Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Amavi Cellars 2011 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley


I’ve just returned from the Taste Washington event in Seattle. In the next week or so I’ll share some of the favorite wines I enjoyed there. For now, though, I want to share a Washington wine experience closer to home.
Amavi Cellars is a winery that typifies the value and excellence I’ve come to expect from the northwest corner of our country. Back in 2010 I took a wonderful bus tour from Seattle that ended up in Walla Walla for the Wine Bloggers Conference. Along the way we visited such destinations as Yakima Valley, the Columbia Gorge and Woodinvile.
One of my best experiences was a wine tasting at Les Collines Vineyard, or should I say “in” the vineyard. Les Collines is a premier vineyard that supplies wines for some of the great Washington State wineries. We tasted through some outstanding Amavi (pronounced AHM-a-vee) wines and I’ve been a fan ever since.
Our troupe of tasters encountered this 2011Amavi Walla Walla Valley Syrah at Veritas Cork & Craft wine bar in downtown Toledo. After a visit to the Glass City Wine Festival, we decided we needed a knockout wine while we waited for our dinner reservation at Registry Bistro.
This Syrah is deep, dark and mysterious. It is 100% Syrah and 47% of grapes come from Les Collines Vineyard. It is a succulent wine with bountiful blueberry and blackberry flavor notes. There is a hint of smokiness and a robust, fruit-laden finish.
At about $25 this is an outstanding buy. It elevates your evening and is a great choice to share with friends.
Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 4 of 5

Thursday, March 26, 2015

New Research Says Wine Terroir Is Rooted in Soil Microbes

Does the word “terroir” get you misty-eyed, thinking about sun-dappled Mediterranean hills, volcanic soil from an ancient eruption or perhaps rock and gravel that cause grapevines to struggle for their very existence. Scientists may have deflated your balloon. The terroir of wine could have more to do with the soil microbes found around the plant's roots than the soil’s physical characteristics, according to new research.
The findings, published in mBio the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, could help dissect how microbes affect a wine's properties and pave the way for biotechnological advances for producing hardier crops as well as to new, bacterial ways to massage a wine's outcome.
"Growers have been sub-selecting the best regions to grow grapes over thousands of years, but the science of that is poorly understood," says Jack Gilbert, a microbial ecologist at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. "Just the same as the human biome plays a role in health, bacteria have intricate associations with plants that affect disease resistance, stress tolerance and productivity."
The team of researchers, which included winemaker Gilles Martin, looked at four closely related Merlot plants growing in five different vineyards across a small stretch of the North Fork region of Long Island, New York. For each location, they sampled the soil, roots, leaves, flowers and grapes throughout a growing season. Then, the team used shotgun metagenomic sequencing to characterize all the bacterial species found on each part of the grapevine. The team found that it's all about location, location, location.
"Where you grow that particular grapevine is the most important characteristic shaping which bacteria will colonize the plant," says Gilbert. The majority of bacterial species found in the plant were also present in the soil it was growing in. A few rare species found in the soil, were enriched in the aboveground grapes and leaves. This indicates that the soil acts as a reservoir for most of the bacteria that are colonizing the plants' structures.
Next, the team compared the New York grapes' microbiome to those associated with Merlot grapes from Bordeaux, France, and crushed Merlot grapes from California. All three hosted similar bacteria species. "No matter where you are in the world, the types of bacteria growing on or in Merlot grapes are quite similar," says Gilbert.
Dr Paul Chambers, the research manager in biosciences at The Australian Wine Research Institute in South Australia?? says microbiome is a word we will hear a great deal more about in the near future.
“The proposition that microbiome composition determines terroir deserves further research,” said Chambers. “If a viticulturist can shape the style of wine in a controlled manner by managing the microbiome of her or his vineyard in a targeted way, it opens the way for winemakers to more effectively shape their wines to meet market demands.”?
There is immense commercial interest in finding specific bacteria that would add benefits to crops, such as drought and pest resistance. But the findings may also point to new, bacterial ways to massage a wine's outcome.
"From the wine industry's perspective, terroir comes from the plant's physiology, the chemical nature of the grapes, and the yeast that do the fermenting work," says Gilbert. From this study, Gilbert argues that the microbes present in the soil, rather than the soil's physical characteristics, might play a bigger role in influencing terroir.
"We don't have evidence that bacteria are specifically contributing to terroir, but our next step is to figure out how those bacteria are affecting the chemistry of the plant."

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: March 25-28, 2015

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Wednesday, March 25
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Kim Crawford Wines from New Zealand. Fantastic bright, fresh and refreshing wines from one of New Zealand's premier winemakers. 1. Kim Crawford 2013 Unoaked Chardonnay, 2. Kim Crawford 2013 Pinot Gris, 3. Kim Crawford 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, 4. Kim Crawford 2013 Pinot Noir. Nominal fee per sample or $8 per flight.

Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. California Wine Tasting. Special Guests John Eric Perrmann of Bronco Wien Company and Nikki Mulholland of Walter Berman & Co. share six outstanding California wines. $15 per person.

Zinful Wine Bar, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville, 6:00 – 7:00 PM. Nick Kubiak, CSW, will present a wine appreciation class. You’ll have a chance to learn the basics and the finer points of wine while enjoying a selection of five wines including reds and white. Call for info.

Thursday, March 26
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Yeah! Spring is here! 1. 2011 Heartland Stickleback – White Blend – South Australia, 2. 2013 Prieler – Rose of Merlot and Blaufränkisch – Austria, 3. 2012 Revelry – Merlot – Columbia Valley, Washington, 4. 2012 Revelry – Red Blend – Columbia Valley, Washington. Nominal fee per sample or $6.50 per flight.

Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Wonderful Affordable Italian Dinner Wines: 1. Jeio Prosecco, 2. Valori Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, 3. Chloe Pinot Grigio, 4. Terredora Dipaolo Falanghina, 5. Montaribaldi Trestelle Red, 6. Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, 7. Capanna Rosso di Montalcino, 8. Rosa di Rosa. Nominal fee per sample.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Selections from Berman Wine Company. Special guest Nikki Mulholland. 1. Brady Petit Syrah, 2. Brady Zinfandel, 3. Brady Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Garnet Pinot Noir, 5. Garnet Chardonnay, 6. Blanc de bleu Brut Cuvee. 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, March 27
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting. 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Saturday, March 28
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Old Vine American Wine. There are not many old grapevines left in America. Prohibition devastated the American wine industry and then the colonization of Cabernet, Merlot, and Chardonnay in the 1970s destroyed most of what was left. But there are still pockets of 75+ year old vines still around. They are just very rare. That’s what we’re going to taste. 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).
March 30 - Registry Bistro, 144 N. Superior St., (419) 725-0444, is hosting an Old World Wine Dinner. The seven course meal will begin with “bubbles” at 6:00 PM. The cost is $70 per guest. Call for reservations because limited seats are available. 





April 7 - TREO Restaurant, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. Spring Fling Wine Dinner. Join us for an elegant evening with wine pairings and a special menu celebrating the fresh & flavorful tastes of spring. $75 includes tax & gratuity. Call for reservations or email events@treosylvania.com.
April 18 - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Wine, Cheese & Chocolate benefit. 7:00 to 10:00 PM at Belmont Country Club, 29601 Bates Road, Perrysburg. Tickets $40 in advance or $45 at the door. Tables of eight are available at $300. For tickets and more information, contact VictoryforViolet@bex.net or call (419) 874-9806.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Arsenic In Wine: California Industry Group Responds To Allegations

Recently news articles were published centering on a lawsuit by four California residents alleging that wine coming from 28 different California wineries contain dangerous levels of arsenic. Arsenic occurs naturally in the air, soil and water in small amounts, and in beverages including wine. In large amounts, arsenic can be deadly.
So, what’s the true story? Is your next bottle of wine endangering your health?
Wine Institute is an association of 1,000 California wineries and they have responded to the charges, calling the lawsuit irresponsible.  Here’s their statement on this issue:
“In recent days, unfounded litigation has raised questions about the safety of California wine. We want to assure you that the health and safety of consumers is of the greatest importance to our wineries and that the wine produced by our members is perfectly safe.
  • The lawsuit claims that certain wines contain unsafe levels of arsenic based on the limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for drinking water – 10 parts per billion (ppb). However there is no scientific basis for applying the EPA drinking water standard to wine.
  • The U.S. government has not published a limit for arsenic in wine but several countries including Canada, the EU, and Japan have set limits ranging from 100ppb up to 1000ppb – 10 to 100 times the level the EPA determined to be safe for drinking water.
  • When the U.S. government considers limits for arsenic in food and beverages, they take into account how much of that food or beverage an average person may consume in a day and the age of people who likely consume that food/beverage. Daily intake levels for water are significantly higher than for wine.
  • The risks from potential exposure to arsenic in wine are lower than the risks the EPA considers safe for drinking water. For perspective, eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day is the recommended daily amount, whereas one to two 5-ounce glasses of wine a day is defined as moderate wine consumption according to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines.
  • Arsenic is prevalent in the natural environment in air, soil and water and food. As an agricultural product, wines from throughout the world contain trace amounts of arsenic as do juices, vegetables, grains and other alcohol beverages and this is nothing new.
  • The U.S. government, both TTB and FDA as part of its Total Diet Study, regularly tests wines for harmful compounds including arsenic as does Canada and the European Union to ensure that wine is safe to consume.”
Photo by Claudio Matsuako
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Monday, March 23, 2015

Boisset Collection Shines At Toledo Exchange Youth Scholarship Wine Tasting

The Toledo Exchange Club Youth Scholarship benefit wine tasting made was held for the third time last week. It’s marked by good times, good wines and a good cause.
This year’s event returned to the Historic Oliver House in Toledo. The historic lobby’s unique circular layout makes it an ideal venue for this tasting. The event was organized by tasting team member The Cabinator. No way we would miss this tasting!
Highlighting the benefit were the wines of the Boisset Collection, courtesy of Wine Trends. Jean-Claude Boisset was born in Burgundy and continued his parents’ wine tradition. He developed the Boisset US business and today Jean-Claude and his sister Nathalie have united the old and new worlds of wine with wineries in both France and California.
Featured wines included:
  • 2012 Fortant Chardonnay, Languedoc, France
  • 2013 DeLoach Pinot Noir, California
  • 2011 Bonpas Cotes du Rhone, France
  • 2012 Buena Vista Founders Red Blend “The Count,” Sonoma
  • 2012 Raymond Family Classic Cabernet Sauvignon, California
  • Batasiolo Moscato, Italy
The lineup was solid throughout. For many years, Languedoc has been known for the volume of wine produced, and not necessarily the quality. That is all changing. The Fortant is a solid Chardonnay with notes of tropical fruit.
For tasting team member Glorious T, DeLoach her “go to” Pinot Noir. DeLoach has many tiers of Pinot, but this is a tasty example of California Pinot that is balanced with great strawberry and and red fruit flavors.
Cotes du Rhone is one of our favorite wines. The blend of Syrah and Grenache (and in this case Mourvedre too) is easy drinking and goes with a variety of dishes. It is warm and powerful with black fruit and a touch of spice.
A special treat was the Bonpas Luberon. This is a white blend of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette and Vermentino that wasn’t on the tasting list – but Wine Trends special guest Miana DeGardeyn shared a taste. This is a deliciously fresh white with good acidity and peachy flavors. My favorite white of the night.
One of the top reds of the evening was the 2012 Buena Vista Founder’s Red, “The Count.” We were looking forward to tasting this since Buena Vista’s Sheriff, a Petite Sirah blend, is one of our favorites. The Count is a Zinfandel blend that includes Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Carignane.
The wine honors the innovative founder of the Buena Vista Winery and the blend does him proud. In addition to luscious fruit, there are threads of mocha, cinnamon and vanilla. A top pick!
Raymond Vineyards is known for delivering excellent Cabernet Sauvignon at a variety of price points. Whether you are tasting the R Collection or their premium Generations lines, you are getting great value. The Family Classic Cabernet blends grapes from Napa Valley, Sonoma and Lake County It also includes small amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot to round out the mix.
It has blackberry and currant flavors. It’s an example of a fruit forward, ready to drink California Cab.
For a final treat, Miana shared the 2012 Raymond Napa Valley Reserve Merlot. This was the top red of the evening. It’s robust and structured without being overly tannic. It has flavor notes of currant and plum and a sophistication that leaves simpler Merlot in the dust.
For one evening, France, California and Toledo, Ohio, united to help some very deserving students. Cheers!

Friday, March 20, 2015

Five Fun Facts About Cabernet Sauvignon

From The Archives… To help whet your whistle, here are five interesting facts about Cabernet Sauvignon (courtesy of Wikipedia and Snooth):
  1. Despite its prominence in the industry, the grape is a relatively new variety. It’s the product of a chance crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc during the 17th century in southwestern France, most likely in the Bordeaux region.  These origins were a mystery until recent DNA testing.
  2. The 1976 “Judgment of Paris” was a famous blind wine tasting event where esteemed wine experts unknowingly chose a California Cabernet over several French producers, thus catapulting New World Cabs onto the international stage.
  3. For most of the 20th century, Cabernet was the world’s most widely planted premium red wine grape until it was surpassed by Merlot in the 1990s.
  4. Cabernet Sauvignon makes equal appearances as a single varietal and in blends such as Bordeaux (French), Meritage (American), and Super Tuscan (Italian.)
  5. France and California are the well known as ideal places to grow Cabernet Sauvignon. But the grape is grown around the world including Italy, South America, Australia, Washington and Oregon, as well as other regions.
 
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Thursday, March 19, 2015

Villa Maria 2010 Private Bin Pinot Gris, East Coast, New Zealand


This New Zealand Pinot Gris was the second of two Villa Maria wines that we picked up on clearance at Andersons. We really enjoyed the Villa Maria Dry Riesling and hoped this would show just as well.
Green Dragon, my wife and tasting partner, popped this open – or should I say unscrewed. Like many white wines from New Zealand, it has a screw top – but that is certainly not a sign of lower quality.
The real story is what’s inside the bottle. Unfortunately, this wine left Green Dragon underwhelmed.
This wine is off-dry, with grapes coming from the Marlborough, Gisborne and Waipara winegrowing regions. At 5.7% residual sugar, the winery calls this off dry – but we call it too sweet. The wine is also lacking the necessary acidity to balance the sweetness. As a result, you have a medium bodied wine that has a rounded flavor, but a bit flabby.
The wine is aged in stainless steel, which we appreciate in white wines. That allows the true flavor of the grape to shine through unmasked by heavy oak. However, that’s another reason why this is a pretty simple wine.
The flavor notes are of pear and honeysuckle. For those who prefer sweeter wines, this could be a good choice on occasion. We paid about $10 for this, so it certainly won’t bust the budget. However, there are better choices out there for the money. A nice Pinot Gris from Oregon would cost just a few bucks more and deliver a step up in quality.
Rating: 1.5 of 5  Value: 2 of 5
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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings, March 18-21, 2015


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Wednesday, March 18
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Annual MS Bike to the Bay Registration Tasting: 1. Kung Fu Girl 2013 Riesling, 2. The Magician Red Blend, 3. Masciarelli Montepulciano, 4. Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa 2012 Shiraz. Nominal fee per sample or $5 per flight.

Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:00 – 8:00 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, March 19
SPECIAL EVENT: Toledo Exchange Club Youth Scholarship Wine Tasting, 6-8 PM, Historic Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. Cost is $50. Wines, appetizers, silent auction items and raffle tickets are all available during a night of fun in benefit of Toledo area high school students.  Call (419) 343-2426 for tickets and information.
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Think Spring, it's on the way: 1. 2012 The Calling – Chardonnay – Russian River Valley, 2. 2013 The Calling – Pinot Noir – Russian River Valley, 3. 2011 Valori – Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – Abruzzo, Italy, 4. 2011 Domaine La Bouissiere – Gigondas – Gigondas, France. Nominal fee per sample or $11 per flight.

Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. All Things that are Pinot
(Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Champagne, Pinot Meunier, Pinotage): 1. Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine, 2. Belle Gloss Pinot Noir Blanc, 3. Elizabeth Spencer Pinot Blanc, 4. King Estate Pinot Gris, 5. Vie di Romans Pinot Grigio, 6. Riebeek Cellars Pinotage, 7. Domaine Jean Fournier Bourgogne, 8. Cambria Pinot Noir, 9. Anne Amie Pinot Noir, 10. Saint Gregory Pinot Meunier. Nominal fee per sample.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Weekly wine 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, March 20
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting. 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Saturday, March 21
SPECIAL EVENT: Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Jim Krusinski Tribute Wine Tasting. As many of you already know, Jim Krusinski, our assistant wine manager, died early last Friday.  He had been taken ill about one month ago and never recovered.  Jim was well liked by everyone here at Walt Churchill's Market and many of you also knew him and liked him as well.  He will be sorely missed. To show our respect for Jim, we are having a Tribute to Jim Krusinski Wine Tasting on Saturday March 21, 2015. We will taste some of Jim’s favorite wines in the store and celebrate his life doing the thing he loved so much, drinking and talking about wine. The Tribute tasting is replacing the usually scheduled Saturday Wine Tasting. (State law requires a minor charge for wine tastings.  Even in a situation like this.)
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).
March 30 - Registry Bistro, 144 N. Superior St., (419) 725-0444, is hosting an Old World Wine Dinner. The seven course meal will begin with “bubbles” at 6:00 PM. The cost is $70 per guest. Call for reservations because limited seats are available. 





April 7 - TREO Restaurant, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. Spring Fling Wine Dinner. Join us for an elegant evening with wine pairings and a special menu celebrating the fresh & flavorful tastes of spring. $75 includes tax & gratuity. Call for reservations or email events@treosylvania.com.
April 18 - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Wine, Cheese & Chocolate benefit. 7:00 to 10:00 PM at Belmont Country Club, 29601 Bates Road, Perrysburg. Tickets $40 in advance or $45 at the door. Tables of eight are available at $300. For tickets and more information, contact VictoryforViolet@bex.net or call (419) 874-9806.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Dinners, Benefits Highlight Upcoming Toledo Area Wine Calendar For March, April

Toledo area wine lovers have several events to circle on the calendars during the months of March and April. Two wine dinners and two benefits are among activities scheduled during the next 30 days.
First, don’t forget about the Toledo Exchange Club Youth Scholarship Wine Tasting benefit, which takes place Thursday, March 19, 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the historic Oliver House in Toledo. The cost for the event is $50 which includes wine tasting and paired appetizers. Wines, appetizers, silent auction items and raffle tickets are all available during a night of fun in benefit of Toledo area high school students.  Call (419) 343-2426 for tickets and information.
On March 30, Registry Bistro, 144 N. Superior St., (419) 725-0444, is hosting an Old World Wine Dinner. The seven course meal will begin with “bubbles” at 6:00 PM. The cost is $70 per guest. Call for reservations because limited seats are available. Don’t miss this event at one of Toledo’s finest restaurants.
Speaking of great restaurants, one of our favorites has scheduled a special wine dinner. TREO Restaurant, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266 is hosting their Spring Fling Wine Dinner on April 7. The elegant evening features wine pairings and a special menu celebrating the fresh and flavorful tastes of spring. The cost is $75 per person. Call for reservations or email events@treosylvania.com.
A event is scheduled April 18 to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Wine, Cheese & Chocolate is scheduled 7:00 to 10:00 PM at Belmont Country Club, 29601 Bates Road, Perrysburg. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door. Tables of eight are available at $300. For tickets and more information, contact VictoryforViolet@bex.net or call (419) 874-9806.

Monday, March 16, 2015

Toledo Youth Scholarship Wine Tasting Set March 19

The Exchange Club of Toledo will host its 3rd Annual Toledo Youth Scholarship Benefit Wine Tasting on Thursday, March 19. The event will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the historic Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo.
The cost for the event is $50 which includes wine tasting and paired appetizers. Wines, appetizers, silent auction items and raffle tickets are all available during a night of fun in benefit of Toledo area high school students.  Proceeds support the Exchange Club of Toledo's Youth of the Year scholarship and ACE award programs for local high school students.
The Exchange Club is a national service organization which was founded and is headquartered in Toledo. The organization, which has more than 650 clubs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, focuses on family, community and country.
We’ve attended this program each year and it has been a blast. We encourage you to come out, have fun and support a good cause while enjoying some great wine.
For tickets or information, call (419) 343-2426 or email gweller@nationalexchangeclub.org.
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Friday, March 13, 2015

Glass City Wine Festival Makes Triumphant Return

The Glass City Wine Festival held its third annual event last weekend. If our intuition is correct, it will be around for many, many years to come.
Last year the festival made a major stride forward, upgrading the food and the décor. Improvements continued this year with a larger space and a live jazz band. Of course the main attraction was Ohio wineries, and 20 of them were on hand.
Green Dragon and I were joined by tasting team members Cabinator and Glorious T. We were lucky enough to get VIP tickets which allowed us to enter an hour earlier than regular tickets. We’re glad we had them and I’d recommend them highly for you next year.
The wines veer toward the sweet side of the spectrum. There were strawberry, blackberry, dandelion and pomegranate joining the more traditional ranks of Merlot, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
One of our favorite booths was Chateau Tebeau. We sampled and enjoyed their Cab Franc and their Pinot Gris. This year I was focused mainly on the whites and was able to enjoy Mon Ami’s Gerwurztraminer and Hillside Winery’s Traminette.
A couple other notable stops were Klingshirn (loved their Chambourcin) and It’s Your Winery, which offered a nice Pinot Noir.
A nice addition this year was a presentation by Pairings: Ohio’s Wine & Culinary Experience. Pairings is a showcase for Ohio wines and wine education and is located in Geneva. We sat in on a short sensory wine tasting which was different and enjoyable.
We went light on the food, since we were going to dinner at Registry Bistro afterward, but munched on some very good lobster mac and cheese from Rosie’s and taste-tested the cheese from Yancey’s Fancy. This artisan cheese from New York was delicious, especially the Champagne Cheddar and Smoked Gouda.
Thanks to the Glass City Wine Festival, the month of March is now a lot brighter in Toledo!

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Gewürztraminer: Add Some Spice To Your Wine Drinking

From The TWAV Archives…
Spicy. Unexpected. Great partner for an Asian meal.
Gewürztraminer is all that and more.
A classic German and Alsatian wine,  Gewürztraminer (pronounced ga-VERTZ-trah-mee-ner) is a full bodied wine that can be polarizing. There are those who are unfamiliar with it or prefer a more docile style of white wine. Others prefer its racy characteristics and great ability to pair with food. The wine is also produced in Washington, California and New York. It tends to do better in cool weather growing areas that allow the flavors to concentrate.
My white wine journey took an atypical path – starting with German Riesling and not Chardonnay. As a result I experimented with German wines and regularly enjoyed Gewürztraminer before acquiring the taste for Chardonnay.  If you are looking for a new white to expand your wine horizons, go with Gewurz!
Gewurz means “spicy” in German and that is the main characteristic of this wine. Traminer identifies the wine as "coming from Tramin", a small city in south Austria where the grape originated. Gewurztraminer is the name of a grape but also the name of the wine made from the grape. In the Alsace region of France, the limestone and clay soil contribute to a full bodied and aromatic Gewürztraminer. About 29 million bottles are produced annually. Trimbach is a very good Alsatian wine.
The wine is delicious, fruity and with strong aromas, a very perfumed and flowery bouquet. Gerwurz can be sweet or dry, so you should be careful to check the label to properly match your palate. Alsatian Gewurztraminer is sweet and their Riesling is dry.
In general, Gerwurztraminer should be drunk young, although finer examples can age up to 10 years. The wine is thick and rich. It pairs exceptionally well with Munster cheese, curry seasoned dishes, Chinese and Mexican cooking and other spiced dishes. Give it a try with barbeque or chicken wings. Sweet  Gewurztraminer can even be served as a dessert wine. It should be served chilled to about 50 degrees. 
This is a wine that delights the nose. It has floral aromas (including rose) and that of grapefruit, apricot, mineral and pear.
Gewurztraminer will never be recognized as a subtle wine, which is one reason that it pairs especially well with spicy foods that overwhelm more restrained offerings. It pairs well with rich, fatty dishes like pork and goose, as well as with ripe cherries. It also works well with otherwise hard-to-pair spicy cuisines like Indian and Chinese food, thanks to its strongly aromatic flavor.
During a recent tasting at Corks, fellow tasters were purchasing a bottle of 2001 Hugel late harvest Gerwurztraminer. We hope to get a report, since this was a prize bottle. The late harvest bottlings offer great balance between sweetness and acidity.
A nice starting point is a Gerwurz from Chateau Ste. Michelle or Columbia Crest in Washington. In the Finger Lakes, Prejean makes a great Gerwurz. The previously mentioned Trimbach is also a can't miss bottle.
Photo by Adam Baker
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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: March 11-14, 2015

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Wednesday, March 11
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Weekly wine tasting. 1. Cristalino Brut Cava, 2. Finca Sandoval 2008 Salia, 3. Melini Terrarossa 2010 Chianti Classico, 4. Treasure Hunter 2013 "The Furious Damsel" Cabernet Sauvignon. Nominal fee per sample or $5 per flight.

Rosie’s Italian Grille, 606 N McCord Rd., Toledo, (419) 866-5007. Elite Wine Tasting. $125per person. Call for reservations.
Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:00 – 8:00 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, March 12
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Welcome Bike to the Bay! 1.
2012 Brocard – Chablis – Chardonnay – Burgundy, France, 2. 2012 Allamand Valle de Uco – Malbec – Mendoza, Argentina, 3. 2011 Batasiolo – Nebbiolo – Langhe, Italy, 4. 2012 Joel Gott – Cabernet Sauvignon 815 – California. Nominal fee per sample or $7 per flight.

Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Tour of Sonoma: Sonoma encompasses some of the most widely varied terrain and temperatures in California. Here we offer a wide range of variations of Sonoma. 1. Selby Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Hanna Chardonnay Russian River Valley, 3. Jordan Chardonnay Russian River Valley, 4. Picket Fence Pinot Noir, 5. MacRostie Pinot Noir, 6. Simi Merlot, 7. Seghesio Zinfandel, 8. Angels & Cowboys Red. Nominal fee per sample.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Selections from Ryan Patrick Vineyards. Special guest Tricia Rasar. 1. Ryan Patrick Reserve Chardonnay, 2. Ryan Patrick Rock Island Red, 3. Ryan Patrick Rebel Rhone Blend, 4. Ryan Patrick Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 5. Ryan Patrick Riesling. 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, March 13
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting. 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Saturday, March 14
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Napa Valley – To Cabernet and Beyond: Napa Valley is a tiny region with big impact (and prices.) Only 4% of California’s wine volume is grown here, but 25% of the value. Napa is famous for big rich Cabernet Sauvignon (and we’ll taste some of those,) but we will also try other exciting grape varieties. 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). 





April 7 - TREO Restaurant, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. Spring Fling Wine Dinner. Join us for an elegant evening with wine pairings and a special menu celebrating the fresh & flavorful tastes of spring. $75 includes tax & gratuity. Call for reservations or email events@treosylvania.com.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Faust 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley


In German folklore, Faust is a scholar who becomes disenchanted with life and makes a deal with the devil in exchange for another chance at youth. While we certainly do not recommend deals like that – this wine is powerfully good.
We popped open the Faust 2012 Napa Cabernet after returning from a visit to Veritas Cork & Craft and dinner at the Registry Bistro. While this wine can age for six to eight more years, we just couldn’t wait.
Faust is a blend of 80% Cabernet, 16% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The 2012 vintage was considered ideal in Napa, with an early spring, classic Napa summer and no problems with rain.
In the glass this is deep ruby in color with ripe berry scents wafting about. It is succulent with rich notes of cherry and blackberry. The body is lush and the finish long lasting.
We used our new TRIbella aerator, which allows the wine to cascade into the glass in three separate streams. It added some entertainment value to the pouring of the wine and, we think, helped the wine open up.
This wine is aged for 19 months in French oak, 30% of which was new. Faust, however, is not overly tannic. It is smooth and rewarding and we expect that even more complexity will come with bottle age. We suggest buying a couple bottles – one to drink now and another to lay down for another three years.
Faust is devilishly good. We give it two purple thumbs up.
Full disclosure: We received this bottle as a marketing sample.

Monday, March 9, 2015

New TRIbella Accessory Adds Art To Your Wine Aeration

At Toledo Wines and Vines we like to play with our wine. We decant it, aerate it, swirl it – all sorts of fun things in the hopes of unlocking the very best aspects of our wines. We recently received a new wine aerator from TRIbella for review. It’s the most unique aerator we’ve encountered.
Aerators are designed to help red wines “open up” and breathe. We’re convinced it makes a profound difference in the taste quality of some wines.
Most aerators fall into two categories: stand alone aerators through which you pour your wine and the in-bottle aerators which fit snuggly into the top of the bottle.
Most of the in-bottle aerators have a glass bulb through which the wines swirls on its way to your glass. TRIbella takes a different approach.
The makers say their goal is to marry art and science while showing respect to the winemaker and the artisan who created your wine glass. TRIbella creates three streams of wine. The air between the streams allows the wine to breathe and the impact of the three streams also creates a nice froth in the glass, further exposing the wine to air.
We’ve used the TRIbella two different evenings. The first time was during our epic Open That Bottle Night tasting. There is a lot to be said for reading the instructions – which I didn’t do. TRIbella is simple to use and there is only one thing you need to remember – pour with the air vent facing you. Of course I didn’t do it and there was a little splattering of red wine after the pour.
I got smart during my next try and the TRIbella worked perfectly. Once the vent is facing you, you pour. As the instructions suggest, start about four inches away – but then raise the height. This creates three cascading waterfalls of wine. It looks impressive.
TRIbella was introduced last year and was funded via Kickstarter in just three days. In addition to the visual beauty, I like the convenient carrying case. It is a high quality hardsided case that looks like it belongs to an upscale pair of sunglasses – quite convenient for taking on a trip or to a tasting.
TRIbella retails for about $40 and can be found on Amazon or Uncommon Goods. It’s a nice buy for yourself or a wine lover that has seemingly everything else.
Full Disclosure: We receive this product as a marketing sample.

Friday, March 6, 2015

Lakewood 2013 3 Generations Riesling, Finger Lakes

We celebrated Open That Bottle Night last weekend with a number of friends. To get things off on the right note, we offered this  Riesling from Lakewood as an arrival wine.
We are over the top fans of Finger Lakes wine and, in our minds, there is nothing finer than a deliciously Dry Riesling from the region in upstate New York. Lakewood is a standout winery with a l-o-o-o-n-g tasting bar, a wide assortment of wines and a scenic view of Seneca Lake.
Riesling is king in the Finger Lakes. This noble grape is the Finger Lakes most widely planted variety with nearly 850 acres in production and almost every winery produces at least one Riesling brand. The microclimate conditions and the slate soils that are so special to the Finger Lakes are exactly what make Riesling thrive there.
The 3 Generations Riesling was grown , fermented and blended by three generations of the Stamp family working together. The wine was blended from their finest lots of Riesling.
The initial impression is one of freshness. It is dry, but bubbling with flavors of lime and peach but with just the right amount of acidity to keep if from being flabby. The there is a refreshing slate minerality running through the wine that  wraps the package together nicely. It’s rather low 11.7% alcohol level means this is a food friendly wine.
As with most Finger Lakes wine, the price is a welcome surprise. The 3 Generations Riesling is only $19.99. That’s true value and world class taste. Each generation did their job quite well!
Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 5 of 5

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Zinful To Offer Chardonnay, Wine Appreciation Classes March 11 and March 25

Zinful Wine Bar, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville, will be offering two special wine classes in March to be taught by Certified Specialist of Wine Nick Kubiak.
On March 11 at 6:00 PM you have the opportunity to learn all about the mystery of Chardonnay. Do you think you know this wine? You'll be amazed with how much there is to learn. Nick will teach the 60-minute class and guide you through tasting five uniquely different Chardonnays.
On March 25, also at 6:00 PM, Nick will present a wine appreciation class. You’ll have a chance to learn the basics and the finer points of wine while enjoying a selection of five wines including reds and white.
Please call Zinful to reserve you spot or respond via Zinful’s Facebook page. What better way to spend a chilly March evening?

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: March 4-7, 2015

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Wednesday, March 4
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. New Items Plus a Couple Great Closeouts: 1. Cadence 2012 Coda Red, 2. Portada 2011 Tinto, 3. Almirez 2009 Tinto de Toro, 4. Kung Fu Girl 2013 Riesling. Nominal fee per sample or $5 per flight.

Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:00 – 8:00 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, March 5
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Come on Spring! 1. 2012 Lasbrisas – Verdejo – Rueda, Spain, 2. 2013 le Rose de Mouton Cadet – Bordeaux Rose – Bordeaux, France, 3. 2010 Clos du Mont-Olivet – Red Blend – Cotes-Du-Rhone, France, 4. 2013 Josh Cellars – Cabernet Sauvignon – Hopland, California. Nominal fee per sample or $4.50 per flight.

Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. West Coast Red Wine Blends: 1. Ghost Pines Red, 2. Red Dirt Red, 3. Stratton Lummis "The Riddler," 4. Treana Red, 5. Brian Carter Cellars Tuttorosso, 6. Abstract Red, 7. Carne Humana Red, 8. Kenefick Ranch Pickett Road Red. Nominal fee per sample.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Weekly wine tasting.
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, March 6
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting. 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Doug will be featuring the Francis Ford Coppola wines. Nominal fee per sample.
Saturday, March 7
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. The Diversity of Sonoma County Wines. Sonoma County is America’s premier wine growing area with over 1700 square miles and 60,000 acres under vine. There are 16+ sub regions with incredible diverse microclimates. There are cool coastlines, deep pine forest, rolling agricultural pastures, steep rocky mountainsides, and more. Almost every important American grape variety is grown here.  Nominal fee per sample.
SPECIAL EVENT Glass City Wine Festival, Seagate Center, Toledo. Admission tickets are from 1:00 to 4:00 PM ($25) and 6 PM to 9 PM ($30). If tickets don’t sell out, they will be available at the door for $5 more. Regional wines, gourmet cheese and fare from local restaurants and unique gifts from a number of local, craft businesses. Nineteen different Ohio wineries will be pouring at the event. For more information, and to order tickets, visit the Glass City Wine Festival website here.
AREA WINE BARS
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.
  • Zinful Wine Bar, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville.



Technorati Tags:
[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). 





April 7 - TREO Restaurant, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. Spring Fling Wine Dinner. Join us for an elegant evening with wine pairings and a special menu celebrating the fresh & flavorful tastes of spring. $75 includes tax & gratuity. Call for reservations or email events@treosylvania.com.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Does Port Wine Only Come From Portugal?

The answer to this question seemed like a no-brainer to me. You can have Port-style wines, but only wine from Portugal can be called Port.
At our Open That Bottle Night festivities, Jack, one of our guests, opined that any wine could be called Port and the real Port was labeled “Porto.” I quickly asserted that only wine produced in Portugal could be called Port.
Seemingly within seconds our friend Chuck had Wikipedia on his smart phone and delivered this nugget of info: “Under European Union Protected Designation of Origin guidelines, only the product from Portugal may be labeled as port or Porto. In the United States, wines labeled ‘port’ may come from anywhere in the world…” Was my mind muddled by wine? Was I completely off target?
To backtrack, Port is a fortified wine that has been made in the Douro region of Portugal for centuries. The name comes from the fact that these wines were shipped out of the port city of Oporto, which is the largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. It’s an extraordinary wine and a superb pairing with dessert and cigars.
However, and this may shock you, the internet is not always correct! Not only did the European Union move to protect designated wine regions abroad, but in September 2005 signed a trade agreement with the US concerning the use of “port” (and other such terms) in wine labeling.
The US agreed to prohibit the use of 16 semi-generic names on wine labels, such as chablis, Champagne, port, sherry and chianti. Names, such as chablis, burgundy, port and champagne, called semi-generics, have been in use on wine labels in the U.S. since the 1800s. U.S. winemakers had been legally permitted to use a group of 16 specific semi-generic terms on labels if accompanied by an adjacent appellation of origin.
The September 2005 trade agreement allowed for the continued use of these terms on existing brands (but not new brands). So some “port” has been grandfathered in.
As a conscientious wine consumer, I support the wine regions who are trying to protect against the misuse of names by producers trying to benefit from illegitimate connections to certain regions. Rogue wineries from Germany to China have even put “Napa” on their labels. That’s not cool.
If you see a Port from Bulgaria or a Champagne from Arkansas, think twice.
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Photo Credit: Fareham Wine via Compfight cc

Monday, March 2, 2015

Open That Bottle Night 2015 Pops Cork On New Memories


For one frosty night in February, the dreary cold is banished by the warmth of Open That Bottle Night. The event is a time to gather with family and friends to open a special bottle that otherwise would remain sealed for lack of the “just right” occasion.
At Toledo Wines and Vines, we scraped the ice off the sidewalks, polished up the wine glasses and hosted 17 friends to enjoy a selection of unique wines. It was an evening filled with fun, fellowship and bottles from the Finger Lakes, Ontario, Australia, Argentina, Portugal, New Zealand, Washington, Spain and California.
We provided a number of wines and invited guests to bring a special bottle. Each person was to share a story and also a dish to go with their wine.
This was our lineup:
  • 2013 Lakewood Vineyards 3 Generations Riesling, Finger Lakes
  • 2011 TerraVentoux Ventoux les Sablons
  • 2012 Jean-Jacques Vincent Pouilly-Fuissé Cuvée Marie Antoinette
  • 2007 Five Star Cellars Petit Verdot/Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley (Signed by owner Dave Huse)
  • 2012 19 Crimes, Victoria, Australia
  • Byron 2012 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley
  • 2010 Kenwood Vineyards Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
  • 2007 Kacaba Vineyard Reserve Meritage, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
  • 2009 Numanthia Termes, Toro, Spain
  • 2008 Susana Balbo Brioso, Mendoza, Argentina
  • 2009 Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon, California
  • 2011 Selaks East Coast Ice Wine, New Zealand
  • NV Kessler Vineyard Cherry Port
  • Dow’s 10 Year Old Porto
Phew! Let me say that we were giving “tasting” pours and Pastor Chuck was there to ensure the event didn’t descend into mayhem.
Arrival wines included the Ventoux les Sablons, a nice Syrah-Grenache blend from Rhone and the 2013 3 Generations Riesling from Lakewood. The 3 Generations is a knockout Dry Riesling from the outstanding 2013 Finger Lakes vintage. The wine has peach, pear, and lime with pleasing minerality and acidity.
The 2007 Five Star Cellars Petit Verdot/Cab Franc was a case of lost and found. I attended a tasting a few years ago at Corks. Dave Huse, owner of the winery was there doing the tasting. He was happy to autograph bottles for those who bought them. I purchased one and so did tasting team member, the Cabinator. In subsequent years, we both drank our bottles – and loved them. Just a few months ago, I discovered this autographed bottle languishing in a discount bin at Corks. I snatched it up for a paltry sum.
The Five Star fills the glass with its aromatic bouquet. It is initially velvety on the tongue. It has notes of dark fruit, cherry, mint and the forest floor. It finishes with a touch of spice.
We then learned that there were 19 crimes for which a British citizen could be banished to the penal colony of Australia. That wouldn’t be bad these days, as there is some fine wine being produced there, such as the 19 Crimes Shiraz blend.
The 2012 Byron Pinot Noir showcases the Pinot mastery of Santa Barbara County. Jack let the group know that this was one of the wines featured in Sideways that fueled the Pinot craze. The flavors blend cherry and toffee with a long peppery finish.
Our group then filtered down to the wine cellar – or more accurately, our cellar where I keep the wine. I don’t want to make it sound too grandiose. Anyhoo, while I showed off my Jeroboam of Rioja, I poured the 2010 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has a full body with red fruit and flavors of eucalyptus and cola. The finish is long and beautiful. It is an enticing wine that urges you to come back for more (we did, until the bottle was empty!).
Next was from one of our favorite wineries, Kacaba Vineyard in the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario. Cabinator presented this 2007 Reserve Meritage to the delight of the crowd. This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It was a standout with a full nose, savory flavors of red and black fruit coat the tongue while toasty oak is also in the mix.
Our exploration of exotic wines continued with our savoring of the 2009 Numanthia Termes Tempranillo from Toro. Eric told the story of how he picked up the bottle while in Barcelona preparing for the running of the bulls – what a great story, which we soon learned was completely fabricated. 
Another high point was the 2008 Susana Balbo Brioso from Mendoza. Brioso means “spirited love of challenge” and these grapes are challenged indeed, all being grown at elevations over 3,300 feet. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. This is a magnificent wine with great depth. It is dark, smooth and elegant with notes of toffee and dark fruit.
We enjoyed one final Cab, the impenetrably dark 2012 Carnivor provided by tasting team members Wine Chick and Sax Man. This is a teeth-stainer with rich flavors of raisin, blackberry and oak.

We finished with a trio of dessert wines: the Selaks 2011 East Coast Ice wine from New Zealand, Kessler Vineyard Cherry Port, and the Dow 10 Year Old Porto. The Selaks wasn’t syrupy as we thought it might be. It paired quite nicely with celery (at least according to one guest, but it’s not a recommended pairing). Tasting Team Member Dr. J poured his own creation, Kessler Vineyard Cherry Port – and it was a hit. Just the right amount of fruit to balance the “portness” of the wine. We closed with a traditional Port and it was a fitting finish – warming us all before many had to trek into the snowflakes for the ride home.
OTBN 2016 can’t come fast enough!
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