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.

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

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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.

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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St. Julian Winemaker Dinner Set For Frankenmuth on April 17

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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.

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.

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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Woodville Andersons Offers An Afternoon of Spain April 24

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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.

Seven New Michigan Wineries To Open This Year

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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/.