungary. Nominal fee per sample or $10 per flight.
Saturday, January 31
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Best of the Blends. Blends are a hot category in wine consumption. But what does that mean? What kind of blends are out there? How do they taste? This wine tasting starts to give answers to those questions. Nominal fee per sample.
AREA WINE BARS
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.
  • Zinful Wine Bar, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville.


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

Up & Coming:
Friday, February 13 – Valentine’s Wine Tasting. 6:00 PM. Zinful Wine Bar, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville.
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). 
Photo by Andrew Morrell

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Claiborne & Churchill 2010 Estate Dry Riesling, Edna Valley


Claiborne & Churchill, located in San Luis Obispo, has a focus on the dry, white wines of the Alsace region of France. They produce about 10,000 cases of wine a year with a focus on traditional European winemaking techniques. It’s a gem of a winery if you love great whites.
The grapes for this wine come from the first real harvest of the Estate Riesling vineyard at Claiborne & Churchill. Unlike most producers, C&C using barrel aging even on their Riesling. Their 2010 Estate Dry Riesling was in neutral oak barrels for four months.
This was a microscopically small bottling, with only 180 cases produced. So we enjoyed savoring this wine.
While the minerality is not as pronounced as a Finger Lakes Riesling, the barrel aging adds to the complexity. It is almost bone dry at 0.3% residual sugar, so the focus is on the texture and subtle flavors, rather than the fruit. There is a bit of earthiness, great acidity and maybe even a bit of “petrol” such as may be found with aged Riesling.
At $25, this is a great buy. Of California Riesling producers, Claiborne & Churchill certainly ranks among our favorites.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Tasting Vino At Morgan & York, Ann Arbor


Earlier this month we took a road trip to Ann Arbor, to grab a spot of lunch and to visit some wine destinations. Our team of four was Green Dragon and me plus the Cabinator and Glorious T.

After lunch at a Paesano’s Wine Bar, we squirted into Morgan & York. Morgan & York is a cool purveyor of European wines and handmade cheeses. Being there for the first time, I was drawn to the wine displays and began checking them out.

Glorious T, who had suggested our visit, immediately checked with one of the staff members about the scheduled wine tasting. The staff member replied that there was no wine tasting scheduled. Glorious T, like a cowboy at a high noon showdown, quickly drew her cellphone and displayed the website listing the tasting. In a matter of minutes, a southern Rhone tasting was assembled near the front door.

The first wine was Domaine Alary 'La Gerbaude' 2011 Cotes du Rhone. It’s rare when the first wine at a tasting is the favorite, but it does happen. In this case, our crew was drawn to the silky texture and robust dark fruit of this Grenache-Syrah blend.

Before our next wine, Glorious T announced she didn’t want to be “that” customer but wasn’t a snack usually served with the wine. A few moments later, cheese and crackers arrived. The next wine poured was Domaine les Grands Bois 2013 'Trois Soeurs' Cotes du Rhone. This “three sisters” blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignane is made from vines aged 30 to 60 years. This is a fresh and fruity wine with a berry and violet taste. The consensus was this needs a bit more aging.

The final wine of our tasting trio was Domaine Catherine le Goeuil 2012 Cairanne. This is also a Cotes du Rhone with more complexity than the first two. The blend is 51% Grenache, 17.5% Syrah, 17.5% Mouvrèdre, 7% Carignan, and 7% Counoise. The tannins were more pronounced and the flavor was imbued with smokiness. The price of $29 was the highest of the three. The others were $17 and $18 respectively. This one was my favorite.

We had a couple of take-aways from our visit (even beyond the bottles we bought). First, Morgan & York is a great destination for lovers of fine food and wine. Second, there are many values to be found in French wine, particularly the Rhone blends that feature Grenache and Syrah.
With anticipation, we look forward to our next visit.

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Friday, January 23, 2015

Chateau Tour de Gilet 2012 Bordeaux Supérieur

We enjoyed the Château Tour de Gilet during our recent trip to Colorado for our nephew’s wedding. The rehearsal dinner was at Le Central, a cool French restaurant in Denver.
I must digress for a moment to explain how horrible the traffic is in Denver! There are five solid lanes of traffic in every direction with your turning lanes carefully placed on the side opposite you. My phone GPS was finicky as well – changing routes seemingly every minute.
Needless to say, we made several passes around town before finally zeroing in on the restaurant. By the time I found an ultra-scarce parking spot, I was ready for vino!
Château Tour de Gilet is located  a short distance north of the city of Bordeaux. The chateau was erected on the foundation of an ancient abbey of the twelfth century. Lots of little streams cross the vineyard to drain the soil and to improve the quality.
The wine is aged in steel vats, and so the flavors are bright and not buried under layers of oak. It offers flavor notes of cherries and blackberry with a hint of tobacco. It certainly paired well with my grilled beef dish.
The exact blend for the Château Tour de Gilet is a mystery, but it seems to be a Merlot-driven blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and perhaps Petite Verdot. Bordeaux Supérieur wine is often produced by single parcels of older vines. Moreover, Bordeaux Supérieur wines must be aged for at least 12 months before they can be sold.
Château Tour de Gilet allowed my somewhat stressed and oxygen-deprived body a chance to breathe in the smooth goodness of French winemaking. It paired perfectly with our festive French dinner and helped make a memorable occasion for all.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Grape-ocalypse Now: Climate Change Could Alter The Taste Of Wine

Changes in the Earth's climate will bring about changes in the taste and production of wines with some calling it a 'grape-ocalypse' as traditional growing areas are lost, it's been predicted.
Whether global warming is man-made or a natural phenomenon or a combination of the two, vine growers are already reporting that they're having to adapt to changes in the climate to ensure quality and timely harvests, a UK-based company says.
However, it's not all bad news for producers: The BigGreen.co.uk company, a leader in recycling and waste disposal, has also found that global warming is also contributing to larger yields, with wine production opening up in geographic areas that were not considered particularly profitable before.
"The bottom line is that the wine connoisseur will have to get used to the idea that their favourite label is going to taste different," says BigGreen.co.uk spokesperson Mark Hall. "And given a few decades, it might even disappear altogether to be replaced by completely new wines."
It's already known that prolonged higher temperatures have a negative effect on aroma and production of sugar in grapes. With climate change bringing a wider variation of temperatures, harsher and more unpredictable winter frosts lasting later into the spring also bring huge implications during the budding season.
"We've spoken to one medium-size California producer who tells us that his wines from 2013 and 2014 are already vastly different from those of previous years," says Hall. "He acknowledges climate change's part in this, telling us that it made it nigh on impossible to choose the right time for harvest."
"He went on to tell us the 2014 production was particularly difficult due to the long, dry summer, and his end product is significantly different, but surprisingly high quality."
BigGreen.co.uk says this is a problem that is challenging wine producers right across Europe and North America, as hotter summers and harsher winters bring changes across tradition wine-producing areas.
In fact, one of the most devastating predictions came in 2013's Conservation International study, which predicts that many traditional areas across southern and central Europe could be lost within 35 years, as the "belt" of prime wine-growing moves northward.
"It's not going to be what some people are calling a 'grape-ocalypse'", says Hall, "Existing wine-makers are rapidly getting used to the fact that their product is going to change over the years, while whole new areas will open up that will bring new tastes onto the market."
In fact, some regions are seeing global warming-led climate change as an opportunity rather than a threat. There are reports that more savvy producers are purchasing land further north as an insurance policy for the coming years; while those in Bordeaux have seized changes with both hands, calling the improved ripening in their region a "good problem" to have.
Bordeaux wines now contain more alcohol than they did thirty years ago, and that's a change producers in other regions are noticing as well. As one Australian wine pundit put it, wines are "bolder-tasting… and pack a boozier wallop". Stronger wines may not be an entirely good thing, as customers consume less to avoid getting drunk, it's been remarked.
"Whatever the future brings, it's clear that global wine production is in for big changes in the coming years," says BigGreen.co.uk 's Mark Hall.
"We need to get used to the fact that favorite names could disappear while new classics may emerge."
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Photo courtesy of BigGreen













Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Toledo Area Wine events & Tastings: January 21-24, 2015

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Wednesday, January 21
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Closeout Wines: 1. Acrobat 2012 Rose of Pinot Noir, 2. LaFleur 2011 Lissac Bordeaux Rouge, 3. Antano 2008 Rioja Reserva, 4. St. Supery 2012 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Nominal fee per sample or $5 per flight.

Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Wednesday Wine Tasting. Come out with friends, have fun, taste good juice! $15 per person.

Zinful Wine Bar, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville, 5:30 – 8 PM. Wednesday Wine Tasting.

Thursday, January 22
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Our Famous Closeouts – Round One: 1. 2012 St. Supery – Sauvignon Blanc – Napa Valley, California, 2. 2012 Periodic – Pinot Noir – Central Coast, California, 3. 2012 Dona Paula – Estate Malbec – Mendoza, Argentina, 4. 2010 Chateau Villa Carmin – Red Bordeaux – Medoc, France. Nominal fee per sample or $4.50 per flight.

Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Closeout Tasting #3: 1. St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Brocard Sauvignon Blanc Saint Bris, 3. Villa Maria Merlot/Cabernet/Cabernet Franc/Malbec, 4. Gabriel Liogier Cotes Du Rhone, 5. Rabbit Ridge Sangiovese, 6. Antano (Italy) Montefalco Rosso, 7. Domaine De Courteillac (Merlot/Cabernet), 8. Antano (Spain) Rioja (Tempranillo). 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, January 23
Toledo Museum of Art, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Wine by the Glass Pavilion. Great Wine Buys. 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. 1. Cercius Blanc, Cotes du Rhone, 2. 2011 Shatter Grenache, Languedoc-Roussillon, 3. 2011 Mas Carlot Les Enfants Terribles, Costieres de Nimes, 4. 2012 Chateau Lacopelle Cabanac, Cahores, 5. 2010 Chateau Coustolle, Canon Fronsac. Nominal fee per sample.
Saturday, January 24
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. The Wines of South America. Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and more! Our hemisphere is home to lots of delicious wines at very good prices. Nominal fee per sample.
AREA WINE BARS
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.
  • Zinful Wine Bar, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville.

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

Up & Coming:
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, January 20, 2015

Discovering A Culinary Hotspot: Dining at Element 112


Last summer we attended the Tree City film festival in Sylvania. It was held in the Sylvania Historical Train Barn and we enjoyed the selection of short films.
The festival location was right next door to one of the coolest restaurants in our area: Element 112. Green Dragon and I both agreed we needed to pay a visit there very soon. Last month we finally made the visit – and we’re sorry we waited so long.
The occasion was Green Dragon’s birthday. After the sumptuous dinner we concluded that  Element 112 is clearly the best restaurant in the Toledo area.
The theme of the four elements of earth, wind, water and fire provide inspiration for décor as well as the cuisine. The menu is prepared using fresh local and seasonal ingredients. Chris Nixon is the executive chef and, for us, another key player is sommelier Mark Maruszak.
Covering all the bases and including some nice surprises, the wine list is not voluminous, but includes everything to keep a wine lover well satisfied. Viognier, Roussane, Tannat, Picpol de Pinet and Arneis are among the grape varieties included. Greece, Austria and Priorat are among wine regions we were pleased to see represented.
No wine lover is left behind at Element 112. There is a nice selection of wines by the glass starting at $9. A stellar addition to the wine program is the Coravin, which preserves unpoured wine in a bottle using Argon gas.
As a result, you can purchase a glass of 2009 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, or other premium wines, without having to buy an entire bottle. You can enjoy a three-ounce or six-ounce glass. A six-ounce glass of Joseph Drouhin Puligny-Montrachet Chardonnay costs $43 while a 2011 Stags Leap Artemis 3-ounce taste costs $14.
If you prefer to bring your own bottle, the corkage fee is $25. That’s quite reasonable since many of the premium bottles top the $150 and $200 price level.
The service, ambiance and food blend to make Element 112 a superb dining experience. Thoughtful and courteous waitstaff allow you to unwind and take in the surroundings. Mark provided some excellent suggestions and, after a brief discussion, we settled on the 2011 Montaribaldi "Gambarin" a Nebbiolo from Italy’s Langhe region to pair with our Chef’s Tasting. The wine was served in Riedel glasses and the bottle was decanted for us.
Our meal began with a cauliflower bisque served with herb oil and beet chips. Green Dragon then opted for the roasted beet salad while I had the Fromage Blanc cheese plate with honey, sherry gastrique and Frisee. Each dish was a masterpiece of complimentary flavors and artful presentation.
Next up was a highlight dish: the potato gnocci. It arrived in a bowl with a plate placed on top. What the? As soon as the plate was lifted, we knew why – incredibly delicious hickory smoke wafted out. The gnocci, with beurre fondue and parmigiano, was infused with smoke. A delicious morsel indeed.
My entrée was Cappelletti pasta with sage, sweet potato and bread crumb. My wife enjoyed the braised pork with herb purée. Each paired to perfection with our Nebbiolo.
While some restaurants might serve a sorbet at this point, we were treated to Lemon Gelato Snow – gelato frozen with liquid nitrogen to create an airy sophisticated treat. Bravo!
We rounded our our dining experience with Chocolate Mousse with pistachio and crisp chocolate and a Bartlett pear with caramel, almond and cream.
When we thought we were done, Mark came over and asked if we’d like a tour of the kitchen. We were also treated to a couple of specialty gin cocktails that were fabulous. The top was a warm froth while the bottom was a contrasting cool. The effect (especially after an evening of wine and fine dining) was electric.
Element 112 is a superlative dining experience, augmented by an outstanding wine program. Lest anyone hesitate due to the menu cost (all listed on their website), they are currently offering a $35 five-course chef’s tasting menu Monday through Thursday with the courses changing each day. (The chef’s tasting menu is $59 on Friday and Saturday.)
We loved the chef’s tasting menu. Next time we may opt for the Element 112 Menu Tour (at $79 per person) – the people at the table next to us looked like they were having a lot of fun!
Element 112 receives our highest recommendation.

Monday, January 19, 2015

Ignacio Marin Duque de Medina 2013 Garnacha, Cariñena


This Garnacha comes from Bodegas Ignacio Marin, which was founded in 1903 in the Spanish region of Cariñena. The area has loose, stony soil with a Mediterranean climate.
Garnacha, also known as Grenache, is one of the world’s most widely-planted grapes. It thrives in hot, dry regions and its strong stalks can withstand windy conditions.
The dukedom of Medina, so I learned, is the oldest in Spain, dating back to 1445. The seventh Duke of Medina commanded the Spanish armada at the end of the 16th century.
How did this bottle sail? There were no choppy waters – this has very smooth tannins. It is light in body and fruity, with just a hint of earthiness. It’s a casual sipper that costs about $10. The Duke will pair well with a variety of cheeses and meat dishes that don’t have heavy sauces or spice.
This isn’t a majestic bottle, but could be just the ticket on a Thursday night.
Full Disclosure: This bottle was received as a marketing sample.

Friday, January 16, 2015

Debonne Vineyards' Vidal Blanc Ice Wins Best Dessert Wine in San Francisco

Debonne' Vineyards, Ohio's largest estate winery, just received word that their 2013 vintage of Vidal Blanc Ice Wine won the "Sweepstakes Award for Best Dessert Wine" at the 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This event has become the largest competition of American wines in the world, with a staggering 6,300 entries in 2015. A panel of 60 prestigious experts judge these wines each year. The Sweepstakes Award is presented for wine that is considered to be the best dessert wine out of all the gold medal winning wines.
Debonne' Vineyards winemaker Ed Trebets commented on the 2013 vintage, "We picked the grapes on December 12th, which is historically early for the ice wine harvest and, as a result, there was a good balance of acidity and ripeness. Timing was perfect in order to get the best juice for winemaking."
True "ice wine" can only be produced in a handful of wine regions throughout the world. In order to be a true "ice wine" temperatures must drop to 17 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, and the grapes must be hand-picked and pressed while frozen. Ice wine sugars occur naturally during the freezing process. There is never any artificial freezing.
Owner Tony Debevc could not be more pleased. "This ice wine was harvested before the devastating Polar Vortex hit the Grand River Valley Wine Region in 2013/2014. We knew while harvesting the grapes that it was going to be a special vintage. The grapes were perfectly hand-picked at just the right time. We are honored to be recognized with such a prestigious award for a wine that is truly a labor of love."
The Debonne' Vineyards Vidal Blanc Ice Wine retails for $29.99. It will also be the featured wine for Ohio's 12th Annual Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival on March 7th, 14th, & 21st. More information can be found here.



Thursday, January 15, 2015

Keuka Spring 2011 Miller’s Cove Red, Finger Lakes


During a recent visit with friends, we popped open a delightful red blend from our “treasure” stash of Finger Lakes wine. It was time to unwind after a day of touring and tasting in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
One of TWAV’s favorite Finger Lakes wineries is Keuka Spring, perched on a hillside overlooking Keuka Lake. The winery offers superbly crafted wines and spectacular scenery.
During our visit we sampled through a number of excellent wines, but two stood out: the 2010 Epic Reserve and the 2011 Miller’s Cove Red. The Epic Reserve is a Merlot-driven blend while the Miller’s Cove Red is a blend powered by Cabernet Sauvignon and polished with Merlot.
The taste is rounded cherry with a hint of minerality and violet. It’s smooth texture is a welcome departure from some big and “hot” Cabernets we sometimes experience. The alcohol weighs in at 12.3%.
There were only 421 cases of this beauty, but fear not. The 2013 vintage has been released and the price remains $22, making it a solid bargain.
Summer seems a long way off right now, but when it finally arrives, we’ll be headed to the Finger Lakes once again. You can be sure I’ll be coming back with a bottle or three of Keuka Spring Miller’s Cove Red.
Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 5 of 5

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: January 14-17, 2015

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Wednesday, January 14
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Locations Wines from Orin Swift Winemaker Dave Phinney: 1. "Corse" Corsican White (Vermentino), 2. "CA" California Red, 3. "F2" France Red, 4. "I" Italy Red. Nominal fee per sample or $8 per flight.

Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Spanish Wine Tasting. Come out with friends, have fun, taste good juice! $15 per person.

Zinful Wine Bar, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville, 5:30 – 8 PM. Wednesday Wine Tasting.

Thursday, January 15
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. 1. 2009 Montgras 200 Bicentennial Cab Sauv Carmenere – Chile, 2. 2012 Garnacha Centenaria – Spain, 3. 2012 Reguengos – Portugal, 4. 2012 Allamand Malbec – Argentina. Nominal fee per sample or $8 per flight.

Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Closeout Tasting #2: January is the time of closeouts and great deals. We will pick eight of our best closeouts to taste, and will arrange other closeout tastings as new closeouts arrive. 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, January 16
Toledo Museum of Art, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Wine by the Glass Pavilion. Winter Wonderland Wines. 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, January 17
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Bargain Priced Bordeaux. Bordeaux is home to the world’s greatest Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. It is easy to forget, when surrounded by greatness, that there also wonderful wines below $30. In fact, there are over 700,000 bottles produced in that price range. We’ll taste a few of our favorites. Nominal fee per sample.
AREA WINE BARS
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.
  • Zinful Wine Bar, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville.



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

Up & Coming:
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, January 13, 2015

Salmon Run 2012 Chardonnay Riesling, Finger Lakes


Salmon Run is the entry level label of Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars. The winery is one of the very best  in the Finger Lakes and the late Konstantin Frank is a true wine pioneer who was responsible for bringing quality wine to the region.
Green Dragon purchased this bottle at Andersons. Not many Finger Lakes wines make it to local shops, so it was a nice find. At only $9.99, it is a bargain price that belies its playful taste.
The Finger Lakes produces the very best Riesling in the US, in my opinion. The minerality and perfectly tuned acidity fits our taste just right.
Some fine Chardonnay is produced in the area, but is certainly not a signature variety. However, the blend of Chard and Riesling in this bottle is spot on.The mix is 51% Chardonnay and 49% Riesling. The wine is dry, with a mere trace of sweetness (0.75% residual sugar).
The wine is fruity and rich thanks to the Chardonnay and the Riesling brings citrus flavor notes and refreshing acidity. The wine pops with freshness, something the winemaker says is due to harvesting the grapes in the early hours of the morning. The two varieties were fermented separately in steel tanks.
This is a great little wine that can age until 2016, but why wait? It’s an any occasion wine that’s low in alcohol (11.8%) so it is food friendly as well. Try it with chicken or shrimp.
Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 5 of 5

Monday, January 12, 2015

Perrysburg Winterfest Will Feature Wine Tasting February 21

Perrysburg’s Winterfest will be held February 20 to 22. The event includes the United States National Ice Carving Championships, which will feature demonstrations and artworks carved by experts. A wine tasting will also be featured.
Heidelberg Distributing will present a selection of wines representing the best regions in the United States for the wine-tasting event, which will be held 7 to 10 PM on Saturday, February 21.
Tickets cost $40, and will include food samplings from some of the area’s best chefs.
An “Old World Meets New,” beer tasting will be is scheduled 7 to 10 PM on Friday, February 20. Thirty traditional and “Old World” beers will be offered for comparison with contemporary and “New World” varieties.
Food pairings prepared from Stella’s Restaurant and Bar as well as Swig Restaurant, recently named Best Casual Restaurant by Ohio Magazine, will be offered. Tickets are $30.
Both events will be in downtown Perrysburg, at Second Street and Louisiana Avenue. For more information, go to perrysburgwinterfest.org.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Dubl 2006 Greco Vino Spumante, Campania


New Year’s Eve means sparkling wine. At Toledo Wines and Vines, we weren’t about to be caught short.

Featured prominently at our celebration was a wine made from a grape that is little known: Greco. The grape produces dry white wine and is found east of Naples in Italy’s Campania region.

Greco also makes fabulous sparkling wine. In this case it is made in the method champenoise, the traditional way Champagne is made in France.

In fact, the Campania sparkling wine tradition dates back to the occupation of Naples in the 15th century by Louis XII, who demanded that the local winemakers produce a sparkling wine in his honor.

He was, after all, from Champagne. Greco from the village of Tufo was perfect for the wine.

This is a cool and quirky wine with flavor notes of smoke and oranges. Dubl has a rich mouthfeel and erupting streams of bubbles. It is dry with an edge of minerality. The evening flew by as we sipped the Greco Brut awaiting the ball drop to signal the dawning of a new year.

At only $19.99, I picked up a pair of bottles online at Invino. You might say I was seeing “Dubl.” It’s a vintage sparkling wine that’s certain to impress the crowd at your next festive occasion.

Rating: 4.5 of 5  Value: 5 of 5

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Kenwood 2010 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County


Artist Series is right! Like an artist dabbing the palette and brushing on azure blue with glistening cadmium highlights this Kenwood line of Cabernet delivers beauty to delight the senses.
For 36 vintages, Kenwood has selected the finest lots of Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County for their Artist Series. The grapes are picked at the peak of flavor and after two years of barrel aging, the winemakers taste through all of the individual vineyard lots and select barrel by barrel the most flavorful wines to make up the Artist Series blend.
A unique component of the bottling is the artwork on the label. Each year a beautiful work of art is selected to grace the bottle. This year the work featured was “Sonoma Serenity” by Keith Wicks. It depicts two sailboats bobbing serenely on the water as a brilliant sunset cascades through the clouds and illuminates the waves.
We had a chance to enjoy all aspects of this fine wine on New Year’s Eve when we popped open this special bottle with friends. We decanted for about one hour before pouring.
Much like the artist’s composition, the 2010 Artist Series Cab is a canvas with varied brushstrokes. It is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Merlot. Fruit comes from Sonoma Valley (55%), Alexander Valley (41%) and the Merlot coming from Dry Creek Valley. It is aged for 26 months in French oak barrels.
My initial impression was that of warm, red fruit with black cherry. It achieves a great balance of power and grace, remaining smooth through the long finish. Subtle cinnamon flavor notes are there as well.
While ready to drink now, this is a wine that could evolve with aging over the next decade. You can enjoy the artwork on the label while you wait! There were 1,494 cases produced and it retails for $75.
This is a superlative Sonoma Cabernet. We also give this wine an additional dollop of praise for its fine blending of visual art with the art of the vine. The Artist Series in general, and this wine in particular, are highly recommended.
Full disclosure: The wine was received as a marketing sample.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events and Tastings, January 7-10, 2015

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Wednesday, January 7
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Wines our own Kim G. Wants to Try: 1. Butter Chardonnay, 2. Fair Hills Mendoza Gran Reserva Malbec, 3. Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet, 4. Sartori Amarone. Nominal fee per sample or $10 per flight.

Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Wednesday Wine Tasting. Come out with friends, have fun, taste good juice!

Zinful Wine Bar, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville, 5:30 – 8 PM. Wednesday Wine Tasting.

Thursday, January 8
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Happy New Year! Some Great New Italians: 1. 2013 Palladino – del commune di Gavi – White blend, 2. 2011 Tavoleto – Nebbiolo d’Alba, 3. 2007 Goretti – Sagrantino di Montefalco, 4. 2010 Masciarelli – Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Nominal fee per sample or $11 per flight.

Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Closeout Tasting #1: January is the time of closeouts and great deals. We will pick eight of our best closeouts to taste, and will arrange other closeout tastings as new closeouts arrive. 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, January 9
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting. 4:00 – 7:00 PM.

Saturday, January 10
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Wine Spectator's Top 100 - Round Two. We have so many wines off the list this year that we need two wine tastings to show them all. This is round two. Nominal fee per sample.
AREA WINE BARS
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.
  • Zinful Wine Bar, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville.



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

Up & Coming:
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, January 6, 2015

Ken Wright Cellars 2009 Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills


Ken Wright is a master of Pinot Noir. While we are completely delighted with Oregon Pinot, wines from Ken Wright Cellars take it to the next level – sourcing the grapes from the very best Pinot vineyards in the AVAs of Willamette Valley.
On New Year’s Eve we opened this bottle of KWC 2009 Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir. The winery’s current lineup includes Pinot from seven different vineyards. The wines also have a surprising capability to age. The KWC website lists an aging chart and some 2002 vintages list a drinking window lasting until 2015. That’s a solid Pinot Noir.
KWC’s wine philosophy is to minimize tinkering in order to allow the grapes an opportunity to express the inherent properties they possess. They also describe their approach to farming as nutritionally based. Each year they analyze the nutritional status of soils and plants and tailor their farming approach to shore up deficiencies. I’ve always been focused on good nutrition!
Clearly, they put a lot of thought into each bottle. The wine that pours forth reflects their focus on quality.
Rich purple in color, this Pinot was less tannic than the previous KWC Pinot I had. It ripples with elegance and light swirls of strawberry and raspberry. There is a slight spice nuance as well. It offers a lingering finish to cap off a near perfect glass of Pinot.
Ken Wright Cellars is a premier Pinot producer. I look forward to exploring each of his vineyards – with my glass, of course!
Rating: 4.5 of 5  Value: 4 of 5 (Based on $52 price.)

Monday, January 5, 2015

Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Lot #54


The tale of this wine begins in Denver. Green Dragon and I had been out in Colorado to visit our daughter, who lives in Breckenridge, and attend a wedding.
Our daughter absolutely had to visit Trader Joe’s to do some shopping before returning to home. So we visited Trader Joe’s. It’s a great store with interesting products at low prices – but I must admit that their amazing wine shop was a main attraction for me.
The Charles Shaw, or “two-buck Chuck” had no appeal. But when I saw the platinum label Grand Reserve Cabernet from Oakville, my interest was piqued.
Oakville is where To-Kalon, one of the greatest vineyards in Napa Valley is planted. The grapes for the ultra premium Opus One are also grown here. Not only that, but the Trader Joe’s wine was 2009, one of the epic Napa vintages.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t buy any there because we were flying back later that day and weren’t checking any bags. I rectified this situation when we visited Trader Joe’s in Ann Arbor last week. Green Dragon and I were joined by the Cabinator and Glorious T for a visit to one of our favorite Michigan cities. The Cabinator and I split a half case, purchasing all they had on hand. At $14.99 you can’t really go wrong.
Did we score or go bust on this purchase? We were anxious to find out. That evening we uncorked the first bottle.
In the glass it is a deep ruby color. On the nose there is a demure puff of berry. The wine is fruit forward with delicious jammy flavor. The tannins are subdued. All in all, a solid Cabernet.
The wine is produced by Behind the Scene Wine of Napa Valley for Trader Joe’s. There is no digital footprint for this company. There were 2,497 cases produced and it registers 14.1% alcohol.
If there is one area where the wine falls short, in my view, it’s in the aging process. For high end Cabernets, the selection of the proper oak barrels (French or American, new vs. old, etc.) and the length of aging add nuance and complexity to a wine. Oak barrels are expensive, with most running more than $1,000.
It doesn’t approach the top tier Cabernets, as you might suspect, but it certainly drinks like a $30 or $35 Napa Valley Cab. Value wise, this is an impressive wine. I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to serve this for wine loving friends.