Friday, April 30, 2010

Charmed & Cherished Wine Tasting at Navy Bistro on May 6

dave wharton Helen of Troy may have had the face that launched a thousand ships, but the Charmed & Cherished wine tasting is the event that launched hundreds of my blog postings.

The Charmed & Cherished wine tasting event will take place 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, May 6, at Cousino’s Navy Bistro at the Docks in Toledo. Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple. A $100 ticket is available per couple for Reserve Tasting. Tickets are available at the Navy Bistro or Ahava Spa (34 S. St. Clair St) or at the door. Additional information is available by calling (419) 241-5877.

This fabulous event benefits Cherished Friends of Ahava and its special guests. Through the program, more than 400 men and women undergoing cancer treatment have enjoyed a day of pampering and relaxation at the Ahava Spa and Wellness Center at no charge.

This is one of the favorite events of Toledo Wines and Vines. Last year, before the TWAV blog began, my wife and I and another couple (Spiderman and Glorious T) attended the event. We had a blast. The event had the right mix of wine, food, setting and commotion and it blended into a great night. It’s just this sort of event that inspired us to launch Toledo Wines and Vines so that everyone could know about and enjoy evenings like this.

This event “flies under the radar” compared to the more publicized wine galas. That’s all the more reason to check it out.
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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Wineries of Leelanau Peninsula Schedule Spring Sip and Savor

The wineries of Leelanu Peninsula (Traverse City, Michigan) are offering up Spring Sip & Savor on May 1 and 2 to provide seasoned wine trail guests or first time visitors with a memorable experience that will allow themyou to celebrate spring, indulge your senses and learn more about Leelanau Peninsula wines.

Visit up to eight wineries on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and up to eight on Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM.

Tickets are $30 and include wine and food pairings at each winery, a limited edition LPVA glass coffee cup and a $10 gift certificate, that can be used at any LPVA winery.

For additional information, visit www.lpwines.com/spring/
Photo by Jeff Kubina

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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Wine Tastings & Events: Week of April 26, 2010



Wednesday, April 28
Anderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
059216-yellow-road-sign-icon-food-beverage-food-grapes
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. Middle Sisters Wines. $15.

Vino 100 Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Opens at 4:00 PM. Flights and Bites. Four Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa Valley. Cost is $20, served with marinated olives, bread, cheese, and Marcona Almonds.

Thursday, April 29
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting.  5-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting, 6-8 PM. “What Is Cote du Rhone?” We present several different examples from the fabulous 2007 vintage of Cote du Rhone. These wines are the everyday reds from the Southern Rhone and some of the most food friendly food versatile wines in the world. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. Middle Sister Wines. $15.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Great Whites Pt. 2: the Revenge! So many sequels are obligatory and uninspired: this one is 100% REQUIRED! Wake up taste buds, spring is here and back with a vengeance. Welcome her with wines both refreshingly refined and classically complex. Too scared to go in the water? We'll have a couple of reds open for you at the concession stand. $1 to $3 per sample.

Vino 100 Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Opens at 4:00 PM. Flights and Bites. Four Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa Valley. Cost is $20, served with marinated olives, bread, cheese, and Marcona Almonds. Live music scheduled by Mitch Cahl.  7:30 to 10:30 PM.

Friday, April 30
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Red Blends: 1.Langhorne Crossing, 2. Rocca Della Macie "SaSyr," 3. X Winery "Red X," 4.Branham "Jazz." $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Great Whites Pt. 2: the Revenge! So many sequels are obligatory and uninspired: this one is 100% REQUIRED! Wake up taste buds, spring is here and back with a vengeance. Welcome her with wines both refreshingly refined and classically complex. Too scared to go in the water? We'll have a couple of reds open for you at the concession stand. $1 to $3 per sample.


Vino 100 Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Opens at 4:00 PM. Flights and Bites. Four Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa Valley. Cost is $20, served with marinated olives, bread, cheese, and Marcona Almonds.




Saturday, May 1
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Red Blends: 1. Langhorne Crossing, 2. Rocca Della Macie "SaSyr," 3. X Winery "Red X," 4.Branham "Jazz." $10 tasting. 

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 12-3 PM. Nominal fee.  

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Pay by the sample or flight ($10 to $15 for flight). 

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Breitenbach Wine Cellars Hosts Dandelion Festival April 30 - May 1

Silly me. All these years I have been trying to keep dandelions out of my yard. In Ohio's Amish country they are baking them, making wine from them and, in fact, celebrating them with a very special festival.

BreitenbachWine Cellars, 5934 Old Route 39 NW, Dover, Ohio, (330) 343-3603, will hold its annual Dandelion Festival Friday April 30 from noon-7:00 PM and Saturday May 1 from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. This festival provides fun and many activities for the entire family. Dandelion wine sampling, cellar tours and live entertainment are scheduled for both days.


On May 1 at noon, children can enjoy the dandelion picking contest and making their own dandelion jelly. (Meet in front of the purple barn. This year you will be able to make your own dandelion pizzas. Dandelion sausage, dandelion bread, dandelion gravy, dandelion lasagna, dandelion ice cream and dandelion sangria will be available both Friday and Saturday.

The 17th Annual Great Dandelion Cookoff will be held Saturday, May 1 at 2:00 PM. This annual event
will be a major part of the festivities. Creative dandelion dishes provide tasty samplings while participants compete for cash awards. For those who big appetites for dandelion's, the Great Dandelion Cookbook is available through the winery.

Dandelions are great in food, they are fun to pick and they can beautify your life. A juried dandelion arts and craft show will feature beautiful handmade jewelry, oil and watercolor paintings, candles, hand-made soaps (including dandelion soap), books about dandelions and much more. Also, you can learn about cooking with dandelions and the healthful benefits of dandelions.

Greg Chek will be preparing Dandelion Pizza at 10:30 in the purple barn. Ruth Hale from "April Showers Greenhouse" will lecture on the healthful benefits at 11:30. At 12:30 Cheryl Cohen from Taste of Home Cooking School will have cooking demonstartions. She will be preparing "Dandelion Crescent Pie" and "Blueberry Medley Salad with Dandelion Greens". All of the food in the demonstrations will be available for sampling.

In the Dandelion May Run, runners compete for cash prizes. The course is 3.5 miles through beautiful, hilly Amish Country. Registration for the run begins at 7:30 AM on May 1. Be sure to stay afterward and enjoy the festival.

Entertainment is scheduled from noon to 7:00 PM on Friday and from 11 AM to 7 PM on Saturday.

Photo by Jenny Downing

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Monday, April 26, 2010

It's Beer Versus Wine at Throwdown 419 at Mancy's Italian on April 29

A beer versus wine tasting is scheduled for Mancy's Italian Grill at 6:00 PM on Thursday. April 29. Five beers from Goose Island Brewery, Chicago, will square off in a delicious competition with five wines from Eric Ross Wines of Sonoma.

The cost is $30 for the beverages plus four artisan cheeses and a chocolate. For reservations call (419) 882-9229.

This is certain to be a great evening.
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Saturday, April 24, 2010

Ampelos Biodynamic Wines Are Naturally Good

 
Rebecca and Peter Work met when they were both executives atampelos_pinot_lambda_label06 Price-Waterhouse. A last minute cancellation of a meeting that Peter was supposed to attend at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, was enough to make them re-evaluate their priorities, trade their Mercedes in for a tractor, and try their hands at creating their passion: wine made from organic processes that they would enjoy drinking and sharing with others. The elegant wines of Ampelos Cellars demonstrate that they have succeeded in spades.

Toledo Wines and Vines tasting team members Stephanie and Patrick Wise (a.k.a Wine Chick and Patrick-No-Nickname-Yet) attended a recent VIP wine tasting at the Glass Pavilion of the Toledo Museum of Art. Adam Mahler from Ampelography coordinated the event and invited special guest Rebecca Work, owner of Ampelos Cellars in Lompoc, California, in the Santa Rita Hills south of Santa Barbara (“Ampelos” is the Greek word for vine). Rebecca and her husband, Peter, have a remarkable story about how they came to be winemakers and what it takes to run a business almost completely by hand, beginning with the fateful cancelled meeting.

The Works have always been an environmentally friendly couple. It was important to them to incorporate as much of their philosophy of “living green” into their business. They researched and consulted with experts in growing organic and planted their first vines in 2002. By 2003 they had their first harvest. Soon, they sought certification as an organic farm, and later became certified in biodynamic and sustainability, becoming one of the first if not the only vineyard in the United States to have all three certifications.

ampleosBiodynamic practices use the natural phases of the earth’s cycle to create crops that are hearty, flavorful, and able to withstand the elements. Organic processes use no synthetic products in the growing of crops. Thus, if you are using biodynamic processes, you are also organic by default. Finally, sustainability pertains to both farming and human resource practices, looking at the vineyard as a whole and how it can maintain viability as a business.

Peter and Rebecca are extremely “hands on” in that very little, if any, machinery ever touches their vines or grapes. They hand pick, prune and press their grapes. They use ladybugs to ward off other insects. They use cork instead of twist tops, as the trees that harvest the cork are protected as long as they are used for that purpose. With so many wineries changing to twist tops, these forests are actually in danger of becoming unprotected, thus vulnerable to the deforestation similar to the rain forests.

The care and love they give to their craft shows in the wines they create. Mostly reds (they only make what they like), their wines are excellent for both dinner and sipping. We were able to sample four of their “signature” wines:

“Lambda” Pinot Noir 2006 is their largest production. This wine was very smooth, full bodied and well balanced. In our opinion, this wine represents what their vineyard represents: heartiness, consistency, and vibrancy. It is complex yet simple: you can taste the flavors without the need for a sophisticated palate. (This wine is so good there was a full bottle tasting later that evening!)

Fiddlestix Pinot Noir 2007 harvests grapes from the nearby Fiddlestix vineyard (partners in production). We definitely tasted the cherry notes and smoky finish that comes with the French oak barreling process.

“Syrache” Syrah/Grenache Blend 2006 was a surprising combination of flavors. Comprised of 73% Syrah and 23% Grenache, this wine “pops” in your mouth with the tannins that are representative of the wines. Stephanie really liked it as her favorites tend to be those with more tannin flavors.

“Gamma” Syrah 2006 is their “lip licking” wine because it goes on and on, beginning at the lips and tip of the tongue all the way to the back of the throat. Whether it was purely by suggestion or because it really is true, both Patrick and Stephanie were licking their lips to this one! This is a beautiful Syrah, complex and barreled in both American and French oak.

All of their wines have beautiful color from ruby to a dark garnet. All should be decanted for about an hour, and the fact that they are organic amplifies the flavors if opened and recorked. These wines can also last longer once opened, and are best opened 9-13 years from production. Ironically, Ampelos has not been in business that long, but the Works cannot wait to try their first bottle of 2003 in another couple of years!

Ampelos is not a large winery. The Works are not in the business for the money and are not interested in expanding. They feel fortunate that their former lives have placed them in a good position to live their dream. However, the organic processes and hand care that they provide their crops does significantly add to the cost. Approximately $10 of each bottle is fruit cost alone. The MSRP for their wines ranges from $32 to $45, so these may not be “every day” wines, but definitely occasion wines and something that you have to try in order to appreciate everything that goes into making each bottle. We guarantee you will taste the difference!

For more information, go to http://www.ampeloscellars.com/

(SW)

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Friday, April 23, 2010

Washington’s Five Star Cellars A Smooth Success

5star Winemaker David Huse of Washington’s Five Star Cellars has lived in Walla Walla Valley most of his life. He believes you shouldn’t press too hard and should keep things smooth and easy. It’s a philosophy that makes him a great ambassador for his brand and helps him produce wines that are very drinkable right out of the bottle.

“I like to call our wines user friendly,” said David at a recent tasting at Corks. He explained that some wines are heavy on the tannins. “Most of that comes from the seeds, so we don’t press too hard.”

David and son Matt handle winemaking duties at Five Star and they focus solely on reds. The winey is a family-run venture with wives Traci and Sandy handling the office side of the business. It is a small production operation with the emphasis, as the name implies, on the highest qualities.

The tasting lineup included: 2007 Sangiovese , Quinque Astrum, 2007 Syrah, 2007 Petit Verdot/Cabernet Franc, 2006 Merlot and 2005 and 2006 Stellar.

The Sangiovese had a great nose with chocolate and blackberry flavor notes. David called it Sangiovese on steroids. It is a robust blend of grapes from three vineyards.

The Quinque Astrum (five stars in Latin) is a Super Tuscan blend. There is a lot going on in the glass. It has a lighter body with a taste of light clove on the front.

The Syrah is oaked and has an earthy flavor. Very pleasant, but not the tops for the evening.

We had tried – and been knocked out by – the Five Cellars Merlot on an earlier visit. Although not on the regular tasting menu, we were treated to a nice sample. This Merlot is smooth, with a lush texture. It is nicely balanced with currant and black cherries and a touch of pepper. This is a beauty.

The 2006 and 2005 Stellar were both sampled. I tried the 2005. This is a regal Bordeaux blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec. This beautiful wine retails in Ohio for $55. The balance is impeccable, the complexity high and the finish long and memorable. Only 475 cases were produced.

If you are not acquainted with Five Star Cellars, you can find their products at Corks as well as the Beer and Wine Cave (and perhaps

more).

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Thursday, April 22, 2010

Chef's Challenge Scheduled at Boyne Mountain

Cooks at work.Image via Wikipedia
A great culinary and wine event is brewing up north. The 3rd Annual Chef's Challenge for Challenge Mountain will be held April 23-25, 2010 at Boyne Mountain, Boyne Falls, Michigan.


Chef teams from northern and southern Michigan will present the state's great agricultural diversity at its finest, complimented by fine Michigan wines and micro-brews, making this truly a premier Michigan event.

Boyne Mountain Resort offers great amenities, including golf, spa, indoor water park, a new zip line and more. The weekend can be a great family getaway.

Judging will take place in two separate events:

Tasting: Chefs, microbrewers, vintners and spirits distillers are judged by a team of celebrity judges and the public;

Iron-Chef cook-off:  between the winning teams from the South and North.

The schedule:

Saturday, April 24

Seminars 9:45 AM - 4:45 PM, free to the public, Boyne Mountain Convention Center.

Tasting 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Eight (8) tickets for $25 or four (4) for $15, Boyne Mountain Convention Center.

Iron Chef Cook-off 6:00 PM, $100, can be purchased in advance or at the door if not sold out, Vienna Room at the Mountain Grand Lodge.

Sunday, April 25

High School Chef Competition, 12:00 Noon, Boyne Mountain Clock Tower.

For advance tickets, contact Sue at 231-582-1186 or cmski@challengemtn.org.

All Chefs Challenge proceeds go to help Challenge Mountain, the nation’s only adaptive recreational facility dedicated exclusively to people with special needs. 100% of all donated dollars go directly to the programs.


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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Wine Tastings & Events: Week of April 19, 2010



Wednesday, April 21
Anderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8:00 PM. Recent discoveries and recent rediscoveries! 1. Gilbert Cellars Unoaked Chardonnay, 2. Michael David Petite Petit, 3. Can-Blau, 4. Cosecha Tardia Late Harvest Chardonnay Nominal fee per sample or $7 per flight.



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

Vino 100 Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Opens at 4:00 PM. Flights and Bites. Four Malbecs, from Argentina. Cost is $15, served with marinated olives, bread, cheese, and Marcona Almonds.
059216-yellow-road-sign-icon-food-beverage-food-grapes

Thursday, April 22
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting.  5-7 PM. Staff Picks – Mark’s (former wine manager) Picks. 1. Chateau Suau – White Bordeaux Blend – Bordeaux, France, 2. Hugel – Gentil – Alsace, France, 3. Charamba – Red blend – Douro, Portugal, 4. Chateau Virgile – Rhone style Red blend – Costieres de Nimes, France. Nominal fee per sample or $5.50 per flight.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting, 6-8 PM.
Organic and wineries using sustainable or biodynamic practices. 1. Yellow & Blue Sauvignon Blanc – Chile, 2. Maysaia Pinot Grigio – Oregon, 3. Maysaia Rose – Oregon, 4.  Santa Julia Cabernet – Argentina, 5.  Stellar Cabernet – South Africa, 6. Parducci Zinfandel – Mendocino, 7. Meguante Granache – Spain, 8. Parducci Petite Sirah – Mendocino. Nominal fee per sample.

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

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Waiting for Jadot. Does the mere thought of France's Burgundy region catapult you into the throes of some absurdist, existential dilemma? Let's start the unraveling process with an in-depth exploration into one of the region's largest and most consistent producers/négociants for well over 150 years, Louis Jadot. $1 to $3 per sample.

Vino 100 Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Opens at 4:00 PM. Flights and Bites. Four Malbecs, from Argentina. Cost is $15, served with marinated olives, bread, cheese, and Marcona Almonds.Live music scheduled by Mitch Cahl.  7:30 to 10:30 PM.

Friday, April 23
* 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. Erika’s Picks. 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. Spring Sauvignon Blancs: 1. Selby Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Whitehall Lane Sauvignon Blanc, 3. Hall Sauvignon Blanc, 4. Provenance Sauvignon Blanc$10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Waiting for Jadot. Does the mere thought of France's Burgundy region catapult you into the throes of some absurdist, existential dilemma? Let's start the unraveling process with an in-depth exploration into one of the region's largest and most consistent producers/négociants for well over 150 years, Louis Jadot. $1 to $3 per sample.

Vino 100 Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Opens at 4:00 PM. Flights and Bites. Four Malbecs, from Argentina. Cost is $15, served with marinated olives, bread, cheese, and Marcona Almonds.

Saturday, April 24
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Spring Sauvignon Blancs: 1. Selby Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Whitehall Lane Sauvignon Blanc, 3. Hall Sauvignon Blanc, 4. Provenance Sauvignon Blanc$10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 12-3 PM. 
An Afternoon of Spain. Spanish wines served with tapas. 1. ASegura Viudas, Brut Reserva, Cava, Catalunya, Spain, 2. Laxas, 2008, Albarino, Rias Baxias, Spain, 3. Flor de Pingus, 2000, Ribera del Duero, Spain, 4.  Lustau, East India Sherry Jerez, Spain.  

You will receive a 2 oz pour of each wine and a 1 oz pour of Sherry as well as a sampling of the tapas.  Cost is $15.00 per person. Call (419) 698-8400 for information or reservations.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Pinot Grigios. Pay by the sample or flight ($10 to $15 for flight). 

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Buttonwood Winemaker Leaves Fast Lane, Pops Cork on Delicious New Career

Karen Steinwachs remembers it well. After a 20-year career in the high-tech field, she was sitting with fellow employees in a meeting room on the 23rd floor of a high-rise in Century City, Los Angeles. It was decided that their company, fueled by venture capital money, would shut down.

Karen, now the winemaker at Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard near Santa Barbara, recalls pondering what she would do next. “I needed a time out,” she said before the recent Wine by the Glass Pavilion tasting at the Toledo Museum of Art. “I wanted a job where I could use my hands, not my mind, something where I wasn’t in charge and didn’t need to make decisions.”

Without consulting her husband Dave, she took a job harvesting grapes at Foley Estates. It was a seven-day-a-week, physically demanding job that paid seven bucks an hour. She never had dreams of a wine career, but once she started she loved it.

She then worked to develop her sense of smell and her palate. “It was the hardest thing,” she said, “learning to trust your taste and smell instead of a spreadsheet.”

For wine lovers, her career shift is serendipitous. Now the winemaker at Buttonwood Farms, she crafts fascinating wines that reflect what Mother Nature is doing in the vineyard.

Buttonwood is located in the Santa Ynez Valley, one of the few East-West oriented valleys in North America. This allows ocean breezes to blow in from the West and warmer air to enter from the East. The temperature can swing from the 90s during the day to the 50s at night, making it ideal for the thicker skinned Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot grapes.

Buttonwood has a harmonious, natural groove. It is a working farm and they employ sustainable farming practices. The artwork for the labels, a brushwork swirl, was created by  Seyburn Zorthian, daughter of the winery’s founder.

On the tasting menu for the Toledo Museum of Art event was: 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Zingy Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Devin Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend, 2007 Hawk Red table wine and the 2007 Merlot.

Karen and Buttonwood favor the Sauv Blanc and in fact produced five different varieties one year. The Zingy recently took a gold medal at Gold Medal at the San Diego International Wine Competition. Only 435 cases of this baby were produced and it has a crisp and zesty flavor with plenty of citrus and acidity. This is more in tune with New Zealand style Sauvignon Blanc than some of the milder Californian styles.

The ‘08 Sauvignon Blanc is the “signature” wine that shows the pure essence of the grape. This hasn’t as much edge as the Zingy, but is a rewarding glass with a tart finish. This is the wine on which Buttonwood “hangs its hat.” It is a true crowd pleaser.

The Devin is an almost equal blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. This is aged in oak barrels and has a creamy, lush texture and an enjoyable mouthfeel. This is an even smaller production wine, with only 287 produced. This is a great wine for those who love Chardonnay, but want to expand their wine list.

I was looking forward to the sampling of Hawk Red, which is named after the Red-tailed Hawks which keep the vineyard free of rodent pests. This blend caught my attention in Andersons and I picked up a bottle of 2006. I mentioned this to host Adam Mahler and he quickly warned me – the ‘07 was Karen's first vintage and the 2006 might have some “funk” to it.

The ‘07 Red Hawk had a delightful bouquet and is a warming red with flavor notes of pepper, graphite and violets. It is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Franc. At only $13.99, this is a bottle you can afford to pop open regularly.

Open returning home later that evening, we had a side by side tasting with the ‘06 and ‘07. Like I told Adam and Karen. I like my funk in my music, not my glass. Lesson learned: the vintage (and winemaker) can make all the difference. The ‘06 tasted far inferior to the more refined ‘07.

The tasting wrapped up with the ‘07 Merlot. This Merlot has darker plummy notes and certainly doesn’t qualify as a fruit bomb. It has balanced tannins and a nice kick. Like the other Buttonwood wines, this is produced with old vines.  It is deep and intense.

Buttonwood is available in several locations locally and also online. Take the next exit off the fast lane and enjoy some of their pleasure in the glass.


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Monday, April 19, 2010

Taste of The Nation Toledo Set for April 25 at Fat Fish Blue

The Taste of the Nation Toledo food and wine event will take place on Sunday, April 25 at Fat Fish Blue, in Levis Commons, Perrysburg. The black tie optional event has the goal of helping ensure no kid in America goes hungry. One hundred percent of ticket sales go to charity with local beneficiaries being Toledo GROWS, Toledo Day Nursery, Aurora House and Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank.

Tickets for the event  are $150 and are available online or by calling (419) 705-6635. The food tent is open from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. The Bridges Band will entertain from 8:00 to 10:00 PM.

This year's Taste of the Nation will feature national award-winning chefs Andy Husbands and Celina Tio and food from at least 40 restaurants.

Photo by Aemosion


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Sunday, April 18, 2010

Michigan's Black Star Winery Loses Court Challenge: Arizonans Can Carry Concealed Weapons But Not Arcturos Pinot Noir

ArizonaImage via Wikipedia
It can be a buzz-kill. You fall in love with a small artisan winery and go online to order a few bottles. Then the dreaded notice: "We only ship to the following states..." Despite widespread support for legal, regulated direct-to-consumer wine shipments by the U.S. Supreme Court, Federal Trade Commission and state alcohol regulators, consumers in 13 states are still prohibited by state law from doing so.

At the recent License to Steal national wine marketing conference in Geneva I sampled a very nice 2006 Arcturos Pinot Noir from Black Star Farms winery in Suttons Bay, Michigan, so they were fresh on my mind when a bulletin arrived at the Toledo Wines and Vines news department (OK, it's actually just me and I read it online...).

In a decision announced on April 13, the 9th Circuit Court ruled against Black Star Farms, who had sued the state liquor control board saying that shipping regulations unfairly favored in-state wineries. All wine in AZ must go through the three-tier system of producer, wholesaler and then retailer (being marked up all the way) with a couple narrow exceptions: wineries that produce less than 20,000 gallons of wine a year can ship directly to consumers; and all wineries can ship two cases of wine per year directly to consumers who buy wine at the winery.


Arizona wine drinkers, fighting the good fight, have said that is is impractical economically and unfeasible to travel to Napa, Washington, Michigan or other cool wine destinations to visit wineries to have the wine shipped home. Black Star produced about 35,000 gallons of wine in 2006 -- too big for the small winery exemption but too small to attract wholesalers in places like Arizona.

The court ruled that Black Star failed to show discrimination. "In other words, prove it, or lose it," Judge Stephen Trott wrote in the decision. "When challenged in its briefs to do so, Black Star Farms' answer in its reply brief effectively is, we don't have to, it should be obvious. "Based upon precedent and logic, we disagree."

So, while I am digesting this rather disagreeable bit of news, I pick up the paper Saturday and read that Arizona Governon Jan Brewer signed into law a bill allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

Outrageous! Perhaps if Arizona residents could get a nice bottle of Black Star wine they wouldn't need to pack heat.

Free the Grapes is a coalition of consumers and wineries working to remove restrictions in states that prohibit consumers from purchasing wines directly from out-of-state wineries. Check them out for information about this important issue and what you can do. You can also get further details on the direct shipping issue via a great post on Wine Curmudgeon.

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Saturday, April 17, 2010

Sauvignon Republic Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2007

This light bodied wine was picked up on clearance at a price much less than the $15 retail. It is an interesting and enjoyable bottle. The men involved in Sauvignon Republic (John Buechsenstein, John Ash, Paul Dolan and Tom Meyer) are entranced by Sauvignon Blanc and are committed to becoming experts on this grape variety. They are passionate about it and are producing Sauvignon Blanc in the three of the finest locations in the world: Marlborough in New Zealand, Stellenbosch in South Africa, and the Russian River Valley in California.

The Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is a brilliant gold in the glass and has the zestiness typical of the New Zealand Sauv Blancs. It's a great choice for those who don't like "sour" wines. It is clean and crisp with a hint of minerality.

As spring starts to blossom, this is a "go to" wine as it is a great warm-weather wine.

Sauvignon Blanc pairs exceptionally well with seafood and is a winner with poultry too.

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Friday, April 16, 2010

License to Steal: Wineries Gather to Exchange Tips, Plan Strategy

Original description: Image via Wikipedia
The 4th Annual License to Steal national wine marketing conference was held earlier this week in Geneva, the capital of Ohio’s Wine Country. More than 120 representatives of wineries and the wine industry gathered to steal ideas, network and sharpen their marketing skills.

Many insights were prompted, the primary one being it's nice to uncork a bottle and savor a glass of great wine without worries of harvesting grapes, marketing product, vineyard management, upkeep of the winery and tasting room and on and on. I’m in this game for the enjoyment, new experiences and friendships sparked by the fruit of the vine. A winemaker can labor years to produce a vintage only to to have hopes dashed by the flick of a pen (or a few clicks of the keyboard).

The conference, organized by the wine marketing offices in Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, featured an array of great speakers and sessions. The “steal” sessions are priceless for the wine professionals – in these open mic sharing segments an endless stream of great suggestions were aired. Some of the great ideas were an adult Easter egg hunt,  charging customers to help harvest grapes (and making it a special event) and having wine quizzes with prizes via Twitter. You could see the light bulbs go off as ideas were shared from the the vineyards of Maryland all the way to Idaho.

My first session featured wine free lancers Laura Taxel, Yvonne Horn and Jenny Pavlesek (each with impressive credentials).

One of the first things I was told when I began my career as a newspaper reporter is that every story needs a hook. The panelists agree – saying that simply existing isn’t a basis for a winery story. Yvonne also commented that there are some terrible winery Web sites out there. Absolutely!

Other observations:

Wineries have a burgeoning desire to connect with customers electronically and via social media -- most (but not all) winery owners feel inadequate in this area.

Wines from Ohio and Michigan (and certainly the Finger Lakes) are almost mainstream compared to those from the fledgling wine industries in places like Idaho, Kansas, Oklahoma and Iowa (all of which were present at the conference).

If wineries fall short in the area of tasting room hospitality or the winery visit experience, it isn’t because of a lack of knowledge. It’s out there. Wine consultant Patty Held of Missouri offers a “secret shopper” service to wineries. She will surreptitiously visit a winery and provide a detailed evaluation on everything from the condition of the parking lot to how often the tasting room employees smile.

Donniella Winchell, executive director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association, also is planning to launch a similar program in Ohio where volunteers visit wineries during wine trail events and provide candid feedback via a survey. The feedback can then be channeled back to the wineries. (Donni is a real promotional whirlwind working on behalf of Ohio wineries!)

Here’s one suggestion: Giving visitors wine in a plastic cup is ridiculous – something that happened to me more than once during my last wine trail visit. In one location I received my wine tastes in tiny plastic shot glasses. It’s hard to take the “winery” seriously if they show no respect to the wine.

2010_0305skieaster0018 Perhaps the most engaging presentation I saw came from Joe Pulizzi, author of “Get Content, Get Customers.”  His message: You have to become the media. Advertising is a luxury, but content is survival. He said providing compelling content to customers on a consistent basis is the way to get them involved in your brand.

Here’s a link to Joe’s blog where you can view his PowerPoint presentation. Fascinating stuff.
At the conference I had the chance to visit with some old friends and make some new ones. As a result, I’ll be on the road soon to visit some more Ohio wineries and provide reports.
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Thursday, April 15, 2010

St. Julian Winemaker Dinner Set For Frankenmuth on April 17

Cropped image of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes fro...Image via Wikipedia
A special winemaker's diiner will be held at the St. Julian winery 127 S. Main Street, Frankenmuth, Michigan, on Saturday, April 17 at 6:30 PM.
The dinner will be hosted by winery manager Gordon Lockhart and winemaker Nancie Corum. Food will be prepared by Chef John Zehnder, executive chef of Zehnder's of Frankenmuth. Call (989) 652-3281 for reservations. Cost is $75 per person. Seating is limited.


For menu information go to: www.stjulian.com/Dinner%20Menus/FrankenmuthDinnerMenuApril2010.htm.

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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Wine Tastings & Events: Week of April 12, 2010



Wednesday, April 14
Anderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8:00 PM. “It all balances out” tasting. Two bargains, and two special occasion bottles…it all balances out, hooray! 1. French Maid Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Heaven’s Cave “Two Degrees” Barbera, 3. Frank Family Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Automoto Riesling. Nominal fee per sample or $9 per flight..

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. $15.
059216-yellow-road-sign-icon-food-beverage-food-grapes
Thursday, April 15
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting.  5-7 PM. Staff Picks – Dan’s {aka: Dr. Bordeaux} Picks. Dan’s theme “it’s all about the style.” 1. Wente Morning Fog- Chardonnay – San Francisco Bay, California, 2. BV Carneros – Chardonnay – Napa Valley, California, 3. BV – Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California, 4. Mas de Gourgonnier – Red Rhone Blend – Provence, France. Nominal fee per sample or $8 per flight.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting, 6-8 PM. “What Is Malbec?” The next in our “What Is?” educational wine series. 1. Urano, Eral Bravo, 2. Altos Los Hormigas, Mendoza, 3. Don Miguel Gascon, Mendoza, 4. Terra Divina Old Vines, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, 5. Amancaya Malbec Cabernet, Mendoza, 6.  Weinert, Mendoza, 7. Chateau Haut-Montplaisir Prestige Cahors, France, 8. Gilbert Cellars Malbec, Washington. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. Five Star Cellars, Walla Walla Valley: 1. Cabernet Sauvignon, 2. Syrah,  3. Stellar Reserve Bordeaux blend, 4. Quinque Astrum Super Tuscan Blend, 5. Petit Verdot / Cabernet Franc, 6. 2006 Merlot.  Special guest: Winemaker David Huse. $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  Walla Walla Wallop. Nestled within the Columbia Valley, at the foot of the Blue Mountains, Walla Walla entices wine lovers with it’s modest charm and rugged beauty, until… BOOM! You’ve been done in by the power and grace of the Walla Walla Wallop. $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. Live music scheduled 7:30 to 10:30 PM.
Friday, April 16
* 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. Buttonwood Farm Winery and Vineyard. Special guest, winemaker Karen Steinwachs from Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara. 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. Tour de France:  1. Domaine J. Laurens La Rose N° Sparkling, 2. Les Trois Couronnes Vacqueyras, 3. La Sangliere Cab-Grenache, 4. Domaine Besson Givry 1er Cru Red Burgundy. $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.  Walla Walla Wallop. Nestled within the Columbia Valley, at the foot of the Blue Mountains, Walla Walla entices wine lovers with it’s modest charm and rugged beauty, until… BOOM! You’ve been done in by the power and grace of the Walla Walla Wallop. Special guests: David Huse, founder and co-winemaker of Five Star Cellars, along with Dave Pirwitz of DJP Selections. Five Star wines are beautifully focused and richly extravagant plus award-winning and high-scoring. $1 to $3 per sample.

Saturday, April 17
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Tour de France:  1. Domaine J. Laurens La Rose N° Sparkling, 2. Les Trois Couronnes Vacqueyras, 3. La Sangliere Cab-Grenache, 4. Domaine Besson Givry 1er Cru Red Burgundy. $10 tasting. 

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 1-3 PM.  Join Tricia Rasar as we taste the great value wines of Fredrick Wildman. 1. Astica 2008 Torrantes Argentina,  2. Astica 2008 Chardonnay Argentina, 3. Astica 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Argentina, 4. Trapiche 2008 Malbec Argentina. Nominal fee per sample or $1 per flight..

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Kermit Lynch wines with special guest.  Pay by the sample or flight ($10 to $15 for flight). 

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Woodville Andersons Offers An Afternoon of Spain April 24

Spain topographyImage via Wikipedia
The Andersons in Woodville will offer “An Afternoon of Spain” on Saturday, April 24th, 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Spanish wines will be paired with tapas dished to compliment them. Featured wines include:

1. Segura Viudas, Brut Reserva, Cava, Catalunya. A cava is a sparkling Spanish wine that is a blend of three grape varietals; Macebeo, Parellada and Xerel lo from the Catalunya region of Spain. This Cava offers soft citrus and subtle toasted bread and pleasant bubbles. A perfect start to the afternoon in Spain.

2. Laxas, 2008, Albarino, Rias Baxias. This wine is a favorite whites to share with friend. It's not too sweet and not too dry and it compliments seafood and chicken perfectly. Soft creamy white peaches paired with the right amount of green apples to leave just the right amount of acidity to keep you coming back for more.

3. Flor de Pingus, 2000, Ribera del Duero.  This is a well-known Spanish gem. This vintage has loads of blackberry, cassis and plenty of layers of spice including ground pepper, melted licorice and dried herbs. The finish has a delightful smoky essence that holds on.

4. Lustau, East India Sherry Jerez. The process that Sherry goes through is quite fascinating; we share it with you as well as some custard and chocolate to try with this delight. Expect sweet ripened figs, golden raisins, dried apricots and a sprinkle of caramel.

You will receive a 2 oz. pour of each wine and a 1 oz.  pour of Sherry as well as a sampling of the tTapas chosen to accompany the wine. The cost is $15 per person for a sampling of all the wine and food pairings or $12 if the reservation is made by April 17. Call (419) 698-8400 for information or reservations.


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Monday, April 12, 2010

Seven New Michigan Wineries To Open This Year

Vineyard on the Leelanau peninsulaImage via Wikipedia
The Michigan wine business is booming, and there is no better time to highlight that fact than April, which is "Michigan Wine Month." Michigan's wide selection of quality wines and the wine industry's make a significant contribution to the stat economy. Michigan's wine and grape industries add nearly $800 million to the state's economy each year.

Sales of Michigan wines in the state rose 10 percent in 2009, while total wine sales increased 6 percent. Michigan wine sales have outpaced total wine sales for the past 10 years, doubling the Michigan wineries' market share to 6 percent.

"Michigan's grape and wine industry continues to grow with seven new wineries slated to open this year," Governor Jennifer Granholm said. "Not only is our wine industry a vital component of the state's agricultural sector, it's also an important part of our tourism industry as hundreds of thousands of people visit Michigan's Wine Country each year."

"Michigan's grape and wine industry demonstrates our food and Ag sectors continue to be ripe for growth and offer opportunities both for seasoned business leaders or budding entrepreneurs," said Don Koivisto, Michigan Department of Agriculture director. "April is a great time to kick off winery touring. Tasting rooms are less busy in the spring, and tasting room staff are delighted to have time to provide extra attention. Many of Michigan's 71 wineries will begin to release new wines from the 2009 vintage this spring; additional red wines from the 2008 vintage will also be available."

Several events are planned this spring and early summer that will provide opportunities to meet winemakers and sample a variety of Michigan wines, including:

Michigan International Wine Expo: April 9 & 10 - Rock Financial Showplace in Novi http://www.michiganwineexpo.com/

Michigan Wine Celebration: April 17 & 18 - Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail http://www.pioneerwinetrail.com/

Spring Sip & Savor: May 1 & 2 - Leelanau Peninsula Vintners http://www.lpwines.com/

Blossom Days: May 15-16 - Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula http://www.wineriesofoldmission.com/

Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival: June 19 - Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail http://www.miwinetrail.com/

For a complete list of events celebrating Michigan Wine Month, visit http://www.michiganwines.com/.

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Saturday, April 10, 2010

Fenn Valley Winery Features Ethnic Winemaker Dinner

Orange Black Pepper pairingImage by ulterior epicure via Flickr
An ethnic food extravaganza is scheduled April 24, at Fenn Valley Vineyards and Wine Cellar, 6130 122nd Avenue, Fennville, Michigan. The winemaker ethnic dinner takes you on a culinary excursion to Africa. The meal, prepared by Chef Christine Ferris, is as follows:

First: Tomato and beet salad with Injera. An earthy salad of roasted beets, tomatoes, red onions and a fresh lemon cumin dressing, garnished with cilantro and served with the traditional flatbread, Injera (spongy crepe like bread made with a sour teff flour sponge). Served with Cabaret Rose 2009.

Second: African peanut soup (Ghana). A spicy chicken stock based soup flavored with peanuts, red chilis, ginger and scallions. Served with Riesling 2009.

Third: Piri Piri shrimp (Mozambique). Grilled shrimp basted with a chili sauce and served in a creamy tomato, coconut sauce. Served with Edelzwicker 2009.

Fourth: Sosaties (South Africa). Grilled lamb kebobs marinated in an apricot jam, apple cider vinegar and curry blend then grilled and served o a bed of Moroccan spicy vegetable couscous with condiments on the side of ginger-dried apricot chutney and sweet and sour seckel pears. Served with Cabernet Franc 2008 and
Dry Riesling 2008.

Fifth: Date cookies (Tunisia). A saffron infused semolina dough which is deep fried with a date filling (infused with orange, clove, cinnamon and black pepper) then dunked in a honey syrup ... served with cinnamon orange sorbetto. Served with “42” Ice Wine.

The cost is $75 per person, which includes tax and tip. Space is limited, so reservations are required and are accepted beginning March 1. A brief cellar tour is offered at 6:00 followed by Sparkling wines and assorted cheeses at 6:30, and the dinner begins at 6:50.

Call (269) 561-2396 or e-mail winery@fennvalley.com.

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Friday, April 9, 2010

Wine N Bloom Weekends Set For Vines and Wines Trail

Closeup of a pink rose in full bloom.Image via Wikipedia
The Vines and Wines wine trail in Northeastern Ohio is scheduling their annual Wine N Bloom Weekend event. You sample wines and collect flowers at the 14 participating wineries. This is a great way to ring in spring. The event is scheduled April 30, May 1, 7 and 8. Tickets go quickly, so don't delay.

This is a self driving tour of the wineries in northeast Ohio. You have two weekends (4 days: Fridays & Saturdays, Noon to 6:00 PM each day) to visit all the wineries participating on the trail. Sample great wines, enjoy delicious appetizers, collect Bluestone Perennials. At a designated winery you will receive and basket to collect your perennials in and a Schott Zwiesel crystal wine glass.

Bluestone Perennials is a local family business that grows and ships over 1,000 varieties of beautiful perennials across the country. Their catalogs and information will be available at the wineries as you travel the trail. Please call 1-800-852-5243 or visit http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/ for more information.

The participating wineries are:

Biscotti Family Winery in Conneaut,

Buccia Vineyards in Conneaut,

Debonne Vineyards in Madison,

Emerine Estates in Jefferson,

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante in Geneva,

Grand River Cellars in Madison,

Laleure Vineyards in Parkman,

Maple Ridge Vineyards in Madison,

Old Firehouse Winery in Geneva-on-the-Lake

St Joseph Vineyards in Thompson

The Barrel Room in Wickliffe

The Lakehouse Winery in Geneva-on-the-Lake

The Winery at Spring Hill in Geneva,

Virant Family Winery in Geneva

Make your reservations early, only 150 tickets are being sold and will sell out early. The cost is $45 per couple and $35 per single. To make your reservations call 800-227-6972 or click Wine N Bloom Weekends.


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