Saturday, April 30, 2011

Lone Oak Vineyard Estate Schedules Mother’s Day Wine and Chocolate Pairing

A chocolate bar and melted chocolate. Chocolat...
Image via Wikipedia
Does Mom like wine?  Does Mom like chocolate?  Does she deserve a special treat?  Of course she does!
Lone Oak Vineyard Estate, 8400 Ann Arbor, Grass Lake, Michigan, has scheduled a special Mother’s Day wine and Chocolate Pairing on Sunday, May 8, beginning at 1:00 PM. This is a great event to treat your mom (or you and a friend).
This event brings two great indulgences together.  You'll enjoy samples of seven estate grown wines from Lone Oak, paired with seven luscious Mindo chocolates. Cabernet Sauvignon with Mindo's 77% cacao chocolate, Pioneer White with Mindo's 77% cacao chocolate covered ginger, and Lone Oak’s award winning Red Raspberry Wine with Mindo's Espresso Chocolate. 
Mindo Chocolate Makers use only the highest quality cocoa beans from Ecuador.  They ferment, dry and roast their own cocoa beans and then ship them to their place in Dexter, Michigan. In Dexter, they press out the cocoa butter, grind the cocoa powder and make their chocolate from start to finish.  Mindo chocolates are made with only three ingredients - their own cocoa butter and cocoa powder, and certified organic evaporated cane juice.  No wax, no additives. 
Pure.  Simple.  Delicious.  
This event will start at 1:00 PM.  Seating is limited and reservations are needed.  The cost is $10 per person.  Call (517) 522-8167 to reserve your seats.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Friday, April 29, 2011

Wood County Humane Society Wine & Cheese Benefit and Auction Scheduled May 20

The Wood County Humane Society is hosting its annual Wine & Cheese Benefit with Live and Silent Auctions on Friday, May 20 at Nazareth Hall., from 7:00  to 10:30 PM.   This popular event with music, dancing, and fun in a beautiful setting is a major fundraiser for the organization. 

Auctioneer Jerry Anderson of WTOL will conduct the live auction of vacations, balloon rides, art, and more. There will also be a silent auction with dozens of high-quality items and services; live music from Bernadette Quartet, delicious hors d'oeuvres and delightful wines to sample, and dancing or strolling the beautiful grounds.   Join WCHS for a great event, a great location and a delightful evening.

For an invitation and registration information or to purchase reservations via PayPal, go to www.woodcountyhumanesociety.org. Early Bird prices (on or before May 6) are $55 per person or $105 per couple. Thereafter prices are $65 per person or $120 per couple.

Items donated for the auction by WCHS friends and area businesses are cumulatively valued at more than $6,000. These include fabulous items such as a Florida vacation, a Kalahari Resort Package, Golf Passes, Vera Bradley items, sports memorabilia, Coach bags, handcrafted jewelry and art, restaurant, shop and salon certificates from area merchants and many more items for the entire family (including pets).

This is a fun event that supports a very worthwhile cause. All proceeds will provide support to Wood County animals in need.

Wood County Humane Society is a private, non-profit, no-kill animal shelter and service organization for Wood County citizens, from Perrysburg and Rossford to Hoytville and Fostoria.
Its mission is to care for abused, homeless, neglected and abandoned animals in the community. The WCHS Humane Agent investigates reports of cruelty throughout Wood County.  Dedicated staff and volunteers also provide public assistance, information and assistance with low-cost spay/neuter programs and community education.

In 2010, WCHS took in 773 animals, providing shelter, food and medical care. Last year, WCHS spayed or neutered 356 dogs and cats and conducted 169 investigations of alleged animal cruelty or neglect.

Photo by Dennis Jarvis
Technorati Tags:
Enhanced by Zemanta







Thursday, April 28, 2011

J Vineyards & Winery 2006 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Easter dinner, a rack of lamb, and an elegant Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from J Vineyards & Winery were ingredients for a tasty and tasteful occasion.

J Vineyards & Winery has 274 acres in the hillsides and floor of the Russian River Valley, located in Sonoma County, California.It is one of the largest estate wineries in the Russian River Valley. The winery was founded in 1986 by Judy Jordan and the focus initially was on critically-acclaimed sparkling wines. She later would move into cool-climate varietals, such as Pinot Noir, that are ideal for the terroir of the Russian River Valley.

Our meal included a roasted rack of lamb, zucchini cakes, sweet potatoes with pineapple and cauliflower. The Pinot was a perfect partner for the lamb. This has an initial large blast of red berries and the mid-palate has a taste of damp earth or mushrooms. The finish lingers and completes the impression of a very well balanced wine.

I enjoyed savoring the wine while Green Dragon wanted a more fruit-driven flavor. To me, the wine was just right. It was perfectly capable of standing up to a lamb entree, but delicate enough to allow you to appreciate nicely blended tannins and complex enough to offer multiple layers of tastes.

The grapes are picked at night to preserve freshness and hand-sorted before de-stemming. The wine is aged for 12 months in small French oak barrels. The alcohol content is 14.3%.
A beauteous bottle of Pinot for about $45.
Technorati Tags: ,
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Wine Tastings & Events: April 27-30, 2011



Wednesday, April 27
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. O-I Bottles: 1. New Harbor Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Raw Power Shiraz, 3. Sterling “Three Palms” Merlot, 4. Villa Donna Moscato D’Asti. $8.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
  
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Great wines under $10. $15.

Thursday, April 28
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Some Greats from “down under:” 1. Monkey Bay – Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, N.Z., 2. Over the Edge – Pinot Noir – New Zealand, 3. Oxford Landing – GSM – South Australia, 4. St. Hallett Faith – Shiraz – Barossa, Australia. $5.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.    

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Petite Glories of French Wine: 1. Jean-Louis Denois Brut Blanc de Blanc
Dry sparkling wine, 2. Bieler Coteaux d’Aix-en Provence Rose, 3. Moncontour Vouvray, 4. Alain Normand Macon La Roche Vineuse
Chardonnay, 5. Paul Thomas Red Sancerre, 6. Chateau Pesquie Venteau Red Rhone, 7. Chateau Saint Sulpice Bordeaux, 8. Cornet & Cie Banyules. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Great wines under $10. $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Great Whites Part 3: Da dum.....da dum.....da dum.....da da da! That's right, it's Spring and that means it's time for our GREAT WHITES tasting. Help us welcome the sunshine with our third annual tasting of the world's greatest white wines. And as always, we'll have a few reds open if you're too scared to go into the water... Nominal fee per sample.
Tea Tree Bistro, 4100 Chappel Dr. Levis Commons, Perrysburg -- (419) 874-8828.  7:00 PM Spring Wine Dinner.Chef Kevin will be preparing Asian influenced meals paired with wonderful Stags Leap wine including their Napa Cabernet, Napa Chardonnay, Napa Petite Syrah, and Napa Viognier. With dessert, we will be serving Schloss Vollrad’s Riesling. Call for reservations or email Josh at joshsheppard@teatreeasianbistro.com. $65 per person. Tax and gratuity included in price.
Friday, April 29
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.  Malbecs: 1. Dante Robino "Novecento," 2. Gouguenheim, 3. Weinert, 4. Kaiken. $15 tasting.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Great Whites Part 3: Da dum.....da dum.....da dum.....da da da! That's right, it's Spring and that means it's time for our GREAT WHITES tasting. Help us welcome the sunshine with our third annual tasting of the world's greatest white wines. And as always, we'll have a few reds open if you're too scared to go into the water... Nominal fee per sample.

Saturday, April 30
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.  Malbecs: 1. Dante Robino "Novecento," 2. Gouguenheim, 3. Weinert, 4. Kaiken. $15 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Saturday wine tasting: 1. Columbia Crest Amitage Red, 2. Shannon Ridge Chardonnay, 3. Machmer Gewurztraminer Spatlese, 4. New! ChocoVine Espresso. $2 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 PM. The Rediscovering Carmenere Tasting. Once thought to have gone extinct but discovered in South America, this ungrafted grape produces flavors that give us a window into wines in the 18th and 19th centuries. They are also spectacularly underpriced for their quality. 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:
[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.] 
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Grapes Grow and Lava Flows at Passopisciaro Tasting at Walt Churchill’s Market In Maumee

If you are itching to sample very rare, high altitude wine from the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna in Italy, plan on attending the Passopisciaro winery tasting at Walt Churchill’s Market Maumee location on Wednesday, April 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

This tasting is $70 per person and limited to only 10 people. During the special tasting, wine from four vineyards will be sampled. The Four Crus are Chiappemacine, Porcaria, Rampante, and Sciaranuova. Each is from a lava flow with distinctly different minerals, grain size, and altitudes.



The grapes are Nerello Mascalese from Sicily. The 80-year-old vines are from the highest elevated red wine vineyards in Europe. These wines are nearly impossible to come by – made in microscopic quantities.

On the tasting menu are:
o Passopisciaro 2008 Contrada Chiappemacine
o Passopisciaro 2008 Contrada Porcaria
o Passopisciaro 2008 Contrada Rampante
o Passopisciaro 2008 Contrada Sciaranuova


This is an opportunity to taste these incredibly rare and beautiful wines in one sitting. Information will be available on the winemaker, the grape, the region, and each specific vineyard site.

To purchase tickets, call Austin Beeman at (419) 794-4000 or contact him by email austin.beeman@waltchurchillsmarket.com.
Enhanced by Zemanta












Monday, April 25, 2011

Experts Consider the Implications of Climate Change on the Wine Industry


Earth Day came and went without much fanfare last week. The world is focused on war, revolution, and natural disaster. In our own country, the headlines are grabbed by the struggle for jobs and an erratic economy.

But environmental issues touch almost all aspects of our life – even our wine. A special issue of the Journal of Wine Research features academics and commercial researchers commenting on past, present and future research into climate change and its implications for the wine industry.
In the issue, edited by Gregory V. Jones and Leanne Webb,  they identify the challenges facing the wine industry and offer suggestions for mitigating damage and adapting for the future.  

Predictions and warnings for the industry are made – with caution but also with firmness:
‘It is the present warm to hot vineyard regions of the world which will suffer most in a warming world.  I would join many others in arguing that the present varieties grown in the majority of the world’s hot regions are now inappropriate…’
Richard Smart
‘…much less is known about the vulnerability of viticulture and viniculture as a sector to conditions beyond temperature and climate; about the adaptive capacity of the wine industry; and about adaptive management strategies.’
Tara Holland and Barry Smit

The contributors also encourage the wine industry to look at the advantages of taking an active approach to research and development – ‘to be proactive in assessing the impacts, to invest in appropriate plant breeding and genetic research, to be ready to adopt suitable adaptation strategies, to be willing to alter varieties and management practices or controls, or to minimize wine quality differences by developing new technologies’.

You can find more information on this special issue of JOURNAL OF WINE RESEARCH here.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Vintage Indiana Advance Sale Tickets Now Available: Event Set June 4 in Indianapolis

Wine grapes.Image via Wikipedia
Bookmark and Share  Advance sale tickets for the 12th annual Vintage Indiana Wine & Food Festival are now available at http://www.vintageindiana.com/.

Tickets are $22 for adults age 21 and over – a $3 savings over gate admission. Designated drivers’ tickets are $10; youth tickets for ages 6-20 are $5. Children 5 and under are free.

The event is Saturday, June 4 from 11 am to 7 pm at Military Park in Downtown Indianapolis. Over 200 wines from more than two dozen Indiana wineries will be available for tasting. Participating wineries also will sell wines by the bottle and case. Other festival attractions include live music by The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Jennie DeVoe, and The Giving Tree; cooking and wine pairing demonstrations; a wide variety of food from some of the state’s leading culinary experts; eclectic arts & crafts showcase; the KidZone kids’ activities area, and more.

Over 10,000 wine enthusiasts from throughout the Midwest are expected to attend.

“Vintage Indiana has become one of those annual ‘must attend’ events,” said Jeanette Merritt, director of marketing for the Indiana Wine Grape Council. “People love listening to our top name entertainment line-up, learning new food and wine pairings during the cooking stage demos, exploring new food sensations served up by our on-site vendors, and, of course, discovering exciting new favorites from our Indiana wine makers.” Among wines sampled this year will be the state’s signature wine, Traminette.

Vintage Indiana is presented by the Indiana Wine Grape Council, headquartered on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette. Event sponsors include Indiana’s Family of Farmers, NUVO Newsweekly, Indiana Turkey, WISH-TV, the American Dairy Association of Indiana, WNDY-TV, 92.3 WTTS, Indy’s Child, and Marsh Supermarkets.

For advance sale tickets or additional information, log on at http://www.vintageindiana.com/, or call 1.800.832.WINE.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Friday, April 22, 2011

Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge Now Open at Levis Commons

The Toledo area wine scene has a new star in the night sky. Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, is now open for business in Levis Commons in Perrysburg. With an address of 3145 Hollister Lane, Tres Belle is located near the clock tower and is neighbors with the Hilton Garden Inn and Fat Fish Blue.

We visited the lounge for a VIP pre-opening event and it is clear that Tres Belle is going to be a popular evening hotspot offering the right mix of wine, entertainment, and special events.

“We have a little bit of everything, “ said manager April Judson about the wine list. “As we get going we will change things up. We plan on having live music on Fridays and Saturdays and a DJ after 12."

Tres Belle will feature occasional wine and Scotch tastings and is available for private parties. Food is not currently being offered, but food can be catered in for special events.

The lounge has a hip vibe accentuated by a curving bar that dominates the interior. Stylish lighting fixtures and prominent flat-screen televisions let you know that you’ll be having an upscale experience. A small stage was occupied by a DJ during our visit and definitely contributed to the party atmosphere. One patron commented that it was like having “a little bit of Chicago” in Perrysburg.

During our visit, we sampled the Hayes Ranch Cabernet (California) and the Le Terre Chardonnay. The Hayes Ranch was a particularly succulent Cabernet with soft tannins and ripe red fruit. The Chardonnay had crisp minerality. For only $6 a glass, the Hayes Ranch is an outstanding value.

The wine list features 19 red wines, six of which are available by the glass. There are four Pinot Noirs and seven Cabernets. On the high end is the Cakebread Napa Valley Cabernet at $75 per bottle. Among the per glass red wines is Trivento Reserve Malbec from Argentina, which we recently reviewed and found to be a very worthy value. Another interesting choice is the “Les Bretches” from Chateau Kefraya, a Lebanese winery.

White wine offerings include a total of 11 selections, seven of which are available by the glass. Among the per glass selections are an Austrian Gruner Veltliner from Hopler and New Zealand’s Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. These are two TWAV favorites. The high-end white bottle is the Stag’s Leap “Karia” Napa Valley Chardonnay at $65.

The wine list also features three Champagnes and three Ports, not to mention an assortment of interesting martinis and the lure of the Casa de Montecristo Cigar Lounge mere steps away.

We expect Tres Belle to be an immediate hit, but also to evolve over time. We’d like to see wine flights offered and also to include the vintages on the wine list, which is a must to attract wine lovers. The website, shared between Tres Belle and Casa de Montecristo, also needs to be beefed up with information about hours, the wine list, and events. The wine list could be expanded a bit too. For example, there are no wines from Oregon, Spain, or Germany. Some premium bottles should be added as well.

But those comments are small potatoes in the larger scheme of things. Wine lovers have a new playground and it is called Tres Belle!
Enhanced by Zemanta
Technorati Tags:

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Bodega Roda RODA Reserva 2006, Rioja


Looking for an unconventional choice to accompany your Easter meal? Here’s a big, handcrafted Spanish red that is ready for a place at the table.

Mario Rotilant and Carment Daurella founded Bodega Roda in 1991, the name being an amalgam of the first two letters of their last names. Glorious T quickly snapped a photo so she could share it with her friend Roda.

The winery started with a quest to find the best vineyard sites in La Rioja Alta. Seventeen separate vineyards that produced outstanding grapes were identified and the land was purchased or long-term contracts were signed with the owners.

The grapes for RODA are harvested from 20 vineyard blocks in the best terroirs of the area. The grapes are hand-selected by a team of 40 harvesters. Only the grapes from the top 17 blocks make it into wine. Aging is 16 months in French oak followed by 20 months in the bottle.

This Rioja is deep red and the aroma of oak, cherry and fresh spices is delicious indeed. On the palate, there is a long flavor of sour cherry. The tannins are stout, indicating this could be laid down for aging. The tasting team described the flavor as woodsy.

We decanted the wine and as it opened up, the sharp edges rounded. Although still a powerful wine, a more balanced nature emerged. This is certainly a wine to be enjoyed with a hearty meal.

The wine is composed of 81% Tempranillo, 14% Graciano and 5% Garnacha and should pair well with your Easter lamb or other grilled or roasted meats as well as richly flavored starters.

Suggested retail price is $45.

Full disclosure: We received this bottle as a sample.
Technorati Tags:
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Wine Tastings & Events: April 20-23, 2011


Wednesday, April 20
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Wines for Easter: 1. Gorman “42 39 56″ Rose, 2. Seifried Riesling, 3. Alpha Box & Dice “Tarot” Grenache, 4. Orin Swift “Palermo” Cabernet Sauvignon. $8.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
  
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Easter wines. $15.

Thursday, April 21
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. More Easter Wines: 1. Mi Terruno – Sweet Torrontes – Argentina; 2. Hopler – Late Harvest Grüner Veltliner – Austria; 3. Viu Manent – Malbec – Colchagua Valley, Chile; 4. Cosecha Tardia – Late Harvest Chardonnay – Argentina; 5. Don Bosco – Malvasia – Italy. $5.00 per flight or nominal fee per sample.    

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Nifty New Wines: 1. DLioco Carneros Chardonnay, 2. Chateau de Segries Cote du Rhone France, 3. Xiloca Grenache Spain, 4. 9 Mile Shiraz South Australia, 5. Black Stallion Napa Cabernet, 6. Baron de Hoen Gewurztraminer France, 7. Bollig-Lehnert Piesporter Goldtropchen Kabinett Germany, 8. Offley LBV Port 2005 Portugal. 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. Wham Bam Ham and Lamb. Easter falls on the 24th, we want you to be prepared with wines that pair perfectly with the holiday's traditional fare. Join us as we taste wines that are guaranteed to take your Easter dinner to the next level...
Nominal fee per sample.
Friday, April 22
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.  Easter Wines: 1. Monmousseau Vouvray, 2. Verget Macon-Vergisson, 3. Hoffman-Simon Piesporter Kabinett, 4. Anne Amie "Cuvee A" Pinot Noir. $15 tasting.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Wham Bam Ham and Lamb. Easter falls on the 24th, we want you to be prepared with wines that pair perfectly with the holiday's traditional fare. Join us as we taste wines that are guaranteed to take your Easter dinner to the next level...
Nominal fee per sample.

* 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.

Saturday, April 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.  Easter Wines: 1. Monmousseau Vouvray, 2. Verget Macon-Vergisson, 3. Hoffman-Simon Piesporter Kabinett, 4. Anne Amie "Cuvee A" Pinot Noir. $15 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Great value wines for your Easter table whether its brunch or dinner: 1. Bott Geyl Pinot Gris Alsace, 2. Debonne Raspberry Riesling Ohio, 3. Tenuta Curezza Prine Rosso Salento Italy, 4. Napa Cellars Napa Valley Pinot Noir. $2 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 PM. Celebrate the Easter Weekend with Chateauneuf-du-Pape. One of the world’s greatest wines hails from vineyard holdings originally owned by the Pope in the Middle Ages. These complex and powerful blends of Grenache, Syrah, and 11 more grapes are some the highest-rated, most respected, wines around. Premium tasting. 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:
[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.] 
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Niagara-on-the-Lake Winery Visit: Stratus

Another in our series of Niagara-on-the-Lake winery reports.

For drama, great wine, and a “stratospheric” experience, you can doStratus Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The winery opened in 2005 with the goal of assembling one premium blended white and one red from multiple varietals grown on the estate grounds.
no better than

During our visit we sampled the 2006 Stratus White, a Viognier/Gewürztraminer blend that had been served up at the G8 conference. This number had pineapple and orange blossom fragrances with a dash of floral. This super-cool wine was refreshing and enjoyable.
And speaking of super-cool, the tasting room at Stratus could double as a modern art gallery in Scandinavia.  With a clean black and white motif contrasting with swirling contemporary paintings and elongated straight lines, it was as enjoyable to drink in the surroundings as it was to sample the premium wines.

Although the winery is known for their Stratus Red and Stratus White blends, it has a superb line of single varietal offerings. The signature Stratus wines sell $44 Canadian each.

We had the chance to sample the 2007 Stratus Malbec, which was the first bottling for the winery. This was a smooth drinker with spice and crushed berry as well as an unusual tea-like undertone.
The 2007 Stratus Merlot was a very competent wine that also had a silky texture with cherry and vanilla. On this day, it wasn’t our favorite.

Rounding out our tasting was the 2007 Stratus Cabernet Franc. Deep purple in color, this was a favorite of tasting team member Glorious T, who commented that the back-end of the wine was remarkable. It had a kick of pepper which followed an elegant plum and toffee approach. This is a very attractive wine priced at $38.

Stratus has a number of themed food and wine seminars in the
contemporary tasting rooms and outdoor terrace. While we were there they were advertising Vertical Saturdays and Horizontal Sundays. For the verticals, they were offering side by side tastings of Stratus White and Stratus Red from the 2007, 2006 and 2005 vintages. The horizontal tastings featured their flagship icewines including Icewine White, Icewine Red, Riesling Icewine and Semillion Icewine.

Membership in their Stratus Wine Club costs $500 and entitles you to one case of wine.

This is definitely an upscale experience. With quality wines and an impressive tasting room experience, the sky is truly the limit for Stratus.

Technorati Tags: ,
Enhanced by Zemanta

Monday, April 18, 2011

2008 Alexander Valley Temptation Zinfandel

Easy drinking
Temptation Zinfandel
Bookmark and Share   Zinfandel can range from bold and highly structured to a softer wine geared for patio sipping. This offering from Alexander Valley winery falls into the later category. This easy drinking Zinfandel comes from Sonoma Zin grown in the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys. Winemaker Kevin Hall also blends in fruit from Solano County just to the east of the Napa Valley, where the balmy summer temperatures mean big clusters yielding flavors of Bing cherries.

It seems there is a sea of budget priced California Zinfandels with amusing names and catchy label art, most making a play on the words "sin" and Zin. The good news is that for the most part, these wines are good. Not great, but they don't pretend to be something they are not.

Green Dragon sampled this wine and called it fruit forward with a juicy flavor profile. It's a wallet-friendly wine, costing about $12. It offers juicy flavors of cherries and plums. This is a wine that pairs well with a cheeseburger or a plate of spaghetti.

This wine is aged for 10 months in American oak, but oak-haters, fear not. This has a smooth finish just right for casual sipping.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Saturday, April 16, 2011

First Annual Niagara Food & Wine Expo Uncorks In Niagara Falls

Bookmark and Share   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/


Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

Friday, April 15, 2011

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

Bookmark and Share   Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 1849 Rives-Eaton Rd., Jackson, Michigan, (517) 569-
The Italian wine Vin Santo with its traditiona...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).
Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Acres of Land Winery: Richmond, Kentucky Winery Visit

Image by Knowsphotos via Flickr
Morning Fall Fog in the Smokey Mountain Nation...
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 vinifera.  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, which 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 palate. 

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: ,
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

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:
[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.] 
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Regional Wineries Take Grand Harvest Award Honors

Bookmark and Share    Judging for the 2011 Grand Harvest Awards, an international wine competition produced by 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.





Enhanced by Zemanta

Monday, April 11, 2011

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: ,,
Enhanced by Zemanta

Saturday, April 9, 2011

April Is Michigan Wine Month: 10 New Wineries Open

Bookmark and Share  Governor Rick Snyder has declared April as "Michigan Wine Month" to honor Michigan's
View of Grand Traverse Bay from Old Mission Pe...Image via Wikipedia
wide selection of quality wines and the wine industry's significant contribution to the economy.

"Michigan's 81 wineries welcome more than 1 million visitors to their tasting rooms each year and offer a truly Pure Michigan agri-tourism experience," said Keith Creagh, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) Director. "Not only do these businesses offer a quality product and memorable experience, but our wine and grape industries also contribute nearly $800 million to the state's economy annually."

Sales of Michigan wines in the state rose nearly 12 percent in 2010, while total wine sales increased just 4 percent. Michigan wine sales have outpaced total wine sales for the past 10 years, doubling the Michigan wineries' market share to 6.5 percent. Just in the past year alone, Michigan has added 10 new wineries to its roster -- up from 71 in 2010 -- across the state from the Thumb to the Upper Peninsula and down to the state line.

"April is a great time to kick off winery touring. Not only can travelers benefit from off-season rates and overnight packages at hotels and B&Bs near wine country, but tasting rooms are less busy in the spring, and staff are delighted to provide visitors with extra attention," said Linda Jones, MDARD's Grape & Wine Program Manager. "Many wineries anticipate some of the best wines they've produced to come from the long, warm 2010 growing season. They will begin to release new wines from the 2010 vintage this spring; additional red wines from the 2009 vintage will also be available."

Many events are planned this spring and early summer that will provide opportunities to meet winemakers and sample a variety of Michigan wines, including:

Michigan Wine Celebration: April 9-10 - Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail (http://www.pioneerwinetrail.com/)

Michigan Wine Showcase: April 11 - Radisson Bloomfield Hills, home of Northern Lakes Seafood Company (www.michiganwines.com/showcase)

Spring Sip & Savor: April 30 & May 1 - Leelanau Peninsula Vintners (http://www.lpwines.com/)

Blossom Days: May 14-15 - Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (http://www.wineriesofoldmission.com/)

Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival: June 18 - Lake Michigan Shore Wine Country (http://www.miwinetrail.com/)

April will also see the release of the 2011 Michigan Wine Country magazine, an indispensable guide to the wines and wineries of Michigan. The magazine contains maps and touring information, as well as a popular section on "what's new at the wineries." To request a free copy of Michigan Wine Country, visit www.michiganwines.com or contact the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council at 517-241-1207. The magazine is also available at all Michigan wineries and Travel Michigan Welcome Centers.



Enhanced by Zemanta