Zinful Wine Bar Announces July Events

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. Has announced its schedule of tastings (every Wednesday) and wine flights (every Saturday) for the month of July. The cost for each is $15 per person.

• July 2nd Tour de France wine flight ~ 5 wines, includes an appetizer for 1 & a dessert for 1.
• July 5th  Nici Henderson, regional manager for Michael David Wines we are pouring 6 wines with cheese and fruit.
• July 9 Spanish Fiesta wine flight ~ 5 wines, includes an appetizer for 1 & dessert.
• July 13 Summer Wines Tasting ~ cheese & fruit
• July 16 Beautiful Blends Wine Flight ~includes appetizer & dessert for 1
• July 20 Blind Tasting cheese & fruit various snacks.
• July 23 Joyce's picks Wine Flight appetizer & dessert for 1 included.
• July 27 Party Pleasers wine tasting snacks served.

Finger Lakes Winery Visit: Lakewood Vineyards

Lakewood Vineyards in Watkins Glen, NY, bills itself as being “on the cutting edge of tradition.” Its history dates back to the 1950s when the Stamps family purchased on farm on Seneca Lake and began commercial grape production. Today the winery has 75 acres of vineyards including vinifera, French-American hybrids and native labrusca. Lakewood produces fine quality wines that have caught the attention of national wine experts as well as wines for playful sipping on the patio.

During our previous two trips to the Finger Lakes, we had missed Lakewood. This was due in part of poor time management – it’s easy to lose track of time in the many tasting rooms. We had a quick trip to Rhinebeck, NY, and on the way back made a short detour to Seneca Lake. Our first stop was Lakewood. It was a great choice.

The sky was bright and blue with the sun gleaming down on the beautiful winery grounds, which features picnic tables with picturesque views of Seneca. We stepped inside to a bustling tasting room with a long tasting bar that seemed to go on forever.

We gravitated to the dry flight being offered at the tasting bar and started with the 2007 Pinot Gris. This was a tangy and tart white  with an aroma of melons and the taste.

Next up was the 2008 Dry Riesling. The Finger Lakes is known for its spectacular Riesling and we couldn't wait to sample Lakewood’s well-regarded version. It didn’t disappoint. The aroma of limes wafted from the glass. The flavors are bright with fruit undertones and a crisp finish. This was our favorite white and we purchased a bottle of this.

The Long Stem White 2008 is a blend of Cayuga and Vidal Blanc. At under $8, it is intended as a casual white sipper. It’s perfectly good in that role, but is a bit of a clunker compared to the more elegant wines like the Pinot Gris or Dry Riesling.

We rounded out our tasting of white wines with the 2007 Gewürztraminer. This is a well balanced, mellow Gerwurz that was named as a top wine pick by the New York Times. The floral notes accent the wine, but do not overwhelm. A very nice food wine.

Leading off for the reds was the 2008 Crystallus. Tasting Team members Wine Chick and Sax Man turned us on to this great wine blend of Lemberger (84%), Pinot Noir (8%) and Cabernet Franc (8%). This has a great jammy bouquet and an earthy finish with a dash of pepper. This is a winner at just under $17.

The Long Stem Red is an interesting blend of four French-American hybrids.This is worth a whirl at only $8.99.

Our favorite red was the 2008 Cabernet Franc. It has a heady aroma of blackberry, tea and green pepper. It has smoky flavor notes with dark berry traces. Green Dragon said she got the flavor of asparagus. (I cut her off the wine samples after that.) Seriously, this was a great wine and we bagged a bottle before we left.

Lakewood is a great wine experience, blending scenic lake vistas and friendly, professional staff serving memorable wine.

Technorati Tags: wine

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Ohio Wine Month Gift: Discount Tickets to Vintage Ohio

The Vintage Ohio Wine Festival, scheduled August 5 and 6 at the Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, is the premier wine event in Ohio. The event showcases Ohio wineries and is packed with entertainment, gourmet food, crafts, exhibits and – did we mention wine?

Twenty-four Ohio wineries are scheduled to take part in the event which runs from 1:00 to 10:00 PM each day. The event is in a great outdoor setting off of I-90 east of Cleveland.

To help us celebrate Ohio Wine Month, Toledo Wines and Vines and the Ohio Wine Producers Association are offering you a very special discount on tickets. By ordering your tickets by using a special promotional code, you can purchase your tickets for $19 instead of the regular advance ticket price of $25 or the $27 price at the gate.

To take advantage of this deal, order your tickets here. In the information box, type in this special discount code: TWV2011.

This is fun in the sun at its best. Unwind and uncork at Vintage Ohio 2011.

Technorati Tags: wine,Ohio wines,Vintage Ohio discount tickets

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Wine Tastings & Events: June 29 – July 2, 2011

Image of Michael Pozzan Winery via Snooth

Wednesday, June 29

The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Debonne Vineyards: Join us as we sample these wonderful wines from the Grand River Valley, along with a representative of the winery. 1. Pinot Gris, 2. Chambourcin, 3. Cabernet Franc, 4. Riesling Reserve Lot 807.

 

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Red Blend Wines. $15.

 

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. Australian Tasting, cheese & fruit provided. $15.

Thursday, June 30

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Summer Wines: 1. White Knight – Lot 209 Chardonnay – Napa, California, 2. Burgans – Albarino – Rias Baixas, Spain, 3. Simi – Pinot Noir – Sonoma County, California, 4. Cuvee des 3 Messes Basses – Red Blend – Ventoux, France. $4.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Wines you have never had, but should know. 1. El Coto Rose, 2. Quinta das Maias Branco, 3. Crios Torrontes, 4. Venta Morales Tempranillo, 5. Dandelion Shiraz, 6. Sotorrondero, 7. Matloch Ames Bell Mountain Ranch Red, 8. Soil to Soul Riesling. Nominal fee per sample.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Super Funtime Blind Wine Tasting Extravaganza. These are my favorite tastings! They are so fun, action-packed, and extremely educational! Let's see what you're made of! Six wines, six guesses, and a heckuva of a good time.

Nominal fee per sample.

 

TREO Wine Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. Wine & Cheese Thursday. Explore the wonderful world of wine and cheese. Try four different wines with a sample platter of the day’s cheese.

 

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 7:00 – 10:00 PM. Entertainment: Luke Shaffer.

Friday, July 1

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. 4th of July Party Wines: 1. See Saw White Blend, 2. Rhiannon Red Blend, 3. Woop Woop Shiraz, 4. Aromas de Turis Sangria. $10 tasting.

 

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Super Funtime Blind Wine Tasting Extravaganza. These are my favorite tastings! They are so fun, action-packed, and extremely educational! Let's see what you're made of! Six wines, six guesses, and a heckuva of a good time.

Nominal fee per sample.

 

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 8:00 – 11:00 PM. Entertainment: The Jazz Trio.

 

Saturday, July 2 

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. 4th of July Party Wines: 1. See Saw White Blend, 2. Rhiannon Red Blend, 3. Woop Woop Shiraz, 4. Aromas de Turis Sangria. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Saturday wine tasting: The Best Way to Learn About Wine is to Taste It. We kick off the 4th of July weekend with some tasty American wines, perfect for sipping or as a terrific accompaniment to grilled foods. We finish with a lightly sweet wine from Ohio’s own Breitenbach winery. 1. Menage Rose, 2. Joel Gott Chardonnay, 3. Michael Pozzan Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Breitenbach Blueberry Wine. $3.00 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

 

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12 Noon – 5:00 PM. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Pay by the sample or flight.

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.

 

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. Tour de France wine flight ~ 5 wines, includes an appetizer for 1 & a dessert for 1 cost is $15.

AREA WINE BARS

• Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
• Vino 100 Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 866-8466, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite C, Maumee.
• Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville.

Technorati Tags: wine

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

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TREO Restaurant Schedules “Wine Event of the Year” July 13 with Venge Vineyards Winemaker

Image of Venge Vineyards via Snooth

 

Nils Venge, legendary winemaker from Napa Valley, will be the guest of honor at a special wine event at TREO, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. The event is scheduled Wednesday, July 13, beginning at 6:00 PM.

Venge is the only American winery ever to receive a perfect 100 score from Robert Parker for his 1985 Reserve Cabernet.

The gala evening starts at 6PM with cocktails and appetizers, followed immediately by a four-course dinner paired with four of Venge's outstanding wines.  See below for details about the entrées.

For wine enthusiasts, this is a perfect opportunity to spend an evening with one of California's most distinguished winemakers, Tickets are $160 per person. The event is black tie optional. To RSVP, please contact info@treosylvania.com or call 419-882-2266.

Venge Wine Dinner Menu

Poached Salmon: Chilled North Atlantic Salmon poached in White Wine and Herbs; served over bitter greens with Salmon Roe, Onions, Capers and Hard-Boiled Eggs

Beef Carpaccio: Prime Cut Beef Tenderloin sliced thin, accompanied by fresh Arugula, drizzled with White Balsamic Vinaigrette and served with Capers and Shredded Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese

Curried Seafood: Lobster, Sea Scallops, Fresh Halibut and Jumbo Shrimp simmered with traditional Indian spices, Roma tomatoes and a hint of Coconut Milk; served with Basmati Rice

Roasted Veal Medallions: Herb Rubbed Veal Medallions Roasted with Garlic & Vegetables, accompanied by a reduction of Balsamic Vinegars; served with Pommes d'Auphinois and Grilled Asparagus
 
 

Technorati Tags: wine

 

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Greystone Cellars 2010 Chardonnay California

The Culinary Institute of America and Markham Vineyards have paired up to introduce a new line-up of wines to compliment the many different flavors and cuisines of today. Markham and CIA are Napa Valley icons that date back to the late 1800’s.

Markham is the fourth oldest continuously operated winery in Napa Valley and Greystone was constructed in 1889 as a cooperative winery and cellar. Since 1995, Greystone’s stone building has served as the West Coast campus for the CIA.

We were happy to get our hands on a just released bottle of the 2010 Greystone Cellars Chardonnay. Tasting team members Wine Chick and Sax Man logged the following report.

We just shared a wonderful 2010 Chardonnay from Greystone Cellars in California. It is a pale gold color, tart caramel apple nose, and has some minerality with notes of green apple and pear. Not too oaky for those who like steel-barreled but smooth and crisp. We paired it with lobster and crab legs -- a great dinner! I believe it would be nice with any shellfish or mild fish, or just as a good drinking wine.

The Greystone Cellars label also offers a a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, both 2009 vintages. The retail price is a very wallet-friendly $10.99 and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the wines will benefit The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, which is a not-for-profit college turning out some of the top chefs in the country.

Check out the crazy looking corkscrew on the label!

Full disclosure: We received this wine as a free sample.

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