Washington Wine Report: Live Red Wine Blogging Part 2

More live red wine blogging...

7. Molly Dooker. 2009 Velvet Glove.  $180 per bottle. Now we're rocking! This is Shiraz. Has velvet label printed in silver foil. First group to taste. Previous vintages rated 99. Phenomenal. Can be savored by itself or red meat or chocolate dessert.

8. Trio Vintners, 2007 Riot. Red table wine. Total production 237 cases. Husband and wife winemaking team: Steve and Denise Slattery. An attempt to do something different. Usually single vineyard. Cost is $18. Sangiovese based. Also Syrah and Mourvedre. Trio scrambled spells riot. Smooth sipper. Mix of Hungarian and American Oak. Great wine at great price point.

9. Ponzi Vineyard 2008 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. All family operated. Looking forward to a nice Pinot. 5,350 cases produced. Retail $35. Delicate flavors. Tannic finish. A very good harvest year. Finished in French Oak.

10. Stoller Vineyards 2007 Dundee Hills Oregon, Pinot Noir. 400 acre property. Light ruby. First gold LEED certified winery. Focus on sustainability. Delicate flavors. Smooth finish $25.

11.  Stepping Stone by Cornerstone, 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Franc. Grown in Carneros area. 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bottled May 10, 2010. Nice, but prefer the Washington Cab Francs. $30.

12. 2007 Sequel Syrah by John Duval. Long Shadows project. $55. Maybe the best Syrah of my trip. More than 5 minutes would allow some of these wines to open up. This is the finale wine and a great choice.

13. Bonus: Solena 2008 Pinot Noir Hyland Vineyard.OK.

Another successful wine tasting. There are some great wines and great values out there. It would have been nice to have the Pinot Noirs before the Cabernet Sauvignons, but this session is sort of a grab bag. Overall, a great way to learn about some outstanding new wines'

 

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Washington Wine Report: Live Red Wine Blogging

We're ready for another round of live wine blogging. Speed dating, only with wine...

1. Ortman Family Wines, 2008 Sangiovese, Paso Robles. 5,000 cases annually from winery. $20 and under. Sweet cherry. Hand bottled by Matt Ortman who is serving. Been in bottle three days. Will be available to general public in July. 100% Sango.

2.2006 Louis Martini Napa Valley Lot 1 Cabernet Sauvignon. $120 per bottle. 1,000 cases. Could lay down for 25 years. Select vineyards. Paint a picture of Napa with mountaintop fruit. Martini celebratred 75th anniversary. Gallo now owns, but Mike Martini is the winemaker.

3. Isenhower Cellars, Walla Walla. Bachelors Button 2007 Cabernet Sauv. 4% Petit Verdot. Husband and wife team. About 4,000 cases per year. Only sells direct. Only free run juice.

4. The Crusher 2008 Petite Sirah. A Don Sebastiani label. Dark inky purple. Great value for $12.Blackberry liquor flavor. Medium body wine.Good barbeque wine.

5. Desert Wind 2008 Ruah. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot. Flagship wine. Retails for $20. Intensely aromatic. Cherry, raspberry and love...

6. Duck Pond Cellars, Oregon, 2008 Red Blend  of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon. Retail $15. Designed to be enjoyed right away. New product for us. Vineyard located in Eastern Washington.

More to come...

 

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Washington Wine Report: Yakima Grand Tasting

The Vintner Village in Prosser in Yakima Valley wine country was the a nice stop on our pre-conference bus tour. Milbrandt Winery did a stellar job rolling out the red carpet. Vintner Village is a collection of 10 great wineries joined together by meandering trails. It's location close to the interstate means it is easy to visit some of the top wineries in the state in one location.

I was looking forward to this stop as I knew that a couple of my favorite Washington wineries would be pouring: Gilbert Cellars and Thurston Wolfe. Rob Davis was pouring for Gilbert Cellars and I sampled one of my favorite wines, the Allobroges 2007 Syrah blend. Wade Wolfe was pouring the just released 2008 Zinfandel, which was bold yet smooth.

One of the tastiest ones sampled was the Willow Crest Wine Estates 2007 Cabernet Franc. This wine was smoky but with a nice berry flavor.

Other wines sampled included the Owen Roe 2005 Yakima Red, Knight Hill 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Naches Heights Vineyard '09 Riesling, Cultura Wine 2006 Yakima Red. This last wine is a Merlot-Cab Franc blend from a young and promising winery.

Washington Wine Report: Walla Walla Vintners

WALLA WALLA -- It had been an astoundingly long day. More than five hours in the bus. Two outstanding wine tastings and about 15 very tired people.

Walla Walla Vintners was a breath of fresh air. The winery is surrounded by vineyards that stretch to the scenic mountains in the distance. The setting for our wine and pizza social was an outdoor picnic area shaded by trees and a stone's throw from the vines and winery buildings. The outdoor brick pizza oven was smokin,' producing a sumptuous variety of pizza including pizza with morels, German sausage and onion, blue cheese and figs and more.

I started with the Sangiovese, a natural pairing with my pizza. It didn't disappoint. The smooth wine, dappled sunlight and tasty food was a refreshing elixir. I also sampled the Cabernet Franc and found this to be a winning bottle of wine.

My impressions were confirmed as Andrea Robinson, master sommelier and noted wine authority, arrived at our event and expressed her liking of the Cab Franc. Andrea is very personable and took the time to chat with a number of us. I bought one of her wine buying guides a couple years ago and was impressed with how she made wine accessible to everyone -- while also giving some sophisticated tips. It was nice to have a personal visit with her and I'm looking forward to hearing her at the conference.

After savoring the wine and the setting sun it was off to the Inn on Blackberry Creek, a delightful bed and breakfast with innkeeper Barbara Knudson. I stayed in Monet's Retreat room and it was a masterpiece of comfort and class. A bed never felt so soft and comfortable -- plus the still warm cookies were a big hit with me.

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Washington Wine Report: Live White Wine Blogging Part 2

White wine live blogging continuing at the Wine Bloggers Conference.

6. Concannon 2008 Chardonnay. Oldest continuous operating winery in the US. Started in 1883. Launching a brand new line of wine, Conservancy. All grapes from land they placed in a land trust. John Concannon is pouring. Certified sustainable winery. I like their ecological attitude. Rich and creamy with a bit of popcorn finish and hints of lemon. $12 to $14 per bottle. 16,000 cases.

7. Neethlingshof Estate Unwooded Chardonnay 2009. From South Africa. Made in environmentally/socially sustainable way. 14% alcohol with good acidic backbone. $15. Poultry, seafood and summer salad.

8. 2009 The Violinist Vedelho by Molly Dooker. The only white made by this Australian winemaker. Molly Dooker means lefthander. $25. Tomorrow night first opportunity to taste their 2009 reds including their $150 Velvet Glove. Also learned that they'll be serving their wines at the Comfort Inn where I'm staying tonight. This white has a taste of pineapple. Good with fish and summer vegetables.

9. Magnificent Wine Company House Wine white blend. Chardonnay, Riesling and Muscat Canelli plus Gerwurz and Pinot Gris. $13. Elegant and restrained. 1.3 percent residual sugar. Nice and restrained. Incredibly good value.

10. 2009 Dry Creek Chenin Blanc. True expression of varietal. Tasty! Wilson Ranch Vineyard. $12. This is a great discovery. 11,500 cases. Thai food, Asian food, curry dishes. This is one of my favorites tonight.

11. L'Ecole 41 Semillon. 2008 Columbia Valley. Complex blend of vineyards. Barrel fermented. Third oldest winery in Walla Walla. Family owned. Floral tones with flinty background.

12. Parducci Sustainable White Mendocino County 2008. Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. Dry finish but a bit sweet on the uptake.

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Washington Wine Report: Live White Wine Blogging

WALLA WALLA -- We're blogging live from the 2010 Wine Bloggers Conference. Tonight is white wine.This is like speed dating. Five minutes at each table. Luckily the winery representatives rotate and we can stay put. 27 tables.

1. First up is the aMaurice '08 Columbia Valley Viognier. Pale yellow, not as grassy as some Viognier. $25. This has a tropical fruit taste. Favorite food with Dungeness crab and avocado salad. Clean and crisp.

2. Cadaretta Winery. SVS - Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion 'o8. Stainless steel finished. Juicy, from Stone Creek Vineyard. A bit zingy and should work with spicy food.

3. Le Chateau Cardonnay White Bluffs Vineyard, Columbia Valley. 150 cases. French oak. Mellow oakiness which is restrained. Nice with flattened and stuffed chicken breast. $25.

4. Don Sebastiani, '09 Rose of Pinot Noir, "The Crusher." Light shade of ruby -- man, it is tough blogging with only 5 minutes per wine. Kiwi and cranberry. Has some Viognier and a dash of Malbec. This is a red wine drinkers rose. This is nice. Good with summer fare including food from the grill.

5. 2009 Cornerstone Cellars Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Single vineyard wine from Talcott Vineyard in St. Helena. A richer, more complex wine. 25 year old vines. This is aged sur-lie (aged on the skins) for a bit more richness. Good with crab and lobster. Complex with acidity. $25. 700 cases.

More to come...

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Findlay Wine Fest Set Saturday, June 26

Image via Wikipedia

Findlay's Riverside Wine Festival, which benefits the Arts Partnership of Findlay, is scheduled noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 26, in Findlay's Riverside Park.

Featured will be 11 Ohio wineries, gourmet foods, arts and crafts, and demonstrations. Entertainers include Toledo guitarist Tim Oehlers at noon, the Jack Taylor Jazz Quartet at 2, and Blues 215 will be at 6.

Free parking and shuttle service will be offered at the event. Free parking will be available in the Riverside Park overflow lots and Masonic Temple. Shuttle service will be provided by Birchaven Retirement Village.

Ticket cost is $20 at the gate and includes a commemorative glass and 10 one-ounce tastes throughout the day. Designated drivers and those under 21 can attend for $10. Information: the Arts Partnership box office at 419-422-4624.

Washington Wine Report: Crossing the Cascades

Day Two of the WBC-or-Bust bus tour was a long haul. Up at the crack of dawn and rolling from western Washington, over the Cascade Mountains, stopping for brunch and wine at the Columbia Gorge and then we rolled until our eventual stop in Walla Walla for a pizza and wine social hosted by Walla Walla Vintners.

The day wrapped up at the classy and comfortable Inn at Blackberry Creek bed and breakfast, hosted by our innkeeper Barbara Knudson. The bed was a welcome site after a couple days of serious wine tasting and five hours plus rumbling down the highway in the bus with hit or miss air conditioning. There was also the additional hazard of beer bottles falling out of the overhead compartment.

Cave B is a unique resort and winery overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. The hotel and restaurant are nestled amongst the vines and scenic vistas are everywhere.There was a wonderful assortment of wineries pouring for the event, including Syncline a label that is gaining popularity in the Toledo area.

Here is a YouTube video report on the tasting.

It was a long day of driving and the brunch at Cave B wouldn't be enough to tide us over until the Yakima grand tasting at 4:00 and the pizza social scheduled for 7:00 PM, so we made a stop at Garcia's Taco stand. Thus fortified we rolled into Proser Village for our Yakima tasting.

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Washington Wine Report: Winemaker Dinner at Waterfront Seafood Grill

SEATTLE -- You couldn't possibly shoehorn anything more into the action-packed agenda for the WBC-or-Bust bus tour. Toledo Wines and Vines is proud to be one of 12 bloggers selected from a pool of national entrants to earn a seat on the bus -- but it takes the endurance of a rock star to keep up with the many VIP events.

Perhaps the highlight of Wednesday's events was the winemaker dinner at the Waterfront Seafood Grill in Seattle. The setting: superb, the food: sumptuous, and the wine spectacular.

The five-course meal included Roasted Snails in lemon garlic butter, Seared Scallops, Columbia River Sturgeon with bacon relish and Angus Beef short ribs in red wine and horseradish. Dessert was panna cota with bing cherry, chocolate, star anise and black pepper.

I was fortunate to sit next to Bill Owen of O.S. Winery. Bill has travelled extensively in Germany and is proud of his 2009 Riesling, which is unique because he has intentionally kept the alcohol levels low. The Riesling was a great match with the snail. This trip was my first exposure to Sparkman Cellars of Woodinville. I deem them awesome. The Lumiere Chardonnay 2008 was a beautiful, bright, complex Chard.

The second course brought on Andrew Will 2008 Two Blondes. This is an earthy, shy red blend. The O.S. Winery 2008 Cabernet Franc was enjoyable and was followed by the elegant Fall Line 2006 Cab Sauvignon.

Sturgeon is a fish with some heartiness, and it was matched with three superior reds: Fall Line 2006 Artz (blend of Cab Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon), Cadence 2007 Bel Canto (a reserve blend) and the Nota Bene 2007 Una Notte. The Una Notte is a Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre blend mostly from the Stone Tree Vineyards. This is a gem from a small family owned winery in Seattle.

The short ribs were palate pleasing and the wines were the equivalent of a fireworks grand finale: Andrew Will 2007 Ciel du Cheval, Sparkman 2008 Darkness Syrah, Cadence 2007 Tapteil and Nota Bene 2006 Syrah. The Darkness is an opulent, fruit forward, full throttle wine. Both Sparkman wines were winners tonight and the Una Notte from Nota Bene also made a lasting impression at an amazing culinary evening.

And so the sun set, one of our bloggers plunged into a fountain and we all headed for some well deserved rest.

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Woodinville Grand Tasting and Lunch

 

WOODINVILLE – Woodinville in western Washington is probably not well known by readers of this blog. Get ready, because the change is coming.

The Woodinville wine industry began with the establishment of  Chateau Ste. Michelle in 1976. The area now has more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms. Almost all Woodinville wineries grow their grapes in the warm, arid climate of the Columbia Valley which boasts sandy, gravely soils – great for planting vines.

Washington’s wine growing region shares similar latitudes to the great wine growing regions of Northern Europe with long warm days to ripen grapes to ideal levels.

There was a lot to like and to add to the enjoyment, the grand tasting was followed by aq delicious lunch at the Barking Frog with tasty dishes paired with wines from DeLille Cellars.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Totem Cellars Cabernet Franc ‘07 – Released just a week ago. Smooth with a touch of spiciness.

Sparkman Cellars Stella Mae – This is a top rated red blend of Cab Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Beautiful black cherry and currants.

Distephano 2005 Sogno and Donna Marie. The Sogno is a beautiful red that is 98% Cab Franc with layers of berries and complex layers with tea notes. Donna Marie is a Rhone style blend focused on Syrah. Blackberries, vanilla and pepper.

Baer Winery Ursa – Baer is a small family run winery. I sampled two red blends and Ursa, the Merlot-Cab Franc blend really wowed me with strong flavors and great balance. They only produce a total of 2,000 cases per year.

DesVoigne Cellars ‘07 The Duke. A blend of 60% Zinfandel, 13% Petit Sirah, 13% Lemberger plus Cabernet Franc and Syrah. What’s not to love? Velvety with a l0ng spicy finish. One of the best of the tasting.

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Washington Wine Report: Woodinville Grand Tasting

As part of the first day of our Washington wine tour, we enjoyed a great grand tasting of Woodinville wineries. Here is a brief video report on the event. It's a bit rough and shot in one take. Hey, I do know that they have Chardonnay in Washington -- just not this good!

Link: http://www.youtube.com/user/wbcorbust#p/a/u/1/P11L3M8tRk8

 

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Washington Wine Report: Chateau Ste. Michelle

Wednesday’s itinerary started with a 9 AM departure to Woodinville and a special tour and delicious food and wine pairing.

There are more than 680 wineries in Washington and none might be more important than Chateau Ste. Michelle, which traces its Washington roots back to the 1930s. Chateau Ste. Michelle has also championed Riesling grape for more than 40 years. Riesling is one of the four top grapes in Washington along with Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its success with Riesling has led to suggestions that it owns the category of American Riesling.

They certainly produce a lot of it. During our tour of the facility, we observed a production line that was bottling Chardonnay and is capable of bottling 11,000 bottles a day. The winery produces 1.2 million bottles a year. It’s a brand that is consistently high in quality and is almost always a good bet when you need to pick up a bottle for a meal or entertaining.

The food and wine pairing brunch was an outstanding affair hosted by white winemaker Wendy Stuckey and culinary director Bob Sarich. This event alone was worth the trek to Washington.

The focus for the event was Riesling and Merlot. The menu was as f0llows:

First Plate: Riesling

Indian Spiced Prawns, Tomato Chutney, Sesame seared Halibut, Orange-basil Thai Curry, Coconut Rice, Citrus Salad and Currywurst (bratwurst prepared with curry).

Wines: 2008 Eroica Riesling, 2009 Eroica Riesling, 2009 Dry Riesling (Columbia Valley), Cold Creek Vineyard 2009 Vineyard.

Second Plate: Merlot

Roast Duck, Cherry Merlot Sauce, Sweet Potato Cake, Manchego.

Wines: Canoe Ridge Estate 2007 Merlot Horse Heaven Hills, Cold Creek Vineyard 2006 Merlot, 2006 Artist Series Meritage.

Third Plate: Late Harvest Riesling

Basque Cookies

Wine: 2005 Ethos Late Harvest White Riesling Columbia Valley

I was looking forward to tasting the 2008 Eroica Riesling, which is a partnership between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Dr. Loosen of Germany. It has a touch of sweetness at 1.7% residual sugar, has a touch of minerality and is Germanic in style. This is a lovely, well-balanced winner. We had the chance to sample the 2009, which is still in the tank. I liked that it was slightly drier, but it clearly wasn’t finished yet and lacked the complexity of the 2008.

The Dry Riesling until a few years ago wasn’t available nationwide. Thank goodness it now is. This is a great dry Riesling with a distinct peachiness. At only $9 a bottle, this is an unbelievable bargain.

The Cold Creek Riesling was the sweetest of the three with the sweetness coming up front and a refreshing dry finish. This taste is more in the tropical spectrum.

The Canoe Ridge Merlot is an elegant wine with more of a black fruit taste. It has a soft finish and would be great with Italian food.

The Artist Series Meritage lists for $50 and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and a dash of Petit Verdot. The grapes for this wine represent the best of the best. I liked this perhaps the best of the tasting. It is a sculpted, complex wine with smooth tannins.

We finished with the late harvest Ethos Riesling. This was surprisingly sippable. I enjoyed this and it was a great way to wrap up a superb food and wine pairing brunch.

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More than 200 Wines To Be Tasted At Cleveland Wine Festival June 25-26

The fifth annual Cleveland Wine Festival presented by Giant Eagle is set for June 25 and 26 at its new location – Nautica Pavilion on the West Bank of downtown Cleveland’s Flats (2014 Sycamore Street).

The event offers a variety of tastings, food and wine education, and cooking demonstrations in a fabulous setting along the Cuyahoga River. Festival guests can taste from a selection of 200 international, domestic and Ohio wines and enjoy food from fine Northeast Ohio establishments. The festival main stage will showcase live musical entertainment throughout the two-day event.

Back by popular demand is the Belgian Beer Café presented by Stella Artois. Special guest and Master Beer Sommelier Marc Stroobandt returns to highlight the natural affinity between Belgian beer and fine food. He will educate attendees on proper beer pouring techniques, the importance of using the right glassware as well as offer food pairing ideas for Belgian beers Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Leffe.

Adult Wine Tasting Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the gate. This ticket price includes a souvenir wine glass, 10 tastings, a Festival Program and food and wine demonstrations and musical entertainment. Additional tasting coupons may be purchased at the festival. Designated Driver Tickets are $10 in advance or at the gate. This ticket includes two non-alcoholic drinks, a Festival Program, food and wine seminars, access to cooking demonstrations, musical entertainment and a souvenir wine glass upon departure. Attendees under 21 are admitted for free when accompanied by a paid adult. For groups of 15 or more, tasting tickets are discounted to $22.50. To purchase group tickets, order 15 or more tickets online or call 877-772-5425.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.clevelandwinefestival.com or by phone at 877-772-5425. Phone center hours are 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Central time – 7 days a week. Tickets will also be available for purchase on-site at Nautica Pavilion the day of the festival.

The Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center is featuring an exclusive “Sip, Savor and Sleep” package (available June 25 and 26 only). The package includes: concierge guest room accommodations – high floor, view, private lounge; valet parking; two tickets to the Wine Festival; two wine tastings at the Festival; a welcome bottle of wine in your room upon arrival; and, breakfast for two in David’s Restaurant or in the concierge lounge. Call 216-696-9200 for reservations and details.

The festival’s proceeds will benefit the Bright Side of the Road Foundation. The non-profit organization (www.brightsideoftheroad.org) was founded by Clevelander Barry Winovich to help find a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the devastating disease commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.


Festival hours are Friday from 4:00-10:00 p.m. and Saturday from 3:00-9:00 p.m. For more event details, visit http://www.clevelandwinefestival.com/ or call 847-382-1480. Follow the festival on Twitter at www.twitter.com/clewinefest and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/clevelandwinefestival.

Seattle, Washington, 7 AM

SEATTLE – Getting ready to head to the Renaissance hotel, the rendezvous point to get on the WBC-or-Bust VIP bus (and also hoping to catch some of the US World Cup match.

Grabbed a couple pictures of the morning scene in Seattle on Spring Street.

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Washington Wine Blogger Report: Winging to Seattle

SEATTLE -- The 2010 North American Wine Bloggers Conference will take place June 25-27, 2010 in Walla Walla, Washington. Wine bloggers, industry bloggers, and other wine and social media professionals will gather from throughout North America and beyond to meet, learn, and share. Toledo Wines and Vines will be on the scene and -- not only that -- will also be participating in the special VIP WBC-or-Bust bus tour meandering through the vineyards of Washington from Seattle, through Yakima and finally reaching Walla Walla on Thursday night. TWAV was one of 12 blogs selected in a national competition focused on Washington wines.

The first leg of the journey began at the Detroit airport. 1,927 miles later I landed in Seattle and took the Link light rail to downtown Seattle. The light rail is easy on the environment as well as the wallet (only $2.50 versus more than $30 for a shuttle).

I met up with Bill Eyer, publisher of the Cuvee Corner wine blog, at the hotel and we ended up at the Purple Cafe and Wine Bar for dinner. In light of free flowing wine coming in the next five days (and feeling the effects of the three-hour time difference), I had just a glass of  Carmenere (2006 Alcance, Chile). This was an enjoyable choice with the artisan pizza.

Wednesday will feature s visit to Chateau Ste. Michelle, a grand tasting in Woodinville, lunch at the Barking Frog, a visit to the Pike Brewery and a winemaker dinner at the Waterfront Seafood Grill.

Washington State is the second largest producer of wine in the United States and has over 32,000 planted acres. The state has 11 distinct appellations and two sub-appellations. Walla Walla, is a town of about 58,000 residents that is smack in the middle of wine country, has an historic downtown often voted “Best Main Street” in America, and is known for its high quality restaurants.

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Wine Tastings & Events: Week of June 21, 2010

Image of Matchbook via Snooth

Wednesday, June 23

Anderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8:00 PM. 1. Morande Pionero Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Matchbook Tempranillo, 3. Sawbuck Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco.  Nominal fee per sample or $6.50 per flight.

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

Thursday, June 24
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Food Pairings – Veggies. 1. Invino – Soave – Italy, 2.  Ruffino – Orvieto – Italy, 3. Kim Crawford – Sauvignon Blanc – Marlboro, New Zealand, 4.
Anne Amie – Cuvee A – France. Nominal fee per sample or $6.50 per flight.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting, 6-8 PM. New Australian and other Close-Outs.
1. Black Pearl Cabernet, 2.Cascabal Grenache, 3. Koonowala Cabernet, 4.  Lynx Shiraz, 5.  Steve Hoff Barossa Shiraz, 6. Ross Estate Reserve Shiraz, 7. Nugan Cabernet, 8. Schild Shiraz, 9. Oliver Hill Clarendon Shiraz. Nominal fee per sample.

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

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Livin' Loirge: Let's cruise down the Loire River and explore one of the most diverse wine regions on the planet. Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Chinon, Vouvray, and many more. $1 to $3 per sample.

Friday, June 25
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Poolside Whites: 1. Riondo Pink Prosecco Ruboso, 2. Domaine de Pajot, 3. Tapestry "Unoaked" Chardonnay, 4. St. James Winery "Velvet White."  $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Livin' Loirge: Let's cruise down the Loire River and explore one of the most diverse wine regions on the planet. Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Chinon, Vouvray, and many more. $1 to $3 per sample.

Saturday, June 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. Poolside Whites: 1. Riondo Pink Prosecco Ruboso, 2. Domaine de Pajot, 3. Tapestry "Unoaked" Chardonnay, 4. St. James Winery "Velvet White."  $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 1-3 PM. 1. Casa Bella House Jam White, 2. Casa Bella House Jam Red, 3. Rotta Muscat Canelli Italy, 4. La Playa Block Selection Merlot Chile.  Nominal fee per sample or $.75 per flight.

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

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

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Great Lakes Wine Fest Slated June 26-27 at MIS

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The first annual  Great Lakes Wine Fest will be held at Michigan International Speedway June 26-27. The festival will be held in tents and will feature Michigan wineries and breweries, food, jazz, arts and crafts, classic car displays and pace car rides. There also will be a retail store for purchasing Michigan wines.

The event is scheduled 12:00 to 7:00 PM Saturday and 12:00 to 5:00 PM Sunday. Advanced tickets for Saturday or Sunday are $25. Walk up tickets are $35. Weekend ticket is $45. Tickets include $10 in tasting tickets ($10 each day for the weekend ticket). Designated driver pass is $15. No one under 21 will be admitted.

The event will feature an entertainment stage. In addition to wine and beer sampling, seminars covering wine, food and other topics of interest will be held throughout the venue. Cars still in the running for Progressive Insurance's Automotive X Prize competition also will be on view at the track.

Camping on the grounds will be available. For tickets and information, go to www.mispeedway.com/events and click on the menu under Events.