Chocolate is for Lovers Wine Trail Event Set For February

Celebrate Valentine's Day with wineries of the Vines and Wines Trail (Northeast Ohio) during the special Chocolate is for Lovers wine trail event. This is a self driving tour. You have two weekends (Friday and Saturday, noon to 6:00 p.m.) to visit each of the participating wineries on the trail. Dates are February 3, 4 and 10 and 11.

At a designated winery, you will pick up a candy dish and a Schott Zwiesel crystal wine glass. As you travel the trail, you will receive one or two samples of wine and a chocolate candy to fill your candy dish.

The cost is $50 per couple and $40 per single. Tickets are good for all four days. For additional details, go to the Ohio Wines Web site or call (800) 227-6972.

Tickets are limited and going fast, so hurry. So to be sure you aren't left out, get your tickets as soon as possible.

Participating wineries:
- Bene Vino Urban Winery, Perry
- Biscotti's Family Winery, Conneaut
- Buccia Vineyards, Conneaut
- Debonne Vineyards, Madison
- Emerine Estates, Jefferson
- Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Geneva
- Grand River Cellars, Madison
- Maple Ridge Vineyards, Madison
- Old Firehouse Winery, Geneva-on-the-Lake
- Old Mill Winery, Geneva
- The Winery at Spring Hill, Geneva
- Virant Family Winery, Geneva

Photo by Mayra Chiachia

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Campus Oaks 2007 Old Vines Zinfandel, Lodi

We sampled this Zin for the first time as we visited with Glorious T and Ace of Bass, checking in for the Ohio Buckeyes’ game in the Gator Bowl. It turns out that the game was flat, but this wine was not.

This Zin is from the Lodi region, which is earning a reputation for spectacular Zinfandel. The grapes for this vintage were sourced from four blocks of vineyards which average 90 years of age.

The aroma is big with sassy flavors of raspberry and blackberry. The mouthfeel is silky and the finish is long. The enjoyment of the wine lasted much longer than the chances of Ohio State. The Campus Oaks finished with a nice flourish, while the Buckeyes had a short and disappointing finish!

This wine also packs a high value punch: it can be found for about $12.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Technorati Tags: wine,Zinfandel

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Spy Valley 2004 Dry Riesling, Marlborough

New Zealand isn’t the first place I think of when considering Dry Riesling. In fact, it’s not even the fourth or fifth. So when I purchased a six-bottle year-end lot from an online wine company, I was intrigued to discover this bottle of Spy Valley Dry Riesling.

Green Dragon loves Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. The zesty wines have a combination of freshness and acidity that she really loves. Hopefully the Riesling would have the same allure.

But this bottle caused me to have some doubts beforehand for a couple of reasons. First, I’d never had a Riesling from New Zealand and second, seven-year-old white wines are an iffy proposition at best.

Fortunately, Riesling is an exception to the short lifespan of most white wines. The high acidity helps preserve the wine and even lets it age and develop interesting character.

That was the case with this wine which I found to be even more exotic than I imagine it was back in 2005 or 2006. The wine is a deep golden color. The aroma of petrol mostly masked the citrus smells. On the palate this wine compares very favorably to top Dry Rieslings, with minerality, citrus fruit and peach. This is a medium bodied wine with complexity.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, but Green Dragon said the bouquet was a distraction for her.

The ‘04 Spy Valley is an evolved wine, it still is drinking well, but I expect that the roller coaster has crested the hill and is starting to move down the other side.

Rating: 3 out of 5

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Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: January 4-7, 2012

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Wednesday, January 4
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. New Year, New Closeouts: 1. Prima Perla Prosecco, 2. Scala Dei Negre Priorat, 3. Bell Cellars Syrah, 4. Renwood 2004 Vintage Port. $8 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

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

Thursday, January 5

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Happy New Year, Closeouts Galore: 1. Si Soave – Italy, 2. The Flying Winemaker – Chardonnay – California, 3. Giorgio $ Gianni – Lambrusco – Italy, 4. Castle Rock – Syrah – Washington. $2 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. 2012 Closeout Tasting #1: 1. Cinque Terre Italian White Wine, 2. Moshin Vineyard Sonoma Pinot Noir, 3. Villa Nozzole Chianti Classico 2007, 4. Zynergy Zinfandel Sonoma, 5. Benzinger North Coast Syrah, 6. Wente Nth Degree Syrah, 7. Wente Nth Degree Merlot, 8. Thomas Schmitt Piesporter Goldtrpchen Riesling. Nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 5-7 PM. Easy on the Palate (and the wallet!): 1. Vanessa Viura, 2. 2 Copas White, 3. Lady Grace Chardonnay, 4. 2 Copas Red. $2 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Washington 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, January 6
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Oregon Pinots: 1. Elk Cove Pinot Gris, 2. Erath Pinot Noir, 3. Big Fire Pinot Noir, 4. Rex Hill Pinot Noir. $15 tasting.

Saturday, January 7
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Oregon Pinots: 1. Elk Cove Pinot Gris, 2. Erath Pinot Noir, 3. Big Fire Pinot Noir, 4. Rex Hill Pinot Noir. $15 tasting.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 Noon - 5:00 PM. New Years Resolution Wines. In honor of the New Year, we will be tasting six wines that you should definitely drink more of in 2012. These wines are classic regions under-appreciated and hot emerging areas we expect to make it big in 2012. Nominal fee per sample.
AREA WINE BARS

• Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
  
• 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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90+ Cellars 2006 Lot 14 Zinfandel, McLaren Vale

This baby is one reason why Zinfandel is zooming up our list of wine favorites. We uncorked this while exchanging holiday greetings with our neighbors.

It is a full bodied red with medium tannins that has an opulent aroma.The palate is rich with dark berries and dark chocolate with a quenching nib of sweetness on the persistent finish.

Thirty-year-old vines provide the grapes for this estate-grown wine. The vineyard is located in the northern foothills of Australia’s McLaren Vale, an area known for producing elegant, powerful and complex wines.

When thinking of Australia, Shiraz immediately comes to mind. In fact, more than half of McLaren Vale’s grape production is Shiraz. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Grenache are also widely grown. Although not as commonly planted there, this wine shows the great promise of McLaren Zin.

90+ Cellars has yet to disappoint me with their wine. This wine is recommended, especially as the cost was a measly $10 via an online special a year ago. Rating 4 out of 5.

Technorati Tags: wine,Zinfandel,McLaren Vale

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