Thursday, March 31, 2016

A Second Visit: Flora Springs Gamut, NV First Release

We made a gallant attempt to give up wine during Lent. With Lent in the rearview mirror, it was time to revisit a favorite from the cellar.

Second Bottle Sipping


We first tasted Gamut two years ago. I’m a fan of Flora Springs winery and this proprietary blend was being offered online via Invino for $20. That’s a price I couldn’t resist, especially since top-of-the-line Flora Springs wines can exceed $100. I picked up three bottles.

Flora Springs is located at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains in the far northwest corner of the Rutherford AVA in the heart of Napa Valley. Natural springs on the property have flowed continuously even in times of drought.

The Best Of Two Vintages


This is a non-vintage wine with the grapes not coming from a single harvest, but instead it’s a mix of the 2010 and 2011 vintages. The blend is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% each of Malbec and Petite Verdot. It was aged in a combination of French and American oak.

We were impressed with Gamut two years ago when we had the first bottle. If there was any fault, it was a tad heavy in the tannins. Since then, the tannins have integrated, making for an even smoother sipping experience. Gamut flaunts juicy raspberry and blueberry flavors with a long coating finish.
Green Dragon gave me the thumbs up, saying, “This doesn’t taste like a Tuesday wine!” Indeed, this is a wine that will stand proud on any occasion, even a Saturday soiree.

Gamut, it seems, is a lot like me. It continues to improve with age! Highly recommended.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: March 30–April 2, 2016

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Wednesday, March 30
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6-8 PM. Wednesday Wine Tasting: 1. Sokol Blosser Evolution White (Oregon), 2. Sokol Blosser Evolution Red (Oregon), 3. Ryan Patrick 2014 Redhead Red (Washington), 4. Bishop's Peak 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (California), 5. Orin Swift 2014 Machete (California). $10 per flight or nominal charge per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 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. Girl Scout Cookie and Wine Pairing. $15 per person.
Thursday, March 31
Andersons, Maumee, 5-7 PM. Pre-April Fools Day Wines: 1. 2014 Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier – Cotes Du Roussillon Blanc – France, 2. 2015 Chateau Beaulieu – Rosé – Provence, France, 3. 2014 Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier – Cotes Du Roussillon Villages – France, 4. 2011 Meeker – “Bessie” – Zinfandel – Sonoma County. Pay per sample or $5 for flight.

Let us promote your wine tasting for free! Send info to twav@att.net
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM. “There's Wine in Them Thar Hills of France.” Featured wines from the back roads of wine country in France: 1. Aime Roquesante Cote de Provence Rosé, 2. Abymes Vin de Savoie, 3. Domaine des Valanges Macon-Prisse, 4. Chateau Pegau Maclura Cotes-du-Rhone, 5. Terres Falmet Cinsault, 6. Terracae Cahors Malbec, 7. Chateau Ollieux-Romanis Corbieres, 8. Chateau Bouscasse Madiran. Nominal fee per sample.
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.
Zinful, (419) 931-9946, 218 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg. 5-8 PM. Weekly wine tasting. Featuring Michael David Wines with special guest Katlyn from Wine Trends. $8 per flight.

Friday, April 1

Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. No Foolin’ Wine Tasting. Diana Kerr from Wine Trends shows off some tasty selections for April Fools Day. Nominal fee per sample.
Saturday, April 2
Kroger Maumee – Wine Tasting, 3-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 2-6 PM. Merlot Wine Tasting. Nominal fee per sample.

AREA WINE BARS
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.
  • Zinful, (419) 931-9946, 218 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg.
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Up & Coming:
Taste of the Nation Toledo, Sunday April 24, 5-10 PM. The Toledo Club, 235 14th St., Toledo. Food from Toledo’s finest restaurants paired with entertainment and wines. Tickets $225. Black tie optional. For tickets and information go to www.ToledoTaste.org

Monday, March 28, 2016

A Clean, Crisp Sip Of Spain’s Rías Baixas Wine Region



What’s the most famous wine of Spain? Many Spaniards will tell you it is the Albariño from the Rías Baixas DO.

Shaped By The Land And Sea


Located in the northwest corner of Spain, Galicia is bounded by Portugal to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and north. It has more than 1,000 miles of coastline including islands and inlets (or rías). The character of the water and land has shaped its people and its wine.

Rías Baixas is Spain’s best known white wine DO (Denominación de Origen), but producing the famed drink is no easy task. In the Oceanic climate of Rías Baixas (REE yahs Bī-SHAHS) it rains about 8 months of the year. What happens two weeks before the harvest can have a tremendous impact on the years work. Heavy rains can cause the grapes to burst and become susceptible to disease. Rot can set in in less than 48 hours. Losses of up the 35% are not unknown.

A Wine Of Culture And Relationships


Winding our way from Santiago de Compostela to Bodegas Vionta, small family farms filled the vista.

Each house has its own vines, trellised using pillars made of local granite. In times past, the vines were raised off the ground, allowing farmers to plant potatoes on the ground.

There are 6,700 winegrowers in the region which has only 4,000 hectares. To Bodegas Vionta, a top echelon winery located near Meaño, it means relationships with 50 winegrowers. “It’s part of the culture,” says Pepa Formosa, member of Ferrer Family Wines International Development team. “We always have to buy grapes, but we have to prove what we are doing in the vineyard.”

The Winning Albariño Style


Vionta is named after Isla Vionta, an island off the Atlantic coast that is part of a national park created to protect seabirds. The winery was built in 2002 and was purchased by Ferrer Family Wines in 2014.
The winery has a contemporary look. Large glass windows look over a valley dotted with oak, pine and eucalyptus trees out to the Atlantic.

The prize of the region, and at Vionta, is Albariño. In Rias Baixas, Albariño accounts for 98% of wine production.

It is a grape whose origin is mysterious. Some believe it is related to Riesling and was brought by monk’s making the pilgrimage from Germany’s Mosel region to the Shrine of St. James in Santiago de Compostela. Others suggest that it is indigenous pointing out that Portugal makes fine wines from the same grape.

“Albariño is like horses,” explained Pepa as we tasted a just bottled sample of 2015 Vionta Albariño. “It needs time to calm down.”

Although Albariño is a delicate grape, the soil and the climate give it muscle. The 2015 was perfect in color, but the acidity was a bit untamed. We compared this to the 2014 vintage, which had a rounder texture and a luscious flavor of mango. For the best Albariño experience, go for a vintage one or two years earlier than the current release to allow it to properly develop.

Oceans of Flavor


Albariño pairs sublimely with seafood. To fully experience the wine, we enjoyed a light meal of octopus empanada, a potato tortilla, delicious local cow’s milk cheese and mussels.

The mussels were served with a vinaigrette of onion, peppers, garlic, chopped egg, vinegar and olive oil. As is the local custom, they were steamed in sea water. We could gaze out the window and see the inlet where the mussels were farmed.

The Ruedo DO is garnering attention as an up-and-coming white wine region in Spain. Ferrer Family Wines is present in each of Spain’s top wine regions and their Paramus winery produces Verdejo from 15 to 25-year-old vines. We sampled the Paramus Verdejo along with the 2014 and 2015 Vionta Albariño.

The Verdejo has soft, lush flavors with notes of citrus. The spot-on pairing, however, was the 2014 Vionta Albariño and the mussels. The floral aroma, tropical flavors and carefully crafted acidity are memorable.

Rias Baixas has 198 wineries with a focus on Albariño, a great choice instead of Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. Chances are some of the grapes come from a family farm. Like those farmers, the winemakers of Rias Baixas take pride in what they produce – the best white wine in Spain.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Pioneer Wine Trail Art Along The Trail Event Scheduled April 9-10 in Southeast Michigan

Art Along the Trail, a unique self-guided wine tour on Michigan’s Pioneer Wine Trail, is scheduled April 9 and 10. Eight Michigan wineries will be feature a new release wine along with a focus on art with painters, musicians and artwork to entertain. Ticket prices are $35 and are expected to sell quickly.

The Pioneer Wine Trail is conveniently located about 45 minutes from Toledo or Ann Arbor. The official hours for this event are 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and 12:00 to 5:00 PM on Sunday. The tickets are $35 each and can be purchased online here.  

Guests provide their own transportation and choose their itinerary, visiting the wineries in any order. Pick up a souvenir glass at your first winery and enjoy food and wine pairings at all the wineries along the trail.

Here’s the information on participating wineries:
Burgdorf's Winery will be serving Creole Shrimp Bruschetta paired with Burgdorf's 2013 Syrah or for those with sweeter palates - Burgdorf's 2014 Semi-Sweet Spartan Red. Local art will be on display throughout the production area as well as the tasting room.

Chateau Aeronautique Winery will be serving Mediterranean Turkey-Cumin-Pineapple Meatballs with Spring Flowers paired with Cabernet Franc & Semi-Sweet Pinot Gris. Melissa Morse is hand painting a 31' x 8' vineyard mural on the tasting room addition west wall.

Cherry Creek Cellars will be serving Cider Braised Wings paired with your choice of Hard Cider or Traminette. Saturdays featured artist will be Chip Mezzo, Sunday is Kevin Krieger on the saxophone.
Flying Otter Winery will be serving a Frontenac Italian Beef sandwich with blue cheese dressing and spring greens on a toasted baguette paired with 2013 Frontenac. Sculptor Steve Million will amaze you with his works of art.

J. Trees Cellars will be serving Roasted Asparagus Gruyere Cheese Paninis paired with their 2016 House White made from Vignole & Aromella. Artist Greg Perez will be doing various letterpress prints of his original work.

Pentamere Winery will be serving Italian Sausage Ravioli with Cabernet Marinara Sauce paired with Cabernet Sauvignon. Saturday, Sharon Miller of Something Different will be making various wine bottle stoppers and Sunday, Michelle Cherne will be Tole painting.

Sandhill Crane Vineyards will be serving Crostini - toasted Zingerman's baguette slices topped with brie and homemade Mystic blueberry chutney paired with Mystic ( semi-sweet blueberry/Chancellor blend). Saturday musicians Jason Cross 12 to 12:30 and Chey Halliwell 2:30 - 5:00. Sunday - Paul Schmidt on the piano. Also, art by the Sandhill Crane staff.

Sleeping Bear Winery (located inside Grand River Brewery) will be serving Smoked Local Trout Dip with Capers, Onions, Jalepenos and Club Crackers paired with Sleeping Bear Riesling. There will be an art show in the Private Event room.

Photo Credit: cmu chem prof via Compfight cc



Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: March 23-26, 2016

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Wednesday, March 23
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6-8 PM. Great Wines for Ham or Lamb: 1. Hecht & Bannier 2015 Cotes du Provence Rose (France), 2. Anne Amie Cuvee A 2014 Pinot Noir (Oregon), 3. Syncline 2014 Subduction Red (Washington), 4. Katherine Goldschmidt 2013 Crazy Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (California), 5. Pasanau 2013 Ceps Nous Priorat (Spain). $10 per flight of nominal charge per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Wine tasting. Nominal fee per sample.
Sofo Italian Market, 5400 Monroe St., Toledo – (419) 882-8555. 5:00 PM. Wine tasting.
Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 –7:30 PM. Wine Tasting. $15 per person.
Thursday, March 24
Andersons, Maumee, 5-7 PM. Spring Has Sprung! 1. 2014 Nicolas Idiart – Sancerre – France, 2. 2015 Mariana – Rosé – Portugal, 3. 2010 Fattoria Dei Fossili – Cabernet Sauvignon – Italy, 4. 2010 Chateau Beard – Saint-Emilion Grand Cru – Bordeaux, France. Pay per sample or $8 for flight.

Let us promote your wine tasting for free! Send info to twav@att.net
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM. If I were a ham, what wine would I want to be served with? 1. Chateau de Roquefort Corail Cotes de Provence Rose, 2. La Forcine Vouvray, 3. Four Graces Pinot Gris, 4. Domaine des Gerbeaux Pouilly-Fuisse, 5. Sivas Sonoma Pinot Noir, 6. Siduri Pinot Noir, 7. Usseglio Lirac, 8. Castello D'Albola Chianti Classico. Nominal Fee per sample.
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.
Zinful, (419) 931-9946, 218 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg. 5-8 PM. Weekly wine tasting. Featuring wine from Glazier’s Distributing. $8 per flight.

Friday, March 25 

Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Dynamite Domestics. Angela Bollin from Vangaurd Wines knows a thing or two about the best wines made right here in the USA. Nominal fee per sample.
Zinful, (419) 931-9946, 218 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg. 5-8 PM. Special Good Friday tasting. Rachel from Grand Cru will feature some of the best rosé available. Always pairs well with Easter dinner.

Saturday, March 26
Kroger Maumee – Wine Tasting, 3-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 2-6 PM. Meritage Tasting. The Meritage Association was formed in 1988 by a small group of Napa Valley, vintners increasingly frustrated by regulations stipulating wines contain at least 75% of a specific grape to be labeled as that varietal. Members sought to create a recognizable name for their blended wines. They are great values but also wines of character. Nominal fee per sample.

AREA WINE BARS
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.
  • Zinful, (419) 931-9946, 218 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg.
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Up & Coming:
Taste of the Nation Toledo, Sunday April 24, 5-10 PM. The Toledo Club, 235 14th St., Toledo. Food from Toledo’s finest restaurants paired with entertainment and wines. Tickets $225. Black tie optional. For tickets and information go to www.ToledoTaste.org

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Zaglia 2012 Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Friuli


The region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in northeastern Italy is primarily known for white wines. There are some stunning exceptions.

Mystery In A Bottle


During a recent dinner, we had progressed through the few bottles I had planned for the evening. The crowd wanted more.

I went to our upstairs wine rack, which is usually a mish-mash of odds and ends. The first bottle that was at hand was this one – the Zaglia Refosco from Italy.

The bottle was picked up at a charity event. I paid some money for a cork and when the number on my cork was drawn, I was able to select from the assortment of wine bottles. I had an insider tip that this was a great bottle that had been hand carried from Italy.

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Uncork The Night


I had no idea of the type of wine or grape. I saw that it was from Friuli and ventured a guess that it might be a Merlot. This rang true with my taste buds as the wine was rippling with ripe fruit and had a nice soft mouth feel.

What I later discovered is that I was sampling an entirely new grape for me: Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso. The best known grape from Friuli is a white one, Friulano, which produces crisp white wines.
The region does produce Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, but the best known local red grape is Refosco dal Peduncolo, which is different from regular Refosco.

The wine and the grape are both impressive. It is full bodied with some herbal notes dancing around with blueberry flavors and perhaps plum. This wine, being a 2012, was still going strong and could age even more.

Romans Were Loving This Grape


Refosco has been known for ages. Historian Pliny the Elder praised its quality back in the first century. The wine was also a favorite of the wife of Augustus Caesar. In more contemporary times, Refosco experienced a revival in the 1980s when more wines made from the grape were exported.

As our group sipped the wine, we didn’t know the historic roots or even the name of the grape, but the wine made an impression. If you can find it, you can expect this wine to be priced between $10 and $15. We think it’s a good buy at twice the price. Ciao!

Monday, March 21, 2016

Ribero Del Duero: Spain’s Region Of Extremes Produces World-Renowned Reds

After experiencing a transformation in the 1980s and 1990s, Ribero now produces some of the nation’s best red wine.



A Land Of Contrasts


Where on earth are we going, I mused. As our motorcoach traveled north from Madrid to the Valdubón winery in Ribera del Duero we climbed higher into mountains of rocky soil and jagged peaks.

Stone walls edged the fields and lonely horses searched the hillsides for food. Outside the boulder-strewn landscape became a charcoal sketch of grey and white. Snow-clad hills gave way to a half-foot of snow. We soon descended into a valley and the prospect for wineries improved. Looking through my window the ground became the burnt orange of iron rich soil.

It was cold on this March day, as it often is in Ribera del Duero. Temperatures can drop to as low as –20 degrees F and climb to more than 100 degrees in the summer. Despite these demanding conditions, wines from Ribera del Duero (named for the Duero River) are are some of the best Spain has to offer.

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Valdubón Artistry With Tempranillo


Spain is a country infused with art and design. At Valdubón, one of the prominent wineries in Ribero del Duero and part of the globe-spanning Ferrer Family Wines organization, their Tempranillo is vastly different from that in Rioja. This is due in part to the artistry of the winemakers who select just the right barrels and aging program to meld perfectly with the grapes.


In Ribero, the primary grape is Tinta del País. While this is Tempranillo, it is certainly a different clone than Tempranillo in Rioja. The grapes are smaller, powerful and robust. They have to be to withstand the harsh conditions that include hailstorms. Valdubón focuses on Tempranillo, but also grows small amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

We began our tasting with the 2014 Tempranillo. The wine spends a short four months in oak and has a fresh, foresty flavor. It cries out to be paired with food and, our host Gloria said, is considered “the wine of the women.” To avoid a left hook to the head from my wife, I’ll rephrase that to say this is the choice of those who like a less robust style.

Three Categories Of Ribero del Duero DO Wine


The categories of wine in Ribero are Crianza, Reserva and Grand Reserva. Crianza must be aged two years with at least one year in oak.

Reserva must be aged three years with at least one in oak. Grand Reserva is only made in exceptional years. The wine must be aged five years and two must be in oak.

The 2010 Reserva was spot on with Valdubón’s philosophy of great quality at a great price. The wine is deep red with a crimson edge, as you swirl, the aroma of dark fruit comes forward. The flavor is rich and complex with a note of rosemary and nuts.

It is aged half in American oak and half in French oak. The Reserva is a perfect match with lamb chops. We decanted this wine and we enjoyed sipping while soaking in the hunting lodge décor of Valdubón with a view of the rolling hills of Spain.

Spanish Wine and Food Pairing



To spotlight the wines further, we sampled them over a gourmet lunch. Our opening course of white asparagus with salmon and a light cheese sauce was a primo match with the 2014 Tempranillo.

We were able to sample two wines that regrettably are not available in the US: the Diez and the 2011 Honoris de Valdubón. The Diez was created for Valdubón's 10th anniversary. The wine has an “edition” but no vintage as it combines the best barrels from different harvests. A blue-ribbon group of winemakers helps select the final blend for the wine. Only 10,000 bottles were made.

Our dining continued with blood sausages served with red peppers. Following closely on its heels was the Honoris. Honoris means recognition, honors or awards. No doubt this wine will receive many.

The wine comes in a stylish bottle of Italian design with embossed lettering and a minimalistic label. We were later shown a special label design that is used for Honoris sales in in China.

No matter where it is sold or in what bottle, this blend of 85% Tempranillo, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Merlot is a superior wine. The Cab and Merlot fine tune the Tempranillo into a pleasing richness. It has an aroma of fresh cut wood and savory flavors of rosemary and forest floor. This is a great wine for beef tenderloin or the lamb chops we were served.

If Ribero del Duero isn’t on your radar yet, this is your invitation to try these intriguing reds. The wines of Valdubón are a great introduction – especially the Reserva. They represent a tasty value for those who appreciate quality red wines.

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Friday, March 18, 2016

Taking A Bite Of Spain’s Colorful Tapas Culture



Wine was the magnet that drew me 4,000 miles from Ohio to Spain – but it was the food that made the trip an unforgettable experience.

Wandering the Streets of Madrid


An intercontinental flight can be a bit disorienting. I left Detroit Saturday afternoon and didn’t touch down in Madrid until early the next day. The Iberia business class flight was superb, but despite their passenger pods of luxury, I wasn’t able to log much quality sleep.

As I stepped into Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport’s Terminal 4, I was impressed with the architectural look. It is Europe’s sixth busiest airport and I hadn’t expected the design to be so striking.

For my transfer to the Hotel Miguel Angel I was joined by two colleagues who were also taking part in the press trip hosted by Ferrer Family Wines. We remained somewhat groggy, but determined we needed to head out to have some tapas for lunch.

Casual Eats Trump The Formal Option


The helpful clerk at the reservation desk provided a map and some suggestions for lunch. Despite my wrestling with the Catalan version of the Spanish language (a main difference being that the letter “c,” is pronounced as “th”), we were given two options – a formal Spanish restaurant near Madrid’s exclusive shopping district, or a street with dozens of casual tapas bars. We were feeling casual, so off we went.

Sunday in Spain is a family day. Families typically take a walk together and have a sit down lunch. The Spanish love to eat at outdoor cafés and were doing so despite temperatures around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. On our Sunday stroll, tapas was what we were looking for.

A Royal Origin of Tapas


It is said that the tapa was the brainchild of Spanish king Alfonso X El Sabio (the Wise). He had to take small amounts of food with wine while recovering from illness. Once in good health, he decreed that no alcohol would be served unless accompanied by a snack to avoid intoxication.

As tabernas adjusted to this ruling, they served wine covered with a slice of smoked cheese or ham. It became the perfect food to keep Spaniards fueled until their notoriously late dinners. Dinner usually begins at 9:00 PM, but reservations as late as 11:00 PM are not unusual.


A Love Affair With Jamón!


On this Sunday, we discovered Madrid natives walking from bar to bar, trying a tapa or two at each, washed down with a beer or wine. Then their roving band (usually of two or four) moved to the next location.

We landed at La Lata, which translated either means “tin” or “the food.” (I’m betting on the latter.) Marge Perry, a well known food writer in our group, decided she must try jamón as well as octopus. Tina Caputo, a wine writer, bought into the decision too.

At the time we didn’t realize we would see jamón at every meal while in Spain and el pulpo (octopus) for the next four days. Of course they were delicious.

Jamón is served as tiny rectangles of ham eaten by hand. At La Lata it was covered liberally with olive oil. The octopus was served with long wooden skewers on top of large chunks of potato. Both were good, although the octopus was on the chewy side.

Tapas are often eaten standing up by the bar. The bar tapas are complimentary as long as you are drinking. Each member of the tapas party takes turns paying as the Spanish “pub crawl” continues through the afternoon.

You have at least two options when eating. You can opt for the tapas or you can go for the ración, which is a meal-sized portion.

The Art of Tapas



Tapas cover a wide range of styles and ingredients. There are plenty of fresh seafood ingredients like mussels, octopus, squid and shrimp. Pork and beef make an appearance as well as great fresh vegetables and cheese too.

This style of dining suited me perfectly. At no time for dinner did we have a salad course, entrée and then dessert. Instead waves of delicious foods kept appearing.

Seven, eight or nine small courses were common. This lends itself well to meals that continue into the wee hours of the morning. No tapas meal would be complete without friendly conversation – for which those bite-size morsels of goodness are ideal.

What Wines To Drink With Tapas?


I’m a big believer that you should drink the wine local to the food. When in Galicia, a chilled Albariño from Rias Baixas is ideal. Albariño works well with most seafood and Garnacha Blanca is another good option. With the jamón, black sausage or something more hearty, go for a Priorat Garnacha or a Tempranillo from Rioja or Ribera del Duero.

Spain is a tapestry of food, art, history, design and fascinating people. One Spaniard explained, though, that the two essential ingredients in Spanish cooking are olive oil and wine!

We’ll share more from our travels in the days ahead. Adios!

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Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: March 16-19, 2016

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Wednesday, March 16
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6-8 PM. Italian Beauties: 1. Damilano 2013 Arneis, 2. Rodano 2014 Poggialupi Toscano, 3. Rocca delle Macie 2012 Sasyr, 4. Rocca delle Macie 2013 Rubizzo Toscana, 5. Tommasi 2012 Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo $8 per flight of nominal charge per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Wine tasting. An exciting journey through Portugal.
Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 –7:30 PM. Wine Tasting. $15 per person.
Thursday, March 17
Andersons, Maumee, 5-7 PM. Spring Is Coming Soon! 1. 2014 Ferrari Carano – Fume’ Blanc – Sonoma, 2. 2013 Highway 101 – Pinot Noir – Central Coast, CA, 3. 2014 Domaine De Chateaumar – Grenache – Cotes-Du-Rhone, 4. 2012 47– GSMC Red Blend – Languedoc, France. Pay per sample or $5 for flight.

Let us promote your wine tasting for free! Send info to twav@att.net
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM. What Do You Get with a More Expensive Wine?For this tasting we are serving pairs of like wines from the same vineyards: a finer quality and a lesser (still good) quality. For this tasting we are showcasing several of the classic wine areas: Bordeaux, Barolo, Brunello and Rioja. 1. Beringer Napa Chardonnay, 2. Beringer Reserve Chardonnay, 3. Sierra Cantabria Rioja, 4. Sierra Cantabria Crianza, 5. Sierra Cantabria Coleccion Privada, 6. Domaines Barons de Rothschild Bordeaux, 7. Domaines Barons de Rothschild Pauillac, 8. Capanna Rosso di Montalcino, 9. Capanna Brunello di Montalcino, 10. Franco Serra Langhe Nebbiolo, 11. Franco Serra Barolo. Nominal Fee per sample.
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.
Zinful, (419) 931-9946, 218 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg. 5-8 PM. Weekly wine tasting. St. Patrick’s Day Wine Tasting with Tricia Rasar from Vintner Select featuring Ryan Patrick Wines. $8 per flight.

Friday, March 18 

Toledo Zoo, Vineyard Adventure. 7-9 PM. Enjoy a delectable mix of wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, live music, and socializing at the Museum of Science Great Hall. $40 per member, $45 non-members. Purchase tickets online here.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. International Selections. Leave your passport at home and join us alongside Rachel Nasitir from Grand Cru Wines to Taste her choice from around the world. Nominal fee per sample.

Saturday, March 19
Kroger Maumee – Wine Tasting, 3-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 2-6 PM. Riesling Tasting. With Easter coming next weekend, this would be a great opportunity to select your holiday wines. Riesling is not only a the perfect match for your holiday table or Waster Hame, but it's a wine that is reminiscent of Spring. Light, crisp and refreshing.

AREA WINE BARS
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.
  • Zinful, (419) 931-9946, 218 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg.
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Up & Coming:
Taste of the Nation Toledo, Sunday April 24, 5-10 PM. The Toledo Club, 235 14th St., Toledo. Food from Toledo’s finest restaurants paired with entertainment and wines. Tickets $225. Black tie optional. For tickets and information go to www.ToledoTaste.org

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Zinful Tasting Boutique–A Wonderful Addition to Downtown Perrysburg


What happens when the Toledo Wines & Vines publisher is traveling in Spain for a week? It’s a Green Dragon takeover and an article about a great new tasting venue.

By TWAV Tasting Team Member Green Dragon

The house was too quiet. Had my dinner. Walked the dog. Didn’t want to watch TV. Thursday evening. With Dave gone, what could I do on my own? I had been wanting to check out the newest business in downtown Perrysburg, Zinful Tasting Boutique, and this was going to be the night!

It was 7:00 PM when I pulled into a parking spot on Louisiana Avenue and walked into the tastefully decorated front room. The evening was quite gloomy and I thought tonight’s tasting would be lightly attended.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the place was buzzing with activity! I was greeted by Joyce Franzblau, the owner, my coat was hung up for me, and a nice wine glass was put in my hand. Wines from Walter Berman Distributers were being featured tonight and the first one was a lovely New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, “Whitehaven.” I had enjoyed this one before when Zinful was located in Waterville, so I knew I was in for a treat.

As I sipped, I wandered into the well-stocked retail wine area, then chatted with some of the other patrons. I love wine people! Everyone is so friendly and it is really no big deal to go to a tasting by yourself, because everyone talks to you. I wanted to get a feel for the others’ wine experience and there was a vast difference in the responses. Rich and his wife as well as T.J. and Mary consider themselves casual oenophiles. On the other side of the spectrum, there were several wine connoisseurs. Some in the room had taken the Wine 101 class which had been offered here recently and raved about it. It will be offered again (call Zinful for more details at (419) 931-9946).

Three more wines were being offered , all Napa Valley red blends. I asked the customers to vote for their personal favorite, and in a landslide win, the victor was Kuleto India Ink. This is a blend primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah and retails for $22.99. It was divine.

Zinful retail hours are from 12:00 to 9:00 PM Wednesdays and Thursdays and 12:00 to 10:00 PM Fridays and Saturdays. They sell wine, craft beer, cigars, accessories, and local art. The address is 218 Louisiana Avenue in historic Perrysburg, Ohio.

Wine tastings are usually held on Thursdays and beer tastings on Friday, but there is some variance there, I noticed. Tastings begin at 5:00 PM and are $8 with light snacks included.

Looking for a change of pace? Come on out and enjoy a relaxing time in the upholstered furniture or at the communal table and chat with the friendly folks while enjoying the special flavors of the evening.

Monday, March 14, 2016

Skyline 2012 Red Blend, California

This red wine provides a twist, veering away from the typical Cabernet or Zinfandel based blend.

Artistry In The Bottle?


When Green Dragon brought this bottle home, I didn’t think much of it. She often says she need to buy wines that she can have “without checking with me first.”

Upon reviewing the bottle, I was pleased to see that this wine is produced by Thomas Fogarty. Some time ago I picked up three bottles of his Santa Cruz Mountains Merlot and was impressed with the taste and value.

Mixed Up Blend


Downing first sip, the wine had less body than expected. I anticipated a Cabernet blend or even a Zinfandel blend from the Lodi area. The wine lists “California” as the appellation, meaning grapes come from a variety of locations around the state.

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Instead, the blend leads with a grape of Spanish origin, Tempranillo. The mix is 60% Tempranillo, 29% Merlot, 9% Syrah, and a mere 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. As a result, this is a lighter, more agile wine.

There are some good red fruit notes with a hint of spice. It is easy drinking with no heavy tannins. A nice pick to pair with a light entree or perhaps tapas.

While I pondered the wine, I used a newly downloaded app on my tablet to enhance my photo and create a new work of art – although you can be the judge of that.

Is this wine an artistic masterpiece? Perhaps not, but it is enjoyable and with a SRP of $19 (and available for much less) it is a solid value. A nice bottle to share for informal occasions.

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Thursday, March 10, 2016

Early Signs Point To A Stand-Out 2016 Vintage In South Australia

The rare combination of high quality grapes and above average yields in several of Australia’s premier wine regions have growers and winemakers confident the 2016 vintage will be one to remember.


By Andrew Spence

The vintage is in full swing in South Australia’s premier wine regions including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Riverland, Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley and Coonawarra.

A warmer than average spring across the state helped strong canopy growth while timely summer rain in many regions in January has led to good yields without impacting on quality.
South Australia is Australia’s largest wine-producing state, accounting for almost half of the national crush.

BAROSSA VALLEY
The Barossa Valley produces world-renowned brands such as Penfolds Grange, Jacob’s Creek and Wolf Blass.

Barossa Grape & Wine Association Viticultural Development Officer Nicki Robins said the 2016 Barossa vintage was shaping as a stand-out, with strong indications of very high quality and yields generally above the five-year average.

“Winemakers are reporting dense color and rich, vibrant flavors in shiraz picked to date,” she said.
“A fortuitous 1.5 inches (40mm) of rain fell from January 21, followed by mild conditions throughout late January/early February, which has seen phenology keeping up with sugar levels in shiraz - lots of brown, crunchy seeds early, yielding rich, ripe tannins.” 

Robins said the mild conditions had also been kind to Barossa Valley whites, including Semillon and chardonnay, which had been building delicate flavors slowly, while retaining crisp acid levels.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Mataro in the region are yet to be picked.

Growers have been harvesting Barossa Valley white grapes since late January with chardonnay yields reported to be up to 20 per cent above estimates while Semillon yield is variable, depending on irrigation practices. 

Harvest of Barossa Valley shiraz started around February 10 with close to 50 per cent picked. Yields reported for Shiraz so far have been between average to 20 per cent above the five-year average.

In nearby Eden Valley, shiraz is holding up well, but yields are looking slightly below average. Cabernet sauvignon and Riesling quality and yields are tracking nicely, with potential harvest dates late Feb/early March for Riesling and Viognier, mid/late March for shiraz, and late March/early April for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Yalumba Chief Winemaker Louisa Rose presented her 2016 Barossa Vintage Report at the “Barons of Barossa Declaration of Vintage” ceremony on February 21.

“At this early stage whites are showing delicate but intense flavors and pleasingly good natural acidity, and reds strong colors and rich flavors,” she said.

“Certainly there is nothing in the weather forecast that we can see to slow down the ripening, or take away from the quality of 2016 – which is predicted to be another great Barossa and Eden Valley vintage.”

CLARE VALLEY
The Clare Valley is some 100km north of the Barossa and is best known for producing top quality Riesling and Shiraz.

On February 24, Clare Valley Wine Grape Growers Association Chairman Troy van Dulken said harvest was about halfway through.

He said most vineyards were experiencing above average yields across several varieties.
“Most of the whites are off and about 90 per cent will be picked by the end of next week. The cabernets and things like that will start coming off next week,” he said.

“It’s been a very good season, the heat we’ve just had across the weekend has just finished the shiraz fruit off nicely … I’m really happy with the quality of the shiraz that’s coming into the winery at the moment and I think that’s across the valley.
“It’s one of those rare years where we’re getting a few extra tonnes of fruit and the quality is pretty solid as well.”

Van Dulken said the Riesling yield was also slightly above average and was of “good solid quality” without being an outstanding year such as 2002.

“There’s good flavors there and good acid as well so at this stage we’re quite happy with the Riesling.
“Overall it’s been not quite a perfect vintage but it’s pretty close.” 

MCLAREN VALE
White grapes – spearheaded by chardonnay - and a large amount of shiraz has been harvested in McLaren Vale as pickers move on to cabernet sauvignon grapes in the region about 40km south of Adelaide.

Long-time McLaren Vale wine industry stalwart Jock Harvey said strong yields and excellent quality grapes pointed to an outstanding year in the region best known for producing premium shiraz.

He said a warm spring in McLaren Vale resulted in strong canopy growth but a dry December put pressure on irrigation. He said a couple of heat events allowed for an extended veraison followed by a period of background humidity. 

“That’s one of the keys to an outstanding vintage that extended veraison,” Harvey said.
“Once that passed we had 30mm of rain generally across McLaren Vale and what that did is it freshened up the canopies that were starting to look a bit tired and added some berry weight to the bunches which allowed flavor development to progress side by side with sugar accumulation.

“Consequently we’ve got a season where we’ve got very good natural acids, thick skins, quite crunchy and ripe berries and because we’ve had mild conditions in the mid to high 20s generally, we’re developing flavors slowly and the intake of fruit isn’t rushed.”

“We are very excited – growers are reaching their contracted tonnages, which is the first time they’ve done that in a number of years and winemakers are pretty excited about the fruit.”
Harvey said yields were up by about 20 per cent on 2014 and 2015.

“We’re not concerned by that because we’ve also got outstanding quality – it’s just one of those very kind years.

“I think it’s an outstanding year because many winemakers aren’t making any acid adjustments to their ferments, they are going straight in. We’re seeing really good color and texture out of the thick crunchy skins and really good flavor development.

“2012 was a dream year … and this vintage may well eclipse 2012.”

RIVERLAND
The Riverland in the east of South Australia near the banks of the River Murray is the nation’s largest grape producing region contributing almost a quarter of Australia’s annual crush.

Riverland Wine Executive Officer Chris Byrne said picking was about a third of the way through with the chardonnay harvest almost complete and red varieties just getting underway.

“I think the next two or three weeks will be fairly hectic because most of the main varieties of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are coming to maturity at about the same time but despite all the hot weather we’ve had a remarkably good season with very low pest and disease.”

Byrne said at this stage he expected fairly average yields with a total crop of about 425,000 tonnes, 30,000 tonnes less than last year.

“It remains to be seen. Once the reds come in it will be whether or not they’ve got the yield in them – we won’t really know until mid-March.

“But the quality is excellent according to winemakers.”

Byrne said Riverland grape prices were about the same as last year and remained “very unsatisfactory” for growers.

COONAWARRA
Vignerons in the Coonawarra are optimistic about the 2016 vintage, which commenced with the picking of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for sparkling wines in the first week of February.

However, the flagship variety of the region in South Australia’s South East, cabernet sauvignon, is unlikely to be harvested until at least mid-March.

Coonawarra Grape and Wine Incorporated president Allen Jenkins said the grapes were holding up well.

“Given the dry season, we have really appreciated being able to irrigate with our groundwater,” he said.

“There is no disease, vine leaves are holding up very well, and the berries are developing evenly and are pea size, which is normal for this time of the year.”

He said there had been no significant berry sunburn, despite the occasional hot day.
“We have also done a lot of work, bunch and shoot and leaf thinning to present ideal crop levels, and are optimistic for high quality fruit.

“As to vintage occurring for the cabernet, it depends on how the temperatures evolve over the next six weeks.

“There has been a strong upwelling at the coast off Robe and we’re hopeful that the cold oceans – which are currently 8C colder than off Adelaide, will give us cold nights and a long, cool ripening period.”

ADELAIDE HILLS
A bumper crop in the Adelaide Hills region has winemakers smiling.

Adelaide Hills Wine Region CEO Robin Shaw said most of the whites, including Sauvignon Blanc, chardonnay and Gruner Veltliner, had been picked while shiraz grapes were still a few weeks away.
“The yields are really high, I know that there’s a few grapes for sale out there because people have harvested more than they expected, which is terrific,” she said.

“The reds are looking fantastic but they’re still two or three weeks off for some people ... the whites are also fantastic, I’ve heard some people use the words ‘my perfect Chardonnay grapes’.”

“The ripening season has been excellent and the big drop of rain we had through the hills which we thought was going to be a worry turned out to be a blessing because it gave the grapes a nice drink and we’ve had virtually no disease so that’s why the yields are up because the grapes have been in good condition.

“Everyone seems to be very happy – I see smiles on winemakers’ faces in the middle of vintage and that’s cool.”

Shaw said it was a compressed vintage because several varieties had been ready to pick simultaneously.

“People are scrambling around for machinery and things to put grapes in but aside from that everyone seems happy.”

Photo courtesy The Lead South Australia


































































Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Greek Wine Harvest: A Typically Interesting Year

Harvest Update by New Wines of Greece



Fortunately for Greek growers and winemakers, harvests in Greece are not subject to the dramatic yearly variations, that many of their neighbors to the north experience. Greece is virtually surrounded by water with one of the largest coastlines in the world, (considering its small size and the 1200+ islands that make it up) and this moderating climatic influence is a major factor in keeping Greek vintages fairly consistent from year to year, as well as an abundance of sunshine and relatively low humidity.

Greece, the third most mountainous in Europe, is also home to a very diverse range of microclimates and soils, which are perfect for producing wines that show a true sense of place. Of course, there are always seasonal differences to contend with every year and 2015 included an atypical amount of rainfall that helped certain regions and challenged the skills of viticulturualists in others.

The main weather conditions to note for 2015 included a relatively mild winter with good levels of rainfall, resulting in a supply of water that helped nourish the vines during the year and fostered development of good leaf foliage and canopy. A mild summer included light rainfall facilitating good maturity for most grape varieties. The initial results indicate complex aromatic white wines and full-bodied red wines with relatively moderate alcohol levels and intense color. During the year, certain regions experienced additional localized rains, hailstorms and the occasional development of mildew, resulting in reduced production in certain areas, although grape quality remained unaffected.

Throughout Greece, production was down by an average of 13% compared to the last 5 years.

Photo Credit: RobW_ via Compfight cc


Friday, March 4, 2016

Toledo Exchange Club Scores With Fine Wines And A Charity Boost


Each year the Exchange Club of Toledo Annual Wine Tasting continues to unite wine lovers with a great charitable cause. With a swanky setting and top flight wines, it makes for just the right blend of fundraising and fun.

Wine and Education


Last weekend was the 4th Annual Exchange Club of Toledo Wine Tasting. We wouldn’t dare miss it for a couple of reasons. First, it is a fun event at the historic Oliver House and secondly, the Cabinator (a member of our TWAV tasting team) is the organizer and his wife Glorious T is the top official with The National Exchange Club. The money raised helps support the Toledo Exchange Club’s youth scholarship program. And, did I mention the wine?

The soiree featured wines from Wine Trends with an international flair. While guests mingled, sipped wine and noshed on tasty appetizers, they could also buy tickets for the “wall of wine,” bid on silent auction items or just chat with interesting people.


The first featured wine was the Colomé Torrontes from Argentina. Torrontes is a crisp white and an underappreciated grape in the US. In Argentina it is the signature white wine. Colomé is a favorite winery of ours and produces a stellar reserve Malbec. The Torrontes was a great opener, with refreshing, light citrus flavors.

My wife, the Green Dragon, loves Sauvignon Blanc, so the next wine was right down her alley. The Mouton Cadet White Bordeaux is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. It has flavors of lime and grapefruit and a tart finish minus the teeth-shattering acidity of some Sauvignon Blanc wines.

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With moderation always in mind (wink, wink) I bypassed the Moscato, which I heard was good, and moved directly into the reds. Next on the wine menu was Santa Ema Reserve Merlot, another winner from Argentina. This is a wine that scores with rich, beautiful berry flavors and amazing value. Some of the guests tried the Santa Ema and decided to drink only that the rest of the evening.

My Pick Of The Night


In the interest of journalism, I pressed on. In my glass next was the Vina Eguia Rioja Reserva. To me, this was the wine of the night – a dynamite Tempranillo from Spain’s most famous region. The wine is complex with elegant red fruit flavors liberally laced with vanilla notes. The Vina Eguia is aged for 24 months in French and American oak and is a ruby red color.

Somewhere between the Rioja and my last wine, I ended up bidding on and winning a wine dinner in the silent auction. To savor my auction win, I celebrated with a glass of The Count from California’s Buena Vista Winery. This is a unique Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel blend with an explosive rush of flavor.


Cheers to the Exchange Club of Toledo for another outstanding event. Fine wine and supporting a worthy cause is a pairing we really appreciate.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: March 2-5, 2016

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Wednesday, March 2
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6-8 PM. A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That: 1. Dr. L 2014 Dry Riesling (Germany), 2. Run Riot 2014 Pinot Noir (California), 3. Monticello 2012 Napa Merlot (California), 4. Ravage 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (California), 5. Terra d'Oro 2013 Deaver Vineyard Zinfandel (California). $9 per flight of nominal charge per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Wine tasting. Try making your own blends with six red varietals.
Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 –7:30 PM. Wine Tasting. $15 per person.
Thursday, March 3
Andersons, Maumee, 5-7 PM. Come on Spring! 1. 2013 San Pietro – Gewurztraminer – Alto Adige, Italy, 2. 2014 Willamette Valley Vineyards – Pinot Noir – Oregon, 3. 2014 Charles & Charles – Red Blend – Washington State, 4. 2010 di Lenardo – Just Me – Merlot – Friuli, Italy. Pay per sample or $6.50 for flight.

Let us promote your wine tasting for free! Send info to twav@att.net
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM. Fine Wines from Greece and Israel: 1. Alpha Estate Malagouzia White – Greece, 2. Skouras Moschofilero White – Greece, 3. Santorini Assyrtiko White – Greece, 4. Mt. Tabor Chardonnay – Israel, 5. Mt. Tabor Shiraz – Israel, 6. Tabor Adama Merlot – Israel, 7. Tabor Adama Cabernet. Nominal Fee per sample.
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.
Zinful, (419) 931-9946, 218 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg. 5-8 PM. Weekly wine tasting. Call for information.

Friday, March 4 

Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 90+ Rated Wines. While the professionals and oenophiles may love these wines, the review that really counts is yours! Come sample some of the very best WCM has to offer, direct from our cellar to your palate. Bottles of varying price range will be available.  Nominal fee per sample.

Saturday, March 5
Kroger Maumee – Wine Tasting, 3-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

AREA WINE BARS
  • Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463.
  • Zinful, (419) 931-9946, 218 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg.
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Up & Coming:

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, March 1, 2016

Glass City Wine Festival Is Saturday, March 5


Don’t miss out. The Glass City Wine Festival is Saturday, March 5 at the Seagate Convention Center in Toledo. It’s the largest wine event in the community and tickets are going fast.

Admission tickets are from 1:00 to 4:00 PM ($25) and 6 PM to 9 PM ($30). VIP tickets cost $5 more and get you in one hour earlier. The VIP tickets for the afternoon session are sold out, but VIP tickets are available for the evening session. The VIP tickets are well worth the extra expense and allow you to avoid long lines. You get the hint, if you are planning on going, you should buy your tickets now.

Glass City Wine Festival is an opportunity to taste regional wines, sample gourmet cheese and fare from local restaurants and shop for unique gifts from a number of local, craft businesses. Many popular Ohio wineries will be pouring at the event.

This has turned into a great annual celebration of wine. It’s fun and fashionable with plenty of great wine. There are 19 different wineries participating. You can find see them here. The tasting guide shows all the wines being poured and you can see it here.

For more information, and to order tickets, visit the Glass City Wine Festival website here.