Starborough 2009 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

During our recent trip to Mohican State Park we took advantage of a special package that included dinner in the lodge restaurant. My wife asked for a wine recommendation to go with her fish entree and I scanned the wine list and recommended the Starborough 2009 Sauvignon Blanc. One of Green Dragon’s favorite wines is Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc and I thought the Starborough would hit the right note for dinner.

It did and she loved it. Although it wasn’t a side by side tasting, she said she might actually prefer the Starborough over the Kim Crawford. They both are Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs from the Marlborough wine region in New Zealand. Sauv Blanc is a signature wine from New Zealand and when done right can be a mouth-watering, tangy treat.

We picked up a bottle a couple of weeks later for an after dinner drink. The wine had a powerful bouquet of fresh grass and a full body. The acidity gives it a firm crispness. In fact, drinking it without dinner Green Dragon felt it was almost too much. We then tried some cheese and crackers and the wine seemed to mellow noticeably as we sipped.

To me the wine had pronounced lemon and mineral flavors. Green Dragon felt that grapefruit more accurately described it. Either way, it provides full flavor of citrus but is well balanced with acidity.
This isn’t a wine for the meek. If you prefer a more dialed down flavor profile, you might want to look elsewhere, like California or France.

For a nice pairing with fish, the Starborough is outstanding and is a great value at just under $15.

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Wine Sales Benefit Toledo Museum of Art

 .Enjoy a nice bottle of wine and benefit the arts? That's a great combination. Through an

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onging program with The Andersons, when you buy a bottle of special Toledo Museum of Art-labeled wine, you’ll help raise funds for TMA. For every $9.99 bottle sold, $2 will be donated to help support free admission, mount exciting exhibitions, offer free public programs, and enrich the lives of children through educational offerings.

There are four varietals available: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and White Zinfandel. (Sorry about that last one, but it is for a good cause!) And just in time for the holidays, it’s a gift that gives twice!

The wines are available for purchase at The Anderson’s retail stores in Maumee, Toledo/Talmadge Rd., Woodville, and the Sylvania Market.

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Chateau Aeronautique Schedules Halloween Masquerade Ball on October 30

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Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 1849 Rives-Eaton Rd., Jackson, Michigan, (517) 569-2132 has scheduled its first annual Halloween Masquerade Ball on October 30 from 8 PM to midnight. The evening will include music, dancing and fun. Entertainment will be provided by Michigan based “Big Foot Bob and the Toe Tappers.”  They have a unique and entertaining approach to a wide variety of classic R & B, jump, swing, blues, as well as original material. All you can eat “Witch’s Stew” will be available for $5.

The public is invited to attend.

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Wine Tastings & Events: October 20-23, 2010

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Wednesday, October 20
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Spooky Wine. Come see if you can figure out the common theme to this year’s Halloween tasting!: 1. Michael David Incognito Viognier,  2. Affentaler Spatburguner, 3. Corvidae Wine Co. (Owen Roe) “Rook,” 4. Klinker Brick Zinfandel. Nominal fee per sample or $8.00 per flight.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. Special guest: Michael Kasper of South American Wine Importers and new selections from Chile. $15.

Thursday, October 21

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Spooky Wines: 1. Vampire – Pinot Grigio – California, 2. Bogle’s Phantom – Red Blend – California, 3. 7 Deadly Zins – Zinfandel – Lodi, California, 4. Big Red Monster – Red Blend – California, 5. 2009 Abstract – Red Blend – California Inaugural Vintage.  Nominal fee per sample or by the flight. 
 

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Great Italian Wines with Food. White: 1. Ca Vi-Ti Prosecco, 2. Garofoli Verdicchio, 3. Moris Vermentino. Red: 1. Sampietrana Tacco Barocco Primativo, 2. Baron Ricosoli Chianti, 3. Lucignano Chianti, 4. Esprit Follet (fumin) Vallee d’Aoste, 5. Insoglio Toscana. Nominal fee per sample.

Anneliese’s Fine Dining and Lounge, 105 W. 5th St., Perrysburg -- (419) 931-1999. 6:30 PM. Wine tasting featuring 6 wines and 6 food courses. Call for reservations and information.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. South American Wine Importers and new selections from Chile. $15. 
 
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. The Greatest Grape Vol. 3 : Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is undoubtedly the most prestigious of the noble grape varietals. Join us for our third installment of the Greatest Grape series as we conduct an in-depth exploration of the mighty King Cab. Nominal fee per sample.

Friday, October 22
* Special Event * Wine by the Glass Pavilion, Toledo Museum of Art. 7:00 – 9:30 PM. Drop-in wine tasting: Blind Tasting. 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. Wines of Italy: 1. Zardetto Prosseco Brut, 2. Dino Torti Barbera, 3. Poggio Amorelli Chianti Classico, 4. Secco-Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso. $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. The Greatest Grape Vol. 3 : Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is undoubtedly the most prestigious of the noble grape varietals. Join us for our third installment of the Greatest Grape series as we conduct an in-depth exploration of the mighty King Cab. Nominal fee per sample.

Saturday, October 23
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Wines of Italy: 1. Zardetto Prosseco Brut, 2. Dino Torti Barbera, 3. Poggio Amorelli Chianti Classico, 4. Secco-Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. 1.Century Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, 2. Marchese Montefusco Syrah, 3. Marchese Montefusco Grillo, 4. Leonard Kreusch Late Harvest Riesling.  Nominal fee per sample or $2 for flight.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 PM. Forgotten Wines – That shouldn’t have been forgotten. Pay by the sample or flight.

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

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Niagara Peninsula Ontario Winery Visit: Tawse Winery

Another in our series of reports on Niagara Peninsula wineries from our visits last month.

If we had visited only one winery during our trip to Ontario and it was Tawse Winery, the trip would have been well worth it. We visited more than 20 and that goes to show the high regard we have for this winery and its superb lineup of wines.

We had grouped the wineries into clusters to simplify our itinerary. One cluster was to the west of Beamsville and we visited six wineries there. Tawse was the first winery in a second cluster of five wineries to the west of Vineland. Approaching the Tawse the striking architecture of the winery building lets you know in advance that this is going to be a truly remarkable experience. The winery has a six level gravity flow system so that the wine can flow gently from pressing to bottling. Organic and bio-dynamic growing techniques are used. To reduce costs and the carbon footprint, the winery relies on geothermal for 80 percent of its energy needs. The winery is built into the hillside and the wines are aged in cellars covered with  about eight feet of earth.

Stepping inside you see a  swanky tasting bar with Riedel glasses and a floor to ceiling wall of windows that enables you to look into the fermenting room with barrels and glinting stainless steel tanks. It reminded me of the New York Marriott Marquis except instead of looking out onto Times Square you are looking at the heart of the winemaking operation.

We began with the 2009 Quarry Road Gewürztraminer. This is an estate wine with grapes coming from the Quarry Road vineyard in the Vinemount Ridge AVA. This is spicy with floral flavor notes and perhaps a touch of ginger. No question that this would be great with Asian food.

We were ready to dive into reds and the first Tawse red was perhaps the last word in Cabernet Franc. The Tawse 2008 Laundry vineyard Cabernet Franc was perhaps the best Cab Franc we tasted during our Canadian swing. This is an exceptional wine that is plush and organic with an intense nose. This had flavors of black fruit and also tobacco. This was a wine to relax and spend an evening with. I had prepared some TWAV Award of Excellence cards for our tasting team to award during our winery visits. This wine was the only one to  receive that award. It is a true winner! It sells for $29.95.

Our tasting team pushed on in our delightful endeavor, now tasting the 2007 Meritage. This is a blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 27% Cab Franc. It is aged in oak barrels and is full, rich and complex. It has a beautiful dark color and its flavors mirror that darkness with tastes of dark fruit, rich soil and pepper. It sells for $57.95 and can be cellared for up to 10 years.

We wrapped up our tasting with a flavorful Cabernet Sauvignon and after a few final minutes soaking up the great atmosphere, headed for our next stop.

Tawse is must see. Great people, great winery and winemaking at its finest. Oh, Canada!

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Ohio Winery Visit: Troutman Vineyards Celebrates Harvest

Green Dragon and I spent the weekend at Mohican State Park hiking and enjoying wonderful October weather. Before zipping back to the Toledo area, we thought we would check out Troutman Vineyards which had a Harvest Festival scheduled. Troutman Vineyards is set among the rolling hills of southwestern Wayne County in Ohio, about five miles south of Wooster and on the fringes of the Mohican region and the Amish community.

Andy and Deanna Troutman opened the winery in 2001 and the winery building is in a refurbished chicken coop that was originally built in 1935. A former owner of the winery land sold honey and flowers from a roadside stand. Andy lived not far from the site of the current winery and his interest in winemaking started at an early age. When he was in 4H he grew grapes. The vineyard was planted in 1998 with the first harvest in 2000. The vineyard focuses on grapes that Andy has determined thrive in Wayne County: Vidal Blanc, Lemberger, Traminette and Cabernet Franc.

Things were really popping at the winery when we arrived. The tasting bar was jammed and there was a bluegrass band with a nice crowd in a picnic area in the back. There is a spacious tasting room which had hosted a Harvest Feast the night before we arrived and looks like it is great for special events. This is also a nice destination for kids, who are sure to enjoy the goats and donkey.

The wine samples are a ridiculously reasonable 25 cents. We started with the White Menagerie, a dry white made with Ohio-grown Seyval Blanc grapes. This snagged a gold medal at the Finger Lakes international competition and was a winner with us also. It had tropical fruit flavor notes and a good crispness. We purchased a bottle of this for $14.

The 2008 Pinot Gris is a dry white which is aged in French oak for six months. Although enjoyable, we prefer a bit more crispness.

We also tried the 2009 Cabernet Franc. We love Cab Franc and this is from estate grown grapes and only 43 cases were made due to the small crop. This had a very pleasing taste, but we expect it will be even better after aging another year or two.

The most popular wine was Farmer’s Red. While we were at the counter at least two cases of Farmer’s Red were sold in addition to many bottles and glasses.This is a sweet red wine made with Concord grapes and we’re told it really goes well with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Andy gave me a tour of the production room and I was impressed with the array of tanks and equipment for such a small production winery. Andy’s winemaking experience has really benefitted the operation. He spent three years working at Wolf Creek Winery before opening his own. This gave him an insight of different equipment and connections that enabled him to find out about good deals on used equipment.

As we walked through the tank room Andy pulled out one of his few remaining bottles of sparkling white wine. This sparkler, made of Wayne County Vidal Blanc grapes, was dry and creamy. Thoroughly delicious.
I savored this and walked out to the bluegrass music where Green Dragon was enjoying a glass of White Menagerie. It was crowded with families who were enjoying picnic lunches, blue sky and great music. Another feature of the Harvest Festival was grape stomping, something that Green Dragon always wanted to do.

This was a head-to-head competition. Two plastic tubs were filled with grapes in various stages of crushedness. There was a little hole at the bottom which trickled out to a cup. Green Dragon went head-to-head with a 6-year old boy who was apparently a professional grape stomper. Although she lost the race, she was pleased and purple.

Technorati Tags: wine,drinklocalwine.com,ohio wine

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