Monday, November 30, 2009

Wine Tasting & Events: Week of Nov. 30, 2009

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Monday, November 30
 Vino 100 Shop, Wine Bar and Lounge, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd., Suite C, Maumee – (419) 866-8466. Meet the Artist Night-Introducing Jorge Gallardo. Help us Welcome Jorge as he introduces us to his style of Art. A flute of sparkling wine, a glass of white wine, along with cheese and bread will be offered for only $10! Starts at 7:30 pm.


Tuesday, December 1
The wines of South America will be featured Tuesday, December 1, at Capers Pizza Bar, 2038 S. Byrne Rd, Toledo, (419) 389-9900 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. There will be seven wines paired with seven light courses. The event is very casual and will appeal to beginning wine drinkers as well as the aficionado. Tickets are for sale in advance or at the door.

Wednesday, December 2   
 Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, Holiday Wines. $15.

Thursday, December 3
The Andersons. Wine Tasting. Maumee 5-7 PM. 2005 Bordeaux: 1. Chateau De Sales – mostly Merlot Blend – Pomerol, 2. Chateau Leoville Poyferre’ – Red Blend – Saint Julien, 3. Chateau Cantemerle – Red Blend– Haut-Medoc, 4. Chateau Talbot – Red Blend – Saint Julien. $20 per flight. Available by individual samples as well.

The Andersons, Wine Tasting. Talmadge Road 6-8 PM. Nominal fee.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, Holiday Wines. $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800.  6-9 PM. Cost $1 - $3 per glass.

Vino 100 Wine Bar and Lounge, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd., Suite C, Maumee – (419) 866-8466. Vino 100 Live. Join us starting at 7:30 pm as we welcome Gregg Aranda to play for your enjoyment. See you there! 7:30 – 10:30 PM

Friday, December 4
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). Red Blends. 1. Palo Alto Reserve, 2. Bangin Red, 3. Mary Hill, 4. Rancho Sisquoc River Red. $10 tasting.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, Champagne Tasting. RSVP (419) 351-3335.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Cost $1 - $3 per glass.

Saturday, December 5
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). Red Blends. 1. Palo Alto Reserve, 2. Bangin Red, 3. Mary Hill, 4. Rancho Sisquoc River Red. $10 tasting.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000—Noon to 5 PM. Pay by the sample or for the whole flight.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

CNW 2007 Chenin Blanc



We are fans of Vouvray wines and the principal grape for those wines is Chenin Blanc. We picked up this bottle at Vino 100 in Maumee not knowing quite what to expect in terms of sweetness.

This wine is produced by Wilson Vineyards on Clarksburg, California. Clarksburg has the reputation of being the Chenin Blanc capitol of California. Clarksburg is located west of Sacramento and has a unique microclimate with long hot days cooled by breezes from the Sierras. The grapes come from low yielding old vines which provide intensity to the fruit.

We found it to be refreshingly crisp and dry. Flavors of lemongrass and citrus fruit. This is a great alternative to Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. This is a great Quality Price Ratio wine also.
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Friday, November 27, 2009

Alamos Malbec and Alamos Chardonnay

Remember the Alamos! A friend of mine made this quip as we were sitting down to dinner with a bottle of the Argentinean Malbec from Alamos. It’s not a bad rallying cry when you are looking for very drinkable wines with a high QPR (Quality Price Ratio).

The 2008 Alamos Malbec is dark, almost inky, in color. Malbec is the signature wine of the Mendoza region in Argentina. Malbec is a favorite with us because it isn’t quite as high in tannins, which my wife avoids. She is a relatively new red wine drinker and prefers a more fruit forward style.

 alamos malbec Malbec can deliver what the Green Dragon looks for, but with a complexity and richness that can satisfy anyone who appreciates a nice red.

The nose for the Alamos Malbec shows black berries and a bit of spice. The has a smooth, medium body with flavors of black raspberries and currants with a touch of spiciness and smoke. This wine is aged in both American
and French oak. It also has 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Bonarda (another red Argentinean grape).

The 2008 Chardonnay is a bright golden color. It has a citrus and floral bouquet. The flavor notes are apple and pear with a nice acidity that gives it a bit of a snap. There is a touch of oakiness, but this Chard is more spicy than big and buttery. This may be due to how the wine was finished. The wine is aged for nine months in seasoned French oak, but 10 percent is aged in new French oak to highlight the smokiness.

We paid about $13 for each bottle of the Alamos, which is a great bargain. These are great buys and a nice change from the value California brands.

(I've noticed many people from around the world looking at this post. If you have tried this wine we would like to see your comment. PLEASE COMMENT by clicking on the comment link below. We would love to hear from you.)
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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Michigan Beats Ohio State (In Wine Clash 2009)


COLUMBUS, OHIO – Ahead of the legendary gridiron clash, wine lovers in Michigan and Ohio assembled to determine whose wines would triumph in a head-to-head clash. Eleven of the top wines were chosen from each state and judged in both Columbus and Ann Arbor by panels of wine lovers, writers and professionals.

The State of Michigan reigned supreme in 2009 with the overall winning wine (Longview “Winter Ice” 2007) and four of the top five ranked wines. In order of ranking with number of first place votes:
  1. Longview Winery and Vineyard “Winter Ice” 2007 (Dessert Wine) Leelanau Peninsula MI (4)
  2. 2 Lads Cabernet Franc Reserve 2007 (Dry Red) Old Mission Peninsula MI (2)
  3. Kinkead Ridge Cabernet Franc 2007 (Dry Red) Ohio River Valley OH (2)
  4. Gill’s Pier Meritage 2007 (Dry Red) (1)
  5. Wyncroft Avonlea Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 (Dry Red) MI (1)
Jump to full results table

“I am honored and excited to win this award, our first regional award,” said Alan Eaker of Longview Winery and Vineyard from his vineyards in the middle of 2009’s harvest. “This is a great time for wines and wine lovers.”

The real winners are the consumers of Michigan and Ohio who have an array of quality local wines to enjoy. “The selection process was very hard and rigorous this year with so many quality wines from both states,” said organizer Andrew Hall, “Any of the entrants would be welcome on my table.”


Both Ohio and Michigan share a century-old tradition of viticulture which was wrecked by Prohibition but has re-emerged in recent times. From the Ohio River Valley to the upper shores of Lake Michigan, growers and winemakers are working hard to create unique and quality wines. This event was created in 2008 to showcase these local efforts and in the context of our storied local football rivalry. This is the only purely consumer-selected judging of wines in either state and is limited to wines from grapes grown in their respective state.

“There were a lot of good wines from both states,” commented one of the judges, “and I hope that people will give them a chance. Restaurants and consumers are starting to care a lot about local produce and wines should follow.” Another commented that it was a treat to taste the wines as neither state's distribution system currently offers consumers any wines from the other state.

The event is organized by Andrew Hall, a Columbus-area wine enthusiast and member of the local chapter of Slow Food Nation. Slow Food Columbus is the primary sponsor of the event.


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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Holiday Open House Set For Sandhill Crane Vineyard in Jackson, MI

A holiday open house is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 28 Noon to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29., at Sandhill Crane Vineyards, 4724 Walz Road, Jackson, Michigan, (517) 764-0679.

The open house will also be held the weekend of December 12 and 13.

The open houses will feature live music from 2:00 to 5:00 pm each day, holiday treats, a free ornament for all customers, and a 5% discount on all wine-related gifts.

Musicians scheduled to perform:

Saturday, November 28 - Ronnie Chmielewski & Greg Hurley
Sunday, November 29 - Kitty Donohoe & David Mosher
Saturday, December 12 - Rochelle Clark & John Natiw
Sunday, December 13 - BluHott Jam

Photo by Mosaaki Komori

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Holiday "Tannenbaum Trail" Tour of Ohio Wineries

a red blown glass Christmas tree ornament, a t...Image via Wikipedia
The Ohio Wine Producers Association has announced a fun holiday event for wine lovers with wine, food and good times.

The Tannenbaum Trail is a self driving tour of some outstanding regional wineries. You have three weekends (Fridays & Saturdays-Noon to 6pm) to visit 13 northeast Ohio wineries.

At a designated winery, you will pick up a boxed 15” miniature Christmas tree, that includes ribbon garland and miniature lights. You also receive a Schott Zwiesel crystal wine glass. As you travel from winery to winery you will receive one or two samples of wine and an appetizer per person. You also get an Christmas ornament to trim your tree.


 Tannenbaum Trail weekends are December 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19.The cost is $35 per person and $45 per couple.

Participating wineries are: Biscotti Family Winery and Buccia Vineyards in Conneaut, Debonne Vineyards, Grand River Cellars, Maple Ridge Vineyard and St. Joseph Vineyards in Madison, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Laurello Vineyards, Old Mill Winery, The Winery at Spring Hill and Virant Family Winery in Geneva, Old Firehouse Winery in Geneva-on-the-Lake and Emerine Estates in Jefferson.

For more information, call (800) 227-6972 or purchase your tickets online.



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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Pasta and South America Featured In Upcoming Wine Tastings

Two interesting wine tastings have been scheduled for December at Toledo restaurants.


The wines of South America will be featured Tuesday, December 1, at Capers Pizza Bar, 2038 S. Byrne Rd, Toledo, (419) 389-9900 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. There will be seven wines paired with seven light courses. The event is very casual and will appeal to beginning wine drinkers as well as the aficionado. Tickets are for sale in advance or at the door.

On Monday, December 7, Gil and Jen Evans will host an Old World wine tasting at their restaurant Pasta Fina, 5931 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo, (419) 866-0670. The event is from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. Six wines will be paired with Pasta Fina dishes and appetizers. This event is casual. Tickets are on sale now, or at the door. Reserving your seats now could be a good idea, as space is limited.
Photo by Cane Rosso
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Monday, November 23, 2009

Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2007

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We popped the cork on this Chilean number with a couple of friends. This wine is widely available, not too costly and pairs well with a variety of  foods.

When I originally bought this bottle my eyes were caught by the label on the neck proclaiming 2007 as a historic vintage for Concha y Toro premium red grapes. Due to a confluence of factors (low rain, low temperatures and low yield, the winemakers believe that 2007 is one of their best vintages.

The color of the wine is deep, dark purple.There are flavor notes of dark plum and chocolate with a bit of spice. The wine is oaked, but not overly so.  Deep intense violet-red color. This pairs well with meat, vegetables and pizza.

The founder of this winery in 1891 set aside a special batch of wine. To keep the curious away he started the rumor that the devil lived in the wine cellar, the Casillero del Diablo. A legend was born – and we can enjoy some devilishly good wine today.
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Large Turnout Enjoys Wine Affair

More than 500 were in attendance on Friday, November 20, to 2009_1120wineaffair0005enjoy an elegant evening of wine at the Northwest Ohio Kidney  Foundation’s 18th Annual Wine Affair. The event was hosted by WTOL-TV’s Chrys Peterson.
Wine was provided by 12 distributors:
  • 55 Degrees
  • Berman
  • Bowling Green Beverage
  • DJP Selections
  • European Wine Imports
  • Hammer
  • Heidelberg
  • Natural-States Wines
  • Private Reserve
  • Vanguard Wines
  • Wines LLC
  • Wine Trends
There was a nice selection of food from area restaurants including Kotobuki, La Scola Italian Grill, Poco Piatti/Beirut/Byblos, Mancy’s Blue Water Grille, the Melting Pot and Wixey Bakey.
My wife and I began the evening with a taste of DV Merlot from Private Reserve distributors. This French Merlot is from the Med Atlantic wine region, which I must confess I hadn’t heard of before. It’s always nice to gain a little education – along with a nice glass of wine. We also sampled a nice DV Chardonnay.

One feature that was absent and I hope the Wine Affair has next year is a listing of the featured wines. This would make it easier to plan your tastings and ensure that you don’t miss any special wines.

2009_1120wineaffair0006 Tucked in the back corner with a delightful assortment of wines was Michelle Ross of Wines LLC.

One of her offerings was Trinity, a proprietary blend of Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin and Pinot Noir from South River Vineyards, an Ohio winery in the Geneva area. I found this to be a very enjoyable, light blend. The star of her lineup was a Super Tuscan Orbiao from the Redi Winery in Montepulciano. This had nice blackberry layers and and intense flavor that’s velvety. We also spirited the remains of a bottle of Taft Street Chardonnay back to our table as the evening wound down.

Spiderman, one our tasting panel and dinner companion, always asks those pouring to give us a glass of their most popular wine. It’s a nice way to identify the stars at each table. As we hit the Heidelberg table we were served a nice glass of St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon. This Sonoma wine was ripe, rich and chewy with a round finish.

From Vanguard we really enjoyed the Hey Mambo red bistro wine from The Other Guys, a blend of  Syrah, Barbera, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Malbec, and Alicante Bouchet grapes. This is an interesting blend with plenty of black cherry and leather.

Our friend Cory McQuillan from 55 Degrees was pouring the very nice white Cuvee A from Anne Amie, a Willamette Valley winery in Oregon.

At the Berman table there was a great selection including Gascon Malbec, Las Rocas Grenache and Layer Cake Shiraz. These are three sure to please wines. I love Malbec and the Gascon has a delightful complex flavor at a great Quality Price Ratio. The Las Rocas was a2009_1120wineaffair0003 favorite with the Wine Affair crowd. The Layer Cake Shiraz from Australia has dark, dense aromas of berries and provides an explosion of flavor. Tricia Rasar was certainly pouring some tasty selections.

From Bowling Green Beverage, Melissa Crocket provided a nice sample of Tangent Pinot Gris from Edna Valley, California. This was flavored with tropical fruit, stone minerality and had a nice balance.

Our final glass was a wonderful white Bordeaux Chateau des Tuquets 2006. courtesy of Krystal Di Matteo and European Wine Imports. It has a complex aroma of citrus fruits with a crisp acidity. This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. I was very surprised that this lists for only $9.99. This is a really wonderful wine.

Due to the large crowd, there were some long lines at registration and the food stations and the dessert disappeared some time before we were able to work our way to it. Since we weren’t participating in the live auction, the evening lost some appeal when the wine stations were shut down for the auction.

However, these are certainly minor points in an truly enjoyable evening. Congratulations and thanks to the planners, sponsors and attendees of this event. Thanks for supporting the very worthy mission of the NWO Kidney Foundation.
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Sunday, November 22, 2009

Wine Tasting & Events: Week of Nov. 23

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Wednesday, November 25    
 Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, Latest Arrival Wines. $15.

Thursday, November 26
Thanksgiving: No wine tastings scheduled. Enjoy some nice wine with your turkey!
Vino 100 Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd., Suite C, Maumee – (419) 866-8466. Closed for Thanksgiving.
Friday, November 27  
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). Italian Wines 1. Maso Canali Pinot Grigio, 2. Masciarelli Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, 3. Felsina Chianti Classico, 4. Uccelliera Rosso. $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. Comfortably Numb. So you survived another thanksgiving? Way to go. Chances are you’re ecstatic that it’s over, or just plain irritable since you knw that this is only the beginning. Either way, you’re filled to the gills. Let’s wind down and relax with some lighter-bodied whites and reds. But make no mistake – wimpy wines need not apply. 6-9 PM. Cost $1 - $3 per glass. 

Saturday, November 21 
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). Italian Wines 1. Maso Canali Pinot Grigio, 2. Masciarelli Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, 3. Felsina Chianti Classico, 4. Uccelliera Rosso. $10 tasting.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000—Blind Tasting of 2005 Bordeaux under $30. Noon to 5 PM. Pay by the sample or for the whole flight.


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Saturday, November 21, 2009

Finger Lakes: Thirsty Owl Wine Company

FINGER LAKES REPORT -- Our next visit was the Thirsty Owl Wine Company. Glorious T, one of our tasting crew, loves animals and 2009 10 04 025 so thought the combination of Goose Watch and Thirsty Owl would be an opportunity for picking up wines with great animal labels. I typically avoid llamas, pandas, penguins and any other contrivance designed to sell less than quality wine. But, if you have superior wine AND an attractive bottle it certainly is a win-win situation.

Thirsty Owl is a great stop on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail and has  a prime location overlooking the lake. They have a nice bistro and a shady patio overlooking their 2,000 feet of lakefront frontage. The tasting room is spacious and airy.

The origin of the name is an interesting one: “Years ago a gentleman was stumbling home after a fine night of faster horses, younger women and older wine when he came across a 4 foot, six inch owl in his path. The owl stated: ‘I have a deal for you. I won’t interfere2009_1004fingerlks20041 with your faster horses or younger women if you share your older wine with me. In return I will keep the birds and critters out of your vineyard.’ Thus the deal was made. The owl guards the vineyard and the gentleman shares with his thirsty friend the finest wines in New York.” You’ll find the owl on the patio keeping watch.

We began with the 2008 Pinot Gris which had green apple flavors but we rated as nothing special. Next up was the 2008 Dry Riesling, a gold medal winner with a nice balanced flavor of citrus and grapefruit.

Moving to reds, we sampled the 2007 Pinot Noir. This was a smooth wine with a strong pomegranate flavor. The tannins were refined resulting in a wine not overly oaked.

Thirsty Owl has some very nice reds and I was anx2009 10 04 023ious to try their Chancellor. This French-American hybrid grape is common in the Finger Lakes, but scarce elsewhere. There are rows of Chancellor grapes in the vineyard right outside the front door to the Thirsty Owl.
This wine had a beautiful, dark purple color with a subtle berry flavor and soft tannins. Very smooth and satisfying.

Perhaps the best sample of the visit was the Thirsty Owl Meritage. This is a Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It it nicely balanced and rich with velvet softness and lively fruit. Out companions Glorious T and Spiderman grabbed a bottle of this.

My final tasting was of the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah-Malbec blend which they term as a “trilogy” of prestigious estate grown grapes. Who could not like a blend of these three great grapes? It was bold, smooth and just maybe a bit too tart. It retails for $17.95.

It was a great tasting experience. Last year my wife and I enjoyed a delicious lunch in the bistro. This was a gorgeous fall day and lunch on the terrace would have been grand. This was out last day for tasting on our trip so we reluctantly fired up the car and headed for our next winery.


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Friday, November 20, 2009

Thanksgiving Wines: Our Experts Help You Pick The Perfect Wine

Thanksgiving is approaching and you still don't know what wine to serve with your holiday meal? No worries. Toledo thanksgivingWines and Vines has consulted a panel of experts (Austin Beeman, Mike Gregg, Steve Parks and Matt Snyder) and we can tell you what to buy, how much it costs and where to get it. What more can you ask? So baste your turkey, uncork some of these great wines and enjoy.


Many of these wines are being presented at wine tastings Friday and Saturday (Nov. 20-21), so be sure to check our listing of weekly wine tastings listed elsewhere on this blog.


Without further ado, our distinguished panel and their suggestions...


Austin Beeman, wine department manager at Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Churchill's offers many wines suitable for your Thanksgiving feast. Here are Austin's picks and he is available to recommend specific wines at the store:
Beaujolais Nouveau 2009 $9.99-$14.99
Good German Rieslings $14.99- ?
Red Zinfandels from Rosenblum $11.99-$49.99
Mike Gregg, wine department manager at Corks Wine and Liquor,Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800.  Mike's picks:
 
Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut  from Labels at Wine LibraryGloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut. One of the greatest sparklers in the store, and what a price! Perfect for the holidays and perfect with holiday meals. This wine is fantastic on its own, but has the ability to slice right through turkey, tofu, potatoes, and even pumpkin pie with elegance and grace. Its lively apple and creamy, spicy flavors just earned it a spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2009 list. $19.99.

Handley Gewurztraminer. Buck the traditional chardonnays and reislings, and give this spicy gewurz a go. Done in a dry, Alsatian style, this wine shows off huge lychee and bright, clean fruit. The rich spice and light acidity on the palate make this a winning partner with traditional Thanksgiving fare, not to mention Thai, Indian, or any other spice-driven cuisine. $12.99.

MooBuzz Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is one of those 'go to' wines for the holiday season. Take this one home for Thanksgiving and you'll see why. Beautiful raspberry and cherry flavors, tongue-dancing acidity, and the softest touch of velvety vanilla make this wine an attractive crowd pleaser. $14.99.

Las Rocas Garnacha Vielles Vignes. This recent addition has set the store on fire! Everytime someone tastes it at our wine bar, they end up going home with a bottle or two. Right now it delivers one of the greatest Quality Price Ratios in the market, as is the case with so many Spanish wines. Bright berry, firm spice, hot mineral, and a strong streak of acidity make this beautiful wine a must-have at your Thanksgiving meal. $16.99.

Steve Parks, owner of Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). Steve's picks:

2006 Bethel Heights Chardonnay. Straw to light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of wet stones, pears and citrus fruits. Flavors of pears, limes and minerals. Light acidity and body. Crisp and clean on the palate. $26.99.

2006 Pierre Sparr Reserve Gewurztraminer. Light straw color. Rich aroma, lots of the lychee fruit character that's a standard descriptor for Gewurz, with a heady floral backdrop of roses. Unctuous, good acidity; communicates itself to me as rather sweet, but the illusion seems to come from richness, not sugar: Sparr says it contains only 1.3 percent residual sugar. $22.99.

2007 DE-FIN-I-TIVE Pinot Noir. A *DYNAMITE* Pinot Noir for under $20. Deep and dark, aromas of blackberry, subtle earthy aromas waft from the glass before juicy black cherries and a silky feel come across the palate. $18.99.

2006 Page Cellars 3 Doves Merlot. On the nose there are notes of cherry, plum and vanilla. The palate is full of red cherry and plum with touches of chocolate, fig and a hint of smoke. The tannins are soft and the finish is slightly sweet. $19.99.

Matt Snyder, owner of the Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. Matt's picks:

2008 Covington Cellars Viognier, Yakima Valley, WA. Finished in stainless steel tanks. 100% Viognier. Excellent for Thanksgiving due to its versatility. Goes well with turkey and salty gravy. Also very nice with spicy food and seafood. 13% alcohol. $19.99.

2008 Gilbert Cellars Estate Gewürztraminer,  Columbia Valley, WA. Flavors of lychee berry and refreshing acidity. Also good with brunch and is quiche and casserole friendly. $12.4% alcohol. $14.99.

Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon  from Labels at Wine Library2007 Argyle Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR. 100% Pinot Noir with a nice silky texture. No big tannins. This is double macerated to add excellent layers of flavor. 14% alcohol. $24.99.

2007 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA. A mellow Cabernet that is not hot with tannins. Good spiciness at a great price point. 13.5% alcohol. $13.99.

There you have it. Fifteen fantastic suggestions for perfect Thanksgiving pours. Have a great holiday!


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Thursday, November 19, 2009

Castel Grisch 2008 Johannesburg Riesling

There are some wines that are people pleasers, pure and simple. It doesn’t matter if someone prefers Cabernets or sweet wines or strictly dry whites. Some wines cross all the barriers, translate into any language and, well, they’re just plain good.

This Johannesburg Riesling from Castel Grisch in the Finger Lakes falls into this exclusive category. I first became acquainted with Castel Grisch during our winery visit last year. The winery had gotten rave reviews from our neighbors and ended up as a very enjoyable stop on our tour.

During our trip to the Finger Lakes last month we didn’t make it to Castel Grisch. This disappointed P&S, our neighbors. But luckily I had stashed a bottle. We cracked it open on Halloween before heading out on the town.

The Riesling grape can make a rainbow of wines – ranging from overly sweet ones to elegant dry Rieslings.

This Johannesburg Riesling strikes just the right note with many people because it is not over the top with sweetness yet is a breed apart from the Dry Rieslings (which I really love). The Dry Rieslings are crisp almost to0 the pint of being arid, while this wine from Castel Grisch has a refreshing sweetness that pleases many palettes, sophisticated or simple.

It has floral aroma and a pineapple citrus finish with a Spatelese-style crispness.  As with many Finger Lake wines, it is a great bargain at $14.99.
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Finger Lakes: Goose Watch Winery

FINGER LAKES REPORT  -- Our final day of tasting on the Finger Lakes started with a dash to Cayuga Lake.  It has 16 wineries, most on the west side. The wineries aren’t grouped as closely together as on Seneca meaning more time between stops on the Cayuga Wine Trail.
There are advantages, however. You have an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Cayuga is the longest and largest of the Finger Lakes and the wineries tend to be less crowded than those on Seneca.
Our first stop was Goose Watch Winery. It was a sunny day, which added to the glorious scenery as we drove up the driveway past a 2004_0401Fingerlakes0078grove of chestnut trees. The elegant tasting room is located in a beautifully restored century-old barn.
This is a fiesta for wine tasters. For the modest $2 tasting fee you can sample up to eight wines with an extra charge for a couple of reserve wines and an ice wine.

Goose Watch has a unique roster of wines including New York State’s only Villard Blanc, Melody and Traminette (two newer grape varieties developed by Cornell University), and two old Finger Lakes varietals Diamond and Rose of Isabella.
We started out with a very enjoyable Pinot Noir Brut Rose champagne and moved on to a 2008 Villard Blanc. This is a dry wine with flavors of citrus and herbs. Nice!
2009 10 04 030 I always enjoy a good Viognier and the 2007 Goose Watch was a treat, laced with delicate tropical fruit and a bit more body than a Riesling. The price is a very reasonable $18. They had a special and so I was able to purchase three for the price of two.

Melody is a newer premium grape that has a fruity flavor with a touch of herbs and a flowery aroma. This was a bit sweet for me, and registers 2.0% residual sugar. The lower the number, the drier the wine. The Viognier, by comparison is 0.5% residual sugar.

Two wine varieties I hope you’ll try are Lemberger and Chambourcin. Lemberger is a German grape and the wine produced is light bodied and intended to be drunk young. The Goose Watch Lemberger had a peppery flavor and taste of berries.

Chambourcin is a French-American hybrid that is well suited to growing in the Finger Lakes. It is also popular in the Loire Valley in France. It has a beautiful deep color and our sample had flavor notes of raspberries. It is aged in oak and goes well with lean red meat and pasta.
Before hitting the road we strode out to the deck to enjoy the view of the lake and the vineyards. It was a sight that brought on smiles and laughter – but there was much more to see, so we were off to our next stop.

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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The Supreme Sweetness of Spanish Sherry

Sherry is a wine that goes unnoticed by many American wine drinkers. I’m one of them. When I want to savor a wine I may go for a Malbec, Meritage or Cabernet, but Sherry is not top of mind.
This interesting wine was the focus of the weekly tasting at Corks Wine and Liquor on Friday, November 13. For some of the guests, it was their lucky day. Cory McQuillin was presenting samples of three Sherrys from Emilio Lustau, a2009_1113wcmandcorks0002 top quality Sherry producer as part of wine manager Mike Gregg’s Spanish wine tasting.

Authentic Sherry from southwestern Spain, is considered on the of world’s best fortified wines. Sherry can range from dry to very sweet. It is fortified with alcohol, typically  brandy, which increases the alcohol content to 15 to 18 percent. Even premium Sherry is very reasonably priced.

Making Sherry is truly an art. Sherry is aged in oak casks in a bodega, which is an airy, above ground building which is very much in contrast with the dark, damp underground cellars usually used to age wine.

The Sherry is aged using the Solera system. Each wine barrel is filled about two-thirds full. To make room for the new wine, some wine is withdrawn from barrels and added to barrels of even older wine resulting in a continuous blending of new and old wine to make new Sherry.

As part of the fermentation process a type of yeast called Flor is allowed to grow in the cask. It floats on the surface of the wine to provide a barrier between the wine and the air. Flor has a big 2009_1113wcmandcorks0003impact on the flavor and character of the Sherry.

We worked our way through a nice sampling of wines before we were ready for the Sherry. Other Spanish wines on the sampling list were: 1. Familia Oliveda Cava, 2. Alberino Ver Diniar 2008 a nice Rias Baixas white, 3. Naia 2006 Verdejo, 4. Atteca Grenache Old Vines 2007, 5. Tito Pesquera 2006 DOC Grenache and a bonus wine 6) Las Rocas 2006 Granacha. Of these, our favorite was the Tito Pesquera.

We were then ready for the Sherry. I told Cory that we were heading into an uncharted sweetness territory for my wife and I. We started with the Lustau Solera Reserva Dry Amontillado Sherry, “Los Arcos.” The last time I heard about Amontillado, someone was being bricked up in a wine cellar in an Edgar Allan Poe story.

This Sherry is made from the Palomino Fino grape varietal. It is dry (apparently as Sherry goes) and soft. It is nutty and raisiny. In fact raisin, fig and prune flavor predominate Sherry – at least in my initial experience. This was nice to sip and is suggested as a warming aperitif.

Next was the Deluxe Cream “Capataz Andres.” This was a deeper, tea-color amber. Again, it exhibited the raisin and fig flavor and has a creaminess to it. This is a blend of Paolomino Fino and Pedro Ximenez grapes. It has a whopping 20% alcohol content. Of the three Sherry, this was most to our liking.

The grand finale was the Pedro Ximenez “San Emilio” Reserve Sherry. This is not for the faint of heart. It is almost black in color with a thickness of warm maple syrup. The taste is off the sweetness charts. Green Dragon compared the flavor to prune juice – something that may not help market it to the young generation.
 
This is an acquired taste. We also found that pairing our sips with chocolate covered almonds or blue cheese cut the sweetness.  This Sherry is usually served with sweet desserts or on its own as a dessert wine. It is also used as the sauce for on of the famous desserts of the Jerez region of Spain: vanilla ice cream with Pedro Ximenez Sherry.

Amontillado Sherry on Foodista

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Sunday, November 15, 2009

African American Vintners Highlighted in Detroit Event

 

A special African American Vintners wine tasting is scheduled  Nov. 20 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 East Warren St., Detroit.

Red and white wines from three African American-owned andrew mcfarlane wineries -- Vision Cellar Wines, Esterlina Vineyards and Brown Estates -- will be featured. There also will be South African wines that are not produced by vintners of color.
The cost is $35 per person.  There will be live entertainment and hors d'oeuvres.

During the event Chuck Jackson, will present Wine Tasting 101. He will cover wine-tasting etiquette, tasting techniques and how to get the most out of the experience.
Photo by Andrew McFarlane

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Saturday, November 14, 2009

Holiday Wine Show Touts 2009’s Best

Walt Churchill’s Market was the scene for the Holiday Wine Show on Thursday, November 12. This special2009_1113wcmandcorks0001 tasting featured wine manager Austin Beeman’s favorite wines for 2009.

This was not your average run of the mill tasting. Wines sampled ranged from a $24 bottle of German Riesling to “Dead Arm” Shiraz, priced at $42 for a half-bottle. The price for the full flight  of 12 top end wines was $45.

I sampled three, which I found to be excellent. I started with the 2003 Paolo Scavino Barolo. I was introduced just recently to Barolo and had a sensational Batasiolo Barolo at a tasting. This Barolo was nice, but the body was much weaker than my previous Barolo experience and the flavors less complex.

The buzz during the tasting was around the 2005 Clio. This is a Spanish proprietary blend from Jumilla. It’s a huge, vibrant wine composed of 70% old-vine Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a palate of raspberries and blueberries and a long finish. It has a price of $57.

I finished up with the 2005 Chateau Fombrauge Saint-Emilon Grand Cru. This is a mostly (77%) Merlot wine with a marvelous aroma and taste of black cherries and coffee. I found this to be my favorite of the evening. While the Clio was a crowd favorite (and a wonderful wine), the Chateau Fombrauge had a smokiness and sophisticated flavor that earned my highest marks of the evening. A bottle goes for $60.

Here’s Austin’s complete Holiday Wine Show roster:

  • Max Ferd Richter 2007 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett.
  • Zind-Humbrecht 2006 Riesling “Herrenweg de Turckheim”
  • Chalk Hill 2006 Chardonnay
  • Phillippe Colin 2006 Chassagne-Montrachet “Les Chenes”
  • Paolo Scavino 2003 Barolo
  • Chateau Fombrauge 2005 Saint-Emilon Grand Cru
  • Saint Luke’s 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Clio 2005
  • Dona Paula 2005 Tannat-Malbec
  • JC Cellars 2004 Syrah “Rockpile”
  • D’Arenberg 2003 Shiraz “The Dead Arm”
  • “Le Tertre du Lys D’Or 2002 Sauterns

Certainly a delightful dozen.

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Friday, November 13, 2009

Cat In The Hat Wine Dinner Benefits Humane Society

A lively crowd enjoyed a tasty Italian feast accompanied by wine at Sebastiano’s Italian Restaurant on Monday, November 9, at the  Cat in the Hat benefit for the Toledo Area Humane Society.
Four wines were served with the dinner: Fat Cat Chardonnay, California; Little Black Dress Cabernet, California, House Wine Red, Washington; and Lunetta Prosecco, Italy. Wine was provided by Glazers distributors.

The Fat Cat was snappy, but wasn’t our favorite selection. The Little Black Dress Cab is a smooth and tasty selection. This wine is a crowd pleaser.

Also accompanying the delicious pasta entree was House Wine Red. This is from the Magnificent Wine Company in Washington that makes some terrific wine. Don’t be put off by the label, which looks like it was hand drawn. This is a complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Any wine that includes Malbec AND Cabernet Franc is a winner in my book. It is an opulent wine from the Columbia Valley with a taste of complexity and smokiness.

The final wine was Lunetta Prosecco from Italy. This wine  is produced in northern Italy’s Trentino region by Cavit.  It is a sparkling and fragrant with aromas of apple and peach. We had just sampled this and felt it wasn’t as crisp and dry as we liked when we made a pleasant discovery. It paired very nicely with the chocolate mousse dessert and countered some of the sweetness of the wine.

Adding to the enjoyment of the evening was entertainment by a youthful troupe that performed a number from the Cat in the Hat musical. Guests also were able to capture the memory of the evening through Photoboothlive. If you haven’t done this before, it goes beyond photography and is a fun activity in itself. Photo subjects pick props from a large assortment and then pose in front of the screen. After you click to take your pictures, they are displayed as a photo slide show and you can later order them online.

“Hats off” to the organizers of this enjoyable event.
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Thursday, November 12, 2009

Wine Affair at Levis Commons Nov. 20

One of the top wine events in the region is drSam Catchesidesawing near. The 18th annual Wine Affair fundraiser to benefit the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio will be held 6:30 p.m. Friday,  November 20 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons in Perrysburg. The event, titled “Through the Drinking Glass,” will be hosted by Chrys Peterson of WTOL-TV.

Austin Beeman of Walt Churchill’s Market in Maumee is overseeing the wine. He relates that there will be 13 tables full of wine to sample. Black tie is optional, but not expected.
The honorary chairman is Robert LaClair, President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank of Northwest Ohio. All of the proceeds will stay in northwest Ohio to help the Foundation empower patients to manage kidney disease through patient assistance programs.

Grazing stations will feature appetizers from top area restaurants including Kotobuki, LaScola Italian Grill, Mancy’s Bluewater Grille, Poco Piatti, Beirut, Byblos, The Melting Pot and Wixey Bakery. Silent and live auctions will also be part of the evening. Artist Robert Schira will paint and frame watercolors which will be sold during the auction. Musical entertainment will be provided by pianist Gayle McClellan.

Funds raised during the Wine Affair will help continue patient assistance programs such as dialysis transportation, temporary financial assistance with renal medications, proper renal nutrition, medical supplies as well as help during emergency situations.

Tickets are  $95. For tickets or more information call (419) 329-2353 or e-mail sevans@kfnwo.org.
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Photo by Sam Catchesides

Fishin’ For Wine at Bonefish Grill

A trip to Columbus for a presentation found my wife and I at the Bonefish Grill. We were staying in the Polaris area and originally stopped at Eddie Merlot’s. That restaurant had a packed parking lot and a wait of an hour – quite a surprise for a Thursday evening.

martin codax Seafood sounded good so we opted for the Bonefish Grill. The Bonefish Grill is an upscale seafood chain and did not disappoint.

Green Dragon ordered the Lobster Thermador Dorado, which has lobster and Mahi Mahi. I ordered the Norwegian Salmon with sautéed spinach  and gorgonzola cheese.

To go with my salmon I had the Brancott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This New Zealand wine is fruit forward and crisp – a classic example of a New Zealand Sauv Blanc. It is light gold in color with a citrus aroma and flavor of grapefruit. Although a good match for salmon, the sharpness of the gorgonzola almost overpowered this glass.

For my second glass, I tried the 2006 Merryvale Starmont Chardonnay. This Chardonnay is 50% oak aged and 50% stainless steel tank. This reduces the oaky flavor. The wine has flavor notes of pear and apple with a touch of spiciness. It has a nice round flavor and full finish.

Green Dragon enjoyed the Martin Codax Albarino from Spain. This white wine is food friendly and dry. It had flavors of apple, apricot and lemon. This wine was acceptable, but nothing special. On this night in a head-to-head comparison with the Brancott Sauvignon Blanc, it came up short. It lacked complexity and had no finish.

We finished our meal with a delicious chocolate crème brulee. Outstanding!
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Wine Gala Sumptuous Success

Wine, elegance and altruism blended beautifully at the 22nd Annual Mobile Meals of Toledo Wine Gala held Saturday, November 7, at the Stranahan Great Hall. Tastings were offered of 89 different wines, a su2009_1107winegala0012mptuous meal was served and awesome auctions entertained the crowd.

The charity, of course, is a most worthy one. Not only is this a sensational evening of wine and Mobile Meals home-delivered meal program is designed to enable the elderly, ill, disabled, homebound, the convalescing and all those who need assistance with diet and meal preparation to remain in their own homes and retain the dignity and independence they treasure. More than 600 clients are served daily and more than 500,000 meals are delivered annually.

To give you a flavor of the event, here is a list of each of the2009_1107winegala0006 distributors participating along with two of the wines they provided (most provided six):
  • 55 Degrees: Ormond Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot and La Fiorita Rosso Laurus, Montalcino.
  • Berman Wines: Hayman & Hill Interchange White and Genesis Syrah.
  • Bowling Green Beverage: Guntrum “Firewine” Kabinett and Schild Estate Shiraz.
  • Cutting Edge Selections: 2006 Foxen  Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, CA, and 2002 Eyrie Reserve Pinot , Willamette Valley, OR.
  • 2009_1107winegala0009    DJP Selections: 2005 Five Star Cellars “Stellar” Red Bordeaux Blend and 2006 DASH “Icicles” Riesling Ice Wine.
  • European Wine Imports: La Fleur Mondesir Bergerac Rose and 2005 Chateau 2009_1107winegala0014Vergnes-Beaulieu.
  • Glazers: Lost Angel Mischief and Volteo Tempranillo.
  • Heidelberg: Folie a deux Zinfandel and Napa Cellars Merlot.
  • Natural States Wines: Ledgewood Creek Three Clone Chardonnay and Willow Glen Port.
  • Solera: 2008 Kiona Riesling, WA, and 2006 Zaca Mesa Z Cuvee, CA.
  • Tramonte and Sons Inc.: Maryhill Win2009_1107winegala0007emaker’s Red Blend and Castillo de Monseran Garnacha.
  • Vanguard Wines: Joel Gott Relative Red Blend and Joel Gott Dillian Ranch Zinfandel.
  • Vintage Wines: Lucien Albrecht Pinot Blanc, Alsace, and Ravenswood Teldeschi Vineyard Zinfandel.
  • Wine Trends: Pillar Box Red and Valentin Bianchi Famiglia Malbec.
  • Wines LLC: 2007 Taft Street Winery Russian River Chardonnay, Sonoma, and 2008 Ascheri Moscato d’Asti, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy.
The dinner menu featured a one-half apricot glazed Cornish game 2009_1107winegala0011 hen with a sliced pork tenderloin served with a medley of sweet potatoes, butternut squash and onions. Table wine was 2008 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier and 2005 Heavyweight Red Cabernet Sauvignon.
The live auction included an eye-popping assortment of wines. One lot of “sensational Cabernet Sauvignons” included a 1975 Sonoma Vineyards Alexander’s Crown, a 1990 Sterling Vineyards Diamond Mount Ranch and 10 other prized bottles.
2009_1107winegala0015The pinnacle of the auction was the featured lot, which included three bottles: 2001 Chateau Latour, 2001 Chateau Lafite Rothschild and 2001 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. The wines, valued at $1,650, were donated by Bob Bennett and Holly Jensen.For those with somewhat
more modest budgets, there was a plethora of silent auction items.

Congratulations to Honorary Chair John Graham, General Chair Dr. Joanie Barrett, Executive Director Maureen Stevens, Associate Executive Director Carolyn Fox and all the volunteers, staff and sponsors who contributed to this outstanding success.



TOP PHOTO – Ryan Roos and Erika Heindorff enjoying the Gala.
BOTTOM PHOTO – Executive Director Maureen Stevens and the featured live auction wine lot.


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Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Vino 100 Wine Bar A Hot Spot

On Friday the tasting team from Toledo Wine and Vines paid a visit to the newly opened Vino 100 Wine Bar, located at 3355 Briarfield Blvd. Suite C, in Maumee. This is right next door to where the Vino 100 Wine Shop was formerly located.

Owners Diana Whitman and George Burk made a short move that has paid off handsomely. The attractive wine shop now serves as 2009_1107winegala0004 the foyer for the wine bar, which is located in back.

We weren’t sure what to expect. The wine bar was open for only two days prior to our visit. We walked in and found the place abuzz with activity.

The wine bar is tastefully decorated in muted colors and low lighting. There was a hip, sophisticated vibe with plenty of energy, but not too noisy to have a good conversation with friends. George and Diana were hustling back and forth to keep up with the hungry and thirsty visitors. According to Diana, the turnout on opening night was almost too much to handle. You could tell by her smile that dealing with success is a pleasant problem indeed.

My wife and I had eaten, but Glorious T and Spiderman had not, so they were ready to test the culinary “chops” of the interns from Owens Community College. The food menu is tapas style – an assortment of small dishes – just right to accompany your wine. We ordered a pesto and red pepper cheese dip plate while our companions ordered the Greek Salad and the scallop plate (which came with a small salad of greens).

For my first glass I chose the Wild Rush Chenin Blanc from South Africa. Chenin Blanc is the main grape in Vouvray wines from France, which Green Dragon and I really enjoy. While wines from Argentina and Chile have received much play, South African wines are hard to find in the Toledo area. This wine is a winner with a straw yellow color and crisp citrus palate.

Green Dragon selected the Tenuta Rapitala Piano Maltese Bianco, a white blend of Catarratto and Grillo grapes from Sicily. It had a elegant somewhat spicy taste.

The Stacato Malbec Cabernet blend was the selection for Glorious T and Spiderman. They liked it, but didn’t love it and perhaps would have enjoyed a richer Malbec. The good news is that with 30 wines by the glass on the menu, if you find one you don’t like, there’s always more to try.

Vina Borgia Grenache from Spain was the next glass for Green Dragon. She likes fruit forward wines and this suited her perfectly. Grenache is a grape that produces soft yet full bodied wines with deep notes of red berries. The wines aren’t particularly complex, but certainly are pleasing.

I wrapped up with the most expensive glass on the menu ($14), the Duckhorn Merlot. This Napa Valley Merlot has small quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon added. It has a wonderful bouquet of plum and raspberry. The finish  is long lingering and wonderful with a taste of graham cracker.

The Vino 100 Wine Bar is open until 10:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and until midnight Thursday through Saturday. This is a great destination for wine lovers and also those looking for a light bite in a different venue. The Vino 100 Wine Shop is also open in the same location to serve your wine needs.
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Monday, November 9, 2009

Turkey Trot Event Scheduled Nov. 14


The Wine Growers of the Grand River Valley (Geneva, Ohio, area) are offering a special progressive tasting event on November 14. Join them for an afternoon at Debonne Vineyards, Ferrante Winery, Grand River Cellars, Laurello Vineyards and St. Joseph Vineyard tasting fine wines pairchris willised with dishes from your Thanksgiving dinner.

The cost for the event is $5 at each winery and includes wine  samples, food pairings and recipes. The event is scheduled from noon to 5:00 p.m. No reservations are necessary. Here’s a list of what is planned at each winery:

* Debonné Vineyards - Pulled Turkey Sandwich
* Ferrante Winery & Ristorante - Cranberry Tart paired with Cabernet Franc Ice wine
* Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant – Stuffing
* Laurello Vineyards - Turkey pizza with ground turkey, leeks, roasted red peppers and feta cheese
* St. Joseph Vineyard - Pumpkin Cheesecake Tarts

Bring a canned food item into each winery and receive $1 off your ticket price. The donations will go to the local food banks. No reservations necessary. For more information call Debonne Vineyards at 800-424-WINE or e-mail  info@debonne.com.

Photo by Chris Willis