2006 Monte Antico Super Tuscan

This bottle was picked up as an afterthought at Aficionado. I was scoring a last minute Christmas gift for my wife (a "wine chick" shirt) when I noticed the wine on the display usually reserved for specials. Owner Steve Parks let me know if was a great bargain. He termed it a "baby Tuscan." I'm grateful for the tip.

The Super Tuscans are some of the most prized wines from Italy, blending Cabernet and Merlot with the traditional grapes of Italy to produce some amazing blends. The "baby" refers only to the price, a very reasonable $12, because the taste is truly super.

This was named as one of Wine Spectator's top 100 wines of 2009 and is an outrageously good value.The wine is 75 percent Sangiovese, 15 percent Merlot and 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. It is made from old vines -- 25-year-old minimum.

The year of 2006 was superb for Sangiovese and it shines through in this wine. We decanted this bottle and it was quite a contrast to the supple McManis Merlot we enjoyed just before. The Monte Antico has plum flavor notes in addition to berries. It also has smokiness and a nice tannic backbone. It's a nice wine to experience as it has several layers that unfold as you continue to enjoy the wine.

This is a truly the "full Monte."

(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.)

"Chocolate Is For Lovers" Wine Trail Event Planned

Celebrate Valentine's Day with wineries of the Vines and Wines Trail (Northeast Ohio) during the special Chocolate is for Lovers wine trail event. This is a self driving tour. You have two weekends (Friday and  Saturday, noon to 6:00 p.m.) to visit each of the participating wineries on the trail. Dates are February 5, 6 and 12 and 13.

At a designated winery, you will pick up a heart shaped candy dish and a Schott Zwiesel crystal wine glass. As you travel the trail, you will receive one or two samples of wine and an appetizer (per person), along with a chocolate candy to fill your candy dish. The cost is $45 per couple and $35 per single. For additional details, go to the Ohio Wines Web site or call (800) 227-6972.

Tickets are limited and going fast, so hurry. The last event (Tannenbaum Trail) was a sell out. So to be sure you aren't left out, get your tickets as soon as possible.

Participating wineries include: Biscotti's Family Winery, Conneaut, (440) 599-5555; Buccia Vineyards, Conneaut, (440) 593-5976; Debonne Vineyards, Madison, (440) 466-3485; Emerine Estates, Jefferson, 4(440) 293-8199; Ferrante Winery, Geneva, (440) 466-8466; Grand River Cellars, Madison, (440) 298-9838; Laurello Vineyards, Geneva, (440) 415-0661; Maple Ridge Vineyards, Madison, (440) 298-3290;
Old Firehouse Winery, Geneva-on-the-Lake, (440) 466-9300; The Barrel Room Winery, Wickliffe, (440) 943-2660; The Winery at Spring Hill, Geneva, (440) 466-7480; Virant Family Winery, Geneva, (440) 466-6279.

Photo by Steve Ryan

2006 Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

During a recent tasting we capped off the evening with the rich and elegant 2006 Moon Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a favorite of Spiderman (the "nom du vin" of a tasting team member) and it's easy to see why.

This Sonoma wine has an expansive taste of black cherry with a dash of chocolate and spice. The tannins provide a nice foundation, but do not intrude into the smooth and velvety mouthfeel. This has a rewarding, lingering finish.

The Moon Mountain Vineyard, a small scenic winery, is located high on the Sonoma Valley side of Mount Veeder, at nearly the 2,000-foot elevation. The steep, southern-facing slopes consist of soils derived from rock, volcanic ash and lava. These soils, combined with the mountainside location, push the vines to work harder, resulting in small, intensely flavored fruit.

All of its environmental conditions from sun exposure, soils and slope to wind and rainfall are considered to be nearly optimal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon and the other Bordeaux varietals that have been grown here since the late 1800s. The grapes are organically grown.

This classy Cabernet would pair well with a nice grilled steak. It's a great buy (at about $13) and a sure crowd pleaser.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries Schedule Ice Wine and Jazz Weekends

Image via Wikipedia

 A hot line up of events to celebrate the Canadian icon that is icewine and world famous Canadian jazz musicians are planned during the rest of
January at the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake and in the town’s Heritage District shops, boutiques and restaurants.

While the array of daily icewine and jazz themed events at the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake are
impressive it is the weekends that are bringing special heat and excitement.

Upcoming highlights include:

January 23-24 – During the Icewine & Cuisine weekend ice sculptures will fill the main street and restaurants will feature icewine samples combined with Icewine inspired dishes. There will be icewine tasting seminars available during the day and in the evening the street will come alive with jazz and an icewine cocktail competition featuring local bartenders and sommeliers.

January 30/31-- Visitors can stroll throughout the town’s heritage district, visiting the many unique shops and enjoying jazz along the way. Attending an icewine tasting seminar at the courthouse is also a fantastic way to learn about and enjoy the many varieties of Icewines available.

Full details about these special weekends and a complete listing of all wineries and restaurants events and prices are available at: www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/icejazzjanuary.html.

The Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake is a group comprised of 22 distinctive wineries located in one unforgettable place nestled below the Niagara Escarpment amidst a landscape of vineyards and orchards.
The 22 wineries are: Cattail Creek, Château des Charmes, Coyote's Run, Hillebrand, Inniskillin, Jackson-
Triggs, Joseph's, Konzelmann, Lailey, Maleta, Marynissen, Niagara College, Palatine, Peller, Pillitteri,
Ravine, Reif, Southbrook, Stonechurch, Stratus, Strewn, Sunnybrook Farm. More information about each of the wineries can be found at http://www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/.

Vintner's Dinners Scheduled at Maize Valley Winery

Image by ulterior epicure via Flickr

New wines, new food, new friends

Maize Valley Winery in Hartsville is introducing a new event for 2010, the Vintner's Dinner series. These monthly dinners on the third Thursday of every month will feature delicious, locally grown foods prepared in the kitchens of Maize Valley.

Each course will be accompanied by a wine flight pairing (2-3 ounces) of a Maize Valley Wine that has been carefully selected to compliment and enhance the food with which it is paired. Maize Valley Winery located in Hartville invites you to join them on Thursday, January 21,  for their first monthly Vintner's Dinner. The complete menu for this 5 course meal is available at http://www.maizevalleywinery.com/vintnersdinnermenu.htm. Winemaker Todd Vaughan will be on hand to explain a little more about the winemaking process, as well as why and how he chose the wines to go with the evenings meal.


The cost for this first dinner will be $35 per person including tax and gratuity. Advance payment is required with your reservation and can be made by calling 330-877-8344. This event will be limited to 40 guests.

This is your opportunity to learn a little more about the winemaking process, to taste and explore new wines and learn how they complement and enhance the foods they are paired with, and a chance to make new friends.

Wine Tastings & Events: Week of Jan. 18, 2010

Wednesday, January 20
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. Italian wines. 6-8 PM, $15.

Thursday, January 21
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting.  5-7 PM. Pay per flight or pay by the sample.

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

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

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Call in the Reserves. Ever wonder what it means when ’Reserve’ is scribbled on a wine label? Does it mean anything at all? Stop  in and find out. Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Friday, January 22
* Special Event * Wine by the Glass Winemakers Series, Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 2445 Monroe St., 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Montaribodi, Piedmont, Italy. Enjoy four wines, light snacks and a view of glassmakers working in the Hot Shop. Cost is $15 for museum members and $20 for non-members.

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Italian Wines. 1. Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco, 2. Allegrini Valpolicella, 3. La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abbruzzo, 4. Bricco Riella Moscato d’Asti. $10 tasting.


Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Call in the Reserves. Ever wonder what it means when ’Reserve’ is scribbled on a wine label? Does it mean anything at all? Stop  in and find out. Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Saturday, January 23
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Italian Wines. 1. Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco, 2. Allegrini Valpolicella, 3. La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abbruzzo, 4. Bricco Riella Moscato d’Asti. $10 tasting.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Re-examining Australian Wines. Pay by the flight or the sample.

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]

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Wine Auction Offers Help For Haiti.

The earthquake in Haiti is a tragedy of staggering proportions. The disaster is eliciting help from all quarters -- including wine lovers. The online wine magazine PalatePress.com is partnering with Brother, can you spare a bottle? to create a wine auction from wines that you donate from your cellar, with proceeds going to the American Red Cross.

This is a great opportunity to take a special bottle and make a positive impact for the most needy country in the Western hemisphere. Palate Press had originally planned to cover the costs of shipping and handling to the auction winners but was soon swamped by responses. Instead, Palate Press will now contribute to the American Red Cross an amount equal to the shipping cost if the donor handles the shipping.Check out the details at http://palatepress.com/2010/01/haiti/.

Some superb bottles have been contributed and the bidding will take place on the Palate Press site. Please spread the word on this effort.

Photo courtesy United Nations DevelopmentProgramme