Mount Veeder Winery 2000 Napa Valley Reserve

After enjoying a nice evening at the Funny Bone comedy club at Levis Commons, we adjourned to Poco Piatti for a late dinner with Ace of Bass, Glorious T and two other friends.

Tapas plates were circling here and there as platters of appetizers kept rolling in. Middle East dishes mingled with mushrooms and seafood. Discussion ranged from world financial affairs to the Iowa State basketball team.

Of course, we needed fuel for our conversation and wine to match the eclectic eats  we were enjoying.

We started with a beautiful Stags' Leap Petite Sirah. This was a luscious wine bright with blackberry and cherry. On most nights, this would be the pinnacle. But there was a surprise in store.

Ace of Bass and Glorious T conferred over the wine list for what seemed like ages to our thirsty group. They placed the order with our waitress and soon we were rewarded with the sound of a popping cork on a Mount Veeder Winery bottle. Little did we know how well they had chosen.

The selection was a Mount Veeder Winery Reserve and I was surprised to see that it was a 2000 vintage. The wine is a blend of 52% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. It was the perfect wine to enjoy with the remainder of our tapas and camaraderie.

The wine has a thin slice of spice with dark cherry and black fruit flavor notes. The 12 years of aging has rounded the edges of the tannins, but it kept a pleasant firmness. The Mount Veeder had some nice tobacco and toast accents to add to the complexity.

Certainly, this was a special bottle of wine. Our curiosity was raised even further as I studied the label and saw that it was a Meritage from a limited batch.The bottle was number 27,775.

This had a remarkable finish – a couple days later. Glorious T looked online and saw that this bottle sells for more than $100. At a restaurant, you could expect to pay more than $200 for it!

SCORE! Apparently this bottle was just waiting for the right group of wine lovers who could truly appreciate it.

RATING: 4.5 of 5
VALUE: Off the charts!

Don Pascual 2010 Reserve Tannat

Wine review by Glorious T.

We were appreciative to be gifted with a bottle of Don Pascual Tannat Reserve 2011 (Uruguay) for our review. I made the mistake of reading the winemaker's notes as the bottle was being opened. Typically I like to be surprised and make my own judgment, and I know what I really like.

Upon reading about this wine's notes of ink and robust tannins, I was immediately prepared that this wine would not pass muster. Thank goodness Ace of Bass encouraged me to give it a chance anyway.

A lovely violet color gives way to a pleasantly fragrant mix of heavy spices. The tannins are really well balanced with big jammy flavor for a really interesting and flavorful taste. It's a full bodied wine with a long and delicious finish. The Tannat is thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.

It is hearty enough to be paired with a meal, but interesting enough to stand on it's own. In fact, we rated this much higher than several wines we had sampled over the holiday season.

Rating: 3.5 to 4 out of 5.

Full disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.

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Dare To Pair: The Chef’s Challenge On February 2 In Geneva to Benefit Pairings Wine & Culinary Center

Pairings, Ohio’s Wine and Culinary Experience, a proposed facility in historic downtown Geneva, Ohio, has scheduled Dare To Pair: The Chef’s Challenge. The fundraising event will be February 2, 6:00 – 9:30 PM.


This unique gala event is an opportunity to join in the journey to groundbreaking. The architectural rendering for the 38,000 square feet building will be revealed at this event.
Pairings will have cooking classes in a hands-on kitchen and amphitheater, winemaking demonstrations and activities, regional wine tastings, pairings and tours and incubator facilities for start-up wineries.

Come and celebrate Ohio's rich and unique wine and culinary experience, as "Dare to Pair" will highlight the best that Ohio's fields, farms and vines have to offer.

• Sample heavy appetizers & tapas plates created by celebrity chefs
  
• Taste local Ohio wines paired with each plate
  
• Bid on fantastic prizes during the silent auction
  
• Enjoy a lively gala with entertainment, a who's who attendee list & wonderful food & drink
  
• Support a good cause-a regional & state economic development project based in Geneva, Ohio
  
• Experience the new restaurant everyone's talking about, Fuel, in the Spire Institute complex

To register call (440) 466-4675. Tickets are $75, $50 of which is tax deductible. A special overnight package with two tickets and lodging is available for $219. Buy your tickets online here.

Publisher’s Note: This is going to be a great addition to the Ohio wine scene. It sounds like it is similar to the New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua, NY. If so, it will be a spectacular facility! Let’s get behind this project and give it the support it deserves.

Photo by Michela Simoncini

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Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: January 11-14, 2011

Wednesday, January 11
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. More Great Closeouts: 1. Tohu Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Estancia Riesling, 3. Bell Cellars Syrah, 4. Nino Negri Sfursat. $8 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Mead Tasting With Special Guest Ian Washington From B. Nektar Meadery. $15.

Thursday, January 12

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Cheri’s favorites: 1. 2010 Chateau LaMothe de Haux – White Bordeaux, 2. 2008 Roc de Lussac St. Emilion – Red Bordeaux, 3. 2008 Mount Veeder – Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Layer Cake – Shiraz. $5.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Chilean Wine Values Night: 1. Morande Pionero Chardonnay, 2. Montes Alpha Chardonnay, 3. Morande Pionero Merlot, 4. Perez Cruz Cabernet, 5. Terra Andina Cabernet, 6. Morande Grand Reserve Cabernet, 7. Perez Cruz Carmenere, 8. Morande Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc. Nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 5-7 PM. Closeout Wines Part 1: 1. Prima Perla Prosecco, 2. Hogue Genesis Chardonnay, 3. Gallo Sonoma Merlot, 4. Col d’Orcia Rosso di Montalcino,. $2 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Mead Tasting With Special Guest Ian Washington From B. Nektar Meadery. $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 13
Special Event – Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 7:00 – 9:30 PM. Art of the Vine. Wine: Women Winemakers (Cloister)Tour: Female Glass Artists. Sample four wines, light snacks, and enjoy a complimentary art tour at 7:00 or 8:00 PM. $15 members or $25 nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased at the TMA information desks; reservations are not required.

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Port Tasting: 1. Graham's Six Grapes, 2. Penfolds Club Tawny, 3. Kopke 10 Year Tawny, 4. Feist 2000 Vintage Port. $15 tasting.

Saturday, January 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. Port Tasting: 1. Graham's Six Grapes, 2. Penfolds Club Tawny, 3. Kopke 10 Year Tawny, 4. Feist 2000 Vintage Port. $15 tasting.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 Noon - 5:00 PM. Austin is on vacation

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.]

Photo by Claudio Matsuako

 

Zinful To Offer Introductory Wine Classes In February

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville, is offering wine classes February 1 and 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The cost of $30 per person includes both classes and samples at each session. Seating is limited and the class must be paid for in advance.

The goal of this course, aimed at the novice wine drinker, is to arm the participants with the essential information to make a more informed choice when purchasing retail or at a restaurant. Topics will include how to read a wine label, how to taste, how to identify the differences between imported wine versus domestic, smart buying and much more. The course is scheduled for two hours over two consecutive weeks. Your instructor is Jim Krusinski, a Certified Wine Specialist. His daytime duties are wine sales for a wine distributor. At night, Jim has been educating the public in wine appreciation for the last 10 years. His approach is to take the myths and mystery out of the equation and to supply his students with practical information that is easy to use. Call (419) 878-9463 or stop by Zinful to sign up.

Owner Joyce Franzblau also announced that Zinful now has wine flights available every day and special flights of open wine Sundays through Thursday nights. There is a wine bottle special this winter on Mondays and Tuesdays. If you buy a bottle of wine you’ll receive a free appetizer for two or dessert to share.

Photo by Angelo Amboldi

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Blue Rock 2009 Baby Blue Red Blend, Alexander Valley

Blue Rock is an estate winery in Alexander Valley, Sonoma. They make only small quantities of affordable luxury reds.

They produce mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a small amount of Syrah. There are three levels in their portfolio, the flagship Blue Rock Cabernet, Best Barrels and then the Baby Blue which is their most accessible and affordable.

The 2009 Baby Blue has a blend that has more Merlot than Cab: 39% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc and 9% Syrah. This is a glorious mix that teases the senses with a softness that is inviting.

I first discovered Baby Blue at Todd English’s Blue Zoo restaurant in Orlando during a board dinner. It provided a fantastic accompaniment to the upscale cuisine and immediately made my list of “go to” wines.

Most recently we opened the 2009 before heading out to Fat Fish Blue to ring in the new year with the band My 80s Vice. The wine has a wonderful floral bouquet. On the palate it is a rush of black berries and currant with accents of spice. It is a complete wine, with on target nose, flavor notes and round finish.

Highly recommended at about $25. Rated 4 of 5.

Technorati Tags: wine

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