Saturday, December 31, 2011

Five New Years Wine Resolutions

It is that time of year again. My morning workout at the Y is going to be jammed with New Years resolution-makers.
But experience tells me that by Valentines Day the normal order of things will be restored as willpower cracks and would-be workout mavens fall by the wayside. There’ll be plenty of elbow space in the locker room.
The following resolutions are not like that. Oh, no, not at all. These are my wine guideposts for the coming year:
1. Dig into more Old World wines. I am much more familiar with the different Finger Lakes than I am with the various appellations in Spain, for example. Although I enjoy wines from Europe, a larger percentage of my wine comes from the New World. Time to rebalance the scales.
2. Explore more California wineries. This one is on my list for next month when I plan to visit Temecula and Santa Barbara wineries. I enjoy the Other 46, but there are plenty of funky, indie wineries in Cali that need checking out.
3. Focus on quality, not quantity. For my own (somewhat small) cellar, I want to purchase fewer bottles of greater quality. I’m a loyal fan of the Quality Price Ratio, but I’m thinking I may want a nice $40 bottle versus two $20.
4. Write better, brighter and brilliantly. Since this is my sideline, my posts will need to continue to be short. But I want to challenge myself to pack more into my posts by writing better and conveying the experience of wine with more creativity and elegance.
5. Learn the inside story of Oregon wine. I’ll be attending the North American Wine Bloggers Conference in Portland this summer and I want to learn the wineries, regions and wines of this fantastic area. I’d like to start beforehand, so the trip there will be more illuminating.
Flickr photo by Mr. T in DC
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Friday, December 30, 2011

2010 Guardian Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon


We were a little skeptical when we received news of a new wine club, Club W – geared toward the contemporary wine drinker who may have “more class than cash.”

The stated aim of the club is to present lesser known but high value boutique wines at affordable prices and bring wine into the 21st century with convenient videos from sommeliers and a hip attitude.

We tried one of of their club offerings, The Guardian, a Sonoma Cabernet. One interesting element of the label is a QR code that will send your smart phone or tablet to a web page about the wine. All the facts are there plus a quirky YouTube video. The host has a sense of style, witness the plaid sport coat, and provides a very engaging overview of the wine. The food pairing suggestions are also clever. For this Cab, for example, a suggested meal was bangers and mash.

The Guardian really delivers in terms of taste. This has a plush flavor of black currant and smoke. The tannins are seamless and the finish is like a watery wave crashing on the beach. This is one fine Cabernet!

What is astounding to me is the price point. When I looked at the web page, it listed it as $21.99 for members and $30 for non-members. That’s a pretty good value – but as I looked more closely, I saw that this is the price for a duo – two bottles of Sonoma goodness!

Members of Club W aren’t required to buy wine at any time. The pricing is mostly between $15 and $25, with some very good deals offered. They also offer “experiences” which are multi-bottle shipments ranging from $40 per month for three bottles or $120 per month for 12.

Although I prefer to patronize our local wine shops, I do buy wine on the internet. Club W is a creative and tasty addition to online options for wine lovers.

Full disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.
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Thursday, December 29, 2011

St. Joseph Vineyard Noir 12 + 1, 2008 Grand River Valley

This bottle accompanied our Christmas Day meal of duck with orange sauce, rice and lentil pilaf and brussel sprouts.  
St. Joseph is an Ohio winery with a reputation for producing award-wining Pinot Noirs. We picked this wine up a couple years ago at the Vintage Ohio event.
We had been aiming for a reserve Pinot, but as luck would have it, they were sold out. We opted for the 12+1 wine, which is a blend of 12 red wine grapes.
Upon first sip, there was a bit of acidity. As the wine opened up, subsequently the wine had a pleasing full flavor of strawberry, sour cherry and a dash of cola.
This is a proprietary blend of 12 red grapes plus one white (Viognier). This accounts for its unusual moniker. The blend includes Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Sirah, Merlot, Shiraz and Sangiovese.
It paired well with the duck and proved to be a nice Christmas gift.
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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: December 28–31, 2011

Champagne
Image by mschot via Flickr
Wednesday, December 28
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Sparkling Wine and Champagne . $20 per flight.

Thursday, December 29
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Great Holiday Wines: 1. Laurent-Perrier Champagne, 2. Santa Barbara Winery Chardonnay, 3. Stratton Lummis – “the Riddler,” 4. G & M Machmer – Gewurztraminer. $6 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Bubbly and More: 1. L.Mawby Sparkling Wine, 2. Gruet Sparkling Wine, 3. Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc, 4. L. Mawby Tailimon Sparkling Wine, 5. Mondoro Asti, 6. Conundrum Red Introductory, 7. Frog’s Leap Merlot. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Sparkling Wine and Champagne. $20.
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, December 30
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. New Year Sparklers: 1. Zardetto Prosecco, 2. Roederer Estate, 3. Gruet Blanc de Noir, 4. Henriot Brut Souverain. $15 tasting.

Saturday, December 31 
New Year’s Eve

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 6:00 PM. Wine & Dine at the Chef’s Table. Limited seating. Call Chef Kolhoff at above number. $150 pp.
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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Tuesday, December 27, 2011

What’s In Our Glass: Malbec, Syrah and Marechal Foch


Occasionally we’ll poll our tasting team to see what old favorites or new discoveries they are sampling.
Here’s what’s in our glass now:
Dr. J: 2006 Qupé Bien Nacido Hillside Estate Syrah, which received 92 or 93 point scores from various sources (non-Robert Parker). Bien Nacido is an "iconic" vineyard in Santa Barbara.
This has raspberry, spice, and light oak on the nose. Dark fruit, spicy meat, and rose petal on the palate. We may have had this a little young. I enjoyed this, but thought it was a little over-hyped.
Green Dragon and Me: 2008 Satek Winery Marechal Foch. We enjoyed this bottle doing Christmas activities leading up to the holiday. Satek is a winery just over the Indiana border and we picked this up a couple years ago.
Marechal Foch is a French-American hybrid named after Ferdinand Foch, a hero of World War I. The grape can be found in southern Ontario as well as Ohio and the Finger Lakes. Depending on the wine making, it can produce a light red wine, or an inky dark wine.
This is a lighter variety with a touch of vanilla and green pepper and a very light body.
Wine Chick and Sax Man: 2009 Catena Malbec. Grown in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina, this could be a new favorite. Bodega Catena Zapata is a family owned winery credited with putting Argentinean wines and high altitude Malbec on the map.
The winery structure is featured on the label and has a striking design, based on Mayan architecture and meant to evoke the unique New World terroir of Mendoza.
This is a smooth wine rich with dark berry flavors.
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Saturday, December 24, 2011

The Most Popular TWAV Stories of 2011

The year 2011 is rumbling to a close, an old locomotive chugging up to its last stop. Soon a shiny new engine will fire up and the train will leave the station and go down the tracks towards destinations unknown in the year 2012.

Its been a good year for Toledo Wines and Vines and this writer. As of this writing, we had more than 16,300 visitors and more than 27,000 page views. Our visitors hailed from 113 different countries including Macau, Monaco and Luxembourg.

What have our fair readers been looking at? Here is a list of our top 10 stories for the year:

Zinful Wine Bar and Restaurant Now Open In Waterville
The Closest Wineries to Toledo, OH: Choices Abound Within 60 Miles
Banrock Station Moscato 2009
Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge Now Open At Levis Commons
Big Six Grape Varieties
Orin Swift Wines Captivate Crowd: New Release Abstract Joins The Prisoner
Best Wines Under $30: Austin’s List
6,000 Year Old Wine Press Unearthed: Ancients Into Dry Red Wine
Stonehedge Winery 2007 Reserve Napa Valley Merlot
J. Trees Cellars Wines Shine at TREO Wine Dinner

Photo by G.F. Peck
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Friday, December 23, 2011

A Simple Way To Preserve Your New Year’s Eve Bubbly

Get depressed at the thought of all your pricey Champagne and sparkling wines going flat after midnight on New Year’s Eve. A recent episode of Mythbusters showed that inserting a spoon in the bottle certainly didn’t do anything. (Surprise!)
So what if anything can be done? The solution is simple, as demonstrated in the following video courtesy of Domaine Carneros. In fact, I’m going to search out and buy the solution this weekend so I’m ready…


Thursday, December 22, 2011

Domaine Delsol 2010 Picpoul de Pinet

Picpoul is an obscure white grape from Coteaux Languedoc, France, that really rocks.
Many years ago I stumbled across a Picpoul de Pinet from Hugues Beaulieu. The great value and crisp taste earned it a permanent place on my “go-to” list of everyday wines.

I’ve never seen a PDP from another winery… until last week when I stumbled upon the Domaine Delsol PDP at Corks. We chilled it down and when Green Dragon ran out of her Sauvignon Blanc, we opened this baby with anticipation.

Picpoul de Pinet (the name of the appellation as well as the grape) is the largest grape-growing region in Languedoc, France, itself a huge area. It is a limestone plateau covered with vineyards and scattered pine groves. The vineyards are among the oldest in the Mediterranean. This is a white variety with enduring characteristics that tickle the taste buds, but cannot be confused with Riesling, Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.

The wine should be enjoyed chilled. The color is clear with green highlights. The flavors are mineral and steel with a puff of grapefruit aroma. The white pepper flavor is sprinkled throughout. It has a light to medium body with a crisp, acidic finish.

At a price of only $9.99, this a refreshing bargain that will pair well with fish, shellfish, and even poultry.
Rating: 3+ out of 5

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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: December 21-24, 2011

Cabernet Sauvignon growing in the Monte Bello ...
Image via Wikipedia
Wednesday, December 21
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

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

Thursday, December 22
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Spectacular Sparklers plus": 1. 2Pommery Brut Royal, 2. Veuve Cliquot Brut, 3. Fleur de Champagne by Perrier – Jouet, 4. Telegraphe “La Crau”. $17 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Great wines for gifts or wines to take to dinner: 1. Jean Louis Denois, 2. Anne Amie Pinot Gris, 3. Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc, 4. Cuvaison Chardonnay, 5. Abstract, 6. Mollydooker Two Left Feet, 7. Treana. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Hearty Winter Wines. $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, December 23
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Christmas Cabs: 1. Artesa Elements Cabernet Sauvignon, 2. Bon Anno Cabernet Sauvignon, 3. Treasure Hunter 5th Sense Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Buehler Cabernet Sauvignon. $15 tasting.

Saturday, December 24
Christmas Eve
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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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Domaine D’Andezon 2010 Cotes du Rhone Red Wine


This is an outstanding Cotes-du-Rhone blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Grenache. The Syrah vines are more than 40 years old and the Grenache vines more than 60.

It has a deep rich color and lush blackberry flavors. The body is full and the flavors complex, fresh and dry.

CDR wines are accessible and affordable. The Andezon is a special bargain and can be found for less than $20.

I enjoyed this while in New Orleans at a colleague’s house before heading out for dinner at Clancy’s Uptown. It provided an elegant and enjoyable start to a great evening.


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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Rubizzo 2009 Sangiovese de Toscana


Sangiovese is a grape that shines in Tuscan wines whether at the top end in price or very affordable, such as this offering from Rubizzo.
Green Dragon picked up this bottle for $10 at Corks as she was looking for a tasty, yet affordable casual sipper. She scored big in terms of flavor.
This Sangio has very smooth tannins with a mélange of ripe dark cherries. This wine has about 5% Merlot to further add to the silky texture. There is a slight nuance of leather and earth.
The Rubizzo is food friendly with pizza, pasta or veal. It is also a great wine for everyday use but is a crowd pleaser that will work for entertaining as well.
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Saturday, December 17, 2011

Budding Wine Lovers Want To Know: What Is An AVA?

English: Napa Valley OpusVines Photo D Ramey L...
Image via Wikipedia
As you tour the world searching for great vino, or maybe just scan the shelves at your local wine shop, you will come across the terms appellation or the acronym AVA. What exactly do these terms mean?
An appellation is a wine growing region. In the United States they are called American Viticultural Areas. These are the official grape growing regions that have been designated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF).

When a label lists an AVA, 85% of the grapes used for that wine must come from the AVA. AVAs are geographic areas that share the same soil, climate, elevation and other properties and give the wines particular characteristics. However, being from a particular AVA isn’t a guarantee of quality.

AVAs can be subdivided into smaller sections. For example, Stags Leap is a subdivision of Napa Valley. As you learn about different AVAs, you may discover that certain grapes grow well in specific AVAs. For example, Willamette Valley in Oregon is know for Pinot Noir and the Finger Lakes AVA is known for its great Riesling.

The largest AVA is the Ohio River Valley, which spans Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia with 16 million acres. More well known is the sprawling Columbia Valley AVA in Washington and bits of Oregon which has 11 million acres.

Some of the best known AVAs are in California including Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Cry Creek Valley, Rutherford, Sonoma Valley, Mount Veeder and Howell Mountain.
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Friday, December 16, 2011

Toledo Museum of Art Announces Schedule for New Wine Tastings Paired with Art Tours

The Toledo Museum of Art’s popular wine tasting series has been enhanced for 2012 with the addition of free, Docent-led tours of objects in the collection that expand upon the theme of the tastings. For example, the first tasting in the series features wine by women winemakers, and the theme of the related tour is women artists. Eight tastings spanning January 13 through April 13 are slated.

The series—called “Art of the Vine”—runs from 7–9:30 p.m. on select Friday evenings during It’s Friday! programming. With the purchase of a wine tasting ticket ($15 members/$25 nonmembers, plus tax), visitors can sample four wines, light snacks, and a complimentary art tour at 7 or 8 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the TMA information desks; reservations are not required.

Locations for the 30-minute tours can be found online, or at the wine tasting galleries as listed below. Visit www.toledomuseum.org/events for the full schedule.
· January 13 Wine: Women Winemakers (Cloister) and Tour: Female Glass Artists.
· January 20 Wine: Roussillon Region French Wines (Cloister) and Tour: Cloister Architecture.
· January 27 Wine: Who’s Wine is it Anyway? (chef’s choice) (Cloister) and Tour: Surprise!
· February 10 Wine: Blowing Bubbles (GlasSalon) and Tour: Glass with Bubble Inclusions.
· March 9 Wine: Beware the Wines of March (cutting edge wines) (GlasSalon) and Tour: Iago’s Mirror (studio glass).
· March 16 Wine: When Irish Wines are Smiling (GlasSalon) and Tour: Campiello del Remer #2.
· April 6 Wine: Dionysus’ Delight (GlasSalon) and Tour: Ancient Drinking Vessels.
· April 13 Wine: Friends, Romans, Countrymen (GlasSalon) and Tour: Italian Art.
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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Pacific Estates 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles: A Friend Helps Untangle My Cables


After my epic adventure on Black Friday the appointed day finally arrived to set up my new HD television. It’s amazing how much work is involved in something that should be so simple.

Lending a hand was Ace of Bass, whose skills with audio equipment is legendary. Thank goodness, because the days of simply plugging in a TV and turning it on are long gone.

The system was straight forward enough compared to my old TV and stereo equipment, which was connected with a tangled spaghetti of cables and wires. There are four components, the TV, the Blu-Ray player, sound bar and satellite receiver. But that also means four remotes, three new manuals, two rooms full of Styrofoam (and a partridge in a pear tree!).

It goes without saying that wine was needed to complete the job.
We got a late start because I had an evening meeting. Green Dragon had prepared some snacks to keep us fueled for the effort. We started with some 2008 Satek Winery Marechal Foch, an enjoyable bottle from our favorite Indiana winery.

After the initial set up, Ace of Bass punched various buttons and eventually the glorious picture illuminated casting a heavenly glow through the family room. Cascades of applause and a trumpet fanfare erupted (not really, but they should have).

As we continued to noodle with the finer points and battle to see who was smarter (us or the Smart TV) it was time for a reward. The 2003 Pacific Estates Cab is a wine that I loved when I picked it up a couple years ago at Vino 100. We enjoyed one bottle straightaway and set the other down for some aging.

Time has served it well. The cab has a luscious bouquet and a ripe flavor notes of blackberry and cherry. The tannins have mellowed and integrated into a superbly balanced wine. There is a lip smacking finish.

This is a high-definition wine with a crystal clear picture!
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: December 14-17, 2011


Wednesday, December 14
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Great Kosher wines for Hanukkah. We are out to prove that there is more to kosher wine than Manischewitz and Mogen David. 1. Galil Dry Rose (Galilee, Israel), 2. Golan Heights Yarden “Mount Hermon” Red (Galilee, Israel), 3. Golan Heights Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon (Galilee, Israel), 4. Borgo Reale Moscato D’Asti. Nominal fee per sample or $10 flight.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Rombauer Wine with representative Clyde Gilbert. $15 per flight.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 5:00 – 8:00 PM. The Best Values in the Store. Sample the finest wines in the store under $15. $15 per person.

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6-9 PM Special wine tasting. Paige Park from 55 degrees with wines great for holiday parties. 1. Toad Hollow Risque (sparkling palate cleanser), 2.  Valckenberg Riesling (semi-sweet, dry finish), 3. Mountain View Monterey Pinot Noir (easy to drink, fruity), 4. Mathew Fritz Cabernet (Napa), 5. Fritz Late Harvest Zin (a Zinful favorite). Paired with appetizer and dessert. Cost is $20.

Thursday, December 15
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Maumee’s Magnificent Line-Up: 1. 2004 Domaine J.L. Chave – Hermitage Blanc, $199.99; 2. 2006 Saddleback – Zinfandel, 3. 1999 Penfolds Grange – Hermitage, $226.99; 4. 2003 Chateau de Segur – Sauternes. $31 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Great wines to take to a party or dinner. 1. Alexandria Nicole Shepard’s Mark White, 2. Cameron Hughes Russian River Pinot Noir, 3. Pretense Zinfandel, 4. Cigar Box Malbec, 5. Longboard Vineyards Point Break Red, 6. Selby Merlot, 7. Leitz Dragonstone Riesling, 8. Smith-Woodhouse Late Bottle Vintage Port. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Rombauer Wine. $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, December 16
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Merry Merlots: 1. Domaine Sonoma Merlot, 2. Mercer Merlot, 3. Markham Merlot, 4. Abeja Merlot. $15 tasting.

Saturday, December 17
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Merry Merlots: 1. Domaine Sonoma Merlot, 2. Mercer Merlot, 3. Markham Merlot, 4. Abeja Merlot. $15 tasting.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. The Last Tasting of the Year, Customer Appreciation Day. As our thank you for another great year, we are offering our best discounts of the year at this tasting. Premium tasting.

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.

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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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Humble Wine Blog Not Immune to Email Scams

Cyberspace 3000
Image via Wikipedia
As a wine blogger, I receive some interesting communications. I get emails asking for help locating hard to find wines. I get messages seeking assistance with rebates. One Saturday I got a phone call from someone wanting to make a reservation at a local wine bar and restaurant. And then there are emails like this…

Hello ,
We are interested in purchasing
:- 36 bottles Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne ( In gift boxes if avaialable )
:- 6 bottles Dom Perignon ( In gift boxes if avaialable )
Do confirm how soon you can have them ready as we need them for an event on Dec 24th . I'll wait to read from you with the total cost for the bottles . Do you accept MasterCard or Visa ? . Our Pickup men will come for the boxes as soon as the Credit card goes through .
Regards,
John

Sorry Mr. John Peterson, no sale.

The above email, which I’ve gotten from a number of “potential customers” is interesting, Of course, this is a wine blog and we don’t sell anything. Your antennae may go up at the dollar value of the sale, between $9,000 and $10,000. Cristal ain’t cheap. But the real scam doesn’t have to do with the product at all.

Once the scammer orders the wine, there is a problem. Since he lives out of the country, he’ll ask his shipping company to pick up the wine. You are asked to charge the sale and the shipping fee to the customer’s credit card but then wire the shipping fee since the shipping company is not set up to take credit cards. Of course, that's money you'll never see again and the credit card is a stolen one. Since the wine is being shipped overseas, the cost might be as high as $200 a case. I’ve also been able to track where this blog site has been searched for particular wines and then a scam email comes to me asking to order a wine that has been featured on the blog. 

It’s crazy in cyberspace – be careful out there!
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Monday, December 12, 2011

Quartet of Syrah Delivers Taste and Value Under $20


Syrah is a red wine that is flying under the radar and delivering sensational taste and value. We had the opportunity to taste four Syrahs at a recent tasting at Aficionado Wine & Cigars in Perrysburg. The emphasis was on bottles from California.

2007 Robert Hall Rhone de Robles – This Central Coast Rhone style blend marries Syrah, Grenache and Cinsaut grapes. It has a light body with nicely structured tannins. Wafting aroma of blueberry with cherry and cranberry flavors prevail. A nice start to our evening. Retails for about $18.

2007 Lost Canyon Russian River Syrah, Trenton Station Vineyard – This Syrah is high on the QPR (quality price ratio) scale, being marked down from $38 to $16. This displayed less tannins than the Robert Hall and had a more earthy yet refined flavor. This was less fruit driven than the Hall as well. It’s an unfiltered wine with some sediment.

2006 Chatom Vineyards Syrah – The champ of the evening. This wine is from Calaveras County, the first I’ve had from this emerging AVA in the Sierra Foothills. The color is jewel-like and the flavor is intense yet balanced. There is a dash of white pepper flavor over the black cherry flavors. This is a complex, enjoyable wine that only will set you back $19.99. It is a limited production wine of only 800 cases.

2009 Can Blau Cellar Can Blau – Another California Syrah had been slated to bat clean-up, but this wine from Spain was substituted when the other was determined to be “off.” The Can Blau is a Rhone style blend with 40% Mazuelo, 40% Syrah and 20% Garnacha. Mazuelo and Garnacha are the Spanish names for Carignan and Grenache. This is an enjoyable wine, but was very light with a diffused, somewhat watery flavor. This might be a nice casual sipping wine, but is not a good choice for an earthy, robust Syrah. Costs about $17.

This is a nice group of wines with the Chatom Vineyards being our favorite. For those who like bolder wines, consider Syrah from Washington State and bypassing the blends.
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Saturday, December 10, 2011

Claddagh Irish Pub Unveils New Winter Menu

TWAV recently received an invitation from JaNeil Mesteller, general manager of Claddagh Irish Pub, at Westfield Franklin Park Mall in Toledo to preview their new winter pub menu and have “a spirited evening of food and drinks.” Tasting team member Dr. J was ready for this call to action and filed this report.
Casey was unable to attend so I took my friend Tom to the media preview reception at Claddagh. We were happily greeted by general manager JaNeil Mesteller as we were seated for what became a very enjoyable evening. We mingled with a small group from Destination Toledo, Inc., where I talked everything wine for most of the evening.
The food was wonderful. Our first plate consisted of tomato mozzarella skewers, Bass ale stuffed mushrooms, baked goat cheese with marinara, and Ballymaloe meatballs. The mushrooms were stuffed with cream cheese, shallots, and garlic. I love mushrooms, so this was an instant favorite for me. I was hesitant about the goat cheese, but it was great the way it was put together; marinara topped with fresh thyme and cracked peppercorns served with crostini [Italian for "little toast"].
The next plate was Yuengling shrimp, beef pot roast, and chicken pot pie. I was torn between the shrimp and the pot pie for the best serving of the night. The shrimp are Yuengling battered and fried and tossed in sweet chili sauce. I mistakenly took the pot pie as dessert, as it was served in a glass with Asiago crumb topping a
nd a spoon. It was some of the best pot pie I have had.
We finished with a dessert trio of walnut bars, mini apple pie cups, and profiteroles, a.k.a. cream puffs. As with prior experiences at Claddagh, everything was top notch.
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Friday, December 9, 2011

Three Tips to Finding the Perfect Wine

Seeking the perfect wine? Try these tips from the American Sommelier Association.
A great wine can make the perfect addition to a festive party or a quiet dinner at home. However, with so many varietals and vintages available, walking into a store to purchase wine can be overwhelming. American Sommelier has a few simple tips to guide you to the perfect bottle of wine every time.

· Know What You Like: Be conscious of the qualities that you enjoy in a red or white wine and relay those specifics when speaking with the wine shop staff by adding words such as: dry, fruity, crisp, bold, full bodied, soft, tannic and oaky. Noting that you prefer a juicy wine made with dark red fruits that are jammy can lead the expert to the “new world” portion of the store’s list.

· From a Discussion to the Perfect Wine: Provide advisors with as many indicators as you are able to allow them to guide you through the wine list. This could range from the type of event you are buying for to the different wines you have enjoyed or disliked in the past. The more concrete information you can provide, the better the staff will be able to pinpoint your perfect wine.

· Price Doesn’t Equal Quality: Exceptional wines come at all prices. Know and stick to the price point you are comfortable with and be firm. The staff member at the wine store will be able to guide you to the ideal wine no matter your budget.

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Photo by Derek Gavey
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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Cimicky 2008 Trumps Barossa Valley Shiraz


I bagged this Australian Shiraz during a promotion of 90+ wines under $20 by online merchant Wine.Com. We rolled it out during a recent TWAV tasting and it lived up to the expectation.

Some of the wines during our tasting were taut and heavily structured. This baby possesses depth and richness without any jagged edges. It flashes Shiraz style, but without the sweetness.

It’s a complex blend of smoke, black berries and a bit of tobacco. The wine was aged for 17 months in American oak. It’s right juicy and provides a succulent mouthful.

We sampled a wide range of wines during the evening, but this Shiraz trumped them all with a swirling style that draws you in from the first sip. For a mere $19.99, this is a wine to drink now – or sock away to enjoy over the next several years. **** of *****

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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: December 7-10, 2011


Wednesday, December 7
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. 1. Buena Vista Carneros Chardonnay, 2. Heaven’s Cave “Destination” Merlot, 3. Simi “Landslide” Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Mendelson Muscat Canelli. Nominal fee per sample or $10 flight..

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Matt’s Favorite Wines Under $15. $15 per flight.

Thursday, December 8
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. 1. 2010 Paul Thomas – Sancerre – Loire, France; 2. 2006 Pierre Andre – Ladoix – Pinot Noir – Burgundy, France; 3. 2009 Lamuri – Nero D’Avola – Sicily; 4. 2008 Clio – Red Blend – Jumilla, Spain. $8.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Affordable Cabernet Night: Great Cabernet Under $30 – 1. Rook, Washington; 2. Ancient Peaks, Paso Robles; 3. Sharecropper, Columbia Valley; 4. Orzada Odjfell, Maule Valley, Chile; 5. Brutacao, Mendocino; 6. Calastoga Cellars, Napa; 7. Campo Negro, Mendoza, Argentina; 8. Frei Brothers, Alexander Valley; 9. Decoy, Napa; 10. Guado al Melo, Bogheri, Italy; and a sampling of Ports. Nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 5-7 PM. 1. Pillitteri Gewurztraminer/Riesling, 2. Donder & Blitzen Chardonnay, 3. Boxhead Shiraz, 4. Warre’s Warrior Port. $2.25 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Matt’s Favorite Wines Under $15. $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, December 9
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. California Syrah: 1. Lost Canyon Syrah, 2. Cameron Hughes Lot 205 Syrah, 3. Box Car Syrah, 4. Chatom Syrah. $15 tasting.

Saturday, December 10
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. California Syrah: 1. Lost Canyon Syrah, 2. Cameron Hughes Lot 205 Syrah, 3. Box Car Syrah, 4. Chatom Syrah. $15 tasting.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. The A-List – Best Wines in the Store Tasting. Sometimes you just have to drink the best. These tasting will include wines from the Wine Spectator Top 100 List, 95+ point wines, and some of the most limited small production wines available. Premium tasting.

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.
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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Wine And Chocolate Event Scheduled December 11 at Lone Oak Vineyard Estate

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Wine and chocolate: What could be better? Lone Oak Vineyard Estate, Lone Oak Vineyard Estate, 8400 Ann Arbor Rd., Grass Lake, Michigan, has scheduled a day of delicious wine and chocolate pairings on Sunday, December 11. You'll learn how chocolate is made and enjoy demonstrations by Mindo Chocolate Makers of Dexter, Michigan.

The session will feature a pairing fine estate grown wines with hand made chocolates from Mindo Chocolate

Makers. You'll sample several different Mindo chocolates with selected wines.

Mindo Chocolate Makers ferment, dry and roast the cocoa beans themselves at their place in Mindo, Ecuador. They ship the cocoa beans to Michigan and hand make the chocolate at their place in Dexter. They control the quality of their chocolate by following the process carefully from the moment the bean comes out of the pod.

Mindo makes their 77% and 67% chocolate with only three ingredients: their own cocoa liquor, their own cocoa butter and organic evaporated cane juice. No additives. It's pure, simple and delicious.

In addition to their solid chocolate bars, Mindo also offers other flavors by adding ingredients like espresso coffee beans, cherries, celtic sea salt, candied orange peel, and hazelnuts, to name a few.  They also make incredible cocoa powder, truffles and hot chocolate sticks.
There will be 2 sessions for this event - 1 pm and 3 pm.  Seating is limited, reservations required.  Call (517) 522-8167 to reserve your time slot and seat. Cost: is $10 per person.

All of the Mindo chocolates and Lone Oak wines will be available for purchase.

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