Wednesday, December 30, 2015

The Top Wines Of 2015: An Exclusive TWAV List

Here it is – our annual listing of the best bottles of the year. Sit back and “sip” these reviews of stellar wines.


The Best of 2015


It’s been a good year! During 2015, which is now rapidly drawing to a close, we had an opportunity to taste hundreds of wines and visit wineries in New York’s Finger Lakes, Ontario, California, and South Africa. Of course, we do it just for one reason, to bring you the inside information on the very best wines.

Here’s our list of top wines from 2015. We present the list in alphabetical order. An asterisk indicates exceptional quality. Raise a glass!

Alto Moncayo 2012 Veraton, Campo de Borja
Amavi Cellars 2011 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley
Anna de Codorníu Blanc de Blancs, D.O. Cava*
Anthony Road 2014 Cabernet Franc Rosé, Finger Lakes
Bookcliff Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Franc, Colorado
Ca’ Bertoldi 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico

CORE 2007 Elevation Sensation, Alta Mesa Vineyard, Santa Barbara
DeLoach 2012 OFS Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley*
Faust 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Ferrari 2007 Perlé, Trento DOC 
Flora Springs 2011 Trilogy Red Wine, Napa Valley
Giulio Ferrari 2001 Riserva Del Fondatore, Trento DOC*
Heron Hill 2010 Reserve Blaufränkisch, Finger Lakes
Justin 2011 Isosceles, Paso Robles*
Kathryn Kennedy 2008 Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains
Ken Wright Cellars 2009 Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills
Kenwood 2010 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County*
Keuka Spring 2011 Miller’s Cove Red, Finger Lakes*
Knoll Wachau 1995 Smaragd Reid Loibenberg Loibner Riesling. Alsace*
Lakewood 2013 3 Generations Riesling, Finger Lakes
Leidenfrost Vineyards Cabaret, Finger Lakes
Lorenzi Estate 2009 Reserve Zinfandel, Temecula*
Meerlust 2012 Pinot Noir, Stellenbosch
Muscadere 2013 Rosé, Lake Erie North Shore
Neil Ellis 1999 Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Jonkershoek Valley*
Ravines 2013 Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes
Rodney Strong 2012 Symmetry, Alexander Valley
Rôtie Cellars 2011 North Rhone Blend, Walla Walla Valley*
Rustenberg 2008 Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon, Simonberg, Stellenbosch*
Sapphire Hill 2009 Cinque Gemma, North Coast
Scacciadiavoli 2008 Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG*
Sinclair Vineyards 2011 Stone Tree Vineyard Syrah, Wahluke Slope*
Stoller 2008 Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills*
Von Schubert 2010 Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Riesling, Mosel Saar Ruwer*
Wagner Vineyards 2012 Caywood East Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes
Yazgan 2013 Boğazkere, Turkey
Technorati Tags: ,

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

2010 Château Villerembert-Moureau, Minervois

Languedoc-Roussilon is a vast wine-growing region in southeast France not always known for its excellence. Wines like this one show things are changing.

Quality On The Rise


Languedoc-Roussilon is a vast sea of more than 800,000 vineyards. For many years the region was known for more for quantity than quality.

The wines of the region have traditionally be produced from Carnigan, Cinsault and Grenache. Now varieties like Syrah, Mourvedre, Merlot and even Cabernet Sauvignon are being used as replacements for the higher-yielding lower quality grapes.

This along with a focus on improved winemaking techniques has resulted in pleasing results. From Minervois we sampled the 2010 Chateau Villerembert-Moureau, a wine that showcases the positive trend.

Never Miss A Toledo Wines and Vines Post – Click To Subscribe

A Winning Old World Style Wine


Old World style wines beg to accompany a meal. They are deeper and more robust while New World wines are often fruit forward and ready to “pop and pour.” Chateau Villerembert-Moureau (which shouldn’t, but can easily, be confused with Chateau Villerembert-Julien) has delivered a thoroughly enjoyable wine with gripping tannins in the Old World tradition.

Minervois is considered to produce the best wine in the Languedoc-Roussilon region. The wine is labelled “Grand Vin de France,” indicating it is a higher quality wine. There are no regulations regarding the term, but we woudl agree that this wine is certainly a level above a table wine.

This Chateau Villerembert-Moureau is 45% Grenache, 35% Carignan and 10% Syrah. There is fruit on the nose and in the glass the wine is a deep, dark crimson. On the palate the wine has strong tannins and there is an earthy, brambly quality.

The wine is medium bodied, but could stand up to cured meats or a hearty stew. My wife and I started sipping this on its own after dinner, but I quickly located some Gruyere and crackers to nibble.

I recall going to dinner in Washington with a colleague who, after looking at the wine list, said “I want dirt!” He obviously loved earthy wines and so would savor this work of Chateau Villerembert-Moureau.

Monday, December 28, 2015

The Original Wine Of The Month Club In Vintage Form Despite Legions Of Imitators

The Wine of the Month Club has history that dates back to the early 1970s in the dusty upstairs room of a Palos Verdes liquour store…


Yes, There Is An Original Wine Of The Month Club


 

How did I not know this? There actually is a monthly wine club that is the original and much imitated Wine of the Month Club. I’m very familiar with winery wine clubs and their regular shipments. From my youth I recall the Book of the Month Club and the Columbia Record Club.


For those last two, I believe much of their sales originated from the fact that the books or records kept on coming unless you were wiley enough to, through great effort, cancel the membership. Today there are plenty of wine clubs, many with a unique twist. One offers to help you figure out your wine style and ship you wines that are in harmony. The Turner Movie Channel Wine Club pairs vintage wine with vintage movies. Others specialize in California wines and some from other specific regions.



How It All Started


 

Acording to Paul Kalemkiarian Sr., he invented the idea of mail order wine in 1972. He points out that many of the competitors mimic the original with newsletters, recipes and free binders.


The company, now owned by son Paul Kalemkiarian Jr., says the difference between the original Wine of the Month Club (WOMC) and everyone else is its history – which allows it to command better quality wines at better prices.


Never Miss A Toledo Wines and Vines Post – Click To Subscribe


Paul Sr. studied Pharmacognosy (study of plant based medicines) at the University of Cairo, Egypt. He then moved to America and got his Masters degree at USC. He began working in a pharmaceutical company and opened his first pharmacy in Inglewood in 1955.


His company grew to a point where he bought and sold 12 pharmacies and had five open at one time.
One of these purchases was key to the origin of WOMC.


A Package Deal


One of the Kalemkiarian pharmacies was located in Malaga Cove Plaza, but oddly enough, there was another drug store in the same plaza. The owner of the drug store owned a liquor store next door. Paul Sr. agreed to buy the pharmacy, but only if the liquor store was included.


The liquor store became Palos Verdes Wine and Spirits. To help patrons who would walk in and say, “My boss is coming for dinner and I need a nice wine,” he started to pick monthly wine selections.


The monthly selections were the root of the WOMC. As time went on, patrons would rely on the monthly selections that were pre-screened for quality, variety and value. Store customers soon wanted their monthly selections delivered.


Hand delivery continued until it was no longer practical. Delivery then moved to UPS. Paul Sr. sold Palos Verdes Wines and Spirits, but retained the mail order rights and trademarked the name “Wine of the Month Club.” The club operated as a freestanding entity and they continued to be the only service of its kind until the mid-80s. Today Paul Jr. is the owner, president and cellarmaster.


Just What Is Offered?


 

The flagship offering of WOMC is the two-bottle clubs. The two-bottle Classic Series is $454 for a 12-month members and you can also purchase four and six-month options. That comes out to about $38 a month – not bad to have two interesting wines delivered to your door.


Three other series are offered. The Vintner Series, designed for someone who is interested in a variety of grapes and regions, is $589 for 12 months. The Limted Series, their top tier, includes unique wines that have aging potential. The cost is $725 per year. There is also a California Series at a $535 price tag.


The wines listed in the materials are interesting. I am not familiar with most of the wineries producing the monthly selections, but upon checking, these are choices I’d be interested in trying.


The November 2015 Classic club had four offerings. Two were produced by Spur Ranch. Spur Ranch is a brand of O’Neill Vintners, which specializes in bulk wines and private label wines. These wines might be quite good, but there isn’t a Spur Ranch winery.


The Vintner club offered a 2013 Skyline Pinot Noir. Skyline is a brand of the Owl Ridge Wine Services, which is a custom crush pad. Customers provide the grapes and the crush pad provides the equipment and expertise. The wine is produced by winemakers Joe Otos and Chris Loxton. So this could be a limited production gem.


The suggested retail prices for the bottles are very reasonable. Based on the materials I reviewed, wines in the Classic line are under $22, the Vintner line under $25 and the Limited Series under $35. The prices are lower to WOMC members and are quite a deal when reordering.


I’m a sucker for surprises, especially with wine. Receiving two new wines each month, learning about them and (especially) quaffing them is a fun idea for yourself or as a gift. If you are interested in a wine club – here’s the granddaddy of them all, the original Wine of the Month Club.


Full Disclosure: We received the wine basket as a marketing sample



Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Insider’s Guide To Wine Shop Tastings

When a wine shop or grocery store hosts a wine tasting, how can you tell if you’ll be wasting your time and money? After attending scores of winetastings we provide our tips to picking the best tastings.



Before You Take A Step


Even before you head to a tasting, you can get a solid indication of the quality to come. Most wine shops or grocery stores with outstanding wine departments will list their tastings online. You can find the information on their website.

A worthwhile wine tasting should have a theme or a focus. It might be exploring wines from Oregon. Perhaps it will be a particular grape variety, like Merlot. Sometimes a guest winemaker will attend and bring her or his line of wines.

This shows that the wine manager has put some forethought into arranging an interesting evening. By studying a list of wines to be featured, you can also get an idea if you will enjoy these wines. If you dig Moscato, you might not like a tasting focused on dry Cabernet Sauvignon.


Are You Sitting In The Frozen Food Aisle?


The setting is key to your enjoyment of a wine tasting. Ideally you’ll have tables and chairs and a bar area to congregate and sip your vino. Sitting in a stack chair or standing in the aisle of a grocery store makes it hard to appreciate a $50 bottle of Bordeaux.


The bottles of wine being featured should be prominently displayed so you can see what’s ahead. You can peruse the bottle to glean information about the region or winery. A nice touch is to have tasting notes about the wine or at least a list of the wines so you can write down your impressions.


No Plastic Cups, Please


A few years ago we visited a winery in Ohio that was known for producing some award-winning Pinot Noir. As we entered the tasting room, which was a humble affair, we were given tiny plastic cups to sample the wine. Wait, what? These were the tiny jobs that are sometimes used for communion.

How can you value your wine so little that you present it in a cheap, crappy piece of plastic? Sorry, at this point, you must leave.


Ideally you’ll have quality stemware. It enhances the experience and makes me more likely to pop for a pricey bottle of wine. At the least you should have clean glasses and the ability to rinse between tastes.


This Tasting Sponsored By The Nickel & Dime Winery


There is nothing more annoying than being gouged during a local tasting. Often the tastings are $15 to $20 per person. So, if I am going with my wife, that’s $30 right off the top. Prices can go much higher if it is a premium tasting, and that should be disclosed upfront.


Tastings should allow you to pay by the flight or by the individual sample. Also, if the host allows you and your guest to split a tasting, that is a bonus.


If I really like a wine, I will ask to “revisit” it. That means I’d like another pour and usually indicates I’m interested in buying a bottle. The host is shortsighted if they demand $3 or $4 for that taste, because they’ve just lost a $25 sale.


At minimum there should be some crackers to cleanse the palate between tastes. Some cheese or other appetizers can elevate the tasting. Depending on the appetizers, it can also elevate the price.
I’m looking for a decent value for the wine tasting, and if the price for two people starts adding up to $40, $50 or more, then I’d be better off buying a nice bottle and staying home.

Free Range Wine Tasting


When attending a wine tasting, look for variety. A quality tasting will have a range of wines including whites, reds and perhaps rosé, sparkling or dessert wines.

It’s nice to have representation of both dry and sweeter wines. I’m partial to drier wines, but chances are someone in the crowd will want something sweet. There should be something for everyone.


The mix should also include a variance in the price range. Have some affordable gems, but there should be a wine with an aspirational price tag too.


I Didn’t See That Coming


The best tastings I’ve attended have included an unexpected twist. It might be the special bottle brought by a wine rep that is emerges at the end of the tasting. It could be a wine from an exotic country.


Perhaps it is a wine from a grape no one has heard of.
The nicest surprise of all is a bonus wine that the host pours for the guest. We all enjoy great wine – especially if a complimentary glass is  being poured for us at the end of a long day!

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Denny Bini-Podere Cipolla Lambrusco, Emilia Romagna

Italy’s Lambrusco is both the name of the grape and the wine produced from it. Chances are if you were tooling around in a VW Microbus in the 1970s, you’ve tried Lambrusco!

A Blast From The Past


Lambrusco conjures up images of the 1960s or 1970s. You could sip a glass of Riunite Lambrusco in your bell-bottom jeans and everything was groovy. A funny thing happened on the way from Woodstock, though. Lambrusco is still around.

Lambrusco is grown all over Italy, but especially in the Emilia Romagna region. There are 12 to 17 indigenous Lambrusco grape varieties that are produced in semi-sweet or dry fashion.

We admit it, most of our knowledge of Lambrusco comes from trying Riunite Lambrusco decades ago. It wasn’t an adventure in fine wine, but we sure had fun.

Never Miss A Toledo Wines and Vines Post – Click To Subscribe

Pop Goes The Crown Cap


Even though the Denny Bini Lambrusco has a crown cap, I wasn’t quite expecting the resounding “pop” when I lifted off the top.

A couple of months ago I got a bottle of Lambrusco as part of a “mystery half case.” It was so unappealing that I poured it down the drain. Even as I poured the Denny Bini, I was thinking about what bottle I would open next if this disappointed.

A Frothy Delight


Not only did the bottle offer a nice percussive prelude, pouring the wine again was a delight. The wine foamed into a wild froth. Green Dragon proclaimed that it was just like pouring grape soda.

The flavor of the gurgling deep purple glass, however, was miles away from grape soda as well as the Riunite. Rippling on top of the frizzante bubbles were notes of berries and dust. It was much drier than I expected, but with a satisfying dollop of sweetness.

This is a happy wine. It was fun to open, enjoyable to watch bubble and foam, and surprising satisfying to drink. No one can be grumpy or sad when they sip some of the Denny Bini. It’s made for friends and laughter.

A nice bottle for around $16, this would be superb for a casual get-together with friends paired with some light Italian fare. Denny Binni Lambrusco is groovy, baby!

Technorati Tags: ,,

Monday, December 21, 2015

Bodegas Valdubon 2013 Tempranillo, Ribera Del Duero

The Spanish region of Ribera has ripping hot summers, frigid winters and a rocky, rigid terrain -- an absolute paradise for Tempranillo. Winemakers in Ribera are using game-changing technology and innovation to coax every drop of complexity into their wine.


Northern Spain's Tempting Tempranillo


Wines from the Ribera y Rueda region of Northern Spain are interesting and accessible. In Rueda, the white Verdejo grape produces bright and crisp white wines. In Ribera del Duero, Tempranillo grapes deliver bold, rugged and ripe reds.

Ribera y Rueda is making a marketing push into the US and during last summer's Wine Bloggers Conference we had a chance to sample the region's wines and were impressed. They are targeting Millennials, encouraging them to discover and uncover a new wine experience.

Never Miss A Toledo Wines and Vines Post – Click To Subscribe


A Great Addition To NDJ Wines


Wine distributors and retailers look forward to NDJ on their calendar. A large chunk of their sales happen in November, December and January when even the infrequent drinker picks up a bottle or two for the holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Eve.


For wine lovers seeking a bottle of imported wine, the top three choices are most likely France, Italy and Germany -- but Spain deserves a spot at the table too. The wines are tasty, a good value, and pair well with most occasions.

We opened this bottle from Bodegas Valdubón for dinner with a friend the other night. Green Dragon and Maria wanted some "girl time." Since they are both good cooks, I certainly wasn't going to argue.

 

Fresh And Food Friendly


Bodegas Valdubón is located on the outskirts of Milagros in the Burgos region. The vineyard is located in the northern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula on the banks of the Duero River. As European wineries go, it is a young one, opening in 1997.

The dish prepared for our meal was a lentil stew with Italian sausage, tomato and carrots. This casual entrée was a nice fit for the Tempranillo. Tempranillo is a lighter weight wine, more similar to a Pinot Noir in feel than a heavy Cabernet. The taste profile is different, with flavors of strawberry, spice and maybe tobacco.

The wine is aged in American and French oak for four months. The Valdubón maintains fresh flavors and isn't weighted down by heavy tannins. It is lively on the tongue with threads of vanilla on the smooth finish.

This holiday season is your chance to explore the new wines of Spain. Valdubón is a good bet for  a light, refreshing accompaniment to your meals or holiday event.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Spain's Rioja Region Reports Earliest Harvest In Memory


Wine has been made in Rioja for 2,500 years. This area in the north Spain was the country's first DOCa, the country's top category. It is one of Spain's most important wine regions.

Harvest Time Comes Early

Rioja's regulatory agency, the Control Board, has reported the earliest harvest in memory. The end of normal harvest in the wine region was October 13. While the final verdict is pending, initial results are very positive. This is partly due to the weather in September, which was exceptionally good for grape quality.

A total of 441,180 metric tons of grapes were picked this year of which 426,700 metric tons were approved after discarding excess production. These were used to make 79 million gallons of DO (Denominación de Origen) protected wine.

The Rioja grape harvest usually peaks on or near the feast of Our Lady of El Pilar on October 12, but this year practically all the vineyards were picked out by that date. One of the most curious facts about the 2015 harvest is that it took place practically simultaneously across the region with the bulk of the grapes being picked within a four-week period. Normally, the harvest is carried out gradually over nearly two months, starting at the beginning of September in the earliest eastern areas and finishing in October in the areas at the highest altitudes.

Good Weather Bodes Well For 2015 Vintage

After the mid-September ripening poll, the Control Board Technical Service reported that there were "harvest-ready grapes in all of the Region’s areas," and recommended "selective picking, regardless of vineyard location," because ripening rates depended less this year on location than on other factors, such as production load. Good weather throughout the growing cycle provided excellent canopy growth and grapes in top condition, free of pests or disease. The weather also helped balanced ripening across all vineyards, and unhurried, selective picking.

The 2015 harvest brought top quality grapes as a whole, arriving in perfect condition with analytical results which are very suitable for making excellent wines, with an average alcohol content slightly above normal figures. Quality was particularly outstanding in vineyards located in cooler areas with moderate vigor and limited production, often yielding considerably less than the maximum allowable kg/ha rates. Lower berry weight due to a dry spell during the last part of the growing cycle also had a very positive impact, with a better skin-to-pulp ratio —a key quality factor. The Control Board will soon start the approval process —which involves laboratory tests and tastings—  to accurately rate the new wine.

Total grape production surface area in the region for 2015 was 152,884 acres, 825 more than the previous vintage. Of these, 142,978 acres are planted with red grape varieties and 9,906 acres with white grape varieties.


Photo Credits: BronB and prgrisleyco via Compfight cc

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: December 16-19, 2015


Bookmark and Share
Wednesday, December 16  
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6-8 PM. Wine tasting. Big Wines For Winter. 1. Francois Montand NV Brut (France), 2. Primus 2013 “The Blend” Red (Chile), 3. Michael David 2013 Earthquake Old Vine Zinfandel (California), 4. Chakana 2013 Estate Malbec (Argentina), 5. Macauley 2010 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Nominal fee per sample or $13 per flight.

Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 –7:30 PM. Wine Tasting. $15 per person.

Thursday, December 17  
Andersons, Maumee, 5-7 PM. Big Bold Red Selections - Great Christmas Gifts #2. 1. 2012 Nickel & Nickel – C. C. Ranch – Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, 2. 2010 Chateau Malartic LaGraviere – Grand Cru Classe' de Graves – Pessac – Leognan, France, 3. 2006 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild – Pauillac, France, 4. 2007 Leonetti Cellar – Reserve – Walla Walla, Washington. Pay per sample or $45 for flight.

Let us promote your wine tasting for free! Send info to twav@att.net

Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM. Party Time: 1. Jeio Prosecco, 2. Ferrari Brut, 3. Talbott Chardonnay, 4. Ramsay Merlot, 5. Seghesio Zinfandel, 6. If You See Kay Red, 7. Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz, 8. Bedrock Red. Nominal Fee per sample.




Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Featuring wines of Grand Cru: 1. Frey-Sohler - Musct 2013, 2. Frey-Sohler - Riesling 2013, 3. Herdeade Do Rocim - Amphora 2013, 4. Canto Perdrix -Tavel 2014, 5. Chateau Bellevue Peycharneau - Bourdeaux 2011, 6. Domaine De L'Espigouette - Cotes Du Rhone 2012, 7. Oratoire St Martin - Cairanne 2011. Full flight - $16, just whites - $7, rosé and reds - $9.

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.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Beaujolais Tasting – All Day. Beaujolais is a French wine made from the Gamay grape. Nouveau is the most popular wine released the third week in November, to celebrate the harvest. This is “Beaujolais Nouveau Day.” You may see the French traditional slogan, “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive’.” Friday, December 18  

Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting – 4:00 – 7:00 PM.

Saturday, December 19  
Kroger Maumee – Wine Tasting, 3-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12-3 PM. French Press Selections from Jean Louis Chave. A sampling of one of the finest collections of red wine in the world, from the Chave family estates in Southern France, home to international wine superstar and legendary vintner Jean Louis Chave. $70 per person, reservations required. Extremely limited seating. 

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 2-6 PM. 'Tis the Season for bubbles. Something for every palate and pocket book. Samplings of Prosecco, Cava, and Grower Champagne. From the simplest to the sublime, we will cover a lot of territory. 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: ,


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).

Last Thursday of Each Month, 6-8 PM – Monthly wine tasting. Maumee Wines, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee – (419) 893-2525. Wine and appetizers. $40 per person.

December 29, 6:00 PM. Annual Fizz Tasting Event. Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. Our friend Tricia Rasar of Vintner Select will lead us through many styles of affordable sparkling wine from all over the world. Bone dry to sweet & fruity, we will have something for everyone. $1 per sample. No reservation required.

In December: Zinful is opening a tasting boutique on Louisiana Ave in downtown Perrysburg. The tasting boutique will feature wine, craft beer, & cigars. We will have daily, weekly, and specialty tastings and classes.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Charles Smith Wines 2014 Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Washington State


Charles Smith is an artisan and a pioneer in the wine world. Twice recognized as Winemaker of the Year, he has set the wine world on its ear with incredible wines at hard to believe prices.


Wine Pick For A Non-Dangerous Party


When Green Dragon informed me we were hosting a party for her fellow Red Cross volunteers, I felt reassured yet anxious. I was reassured because everyone there would know CPR and also could probably use the Heimlich Maneuver if I started choking on an appetizer. A party like this can also be a challenge.

When you don't know the party goers, you need to aim for wine that is pleasing to both the savvy wine lover as well as someone who only has wine occasionally. Picking a wine that checks both boxes can be difficult.

Enter Charles Smith

Charles Smith has made a career out of crafting outstanding Washington State wines at befuddling prices. He created the House Wine brand which had delicious yet affordable wines, such as House Red, in unpretentious packaging. He also is the man behind the outstanding K Syrah wines.

Another value gem is Kung Fu Girl Riesling. This is a wine that is a taste treat for Riesling lovers. We're part of that gang, and so I grabbed a couple bottles for the party.

On the red side, I picked up two bottles of Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir. It's hard to go wrong with Pinot from Willamette.

A Kung Fu Kick Of Flavor

My favorite style of wine is probably dry Riesling. Lately my palate has been drifting! I've been exploring Rieslings with a touch of sweetness but balanced with nice acidity.

In the wine shop Green Dragon had previously mentioned that Kung Fu Girl sounded like a nonsensical name for wine. What better reason for me to pick up two bottles? Especially when the price was $12.99 each.

Grapes for this wine come from one of Washington State's newest AVAs, Ancient Lakes. It is 100% Riesling and is whole cluster pressed, meaning grapes aren't destemmed before the juice is pressed. This adds complexity to the wine.

This has all the hallmarks of beautiful Riesling: swirling green apple and citrus. The body is smooth and sleek and there is a touch of minerality.

Very important to me is the acidity, which balances out the sweetness. This has only 1.45% residual sugar to give it an off dry finish. It is wonderfully balanced and a delicious surprise at this price point.

Kung Fu Girl has delivered a kick to the head of overpriced wines! Chuck Norris would be proud.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Harvest Ridge 2014 Pinot Gris


Bookmark and Share
Tried any good wine from Delaware lately? You’ll be surprised when you try this wine from a winery that spans the Mason-Dixon line.

 

Pinot Gris Climbing The Charts


If we had a chart showing our favorite white wines, it would show a spike with Pinot Gris soaring up toward the top. It hasn’t knocked Riesling out of the top spot – but if there were a wine playoff, it could surprise a few people.

Since Green Dragon isn’t a big Chardonnay fan, we mostly favor dry Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. We’ve come to really appreciate Pinot Gris, which is the same grape as Pinot Grigio, but typically not the overwhelming fruitiness of the latter.

Never Miss A Toledo Wines and Vines Post – Click To Subscribe

 

The Mysterious No. 47

Photo courtesy Harvest Ridge Winery
At first glance, the prominent “47” on the front of the Harvest Ridge Pinot Gris bottle is puzzling. What’s the significance? That number is a clue to why Harvest Ridge is such a unique winery.

At Toledo Wines and Vines, we love wine from around the globe – but we have a special place in our hearts for the regional, small production wineries that are now in all 50 states. Harvest Ridge is located in Marydel, Delaware, and it is the fourth winery in the state.

As the name of the town hints, its property actually straddles the Delaware-Maryland border. Not only is the winery on the state line, it has an important bit of history on its grounds. on the historic Mason-Dixon Line. In fact, one of the most unique features of the property is the existence of one of the Mason-Dixon’s original witness stone and crown markers – number 47 – located on the property.

 

An East Coast Pinot Gris


Oregon excels with Pinot Gris, but how will a winery on the East coast fare with the grape? We popped open the bottle anxious to discover the answer.

Harvest Ridge is a new winery, opening to the public in 2013. Vines of Chardonnay, Viognier, Malbec and Merlot were planted in 2011. This is listed as American wine, so the grapes came from more than one appellation in more than one state.

In the glass the 2014 Harvest Ridge Pinot Gris is a pleasant yellow with a slightly greenish hue. On the palate the wine is juicy with flavors of pear with some floral notes. The flavors are delicate with an off-dry sweetness.

I prefer my Gris with a dash more acidity, but certainly can’t quibble with this very enjoyable bottle of wine. Served chilled, this would be brilliant on a hot summer’s day – but since that is a far way off, this would pair nicely with a fish entrée or by itself as an after dinner wine.

This is a fine wine from a place you wouldn’t expect.
Full disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Ca’ Bertoldi 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico


We’ll do almost anything for a taste of the heavenly Amarone – even paint a masterpiece.

Painting For My Wine

During a recent business trip to Orlando, Green Dragon and I had a choice of several different activities. One was laying by the pool, which wasn’t very appealing during in light of the overcast weather.
Another choice was bowling – not bad, but it didn’t hold a candle to the promise of an Italian wine tasting.
It wasn’t until we arrived at the Loews Portofino Bay Resort that I learned that this was a wine and painting event. The wine and painting craze has spread through the wine world like the hula hoop fad in the 1960s. Everyone is doing it.
At the appointed time we hustled into our room which was arrayed with desktop easels, paintbrushes and four wine glasses.
We had a couple of artists who led us through painting a scene from Portofino, Italy, not to be confused with the magnificent Loews Portofino hotel, which looks very much like its Italian namesake except for the fact it is plunked down in the midst of Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure.

Creating A Masterpiece

The wines for the event were presented by Joshua Franck of Southern Wine & Spirits of North Florida. He did a wonderful job of selecting the wines and providing facts about the wine regions of Italy.

We enjoyed a Pinot Grigio, a Bordeaux style blend, a Nero d’Avola and… a beautiful Amarone. We were joined by our friend Patty, who is a very good amateur artist.
The wine tasting was a bit challenging. If we concentrated too much on the painting, it provided an opening for a hotel staff to swoop in an remove my unfinished glass of wine. If we focused instead on our wine, the painting definitely became more abstract.
While I was trying to help Green Dragon with her painting, Patty was showing us up by adding elaborate flowerboxes and Da Vinci style touches to her painting. Thankfully we had wine!

A Traditional Wine to Savor

After three glasses of wine, our paintings looked, at least to us, like museum quality. The Ca’ Bertoldi Amarone Classico was our reward.
Amarone wine uses the passito process. The grape bunches are placed on straw in drying rooms to wither until the grapes lose about 45% of their water. This concentrates the sugar and flavors.
The grapes used in the Ca’ Bertoldi are mostly Corvina Veronese, with lesser amounts of Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta, Merlot and Croatina. This exotic mix is fermented in stainless steel tanks and then matures in oak for 36 months. Amarone can age up to 20 years.
The Ca’ Bertoldi is deep ruby in color and the bouquet is full and fruit laden. As we sipped the wine, paintbrush in hand, we could feel the spirit of Italy. Italians call this a meditation wine and as we enjoyed the full, velvety, raisin and spice flavors it was easy to get lost in the moment.
Our paintings may never make it to the Louvre or the Toledo Museum of Art, but through paint and wine we certainly enjoyed an artistic afternoon.
Technorati Tags: ,,,

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: December 9-12, 2015

Wednesday, December 9
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6-8 PM. Wine tasting. A Couple of Favorite Sparklers and Three New Big Reds. 1. Perrier-Jouet NV Grand Brut (France), 2. Mumm Napa NV Brut Prestige (California), 3. Zerran 2010 Red (Spain), 4. Quinta da Garrida 2011 Reserva Tinto (Portugal), 5. Numanthia 2012 Termes Red (Spain) Nominal fee per sample or $12 per flight.
Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 –7:30 PM. Wine Tasting. $15 per person.
Thursday, December 10
Andersons, Maumee, 5-7 PM. Big Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons - Great Christmas Gifts Part 1. 1. 2009 Cakebread Cellars – Dancing Bear Ranch – Howell Mountain, 2. 2007 Beringer - Private Reserve – St. Helena, 3. 2004 Joseph Phelps – Insignia – St. Helena, 4. 2003 Shafer – Hillside Select – Stags Leap District. Pay per sample or $45 for flight.
Let us promote your wine tasting for free! Send info to twav@att.net
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM.Our Annual Affordable Cabernet Night. Try before you buy! 1. Liberty Schook, 2. Joel Gott, 3. Eagle Glen, 4. Fieldstone, 5. Freakshow, 6. Smith & Hook, 6. Chateau Smith, 7. Decoy, 8. Educated Guess, 9. Rodney Strong, 10. Oberon, 11. Conche Y Toro Marques Casa Concha, 12. Franciscan Napa, 13. Charles Krug, 14. Mollydooker, 15. Raymond, 16. Sineann, 17. Emblem. Nominal Fee per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.
Noir Fine Wine and Beer, 1616 East Wooster, Bowling Green, 6-9 PM. Nominal fee per sample or priced per flight.
Laffs Inc., 3922 Secor Road, 5:00 PM. (419) 214-0700. Ladies Night Wine and Craft Beer Tasting. For $5 you will receive six tasting tickets to sample our selection of wine and craft beer. This event is our ladies night event and all ladies will get their first six tickets paid for by the owner. There is no cover if you are looking to enjoy dinner and the doors open at 5 PM.
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.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Beaujolais Tasting – All Day. Beaujolais is a French wine made from the Gamay grape. Nouveau is the most popular wine released the third week in November, to celebrate the harvest. This is “Beaujolais Nouveau Day.” You may see the French traditional slogan, “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive’.”
Friday, December 11
Toledo Museum of Art – (419) 255-8000 Ext. 7448. 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Wine By The Glass Pavilion:  Give Thanks: Wines To Accompany That Special Dinner. Enjoy four wines and light snacks during It’s Friday! at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion. Tickets are $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting – 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Fabulous Friday Tasting.
Saturday, December 12
Kroger Maumee – Wine Tasting, 3-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill’s Market locations in Perrysburg and Maumee – Holiday Food & Wine Show Part 2. 11 AM – 4 PM. Visit either location for a wide variety of sampling from all departments including Smoke House Meats, Gluten Free Cheese Cakes, Cooked Shrimp, fruit "cakes", and more. Plus, Wine Reps will be on hand help you pair the perfect grape with your meals. Perrysburg Acapella choir performs in Perrysburg store from 2 to 3 PM and the Maumee Show Choir performs in Maumee Store from 3 to 4 PM. Free admission.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 2-6 PM. We are proud to host Colette Comeau, from Aquitaine Wine Importers of Classic Fine Bordeaux. All of the wines from their portfolio exhibit true “old world,” styling and are amazing examples of the best of Bordeaux. 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: ,
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).
Last Thursday of Each Month, 6-8 PM – Monthly wine tasting. Maumee Wines, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee – (419) 893-2525. Wine and appetizers. $40 per person.
December 29, 6:00 PM. Annual Fizz Tasting Event. Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. Our friend Tricia Rasar of Vintner Select will lead us through many styles of affordable sparkling wine from all over the world. Bone dry to sweet & fruity, we will have something for everyone. $1 per sample. No reservation required.
In December: Zinful is opening a tasting boutique on Louisiana Ave in downtown Perrysburg. The tasting boutique will feature wine, craft beer, & cigars. We will have daily, weekly, and specialty tastings and classes.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Centanni 2013 Monte Floris, Marche Rosso IGT


IGT wines from Italy can represent value and creative freedom for winemakers.

Red Wine From Italy’s Adriatic Coast

Wines labeled Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) in Italy are considered the second level of wines. They are above the table wines, but below the DOC level.
At the DOC level, grape varieties and winemaking methods are tightly controlled. Italy’s famed Super Tuscan wines, for example, are IGT wines because the winemakers broke with tradition to use grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and others not typical for the Tuscany region.
The Centanni 2013 Monte Floris, imported by ZGR Imports, is an IGT red wine from the Marche region of central Italy east of Tuscany and bordered by the Adriatic.
Check Out Our Winery Reports Page To Plan Your Next Visit!

You Can’t Uncork This Wine

One of the unique aspects of this wine is apparent from the get-go. You can’t uncork this wine because there is no cork. After removing a metal cap, I discovered a glass stopper.
The glass stopper not only is cool, but sustainable. It eliminates any possibility of a cork taint.
Real fun begins once the glass stopper is removed. This wine is 100% Montepulciano, which produces deeply colored wines, rich wines.
In the glass this is ruby red. The nose is flowing with jammy aromas.
The wine is rich with red fruit flavors accented with tartness. There is a hint of toasted oak. The body is lush and the finish quite juicy.
Aging begins in steel, which helps to maintain the fresh flavors, and then it is finished with six months in French Oak. The alcohol level is 14.5%, but in no way is the Monte Floris heavy or ponderous.
This gem retails for about $25. It’s a great match for red meats or a mild cheese.
Full disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.
Technorati Tags: ,

Monday, December 7, 2015

Toledo Wines And Vines Named To List Of Most Influential Wine Blogs Of 2015

This is the time of year when many “best of the year” lists are issued. We’re honored to be included in the list of best wine blogs.

TWAV Named To List Of Top 100 Most Influential Wine Blogs

We’re surprised, pleased and proud. We were notified a few days ago that Toledo Wines and Vines was named to the list of Top 100 Most Influential Wine Blogs of 2015 by Excel Wines. Excel Wines is a UK based online wine retailer with a huge 9,000+ wine selection.
Each week we pour our heart and soul into the blog (and pour wine into our glass) to bring you entertaining and, we hope, educational content. We’ve been doing this for more than six years. We also are active on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

 

Tools, Analytics And A Pinch Of Magic

As an operation run by a “citizen blogger,” we can’t compete with some of the heavyweights who do this as a profession or as part of a wine-related business. But we were proud to snatch #63 on the list.
How, you may ask, is the list determined? Here’s the lowdown from Excel Wines: “As expected, everyone is going to have their own opinion on what makes a wine blog influential or not. There are countless ways in which we could have weighted statistics and looked at an ever-growing number of social media channels. The sample that we ended on we feel represents the current most accurate measure of "influence" for the market. Each statistic is weighted in order to not give too much significance to any individual statistic that might skew the results.
“This study took advantage of some of the best tools for measuring website success and social media activity, including SEMRush, Majestic SEO, Twitonomy, Alexa, Facebook insights, and Moz. The algorithm gives fair weight to both on-site and off-site factors. On-site includes traffic, rankings, and measured trust factors. Off-site includes social media statistics, including followings and interaction, and inbound links to the site.”
Excel points out that this is purely a statistical measurement and doesn’t rate the quality of writing – however, we humbly like to think our quality is rather high. We’re also pleased to be included with the high quality blogs included on the list.
Here’s the link to the full story and the full list of the Top 100. Cheers to you for helping us achieve this honor.



Thursday, December 3, 2015

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery 2013 Posh Cuvée, VQA Ontario


Ontario excels in crisp white wines. This wine from the Lake Erie North Shore region mixes and matches four varieties.

Turkey, Board Games and Vino

During our recent Thanksgiving visit to West Virginia we enjoyed a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixin’s. In the evening it was time for a clash with a board game.
The particular game we played involves making words, like Scrabble, but you can create new words by placing letters on top of each other. So we did.
As the letters stacked up, the wine in our bottle went down. This led to more and more creative words!
Check Out Our Winery Reports Page To Plan Your Next Visit!

A Posh Mash-Up Of White Grapes

We picked up this bottle during a day trip to Lake Erie North Shore in Ontario. For the first time we paid a visit to Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (or CREW). During our visit the sun was beating down. This Posh Cuvée was an impressive refresher and so we brought it home across the border.
Posh is a blend of Chardonnay, Riesling, Vidal and Gerwürztraminer. No percentages are given, so you might assume that they are listed in descending order of use. I’m not sure about that, though. This wine has a lovely smooth body of a Riesling with a hint of floral from Gerwürztraminer and I suspect they have more of a presence than Chardonnay. Vidal is a popular favorite for ice wine production and fits in well here.
I had brought this on our trip to go with the turkey, but we ending up drinking it by itself instead. This is “posh” enough to please just about any wine drinker. There is a bit of sweetness for those who shun dry wines, but it isn’t overpowering. There is a full palate of tropical fruit and elegant floral notes.
Three cheers – or should we say four? – for Colchester Ridge’s Posh Cuvée!

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: December 2-5, 2015

Wednesday, December 2
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6-8 PM. Wine tasting. Nominal fee per sample.
Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 –7:30 PM. Wine Tasting. $15 per person.
Thursday, December 3
Andersons, Maumee, 5-7 PM. Comfort Wines: 1. 2013 Vitiano – Verdicchio/Vermentino – Italy, 2. 2013 Garnet – Pinot Noir – Monterey County, 3. 2012 Jean-Paul Tollot – LA 50/50 Minervois – France, 4. 2010 Chateau des Karantes – Red Blend – Languedoc, France. Nominal fee per sample or $7 for flight.
Let us promote your wine tasting for free! Send info to twav@att.net
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM.Z-BEST (No reservation required). It’s finally here! The Andersons Toledo Store’s premier wine tasting event of the year. Here is a list of most of the fabulous, world class wines we will be serving: Cakebread Chardonnay – California, Far Niente (without a care) Chardonnay – California, Antica Terra Ceras Pinot Noir – Oregon, Failla Pinot Noir – North Coast, California, Luminary Red – California, Lewis Cellars Alec's Blend Red – California, Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet – Washington, Damilano Brunate Barolo Cerequio – Italy, Elio Altare Barolo 2010 – Italy, Domaine du Pegau Cuvee Laurence Chateauneuf du Pape 2009 – France, Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet – California, Quilceda Creek Cabernet – Washington, Opus One – California, Nickel & Nickel CC Ranch Cabernet – California, Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Cabernet – California, Beringer Private Reserve 2007 – California, Chateau Barde-Haut Saint-Emilion Grand Cru – Bordeaux France, Malartic Lagraviere Grand Cru Classe Pessac-Leognan – Bordeaux France, Quinta do Vesuvio 2011 Vintage Port – Portugal, Graham's 2011 Vintage Port, Inniskillin Vidal Icewine.
We will also be featuring samples from the House of Meats as well as the best coffee, cheeses, seafood and desserts from The Andersons. Fee per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.
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.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 4:30 – 6:30 PM. Crafted Artisan Meadery Tasting. Join us along with Kent Waldeck from Crafted Artisan Meadery and sample several of the Meaderies products including: Maple Harvest, Criminal Key Lime Pie and Pollen Nation Blackberry. $1 per sample
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Beaujolais Tasting – All Day. Beaujolais is a French wine made from the Gamay grape. Nouveau is the most popular wine released the third week in November, to celebrate the harvest. This is “Beaujolais Nouveau Day.” You may see the French traditional slogan, “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive’.”
Friday, December 4
Toledo Museum of Art – (419) 255-8000 Ext. 7448. 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Wine By The Glass Pavilion:  Give Thanks: Wines To Accompany That Special Dinner. Enjoy four wines and light snacks during It’s Friday! at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion. Tickets are $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine tasting – 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Join Mario and co-host Angela Bollin of Vanguard Wines for your favorite Friday "wine-down.” 1.D'Orsaria Pinot Grigio, 2. Mannequin Chardonnay, 3. Sean Minor Four Bears Pinot Noir, 4. Sean Minor Four Bears Cabernet Sauvignon, 5. Ill Follo Brut Rose. $7 for the flight.
Saturday, December 5
Kroger Maumee – Wine Tasting, 3-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 2-6 PM. Port is a Portuguese fortified wine produced exclusively in the Duro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal. We will feature Ruby, Tawny, LBV’s, as well as Vintage Ports. 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: ,
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).
Last Thursday of Each Month, 6-8 PM – Monthly wine tasting. Maumee Wines, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee – (419) 893-2525. Wine and appetizers. $40 per person.


Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Giulio Ferrari 2001 Riserva Del Fondatore, Trento DOC


Vintage sparkling wine is a treat – but a 2001 Giulio Ferrari reserve is beyond all expectations.

With Age Comes…

With age comes many things. In wines, if things go badly, it can result in a flawed wine and dashed expectations.
Happily, it can also lead to complexity, refinement and elegance – in wine as well as people. Such was the case with our recent tasting of Giulio Ferrari 2001 Riserva del Fondatore, from the mountainous Trento DOC of Italy.
For the last month we’ve been exploring the sparkling wines of Ferrari. We finally arrived at the crowning moment, as we popped open the Giulio Ferrari Riserva.
Check Out Our Winery Reports Page To Plan Your Next Visit!

A Bottle Of Surprises

The Giulio Ferrari Riserva is different from the start. First of all, it is a sparkling wine from Italy that isn’t Prosecco. This wine is from specially selected Chardonnay grapes from the vineyard of Maso Pianizza. That such a beauty can be made with Chardonnay in the traditional method is a revelation.
This reserve wine has been produced since 1972. The Riserva ages at least 10 years on yeast. It is painstakingly nurtured through the same traditional method used by winemakers in Champagne.
All this, of course, has no meaning if the wine disappoints.

Standing The Test Of Time

“Pofffff…” went the bottle as we opened and poured the 2001 Riserva. In the flute the wine was a deliciously deep golden color with bright highlights. There was a slight foaming, but it dissipated after a moment.
At that instant I wondered whether the Riserva had maintained its vibrancy. I watched as maybe a half dozen columns of bubbles rose to the top. After almost 15 years had it lost its pizzazz?
One amazing sip dispelled all qualms. The Riserva had a wonderful texture courtesy of a persistent fizz. It had several layers of flavor including nuts, citrus and honey.
My wife grabbed the bottle and proclaimed it as the “best sparkling wine ever!” To celebrate, she took the bottle outside and we photographed it against the full moon poking out from behind the dark clouds.
This is a wine quite sophisticated and elegant. It is from Ferrari’s Reserve Line, the winery’s top range and has a $120 SRP. Some things you can’t put a price on, like magic – which this bottle surely is.
Full Disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.
Technorati Tags: ,,