Popular Tannenbaum Trail Event on Ohio’s Vines & Wines Trail Set For December

Wineries on the Vines and Wines wine trail will be hosting their annual holiday-themed Tannenbaum Trail event for three consecutive weekends in December (2nd and 3rd, 9th and 10th, and 16th and 17th), noon to 6:00 PM. This event sells out so quickly we wanted to give our readers a chance to take advantage of this great event. The cost is $45 per couple or $35 per single. You must have advance reservations.
The event gives you the opportunity to travel to wineries in northeast Ohio. Between noon and 6:00 PM each day you can sample wine and enjoy appetizers. At a designated winery you will receive a beautiful Schott Zwiesel wine glass and a 16" Christmas tree. At each of the wineries you will pick up an ornament to adorn your tree.

There is a great list of participating wineries this year:

• Bene Vino Urban Winery, Perry
  
• Biscotti Family Winery, Conneaut
  
• Buccia Vineyards, Conneaut
  
• Debonné Vineyards, Madison
  
• Emerine Estates, Jefferson
  
• Grand River Vineyards, Madison
  
• Ferrante Winery, Geneva
  
• Laleure Vineyards, Parkman
  
• Laurello Vineyards, Geneva
  
• Maple Ridge Vineyards, Madison
  
• Old Firehouse Winery, Geneva-on-the-Lake
  
• Old Mill Winery, Geneva
  
• St Joseph Vineyard, Madison
  
• The Winery at Springhill, Geneva
  
• Virant Family Winery, Geneva

To make your reservations please call (800) 227-6972 or order online here. The event is sponsored by the Ohio Wine Producers Association.

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BE IN THE KNOW ABOUT NOUVEAU

Beaujolais Nouveau is here! The first wine bottled from the 2011 vintage was officially released to the public yesterday (the third Thursday of November) amidst hype and celebrations. It’s a young, fun wine. Here are 10 facts so you're up to speed on this French phenomenon.

1. Beaujolais is located in the region of Burgundy, France, where winemaking traces back to the Roman times. There are 2,500 Beaujolais growers in the region.
2. By law, Beaujolais grapes must be harvested by hand and grown on individual, free standing vines. In 2011 the harvest started on August 24^th across the 3,000 vineyards.
3. Beaujolais Nouveau is made from 100% Gamay grapes, which have thinner skins than most grapes, causing a lower tannin level. The wine is meant to be served slightly cool, at about 55°F which makes it even more refreshing and fruit forward than if you serve it at room temperature.
4. Beaujolais Nouveau owes its easy drinkability to a winemaking process called carbonic maceration, or whole-berry fermentation. This technique preserves the fresh, fruity quality of the wine, without extracting bitter tannins from the grape skins.
5. Beaujolais Nouveau pairs beautifully with a range of foods, from casual dishes to holiday dishes such as turkey and ham. Because of the timing of its release, Beaujolais Nouveau is widely known as the ideal wine to serve at Thanksgiving.
6. Originally, Beaujolais Nouveau was the wine of the vineyard workers, consumed to celebrate the end of harvest and giving them a first taste of the new vintage.
7. In 1985, France passed a law requiring that Beaujolais Nouveau must always be released on the third Thursday in November all over the world.
8. As a way to herald the wine’s official release, Beaujolais Nouveau countdown parties became popular throughout France and abroad. Now, Beaujolais Nouveau Day is a global celebration, much like New Year’s Eve or Fat Tuesday.
9. More than 35 million bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau are expected to be consumed in the months following the wine’s release.
10. Since arriving for the first time in the U.S. in 1982, the Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau label has featured a vibrant, one- of- a- kind design.

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Downtown Delights Reveals Tasty New Wines



Albarola Barbera

We recently attended the wine show put on by TREO in Sylvania in conjunction with the Downtown Delights event. There were six distributors and more than 40 wines.

Green Dragon and I were running a bit late, but started getting pumped for the event when we noticed spotlights crisscrossing the sky in Sylvania. The crowd was packed into TREO’s private dining room. In addition to the wine there were light appetizers plus cheese from Tecumseh's Boulevard Market and sweets from Little Boe Sweets.

It was quite a bargain with 40 wines from which to choose and 10 samples each for $10.
Our top picks were:

2009 Rancho Sisquoc River Red. This was a nice blend of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 18% Pinot Noir, 13% Syrah, 10% Malbec, and 4% Sangiovese. This was a smooth yet sophisticated blend with dashes of strawberry and oak. To simplify this for me, I kept requesting the Sasquatch wine. I guess you can say it has a Bigfoot of flavor. Costs about $18.

2008 Tacchino Albarola Barbera. This is a Piedmont red from Italy made with 100% Barbera. It has a persistent blackberry fruit flavor with light oak. It has a nice balance and medium body. Soft but not wimpy. We found this to be a nice pairing for dinner afterwards. I had TREO’s outstanding lasagna, but it should also go well with red meat.

2010 Nine Walks Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough. Green Dragon is a Sauv Blanc fan, especially from New Zealand’s Marlborough region. This is young and fresh with plenty of citrus and some light grassy notes.

2008 Stratton Lummis Lot One “The Riddler.” This is a Napa Valley red wine made with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The full list of grapes isn’t disclosed (you crazy Riddler, you!), but I suspect Merlot is in there as well due to the smooth finish. This had a twinge of sweetness to it with a nice berry and floral flavor mix.

Technorati Tags: wine

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Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: November 16-19. 2011

Image of Quinta do Feital via Snooth

Wednesday, November 16

* Special Event * TREO Wine Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. 6-9 PM, 4th Annual Fall Harvest Dinner with special guest Stefano Poggi, from Batasiolo Winery. Five course Northern Italian dinner paired with five Batasiolo wines. $45 per person, 6:30 PM meet and greet, 7:00 PM dinner. Space is limited, for reservations contact info@treosylvania.com or call 419-882-2266.

The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Son of Z-Best: For this once a year tasting Mike Bailey from our House of Meats will be preparing prime rib, Saundra will be preparing a variety of special foods to accompany the wines, our departments will have special items for your holiday entertaining needs, and we will have live jazz! 1. Quinta do Feital “Auratus” Alvarinho/Trajadura 2009 ($15.99); 2. Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ($99.99); 3. Antinori “Tignanello” (99.99); 4. Capanna Brunello di Montalcino 2006 ($59.99) Flight is $35 and wines are also available by the sample. We don’t normally include the cost of a bottle, but we included it this time so you were aware of the quality of the wines featured – TWAV.

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

Thursday, November 17

* Special Event * Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 6:00 – 8:30 PM.Beaujolais Nouveau 2011. $35 per person.  Limited to 25. Must buy tickets in advance. The fresh crisp Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived and we’ll be celebrating. Chef Bill will be once again cooking his authentic French Cassoulet and we have a special guest making dessert crepes. And of course plenty of delicious Beaujolais Nouveau to wash it all down.

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. A Night with Batasiolo Wines: 1. Gavi, 2. Barberesco, 3. Barolo, 4. BOSC – Moscato di Asti. $6 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Wines for the feast II.  Pinot Noir: 1. Jigsaw, Oregon, 2. Laetitia, Arroy Secco, 3. Neudorf, New Zealand, 4. Calera, Central Coast, 5. Albert Bichet Beaune (Burgundy), 6. Chehalem Ribbon Ridge, Willamette Valley, 7. Le Cousins, Willamette Valley. Rieslings: 8. Donhoff Trocken (dry) Riesling, 9. Donnhoff Riesling (lightly sweet). Nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 5-7 PM. Wines for the Feast, Part Three: 1. Jouly Vouvray (Chenin Blanc), 2. Cameron Hughes Sauvignon Blanc, 3. J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Fritz Windisch Dornfelder. $2 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

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

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. 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, November 18

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Day Wines (Served with Deep Fried Turkey): 1. Galasso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, 2. Row Eleven "Vinas 3" Pinot Noir, 3. Corvidae "Rook" Red Blend, 4. Rive Della Chiesa Rose. $15 tasting.

Saturday, November 19

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Day Wines (Served with Deep Fried Turkey): 1. Galasso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, 2. Row Eleven "Vinas 3" Pinot Noir, 3. Corvidae "Rook" Red Blend, 4. Rive Della Chiesa Rose. $15 tasting.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. The Best of American Pinot Noir. Premium tasting. 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 Special wine tasting. 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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Batasiolo Winery Featured At TREO Italian Wine Dinner November 16

On Wednesday, November 16, TREO will host its 4th Annual Fall Harvest Dinner with very special guest Stefano Poggi, from the Batasiolo Winery in Italy. The dinner will feature five courses of traditional Northern Italian fare, paired with five great Batasiolo wines. Stefano is wonderfully entertaining and has arranged his schedule so that he may dine with you.

Cost for this event is $45 per person and includes dinner and wine. Dinner is served at 7:00 PM, but you are welcome to arrive early for a meet-and-greet with Stefano beforehand. Hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6:30 PM.

Space will be limited, so please call to make your reservation soon. Please contact info@treosylvania.com or call 419-882-2266.

Technorati Tags: wine,Italian wine

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Vermillion Valley Vineyards: Ohio Winery Visit

Lorain County’s Vermillion Valley Vineyards is situated on a 23-acre site featuring 5,000 classic variety grapevines and its award-winning environmentally friendly building. The winery focuses on small batch production and a philosophy of sustainability that fits in solidly with its rural community.

This was our second stop on a meandering trip from Toledo to Cleveland. It was also a highlight, because tucked away on Gore Orphanage Road in Wakeman, Ohio, is a real gem of a winery with well-crafted vinifera wines and a showcase of a tasting room.

As we rumbled up the dirt driveway, we noticed only one other vehicle. Green Dragon proclaimed that the winery was closed and we should turn around. But I noticed a gentleman carrying a bucket and I asked him. Unfortunately, he confirmed that the hours listed on the website were wrong and the winery didn’t open until 3. Bummer!

Fortune favors the bold, so I told him I had heard a lot about the winery and would love to get a peak inside.

As luck would have it, the friendly soul was winemaker David Benzing. He was happy to take us into the winery and pour some samples. We walk in though a side entrance and saw his current project, a batch of pungent Cabernet Franc grapes in a large container.

He poured us the 2010 Lake Erie Cabernet Franc and it was a bit startling. While Ohio has the terroir to produce great grapes, some of the state wineries lack winemakers with sufficient “chops” to make the best use of them and the end result is flat and listless.

The Cab Franc has a nice structure with a mouthful of cherries and blackberries. As we were enjoying a glass, we had a chance to take in the beauty of the tasting room. What caught my attention was the locally harvested white oak and black walnut floors and trim. It gives it a warm yet contemporary look. It is also chock-full of environmentally sound features such as a monitor roof, which promotes passive ventilation and heating during appropriate seasons.

Our next taste was the 2010 Traminette. This estate grown beauty is the best Traminette I’ve ever tasted. I’ve had at least a dozen different versions in New York, Ohio and national wine tasting events. They have always come off as a weak sister to Gewürztraminer. This one, however, blazed its own trail with good body, spiciness and a hint of smoke. At $14, this is a real steal.

Vermillion Valley’s pursuit of the best wines leads down a difficult path. The classic vinifera varieties aren’t as hearty as the French hybrids or the native labrusca grapes and that requires special precautions during the rugged Ohio winters. The results have clearly been worthwhile.

We were able to also sample the inky Dornfelder medium bodied and blackberry driven. Another winner was the 2010 Pinot Gris. This had pronounced minerality and a pop of tartness. This is also a wine that is superior to the majority of Ohio wines.

A special tip of the cap to winemaker David for opening up to a couple of thirsty travelers. Vermillion Valley should be high on the list for those seeking fine wines in the Buckeye State.

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