Toledo Wines and Vines Wins Washington Wine Blog Competition

We're celebrating! TWAV was selected as one of 12 national winners in the WBC or Bust blog competition sponsored by WineCHATr.com! As a winning citizen wine writer, TWAV won the opportunity to catch a free ride experiencing Washington wine country while attending the North American Wine Bloggers Conference in June.

More than 100 blog posts from around the country were judged in the following categories:

• Top 2 Best Washington winery posts
• Top 2 Best Washington wine or tasting note posts
• Best Washington growing region post
• Best Washington vineyard post
• Most Washington Related Posts

A total of 12 winning bloggers were selected.

Highlights of the WBC-or-Bust road trip include an exclusive winemaker dinner in Seattle at the Waterfront Seafood Grill, food and wine pairing at Chateau St. Michelle, a farm-sponsored lunch amongst the vines of DeBrul Vineyard and a Yakima Valley grand tasting at Prosser’s Vintner’s Village. And this is all before the North American Wine Bloggers Conference begins at Walla Walla.

During the WBC there will be wine tasting aplenty plus a live blogging wine tasting on two nights, one for reds and one for whites. We’ll be posting live so you can enjoy the wine with us (virtually, of course!).

To get some insight on Washington State’s wines, check out these TWAV stories:

Washington Wine: A Dash of Taste

Washington Micro-Wines Make A Splash in Toledo

Washington Wines: An Inside Look

Washington’s Five Star Cellars A Smooth Success

* If your winery would like us to sample your wines before the conference, please e-mail us at TWAV@att.net  for shipping information.

Technorati Tags: wine,Washington wines

New Bottle for Wine Lightweights: Drinking and Saving Mother Earth

Image via Wikipedia

Taking care of our environment and promoting sustainability is everybody's business. One bottle manufacturer has found a way to reduce the carbon footprint while we savor the fruit of the grape.

A new lightweight wine bottle, weighing in at less than 12 ounces, is ready to hit the market. Owens-Illinois (NYSE: OI), the world's largest manufacturer of glass containers, is launching its lightest-ever North American wine bottle, which is up to 27 percent lighter than similar wine bottles. Manufactured at the company's California manufacturing facilities, the new bottles weigh just 11.6 ounces.

The company is also launching a 13-ounce 750 mL claret bottle, available to customers on the East coast. The first customer receiving the new 13-ounce container is wholesaler L.D. Carlson Co.

The new line of 750 mL lightweight claret and burgundy bottles is part of the company's initiative designed to create strong, durable, yet lighter bottles using advanced manufacturing techniques. The Lean+Green line is available in a variety of colors, including Champagne Green, Flint, Emerald Green and Dead Leaf Green, and will be between 16 and 27 percent lighter than current offerings.

The new lightweight line is said to retain the premium image of glass without noticeable changes in appearance and feel.

"O-I developed its lighter wine bottles to meet the same strict quality standards of our traditional wine bottles," said Stan Gossett, VP and Category Director for North America Wine. He went on to say that the lightweight options allow customers realize environmental savings while retaining strength and a premium image.

Lighter bottles mean less use of materials and reduce the amount of emissions released into the environment. According to O-I, use of the lightweight bottles will result in carbon dioxide savings of more than 89 tons. This is the equivalent of reducing semi-truck travel by 57,000 miles or the CO2 absorbed by 4,100 trees (this is based on production of 1 million bottles). The packaging also will reduce the cost of shipping

O-I is headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio, home town of Toledo Wines and Vines' international news center. O-I has an interesting Web site about lightweight glass packaging and glass' environmental benefits, found at http://www.winelovesglass.com/.

Wine By The Glass Pavilion Schedule Released

Image of Anne Amie Vineyards via Snooth

The Toledo Museum of Art has announced its schedule for the upcoming Wine by the Glass Pavilion tastings. These popular drop-in tasting event are scheduled Fridays from 7:00 to 9:30 PM at the Glass Pavilion. Enjoy four wines, light snacks, and a view of our Hot Shop. Prices are $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.

• May 21: Summer Roses
• June 4: Anne Amie Vineyards with winemaker Thomas Houseman
• June 11: Buenos Vinos de Espana
• June 18: Santa Maria Barbecue
• June 25: Summer Beers


Technorati Tags: wine

Wine Tastings & Events: Week of May 17, 2010

Image of Firesteed Cellars via Snooth

Wednesday, May 19

Andeson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8:00 PM. Annual Blind Margarita Showdown. We will be brown-bagging all four contestants, and you vote for the winner. Nominal fee per sample or $7 per flight.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. Wines that any cowboy would like. $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 wines you can serve with ice. Cost is $15, served with marinated olives, bread, cheese, and Marcona Almonds.

Thursday, May 20
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting.  5-7 PM. Staff Picks (Cheri): 1. Byron – Pinot Noir – Santa Maria Valley, Califonia; 2. Layer Cake – Shiraz – Tanunda, South Australia; 3. G. M. Machmer – Gewürztraminer – Rheinhessen, Germany; 4. New Age –White Blend – Mendoza, Argentina. Nominal fee per sample or $7.50 per flight.

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

Strange Bed Fellows: Not so much strange, but blends not often found. 1. Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc, 2. Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Generation Red, 3. Crios, Argentina; 4. La Posta Cocina blend, Argentina; 5. Terra Andina Carmenere-Carignan, Chile 6. Terra Andina Malbec Petit Verdot, Chile; 7. Primus, Chile;  8. Five Star Cellars, Petit Verdot, Washington. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. Wines that any cowboy would like. $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. A Brave New World: Silky, smooth, New World, palate-pleasers. Special guests Jillian Cambell from the Gallo Winery and Tricia Rasar of Berman Distribution. $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 wines you can serve with ice. Cost is $15, served with marinated olives, bread, cheese, and Marcona Almonds.

Friday, May 21
*Special Event * Wood County Humane Society Wine & Cheese Benefit, 7:00 to10:30 PM,  Nazareth Hall (on the Maumee River located at the intersection of Route 65 and Weston Road). Live and silent auctions, music, hors d'oeuvres and wines. $65 per person, $120 per couple and are available online. Order Tickets Online. For additional information call (419) 378-1178 or e-mail WoodCountyHumane@gmail.com.

*Special Event* Vineyard Adventure: Red, White and Brut. 7:00 to 9:00 p.m, Rose Garden, Toledo Zoo. Wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, live music, and socializing. Toledo Zoo members $35,  non-members $40. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. For information call (419) 385-5721, ext 3092.

* 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. Summer Roses. 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. Springtime Whites: 1. The Royal Chenin Blanc, 2. Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier, 3. Firesteed Riesling, 4. Robert Hall Orange Muscat. $10 tasting. 

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. A Brave New World: Silky, smooth, New World, palate-pleasers. Special guests Jillian Cambell from the Gallo Winery and Tricia Rasar of Berman Distribution. $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 wines you can serve with ice. Cost is $15, served with marinated olives, bread, cheese, and Marcona Almonds.

Saturday, May 22
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Springtime Whites: 1. The Royal Chenin Blanc, 2. Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier, 3. Firesteed Riesling, 4. Robert Hall Orange Muscat. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 12-3 PM. Great value wines: 1. Le Lapin Multiplicity; 2. Hayman & Hill Interchange White; 3. Santa Julia Malbec; 4.  Gysler Silvaner Halbtrocken. Nominal fee. or $1 per flight. 

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

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Superstar Syrahs of America. Pay by the sample or flight (premium tasting, a bit more expensive than usual). 

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

Technorati Tags: wine

Toledo Zoo Hosts Red, White and Brut May 21

The Toledo Zoo has scheduled its latest Vineyard Adventure wine event. Titled Red, White and Brut, the event will take place Friday, May 21, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Enjoy a fragrant evening among the blossoms of the Zoo's rose garden while sampling wine and enjoying entertainment and hors d'oeuvres. This is the final Vineyard Adventure until Fall.

Each Vineyard Adventure is based on a unique theme and is spent at a different location at the Zoo. At each event you will enjoy a delectable mix of wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, live music, and socializing.

The price for Toledo Zoo members is $35. The cost for non-members is $40. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. You must be 21 years or older to attend a Vineyard Adventure and a valid ID will be required. For information call (419) 385-5721, ext 3092.

Technorati Tags: wine

May 18 Mancy's Wine Bash Celebrates Oregon

Image of Raptor Ridge Winery via Snooth

Delicious wines from Oregon will be on the menu at Mancy's Italian restaurant on Tuesday, May 18, during their Wine Bash. The event runs from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris will be featured from a number of wineries including Lange and Raptor Ridge.

Cost for the event is $22 per person and includes Signature pizza, assorted Italian meats and cheeses and assorted crostinni. All wines will be available for purchase by the bottle and case discounts (including mixed cases) are available.

Mancy's Italian is located at 5453 Monroe St., Toledo. Call (419) 882-9229‎ for information or reservations.