POUR IT FORWARD The Loyal Companion Wine Series Benefits Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups

We have a soft spot for “man’s best friend” and especially dogs rescued from the animal shelter. Amber, our American Esky, is such a “pound puppy.” Here’s a wine effort that can benefit those dogs in shelters.

Charitable wine brand Cru Vin Dogs is launching a new series of wines to benefit man’s best friend. Wines from The Loyal Companion Series will dedicate a portion of the proceeds from each bottle toward local animal shelters and rescue groups that help find homes for orphaned dogs.

Partnering with regional canine-related charities under the PAW Program (Partners And Wine), Cru Vin Dogs has assigned a special donation code for customers that provide $1 per bottle to their organization of choice to use when purchasing online. Furthermore, when purchased at select restaurants and retailers in their home town, $0.50 per bottle will benefit local shelters in their home towns.

The Loyal Companion Series currently includes two wines from Sonoma County, California: a crisp, cool-climate Chardonnay and a concentrated red blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Zinfandel from small prestigious vineyards. Each label in the Loyal Companion Series features artist Jay Snellgrove’s illustration of “Chica,” a shelter dog who exemplifies how animal adoption can change the life of a Loyal Companion in need.

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Deep Sea Red Blend, 2008, Central Coast

I enjoyed this California red during a recent meal at Boudro’s on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. Outside lights twinkled and boats carrying visitors cruised back and forth on the narrow waterway. Inside my fellow diners and I enjoyed a great meal at one of the best restaurants in the area. We had opted for an inside table since the temperatures outside still hovered around 90 degrees.

Having enjoyed a fish entree the previous evening, I opted for a nice Black Angus fillet and wanted a new red to go along with it. The Deep Sea caught my attention, perhaps inspired by the water just a few feet away from us.

Deep Sea is a blend of 74% Syrah, 14% Petite Sirah, 6% Lagrein (which is new to me), with dashes of Merlot and Mourvèdre. It has a nose of plum and berries and a very mellow, smooth entry. The tannins for this wine were very soft and a bit more structure would have made it a more ideal pairing with my steak. This certainly was an enjoyable sipper due to its rounded, jammy flavor notes. The finish was of medium duration. The bottle retails for about $21. ***

After finishing our meal we hopped on one of the barges that travel the river and took in a nice tour while enjoying dessert and cordials.

Technorati Tags: wine

Dinner at Bistro Vendome, Denver, Features a Trio of French Wines

As a guest of Visit Denver, Denver’s convention and visitors bureau, I was treated to a succulent meal at Bistro Vendome, located a few blocks from the 16th Avenue Mall. This restaurant is named after a stylish eatery in Paris and brings continental cuisine to the Rockies.

Strolling through a nice courtyard with outside dining we entered our private dining room and were treated to a glass of Simmonnet-Febvre, Cremant de Bourgogne, a brut sparkling wine in the traditional method from Burgundy. The light effervescence blended well with my first course of Crepes Vendome, which wraps roasted chicken, tomato, olives and herbs and was topped with a fried egg and béarnaise sauce.

Conversation ranged from President Obama’s visit earlier in the day to the latest episode of Storage Wars. Our salad course arrived paired with Henri Perrusset, Macon-Villages. This was a slightly oaky Chardonnay that seemed to be a one-note wine and not too special.

I opted for the Truite en Croute de Pistaches, which was a nice trout crusted with sautéed pistachio and spice topped with new potatoes, asparagus, bacon, onions and red peppers. This was a wonderful dish that married a perfectly done trout with well-seasoned and sublime topping. Most of the group had opted for the Steak Frites with béarnaise. I sampled some from a willing guest and it was done perfectly. The wine pairing was Chateau Peybonhomme, Les Tours, Cotes de Blaye 2008. This was a brilliant wine with subdued tannins. The smooth red  berry flavor was persistent and led to a  finish velvety. This is a 70% Merlot, 30%
Cabernet Sauvignon blend that really rocks.

This was a delightful evening complete with a stroll through Denver’s downtown. A new favorite wine was uncovered, the Chateau Peybonhomme, as well as a superlative Denver eatery.

Technorati Tags: wine,denver

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Wine Tastings & Events: September 28–October 1, 2011

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Wednesday, September 28

The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Some sweet…some dry…but all REDS! 1. Big Woop! Red, 2. Thorn Clark Terra Barossa Shiraz, 3. Amalaya Vino Tinto de Altura, 4. Villa M Rosso. $8 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

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

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

Thursday, September 29

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Fine wines of the great state of Washington: 1. Columbia Crest Grand Estates – Chardonnay – Columbia Valley, 2. Gilbert Cellars – Claret – Yakima Valley, 3. Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills – Merlot – Columbia Valley, 4. Chateau Ste Michelle Harvest Select Riesling – Columbia Valley. $4.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Do You Know Merlot? 1. Beringer’s Napa Merlot, 2. Casa Lapostolle Merlot, Chile, 3. Newton Merlot blend, 4. Sainte-Marie Alios, France, Merlot blend, 5. Swanson Oakville Merlot, 6. Pine Ridge Napa Valley Merlot, 7. Frogs Leap Merlot Rutherford, 8. Grgich Hills Napa Merlot. Nominal fee per sample.

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

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Nominal fee per sample. Call for information.

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, September 30

* Special Event * Toledo Museum of Art Wine by the Glass Pavilion series: German Weine Fest. 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. Bring on the Bordeaux: 1. Chateau Lamothe Blanc, 2. Chateau Les Terrasses de Bouey, 3. Seigneurs D'Aiguilhe, 4. COYAM (Chilean Bordeaux-Style Blend). $15 tasting.

Saturday, October 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. Bring on the Bordeaux: 1. Chateau Lamothe Blanc, 2. Chateau Les Terrasses de Bouey, 3. Seigneurs D'Aiguilhe, 4. COYAM (Chilean Bordeaux-Style Blend). $15 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Saturday Wine Tasting. Entwine … Inspired by a shared passion for wine and food,
FOOD NETWORK and WENTE VINYARDS worked side-by-side to craft these wines that are great sipped alone and delicious paired with food: 1. Entwine Pinot Grigio, 2. Entwine Chardonnay, 3. Entwine Merlot, 4. Entwine Cabernet Sauvignon. $2 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. 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.

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6-9 PM Wine flight TBA. 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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Wine Lingo: What Does Malolactic Fermentation Mean?

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Enjoying wine shouldn’t be an intimidating experience – but there’s a lot of lingo out there that can intimidate drinkers who are simply trying to sip a glass of vino that they like. Malolactic fermentation is such a term, one that sounds very technical, but the idea itself is a simple one.

Wine made from fermented grapes naturally contains malic acid. To produce some desired qualities, winemakers can induce a secondary fermentation to convert the naturally occurring malic acid into lactic acid.

The conversion is caused by bacteria and can occur naturally, but more commonly the bacteria is added by the winemaker. MLF is frequently used to reduce the sharp edges of cool climate Chardonnay. A rounder, fuller mouthfeel is one benefit of MLF. Wines undergoing MLF are often described as creamy with an improved body.

So next time you are enjoying a creamy, buttery Chardonnay, you can impress your friends by asking, “I wonder if the winemaker used malolactic fermentation?”

Technorati Tags: wine,malolactic fermentation

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Chimney Rock 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap, Napa Valley

We enjoyed this bottle while taking a dinner break from a board meeting in Chicago. Chi-town is known for its Italian food, so we headed for Toscano’s on River Road in Rosemont. Peter, one of the owners, arranged a private room and we were happy to pay a reasonable corkage fee to pop open this baby with their well-known hand-made pasta dishes.

The wine is deep dark garnet in color and swirling releases a complex aroma. This beautiful bottle display the opulent flavor for which Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon is known. It exhibits hints of mocha and cinnamon with ripe currants.This has strong but smooth tannins that lend a velvet touch to its long, smooth finish.

Chimney Rock is a memorable bottle and was a highlight to our evening. It sells for about $60 retail and about $100 on restaurant wine lists.On our 5-star scale, this scores a well-earned ****+.

Technorati Tags: wine,cabernet sauvignon,stags leap

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