On The Road: Glorious T Visits Ferrante

During the recent Chocolate Lovers wine trail event in the Geneva area, tasting team member Glorious T was front and center, tasting wine, snapping pictures and overall having a great time with her husband. High on her list for this trip was Ferrante Winery. "The barbecue bean soup was so delicious'" she reported. "We love this place." The soup is made with a generous helping of wine.  The hearty, spicy Cabernet Franc was a favorite.

Garnering special attention during the visit was the Signature Series Pinot Grigio  Grand River Valley 2008. As reported here earlier, this wine was recently recognized with a "best of show" medal at last month's annual American Fine Wine Competition in Florida.

Glorious T is also a great photographer and she snapped this shot of the award winning wine -- decked out with more medals than Apolo Anton Ohno and Bode Miller. (Check out our in-depth feature on Ferrante.)

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Winegrowers of the Grand River Host 7th Annual Ice Wine Festival March 6 and 13

Fans of the rare and tasty treat ice wine can rejoice. The Winegrowers of the Grand River Valley are hosting the 7th Annual Ice Wine Festival from noon to 5 PM on Saturday, March 6 and Saturday, March 13.

The Winegrowers of the Grand River Valley include: Debonne Vineyards, Grand River Cellars, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, St. Joseph Vineyard, and Laurello Vineyards. Joining in this festive event is South River Vineyards. The wineries are in the Madison-Geneva area in Northeast Ohio.

Toledo Wines and Vines has recently visited each of these wineries during special wine trail events. If you haven't had a chance to visit them yet, this is a golden opportunity. We are fortunate that our region has the grapes, climate and winemaking know-how to produce the rare and delightfully sweet ice wine. 
 
The cost for the event is only $5 at each winery. This is ridiculously low considering that the grapes for ice wine must be harvested at just the right temperature (freezing!) and all at once -- making this an expensive wine.

Patrons will visit each of the participating wineries and sample their ice wine along with a complimentary appetizer. Many of the wineries will also have a featured event including ice carving, jewelry shows, dog sledding demonstrations and much more.

The cost of $5 per person at each winery includes wine samples, appetizer and special events. (To make it even more of a deal, bring in a canned food item and receive $1 off per person and help support the local food banks.) For more information, call 440-466-3485. Here's a peek at the appetizer menu and special events:
DEBONNE’ VINEYARDS: Almond Butter Cookies served with Dried Apricots -- Ice Carving at 1 p.m. -- Ice Wine Martini Bar (small additional fee) -- Winter Glow Progressive Dinner- each Friday evening. Call 440-466-3485 for more information on the dinner.

FERRANTE WINERY & RISTORANTE: Crostini made with Caramelized Onions, Gorgonzola Cheese, and our Ice Wine Fig Jam -- 1 p.m. Cooking Demonstration by Chef Nina of Ferrante Winery -- 3 p.m. Local Artist Carol Johnson creating Glass Art Grape Jewelry -- 4 Course dinner specials paired with wine in the restaurant that evening.

GRAND RIVER CELLARS WINERY & RESTAURANT: Warm Peach Cobbler -- Ice Carving at 1 p.m. -- Live painting by area artist Wendy Peskar -- Free Wine Jelly Samples by Gathering’s on March 6th -- Ice Wine Marshmallow Roast All Day (small additional fee) -- Winter Glow Progressive Dinner- each Friday evening. Call 440-298-9838 for more information.

LAURELLO VINEYARDS: Dessert Pizza with a Cream Cheese topped with Strawberries, Pineapple and Crumbled Bacon -- Featuring Beach Glass Jewelry -- Free Wine Jelly Samples by Gatherings on March 13th -- Candlelight wine cellar dinner in our newly renovated 100 year-old barn following the ice wine festival each weekend. Chef Justin Severino will be preparing a 5 course family style meal paired with wine. Menu and cost to be announced at http://www.laurellovineyards.com/.

SOUTH RIVER VINEYARDS: Free Ice Wine Glass to the First 2,000 attendees -- Winter Glow Progressive Dinner- each Friday evening.

ST. JOSEPH VINEYARDS: Pound Cake With a Maple Glaze -- Maple Syrup Demonstrations

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Photo by Dominic Rivard

C'mon Toledo, Liberate That Bottle: Open That Bottle Night is February 27

Somewhere in the recesses of your wine rack or refrigerator, there is a special bottle of wine, one that has been sequestered for just the perfect special occasion. As the years have gone by and the planets have failed to align, you've not made your first million in the stock market or been elected governor, that bottle has remain corked.

OTBN, Open That Bottle Night, was created to liberate just such a bottle. OTBN will be celebrated this year on Saturday, February 27. Open That Bottle Night was created by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, writers for the Wall Street Journal, in 2000. The goal is to provide the opportunity to open that bottle, be it white or red, expensive or not. OTBN is always the last Saturday of February and it is about time Toledo got on board.

OTBN can be celebrated simply or with a full fledged celebration, anywhere there is a unique bottle of wine. What really matters is the memories with the axiom being that wine is created to be enjoyed, not to remain bottled gathering dust.

In past years restaurants, wineries and wine shops have offered specials. How about it, Toledo? Vino 100, you've had quite a few special events lately, how about helping us celebrate OTBN? Aficionado and Walt Churchill's Market, you both have tastings on Saturday, can you offer a special? Andersons, Corks and Beer and Wine Cave, how about it? Helping with the celebration of this event deepens the appreciation of wine (and boosts sales as well).

A fun OTBN event can be easily assembled on your own simply by asking friends to bring a special bottle of wine for a gathering. For some added interest, try a blind tasting. This can be easily done by simply bagging the wine and having guests rate the unknown wines.

Greater Toledo (and all those out there in the blogosphere) raise a glass and celebrate Open That Bottle Night. Let's hear your comments and let us know what wines you're drinking.

Photo by Mike DelGaudio

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Michael-David 2006 Symphony

The name of the Symphony grape conjures up images of harmony, balance and tasteful enjoyment. You can add "elusive" to that list because wines made from this grape are darn hard to find. Until picking up this bottle of Michael-David Vineyards Symphony, I had only tasted one other Symphony wine, Ironstone's Obsession (you can read the review here).

The Ironstone wine is one of our favorite casual sippers, and so I've always been on the lookout for more Symphony. A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon the Michael-David wine amidst the closeouts at Andersons.

The Symphony grape was developed at UC-Davis and thrives in the Lodi AVA in California. It has a pleasing floral bouquet, golden color and a dollop of fruity sweetness (residual sugar of 3.13%). There are flavor notes of honey and orange blossom and a sweet, extended finish.

The winery is owned by brothers Michael and David Phillips. The Michael David Vineyards label includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Symphony, and Maley Vineyard Zinfandel. The winery also makes 7 Deadly Zins, Incognito and Earthquake.

The winery only has 2.5 acres of the grape, but Symphony has loyal followers (like me) so they continue the wine. Their Symphony plantings are some of the first of the variety in the state. It is also a strong white that is a good counterpoint to the winery's powerful reds.

We enjoy this wine and recommend it, but judge it a notch below the Ironstone Vineyards Obsession Symphony. This is mainly due to the unfettered sweetness. The Ironstone wine is about half as sweet (1.6% residual sugar) which allows savoring of the delicate floral flavors. This is a nice addition to the lineup of Symphony wines which is, unfortunately, miniscule compared to the aisle after aisle of Chardonnay.

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Ohio Winery Visit: The Winery at Spring Hill

Toledo Wines and Vines paid two visits to The Winery at Spring Hill, once in December and the second earlier this month during the Chocolate Lovers wine trail event by tasting team members Spider Man and Glorious T. Based on the great blend of great wine, friendly people and excellent tasting room and grounds, you can bet we'll be returning again in the near future to this Geneva, Ohio, establishment. This is a new winery that does everything right.

The first impression of the winery is "first class." The bar is impressive with granite counters and a spectacular display of wines. The main seating area can handle large groups -- and often does, especially during the weekend entertainment. The furnishings, lighting, seating and flooring is all top flight. The comfortable sofa and seating near the fireplace is especially welcoming during the cold winter weather.

The slogan for the winery is "Our heritage is fruit, our legacy fine wine." For many years the farms grew fruit before branching into winemaking. The winery still offers fruit wine as a link to the past, but our tasting team was most interested in the Spring Hill Premium Wine Collection, which included Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin, Merlot, Riesling, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

During their recent visit, Spiderman and Glorious T were impressed, "The winery is an older farmhouse with contemporary touches and great ambiance and hospitality." Their tasting included Cahmbourcin, Merlot, Riesling and Vidal Blanc.

The Chambourcin exhibits a bright ruby/violet color. It is dry and fruity with a cranberry finish. The Chambourcin grape is really a regional treasure that grows very well in the Geneva area. The Riesling was of the sweeter variety and most of our tasting team prefers the dry version. However, the Vidal Blanc was a winner during both TWAV visits. Glorious T said the Vidal has a fruity aroma, citrus flavor notes and a nice finish.

In addition to the excellent wines, Spring Hill also has a nice menu of appetizers and a bakery, which whips up some nice desserts including a wine cake and Merlot brownie.

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Wine Tastings & Events: Week of Feb. 22, 2010

Image of 9 Mile Road via Snooth

Monday, February 22
Vino 100 Shop and Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Noon to 10 PM. Flights & Bites: Choose four Lucky 7 wines to taste. Selections include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Merlot, Carmenare, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon. $15 includes a plate with marcona almonds, cheese, bread, and marinated olives. Available all day.

Wednesday, February 24
Anderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Closeouts. Robert Mondavi Solaire Chardonnay, Davis Bynum Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Rosenblum Syrah, Rosenblum Black Muscat . Nominal fee.

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

Vino 100 Shop and Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Noon to 10 PM. Flights & Bites: Choose four Lucky 7 wines to taste. Selections include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Merlot, Carmenare, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon. $15 includes a plate with marcona almonds, cheese, bread, and marinated olives. Special Guest: Sid Patel, owner and winemaker for Lucky 7 wines, just being launched in Ohio.

Thursday, February 25
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting.  5-7 PM. Closeout Pink Wines (Rose’ Wines). 1. Mas Belles Eaux – Languedoc, France – Rose', 2. Montes Cherub – Colchagua Valley, Chile – Rose’ of Syrah, 3. E. Guigal – Cotes du Rhone, France – Rose’, 4. Green Valley Cellars – California – Merlot Blanc {White Merlot}. Pay by the sample or $3.50 for flight. 

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting, 6-8 PM. Its Written in the Script. (All wine labels selected are in cursive script.). 1. Annabella Chardonnay, Napa. 2. Alexandria Nicole Viognier, Washington. 3. Daniel Bocquenet Nuit Saint-George Red Burgundy. 4. King Estate Pinot Noir, Oregon. 5. Parducci Cabernet, Mendocino. 6. Petalos Mencia, Bierzo, Spain. 7. Girard Artistry, Napa. 8. Fess Parker Riesling, Santa Barbara. Nominal fee per sample.

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

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  A Clockwork… Grape? Exactly what role does the winemaker play? How far will he or she go to manipulate and control the grapes and/or harvested juice? Examine wines that have been tampered and meddled with in order to create a more complete product. Now, which movie to watch? Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Manhattan’s Restaurant, 1516 Adams Street, Toledo. Wine Tasting with Uptown Vineyard. 6:30 PM. $15. Five wines and appetizers. In Union Square room. All new wines, including a Torrentes, Muller-Thurgau and a Carmenere. Reservations required. E-mail info@uptownvineyard.com or call (866) 276-1984.

Vino 100 Shop and Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Noon to 10 PM. Flights & Bites: Choose four Lucky 7 wines to taste. Selections include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Merlot, Carmenare, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon. $15 includes a plate with marcona almonds, cheese, bread, and marinated olives. Available all day. Live music scheduled 7:30 to 10:30 PM. Jeremy Jones will be playing the acoustic guitar.


Friday, February 26 
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Cabernet Sauvignon: 1. Canyon’s Edge Cabernet Sauvignon, 2. 9 Mile Road Cabernet Sauvignon, 3. The Guardian Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. 1865 Cabernet Sauvignon. $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  A Clockwork… Grape? Exactly what role does the winemaker play? How far will he or she go to manipulate and control the grapes and/or harvested juice? Examine wines that have been tampered and meddled with in order to create a more complete product. Now, which movie to watch? Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Vino 100 Shop and Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Noon to 10 PM. Flights & Bites: Choose four Lucky 7 wines to taste. Selections include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Merlot, Carmenare, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon. $15 includes a plate with marcona almonds, cheese, bread, and marinated olives. Available all day.

Saturday, February 27
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Cabernet Sauvignon: 1. Canyon’s Edge Cabernet Sauvignon, 2. 9 Mile Road Cabernet Sauvignon, 3. The Guardian Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. 1865 Cabernet Sauvignon. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 1-3 PM. We finally got these back in stock! 1. Paso a Paso, 2008, Verdejo, Spain. 2. Baciami, 2009, Albana Di Romagna. 3. Adesso 2009, Cagnina Di Romagna . 4.
Canaletto, 2006, Pinot Noir, Italy. Nominal fee per sample or $2.50 per flight..

Vino 100 Shop and Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Noon to 10 PM. Flights & Bites: Choose four Lucky 7 wines to taste. Selections include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Merlot, Carmenare, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon. $15 includes a plate with marcona almonds, cheese, bread, and marinated olives. Available all day.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Vintage of the Century Tasting. 2007 Chateauneuf-de-Papes and other Rhones. Premium tasting (higher cost will apply). 

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

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