Orin Swift Wines Captivate Crowd; New Release Abstract Joins The Prisoner

Orin Swift’s Prisoner is an iconic wine, a perfect blending of Zinfandel and five other grapes that has captured the palates of a multitude of American wine lovers. It was one of four Orin Swift wines highlighted during a recent tasting at Corks hosted by wine manager Mike Gregg and Vanguard distributing representative Dave Duling.



The Prisoner is an iconic wine.

 Dave Phinney, the founder of Orin Swift Cellars, was a political science student who had just graduated after a semester internship with a congressman. He decided he needed a “more honest” profession and entered the wine business as the low man on the totem pole working his first harvest at the Robert Mondavi Winery. He was hooked and started Orin Swift Cellars the next year with two tons of purchased Zinfandel grapes and one pair of shoes.

He’s come a long way. The wines showcased at Corks show his finesse and range.

We opened the tasting with Veladora, a 2009 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. This is 94% Sauv Blanc with 2% Muscat and 4% Semillon. We’ve been tasting quite a few New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs lately and this seemed subdued by comparison. It has flavors of tropical fruit and vanilla and a long finish. This is finished in stainless steel with 10% in French oak – but the oak certainly came through to me on the finish.

I suspect that this would grow on me, given time for the wine and me to unwind, but on this night, the reds were the main attraction.

We moved to the 2009 Abstract California Red Wine. As the first release for a new Orin Swift wine, this has generated quite a buzz. At $25 it is also one of the most affordable OSC wines.

This is a blend of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah, mostly from the hillside vineyards in Sonoma County. The exact percentages in the blend haven’t been disclosed, but typically the grapes are listed in descending percentage order. That may be the case here, but those expecting some lightness from the Grenache will be greeted with a big body punch from this full bodied, rich textured wine.

It’s a dense wine that I suspect is powered by the Petite Sirah. The wine was inspired by Dave Phinney’s visit to the French Roussillon region in the Pyrenees mountains. He recently started his own winery there and wanted to create something similar from the grapes back home.This is a plump, enjoyable wine.



Dave Duling Releases "The Prisoner"

 Batting next was The Prisoner 2008 Napa Valley Red Wine. This is a masterful blend of 46% Zinfandel, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 2% Charbono and 1% Grenache. (My first experience with Charbono. Heretofore I thought Charbono was an outfielder for the Indians a couple decades ago.)

It’s easy to see why The Prisoner has captivated so many. Swirling unleashes a wonderful aroma of currant and blackberry. The texture and body are bold although the tannins are mellow. The finish really lingers. Dave Duling commented that it “starts like a Zin and finishes like a Cab.” It is beautifully balanced.

The Prisoner retails for about $37 and is worth every penny.

Rounding out the stable of OSC wines was Papillon.  Each wine has a unique label, and Papillon is no exception. It features a black and white photo of third generation Napa Valley grape grower Vince Toffanelli’s hands with a letter on each finger spelling out the wine’s name.

Papillon is a Bordeaux blend with 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. The grapes come from a number of great Napa vineyards including Lewelling, Taplin, Ink Grade and Morisoli. These span the Napa Valley appellations of Oakville, Rutherford, Saint Helena and Howell Mountain.

The wine has a soft approach and is quite lush. This is finished for 20 months in French oak with a third of the barrels being new. The wine has a great complexity to be savored before it eases into a soft finish. Quite a debate was triggered when our band of tasters tried to decide which was the top wine. There was a 50-50 split between The Prisoner and Papillon. There was a consensus that Abstract is a QPR winner. It’s a nice buy for $25 while Papillon weighs in at about $55.

You should be pourin’ Orin; these are wonderful wines.

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Wine Affair: A Vintage To Remember Takes Place Friday, November 19

The Wine Affair, a benefit for the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio and one of the area’s top wine events, will take Place Friday, November 19, at 6:30 PM at the Parkway Place in Maumee. The cost for this black-tie optional event is $100 per person.

The Wine Affair includes a silent auction, a live auction conducted by auctioneer Beth Rose and a sampling of fine wines from area wine distributors. Appetizers will be supplied by notable area restaurants including: the Beirut/Byblos/Poco Piatti, Ice Restaurant & Bar, Koto Buki, La Scola Italian Grill, Super Suppers, Manhattan’s, The Melting Pot and Wixey Bakery.

Honorary Chair is Randy Oostra, president and CEO of ProMedica Health System. WTOL News 11 television personality Chrys Peterson will serve as emcee. Tonya Robinson and Timothy Dudderar are the event chairs. An interesting attraction is artist Robert Schira, who will create a watercolor-on-canvas painting that will be framed and sold at the live auction.

To register online go to www.kfnwo.org or call (419) 329-2353.

Flickr photo by andi.vs.zf

Technorati Tags: wine

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Niagara Peninsula Winery Visit: Megalomaniac (John Howard Cellars of Distinction)

 There certainly was no other winery like Megalomaniac on our recent visit to Ontario.

It starts with the attitude. John Howard is the owner of the winery and had originally planned to market the wines under his own name. One of his friends called him just another (expletive) megalomaniac and the name stuck. He says that the wine is designed “to be shared by friends of equivalent or even greater egos.” The wine, he says, pairs very well with delusional fantasies of wealth, power, and occasionally, omnipotence.

The roadside sign beckons you to a winding road that through sweeping vineyards on gently rolling hills. As we admired the sights we were startled by the occasional blast cannon that frightens away the birds – and perhaps US tourists.  The winery sits on a 96-acre site on what some say is the highest spot on the Niagara Escarpment, the rocky geologic feature that gives the region its wonderful terroir.

Our destination at the end of the road was not a magnificent mansion, but an entrance to an underground cellar.An expansive tasting bar gives visitors a total tasting experience in the midst of a production and barrel aging facility. You might call it “shabby chic” because although it is an underground cellar, there were chandeliers and other touches of opulence down below.

Quirky marketing and ‘tude aside, Megalomaniac makes some fine limited quantity, artisan wine. We began the tasting with the 2006 Narcissist Riesling. This is a bone dry Riesling that is very good with minerally notes.

We proceeded to taste the 2008 Frank Cabernet (Cabernet Franc). This was a winner with a healthy dose of spice and black cherry. The 2007 Bigmouth Merlot provided a pop of cherry and smooth finish. The Merlot was the most noteworthy and is aged for 22 months in French Oak.

If you are audacious enough, insist on having things your way and want wine that matches the sky-high ego of its owner, then be sure that Megalomaniac is on the list for your next visit to the Niagara Peninsula.

Technorati Tags: wine. niagara Peninsula. ontario wine

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Wine Tastings & Events: November 10-13, 2010

Image of Bott-Geyl via Snooth

Wednesday, November 10 

The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Wines for Thanksgiving Part I: 1. Estampa Estate Viognier/Chardonnay, 2.  Brooks Pinot Noir, 3. Karly “Pokerville” Zinfandel, 4. Pannonian Red. Nominal fee per sample or $8.00 per flight.

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

Thursday, November 11

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Dessert Wines, Sherry and Ports: 1. St. Christopher – Auslese Riesling – Rheinhessen, Germany, 2. Pedro Romero – Moscatel Sherry – Jerez Xeres, Spain, 3. Hardys Whiskers Blake – Classic Tawny Port – Austrailia, 4. Noval – “Black” Reserve Ruby Port – Portugal. Nominal fee per sample or $7.00 flight. 
 

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. The World of Syrah: 1.Langmeil “Hangin’ Snakes” Barossa, 2. Selkirk Bremerton Langhorn Creek, 3. Mollydooker “The Boxer” Australia, 4. Gorman “Pixie” Red Mountain, Washington, 5. Two Percent “The First Drop” Barossa, 6. McCray “Orleans Cuvee” Yakima Valley, Washington, 7. Ojai “Roll Ranch” California, 8. Mollydooker “Blue Eyed Boy” Australia. Nominal fee per sample.

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

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Orin Swift. Orin Swift is a very hot, young brand out of Napa. The owner and winemaker, Dave Phinney, is a master of blending, and his wines are consistently rated and ranked highly. Join us as we welcome our special guest, Dave Duling, of Vanguard Wines. He'll be there to tell the tale of Orin Swift, and to pour through the amazing lineup.Nominal fee per sample.

Manhattan's Restaurant, 1516 Adams Street, Toledo. Wine Tasting with Uptown Vineyard. 6:30 PM. $15. Five wines and appetizers. In Union Square room. Reservations required. E-mail info@uptownvineyard.com or call (866) 276-1984.

TREO Restaurant & Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. 7:00 PM. Fall Harvest Dinner. Italian-themed night features six courses paired with wines from Claudio Salavador. $65. Call to RSVP or for info or email events@treosylvania.com.

Friday, November 12 
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. California Rhone Style Blends: Featuring Dave Duling from Vanguard Distributing. 1. White Elephant Chenin-Viognier, 2. Curran Granache Blanc, 3. Cline "Cashmere", 4. Orin-Swift "Abstract. $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Orin Swift. Orin Swift is a very hot, young brand out of Napa. The owner and winemaker, Dave Phinney, is a master of blending, and his wines are consistently rated and ranked highly. Join us as we welcome our special guest, Dave Duling, of Vanguard Wines. He'll be there to tell the tale of Orin Swift, and to pour through the amazing lineup.Nominal fee per sample.

Saturday, November 13
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. California Rhone Style Blends: Featuring Dave Duling from Vanguard Distributing. 1. White Elephant Chenin-Viognier, 2. Curran Granache Blanc, 3. Cline "Cashmere", 4. Orin-Swift "Abstract. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. 1. Bott Geyl 2007 Pinot d’Alsace Metiss, France, 2. G. Duboeuf 2008 Morgan Beaujolais France, 3. Chateau St Michelle Riesling Washington State, 4. WV Blueberry Mist Sparkling, Versailles Ohio. Nominal fee per sample or $3.00 for flight.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 PM. Bordeaux Verticals from Famille Vaulthier. From the family behind some of the world’s greatest wines.We will be tasting multiple vintage of some world-class Bordeaux wines with an emphasis on Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. Premium tasting. Fee per sample or by the flight.

Technorati Tags: wine

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

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Beaujolais Nouveau Party Set November 18 at Walt Churchill’s Market in Maumee

The 5th Annual Beaujolais Nouveau Party is scheduled 6:00 to 8:30 PM on Thursday, November 18, at Walt Churchill’s Market (Briarfield), 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. The cost of the event is $30 per person and is limited to 30 people.

On the third Thursday of November, the world of wine takes a day to celebrate.  The release of the Vintage 2010 Beaujolais Nouveau is a celebration of the harvest that has endured as long as humans have cultivated grapes. Deliciously fresh and fruity Beaujolais is poured and consumed along with a dinner of Cassoulet.  Cassoulet is a white bean and meat stew with over a thousand years of history. This is a delicious feast that you won’t soon forget.

Tickets must be purchased in advance at the store. Only 30 tickets are available and are expected to sell out quickly. Contact Austin Beeman to buy tickets.

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Lone Oak Vineyard Estate Schedules Wine and Chocolate Event November 20

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 Wine and chocolate: What could be better? Lone Oak Vineyard Estate, Lone Oak Vineyard Estate, 8400 Ann Arbor Rd., Grass Lake, Michigan, has scheduled a day of delicious wine and chocolate pairings on Saturday, November 20. You'll learn how chocolate is made and enjoy demonstrations by Mindo Chocolate Makers of Dexter, Michigan.

The session will feature a pairing fine estate grown wines with hand made chocolates from Mindo Chocolate

Makers. You'll sample several different Mindo chocolates with selected wines.

Mindo Chocolate Makers ferment, dry and roast the cocoa beans themselves at their place in Mindo, Ecuador. They ship the cocoa beans to Michigan and hand make the chocolate at their place in Dexter. They control the quality of their chocolate by following the process carefully from the moment the bean comes out of the pod.

Mindo makes their 77% and 67% chocolate with only three ingredients: their own cocoa liquor, their own cocoa butter and organic evaporated cane juice. No additives. It's pure, simple and delicious.

In addition to their solid chocolate bars, Mindo also offers other flavors by adding ingredients like chipotle pepper, espresso coffee beans, cranberries and pecans, habenero pepper, cherries and almonds, to name a few.

There will be three sessions for this event - 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Call (517)522-8167 to reserve your time slot and seat. The cost is $15 per person.

All of the Mindo chocolates and Lone Oak wines will be available for purchase. If you are attending one of the Wine & Chocolate pairing sessions, you will receive a 10% discount on your chocolate and wine purchases for the day.