The Shores of Erie Wine Festival to Rock the Banks of the Detroit River September 8-11

The 7th Annual Shores of Erie Wine Festival, scheduled September 8-11, will feature continuous live entertainment, over 50 vendors serving up the best local food and wine, master chef cooking demonstrations and wine seminars, an interactive tasting bar. The setting will be on the beautiful banks of the Detroit River, Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada (100 Laird Ave. S., Amherstburg, Ontario). The event will feature the very best of Lake Erie North Shore (LENS) wines.

This is a premier wine event in a scenic setting, just a short drive from Toledo and Detroit. There’s great wine – and a great time – just across the border. We had a chance to visit some LENS wineries back in May and were very impressed. Not only that, but the entertainment will be spectacular, including one of my favorites, the Sam Roberts Band.

The times for the festival are: 5:00 to 10 PM on Thursday and Friday, 12:00 to 10 PM on Saturday and 12:00 to 7:00 PM on Sunday. Unfortunately, according to the website, tickets are sold out for Saturday.

Ticket prices are (first price is in advance, second is at the gate): Thursday – $30/$35, Friday – $20/$25, Sunday – $15/$20. There is a three-day pass for $50 available only at the festival office.

On Thursday night there is a special five-course winemaker dinner paired with award winning LENS wines. The cost is $135 per person and tickets are limited.

For more information and tickets, visit www.soewinefestival.com

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Attems Pinot Grigio 2010, Venezia Giulia IGT, Italia

The 2010 Attems is a Pinot Grigio with full body and expressive terroir – that’s something I don’t recall saying about any Pinot Grigio.

When drinking Pinot Grigio, I expect a lightweight wine with a light fruitiness. This wine, from northeast Italy, turned my impression upside down. This is much more in the style of Pinot Gris than Pinot Grigio. Although they are the same grape, the Pinot Gris is typically more hearty and rustic.

There is some fruit and tang on the nose, but on the palate there is a savory, almost nutty quality. The body is much fuller than the typical Pinot Grigio. In Italy, 2010 was considered a “white wine year.” The fruit imparts a nice balance between acids and sugars and a great mineral quality.

The flavor notes of apple and tropical fruit have a crisp edge to them. Finishing was done for two months in oak barrels, four months in stainless steel and a final month in the bottle.
The wine retails for $19 and is recommended.

Technorati Tags: wine,Italian wine,Pinot Grigio

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Anthony Bourdain Blasts 9/11 Wine, But I Think He's Wrong

Image via WikipediaCelebrity chef and television star Anthony Bourdain has blasted a controversial wine that's being sold to commemorate the upcoming 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks for the symbolic sum of $19.11. Calling the wines "grotesque, exploitative," and "vomit inducing," Bourdain reacted swiftly to the news and pulled some strings to remove the product from his former restaurant's menu. 

New York City Councilman Peter Vallone may have had the best line, saying "What's next? A 9/11 pastrami sandwich?" The 9/11 Memorial Commemorative wines are produced by Lieb Cellars on Long Island.

Some proceeds of all sales will go towards the National September 11 Memorial Museum. This amounts to 10 percent of sales.

Although Lieb is under fire from all directions, this is not a clear cut call in my opinion. Lieb is a well respected New York winery and I believe their intentions are good. It's not a flim-flam exploiting tragedy for financial gain.

Don't leap to conclusions. I had a similar reaction as the critics about a different wine, Cleavage Creek. At first I thought the brand was an attempt to make some profit while demeaning women. Upon closer examination, I found I was completely wrong. The wine labels featured breast cancer survivors and 10% of gross proceeds went to breast cancer research. The winery owner had lost his wife to cancer.

Lieb has been selling wine for this cause since 2004. Mark and Kathy Lieb were deeply affected by the tragedy. They had both worked on Wall Street for many years prior to 9/11, and lost friends and former colleagues in the WTC attacks. "We wanted to contribute in our own way to ensure that the tragic events of 9/11 are never forgotten," said Mr. Lieb. "The commemorative wine gives our winery, as well as restaurants and individuals, the opportunity to participate in the annual observance and to support September's Mission Foundation."

Monica Iken, who founded September's Mission Foundation after losing her husband Michael in the 9/11 tragedy, said she deeply appreciates the donation. "Whoever purchases this special wine will not only be remembering the heroes and innocent victims of that terrible tragedy, but will be supporting our efforts to develop programs at the future memorial site, as well as the 9/11 'Living Memorial,' an internet-based web portal project that will be accessible to everyone."

Doesn't it make sense? If you make wine, wouldn't you want to use your business to make a positive impact in the aftermath of the devastating 9/11 attack? This is a case of what may be a bad idea by well intentioned people who are now enduring a withering media attack.

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Wine Tastings & Events: August 24-27, 2011

Image of Patricia Green Cellars via Snooth

Wednesday, August 24

The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Red Blend Showdown. There has been an explosion of great red blends recently. Sample four new entries into this highly competitive segment, and see which is the customer favorite: 1. Daisy Chain “Ava’s Red” (Zin/Merlot/Cab/Syrah), 2. Rhiannon (Syrah/Zin/Grenache), 3. Primal Roots (Merlot/Syrah/Zin), 4. Kitchen Sink (Zin/Merlot/Cab/Petite Sirah). $6  per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Summer White Wine & Cheese Tasting. $15.

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6-9 PM. Alter Egos ~ Pinot Gris & Pinot Grigio, Shiraz & Syrah, Mourvedre & Monastrell, Chablis & Chardonnay includes snacks. Cost is $15.

Thursday, August 25

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. The battle of the Pinots: Oregon vs. California. 1. A to Z Pinot Noir – Oregon, 2. Greg Norman Pinot Noir – Santa Barbara, California, 3. Patricia Green – Eason – Pinot Noir – Dundee Hills, Oregon, 4. Joseph Carr – Pinot Noir – Sonoma Coast, California. $7 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. The hottest trend in wine: Battle of the Mega Wineries Zinfandel Blends. Since Menage Red has claimed the title of the #1 selling red wine in the U.S., many wineries are trying to cash in with Zinfandel blends of their own. Get a scorecard and rate them. Which one will be your favorite? 1. Menage, 2. Rhiannon, 3. Apothic Red, 4. Relative Red, 5. Marietta Old Vine Red, 6. Primal Root, 7. Cameron Hughes Field Blend, 8. Kitchen Sink. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Summer White Wine & Cheese Tasting. $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Battle in the Bottle! Consider this 'A Clockwork Grape pt.2'. How much influence does the winemaker really have? How much is too much? Nature, or Nurture? The answers to these questions, and so much more this week.

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 26
* Special Event * Toledo Museum of Art Wine by the Glass Pavilion series: Tour of Italy. 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. Wines of Argentina: 1. Crios Torrontes, 2. Finca El Reposo Bonarda, 3. Colome "Amalaya" Red Blend, 4. La Linda Malbec. $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Battle in the Bottle! Consider this 'A Clockwork Grape pt.2'. How much influence does the winemaker really have? How much is too much? Nature, or Nurture? The answers to these questions, and so much more this week.

Nominal fee per sample.

 

Saturday, August 27

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 Argentina: 1. Crios Torrontes, 2. Finca El Reposo Bonarda, 3. Colome "Amalaya" Red Blend, 4. La Linda Malbec. $10 tasting.

 

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. This week’s tasting celebrates the annual German/American Festival: 1. Schloss Biebrich Sekt, 2. Affentaler Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir), 3. Dr. Loosen “Dr. L” Riesling, 4. Machmer Gewurtztraminer Spatlese

$2.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Inventory Reduction Tasting. Awesome discounts of 30% or more on select premium wines. This is a chance to fill your cellar with awesome wines at a great discount. Premium tasting. 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 Burgers & BBQ's ~ perfect wines to pair with our new Burgers & BBQ'd duck wings. 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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Michigan Wineries Cop Top Honors In Harding’s Cup Cabernet Franc Competition

Image via Wikipedia

Fourteen wineries from Michigan and two from France competed in the recently held Harding’s Cup Challenge, to determine the best Cabernet Franc. The event was held at the Kellogg Manor House on the scenic bluffs of Gull Lake in Michigan. The place appropriately looks like a grand European getaway more than a Michigan lake house.

Lee Lutes, Master Wine Maker at Black Star Farms and last year's champion, addressed the crowd and stressed the importance of the camaraderie in Michigan wine making and shared the excitement of last year's win, along with moving forward to more success as Cabernet Franc vines mature here in Michigan.

The French Judge, Jean-Jacques Fertal, also took time to share his judge's notes and tease that the French wines had flags on them in the back room for the blind tasting. But of course, the competition takes pride in its integrity. Thank you letters stream in from winemakers and participants following the exciting night, thanking Harding's and their famed Wine Guru for such an amazing event.

The importance of our region competing against the French with a "Noble Red" such as Cabernet Franc is "history making," according to Terry Stingley, the Wine Guru whose passion drives the annual event. A local neighborhood grocer, "Harding's Friendly Market" helped Terry pick up the torch for Michigan's flagship wine Cabernet Franc and create this world class competition for World Class Wines.

The sentiment among the winemakers is the same no matter if they placed or not. Fourteen vintners represented Michigan and two represented the Chinon region of France, which has been producing Cabernet Franc for a millennium. Four wines placed last night with a tie for third place. The top six, however, were mentioned and recognized at the event, all Michigan.

The winners of 2011 Cabernet Franc Harding's Cup "Best of" Challenge are:
5th place: Domaine Berrien Cellars 2002
4th place: Hickory Creek 2007
3rd place tie: Brys Estate 2007 & Free Run 2005
2nd place: Domaine Berrien 2005
1st place Cup Winner: Brys Estate Artisan Series 2007

Mark your calendars and save the date for Thursday, August 16, 2012, where we will challenge the 2010 vintage and see once again who will go home with the Harding's Cup, Michigan or France?

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Foppiano 2006 Estate Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Prevails at Pinot Smackdown 2011

The Pinot Smackdown is a Twitter wine tasting with a twist. Like a pay-for-view professional wresting match filled with costumed hulks, only one contender can leave the ring as champion.

Last Thursday the second annual Pinot Smackdown twitter tasting was held. This was an around the world event with “all the drama and suspense of an American Idol elimination round sending the audience on the edge of their seats to a commercial break…”

The TWAV team gathered for a late evening to taste three Pinot Noirs": 1. 2007 Ampelos Vineyards Lambda, Santa Rita Hills, CA; 2. 2006 Foppiano Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA: and, 3. 2007 Shaw Vineyards, Finger Lakes, NY. All wines were decanted prior to the tasting.

TWAV has just joined the “twittersphere” (click on the “follow” button at right to keep up with our tweets) so we had a live twitterfeed showing comments from tasters from around the globe. With each tweet, you were to include the hashtag for that winegrowing region (e.g., #CA or #OR). The winner of the smackdown was the region with the most hashtag “votes.”

The Ampelos has been a favorite since owners Rebecca and Peter Work poured their magical wines at a Toledo Museum of Art tasting. The Lambda was the first entry of the evening.

This is a heavenly Pinot with a delicate, balanced touch. Lambda has a vibrant red fruit palate and a round, warming finish. Green Dragon noted a touch of vanilla on the back-end. Somehow Jazz Man ended up with a moose in his pocket and this was tweeted out to everyone’s amusement.

I thought I may have made an error by firing our big gun at first, but I pulled a bottle of 2006 Foppiano banking on the winery’s long-standing reputation for quality. They have been producing wine since the 1800s.

The Foppiano was quite a surprise, coming out with a punchier flavor profile. This had a deeper, richer quality with full dark berry flavor from the start to the finish. The Russian River Valley is an AVA known for amazing wines and this one did not disappoint.

Our group of six tasters showed a remarkable thirst and we delved into our third bottle, a 2007 Shaw Vineyards Pinot Noir obtained on our last visit to the Finger Lakes. This was an enjoyable bottle, but it didn’t have the “big bones” of the Foppiano. It was a more delicate wine with sour cherry flavor notes. The finish was medium in length, but this was a wine that improved with time in the glass. Enjoyable, but several lengths behind the competitors from California.

The consensus winner from our tasting was… the 2006 Foppiano.

According to the official stats, worldwide there were 446,589 users, 5045 tweets, 1067 contributors, and 8.7million impressions. The official Pinot Smackdown winner was a surprise to me: New Zealand, followed close behind by Oregon and California. France grabbed only 3.1% of the votes.

Technorati Tags: wine,Pinot Noir,pinot smackdown

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