First Annual Niagara Food & Wine Expo Uncorks In Niagara Falls

  For the first time, wine enthusiasts will be able to enjoy not just local wine, spirits and beer but also gourmet culinary offerings all under one roof at the Niagara Food & Wine Expo in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

“The Niagara region is known for so much more than just its world class wines and at the Niagara Food & Wine Expo we want to showcase not just the wine but also all of the fantastic cuisine from around the area,” said Jennifer Campbell, Show Manager. “Located in the newly opened Scotiabank Convention Centre, the Expo will be an amazingly fresh experience with top notch exhibitors and wine, beer and spirit educators.”

Kicking off on May 27th, the Expo will attract wine enthusiasts from near and far to come to taste international stars alongside Niagara’s own treasured varietals. The best local and international beers and spirits will also have their time to shine, as these craftsmen showcase their labour of love.

Visitors can take advantage of a rare opportunity to learn from the best through the popular Tutored Tastings Program; a series of wine classes featuring incredible local and international wines, paired with first-rate education led by professional wine experts. The Tasting Stage on the show floor will offer guests casual education on wines, spirits and beers in ongoing 40 minute sessions.

“In addition to all of the great tastings, we’re also really excited about our Chef Stage at the Expo,” said Campbell. “Local and celebrity chefs will host ongoing cooking demonstrations that are the perfect combination of cooking lesson and quality entertainment. Many of the region’s finest restaurants will be onsite preparing sample-sized creations of their famous signature dishes for our visitors to enjoy.”

With the Grand Opening of the Scotiabank Convention Centre a few days away, this stunning facility will be fully operational when the international tasting event takes the stage on May 27th. The doors open at 2:00 PM and the formal opening ceremonies will commence at 3:00 PM. Leading the opening ceremony will be resident wine expert, Christopher Waters of VINES Magazine, Mayor of Niagara Falls Jim Diodati and several other special guests. This one-of-a-kind celebration is open to media, trade and consumers.

Situated in the heart of the internationally renowned tourism destination of Niagara Falls, this cutting edge facility is the first of its kind in Ontario. This facility is LEED Silver designated; an accreditation earned for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. From green housekeeping to naturally lighted working spaces to field-to-table menus, no environmentally sensitive initiative has been overlooked in the creation and care of this facility.

The Niagara Food & Wine Expo is sponsored by the producers of the highly acclaimed Gourmet Food & Wine Expo, InterVin International Wine Awards and VINES Magazine.

Hours for the Wine Expo are: Friday, May 27 - 2 PM - 10 PM, Saturday, May 28 - 12 PM – 10 PM, Sunday, May 29 - 12 PM – 6 PM. General Admission are $12. You must be over 19 years old to attend.
http://www.niagarafoodandwine.ca/


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Chateau Aeronautique Celebrates Michigan Wine Month With Chardonnel Release Party April 16

  Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 1849 Rives-Eaton Rd., Jackson, Michigan, (517) 569-

Image via Wikipedia

2132,  is Celebrating Michigan Wine Month with an Open Hangar Party on Saturday, April 16th from Noon to 6:00 PM.

The event will feature Gary Detlefs performing live light jazz, blues and ballads in the Hangar from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.

In conjunction with the party is the release of Chateau Aeronautique's 2009 Chardonnel, an off-dry white wine aged in stainless steel (no oak). This wine will be paired with Chicken Kabobs prepared by Chef John Jones (while they last). The music and food and wine pairing are free and open to the public.

In addition, wine tastings of up to 10 wines are available for $5 (includes stemware).

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Acres of Land Winery: Richmond, Kentucky Winery Visit

Image by Knowsphotos via Flickr

Josh Kessler and Casey Stover are tasting team members who travel far and wide to report on interesting wine destinations. Here is their latest report. It’s a TWAV first – a Kentucky winery report! 

Casey and I took her daughter to the Smokey Mountains for spring break.  We stopped at a few wineries in the area, which were great, but I wanted to tell you about the one we stopped at in Kentucky on the way back.

Acres of Land Winery in Richmond, Kentucky.  It was a wonderful scenic drive, about 7 miles off the interstate.  We pulled up to a new facility with a nice little restaurant.  We were told that the old tasting room had burned down across the street.  I was expecting a dominating variety of French American hybrids, but it was actually a good mix of hybrids and viniferas.  I apologize in advance to our server for not getting his name.  He gave us wonderful service.  We'll call him Tim Tebow, since that's who I thought he looked like. I passed him my card and told him to be on the lookout for a write up on the blog.

The first wine of choice was the Phoenix; a white wine that represented a rise from the ashes for the winery's start in the new facility.  This was a nice crisp blend of Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, and Vignoles, that is absolutely perfect for a nice warm day.  We voted this very good.

The next wine was the surprise of the day for us.  The Cabernet Sauvignon was stunning.  Very rich and complex with full body, this Cab is aged in oak to add fine tannins.  The nose on this wine is hard to put into words.  We got tobacco and pepper while fruit shone right through.  We've had some good Cabs from Michigan, but I didn't know Cab Sauvignon this good existed in between here and California. 

The Merlot was a full bodied wine with Cherry/Plum flavors and a nice long finish.  This tasted like you'd expect any quality Merlot.

Now I come to what I thought would be the highlight of the stop; the Russell Land Chambourcin Reserve.  Casey and I are big fans of Chambourcin, and we couldn't wait to try a reserve version of the wine.  While still very good, we didn't think this had the body we thought it should.  It is aged in French and American oak for two years and gives you lots of fruit on both the nose and palette. 

Next, we moved on to the semi-sweet and sweet wines.  The semi-sweet was another variation of Chambourcin.  Once again, we had never had Chambourcin like this.  It was very cherry and different.  I think it would take some getting used to, but it worked.  This would also be great for sipping lightly chilled on a warm day.

We finished with a Vignoles.  I still enjoy sweet wines, and Vignoles is one of my favorite.  This is one that you don't always see on wine lists.  Casey does not like sweet wines so much anymore, but she enjoyed this one.  This had hints of peach and honey while keeping the sweetness under control.  We had to get a bottle of this with spring here and summer coming to add to our shelf dominated by dry reds.

This winery stop was a great way to break up our long trip back from the Smokies, and we're so glad we did.  This was an all-around wonderful winery!

Technorati Tags: wine,Kentucky winery

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Wine Tastings & Events: April 13-16, 2011

Wednesday, April 13

The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Outstanding Kosher wines: One of our most popular tastings last year returns. We are out   to prove that there is more to kosher wine than Manischewitz and Mogen David. Wines yet to be announced, but we will tell you that one is a closeout. Nominal fee per sample.

  
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Easter wines. $15.

Thursday, April 14

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Easter Wines: 1. Yalumba – Viognier – South Australia, 2. Lange – Pinot Gris – Willamette Valley, Oregon, 3. Viu Manent – Malbec – Colchagua Valley, Chile, 4. Columbia Crest Amitage – Red Blend – Washington. $4.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.    

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. More Elegant Wines for Dinner: 1. Domaine La Genetiere Rose, Southern Rhone, Tavel France, 2. Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc - Dry Creek, California Sauvignon Blanc, 3. Eric Ross Albarino, Lodi, California Dry white, 4. Chemistry - Willamette Valley, Oregon Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, 5. Talbott Kali Hart Chardonnay, Monterrey, California. 6. Syan - Victoria, Australia Shiraz with Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, 7. Suzanne Balbo Cabernet. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Easter wines. $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Over the Top: As the warm weather approaches, it's time to get out there and flex! You just don't do that with a wimpy bottle of wine. We open up some of the biggest and most muscle-bound bottles in the shop. Stallone!  Nominal fee per sample.

* Special Event * Scheduled opening of Tres Belle Wine & Martini Lounge, 3145 Hollister Lane, Levis Common, Perrysburg. (419) 874-4555.

Friday, April 15

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.  Holiday Rieslings: 1. Frisk Prickly, 2. Valkenberg QBA, 3. Saarstein, 4. Darting Spatlese. $15 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Over the Top: As the warm weather approaches, it's time to get out there and flex! You just don't do that with a wimpy bottle of wine. We open up some of the biggest and most muscle-bound bottles in the shop. Stallone!  Nominal fee per sample.

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

Saturday, April 16

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.  Holiday Rieslings: 1. Frisk Prickly, 2. Valkenberg QBA, 3. Saarstein, 4. Darting Spatlese. $15 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Here are some great value wines for your Easter table whether it’s brunch or dinner: 1. Riondo Prosecco Veneto Italy IGT, 2. Bauer Haus 2009 Dornfelder Rheinhessen, 3. EOS 2009 Muscat Canelli Paso Robles, 4. Novella 2007 Petite Sirah Paso Robles. $2 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 PM. The Best Wines of Israel Tasting: Israeli Wine doesn’t have to mean Mogen David or Kosher.  Here is a chance to explore the mostly unknown fine wines of Israel.  White & Red.  Sweet and Dry.

Nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample or by the flight.

Technorati Tags: wine

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

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Regional Wineries Take Grand Harvest Award Honors

   Judging for the 2011 Grand Harvest Awards, an international wine competition produced by

Image by mtsn via Flickr

Vineyard & Winery Management magazine, completed its mission of recognizing outstanding wines from all over the world and simultaneously studying the effects of terroir on wine quality. Celebrating its 21st year, the Grand Harvest Awards was held March 1-2 at Villa Chanticleer, Healdsburg, California.

Twenty-two judges evaluated 1,346 entries and awarded a total of 947 medals including 145 gold, 401 silver and 401 bronze. Garnering medals at the Grand Harvest Awards (GHA) is difficult to achieve because of its traditional high standards of excellence.


“We had great wines from a wide variety of growing regions,” said Bill Traverso, the chairman of the GHA and the director of wine competitions at Vineyard & Winery Management. “Producers in regions such as Lake Erie, the Finger Lakes, Virginia and Canada are finding out which grapes perform best under their unique growing conditions.”

The Grand Harvest Awards is the only North American wine competition that presents entries to judges according to regional classification. Wines of particular appellations are arranged in flights and evaluated by judges who are unaware of the geographic origin or producer, knowing only varietal name when relevant. In contrast, other competitions group wines by varietal name and suggested retail price.

Beyond the determination of medals, the Grand Harvest Awards also recognizes entries that best exemplify the terroir of their respective viticultural areas, and acknowledges the influence of terroir on wine quality. After evaluating each flight, judges frequently discuss their impressions in order to identify the signature elements of terroir and their link to regional typicity (wine characteristics that are common to particular growing regions).

While it is has no scientific definition, terroir is considered to be the combined expression of soil, climate, elevation and topography in the aroma, flavor and tactile sensations of wine beyond clone and rootstock selection, cultural practices, and winemaking techniques.

The only winery in Michigan to score gold was Tabor Hill, which received gold medals for four wines: NV Grand Mark, '08 Valvin Muscat, '09 Kerner and NV Classic Demi-Red.

The highest medals awarded in Ohio were silvers. Three went to Debonne and one to Raven's Glen.

Finger Lakes wineries achieving gold medals were: Anthony Road, Belhurst, Hunt Country Vineyard, Lucas Vineyard, Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Treleaven and Ventosa.

Although Ohio missed out on gold, Lake Erie was represented. New York's Liberty Vineyards and Winery, plocated in the Lake Erie AVA grabbed four gold medals.. I'm pleased to see that as I'll be visiting there next month.

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Trivento Reserve 2008 Malbec

This luscious Malbec starts with a surprise. When preparing to enjoy a glass of Malbec, my mouth anticipates lush fruitiness loaded with rich berry flavor.

But the overwhelming flavor note for me with the Trivento was that of vanilla. And it’s not like with some wines: “Gee, I think there’s a flavor and it’s kinda, sorta, almost like vanilla.” This is an unmistakable and delicious double scoop of vanilla that leaves you wanting more.

Trivento is an Argentinian winery in Mendoza that was started by Concha y Toro in 1996. Concha y Toro is Chile’s largest wine group and they pumped more than $60 million into the Trivento project. Trivento has three wineries with the capacity to produce more than 30 million liters of wine annually.

This reserve Malbec is fermented for 15 days in stainless steel tanks, then aged for six months in French oak barrels, and another five in the bottle. The reserve designation is truly earned with this wine as it denotes another level of sophisticated taste and complexity.

A full-bodied and velvety wine, the tannins play a nice supporting role, but add no harshness. The mid-palate is bubbling with cherry and red fruit. The finish is really special with that vanilla and toffee flavors. The bottle was provided by Ace of Bass and he put it well, “You get some dessert on the back end.”

This is a great value at less than $10.

Technorati Tags: wine,Argentina,Malbec

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