Visit To Vino 100 Maumee Provides Trip To French Countryside

We hadn’t visited Vino 100 in Maumee for quite some time. Perhaps the perpetual road construction had something to do with it. We finally were able to return a few days ago to this popular wine bar and had a chance to taste some great wines.

Green Dragon opted for a red flight while I asked our server Nathan what visitors were raving about. He suggested the 1997 Domain de Chelin, Vin de Pays d’Oc. This is a French “country wine” from the Languedoc region. The Vin de Pays is a designation above table wine, but below the tightly regulated AOC appellations.This doesn’t mean the wine is inferior and it often means that you can find a great bargain.

Information on Domaine de Chelin is sparse, but the Vino 100 menu listed it as a Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a prominent grape in the Languedoc region, which is known for producing French wines with an international style at a value.

The 1997 Domaine de Chelin is drinking quite well now. It has delicate cherry flavor notes and a nice, if somewhat mild, berry finish. It is an elegant wine with some French finesse which I rated *** on a five star scale.

Green Dragon liked all of her four wine selections, but her favorite was the stylish Meiomi Pinot Noir from California. ***+ “second favorite” was the Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, also from California ***+.

By the way, the ‘97 Domain de Chelin is available in the Vino 100 wine shop at a snappy price of only $15. It is certainly worth it if only to say to your dinner guests, “Oh, let me see. Yes, I think I have a very nice ‘97 to go with our meal…”

Technorati Tags: wine,French wine

Related articles

• Visit to Paul Mas, Part 2 (bordoverview.blogspot.com)
• 2008 Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon (wine-by-benito.blogspot.com)
• FlipFlop Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (thegoodwineguru.com)

Awesome Mini-Burger Wine Extravaganza Planned For Labor Day Weekend

Image via Wikipedia

Walt Churchill’s Market in Maumee (Briarfield location) is planning a Mini Burger Extravaganza Saturday, September 3,  from 12:00 to 5:00 PM on their patio.
According to wine manager Austin Beeman, “One last party on the patio. This time we celebrate America through five gourmet mini-burgers, each burger representing a slice of American regional cooking.”
The cost (until September 1st) is $30 for which you get five mini-burgers (one of each type), duck-fat French fries and two samples of either American wine or craft beer.

Prices go up on the day of the event. Preorder tickets must be purchased in the store. Call (419) 794-4000 for information. You can also vote on which five regional burgers they will make by going to “The Wineshop at Walt Churchill’s Market” – Facebook page.

Related articles

• Bobby's Burger Palace Finds a New Home in Washington DC (spoonbyte.com)
  
• Breakdown of Better Burgers from Nation's Restaurant News (aht.seriouseats.com)
  
• Dear AHT: Wagyu Burger at GILT Bar in NYC (aht.seriouseats.com)

A Visit To Copia Urban Winery & Market, St. Louis

Earlier this month while attending a conference in St. Louis, I had the chance for a fun dinner at the Copia Urban Winery & Market. The evening was courtesy of the Myrtle Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau.
So not only did I get to enjoy some vino with new friends, but also got to learn about the many attractions of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Copia is usually closed on Sundays, but they opened up during the our conference for special events like this dinner. The goal of Copia is to bring the winery experience to downtown St. Louis. The building has exposed brick walls and natural wood beams. Three stainless steel tanks are also prominent in the market area.

The restaurant has a great selection of wine. Unfortunately on this evening, we only had two choices, a Four Vines Zinfandel or Four Vines Chardonnay. Our server was quite pleasant, but wasn’t helpful when I asked her to get the manager to open up some different wines for a little variety.

The good news is that Four Vines is a highly regarded California winery. I opted to go red to accompany the beef entre. The Four Vines was rich with a long finish.

The discussion was lively with a party atmosphere. South Carolina must top the list of states for friendliness and hospitality. The photos here are courtesy of Janet Jordan of Meetings, Management, & More in Lexington, SC.
A highlight was the dessert tray. Between the group, all the dessert selections were sampled. I’m usually a crème Brule partisan, but this time I went with a St. Louis favorite, gooey butter cake. It was sensational!

The dinner and wine at Copia were superlative. One final note on Copia. They have a great wine pricing policy. The cost of a bottle of wine in the restaurant is the cost of the wine in their market plus an $8 corkage fee. If only other restaurants were so reasonable in their pricing!

Technorati Tags: wine,Missouri

Related articles

• Sulfite Free Organic Wine, Biodynamic and Organically Grown Wines from EcoVine Wine are a Natural Gift this Holiday! (prweb.com)
  
• Vin vendredi? (scrumptiousgruel.wordpress.com)
  
• Wine Words From The West Coast - Dry Creek Vineyard (winebookclub.org)

Wine Tastings & Events: August 17-20, 2011

Image of Fire Block via Snooth

Wednesday, August 17

The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. SUMMER SON-OF-Z-BEST: Our holiday high-end tasting is making a summertime appearance. 1. Abeja Chardonnay, 2. Castello Sonnino Sanleone Toscana 200, 3. Chalk Hill Estate Red 2007, 4. Buller & Son Premium Fine Tokay. $20 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

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

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6-9 PM. Blind Wine Tasting includes snacks. Cost is $15.

Thursday, August 18

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Summer Thirst Quenchers: 1. Glovello – Prosecco – Italy, 2. Paul Chemeau – Cava – Spain, 3. J Cuvee – Sparkling wine – California, USA, 4. Bott Geyl – Cremant D’ Alsace – Alsace, France. $5 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Favorite Australian Wine Values: 1. Peter Lehmann Layers, 2. Greg Normand Chardonnay, 3. Fire Block Old Vine Grenache, 4. Wishing Tree Shiraz, 5. Greg Normand Cabernet-Merlot, 6. Peter Lehmann Shiraz, 7. Tait Ball Buster, 8. Mollydooker Shiraz. Nominal fee per sample.

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

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. European Wine in Summertime. What else do I have to say? Join us this week for a taste of the best summertime sippers Europe has to offer.  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.

Friday, August 19
* Special Event * Toledo Museum of Art Wine by the Glass Pavilion series: Not Your Mama’s Chardonnay. 7:00 to 9:30 PM in the Glass Pavilion. Enjoy four wines, light snacks, and a view of glassmakers working in the Hot Shop. Prices are $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Merlot: 1. Zellerbach, 2. Praxis, 3. Mercer, 4. Stag's Leap Wine Cellar. $15 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. European Wine in Summertime. What else do I have to say? Join us this week for a taste of the best summertime sippers Europe has to offer. Nominal fee per sample.

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6-8 PM. Russ Wright from TGIC Importers will be at Zinful for a special tasting, $15 plus snacks

Saturday, August 20

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Merlot: 1. Zellerbach, 2. Praxis, 3. Mercer, 4. Stag's Leap Wine Cellar. $15 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. 1. Marilyn Sauvignon Blonde, 2. La Meridiana Bricco Sereno Barbera d’Asti, 3. Winery at Versailles Schokoladenkirschwein. $2.75 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Amazing Values from Bordeaux France. Bordeaux may be full of some of the world’s most expensive wines, but it is decidedly a place of ‘haves’ and ‘have nots.’  We’ll taste some of the wonderful wines that are shockingly inexpensive (for Bordeaux). Nominal fee per sample or by the 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. 6-9 PM Italian Wine Flight with appetizer & dessert for one. 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.]

Related articles

• "Century Club" Wine Tastings To Explore $100 Wine At Beer & Wine Cave (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)
  
• The Wayfarers Entice with New Fall and Spring Food & Wine Walking Tour along Alsace's Wine Trail (your-story.org)
  
• The wines of Slovenian producer Kabaj: intertwining modernity with tradition (manageyourcellar.blogspot.com)

“Century Club” Wine Tastings To Explore $100 Wine At Beer & Wine Cave

Image via Wikipedia

Ever wonder what a $100 bottle of wine tastes like? You’ll have a chance to find out every first Friday of the month at the Beer & Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo (419) 382-6221.

Tastings will begin promptly at 6:30 PM. Cost per individual will be based on how many people attend each tasting. Example 1: A wine that retails for $100 and eight tasters participate, $106.75 (bottle of wine including tax) divided by 8 people = $13.35 cost per person to taste. Example 2: A wine that retails for $145 and eight tasters participate, $154.79 (bottle of wine including tax) divided by 8 people = $19.35 cost per person to taste.

The inaugural first Friday Tastings will start on Friday September 2. If interested, please plan on being at the Cave no later than 6:30 PM so that the treasure wine can fairly and accurately be portioned according to the number of lucky tasters.

Related articles

• In the Summertime (wannabewino.com)
• Everyone Is Freaking Out That Cliff Asness Thought About Buying Paul Ryan A $350 Bottle Of Wine (businessinsider.com)
• Heritage Vineyards, 100% Jersey (theother46.com)

Fourth Annual Wine and Wishes Event Returns To Levis Commons September 15

The Town Center at Levis Commons will be the site of the fourth annual Wine and Wishes fundraiser, benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Ohio. The event will take place on Thursday, September 15, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the boulevard at The Town Center. The evening will include a variety of wines for sampling from Heidelberg Distributing, appetizers from Levis Commons restaurants and live music by Hepcat Revival. Tickets are $50 each and may be purchased by calling The Town Center at 419-931-8888, at Lily’s at Levis or online at ShopLevisCommons.com.

“Wine and Wishes is definitely one of our favorite events of the year and we are thrilled to help grant the wish of a local child” said Casey Pogan, Marketing Director, Hill Partners, Inc., The Town Center at Levis Commons. “The boulevard serves as the perfect setting for this outdoor event featuring fine wines, fantastic food and relaxing entertainment.”

The mission of The Make-A-Wish Foundation is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions and to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The Northwest Ohio chapter has granted more than 1,200 wishes for children in the 21 counties it serves and continues on its mission with the help of the Northwest Ohio businesses.

Photo by Taro Taylor

Technorati Tags: Wine

Related articles

• Getting Ready For a Smackdown (undertakingwine.com)
• Wine tasting in the Cotes du Rhone - Jonquieres, France, France (travelpod.com)
• Domaine Huet Demi Sec Le Mont Vouvray 2009 Wine Review (NW) (winecask.blogspot.com)