Finger Lakes Winter Wine Weekends Extended to April 30

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Winter Wine Weekends in Finger Lakes wine country are now extended through April 30. Demand for these packages has been strong, so most of the 27 participating accommodations are extending their valid dates from March 21 another 5 weeks until the end of April.

Participating lodging properties are offering "stay two nights, get the third night free." To make this promotion even more valuable you will receive a free bottle of a select Finger Lakes wine, and a free exclusive Palate Passport which offers free wine tastings, free museum visits, and other cool free stuff.

Did I mention, "free?"

Pittsburgh Pick of Reds: Padthaway Parson's Flat Cabernet Shiraz

Our good friends Russ and Eileen live in the Pittsburgh area and accompanied us on a trip to the Finger Lakes two years ago. They both enjoy a glass of good wine and sent this dispatch from PA...

"Eileen and I found a super wine recently and I wanted to pass along the recommendation. It's a red wine -- Padthaway Parson's Flat Cabernet Shiraz from Australia. We tried a 2005 vintage. We found it at a local state store on sale for about $20 but, alas, none to be found when we were out yesterday. I looked it up on line and it lists for about $36, so we got a good deal. If you ever find it, I think you'd like it. I don't know that I'd pay $36 for it but it's an excellent $20 wine. Keep an eye out for it on sale."


This Aussie wine is produced from 6- to 12-year-old vines and is a blend of 70 percent Shiraz and 30 percent Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American oak. It's a full bodied red with dark, delicious espresso and blackberries.


"Two other fun red wines that are great for everyday sipping are both California Reds -- one is Big House Red and the other is Red Truck," says Russ. "They're inexpensive, less than $10 per bottle but they're both quite good and I think you'd like them, too."

"We managed to get in some snowshoeing this winter with all of the many many snowstorms. My snow blower was a true lifesaver."

Time to pack away the trusty snow blower and hit the wine trail! Thanks for the report.

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Finger Lakes Wine Country Launches iPhone Travel App

The Finger Lakes Wine Country travel marketing group, in partnership with Discovery Anywhere Mobile, has announced the launch of a free travel application (app) for mobile devices. The travel app allows users to have information on wineries, attractions, restaurants, accommodations, and events in Finger Lakes Wine Country while also sharing their trip on social media. The app is one of the first in the travel industry to incorporate Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, into the trip sharing process.

The Finger Lakes Wine Country app places the user in driver seat to plan the perfect Wine Country getaway. To plan a wine country trip on-the-fly or in advance, the app’s interactive, location-aware capability features hundreds of continually updated listings. One user shared his thoughts: “Really slick app for exploring the possibilities of a FLX getaway. Love the AR feature – shows me what lies in store no matter which direction I’m headed. Great interface – smooth and simple with lots of info.”

The user can plan an escape to indulge in wine tours, peaceful views and unique experiences by searching through hundreds of activity listings. The user can read, write and share reviews for hundreds of accommodations, restaurants, wineries, and events. See what’s nearby with location-aware listings. Call accommodation providers, wineries, and restaurants with a single (iPhone) tap. The user can share experiences while on the go and read others’ reviews with live Twitter updates. With the live interactive map the user can drive off the beaten path and discover hidden treasures. With this app, the options are endless and the opportunities are great for the user to build an on-the-fly Wine Country getaway that will fit every personality.

To download the app visit the Apple Store on your iPhone or at http://www.apple.com/ and search “Finger Lakes.” The Finger Lakes Wine Country app is free to download. Applications for Blackberry and other mobile devices are coming soon.

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Clos LaChance Wines Are For The Birds

I joined WineChatr a few months ago and it has enabled me to connect with bloggers and wineries across the country. I've had the good fortune to connect with Clos LaChance Winery, a San Martin, California winery.  They produce estate-based wines from their 150-acre vineyard property that showcase the diversity of Northern Central Coast varietals.

They produce wines under three categories, a Special Selections Series of limited production of bottlings from exceptional sites, the Estate Series and the one that caught my attention, the Hummingbird Series. This is their line of affordable wines and each is named after a species of hummingbird that demonstrate similar characteristics of each wine varietal.

In addition to loving wine, I dabble in birdwatching, so this was a nice discovery. The hummingbird is one of the most fascinating birds to watch and normally found amidst blossoms and warm weather -- which is a good thought as we trudge through the end of winter here in Ohio.

Naming the wines after hummingbirds has resulted in some very original monikers, such as Buff-Bellied Zinfandel, Ruby-Throated Cabernet Sauvignon and Glittering-Throated Emerald Chardonnay. To get some background on their colorful line of wines, I contacted Clos LaChance marketing manager Melanie Gameng.

"The Hummingbird Series wines are named after different types of hummingbirds," she said. "Year to year we have a Meritage that incoroprates an endangered Hummingbird species and this year it's the Colorful Puffleg. Twenty percent of the proceeds goes towards help saving the bird."
 
She explained that co-owner Brenda Murphy loves hummingbirds. Hummingbirds also keep grape eating birds away from vineyards in which they are very territorial. The winery has incorporated the hummingbird theme in their wines since the early 90's.

Clos LaChance has an online store, so a Colorful Puffleg could be winging your way soon!

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Wine Tastings & Events: Week of March 15, 2010

Tuesday, March 16

Vino 100 Shop and Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Fisher Vineyards Tasting: 6:30 to 9:00 PM. Please join Vino 100 in Welcoming Cameron Fisher from Fisher Vineyards as we taste through five terrific wines. Here is what we will be tasting: 2006 Mountain Estate Chardonnay, 2005 Cameron, 2006 Mountain Estate Cabernet, -2007 Unity, 2005 Coach Insignia. We will be pairing wines with recipes taken directly off the  http://www.fishervineyards.com/ website. Tasting is from 6:30-9:00 pm. Cost is $40. RSVP

Wednesday, March 17
Anderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. This week Jeff Stroud, wine representative from Natural State Wines, will be joining us with four selections from his outstanding portfolio. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Jeff (and ask him every question you can possibly think of!) Nominal fee.

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

Thursday, March 18

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting.  5-7 PM. Late arriving close-outs, wine manager picks. 1. Montemaro Pinot Grigio, 2. Hawley Chardonnay, 3. Pegovino Grenache/Syrah Blend, 4. Kruger Rumpf Spatlese Riesling. Nominal fee per sample or $6 per flight.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting, 6-8 PM. How much does price matter? Same winery, same grape variety – does the more expensive wine taste better? 1. Beringer Founders’ Estate Chardonnay, 2. Beringer Napa Chardonnay, 3. Four Vines Zinfandel, 4. Four Vines Biker Zinfandel, 5. Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet, 6. Mondavi Napa Cabernet, 7. Badia a Coltibuono Clianti Classico, 8. Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva. Nominal fee per sample.

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

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  2005: A Grape Odyssey. 2005 was a great vintage for nearly every wine region on the planet. Let’s open the pod bay doors and see exactly where these wines are on their voyage. Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Friday, March 19 
* Special Event * Wine by the Glass Pavilion Winemakers Series, Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 2445 Monroe St., 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Cab versus Merlot. 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. Spanish Reds: 1. Vina Borgia Garnacha, 2. Milcampos Tempranillo, 3. Wrongo Dongo Monastrell, 4. Can Blau. $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  2005: A Grape Odyssey. 2005 was a great vintage for nearly every wine region on the planet. Let’s open the pod bay doors and see exactly where these wines are on their voyage. Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Saturday, March 20
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Spanish Reds: 1. Vina Borgia Garnacha, 2. Milcampos Tempranillo, 3. Wrongo Dongo Monastrell, 4. Can Blau. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 1-3 PM. Closeouts. 1. Huntington Sauvignon Blanc, 2.  Solaris Cabernet Sauvignon, 3. Strub 2002 N.O. Riesling Kabinet, 4.  Tractor Shed Red Closeout. Nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Six Reasons to Love Riesling. Pay by the sample or flight. 

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

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Three Sisters Project Connects Three NY Wine Regions

Three of New York's premiere wine growing regions have joined forces to give wine lovers a chance to sample "great grape" they might normally miss.  The Three Sisters Project is a mutual sampling program conceived by Carlo DeVito and David Jackson of the Hudson-Chatham Winery.

This program not only highlights two of our favorite Finger Lakes wineries, but is a model that could be played with for use in other wine growing regions. Aside from that -- it's fun!

The "sisters" refers to three wine regions -- the Hudson Valley, Long Island and the Finger Lakes. Two wineries in each region will sample and sell wines from the other regions along with their own products. The event is kicks off on Saturday, April 3, and runs through May 2.

The participating wineries are:

• Hudson Valley: Hudson-Chatham and Benmarl.
• Long Island: Lieb Cellars and Macari Vineyards.
• Finger Lakes: Anthony Road Wine Co. and Fox Run.

These three regions all share something in common – water. The three great wine growing regions of the program are all near a body of water. The Finger Lakes region is near the great clear water lakes that were gouged into the state’s land mass by the glaciers dating back to the Ice Age. Much of the North Fork of Long Island faces the Atlantic Ocean, while the North Shore is buffeted by Long Island Sound and the New England states which are just across that body of water. And the Hudson Valley follows the great and mighty Hudson River, first explored by Henry Hudson and his men more than 400 years ago, that stretches from north of the state capital in Albany, all the way down past Manhattan into New York Harbor.

These three bodies of water create very specific micro-climates that help form some of the best grape-growing and winemaking regions on the east coast. Set among the rolling hills of the Hudson Valley and the Finger Lakes, and the slow, sloping land of the North Fork of Long Isalnd, these vineyards and wineries are among the best wineries in the state, and are dedicated to making quality wine.

Wines from these regions have been celebrated in major press all across the country, including The Wine Spectator, The Wine Enthusiast, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and many, many more. And they have won recognition of critics and peers alike from judges in compeitions from the east to the west coast, as well as internationally.

The cross-sampling and sales will happen as follows:

HUDSON VALLEY: Benmarl Winery -- wines from  Anthony Road and Macari Vineyards; Hudson-Chatham Winery -- wines from Fox Run and Lieb Cellars.

FINGER LAKES: Anthony Road -- wines from Benmarl Winery  and Lieb Cellars; Fox Run Vineyards -- wines from Hudson-Chatham Winery and Macari Vineyards.

NORTH FORK OF LONG ISLAND: Lieb Family Cellars -- wines from Anthony Road and Hudson-Chatham Winery; Macari Vineyards -- wines from Benmarl WInery and Fox Run Vineyards.

The goals of The Three Sisters Project are to help increase overall consumer awareness of the great local and quality wines being made in New York State, and to give wine buyers a chance to sample some of the great local wines from around the state.

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