Jose Maria Da Fonseca 2006 Periquita

Periquita is considered the national wine of Portugal. It's a blend of mostly Castelão Frances grapes, which thrives in southern Portugal, plus Trincadeira and Tempranillo. This European gem is from the Terras do Sado region in the southwestern part of the country.

It has been around for more than 150 years, being created by Jose Maria da Fonseca in 1850. This namesake company has become synonomous with this highly regarded wine.

We selected this bottle for an Indian Summer evening around the firepit on the patio. This is a wine with a full bouquet that is rich and spicy but a medium body. The flavors are red berries and cigar box. The tannins are soft and it provides a nicely balanced drink with an enjoyable finish of medium duration.

The firepit crowd loved this wine, especially with some nice chocolate (not too dark). Even the weather conditions were cooperating with us -- no wind to blow the smoke in our eyes.

The Portugese have a good thing going. I picked this wine up at Churchill's for only $12, but it drinks like a wine two or three times the cost. Rated **** of *****.

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Fly Fishing and Ohio Wine Highlight Fly the Alley Event

Image via Wikipedia

Northeast Ohio's Steelhead Alley is highly regarded as a fly fishing hotspot for professional guides and local enthusiasts alike. Now the Ohio Wine Producers Association and The Lodge & Conference Center at Geneva are proud to present a sporting expo focused on all that Northeast Ohio has to offer the avid angler – including great wine.


The Fly the Alley event is scheduled Saturday, November 12, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Fly fishing enthusiasts are encouraged to grab their waders and join in a day
full of seminars by our featured professionals, hands-on tying and casting workshops, wall-to-wall sporting exhibits and vendors and wine and culinary programs.
Attendees will get the ins and outs of Steelhead Alley, discover new techniques and brush-up on old ones. You will also be able to check out the latest and greatest from exhibitors and outfitters, learn culinary techniques for preparing your catch and explore regional wines to complement your feast.
The cost for an Expo Day Pass is $15 per person. (Includes Saturday Expo entry only.) A gourmet box lunch is available for $10.
Gourmet Dinner Reception tickets are available for $50 and Include a three-course meal, beverages, wines, keynote speech by Jerry Darkes and live entertainment by Steve Madewell.
For day passes, contact the Ohio Wine Producers Association at 800-227-6972 or online here.
Weekend passes, which includes two-night lodging and breakfast, a welcome wine event, event passes and more are available by contacting the Lodge at Geneva at (866) 806-8066.

Technorati Tags: wine,Ohio wine

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The Joys of Regional Wine: In 47 Words

Ohio's South River Vineyard - an example of an outstanding regional winery.

October 9 through 15 is Regional Wine Week. The event is promoted by DrinkLocalWine.com, which focuses on wine made in places other than California, Washington and Oregon which are the giants in United States wine production.

Part of the festivities includes a contest to sum up the lure and reward of regional wines – but do it in exactly 47 words (to represent those other wine producing states). We’re completely behind this effort and consider it a great service to the wine-loving public.

You’ll notice that our editorial content consists of: 1. Toledo area wine events and tastings, 2. Reports on regional wineries and wines, and 3. Tasting notes on wines that interest us from around the country and the world.

We dish this out in mostly equal portions and for our purposes we define regional wineries as those within a day’s drive of Toledo. We also feature a list of wineries within 100 miles of Toledo and believe those deserve special attention from those in Northwest Ohio.

And now, here it is – freshly fermented and bottled for you – our 47-word praise of regional wine…

Genuine. Authentic. Rooted deep in the soil of states like Ohio, Michigan , Indiana , Virginia , Texas, Colorado and areas like Ontario and the Finger Lakes. People and grapes blend harmoniously together in regional wines that are real with quality that can surprise. Pour a glass!

Whaddaya think?

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Wine Tastings & Events: October 12–15, 2011

Image of Longboard Vineyards via Snooth

Wednesday, October 12

The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Entwine.The Entwine line is a cooperative effort between the Food Network and Wente Vineyards. These are all wines specifically designed to pair with a wide variety of foods, and delivering great bang for the buck. 1. Entwine Pinot Grigio, 2. Entwine Chardonnay, 3. Entwine Merlot, Entwine Cabernet Sauvignon. $8 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Fire-pit Friendly Wines. October 12th is also Matt's birthday so give the gift of job security and attend this tasting and buy a lot of great juice. $15.

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6-9 PM. Wine Tasting. How easy it is to pair wines with food? A 101 on how to with wine and food! Cost is $15.

Thursday, October 13

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Great Red Blends under $20. 1. Lyeth – Meritage – Sonoma County, California, 2. Stelzner – Claret – Napa Valley, California, 3. Piccolo Cru’ – Napa Valley, California, 4. Estancia – Meritage – Paso Robles, California. $5 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. All Roads Lead To Rhone: Elegant Red Wine Blends From the South of France. 1. Domaine Grand Veneur Les Champauvins Cote du Rhone 2009, 2. Monterius Vacqueyras Garrigues 2008, 3. Domaine de la Tourade Gigondas 2008, 4. Domaine du Terme Gigondas 2007, 5. Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas 2008, 6. La Crau de Ma Mere Charteauneuf du Pape 2006, 7. Cuvee du Vatican Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Sixtine 2006. Nominal fee per sample.

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

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Wines from Longboard Vineyards, hosted by Telisa Delligatta from Tramontes & Sons. Along and Tom Clare, who is the Eastern National Sales Manager for Longboard Vineyards. 1. 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley), 2. 2008 Point Break Red, 3. 2008 Syrah, 4. 2008 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley), 5. 2008 Dakine Merlot. $2 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, October 14

 

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Chardonnay (Stainless vs. Oak!): 1. Big Brook Unwooded Chardonnay, 2. Mer Soleil Unoaked Chardonnay, 3. Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay, 4. Gregory Graham Chardonnay. $10 tasting.

Saturday, October 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. Chardonnay (Stainless vs. Oak!): 1. Big Brook Unwooded Chardonnay, 2. Mer Soleil Unoaked Chardonnay, 3. Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay, 4. Gregory Graham Chardonnay. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Saturday Wine Tasting. Greek Wines: 1. Tsantali Roditis Rosé, 2. Kouros Patros White, 3. Kouros Nemea Red, 4. Samos Muscat. $2.25 per flight or nominal fee per sample. Note: Beginning October 27, our wine tastings will move to Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

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 tasting with special guest. 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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Pigs & Pinot 2 Scheduled October 12 At Mancy’s Italian Grill

 

The versatility of pork will be highlighted as chefs prepare dishes to be paired with three Pinot Noirs during the Pigs & Pinot 2 event taking place October 12, beginning at 6:30 PM at Mancy’s Italian Grill, 5453 Monroe St., Toledo.  

The three Pinot Noirs are Wild Hog and Drew Family Gatekeeper, both from California, and Sineann Primal, made in the state of Oregon but bottled exclusively for the Ohio market. The wines were selected by Adam Mahler, owner of the wine sales and marketing firm ampelography. For those who find a new beverage favorite at the event, the featured wines and beers will be available for retail sale at Pigs & Pinot 2.

Ticket are $80 per person, all inclusive, and are limited. Reservations can be made by calling (419) 882-9229.

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Tawse Winery 2010 Quarry Road Vineyard Gewürztraminer, Vinemount Ridge VQA

One of our favorite places is Tawse Winery in Vineland, Ontario. The vibe is just right from the striking architecture of the building to the upscale tasting room with a majestic view of the tank room.

Of course the main delight is the outstanding wine. During our last visit there (during TasteCamp North) we were treated to a special tour and tasting with winemaker Paul Pender.

The wines were superb and the best of the bunch, was the 2010 Quarry Road Vineyard Gewürztraminer.

Gewurztraminer is on of my favorite wines. Green Dragon, a former Gewurz lover, recently decided she didn’t like it any more because of too much rose petal flavor.

This Gewurz is quite different in approach with an accent of minerality and lychee. There is also a dash of spice and lemon zest.

We uncorked this bottle around the fire pit and Jazzman commented that he was ready to dig into some spicy hot wings from BW3.

This wine is also biodynamic and organic, something in which Pender and Tawse take great pride. Uncorking this bottle for me also uncorked the sights and smells of the vineyard as we strode around in the morning fog while Paul explained subtleties of the terroir and the quirks of biodynamic winemaking.

Soul, depth and character sum up this outstanding Gewurztraminer – one of the best I’ve ever had!

Rated ***** out of *****.

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