Tuesday, May 31, 2016

A Visit To Penedès, The Heart Of Spain’s Cava Country



My trip to Spain was winding down, but it would be incomplete without a visit to Penedès, the capital of the country’s sparkling wine industry.


Heartland Of Cava Country


My recent trip to Spain ended with a stay in Barcelona and a visit to nearby Penedès. The evening before embarking for our final winery visits, we enjoyed dinner at Bodega Granados in Barcelona, an intimate little restaurant that served great wine and an array of tapas. I was particularly enthralled with a potato croquette that featured a small squeeze tube to inject it with a special sauce.

Today, however, was all about Cava. Our small group, hosted by Ferrer Family Wines, headed 40 kilometers south of Barcelona through beautifully rugged terrain.

When Spain entered the European Union, some wineries in the country that were making wine they called Champagne were forced to abandon that label. Spain’s sparkling wine is made by the “método tradicional,” the same way Champagne is produced, but can’t use that name, which is a protected geographic origin title. That means that there is now some Cava is produced outside of Penedès – but make no mistake, this is the center of Cava production and 95% of all Cava is produced here.

The Ferrer family has deep roots in Penedès, with 18 generations of winemaking at the family ranch, La Freixeneda. Meanwhile, by the end of the 19th century, the Sala family was exporting wine to parts of Europe and Cuba. The Sala family had been making wine the Casa Sala property since 1861. The two families were joined when Pedro Ferrer Bosch married Dolores Sala Vivé.

Unfortunately, the marriage coincided with the arrival of the Phylloxera plague in Spain, which wiped out most of the vineyards in Europe.  Undaunted, the couple replanted the land with white varieties to make sparkling wine. In 1914, the couple released the first bottles with Pedro’s childhood nickname on the label. Freixenet has since become one of the most recognized names in sparkling wine and the best selling Cava in the world.

Our itinerary would include visits to both family homes, which have been lovingly restored and are producing superior Cava.

Casa Sala: A Focus On Heritage


Cava at Casa Sala is produced with Xarel·lo and Parellada grapes and is an exclusive wine. Production is 20,000 bottles annually and the winery’s original press, which came from Champagne and dates back to 1900, is used in the process.

The Casa Sala is aged a minimum of four years and we enjoyed a bottle of the 2006 Cuvée de Prestige. The creation of the wine is a highly manual process with the bottles being rotated in their rack three times each day in a process known as riddling.

This is an elegant wine with persistent bubbles. There are peach notes and flavor notes of bread.

Following our tour of the winery, we had a surprise. We “saddled up” on burricletas, bicycles with electric motors that kick in to give a pedal assist. We rolled through dry countryside and vineyards with picturesque Montserrat on the horizon. We paused to refresh with some Casa Sala Cava in a vineyard next to a stone hut used by vineyard workers to escape the mid-day heat.

La Freixeneda: Cutting Edge Tradition


Ferrer Family Wines is an international success, with 150 million bottles sold in 140 different countries around the globe. Still, it is all about family. Five generations have been involved in the company and today the organization is overseen by Pedro Ferrer, the grandson of founder Jose Ferrer.

It is fitting indeed that a showcase project of Freixenets’s 100th anniversary celebration was the board by board reconstruction of La Freixeneda, the 13th century farmhouse that has been in the family for 19 generations. The home, now perfectly suited for wine tourism, has a gleam of modernity – but maintains a historic feel.

After a tour, we sat down for lunch and were joined by Pedro Ferrer. Pedro is an engaging conversationalist.
We told him how much we enjoyed a recent visit with one of his winemakers. “She asked me for a raise,” he joked, “but I lost the email.”

He hasn’t lost his instincts for great wine. La Freixeneda produced its first vintage in 2013 and despite its traditional roots has some innovative twists, such as the use of Croatian oak barrels. The winery also produced a rarity: a still wine in Penedès: a smooth and delicious 2011 Garnacha-Cabernet blend.

We delighted in the bubbles of a 2009 Freixenet Malvasia Cuvee Prestige and more Casa Sala Cava as we savored our meal. We started with a dish of garbanzo beans in olive oil followed by the fish course of Turbot.

Cava is more than sparkling wine. It is an expression of the land and its people. The Spanish joy for life, food and family bubble up with each glass. Cava is produced in the traditional Champagne method. It carries the quality that comes from painstaking care in the winemaking process – but without the heavy price of its French neighbors. If you seek more sparkle in your life, remember Penedès and the wines of Ferrer and Freixenet.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

An Australian Taste Trip: The Wines Of Jacob’s Creek



Jacob’s Creek is Australia’s largest wine brand with more than 160 years of winemaking expertise. Do they have any new tricks up their sleeve? You’ll be surprised.

Wines From The Land Down Under


Although there have been vineyards in Australia since the 1700s, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the country began capturing world attention. Today Australia is known for dynamic and cutting edge wine producers and is the seventh largest wine producing country.

Jacob’s Creek is a winery deeply rooted in the history of Australia. In 1840 William Jacob settled in Rowland Flat on the banks of a creek that later would be named for him and become world famous. Seven years later vines were planted and a legacy was begun.

We had the opportunity to taste through a spectrum of Jacob’s Creek wine and came away with some new insights. It was a multi-continental virtual tasting, with Napa winemaker Ehren Jordan and Jacob’s Creek chief winemaker Ben Bryant being joined by wine educators Jean Reily and Steve Meckiff.

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Keeping It Light


While the main white grape in Australia is Chardonnay, Jacob’s Creek offers a pair of fine Pinot Grigio. Jacob’s Creek wine is accessible not only in terms of taste, but price as well. We tasted the 2015 Classic Pinot Grigio (SRP $7.99) and the 2015 Two Lands Pinot Grigio (SRP $13.99).

The 2015 vintage is considered one of the best for white wine in Australia. The Classic is zesty with pure flavors of apple and pear. The Two Lands is a more complex wine with some tension between the acidity and the sweetness. It is barrel fermented with natural yeast.

Two Lands is a collaboration between Napa winemaker Jordan and Australian winemakers at Jacob’s Creek. The contrasting styles of oak aging in California and minimal intervention in Australia come together in a very pleasing package.

The Main Event: Shiraz


Shiraz is the signature grape of Australia. The Shiraz of Jacob’s Creek is known around the world and is made from grapes from the famed Barossa Valley.

We had three Shiraz to sample and started with the 2014 Reserve Shiraz. This is a full bodied wine that can only be described as crunchy. Big, black fruit with a silky finish. There is freshness to the wine and subtle oak flavors. This is unbelievably good for a price of only $15. This is a knockout.

After 160 years, has Jacob’s Creek gone stale? Think again. The 2014 Two Lands Shiraz forced us to do a double-take.

Upon first approach, this had an aroma of farmland and brambles. The higher acidity was noticeable. The more herbal approach was causing the Green Dragon (my wife) to return to the Reserve. But wait! The Two Lands was developing nicely in the glass with complex flavors of dried fruits and prunes. This stock for this wine hit bottom, but then shot through the roof. A nice bottle at a mere $13.

Jacob’s Creek flexed its innovation muscles once again with their Double Barrel Shiraz. The wine is aged in used Scotch whiskey barrels and the effect is a sensational complexity – a taste of char and dark spices with a dollop of chocolate. This wine shows how those in the spirits industry can work together to share resources and make amazing products. This is an aromatic wine that shows thick legs on the glass. If this is any indication, we can’t wait for their Triple Barrel Shiraz!

Jacob’s Creek is doing it right. Ofering high quality wine at affordable prices. They aren’t content to lead the pack. William Jacob’s creek continues to flow with innovation, new approaches and astounding success.

Full Disclosure: We received these wines as marketing samples.

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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: May 25-28, 2016


Wednesday, May 25
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6-8 PM. Great Cabs for Under $20: 1. Decoy 2013 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, 2. Vina Robles 2012 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, 3. Bishop's Peak 2013 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Twenty Bench 2014 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 5. Sean Minor 2013 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Nominal fee per sample or $10 per flight.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-8 PM. Fun wine tasting of summer friendly wines. Beach Party movie and patio pounders. Super fun! Nominal cost per sample or $15 for flight.
Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 –7:30 PM. Wine Tasting. $15 per person.
Thursday, May 26
Andersons, Maumee, 5-7 PM. MS Bike-to-the-Bay Sign-Up Tasting. Attend this special event to taste some great wines and sign up for this year's MS Bike-To-The-Bay. 1. 2014 Salmon Run – Chardonnay – Finger Lakes, 2. 2015 Elicio – Rosé – Rhone, France, 3. 2014 DeLoach – Pinot Noir – St Helena, California, 4. 2014 Force of Nature – Red Blend – Paso Robles, California. Nominal fee per sample or $4.50 per flight.
Let us promote your wine tasting for free! Send info to twav@att.net
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM. Battle of the California Zinfandels. Time to fire up the grill, rub the rub and slop on the sauce! 1. High Valley - Lake County, 2. Meeker – Sonoma, 3. Tin Barn – Sonoma, 4. Pozzan – Napa, 5. Seghesio – Sonoma, 6. Klinker Brick – California, 7. Beran – Sonoma, 8. Storybrook Mountain - Napa. 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. Wine tasting. Call for information. 

Friday, May 27
Toledo Museum Of Art, (419) 255-8000. 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Wine By The Glass Pavilion: Memorable Wines, Historic Vineyards. Enjoy four wines and light snacks. Tickets are $25 for members, $35 for nonmembers and are available for purchase during Museum hours by phone at or at the information desks
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 4-7 PM. What’s New Wine Tasting. Experience new wine selections with Mimma from Solo Vino. Nominal fee per sample.
Saturday, May 28
Dzia's Irish Pub, 5131 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo, (567) 698-3942. 3-5 PM. Wine tasting. $15.
Kroger Maumee – Wine Tasting, 3-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 2-6 PM. Rose’ Tasting. Rose’s have become fashionable again and are the perfect wine for Spring and Summer. Rose’ wines are ideal for entertaining a Sunday barbecue or sipping pool-side. We will be tasting wines from Tavel, Provence, Cotes du Rhone and others from around the world.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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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Cala Blanco 2012 Tempranillo La Mancha


This Spanish Tempranillo provided a welcome break at a recent conference. While the hospitality room was underway, my friend and I stole away to try a stash of wines brought in from a friend from California.

There’s a lot of miles on this wine, because it originates in the Spanish La Mancha region. La Mancha is the largest wine region not only in Spain, but in all of Europe. It encompasses 420,000 acres.

This is 100% Tempranillo, the light bodied red grape that is native to northern Spain. This is a ripe tasting wine, with strawberry smoothness. Cala Blanca, which means “white chalk” is deep red in color with a touch of spiciness.

A better bet for Tempranillo is Ribero del Duero or Rioja, with their cooler climates. The Cala Blanco, however, is an enjoyable glass. Its quality skyrockets when shared with good friends.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Wines of Meeker Vineyard Brilliant At La Scola Wine Dinner

The wines of Meeker Vineyard presented by Molly Meeker herself plus the cuisine of La Scola Italian Grille created an unforgettable evening.

From Junkyard to Vineyard


The journey of winery owners Charlie and Molly Meeker didn’t take the traditional route. Molly was an actress and Charlie was an entertainment attorney. They met at Norman Lear’s production company, which produced such shows as All In The Family, Sanford and Son and Maude.

Charlie became a film producer and ultimately president of MGM. Molly rose to a VP position in Lear’s company. In 1977 they bought a vineyard in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. In 1984 the Meeker Vineyards winery opened.

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Imaginative Food Creations


The recent wine dinner featuring Meeker wines was presented by La Scola Italian Grill along with Esber Beverage Company. I enjoy drinking a great glass of wine, but to propel the occasion through the atmosphere, there’s nothing like scrumptious food. Having Molly Meeker there to discuss her wines was the cherry on top.

We tasted through five different wines paired with amazing dishes, the first being scallop bisque with bacon (I had no idea jowls were so crispy!). This was paired with the 2012 Meeker Dry Creek Valley Chardonnay.

The Chard offers a fresh bouquet. It is barrel fermented in neutral oak and is aged six months sur lee for additional body. It undergoes malolactic fermentation for a nice creamy finish. The bisque was rich and succulent and the chardonnay contrasted nicely. The chardonnay had an enjoyable vanilla finish. It’s a nice value at $25.

We were looking forward to the Meeker Cabs, but we weren’t there yet. First we enjoyed the 2011 Bessie Zinfandel. Dry Creek Valley is famous for Zin and Bessie did not disappoint. Well balanced with nice acidity, it maintained a light and bright profile. There was a dash of black pepper and it didn’t taste “hot” with high alcohol.
Paired with roasted bone marrow topped with red onion marmalade, this was a memorable and unconventional pairing.

The next offering was the 2010 Great Cabs Cabernet, Sonoma Valley. This was paired with a stuffed pork dish topped with wasabi micro greens and roasted red pepper. This is a mid-range cab which features small quantities of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. It has nice body and great texture.

Molly described the Combination (code three) California Red Wine as a “down and dirty’ California blend. It has 60% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah and 20% Barbera. This has a beautiful sour cherry flavor with a lilting acidity. It has some herbal notes and blackberry hints. It retails for $37. It was paired with slow-roasted poblano infused short ribs. Happy to say I received a bottle of this as a birthday present!

Hands Down Winner


The next bottle is “hands down” the most recognizable Meeker wine: the 2012 Winemaker’s Handprint Merlot, Sonoma County. The standard bottles bear the colorful handprints of winemaker Lucas Meeker. Also on display were a 3 liter bottle and a magnum.

The Handprint Merlot is a Cabernet drinker’s Merlot. It is robust and complex. It is 84% Merlot with the remainder being a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It explodes on the palate with cherries and red fruit with some toasty caramel.

This was paired with delicious lamb shanks and was divine.This has a SRP of $42 – an excellent bargain.

Chocolate Covered What!?


Our evening concluded with key lime pie with black pepper and chocolate doubloons paired with the 2013 FroZin dessert wine.  One of our dinner partners got me good on this one. I love chocolate and he said, “this chocolate doubloon is great.”

Mouth watering, I took a big bite – it was a jalapeno! Yikes! I enjoy jalepenos with beer and Mexican food, not so much at my wine dinner. Our friend Ann could not say enough about the jalepeno – at least not much I can repeat!

This was a playful finish to a truly magnificent evening of wine, friends and food. Meeker offers a great lineup of diverse wines, from elegant Chardonnay to Merlot with character. We encourage you to uncork at your first opportunity.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

What Makes A Great Winery Visit? Here Is Our Trifecta

A winery visit can be spectacular – or a complete bust. What makes the difference? After visiting more than 100 different wineries, here’s our inside scoop.

We Have Reports On More Than 130 Wineries


I just recently glanced at our winery reports page and counted 133 entries. We’ve visited many more than that, probably closer to the 150 mark.

Some of those visits have been memorable – sipping outstanding wine in the dappled sunshine while being caressed by gentle breezes. But some have been memorable for the wrong reasons.
The bad winery visits can remind you of an episode of Kitchen Nightmares with Gordon Ramsey going ballistic after discovering an oozing mess in the walk-in cooler.

Well, what is it that makes a winery visit an experience to savor?

Based on our experience, we consider three factors. If a winery scores big in all three dimensions, you can ink in a big star on the wine trail map – marking it for repeated visits.

In our experience, you need the “three goods:” 1. Good winery grounds and tasting room, 2. Good tasting room staff, and 3. Good wine.

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Number One: Good Winery Grounds And Tasting Room


Upon arrival, nothing sets the stage like seeing an impressive, quirky or scenic winery building. It gives you good vibrations right from the start. There’s nothing worse than rumbling up to the next stop on the wine trail, looking at your companion asking, “Should we go in, or just turn around?”

Having an awesome tasting room doesn’t mean you will have world class wine, but it shows the caliber of the operation. Chances are that even average wine will taste a lot better in a tasting room with a floor to ceiling window overlooking a lake than in what appears to be a farmer’s converted garage.

One of the nicest tasting rooms we’ve visited is Heron Hill in the Finger Lakes. You are impressed from a half mile away and even more blown away once you are inside. Lamoreaux Landing and Glenora are two other stand-out Finger Lakes establishments. The winery buildings in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Stellenbosch (South Africa), and Lake Okanogan (British Columbia) are also spectacular.

There is also a lot to be said for grounds with picnic tables and scenic views of mountains, vineyards or lakes.

Number Two: Good Tasting Room Staff


Someone save us from uninformed, unhelpful and unpleasant tasting room staff. You’ve made the decision to stop for a tasting and enter the building. The next moment of truth is the tasting room attendant.

In some wineries, like Bully Hill in the Finger Lakes, the staff ARE the attractions – entertaining guests with humorous stories and gags while dispensing detailed knowledge of the winery’s goods. A good staff can also help guide you to the wines you will most enjoy.

On a good day, your tasting room attendant will generate warmth, be a helpful advisor and sell a lot of wine.

The other end of the spectrum includes those who are too busy to tell you about the wine, those who don’t know what is in a particular wine and those who are doing it without a true love of wine.

This factor is probably even more important than an impressive building. At this point you're already invested in making a stop and if you get a bummer of a host, you’ll feel it’s been a waste of time.

Check Out Our Winery Reports Page To Plan Your Next Visit!

Number Three: Good Wine


Excellent wine can supersede almost any other flaw in your winery visit. This is the final piece of the puzzle. If you’re sipping an especially robust Cabernet Franc in a groovy tasting room while the tasting room attendant is telling you an intriguing story about how the owner started the winery, you have hit the trifecta!

If Numbers 1 and 2 are locked in, you have a better than even chance you’ll be tasting some good wine. But there is no guarantee. While we were up in the Niagara Peninsula, we made a stop at a winery that looked very impressive from the road. The building was of a modern design built from local stone. Inside the tasting room glittered as track lighting glinted off racks of bottles in impressive displays.

Unfortunately, the wine was just “mehh”…

Once you have achieved the “three goods,” that is the time to turn to your companions, smile and raise a toast. You are living the good life!

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Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: May 18-21, 2016


Wednesday, May 18
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6-8 PM. Son of Z-Best. 1. Olivier Leflaive 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet, 2. Trinchero 2012 BRV Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 3. Stags’ Leap “The Leap” 2012 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Terlato 2012 “Episode” Napa Red, 5. Walt 2012 Santa Rita Hills Clos Pepe Pinot Noir, 6. Graham’s 20-Year Tawny Port, 7. Mollydooker 2012 “Velvet Glove” Shiraz, 8. Chateau La Nerthe 2012 Chateauneuf-du-Papes, 9. Orin Swift 2014 “Palermo” Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 10. Caymus/Wagner Family “Red Schooner Voyage 2” Malbec, 11. Domaine Tempier 2011 Bandol, 12. Michael David 2013 “Gluttony” Old Vine Zinfandel. one ounce pours priced individually.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Special guest: Angela of Vanguard Wines. We will be sampling Luminis Sauvignon Blanc, White blend and Malbec along with a few case stacker gems. Nominal cost per sample.
Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 –7:30 PM. Wine Tasting. $15 per person.
Thursday, May 19
Andersons, Maumee, 5-7 PM. More Great Spring Wines: 1. 2012 Jorge Ordonez – Botani – Dry Muscat – Sierra de Malaga, Spain, 2. 2015 Bieler Pere & Fils – Rosé – Provence, France, 3. 2014 Corvidae – Lenore Syrah – Columbia Valley, Washington, 4. 2013 Voliero – Rosso di Montalcino –  Montalcino, Italy. Nominal fee per sample or $6.50 per 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 'Last Great Cabernet Tasting Before Summer': 1. Substance - Washington Charles Smith Winery, 2. Meeker – Sonoma, 3. Norman - Paso Robles, 4. Ste. Michelle Indian Wells, 5. Justin - Paso Robles, 6. Mt. Veeder – Napa, 7. Emblem – Napa, 8. Orin Swift Palermo – Napa, 9. Whitehall Lane – Napa, 10. Frog's Leap – Napa, 11. Storybook Mountain – Napa, 12. John Anthony - Napa. 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. Special tasting event - Skurnik Wines & Spirits and Vintner Select present the wines of Paul Jaboulet Aine.
Light nosh included. $25 per person. Call for information. 

Friday, May 20

Toledo Museum Of Art, (419) 255-8000. 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Wine By The Glass Tango, Salsa, Cha-Cha: Latin American Wines. Enjoy four wines and light snacks. Tickets are $25 for members, $35 for nonmembers and are available for purchase during Museum hours by phone at or at the information desks
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 4-7 PM. Rep’s Choice. Sara Blakely from Berman Wines will surprise us with her selections. Nominal fee per sample.
Saturday, May 21
Kroger Maumee – Wine Tasting, 3-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 2-6 PM. Sparkling wines. With graduations coming up, it’s an ideal time to focus on that special day with an appropriate sparkling wine. We will be sampling some of the best examples of sparkling wine, Cava, Prosecco, and Champagne. 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
Rat Pack Italian Wine Dinner, Paesano Restaurant and Wine Bar, 3411 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, (734) 971-0484, Wednesday, May 18, 6-8 PM. Featuring six Italian vintners, six wineries and six regions. Walk-around wine tasting with Chef Dave Whitney’s appetizers and desserts. Cost $60. Call for reservations. 
The 21st Annual Wood County Human Society Wine and Dine will be held  May 20 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons in Perrysburg from 7-10 PM. Featuring: live music, silent and live auctions, and delicious grazing stations. Tickets $55 single, $100 couple. Music by Suburban Legend. More information and tickets here.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Dry Creek Vineyards 2015 Wilson Ranch Dry Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg


There is a danger with Dry Creek Vineyards Chenin Blanc. My wife is liable to drink it all before I sample it. Here’s why.

Loire Valley Roots


I’ve been a fan of Chenin Blanc for many years. It all started with Vouvray from France’s Loire Valley.

The Vouvray which I first enjoyed had a touch of sweetness balanced with acidity plus a smidgeon of effervescence. It was a lovely bottle for dining out.

Dry Creek Vineyard, located in Sonoma, draws its inspiration from the Loire Valley and has produced another fine effort with its 2015 vintage Wilson Ranch Dry Chenin Blanc. The winery has produced Chenin Blanc with grapes from Wilson Ranch for more than 25 years.

The Green Dragon’s Thirst


My wife, aka the Green Dragon, is a lover of refreshing white wines. Sauvignon Blanc tops her list, but based on this bottle (and some we sampled in South Africa) Chenin Blanc is climbing in the rankings.

She insists that the wine be properly chilled (no warm whites and not to cold to dull the flavors). She also dislikes overly oaked whites and craves rich tastes.

I may have a glass of a nice white one evening only to discover the bottle completely drained the next night. Such is the Dragon’s thirst. I had to move quickly to taste this wine!


An Expressive Chenin


The 2015 DCV Wilson Creek is 100% Chenin Blanc from the Wilson Ranch in Clarksburg, an area in the Sacramento delta known for its Chenin. The wine is stainless steel fermented.

The 2015 harvest was one of the earliest in history. The yields were down but the quality was high. There were just over 7,000 cases produced using stainless steel fermentation.

On first swirl there is a rush of pineapple and banana. On the palate there is peach and orange. The profile is fresh fruit with rounded edges.

This is a great pick for an after dinner wine or a casual afternoon in the back yard. It also is a superlative match with seafood or Asian cuisine.

Over the years we’ve come to appreciate the great value from Dry Creek Vineyard. We’re glad that trend continues. The SRP for this wine is only $13 and would be a bargain at twice that.

This Chenin Blanc is a great pick for foodies and those who appreciate refreshing values.

Full Disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Napa Valley Versus Sonoma: We Pick The Winner!



The two most famous wine regions in the United States? There’s no doubt about it, Napa Valley and Sonoma lead the way. Which is better? Here’s our liquid quest to find and answer.

Real Seafood Showdown


This is the sort of event we love.The recent wine dinner at Real Seafood Company in Toledo had a competitive edge. Participants would taste head to head match-ups of Napa Valley and Sonoma wines to determine the best wine region – while enjoying the superb culinary treats of Executive Chef Paul Cerveny.

Napa Valley has been producing the finest American red wines for more than a century. Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme with some bottles commanding prices over $1,000.

Sonoma formerly was overshadowed by its world-famous cousin, but today it produces wines to rival Napa. It is well suited to cool climate wines including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Let The Battle Begin


Our contest pitted two iconic wineries: Rodney Strong Vineyards of Sonoma and Napa Cellars. Rodney Strong is the namesake winery of famed American Dancer Rodney Strong. Notable winery Napa Cellars is owned by the Trinchero winery group.

We enjoyed four courses with a wine from each winery. We tracked our favorites on a menu we used as a ballot to pick the winners. Even if we were only drinking water, each dish was a masterpiece to be enjoyed. Of course, paired with superb wines, this was an amazing dining experience.

First up was Wild Mushroom Spring Rolls with Chinese mustard dipping sauce and micro cilantro. The Napa Cellars 2013 Pinot Noir squared off against the Rodney Strong 2013 Russian River Pinot Noir. As we discovered as the evening progressed, it’s hard to choose between two excellent wines. In this case, our tasting team opted in favor of Sonoma and the Pinot from Russian River Valley. The notes of plum and raspberry made an elegant start to the evening. Our vote: Sonoma.

The second course was Crispy Pan Seared Rice Noodle Wrapped Halibut with miso glaze, daikon radish and carrot salad with mango vinaigrette. The pairings were the Napa Cellars 2014 Chardonnay versus the 2013 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay. The Napa Cellars Chard was a strong contender with balanced flavors of citrus and apple. The Chalk Hill appellation gave Rodney Strong the edge with a full body that was creamy yet crisp. Our vote: Sonoma.

It was rally time for Napa Valley. The third course was Pistachio Crusted Beef Wagyu with pomegranate honey yogurt sauce, spring asparagus and chive couscous. Salute to the chef! All the dishes were stellar and this offered an explosion of contrasting flavors. The pairings were Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon versus the Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet.

This was a bit of a surprise for me. I’m a huge Rodney Strong fan, especially of its premium range wines and any wines from Alexander Valley. I expected Rodney Strong to mop up the floor (or the honey yogurt sauce) with the Napa Cellars Cab. However in a split decision I selected the Napa Cellars Cab for its rich flavors of dark cherry and cocoa. The Rodney Strong Cab tannins were a bit too strong. Our vote: Napa Valley.

It was bottom of the ninth with Napa Cellars at bat trailing by one run. Could they rally for a clutch victory? The “pitch” was a Chocolate Pot de Creme raspberry puree with chocolate custard, chocolate ganache and sea salt. This was an amazing dessert paired with the 2012 Rodney Strong Knotty Pines Zinfandel and the 2012 Napa Cellars Zinfandel.

The Rodney Strong Zin is made with grapes from Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek. This power of three, plus a rich and spicy flavor profile, enabled it to top the Napa Cellars wine. Our vote: Sonoma.

Although we had the contest scored a win for Sonoma, when Terry Kretz, district manager of Mainstreet Ventures, announced the final tally which included all diners – it was a tie between Napa and Sonoma.

Who can quibble? Gourmet food, delicious selections from Napa Valley and Sonoma equal a win-win situation for any wine lover. We intend to continue to research the question of which wine region is better, no matter how many bottles of wine it may take!

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Six Top Albariño Selections From Spain’s Rías Baixas Region

Rías Baixas, a coastal region in the northwest of Spain, is home to the country’s most famous white grape: Albariño. Here are six picks sure to delight.



How To Enjoy Albariño


In recent months we have been exploring Albariño. This crisp white wine has been perfected in the Rías Baixas DO (Denominación de Origen) of Spain.

During our recent trip to Spain, the greatness of Rías Baixas, in the green fields and rocky coasts of Galicia, was amply demonstrated. The Albariño and local seafood were simply off the charts with excellence.

Back home I’ve had the chance to sample quite a few Albariño courtesy of Rías Baixas Wines and the Wine Studio online education program. When selecting an Albariño, the first step is to ensure it is from Rías Baixas.
There are a few other places (some in Spain and some in Portugal) that produce Albariño, but none do it as well. Wines from Rías Baixas capture the sea spray and granite from their unique locale.

Food is an important part of the Spanish lifestyle, so I’d suggest you have fun with some creative pairings with your Albariño. The Green Dragon prepared an array of creative dishes to go with our Albariño including Crusted Shrimp with Spicy Black Beans and Saffron Sauce and also pulpo (octopus) in a chipotle sauce.

 

Six Albariño to delight your senses


Adega Eidos, 2014 Eidos de Padriñan DO Rías Baixas – Named after the small family vineyards prevalent in Rías Baixas. Light bodied with mineral notes. Fresh, well-balanced acidity. Lime and tropical fruit.SRP $17.

Bodegas La Val, 2014 La Val DO Rías Baixas - Condado do Tea – This is a one-note wine, but that note is very good. Light yellow in the glass, fresh sunshine on the palate. Citrus flavors with a dash of honey. SRP $17.

Bouza do Rei, 2015 Lagar de Bouza DO Rías Baixas – Lightly acidic. Floral and fruity bouquet. A slice of lemon and twist of lime. SRP $16. 

Terras Gauda, 2014 Terras Gauda O Rosal DO Rías Baixas – Shows that a blend (70% Albariño, 20% Loureira, 10% Caiño Blanco) can deliver beautiful complexity. Peach and orange flavor notes with a beautiful honey finish. SRP $24.

Veiga Naum, 2014 Veiga Naum DO Rías Baixas – Awash with lime flavors. Elegant yet bold. Won us over by the end of the evening. SRP $15.

Xion (Attis Bodega y Viñedos) 2014 DO Rías Baixas – A favorite. Golden in color. Stylish and balanced with a primary note of honeysuckle. Nice complexity with luscious acidity. SRP $14.


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Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: May 11-14, 2016


Wednesday, May 11
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6-8 PM. Dean’s “Missouri Loves Company” Farewell Tasting: 1. Chateau Grand Traverse 2013 “Ship of Fools” White (Michigan), 2. Pelee Island 2012 Gamay Noir/Zweigelt (Canada), 3. Pelee Island 2014 Cabernet Franc (Canada), 4. Kuleto 2012 Native Son Red (California), 5. Michael Pozzan 2013 Annabella Cabernet Sauvignon. $8 per flight or nominal charge per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Premium tasting: Produttori del Barbaresco. One of Italy’s greatest wine treasures. Tasting limited to 20 people. Complimentary nosh included. $49 per person. Call for more information.
Veritas Cork and Craft, 505 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo – (419) 214- 9463. 5:30 –7:30 PM. Wine Tasting. $15 per person.
Thursday, May 12
Andersons, Maumee, 5-7 PM. More Great Mid-Spring Wines: 1. 2013 Libenzi – Verdicchio - Baccaloro – Ancona, Italy, 2. 2015 Gorman Winery – 42-39-56 Rosé – Columbia Valley, Washington, 3. 2012 Podere Scopetone – Rosso di Montalcino – Montalcino, Italy, 4. 2013 Newsprint – Cabernet Sauvignon – Red Mountain, Washington. Nominal fee per sample or $8 per flight.
Let us promote your wine tasting for free! Send info to twav@att.net
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM. More Riesling with a few Spanish Wines: You Don't Know Riesling: 1. Dandelion Riesling, Gobelsburger, 3. Robert Weil Riesling Trocken, 4. Reuscher-Haart Piesporter. Spanish Reds: 1. Finca Sandoval Signo, 2. El Chaparral Old Vine Grenache, 3. Pinord Clos 15 Crianza Tempranillo, 4. Aster Ribero del Duero. 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. Wine Tasting. 

Friday, May 13

Toledo Museum Of Art, (419) 255-8000. 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Wine By The Glass Pavilion- Lucky 13 – 4 Good Bets. Enjoy four wines and light snacks. Tickets are $25 for members, $35 for nonmembers and are available for purchase during Museum hours by phone at or at the information desks
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 4-7 PM. Join Angela Bollin from Vanguard Wines for a little taste of great European wines with a long documented wine history. Nominal fee per sample.
Saturday, May 14
Kroger Maumee – Wine Tasting, 3-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 2-6 PM. Spain has an abundance of native grape varieties, with over 400 varieties planted throughout Spain, though 80% of the country’s wine production is from only 20 grapes. Some of the most common are Albariño, Tempranillo, and Garnacha. 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
Rat Pack Italian Wine Dinner, LaScola Italian Grill, 5375 Airport Hwy, Toledo, (419) 381-2100, Monday, May 16,. Featuring five Italian winemakers. Massimo Piccin of Podere Sapaio, Bolghere, Luca Costa of Tenute Costa, Siena, Enzo Agresta of Tenuta Carretta, Trentino-South Tyrol, Claudio Salvador (importer) of Veneto, Antonella Mancini of Cantina Pedres, Sardegna. Reception 6:00 PM, Dinner 6:30 PM. Cost $75. Call for reservations.
Rat Pack Italian Wine Dinner, Paesano Restaurant and Wine Bar, 3411 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, (734) 971-0484, Wednesday, May 18, 6-8 PM. Featuring six Italian vintners, six wineries and six regions. Walk-around wine tasting with Chef Dave Whitney’s appetizers and desserts. Cost $60. Call for reservations. 
The 21st Annual Wood County Human Society Wine and Dine will be held  May 20 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons in Perrysburg from 7-10 PM. Featuring: live music, silent and live auctions, and delicious grazing stations. Tickets $55 single, $100 couple. Music by Suburban Legend. More information and tickets here.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Charmed and Cherished Wine Tasting Continues Tradition of Good Times and Compassion

Article by Tasting Team Members Glorious T. and The Cabinator


The Cherished Friends of Ahava’s Charmed and Cherished Wine Tasting Event has been a favorite tradition for the Toledo Wines and Vines team since it began 12 years ago at Cousino’s Navy Bistro at the Docks. Since that time, the team has only missed a couple of the annual events, and it has grown to over 400 people filling Fifth Third Field’s suite level space.


We have met some great people along the way, and the supporters of the Cherished Friends of Ahava generally have a personal connection, and are a dedicated and enthusiastic group of people.

They have the coordination of this event down to a smooth and efficient production. The array of silent auction and basket raffle items was impressive, with many sought after items, including Ohio State memorabilia, spa treatments, gift cards, and vacation packages. Glorious T was unfortunately outbid on the oil painting of “your favorite pet”. A new carnival-like feature, “Ring Around the Wine” was a fun addition. For $5 you could throw a ring and win the bottle your ring landed around.


The buffet appetizer included a variety of tasty and savory options, along with an area of mini desserts. The food was substantial for those who were there to really sample the wines. The cost of $50 was a fair price. For sponsors of $100 or more, a “reserve” wine tasting was available. This had changed from a Reserve tasting of interesting wines to a small selection of mass market wines. The sparkling wine table included Piper Sonoma Brut, La Marca Prosecco, and a unique Rosa Regale sparkling red wine.

Meanwhile, Sara was featuring Mondavi Cabernet, La Crema Chardonnay, Davis Bynum Pinot Noir, and a very mineral focused Chateua Thunevan white Bordeaux. Sponsors also had, in addition to the appetizer buffet, shrimp cocktail and hummus.

Back in the main area, the place was hopping. Stony Ridge winery’s table had a steady stream of sweet wine fans. Other tables featured Meiomi Pinot Noir, Wild Horse, Joel Gott and other varietals. We had met wine rep Dave Weiden back at an early Charmed and Cherished Event, and he returns as an annual supporter. It was good to see him, and he was pouring a fabulous and popular selection of Chalk Hill Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sebastiani Zinfandel, Guenoc Claret, and Lost Angel Moscato. The very generous Heidelberg Distributing Company donated all wine for the event.

Proceeds benefit the Cherished Friends of Ahava’s Special Guest Program that provides spa and wellness services, at no charge, to men and women undergoing cancer treatment. Cherished Friends of Ahava, a non-profit organization based in Toledo, has provided services to more than 1,200 special guests in the last 12 years. This year’s event was held in memory of Mary Elizabeth Hammond.

Monday, May 9, 2016

Zinful Features Natural Beauty of Organic Wines

At Toledo Wines and Vines we believe in sustainability and taking care of the environment. Grapes are agricultural crops that depend on healthy water, soil and climate. So when Earth Day rolled around, you might guess how we celebrated: by drinking wine. Hey, it was organic!

Organic Wines Are Naturally Good



Zinful, Perrysburg’s downtown wine bar, was the scene of the Earth Day tasting with a focus on two organic wineries: Domain de Mauperthuis of Burgundy and Tenuta delle Terre Nere of Italy.

We sampled a white and red from Mauperthuis. The first was a 2014 Chablis, which is Chardonnay. In the style of this famous French region, the wine was not oaked. It was crisp, light and delicious. SRP $19.99. The 2014 Domaine Mauperthuis Bourgogne Rouge Les Brulis is a Pinot Noir in the earthy, Burgundian style with the fruitiness dialed back. Enjoyable, but not a match for a good Willamette Valley Pinot. SRP $17.99.

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The wines of Terre Nere are extremely interesting because they come from the volcanic soil of Italy’s Etna island. Four different Terre Nere wines were featured. The 2014 Etna Bianco is a field blend of 65% Carricante plus local varieties Catarratto, Grecanico, Inzolia and Minnella. This had floral notes with a sour taste. The 2014 Caldera Bianco is also a Carricante wine, but this is a lightly oaked wine that is enthralling.

We finished with two reds: the 2014 Terre Nere Etna Rosso and 2013 Terre Nere Feudo Mezi Rosso. The Rosso was heavy on the tannins, perhaps due to the whole cluster fermentation.

The prize of the evening was the 2013 Feudo Mezi Rosso. This wine is made from Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio vines that are 50 to 80 years old that are grown in soil with black volcanic ash and balsaltic pebbles. How cool!

The Feudo Mezi is silky and dark in character with deep cedar and spice notes. A prize wine, it has a SRP of $39.99.

Wines from Domain de Mauperthuis and Terre Nere demonstrate that respect for the environment and sustainable farming practices pay off in the glass.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Why I Love Malbec

Why order a wimpy house Merlot when you can call for an exotic Argentinean Malbec!   Malbec is exploding with popularity due to a sumptuous taste and unbelievable values.


Need A New Signature Drink?


Enjoy this classic TWAV post from the past.
One of my friends is a psychology professor at a university out West. One of his favorite stories is about how he decided on his “signature drink.” He apparently tired of always ordering nondescript cocktails and wanted something with the cachet of James Bond’s “shaken not stirred” martini. He enlisted some students to observe him in the bar as he ordered several different drinks and evaluate the reaction of others in the bar – especially the women. After running through several failed alternatives, (the Old Fashioned, the Box Car, and some fruity fru-fru drinks) he settled on the Gibson confident that all citizenry would sit up and take notice when he strode to the bar and confidently ordered his signature drink.

I think of Malbec in much the same way. Why order a wimpy house Merlot when you can call for an exotic Argentinean Malbec!   Malbec is exploding with popularity due to a sumptuous taste and unbelievable values.

Malbec Rules Argentina

The undisputed king of Argentine wines, Malbec is rich, dark, robust and fruity. Malbec has its roots in the Bordeaux region of France, where it is one of six grape varieties approved for making red wines. Malbec is typically just a small percentage of the blend. In fact, the amount of Malbec being grown in Bordeaux has been diminishing over the years.

Argentina, which has a highly developed wine culture, born of its Spanish roots and nurtured by waves of immigrants from other wine-loving countries, has welcomed Malbec with open arms.  Malbec has made Argentina, and especially the region of Mendoza, famous as a center for world class wine. It is the major red varietal planted in Argentina, which supplies more than 70% of the world’s Malbec. It is one of the few wines that have found greater fame in the New World than the Old World.

Flavor notes include plums, blackberries and even coffee. Some of the best examples taste like a softer,  lusher Merlot. Malbec also ages well. The Malbec name is not yet well recognized and so you can score some good bottles at reasonable prices. The Gascon Malbec is a tasty value we sampled two nights ago with friends. It's a sure winner.

Malbec is also known as Cot and Auxerrois in France. It is the dominant red grape in French Cahors, however, Cahors is not a well-know French appellation. Malbec is also planted in Chile,  California, South Africa, Italy and New Zealand with it typically blended in these countries.
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Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: May 4-7, 2016


Wednesday, May 4
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6-8 PM. New Wines in the Wine Shop: .Latue 2015 Rosado (Spain), 2. St. Cosme 2014 Little James Basket Press Blanc (France), 3. St. Cosme Little James Basket Press Rouge (France), 4. Soda Canyon 2012 Wagon Wheel Red (California), 5. Kaesler 2012 Stonehorse Shiraz (Australia). $7 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 with Tricia of Vintner Select. 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, May 5
Andersons, Maumee, 5-7 PM. Wine tasting. Cinco de Mayo Wines: 1. 2014 Chateau La Freynelle – White Bordeaux Blend – Bordeaux, France, 2. 2015 Chateau de Berne – Impatience Rosé – Cotes de Provence, France, 3. 2013 Guenoc – Cabernet Sauvignon – Lake County, California, 4. 2013 Purple Heart – Red Blend – Napa Valley, California. Nominal fee per sample or $5.50 per flight.
Let us promote your wine tasting for free! Send info to twav@att.net
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6 – 8 PM. Do you know Riesling. Even though you are a wine lover, you probably don't know Riesling! May is your chance to catch up with Riesling. Riesling from Germany: 1. Von Winning – Pfalz, 2. Dönnhoff – Nahe, 3. Diel – Nahe, 4. Gunderloch Jean Baptiste – Rheinhessen. Other featured wine: 5. Belleruche Cote du Rhone, 6. Temperamento, 7. Domaine Laroque Cote de Carcassonne, 8. Colonia Las Liebres. 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. 3-8 PM. Farmer’s Market Tasting. 

Friday, May 6

Toledo Museum Of Art, (419) 255-8000. 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Wine By The Glass Pavilion- California Dreaming – Wines of the West. Enjoy four wines and light snacks. Tickets are $25 for members, $35 for nonmembers and are available for purchase during Museum hours by phone at or at the information desks
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 4-7 PM. Tricia Rasar from Vintner Select has chosen her favorite spring/summer wines to pair with your favorite spring and summer dishes. Nominal fee per sample.
Zinful, (419) 931-9946, 218 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg. 5-8 PM. Mother’s Day Tasting. Nominal fee per sample or pay per flight.
Saturday, May 7
Kroger Maumee – Wine Tasting, 3-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 2-6 PM. Rhone Tasting. The Rhone is one of the major rivers of Europe, and before railroads and highways were developed, was a major inland trade route. The history of this great viticultural area dates back to the Greeks and Romans. The region is divided into North and South by appellation. We will be tasting wines from both, north and south.
Zinful, (419) 931-9946, 218 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg. 3:30 PM. Mother’s Day Tasting. Nominal fee per sample or pay per flight.

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

Meeker Wine Dinner, LaScola Italian Grill, 5375 Airport Hwy, Toledo, Tuesday, May 10, (419) 381-2100 Reception 6:30 PM, Dinner 7:00 PM. Chef Moussa will prepare five unique courses to pair with different Meeker Wines.  Molly Meeker will be in attendance to share stories throughout the evening, autograph bottles of wine to go and taste and talk about the Meeker experience. Cost $55. Call for reservations.
Rat Pack Italian Wine Dinner, LaScola Italian Grill, 5375 Airport Hwy, Toledo, (419) 381-2100, Monday, May 16,. Featuring five Italian winemakers. Massimo Piccin of Podere Sapaio, Bolghere, Luca Costa of Tenute Costa, Siena, Enzo Agresta of Tenuta Carretta, Trentino-South Tyrol, Claudio Salvador (importer) of Veneto, Antonella Mancini of Cantina Pedres, Sardegna. Reception 6:00 PM, Dinner 6:30 PM. Cost $75. Call for reservations.
The 21st Annual Wood County Human Society Wine and Dine will be held  May 20 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons in Perrysburg from 7-10 PM. Featuring: live music, silent and live auctions, and delicious grazing stations. Tickets $55 single, $100 couple. More information and tickets here.


Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Zolo 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza


Bottle age can make the difference between a bummer and a beautiful wine.

Deja Vu Again


Back in 2013 I purchased a trio of 2010 Zolo Reserve Cabernet. Thinking this would be an example of Argentine fruit-forward winemaking, I opened one right away.
Mistake! As I mentioned in my review back then: “Tannins are a bit rugged. To me, the Zolo has the right ingredients, but they are not yet fully assembled.”

Last week I dipped back into the cellar one more time to see if zee Zolo was now zensational.

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A Second Spin


Remembering the past, the Zolo went directly into a decanter. After 30 minutes I poured the first glass and was greeted with a whoosh of jammy dark fruit aroma. This was certainly a good omen.

In the glass Zolo is dark ruby in color. On the palate, the wine is powerful yet accessible. You don’t have to imagine how good it will taste years from now because it is drinking great right at this moment.
Raspberry, dark cherry and plum mix with some oak from French and American oak barrels. There is a hint of chocolate and this is an ideal wine to pair with some.

Zolo Reserve is made with grapes from the San Pablo single estate vineyard. The high altitude of the vineyard (4,430 feet) makes it unique and skillful winemakers Fabian Valenzuela and Jean Claude Berrouet (former winemaker at Petrus) make the most of it.

Three years ago I rated this wine a middle of the road 2.5 out of 5. My, how times have changed this bottle. I’m now a fan and still have one bottle left.

Rating: 3.5 of 5  Value: 4 of 5 (based on $18 purchase price)

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Monday, May 2, 2016

Spain’s Priorat Region Gathering International Acclaim



Priorat’s mountainous terrain and low yields allow winemakers to craft intense, full-bodied reds. Some of Spain’s most expensive and sought-after wines come from here.

It’s The End Of The World


“We are not lost, don’t worry” said Oscar Boada, director of Ferrer Family Wines. Our motor coach had gone up and up into mountains with wind turbines on the ridges, past sheer cliffs of rock and through a tunnel. Priorat, one of Spain’s top wine regions, is at the end of the world, Oscar explained.

The Priorat region is protected by mountains and the wineries are hidden amidst almond and olive trees and steeply terraced vineyards. Once you are at the end of the world, apparently, you must still traverse a narrow, curvy dirt road to make it to Morlanda winery.


Innovation and Rebirth


In the 1980s and 1990s, a group of young winemakers called the “Gratallops Pioneers” began planting vines on the steep slopes of the area. The high quality wines transformed the region and put Priorat on the map.

In 2000, the region was raised from DO to DOCa (Denonimanción de Origen Califacada), Spain’s top classification. The challenges of winemaking in Priorat are many, but the rewards are great.

“You can find all of the characteristics of our winery’s vineyards right here,” said Morlanda winemaker Judit Llop, standing on top of a hillside with vines planted in the notched terraces. The climate is dry and Garnacha Tinta and Cariñena flourish in the clay and slate soil that lends wine a stirring minerality.

Most wineries in Priorat are small, with most producing 10,000 to 20,000 bottles per year. Morlanda is the smallest winery in the Ferrer Family Wine group with just 47 acres of vines and it is supported by a small band of employees.

Judit spends a lot of time in the vineyard, making sure that the grapes ripen properly. The winery is on track to obtain organic certification and Morlanda has been experimenting with probiotics in the vineyard.

Proof In The Glass


For those of us who have heard of Priorat, it is all about the reds. So, I was surprised when Judit declared that the Garnacha Blanc and Macabeo blend was the jewel of the winery. We enjoyed a sample not yet bottled and it displayed a brightness with low acidity and tastes of apple and pear. One third of the wine will be aged in French oak to give a toasty flavor.

The flagship of the winery is the the Vi de Guarda Morlanda. Although the DOCa has guidelines for Crianza, Reserva and Grand Reserva, many wineries (or cellars) produce the Vi de Guarda (aged wine) which includes 18 months in oak followed by six months in the bottle.

The Morlanda is 50% Garnacha and 50% Cariñena. The Garnacha lends soft tannins and violet notes while the inky black Cariñena brings an earthy, cola and licorice flavor. The 2010 is a sophisticated wine that needs decanting. “It’s like my little baby,” said Judit. The wine retails for $49 in the US.



The grapes, terroir and creative winemakers of Priorat make the region and Morlanda winery memorable. This is a superior red wine region made all more interesting because it remains undiscovered by many. Make it a point to get acquainted.

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