Tickets Still Available: Chocolate Is For Lovers Wine Trail Set Feb. 5, 11 and 12

Celebrate Valentine's Day with wineries of the Vines and Wines Trail (Northeast Ohio) during the special Chocolate is for Lovers wine trail event. This is a self driving tour. You have two weekends (Friday and  Saturday, noon to 6:00 p.m.) to visit each of the participating wineries on the trail. Dates are February 5 and 11 and 12.

At a designated winery, you will pick up a candy dish and a Schott Zwiesel crystal wine glass. As you travel the trail, you will receive one or two samples of wine and an appetizer along with a Sedar-D’s Chocolate candy to fill your candy dish.

The cost is $45 per couple and $35 per single. For additional details, go to the Ohio Wines Web site or call (800) 227-6972.

Tickets are limited and going fast, so hurry. So to be sure you aren't left out, get your tickets as soon as possible.

Participating wineries include:
Bene Vine Urban Winery, Perry, (440) 259-5077; Biscotti's Family Winery, Conneaut, (440) 599-5555; Buccia Vineyards, Conneaut, (440) 593-5976; Debonne Vineyards, Madison, (440) 466-3485; Emerine Estates, Jefferson, 4(440) 293-8199; Ferrante Winery, Geneva, (440) 466-8466; Grand River Cellars, Madison, (440) 298-9838; Laurello Vineyards, Geneva, (440) 415-0661; Maple Ridge Vineyards, Madison, (440) 298-3290; Old Firehouse Winery, Geneva-on-the-Lake, (440) 466-9300; Old Mill Winery, Geneva, (440) 466-5560; The Barrel Room Winery, Wickliffe, (440) 943-2660; The Winery at Spring Hill, Geneva, (440) 466-7480; Virant Family Winery, Geneva, (440) 466-6279.

Flickr photo by pinkfish13

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Free Cross Country Ski Clinic and Wine Tasting February 5

 Looking for a way to escape Winterblast 2011? Why not embrace the snowy cold with a free glass of wine and a schuss through a winter wonderland?

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A free wine tasting and cross-country ski clinic is schedule 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery, 3142 4 Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Join expert guide Jon Holmes from Bill & Paul's Sporthaus from 2:00 to -5:00 PM for a free afternoon cross country ski clinic and wine tasting. Get into the spirit of the new year by being active even if you've never skied before. The Robinette family is marking 2011 as their Centennial Celebration Year.


Holmes will provide tips and suggestions to improve your cross country ski experience during a 30-minute clinic. Following the clinic, there will be free skiing throughout the historic and scenic Robinette's orchards.

Following the snow-covered trek, there will be complimentary wine and cheese tasting in the winery. This will include a free souvenir wine glass to take home - which may be brought back to the winery at any time for additional complimentary tastings.

This afternoon of winter fun is for all ages, with the exception of the wine tasting which is for people over 21. All experience level skiers are welcome - even beginners. You must have your own equipment. If you don't have equipment, you can rent skis (or purchase them) at Bill & Paul's Sporthaus (616) 458-1684.There is no fee for this event, however, reservations are encouraged. To RSVP, call (616) 361-7180.

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Grand Cru Chablis Tasting Scheduled February 8

 A special tasting of Grand Cru Chablis is scheduled for Walt Churchill's Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000, 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, February 8. A representative of Jean

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Marc Brocard winery will be on hand to walk you through the intricacies of this wonderful region.  Grand Cru Chablis are some of the world’s finest Chardonnays.

The Chablis region is in the north part of the Burgundy region in France. The grapes are almost all Chardonnay and are used to create a dry white wine known for the purity of its aroma and taste. The cool climate produces wines with more acidity and less fruitiness than Chardonnay wines grown in warmer areas. Chablis wines tend to have less oak than wines produced in other parts of Burgundy.

Grand Cru is French for "great growth" and is used to designate a vineyard known for producing exceptional wine. It is the highest classification of for vineyards in Burgundy or Alsace.

This is a premium tasting.

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Wine Tastings & Events: February 2-5, 2011

Wednesday, February 2

The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Great Closeouts: 1. Toasted Head Russian River Reserve Chardonnay, 2. Toasted Head Sonoma Coast Reserve Pinot Noir, 3. Travaglini Tre Vigne Gattinara, 4. Ravenswood Barricia Zinfandel. Nominal fee per sample or $8 flight.

 
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. $15.

Thursday, February 3

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Closeouts, continued: 1. Stellina di Notte – Prosecco, 2. 2007 Capitoso – Rioja – 100% Tempranillo, 3. 2007 Sagelands – Merlot, 4. 2005 Chalone Vineyard – Syrah. $4.00  per flight or nominal fee per sample.    

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Closeout Tasting #3: 1. Seifried Dry Riesling, 2. Seifried Pinot Gris, 3. Goretti Il Maggio, 4. Foley Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay, 5. Seifried Pinot Noir, 6. Benzinger Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, 7. Canoe Ridge Merlot, 8. Ravenswood Baricia Zinfandel. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Bad to the Rhone: It's been so long since we've had a Rhone Valley tasting! France's Rhone Valley lies in the southeastern corner of the country, and specializes in Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and a slew of other grapes. This is my favorite wine region in the world, and for good reason: awesome wines at awesome prices. Nominal fee per sample.

Friday, February 4

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 Cameron Hughes: 1. Lot 214 Los Carneros Chardonnay, 2. Lot 203 Russian River Pinot Noir, 3. Lot 205 Santa Ynez Syrah, 4. Lot 189 Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon. $15 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Bad to the Rhone: It's been so long since we've had a Rhone Valley tasting! France's Rhone Valley lies in the southeastern corner of the country, and specializes in Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and a slew of other grapes. This is my favorite wine region in the world, and for good reason: awesome wines at awesome prices. Nominal fee per sample.

* Special Event * Wine by the Glass Pavilion, Toledo Museum of Art. 7:00 – 9:30 PM. Drop-in wine tasting: Women Winemakers. Enjoy four wines, light snacks and a view of the Glass Pavilion Hot Shop. $15 members, $20 non-members.

Saturday, February 5

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 Cameron Hughes: 1. Lot 214 Los Carneros Chardonnay, 2. Lot 203 Russian River Pinot Noir, 3. Lot 205 Santa Ynez Syrah, 4. Lot 189 Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon. $15 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

Technorati Tags: wine

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

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Waterbrook 2007 Pinot Gris Columbia Valley, Washington

  Waterbook is a Walla Walla Washington winery that has established a reputation as a maker of "premium value" wine. The winery has been around for 25 years and has grown from a family operation to an internationally recognized brand.

We picked up this Pinot Gris for a very wallet-friendly $5.99 from the close-out section of Andersons. We're big fans of Washington wine and the price was simply too good to pass up.

Pinot Gris is the same grape as Pinot Grigio, but the Pinot Grigio is typically a brighter and lighter wine.

The Waterbrook is a very respectable Pinot Gris. It has a bit of grassy flavor and is fresh and acidic leading to a clean finish. It has a dash of minerality which distinguishes it from some of the watery value brand Pinot Grigio.

Speaking of watery, Green Dragon was enjoying a glass of the Waterbrook Pinot Gris while taking a bubble bath and unfortunately spilled the entire glass into the bathwater. Her skin came out soft and slightly fruity.

This is a superior value and a nice middle-tier wine.

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Upset Boyfriend Relieves Himself in Girlfriend's Wine Bottle: The Glass is Half Full, But What's In It?

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There has been talk about the lack of civility in today's society. There's a lot of rudeness, foul language and jerky behavior going on these days -- my wife would say that's usually when she's in the car while I'm driving. But now things have gone much too far and a perfectly good bottle of wine has been ruined in the process.

According to a news article in the Grand Rapids (MI) Press last Thursday, a Michigan home builder released his emotions, and then some, when he broke into his girlfriend’s apartment and urinated in various containers in her refrigerator.

The wine-hating culprit  is Richard Ted Bloem of Jenison, Mich. He was charged with second-degree home invasion and placing harmful objects in food.

Bloem urinated in a pitcher of Crystal Light, a carton of half-and-half creamer, and a bottle of wine in his girlfriend’s refrigerator.

The woman drank some of the Crystal Light and found it more "flavorful" than usual. She also experienced queasiness upon drinking a cup of coffee with the creamer in it. She noticed her wine bottle was fuller than it had previously been and suspected poisoning.

Bloem pleaded no contest to the break-in. According to the newspaper, his lawyer planned to have him testify that drinking urine is not harmful and even endorsed in some cultures. Bloem still faces a felony prison sentence of up to 15 years if convicted.

There was no report on what type of wine was involved or if tasting notes termed it oaky or having too much tannins.

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