Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Old Soul 2013 Pure Red Blend, California


I am just now becoming acquainted with Old Soul wines, produced in Lodi. They offer full-on flavor at an every day price. Case in point: the Old Soul 2013 Pure Red blend.
The appellation for this wine is California, meaning that the grapes come from a variety of regions, not just Lodi. The blend for this wine is Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. I’d be very surprised if the Zin wasn’t from Lodi, which is known for world-class Zinfandel.
The Pure Red was opened on an evening when the Green Dragon was calling for a casual wine for some after dinner sipping. I popped the cork on this blend, not knowing quite what to expect.
The Old Soul was full of fresh, vibrant flavors and a silky smooth body. Part of the wine was aged for a year in French and American oak while another portion was fermented in stainless steel. That’s a bit unusual, but it works.
I’d guess that the Cab was oak aged and perhaps the Zin and Petite Sirah went the stainless steel route. Whatever winemaking machinations took  place, the result is a wine that has richly concentrated flavors of raspberry and blackberry. It has structure, but doesn’t require aging or decanting to enjoy. There is a long, tongue-coating finish.
At a SRP of $14, the price of a case or two isn’t sky high. This is a solid wine that would be a great crowd pleaser at a party. It would pair well with pizza, steak or barbeque.
Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 4 of 5
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Full disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.

Monday, June 29, 2015

Môreson Family Winery: South Africa Winery Visit


Continuing the saga of our wine and safari expedition to South Africa…
We arrived at Môreson at just the right time during our first day of wine tasting in Franschhoek. We had been to a couple of wineries and the day was starting to heat up and our bellies beginning to growl.
The winery is located on Happy Valley Road and to get to the cellar door (as the South Africans call the tasting room) you walk on the cobbled path past oak trees and lemon orchards. We found a lovely location for tasting under a spreading tree. Soon our server Cara was pouring a glass of Methode Cap Classique bubbly. MCC is South Africa’s version of Champagne, made in the traditional method.
The Solitaire Blanc de Blanc was effervescent and a fountain of refreshment. It was less yeasty, and more crisp, than the MCC sparklers we had tasted at other wineries. It is made with 100% Chardonnay, a portion of which is oaked. It is lightly tropical with a hint of biscuit. It also had a delicious froth and persistent bubbles. This was Green Dragon (my wife) approved.

Enjoying the sunshine on the patio, we continued our exploration of their whites with the 2014 Sauvignon Blanc. This was a tasty glass with tropical flavor notes and lemon zest. The playfully named 2013 Dr. Reason Why is an “unwooded” Chardonnay. This offers a full bodied mouth-feel and had butterscotch and vanilla tones. We were able to contrast this with the 2013 Mercator Premium Chardonnay, which had more of a citrus flavor profile.

As we progressed, the red wines emerged. Môreson was one of the first Franschhoek wineries to excel in Pinotage, the signature red of South Africa. Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (which the South Africans call Hermitage). The best Pinotage is medium bodied and subtly flavored.
The 2013 Widow Maker Pinotage is the best Pinotage we tasted in our excursion to South Africa. The vines for Widow Maker are grown on a sunny slope and the grapes are treated like Pinot Noir (with great care!). It projects bright cherry and berry flavors. It also has no “funk” which can ruin Pinotage. According to Cara the winemaker must carefully avoid pulling out the banana flavors in the grape – a sign of an inferior Pinotage. We loved it and lugged a bottle back in our checked luggage.
We closed our tasting with the 2012 Mata Mata, a Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot. Unlike many blends you encounter, the Petite Verdot was prominent on the nose and the Cab Franc played a major role in the mixture. It offers rich berry flavor with a hint of oak.
Since we were approaching the lunch hour, we were in luck. One of the best dining experiences in the Cape is Môreson’s Bread & Wine restaurant under the spreading trees of the courtyard.
I luxuriated with the bacon-wrapped springbok, butternut granola and sour fig. The Green Dragon enjoyed a tasty ahi tuna dish. Augmented with some wine, and surrounded by the pastoral setting of the wine farm, this was exquisite.

Môreson is a top pick when visiting South Africa’s Cape Winelands. Franschhoek is known as the country’s culinary capitol, and Bread & Wine is a top pick for creative, balanced and seasonally inspired dining.
We heartily recommend Môreson.
Related Articles
Grande Province Heritage Wine Estate: South Africa Winery Visit
Rustenberg 2008 Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon, Simonberg, Stellenbosch
La Bri Estate: South Africa Winery Visit
La Petite Ferme: South Africa Winery Visit
Exploring Franschhoek, South Africa’s Food and Wine Capital
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Friday, June 26, 2015

Saint Cosme 2014 Little James’ Basket Press, Pays d’Oc


While strolling through Churchill’s wine department I happened upon an unusual white with a quirky label. Little James’ Basket Press, it proclaimed. For only $10.99, I popped it in my bag for some casual sipping.
Part of the appeal was the unusual label. I’m immune to the “cute animal” labels, but this one had a little imp, Little James I assume, prancing around conducting an orchestra (in the vineyard), taking a bath in a wine barrel and stomping grapes. The combination of grapes is also eccentric: a blend of Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc.
The wine is unoaked, so it retains a refreshing character. The blend is heavier on the Viognier, which takes the edge off the Sauvignon Blanc’s acidity and creates a more fragrant and luscious wine. Like Little James, it is fun and playful and also immediately satisfying.
This is the first time I’ve tasted a Sauvignon Blanc-Viognier blend, but this French country wine sold me on its merits. At this price, Little James could be a frequent visitor to the patio this summer.
Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 4 of 5
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Thursday, June 25, 2015

Bodegas Triton Avante 2009 Mencia, Spain


This mild red went with us on our recent trip to a rustic cabin in West Virginia. While there we enjoyed an assortment of tasty meals prepared on a wood stove. The Avante held up well with a variety of dishes from meatloaf to pasta.
Mencia is a relatively new grape to me. It is a Spanish grape found mostly in the northwestern part of the country. It is becoming more popular as winemakers experiment with older vines resulting in complex wines.
The Avante comes from multiple vineyards in the Castile and Leon regions. It is 100% Mencia and is finished in 30% stainless steel and 70% French oak.
This is a light to medium bodied wine. The tannins are loose, making it a good food to pair with lighter dishes. It has raspberry and earth flavors while maintaining a somewhat bright tone.
In Greek mythology, Triton's stallions represented the waves upon the waters he ruled. According to the winemaker, inspired by a stone carving of these horses, Avante pays homage to the wild rivers that carved their paths into the rugged mountains of northern Spain.
I found this bottle for $9 on a closeout at Zinful and galloped away with a great deal. This doesn’t have the firepower to pair with a grilled steak, but it is a suitable choice for casual sipping, light fare or tapas.
Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 3.5 of 5
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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: June 24-27, 2015

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Wednesday, June 24  
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. A New Chardonnay and Some Great Red Specials: 1. Noble Vines 446 Chardonnay 2013, 2. Saint Clair Block 16 2010 Pinot Noir (New Zealand), 3. Edmeades 2011 Zinfandel, 4. Chateau Mourgues du Gres 2011 Galets Rouge, 5. BV Beaurouge 2012 Napa Red. $7 flight or nominal fee per sample.
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.
Thursday, June 25  
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Beautiful Summer Wines: 1. 2013 Bovin – Chardonnay – Macedonia, 2. 2014 La Ferme de Gicon – Cotes Du Rhone  - Rose, 3. 2014 Mas Carlot – Costieres De Nimes – Rose – Rhone, 4. 2011 Bovin – Alexandar – Macedonia. $5 flight or nominal fee per sample.

Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM. Never Had or Heard of that Before – Tasting: 1. Botani Dry Muscat, 2. Prager Gruner Veltliner, 3. Chateau Nozieres Cahors, 4. Protea, 5. Villadoria Bricco Magno Nebbiolo, 6. Chaman, 7. Il Baciale, 8. Feudi di San Gregorio Rubrato Aglianico. Nominal fee per sample,
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Weekly 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, June 26  
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting – 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
Saturday, June 27  
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Customer Appreciation Day Part 2: “This time it’s personal.” 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 toTWAV@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, June 23, 2015

Old Soul 2013 Pinot Noir, Lodi

Mention Lodi and chances are that a bottle of reasonably priced Zinfandel pops into mind. Or perhaps Chenin Blanc. But most wine consumers won’t connect the dots between Lodi, part of the expansive Central Valley of California, and Pinot Noir. It’s taken an “old soul” to make that happen.
Old Soul wines are produced by the Maggio and Reynolds families, who have made wine in the historic region of Lodi for five generations. In 2002 they transformed the oldest winery in Lodi into a state-of-the-art facility and now produce a number of brands including Old Soul.
I grabbed this bottle as we headed out the door to visit tasting team members Glorious T and the Cabinator. They were delighted to see the bottle. As it turns out, they refer to CoCo, one of their new dogs, as an “old soul.”
The Old Soul 2013 Pinot turned out to be ideal for our perfect evening on the deck. While puffy clouds wafted around the blue sky, we experienced the power of Pinot.
Lodi is known for robust, powerful fruit and that carries through to Pinot Noir as well. The wine is rich with concentrated flavors. The wine is a blend of Pinot Noir with a dash of Zinfandel and Merlot. That gives it a unique Lodi spin.
During the winemaking process, malolactic fermentation helps soften the acidity and broaden the body. The wine is then separated into lots and aged in oak for various lengths of time depending on their profile. The best lots are then selected to become “an old soul.”
We thoroughly enjoyed the Old Soul Pinot. At a $14 SRP, you can become James Brown – and by that I mean you can afford to have a lot of (old) soul.
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Full Disclaimer: We received this bottle as a marketing sample.

Monday, June 22, 2015

La Motte: South Africa Winery Visit

Continuing the saga of our wine and safari excursion to South Africa…
Despite doing research in advance, visiting a winery can be a Forrest Gump experience, “you never know what you’re going to get.” That was the case with La Motte.
It certainly looked good online and was recommended in books. As our wine explorations in Franschhoek continued, we found that La Motte exceeded expectations in every way.
Viticulture at La Motte dates back to 1752 when 4,000 vines were planted by Huguenot descendant Gabriël du Toit. In 1970 the estate was purchased by Dr. Anton Rupert and developed into a world-class winery and sought-after tourist destination.
The grounds are stunning and feature sculptures of eight female figures including The Wine Bearer, a sculpture by Toby Megaw, which welcomes guests on the drive to the wine farm. A superlative museum is also on the grounds with a special focus on the landscapes of Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, acknowledged as one of South Africa’s greatest old masters.
A bridge over a stream guides you into the stylish and friendly tasting room. There is a nice assortment of seating options, a fireplace and large glass panels with an unimpeded view into the barrel room. In keeping with the upscale ambiance, the servers are dubbed “wine ambassadors.”
We settled down at a long wooden table with a view of the barrel room and began our tasting. We led off with a trio of whites.
The 2014 La Motte Sauvignon Blanc has aroma of cut grass with green apple and citrus flavors. At 60R (or about $5 US) this is an unthinkable value. The 2014 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc is vinified sur lie for 16 hours. This gives the wine a bigger body and more character. An excellent Sauvignon Blanc for not much more in price.
Our next taste was the 2013 Chardonnay from their Classic Collection. The Green Dragon mentioned she isn’t a huge Chard fan to which our wine ambassador responded that even if you are ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) this wine would show you CBA (Chardonnay is Back Again). Indeed it is light with tropical and citrus notes. The South African style, in our experience, favors lighter Chardonnay avoiding overly oaked versions.
A quartet of reds awaited us. In my excitement I dumped the remainder of my white wine into the water pitcher instead of the dump bucket!
A favorite red was the 2013 La Motte Millennium. This is a blend of 57% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, with the remainder being Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is light bodied with raspberry and toffee, enhanced by light tannins. The Cab Franc plays a leading role in the blend, which can age up to 10 years.
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon offers classic cabernet flavors. Black currant and violet rule this elegant wine. This is a QPR (Quality Price Ratio) winner at about $10 US.

We finished with a pair of Syrah. The 2011 La Motte Syrah is a cool terroir wine that was juicy and medium bodied. The winner of the Syrah faceoff, though, was the 2013 La Motte Pierneef Syrah. Although a younger wine, this is more of what a Syrah should be. It has 10% Viognier (a white variety) to add some raciness to the spice of the Syrah. It offers style and finesse.
Those two words could sum up La Motte. Their tagline is “A Culture of Excellence” and it is evident in their wines, staff and facilities. It is France and Napa blended and served with winning South African hospitality. Don’t miss it.
Related Articles
Grande Province Heritage Wine Estate: South Africa Winery Visit
Rustenberg 2008 Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon, Simonberg, Stellenbosch
La Bri Estate: South Africa Winery Visit
La Petite Ferme: South Africa Winery Visit
Exploring Franschhoek, South Africa’s Food and Wine Capital
Wining and Dining In Cape Town, South Africa
KWV 2013 Concordia White Blend, Western Cape
South Africa: We Go On Safari For Big Game And Big Wine
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Friday, June 19, 2015

Louis Bernard 2012 Cotes Du Rhone Villages


Maison Louis Bernard in Gigondas is known for creating great values in French wines. A vigneron, it selects the best grapes from a variety of vineyards in acclaimed regions to make its wine.
Cotes du Rhone is one of the largest and most diverse wine regions (about 140,000 acres) in France. This 2012 CDR Villages is mainly Grenache and Syrah.
If you know little else about French wines, know this. CDR wines are easy to drink, great values and please wine lovers be they newcomers or aficionados. Cotes du Rhone Villages is said to be superior to the more widely available Cotes du Rhone.
This wine came from the cellar of the Cabinator. We paid him a visit to check out his wine cellar project and were looking for a lighter red to enjoy before heading to downtown Toledo for some entertainment.
Louis Bernard filled the bill in spades. From the first sniff, I could tell we would enjoy this wine. It is fruit forward with rounded tannins. The Grenache gives this a nice soft profile and it ripples with cherry and red fruit flavors.
A great pick for a casual evening with friends.
Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 5 of 5 (Based on a $10 price)

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Knotty Vines: Ohio Winery Visit

By Dr. J, TWAV Tasting Team Member
The next stop for my wife and me on our northwest Ohio wine tour was Knotty Vines in Wauseon, Ohio.  This winery is right outside of Pettisville but carries a Wauseon address.  As you drive up to the tasting room, vines line both sides of the path.  There are 1250 vines that stretch over about two acres.
We were greeted by owner Julie Nofzinger where we began to scan the wine list for what we thought would be five tastes.  Julie was such a welcoming host that we immediately began conversing about our love of making wine and starting a winery; and I forgot to take tasting notes! 
Harvest Gold was the first wine of choice which consists of the Seyval Blanc grape.  Seyval is a hybrid grape with many of the same characteristics of Riesling and the wine it makes is just as enjoyable.
Next was the Knotty White.  This wine is made from Cayuga, which is another favorite grape of mine.  Although I typically prefer dry red wine, I definitely lean towards whites when it comes to hybrid grapes.  They always seem to be consistent, pleasant, and the closest in characteristics to vinifera varietals.
As we worked our way to the reds, we were guided “behind the scenes” with our glasses to see the winery operations.  I was able to ask questions and see the equipment that is used when making the jump from a home winemaker to a small professional operation.   Two dry reds and a blush were to follow.  My fascination with the 128-gallon floating lid stainless tanks led me to lose my short term memory here with the grapes in these blends.  I recall DeChaunac, Chambourcin, and I believe Marechal Foch.  The blush is a fine example of Catawba.  Blush wines do not typically make my wine rack but I just had to have one of these on hand for a summer sipper.
Julie gave great advice and offered to help in any way in the future.  A retired school teacher, Julie is living her retirement dream.  It is up close and personal tastings like this that truly make a winery visit the best that it can be. 

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Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: June 17-20, 2015

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Wednesday, June 17
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Jim's "Five New Wines in the Wine Shop" Tasting: 1. Dark Horse Chardonnay, 2. Bigi Orvieto Classico Amabile, 3. Line 39 Petite Sirah, 4. Insurrection Red Blend (Shiraz-Cabernet), 5. Small Gully "The Formula" Shiraz. $5 flight or nominal fee per sample.
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.
Thursday, June 18  
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Nearly Summer Wines: 1. 2014 Yalumba – Viognier – South Australia, 2. 2013 Gran Passione – Gavi – Italy, 3. 2014 Chateau Virgile – Costieres De Nimes – Rosé – France, 4. 2010 Clos du Mont-Olivet – Cotes Du Rhone – Rhone, France. $4 flight or nominal fee per sample.

Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM. Refreshing French Wines: 1. Monmousseau Brut, 2. Miraval Rose, 3. Les Chanteaux Chenin, 4. St. Joseph, Celeste, 5. Plan Pegau, 6. Les Mouriers Vacqueyeras, 7. Chateau Des, Karantes, 8. La Fleur D’Or Sauternes. Nominal fee per sample,
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Weekly 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, June 19  
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting – 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
Saturday, June 20  
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Customer Appreciation Day. The first of two incredible days of crazy discounts and amazing deals.. 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.
Technorati Tags: wine
[Information on tastings can be sent toTWAV@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).
Photo by Jessica Melling














Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Oliver 2013 Dry Red Blend, Indiana


When you think of wine, chances are you think of Bordeaux, Napa Valley or Italy. Those are superb wine regions for sure – but there is a world of tasty vino right outside your door.
For those of us living in the Toledo, Ohio, area, there is a wealth of wine within a short distance. Ohio offers many wineries including a rich concentration in the Geneva area. Just a short drive north, Michigan is gaining attention for the quality of their wines. And – lest we forget – Indiana to our west.
Indiana has 76 wineries and produces about 1.4 million gallons of wine annually. Founded in 1972, Oliver Winery and Vineyards in Bloomington is one of the largest and most modernly equipped wineries in the eastern US. It was the first winery in the state. They produce 47 different wines, ranging from semi-sweet to dry.
We recently had the opportunity to sample their 2013 Dry Red Blend. This is an interesting experiment for Oliver. The red blend is one of three wines (the others are Chardonnay and Moscato) that make up the Vine Series. This range of wine uses California grapes from select growers paired with the Midwest craftsmanship of Oliver winemakers.
I poured this for Green Dragon without telling her where the wine was from. She proclaimed it as an enjoyable red blend. When I told her it was from Indiana, she did a double-take.
The Oliver DRB is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It is nice and dry as advertised. It’s a mellow wine that hasn’t undergone much barrel aging. As a result, the tannins are light. This is not a wine to buy and hold, but rather to enjoy now.
There are flavor swirls of cherry and blackberry. The finish is soft and smooth, but a bit short.
All in all, it was surprising – in a good way. Oliver offers a solid lineup of wines including Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet, sparkling Vidal Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Viognier and more. While they do offer Beanblossom Blush and Mango Honey Wine, they have plenty to entertain those who prefer a drier style. At a cost of $12 for the DRB, you’ll have enough left over to sample several different varieties.
So far we have only explored two wineries in Indiana (Satek and Briali) but Oliver is due for a visit in the very near future…
Full disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Boschendal: South Africa Winery Visit


Continuing the saga of our wine and safari excursion to South Africa…
With a Cape Dutch style manor house that dates to 1812, rolling lawns and oak trees, Boschendal is a magnet for wine tourists visiting South Africa. We started our second day of wine tasting in Franschhoek at this iconic location.
Green Dragon has a hang-up (which I do not share) about starting wine tasting too early in the morning. So we started our visit with a tour of the manor house.
Most notable for me was the beautiful woodwork, with the most commonly used indigenous woods being stinkwood and yellowwood.
After touring the werf (farmyard) and seeing the location of the slave quarters (slavery was abolished in SA in 1838), we decided it was time for some wine. We strolled to the tasting room and chose a nice table outside under the trees.
Since it was before noon, we decided to focus on the famous Methode Cap Classique wines. These are sparkling wines made in the traditional Champagne method. Boschendal has won world-wide acclaim for their sparkling wines.
Keith was our server and he first served up the Brut Non-Vintage. For quality sparkling wines, non-vintage wines are the rule rather than the exception. Winemakers blend from different vintages to ensure that the quality remains consistent over the years. Many Champagne producers only make vintage wine when there is an exceptional harvest. The NV is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. It is a spritely wine with light flavors of lemon and nuts. The bubbles dissipated quickly.
Our next taste was the Brut Rosé. This is a light-bodied wine that tart and fruity yet dry. It’s pink color is exceptional. It is made with Pinot Noir grapes with a small quantity of Chardonnay. This is a food friendly wine as well as being rewarding on its own.
The 2009 Grand Cuvee Brut is a frothy wine that offers a fuller body than the two previous wines. This is accomplished through extended contact on the lees. It has bottle aging for three years.
This is a bubbling triumph of green apple, citrus and minerality. It’s a refreshing wine that would do well with salmon dishes.
Jean Le Long is the top of the line MCC wine, but it wasn’t available for tasting. We moved on to a pair of reds.
The 2012 Elgin Pinot Noir is a soft fresh wine. This was just okay, but we felt a bit of a let down after the bubbly success of the sparkling wines.
Anchoring the tasting in the final position was the 2011 Cecil John Reserve Shiraz. Fifty percent of the grapes come from nearby Stellenbosch and the other half comes from Swartland. This is a smooth and elegant wine. In the glass it is a deep cranberry color. The flavors are concentrated with the oaking highlighting some substantial tannins.
The flavors were deep and rich with dark fruit and a dash of spice. I was impressed and we purchased a bottle.
As I was purchasing the wine, Keith made an interesting comment. He said the naming of the Cecil John Reserve was controversial. I asked him how so. Cecil John Rhodes was a colonialist who figured prominently in the history of South Africa. He owned the Boschendal property at one point and exported fruit to Britain. It is Rhodes for whom the Rhodes scholarship and the country of Rhodesia were named (Rhodesia is now Zimbabwe and Zambia).
Reminders of colonialism are not always welcome in a country still coming to terms with its past, with the curse of apartheid being eliminated finally in 1994 after more than 40 years of officially sanctioned discrimination. As a country South Africa is making remarkable progress – but there is much still to be done.
Boschendal is a world class tourist destination and winery. Since we had several other wineries to visit, we didn’t tour the winery or their main tasting center. There is plenty to do (and taste) to fill a whole day or afternoon.
Related Articles
Grande Province Heritage Wine Estate: South Africa Winery Visit
Rustenberg 2008 Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon, Simonberg, Stellenbosch
La Bri Estate: South Africa Winery Visit
La Petite Ferme: South Africa Winery Visit
Exploring Franschhoek, South Africa’s Food and Wine Capital
Wining and Dining In Cape Town, South Africa
KWV 2013 Concordia White Blend, Western Cape
South Africa: We Go On Safari For Big Game And Big Wine

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Friday, June 12, 2015

Open Kimono 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough


Green Dragon is always on the prowl for a great Sauvignon Blanc at a tasty price. She has discovered yet another.
Open Kimono appears to be a wine company in California that produces at least two wines, this Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and a Riesling from Washington State. Those are some good locations from which to source wine.
The price point is appealing. It is listed at $13.99 but marked down to $9.99. My wife was attracted by the stylish label, but the liquid inside was quite enjoyable too.
Green Dragon prefers the Marlborough style of Sauvignon Blanc – tangy, tart with a blast of acidity. This delivered on all. The wine has the herbaceous, cut grass aroma and nice tropical flavor notes.
As the mercury starts to rise this summer, this is a great wine to chill down and chill out.
Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 5 of 5

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Grande Province Heritage Wine Estate: South Africa Winery Visit


Continuing the saga of our South Africa wine and safari excursion…
As we prepared to wrap up our first day of wine tasting in the South African food and wine mecca of Franschhoek, we decided to stop at Grande Province. The winery is a stone’s throw from Franschhoek Country House, the delightful bed and breakfast where we stayed.
Grande Province has history that dates back more than 300 years, when French Protestant Pierre Joubert hid his bible in a loaf of bread and fled his home town of La Motte-d’Aigues in Provence to avoid religious persecution. In 1694, alongside with other Huguenots, he arrived in Olifantshoek (Elephants Corner; later to be renamed Franschhoek).
The grounds of the wine estate, which offers luxurious accommodations as well as wine, are immaculate. Grande Province also features one of the most highly regarded art galleries in the Cape. Our destination, after a stroll in the shining beams of sunset, was the tasting room.
Being the big spender that I am, we opted for the Limited Release Tasting, which runs 50R (South African Rand), or about $4.15 US. We started with the 2014 Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc. This was nicely chilled and has a pleasant citrus tang and tropical flavors.
Since it had been a long day of travel and tasting, we were enjoying the cool whites. We continued with the 2013 Chardonnay. This was another winner with notes of vanilla and a crisp finish. We were pleased to find this wasn’t overly oaked.
Moving to the red end of the spectrum, we next tasted the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine was lighter than expected with flavor notes of eucalyptus and mint.
Our final red was the 2011 Shiraz. The wine is aged for 15 months in oak. Despite that, the wine was a bit shy and the flavors didn’t bowl us over.
We ended on a high note with the 2013 Muscat. It is 100% Muscat d’Alexandrie and had a sensual aroma that wafted from the glass. On the palate it had a sensational flavor of honeysuckle. This wine is only available at the cellar door (as the South Africans refer to their tasting room).
Even if you never taste a single drop of wine (which would be silly), Grande Province is a sensational experience. From the elephant sculpture to the scenic mountains looming over the picturesque vineyards, every detail has been fined tuned.
The scenery, surroundings and fine wine make Grande Province a “must see” winery destination in the South African winelands.

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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: June 10-13, 2015

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Wednesday, June 10
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Jim's Second Annual Blind Wine Tasting. All wines will be hidden in brown paper bag: 1. Sorry, we can't tell you… 2. Come to the tasting to find out… 3. See if you can guess… 4. Shhh! Don't tell anyone what they are! $10 flight or nominal fee per sample.
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.
Thursday, June 11  
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Graduation & Wedding Wines: 1.
2013 Fallegro – Gianni Gagliardo – Costieres de Nimes, France, 2. 2014 Domaine Sainte Eugenie – Rosé – Costieres de Nimes, France, 3. 2013 Gran Passione – Rosso – Veneto, Italy, 4. 2012 Bovin – Vranec (vran-nitz) – Macedonia. $5 flight or nominal fee per sample.

Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM. Zin-olicious -
American Zinfandel in all its power, richness and accessibility. Do you BBQ? These are great wines for grilling: 1. Ravenswood Besieged, 2. Sextant, 3. Sivas-Sonoma Old Vine, 4. Green & Red Chiles Mill Vineyard, 5. Ravenswood Barricia, 6. Storybook Mountain Vineyards, 7. Ridge Pagani Ranch, 8. Dashe Late Harvest. Nominal fee per sample,
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Weekly tasting featuring choices from Heidelberg Distributing. Special guest Nikki Mulholland. 1. Jack's House Cabernet, 2. Jack's House Chardonnay, 3. Crios Torrontes, 4. Insurrection Red, 5. Federalist Zinfandel. 33% of Jack's Wines purchases will go to the Family House, a charity in Toledo. 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, June 12  
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting – 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
Saturday, June 13  
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 4:00 PM. Summer’s Best Reds. You can still drink red wine in the summer, not just white wine. 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 toTWAV@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, June 9, 2015

Stoller 2008 Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills


It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. So begins Charles Dickens “A Tale of Two Cities.” When we visited Oregon for the 2013 Wine Bloggers Conference, I could have rewritten that line to be, “It was the best of times, it was the best of times.”
One of the reasons that conference was so good was the special tour of Stoller Vineyard. Winemaker Melissa Burr conducted a tasting and presented us with this autographed bottle of 2008 Stoller Pinot.
The bottle reemerged during this last weekend. Green Dragon and I were on a trip to a rustic cabin in West Virginia with some of our best friends. What better time could there be to open a special bottle like this?
I had intended this to go with our cedar plank salmon, but on that evening, Green Dragon had already popped open a magnum of Bordeaux. So this baby waited until the next evening. As a fire crackled in the fireplace, we gathered around a communal table in a log cabin built by the CCC back in the 1920s. The meal was a mélange of leftovers, including meatloaf, chicken, couscous, salad and a dazzling assortment of pies (apple, cherry, pecan, blueberry and peach).
This is an elegant wine with soft cherry flavors and smooth edges. A pleasant acidity keeps it bright and balanced. Had it lost some zip since I drank my other bottle in 2013? Who can tell? When toasting with old friends in a beautiful forest setting, I can’t imagine a more perfect wine.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Rustenberg 2008 Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon, Simonberg, Stellenbosch

This bottle of 2008 Rustenberg Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the gems that came back with us from South Africa after our recent trip. South Africa has more than 600 wineries and is the eight largest wine producer in the world.
We invited our good friends Cabinator and Glorious T over to look at some of our safari photos. We just had to pop open a bottle of SA wine.
Rustenberg Peter Barlow Cab is named to honor the man who bought the historic property and restored it to become an icon in the South African wine industry. It appears on many fine dining wine lists in the country.
We found this to be a surprising wine. It is surprising because the flavor comes from a different direction than, let’s say, a Napa Cab. This wine isn’t overpowered by tannins and has a distinct herbal quality. It is a complex, layered wine. Malolactic fermentation adds to the rich, full taste.
The wine is aged in French oak for 20 months, but the tannins are never center stage. The flavors of black cherry and currant mingle nicely with the herbal qualities. The finish is long and relaxed.
We decanted Peter Barlow and he benefited nicely. It evolved in the glass as we enjoyed reliving our South African adventure.
Rustenberg’s Peter Barlow Cab is surprising in at least two ways: first, the distinctive and delicious herbal flavors, secondly, this bottle cost us less than $25 US at the winery. Highly recommended!
Rating: 5 of 5  Value 5 of 5

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Stoney Ridge: Ohio Winery Visit

By Dr. J, TWAV Tasting Team Member
My wife and I were overdue for some time away with each other and our anniversary was only a couple of days away so we decided to take a tour of some of the NW Ohio wineries.  It once seemed unheard of to be able to visit wineries in this area, where there are now eight.
The first stop and the oldest winery of the area, was Stoney Ridge in Bryan, Ohio.  My only previous experience with Stoney Ridge wines was with their sweet wines at a wedding reception in years past.  I was delightfully surprised with the tasting list.  Along with estate hybrid varietals, juice is sourced from both the Finger Lakes region and Washington State.
Casey and I always seem to pick the same wines inadvertently so we were sure to pick differently and then share so that we could make best use of our five tastes.  I started with the Chardonnay.  This was made with no oak and it shined with great citrus notes. 
The next wine was an estate wine and one of my favorites; Winter Romance.  This is a blend of predominantly Le Crescent.  I have had other local examples of this grape and have yet to be disappointed.  It is dry and crisp and shows lots of stone fruit. Casey commented that this wine is, “The perfect patio wine.”
Two more estate varietals followed as Casey and I exchanged Vignoles and Traminette.  The Traminette was floral and the Vignoles had pineapple notes and great acidity.  Both had just the right touch of sweetness and were great examples with the Vignoles edging as the winner. 
The first red was the Cabernet Sauvignon.  I knew this could not be estate so I immediately inquired as to the source of these grapes.  I was told “Wisconsin” by our host.  I knew this could not be correct so after I had a little chuckle, she corrected herself and said that it was Washington.  Full-bodied and a fair amount of oak, this is a great locally-made Cabernet.
Last was an estate hybrid I am familiar with but have only had in blends.  This was a single varietal example of Leon Millot.  Leon Millot is soft and light with red fruit and a little too much sweetness on the finish for my liking.  I gathered slight Concord notes from it as well.
Stoney Ridge is the oldest and largest winery of the area.  With a 13-acre vineyard, they offer many estate varieties that allow you to come in and sample a taste of Northwest Ohio.  In talking with some of the other local wineries, they are quick to mention that Stoney Ridge owner Phil Stotz has been very instrumental in helping to grow and shape each of them as they start their dream of opening a winery; one that I too, hope to live in the coming years.







Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: June 3-6, 2015

 
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Wednesday, June 3 
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Pinot Noir from Around The World: 1. San Pietro 2012 Pinot Noir (Italy), 2. Domaine Jean Fournier 2012 Marsannay (France), 3. Ayres Perspective 2012 Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir, 4. Roaring Meg 2012 Pinot Noir (New Zealand). $10 flight or nominal fee per sample.
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. 6:30 PM. Join us for this 60 minute class dedicated to the wines and wine regions of Italy. $20 per person includes wines, cheese and crackers. Please RSVP on Facebook or by calling.

Thursday, June 4 
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. My favorite summer wines (Kris, The Andersons Maumee Wine Department): 1. 2013 Domaine Andre Neveu – La Manoir – Sancerre, 2. 2013 Mer Soleil – Silver – Unoaked Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands, 3. 2012 DeLoach – Russian River Valley – Pinot Noir, 4. 2007 Rodano – Via Costa – Chianti Classico – Riserva. $6 flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM. Surprises in Ohio  - The Fabulous Wine from M Cellars: 1. M Cellars Riesling, 2. M Cellars Pinot Gris, 3. M Cellars Chardonnay, 4. M Cellars Terrier Red, 5. M Cellars Meritage, 6. Drake Brothers Blueberry Chai Honey Wine with spices, 7. Valley Vineyards Ice Wine. Nominal fee per sample,

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Weekly 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, June 5 
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting – 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
Saturday, June 6
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 4:00 PM. While The Cat’s Away… Maggie will play. With Austin in China, Maggie gets to open whatever she wants. 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 toTWAV@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).