Tuesday, August 31, 2010

2010 ASAE Food & Wine Classic, Los Angeles

asae 002 Bookmark and Share   The American Society of Association Executives annual conference, held this year in Los Angeles, is a great professional development opportunity. There are great educational sessions and it is a chance to network with peers. This year’s program had two highlights for me. First, I gave a presentation, and second, I was able to attend ASAE’s Food & Wine Classic for the first time.

Thanks to the graciousness of my host, the Richmond Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, I was able to attend the VIP reception and the Food & Wine Classic – both over the top events with scrumptious food by world-class chefs and outstanding food and spirits.

Upon entering the Wallis Annenberg building for the VIP reception, we were greeted by a human fresco of models in a reflecting pool dressed as – I’m not sure exactly what, but you can see the photo – with streams of water jetting from their fingertips. The trio of women were striking poses while creating fascinating patterns with their spray of water. Meanwhile the smells of tasty food, sounds of music and the tinkle of wine glasses filled the hall.

asae 003 If you’ve sampled wine, you’ve undoubtedly tried cheese and wine pairings. In typical LA-style, the Food & Wine Classic jacked up this concept with the help of the Cheese Impresario. There were four stations pairing Wisconsin cheese with a variety of spirits. Our first sampling was Widmer’s 6-Year Vintage Cheddar. The pairing included High West Distillery’s Rendezvous Rye Whiskey. The whiskey sounded great to me, but since I had a 7:00 AM flight the next morning (which meant I had to get up at 4:30), I figured I wouldn’t last long if I started with whiskey sampling.

We stopped by the Malibu Family Wines table and I was soon enjoying their 2007 Saddlerock Pinot Noir. I had never heard of MFW until the Classic. The winery claims to integrate new-world technology with old-world artistry. The vines are grown at high altitude in rocky soil. Wines are aged in a combination of French and American Oak. The Pinot was smooth and rewarding, pairing well with the cheese samples. Soon after returning home I was watching a travel program about LA and, sure enough, there was a feature on Malibu Family Wines.

asae 004 Other cheeses offered were a Raspberry BellaVitana, which had a Parmesan flavor and creamy texture of Cheddar. The cheese is soaked in raspberry tart ale to bring out its fruity notes. This cheese was awesomely delicious.

My third and final cheese tasting was the Vintage Van Gough. Crafted in limited quantities, this creamy Gouda is aged six months to create a golden body and rich flavor with undertones of caramel and coffee.

The Classic was an indoor-outdoor affair with outdoor food trucks (serving gourmet treats) and beer garden and the bulk of the wine tasting going on inside the California Science Center. From the Border Grill Truck I sampled a Green Corn Tamale Cone and the Butter Chicken and Channa from the India Jones Food Truck.

Some of the dishes included Mexican Shrimp Ceviche with Chipotle and Jicama, Spicy Lamb Meatballs with Pefumes of Morocco and Harissa Glaze, Kushi Katsu Skewetrs, and Burmese Melon Salad. Tourism Canada hosted a tempting Canadian Ale Trail which featured great beers such as Devil’s Elbow and Diamond Head Oatmeal Stout.

Inside the California Science Center, the party was rollicking. We avoided a table with Sutter Home wines and headed to a table hosted by the Broadmoor which was featuring wine from Infinite Monkey Theorem. I was hoping for the 2008 100th Monkey, but since it was unavailable, I grabbed an Infinite Monkey Sauvignon Blanc, which I found enjoyable although a bit subdued. I imagine it is far better than the “limited” monkey Sauvignon Blanc.

We then climbed the stairs and headed to the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau for a wonderful spread 14 different wines. I started with the Thomas George Viognier. This is a dry white with citrus notes with nice aromatics. Next was the Foppiano Vineyards Petite Sirah. This is an inky black wine with blackberry and blueberry flavors. It has a hint of spice on the finish.

asae 005 We wrapped up with the Deerfield Water Dog Cuvee, this is a Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah blend. It is a full bodied wine that was enjoyable, but I couldn’t get the imagined smell of a wet dog out of my mind – so I’d really need to try this again to give it a fair trial.

The party continued to roll with the outstanding music of 50 Amp Fuse, a delectable assortment of finger foods and desserts, and some yet untasted wines. Regrettably I had to leave those wines for next year and I walked through the evening shadows and boarded the shuttle back to my hotel room.
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Monday, August 30, 2010

Vino 100 To Celebrate Anniversary

Bookmark and Share  Vino 100, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee, (419) 866-8466, will be celebrating its fifth year in business 7:00 to 9:00 PM Tuesday, August 31, with a cake and -- of course -- a special summer wine tasting. The tasting will include seven different Bota Box wines to include: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet, Old Vine Zin, and a Malbec. Special pricing will be offered.

These wines are convenient for camping, hiking, picnics, boating, cooking, and tailgating, especially with Labor Day weekend around the corner. The box is made out of recyclable paper so it is an environmentally friendly product.

No RSVP is required.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Michigan Wine Competition Results Announced

Bookmark and Share  Twenty-five wine experts gathered August 3 in East Lansing for the 33rd annual Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition. Judges included five Master Sommeliers, and internationally known authors, winemakers and wine educators. Leading the group through the day was food and wine writer Christopher Cook, who judged at the competition for 12 years before becoming its superintendent in 2001. Cook is also a judge at wine competitions throughout the United States and abroad.

Don Koivisto, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, welcomed the judges to the competition. He noted there is strong recognition at the state level of the importance of the wine industry to the state's economy, and expressed his delight in witnessing the industry's rapid growth in the past decade.

There was a great showing of wines from areas throughout the state, with gold medals split evenly between the Northern and Southern growing regions. Silver medals were awarded to wineries from all major growing regions, including the Upper Peninsula where there are now three commercial wineries producing wines from grapes grown in Michigan.

The Michigan competition is a favorite for many of the judges, as they are eager to learn about the state's exciting, rapidly growing industry. Wayne Belding, Master Sommelier with The Boulder Wine Merchant, commented that "tasting such a broad range of Michigan wines confirmed my opinion that there is a rising tide of wine quality throughout mid-America."

Joe Borrello has judged at this competition every year but one since it was first held in 1977 ... wedged between the horse and cow barns at the State Fairgrounds. Borrello says the competition--and the wines--have come a long way since then. "This year's judging was an excellent presentation of wines and what Michigan is capable of accomplishing," he said. Borrello is president of Tasters Guild International, which sponsored the Best of Class Dessert trophy, to be presented to the winning winery at a Gold Medal Reception at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing this evening.

Veteran Judge Dr. G. Stanley Howell, formerly with Michigan State University's Horticulture Department, was the competition's superintendent for several years prior to Christopher Cook taking the helm. Howell has followed the growth of the Michigan wine industry closely and noted, "The red wines from the 2007 vintage were outstanding and are a portent to Cabernet Franc joining much renowned Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay wines in recognition of their excellence."

Forty-four of the state's 73 wineries entered a record 399 wines for this year's competition, which is open only to wines produced from Michigan grapes and other fruit. Gold medals were awarded to a wide variety of wines--from bone-dry reds to deliciously sweet ice wines--from all of Michigan's major grape-growing areas. At the end of the day, judges awarded the top "Best of Class" awards to eight wines from a group of 52 gold medal winners, including eight double gold.

The top award-winners are:
  • Best of Class Dry White: Black Star Farms - 2009 Arcturos Pinot Gris
  • Best of Class Dry Red: Bowers Harbor Vineyards - 2007 Cabernet Franc, Erica Vineyard
  • Best of Class Semi-Dry White: Black Star Farms - 2009 Arcturos Riesling
  • Best of Class Semi-Dry Red: Lawton Ridge Winery - AZO
  • Best of Class Sparkling Wine: Black Star Farms - 2008 Sparkling Wine
  • Best of Class Dessert Wine: Fenn Valley Vineyards - 2008 "42" Ice Wine
  • Best of Class Fruit Wine: Uncle John's Fruit House Winery - Franc-N-Cherry
  • Best of Class Rose': Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery - 2009 Blanc de Pinot Noir

In addition, Chateau Fontaine won a Judges' Merit Award for their 2009 Woodland White, a semi-dry white wine made from Auxerrois, a little-known grape variety in the United States, originally from France.

A complete list of medal-winning wines is available online at http://www.michiganwines.com/. The Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition is sponsored by the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, which is administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. For more information about the wines and wineries of Michigan, contact the council online, or by phone at 517-241-4468.
Photo by Joe Marinaro

  
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Saturday, August 28, 2010

Wrongo Dongo Spanish Monastrell

Bookmark and Share  Wrongo Dongo. The name alone caught our attention when Mike Gregg opened this bottle as a bonus for the TWAV team at the recent Cork's tasting - well, that and the 15% alcohol content. Knowing that Glorious T loves spicy, peppery blends, Mike thought she would get a big kick out of this Spanish Monastrell. It comes from the Jumilla region - sounds tropical and adds to the intrigue.

We loved the dark violet color, the evident legs, and the spicy aroma. Robust without being acidic, and with well balanced tannins, the Wrongo Dongo was a big hit and so was the price tag - just around $12. (Keep your eyes open as this wine can be found for even less when it is on sale.) This is an interesting, flavorful choice and a must for those looking to expand their varietal horizons. It is bursting with rich fruit flavors and exotic spices. If nothing else, pick up a bottle just to have on display. If loving this wine is wrongo, I don't want to be right.


Friday, August 27, 2010

Cleavage Creek 2007 Tracy Hills Merlot-Shiraz

Bookmark and Share  Cottony white clouds were wafting across a blue sky. It was a perfect summer evening and we soon had a steak grilling on the patio. With a little Cuban jazz in the background we only lacked one ingredient -- a nice wine. After a quick trip downstairs I returned with a Cleavage Creek 2007 Tracy Hills Merlot-Shiraz.

First, let's deal with your skepticism. I avoided buying from this winery on an online auction because I thought the name was a half-baked marketing scheme. I was half right. It is marketing -- but with a great cause, raising money for breast cancer research. The women pictured on the labels are all breast cancer survivors. Ten percent of gross wine sales are donated to fund breast cancer research and support.

The wines are also very tasty.This blend is 67% Syrah and 33% Merlot. It has a silky finish with raspberry and blackberry flavor notes. It is aged in oak, but we found it very smooth -- in fact a little light in body for our steak.

As we were enjoying the great evening and the smooth wine in the backyard, sirens and flashing lights on the next street over caught our attention. We could never quite figure out what happened -- but it involved a lot of milling about and comings and goings of emergency vehicles. It appeared everyone was alright and we resumed savoring the wine.

This is an enjoyable bottle and a great value at only $18. I've also noticed that Cleavage Creek has some great case sales going on.
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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Dry Scaly Skin? Try Switching from Beer to Wine

Bookmark and Share   Take that, Budweiser! Turns out a beer belly may not be the worst result of a taste for brewsky. According to a new study issued last week in the Archives of Dermatology, women who regularly drink beer are more likely to develop psoriasis, a skin disease that causes scaly lesions, redness and inflamation of the skin. Women who drink at least five regular beers a week increase the risk of psoriasis 2.3 times compared to non-drinkers.

No link has been found, according to researchers, between psoraisis and other types of alcohol including wine, spirits or light beer. The culprit may be barley, which contains gluten. Barley is used to ferment beer and those with psoriasis are more sensitive to gluten than those without the disease.

And you thought that beer belly was a problem? How about dry scaly skin as a reward for downing brewskys? Women who drink beer regularly are more likely to develop psoriasis, an auto-immune disease that causes scaly lesions, redness, and inflammation of the skin, a new study suggests. Drinking at least five regular brews a week increases a woman's risk of psoriasis 2.3 times compared to non-drinkers, according to a study published Monday in the Archives of Dermatology.

Researchers found no link, however, between psoriasis and other types of alcohol including light beer, wine, or spirits. The gluten-containing ingredient barley, used to ferment beer, could be to blame for the increased psoriasis risk, researchers say, since those with psoriasis are more sensitive to gluten than those without the disease.
 
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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Wine Tastings & Events: Week of August 23, 2010

Wednesday, August 25
Anderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8:00 PM. Closeouts: 1. Alfredo Roca Chenin Blanc-ChA cork of BVardonnay, 2.  Kitfox Vineyards Syrah, 3.  Sterling Diamond Mountain Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.  Hayman & Hill Riesling.  Nominal fee per sample or flight $8.25.

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

Thursday, August 26
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM.

Wines of the Tour de France! Featuring Burgundy/Beaujoais: 1. 2008 Domaine de la Collonge – White Burgundy, 2. 2008 Louis Jadot Beaujolais (Gamay), 3. 2009 Georges Dubceuf Beaujolais-Villages (Gamay)4. 2006 Ladoix – Red Burgundy (Pinot Noir). Flight $8 or nominal fee per sample. 
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The Andersons, Talmadge Road.

“How Merlot Can You Go.” A survey of great merlot from low to high cost. 1. The Velvet Devil Merlot , Washington, 2. Chateau Sainte-Marie Bordeaux, French Merlot blend, 3. Blackstone Napa Merlot, Napa, 4. BV Reserve Carneros 2006 Napa Pinot Noir, 5. Century Oaks Reserve Cabernet, Lodi, Calif., 6. Morande Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Chile. Nominal fee per sample.

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

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Toast the Coast:
Napa, Sonoma, blah, blah, blah. It's time to take a trip to Socal and explore all that this rich and diverse wine region has to offer. We'll check out dynamic and exciting wines from the premier producers of the Edna, Santa Maria, and Santa Ynez Valleys; along with Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County. Nominal fee per sample.


Friday, August 27

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Unique Whites: 1. Condesa Eylo Rueda, 2. Cliff Family Winery "The Climber," 3. Chateau de L'Hyverniere Muscadet, 4. Anne Amie "Prisme."  $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Toast the Coast:
Napa, Sonoma, blah, blah, blah. It's time to take a trip to Socal and explore all that this rich and diverse wine region has to offer. We'll check out dynamic and exciting wines from the premier producers of the Edna, Santa Maria, and Santa Ynez Valleys; along with Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County. Nominal fee per sample.

Saturday, August 28
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Unique Whites: 1. Condesa Eylo Rueda, 2. Cliff Family Winery "The Climber," 3. Chateau de L'Hyverniere Muscadet, 4. Anne Amie "Prisme."  $10 tasting.


The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 1-3 PM.

We will be pouring German wines in celebration of Oktoberfest: 1. Schloss Bierbrich Sekt Sparkling Wine, 2. Superstition White Blend, 3. Sweet Desire White, 4. Schlink Haus Dornfelder. Nominal fee per sample or $2 flight.

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

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

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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Word Cloud of Toledo Wines and Vines

image OK, what is this crazy illustration? It's a word cloud created at http://www.wordle.net/. You can make a word cloud with any chunk of text and then continue playing with it as long as you like. I recommend an unoaked Chardonnay while enjoying this exercise.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Drink Me Tags Add A "Bow Tie" To Your Wine Gifts

Bookmark and Share   We recently received a couple samples of  Drink Me Tags for use in giving wine as gifts. They are colorful tags with nice graphics and clever sayings. They are held to a nice quality ribbon with a bright brass pin.

You may ask yourself, "Can't I just crank these puppies out on my laser printer and save the expense?" Yes, you could -- unfortunately, it will also look like you did,  prompting the gift recipient to ask if you are really too cheap to buy a card or a gift bag. These cost $2.25 a piece, which seems a bit pricey to us -- but if you are giving a nice bottle of wine you may want to consider something different. These tags have a nice visual appeal and could fill the bill.

I now have two bottles sitting on my table sporting "Just Add Corkscrew" and "Put a Cork In It" labels. They're looking proud!

Drink Me Tags were founded by mother-daughter team, Val and Sara Rossi, to enhance the experience of wine giving by accessorizing the bottle in a unique way.
Sara says gifting options for wine have always been slim but these wine bottle gift cards are "easy, classy, and turn your bottle of wine into a gift with that little something extra."

Drink Me Tags come in a variety of designs and are available online for $2.25 a card. You can also buy customized cards in minimum quantities of 25. You can check out the available designs at http://www.drinkmetags.com/.
 
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Saturday, August 21, 2010

Swedish Hill, Sheldrake Point Take New York Wine & Food Classic Honors

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Vineyard overlooking Canandaigua Lake, from Ro...Image via Wikipedia
Bookmark and Share  Watkins Glen, New York—Swedish Hill Winery Riesling Cuvee from the Finger Lakes won the coveted “Governor’s Cup” trophy at the 2010 New York Wine & Food Classic competition, held on August 16 and 17 at the Glen Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, NY. The “Winery of the Year” award went to Sheldrake Point Vineyards, another Finger Lakes winery, for the second year in a row.

The elegant Governor’s Cup, a large silver chalice, recognizes the “Best of Show” or top prize of all 850 entries in the Classic, known as “The Oscars” of New York wine. The “Winery of the Year” award is presented to the winery with the best overall showing based on the level and number of awards in relation to entries.

This year’s competition included 850 New York wines and 17 spirits from the Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment, Lake Erie, and other regions of New York State. The Swedish Hill Riesling Cuvee was also voted Best Vinifera Sparkling and Best Overall Sparkling on its way to the ultimate award. Sheldrake Point Vineyards received 2 Double Golds, 2 Gold, 4 Silver, and 2 Bronze awards on its way to the Winery of the Year award.

A “Specialty Wine Champion” award was added in 2008 to recognize consistent quality among the increasing number of wines made from fruits other than grapes, or honey. The 2010 winner was ELF’s Farm Winery and Cider Mill with 1 Double Gold and 2 Silver awards. A new “Best New York Spirit” award went to Finger Lakes Distilling Seneca Drums Gin.

The awards were based on blind tastings by 24 expert judges—4 from California, 12 from New York, 6 from other states and 2 from the United Kingdom. Judges included prominent wine writers, restaurateurs, retailers, and wine educators. Four-judge panels determined the initial awards, with top-scoring wines evaluated by all 24 judges for Best of Category and Governor’s Cup awards.

Celebrating its 25th year, the Classic is organized by Teresa Knapp of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and is open to all 280 New York wineries from all regions. In 2010, a total of 32 Double Gold, 74 Gold, 284 Silver, and 250 Bronze medals were awarded. In addition, “Best of Category” and “Best of Class” designations were awarded to wines rated as the finest in various areas. Double Gold medals require unanimity among a panel’s judges that a wine deserves a Gold medal, whereas Gold medals require a majority vote.

The “Best of Category” awards, all eligible for the Governor’s Cup, went to:

Best Sparkling Wine Swedish Hill Winery Riesling Cuvee

Best White Wine Keuka Lake Vineyards 2009 Semi Dry Riesling

Best Rosé Wine Arbor Hill Grapery Coriesa Hill Iona Rose

Best Red Wine Bedell Cellars 2008 Cabernet Franc

Best Dessert Wine Casa Larga Vineyards 2007 Fiori Delle Stelle Vidal Ice Wine

Best Specialty Wine Torrey Ridge Winery Scarlet Red

Best New York Spirit Finger Lakes Distilling Seneca Drums Gin


The “Best of Class” awards went to:

Best Vinifera Sparkling Swedish Hill Winery Riesling Cuvee

Best Sparkling Swedish Hill Winery Riesling Cuvee

Best Unoaked Chardonnay Coyote Moon Vineyards Naked Chardonnay

Best Overall Chardonnay Coyote Moon Vineyards Naked Chardonnay

Best Dry Riesling McGregor Vineyard 2008 Riesling

Best Medium Dry Riesling Keuka Lake Vineyards 2009 Semi Dry Riesling

Best Medium Sweet Riesling Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 2009 Semi Dry Riesling

Best Overall Riesling Keuka Lake Vineyards 2009 Semi Dry Riesling

Best Niagara Schulze Vineyards & Winery Thirty Mile Point Sweet Niagara

Best Gewürztraminer Sheldrake Point Vineyards 2008 Gewürztraminer

Best Cayuga White Swedish Hill Winery 2009 Cayuga White

Best Traminette Bet the Farm Winery 2009 Traminette

Best Vidal Blanc Swedish Hill Winery 2009 Vidal Blanc

Best Vignoles Lucas Vineyards 2009 Vignoles

Best Hybrid White Thousand Islands Winery Wellesley Island White

Best Diamond Torrey Ridge Winery Diamond

Best Native White Blend Niagara Landing Wine Cellars 2009 Rosebud Gold

Best Vinifera Rosé McGregor Vineyard 2009 Rosé D’Cabernet Franc

Best Native Rosé Arbor Hill Grapery Coriesa Hill Iona Rosé

Best Cabernet Franc Bedell Cellars 2008 Cabernet Franc

Best Other Vinifera Red Varietal Fulkerson Winery 2008 Dornfelder

Best Vinifera Red Blend Peconic Bay Winery Nautique Esprit De Rouge

Best Native Red Blend Penguin Bay Winery Tuxedo Red

Best Concord Eagle Crest Vineyards 2009 Canal Boat Red

Best Fruit Wine ELF’s Farm Winery and Cider Mill 2009 Appalachian Trail Apple Wine

Best Mead Torrey Ridge Winery Scarlet Red

Best Late Harvest Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars

2008 Bunch Select Late Harvest Riesling

Best Ice Wine Casa Larga Vineyards 2007 Fiori Delle Stelle Vidal Ice Wine

Complete results of the 2010 Classic will soon be posted under “New York Gold” at http://www.newyorkwines.org/, which also includes Gold medal New York wines from other major competitions.
 
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Friday, August 20, 2010

Atwater Vineyard Estate 2007 Vidal Blanc

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We were looking for a crisp, refreshing white wine as we were unwinding on a summer's evening. We hit just the right note with a favorite from the Finger Lakes: Atwater Vineyard Estate 2007 Vidal Blanc. Atwater is on Seneca Lake and is one of the closest wineries to Seneca Springs, the bed and breakfast we've stayed at the last two years. Atwater has a sensational deck high above the lake with a gorgeous view. Of course, the wine is spectacular as well.

Vidal Blanc is a French-American hybrid grape that is popular in the Finger Lakes as well as Ohio. The grape is hearty and thrives in cool climates. It is a favorite for ice wines but also makes crisp and juicy wines with a touch of sweetness. It tastes like a cousin of Riesling but hasn't been given the appreciation of the more well-known white grape varieties.

We first tried a glass of red wine (to remain anonymous) that we had opened a couple nights before. After the first taste we knew that it had gone south. We need something with some zing to purge the tired red wine from our taste buds.

The Vidal delivered a mouthwatering taste of apples and pear. It is an interesting, full bodied wine that paired well with a selection of cheeses.

This wine is a great choice for "chill-laxing" on these hot summer nights.



Thursday, August 19, 2010

Finger Lakes Report: A New Favorite Found

Bookmark and Share    Our tasting team members Stephanie and Pat Wise have been on the road again -- this time to one of their favorite wine destinations, the Finger Lakes.

The Finger Lakes region of upstate New York holds special memories for us. When we began dating in 1998, Patrick took me there on our way to Boston. We returned the following years until we had our daughter in 2004. We were even engaged there at our favorite bed and breakfast, the 1918 Red Brick Inn, in 2001.

Now that our daughter is older and able to keep herself occupied on long car trips, we decided that for our anniversary this year we would return to our Shangri-la to check out our favorites places and discover new ones. When we were last there in 2001, the Seneca Lake Wine trail brochure listed the wineries A through V.

Now, the brochure extends the list to II. The other lakes have also expanded their trails to include new wineries, all capitalizing on the region’s ability to grow some of the country’s best grapes, and thus the best wines.

Our favorites stand the test of time:

Lakewood Vineyards has a great buttery chardonnay and a red we discovered called Crystallus, which is a great blend of 61% Lemberger, 13% Pinot Noir, 13% Cabernet Franc & 13% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Prejean still offers the best dry Riesling in the region along with a red called Marechal Foch.

Dr. Konstantin Frank brought wine making to the region in 1962, and his winery has some of the best wine with their Cabernet Franc, Dry Riesling, Chardonnay, Meritage, and their specialty, Rkatsiteli, which is one of the oldest grape varieties in the world.

Our new discovery was a winery that Dave and Kathy visited last summer and raved about their wine selection. Ravines Wine Cellar in Hammondsport opened in 2003 and is owned by the former chief winemaker of Dr. Konstantin Frank’s winery. There is nothing on the tasting list that we didn’t like. We even joined their wine club so that we can enjoy the wines all year around.

Other favorites include Castel Grisch, Heron Hill, Fulkerson’s, Glenora, Chateau Lafayette Reneau, and many more!

We can’t say enough about the region. It’s a quick 6-hour trip which is just right for a long weekend out of town. Visit some of the following websites to plan your wine getaway. Enjoy!

http://www.fingerlakeswinetrail.com/

http://www.fingerlakes.org/

http://www.senecalakewine.com/

http://www.keukawinetrail.com/
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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Wine Tastings & Events: Week of August 16, 2010

Wednesday, August 18
Anderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8:00 PM. Brunch Wines: 1. Yellow Tail Sparkling Rose, 2. Sterling Organic Cabernet Sauvignon, 3. Lost Vineyards Lambrusco, 4. Stefano Farina Moscato d’ Asti.  Nominal fee per sample or flight $6.50.
Rex Hill Vineyards


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

Thursday, August 19
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM.
2006 Chateau Gravat Medoc, 2. 2006 Chateau Saint-Sulpice, 3. 2007 Chateau Davril, 4. Chateau Vergnes Beaulieu. Flight $6.50 or nominal fee per sample.
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The Andersons, Talmadge Road.
BBQ To You Too. Great Wines for Grilling and BBQ: 1. Fuente Milano Verdejo-Viura, 2.  Rex Hill Oregon Pinot Gris, 3. Immortal Zin, 4. Terra Barossa Shiraz, 5. Spann Syrah, 6. Firestone Riesling, 7. Rosenblum Harris Kratka Zinfandel, 8. Von Wilhelm Haus Riesling Auslese. Nominal fee per sample.

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

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. The Greatest Grape Vol. 1 – Syrah: We're going to do an exciting new series of tastings over the course of the next couple of months. We'll display the best examples we have to offer of all the classic grape varietals. This month we focus on Syrah (my personal favorite). We'll taste delicious bottlings from Australia, California, South Africa, and of course, the Rhone Valley of France. $1 to $3 per sample.

Friday, August 20
Special Event: Wine by the Glass Pavilion, Toledo Museum of Art. 7:00 – 9:30 PM. Drop-in wine tasting: Tempranillo. Enjoy four wines, light snacks and a view of the Glass Pavilion Hot Shop. $15 members, $20 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. Hot Summer Sweeties: 1. Scagliola "Primobachio" Moscato d'Asti, 2. Del Rio "Rose Jolee," 3. San Giulio Red Malvasia, 4. Carisma Syrah. $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. The Greatest Grape Vol. 1 – Syrah: We're going to do an exciting new series of tastings over the course of the next couple of months. We'll display the best examples we have to offer of all the classic grape varietals. This month we focus on Syrah (my personal favorite). We'll taste delicious bottlings from Australia, California, South Africa, and of course, the Rhone Valley of France. $1 to $3 per sample.

Saturday, August 21
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Hot Summer Sweeties: 1. Scagliola "Primobachio" Moscato d'Asti, 2. Del Rio "Rose Jolee," 3. San Giulio Red Malvasia, 4. Carisma Syrah. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 1-3 PM. Nominal fee per sample or flight.

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

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

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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Tuesday Tasting Slated At Zia's

Tempranillo varietal wine bottle and glass, sh...Image via Wikipedia
Bookmark and Share  Zia's On The Docks,  20 Main St., Toledo, (419) 697-7138, will host a wine tasting on Tuesday, August 17, 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Three wines are featured along with an assortment of pizza and appetizers. Cost is $17.95, which includes tip. 
Featured wines are:

Apothic Red 2008, a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, & Merlot. An excellent wine with notes of rhubarb, black cherry and hints of mocha, chocolate, brown spice, and vanilla. On the palate velvety and smooth finish with a full body and an excellent balance.

Two wines from Trinity Oaks Vineyards: A 100% eco friendly wine that plants a tree for every bottle sold.
For reservations, call (419) 697-7138.

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Monday, August 16, 2010

Vintage Ohio 2010 Heats Up The Summer

The Vintage Ohio Wine Festival was held August 6 and 7 in the beautiful Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland.
Participating wineries were: Breitenback Wine Cellars,  Buccia Vineyard,  Candlelight Winery, Debonne Vineyards,  Emerine Estates,  Ferrante Winery, Grand River Cellars,  Grape and Granary,  It's Your Winery,  Klingshirn Winery,  Maize Valley Winery, Marietta Wine Cellars,  Old Firehouse Winery,  Old Mill Winery,  St. Joseph Vineyard,  The Winery at Spring Hill, Valley Vineyards and  Wyandotte Winery. 

The first impression is “huge” as we spied the assortments of tents and hundreds of cars in fields serving as parking lots. Spiderman accompanied Green Dragon and me on the trip. When we were getting our tickets he asked how many tastings you could get. He couldn’t have asked for a better response: “You can have a hundred if you want.”The grounds had a truly festival atmosphere with three stages of music, a wide range of food booths plus educational programs and other cool products. One of the most unique products we saw was the wine caddy. This is a cord that is worn around the neck attached to a coiled copper tube into which your wine glass fits. You can enjoy the festival “hands free” without worrying where you left your wine glass.
We circulated trying the different wines and nibbling some small food samples. We found a few new favorites: Klingshirn Winery had a nice assortment including their Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin and Pinot Grigio; Grand River Cellars scored with their Stonewood Red and Austin’s Red. Ferrante had a very popular booth and we enjoyed their semi-sweet Grand River Valley Riesling. However, they didn’t bring some of our favorite dry wines.

The focus of this event is mostly on sweeter wines, which aren't our favorites. We really liked the wineries that had "dry" and "sweet" lines. The "dry" line was like the EZ Pass lane on the Turnpike. You can zip right up, then go back for seconds before someone waiting in the long "sweet" line could reach the counter.
As we wound up the afternoon, we needed some food before hitting the road. We grabbed a couple gyros and an Angus burger and paired it with a glass of nice Reserve Pinot Noir from St. Joseph.
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Saturday, August 14, 2010

TWAV Tasting Features Great Wines and New Friends

Bookmark and Share Corks Wine & Liquor in Rossford was the scene of Toledo Wines and Vines first public wine tasting on Thursday and Friday, August 12 and 13. TWAV picked the wines along with the expert help of Cork's wine manager Mike Gregg.

The line-ups both nights featured top wines from the great wine growing regions of the world. Thursday's line had two whites: Anne Amie '09 Muller Thurgau and Hugel Gentil '07. The four reds were Cascade Cliffs Goat Head Red NV, Las Rocas Vinas Viejas (a great old vines Garnacha), Ampelos Syrache and Seghesio Barolo Vilgneto La Villa '05. The bonus wine was a beautiful Penner-Ash Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

The Anne Amie Muller Thurgau was a clear crowd favorite both nights. With a clean, crisp yet elegant taste, it was a perfect sipper for days that sent the mercury above 85 degrees. Barolo batted clean-up both nights with the Seghesio Barolo the top red pick on Thursday and a 2003 Batasiolo Barolo nabbed top honors on Friday. Mike is preparing special shelf talkers to announce the TWAV top picks on the store displays.

On Friday we shuffled the deck a bit in light of the availability of the wine and to spice things up. As our second white we added a nice 2009 Chateau Lamothe white Bordeaux, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. We kept an Ampelos in the lineup, but switched to their 2005 Pinot Noir -- this is a fuller bodied Pinot with an elegant fruit finish. For our Friday Washington wine we went with the Gilbert Cellars Allabroges 2006. This is a classic Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre blend. This is a delicious blend with an amazing finish.

The crowd was truly blown away by the bonus wine: a 2007 Alain Jaume Châteauneuf-du-Pape. As Spiderman would say, "This is the real deal."

Corks was overflowing on Friday night and the crowd appreciated the special appetizer and superb wine selections. Glorious T did an outstanding job with photography -- check out her photos on our Facebook page.

We wanted to share some of our favorite wines, introduce our friends to Corks, and get the word out about our blog. As George W. would say, "Mission Accomplished!" Thanks to Mike for his help and all those who turned out.
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Friday, August 13, 2010

Satek Winery Wins Indiana Wine of the Year

Satek Winery of Fremont won the Indiana Wine of the Year title for its 2008 Kreibaum Bay Vidal Blanc Ice Wine at the annual INDY International Wine Competition, which was held recently at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Satek Winery also garnered three Double Gold medals for its Blackberry, 101 Lakes White, and for the Kreibaum Bay Vidal Blanc Ice Wine.

Other medals awarded for Satek wines include Kreibaum Bay Port, 2008 (Gold); Kreibaum Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 2007, (Silver); Chardonnay, 2009, (Silver); Larry’s Luscious Dry Red Wine, 2009 (Silver); Soren’s Favorite, 2008 (Silver); Seyval Blanc, 2009 (Silver); Kreibaum Bay Steuben Dessert Wine, 2008 (Silver); Traminette, 2009 (Silver); Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 (Bronze); 101 Lakes Red (Bronze); DeChaunac, 2009 (Bronze); Mango Mania (Bronze); Merlot (Bronze); and Pam’s Perfect Little Red Wine (Bronze).

The INDY International Wine Competition was held August 4-6 at Purdue University, and winning medals at this show is no small feat. The INDY is the largest independent and scientifically organized wine competition in the United States. Panels of experts and amateurs from around the world conduct a blind judging to choose the winners. This year nearly 2700 commercial entries came from 15 countries and 39 U.S. states. More than 50 wine industry professionals were selected to judge, including winemakers, wine writers, sommeliers, enologists, wine grape growers, chefs, wine distributors, and wine retailers.

Pam and Larry Satek opened Satek Winery in the summer of 2001. This year, the Fremont, Indiana winery will produce approximately 95,000 bottles of wine, with more than 30 varieties. They are open 7 days a week, with free tasting, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Photo: Awards table at Indy International Wine Competition

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Thursday, August 12, 2010

Wine List: Toledo Wines and Vines Tasting at At Corks August 12 -13 -- Don't Miss This One!

Here it is. We've put our heads together with wine manager Mike Gregg and have a great lineup for our first public wine tasting, to be held 6:00 to 9:00 PM Thursday and Friday, August 12 and 13, at Corks Wine & Liquor,Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. There may be a couple changes for Friday to make it a lucky Friday the 13th.

Anne Amie ‘09 Muller-Thurgau (Oregon) - Crisp, fresh, and dry.  From chicken to shellfish, this wine is a versatile match for mildly spicy foods like Thai, Creole, or Mexican. Thomas Houseman, the winemaker for Anne Amie, visited the Toledo Museum of Art for a winetasting. We were excited to try their Pinot Noirs (for which they are well known), but Thomas said his favorite was the the white Muller-Thurgau. We were knocked out by it.


Hugel Gentil ‘07 (Germany) — This wine revives an ancient Alsace tradition that wines assembled from noble grape varieties were called "Gentil". Gentil "Hugel" allies the suave, spicy flavour of Gewurztraminer, the body of Pinot Gris, the finesse of Riesling, the grapiness of Muscat and the refreshing character of Sylvaner. This is an outstanding blend of Alsacian whites we sampled a few months ago.

Cascade Cliffs Goat Head Red NV (Washington) — A blend of Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Zinfandel and Barbera. Named after a goat that used to wonder the cliffs above the vineyard this easy drinking red wine is designed to enjoy without deliberation. Light and fruity with a clean finish. It's a pizza, pasta, burger wine! OK, we love Washington wines. This is a very tasty red we tried at a previous Corks tasting.

Las Rocas Vinas Viejas ‘07 (Spain) — 100% Old Vine Garnacha (minimum of 45-year-old). Polished, elegant and layered with lush fruit. Aged in American and French oak. We were rocked by the Las Rocas Garnacha -- now Mike is breaking out the special reserve Garnacha. The older the vines the more we like.

Ampelos Syrache ‘06 (California) — Syrah, Grenache blend full of bright fruit flavors, especially cherried. Perfectly balanced with acidity and tannins and notes of earthiness and pepper. Two of our tasting team members sampled Ampelos wines at a special VIP tasting and then shared some samples with the rest of the crew. We love Ampelos and this is a cool blend.

Seghesio Barolo Viigneto La Villa ‘05 (Italy) — What a beautiful nose, with flowers, licorice, ripe fruit and fresh leather. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a wonderful ripeness of fruit, yet this is balanced and structured. Very polished. We were introduced to Barolo at a Corks tasting and fell in love with the king of Italian wines. This is liquid elegance.

See you at Corks!

Photo by Robert Donovan

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Mid-Summer Night's Dream: Washington Wine Tasting

Bookmark and Share As the simmering month of July wound down, it was high time to gather the crew for a special tasting to sample a selection of wines from the recent trip to Washington State – along with some tasty selections from elsewhere.
The lineup:
  • J. Trees Cellars 2008 Dry Riesling, Michigan
  • Peconic Bay 2007 Chardonnay “La Barrique',” North Fork of Long Island
  • Thurston Wolfe 2007 Doctor Wolfe’s Family Red, Washington
  • OS Winery 2008 Cabernet Franc, Champoux Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington
  • Gilbert Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Washington
  • Alexandria Nicole 2007 Jet Black Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington
  • Alamos 2007 Malbec Seleccion, Mendoza Valley, Argentina
We served the J. Trees Cellars as a mystery glass to SaxMan and Wine Chic, the first arrivers and the area experts on Rieslings and dry whites. Their impression was very favorable. Green Dragon and I enjoy Dry Riesling as well so this minerally, acidic wine hit the right note with us. Glorious T, more of a smooth red drinker, found it a bit too acidic.

The La Barrique Chardonnay from Peconic Bay is a tasty, lightly oaked Chardonnay. This is a quality Chard from Long Island.

The Thurston Wolfe Family Red is a great blend with 64% Primitivo. One of our tasters called it “husky” while Green Dragon called it big in the mouth. It had a smoky flavor that had one guest calling for a cigar.

For the reds we used the Vinturi aerator plus served it in a decanter. I found a rather odd piece of glassware at a church rummage sale. It is like a giant goblet, but with a little pinched lip for easy pouring. After trying to figure out what it was, one day I poured in a bottle of wine and found it fit easily. We dubbed it the “bird of paradise” decanter and gave it its first workout at this tasting.

The OS Cabernet Franc, from the funny sounding Champoux Vineyard (very cleansing) was smoky with a fruit aroma. It had a bit of pepper. The finish was quick, but then resurfaced. Enjoyable, but this would benefit from additional aging.

The Gilbert Cellars Cab is a sophisticated wine with layers that shift and change as the wine opens up and as you sip. It opens with a taste that is earthy and tannic, but then became mellow for a smooth finish. This was a great match for our chocolate from Madagascar. Several of the tasting team picked this as the top red.

The Jet Black from Alexandria Nicole is a smoothly made Syrah. Its inky color creates an aura of mystery and allure. There is a touch of tobacco with dark berries. My favorite for the evening.

The Bird of Paradise decanter continued flying well into the late evening while the group enjoyed conversation and the flicker of a fire pit and tiki torches. Spiderman wasn’t ready to call it a night and Wine Chic suggested Malbec.

A quick trip to the cellar produced a 2007 Alamos Seleccion. The grapes are hand selected from the La Consulta cool climate district which lies close to the Andes Mountains. Boom! This was a hit with Glorious T. It is fruit forward, easy on palate with flavor notes of rich, red fruit. This is a crowd pleaser and was a great way to finish the evening.

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