Saturday, March 31, 2012

Lake Erie Wine Festival Scheduled June 23-24 In Geneva-on-the-Lake

With the warm spring weather comes thoughts of Ohio wine festivals. The Lake Erie Wine Festival, in the heart of Ohio wine country, will take place June 23-24 and will feature live music, arts and crafts and wine and food demonstrations.
The event is schedule from 1:00 to 9:00 PM both days at the Landing Festival Marketplace, 5481 Lake Road, Geneva-on-the-Lake. Cost is $25 for adult tasters ($18 before April 15), $10 for designated drivers and $10 for those under 21.
Participating wineries include: Buccia Vineyards, Ermerine Estates, Old Firehouse Winery, Old Mill Winery, Virant Family Winery, and the Winery at Spring Hill. See www.lakeeriewinefest.com for more information and tickets.
Photo by Claudio Matsuako
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Friday, March 30, 2012

Governor Declares April Michigan Wine Month, State Now Has 92 Wineries

Image of a Chardonnay vineyard in Michigan. (C...Image of a Chardonnay vineyard in Michigan. (Chateau Fontaine in the Leelanau Peninsula AVA) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Governor Rick Snyder has declared April as "Michigan Wine Month" to honor Michigan's wide selection of quality wines and the wine industry's significant contribution to the economy.

The Michigan wine industry continues to grow at a steady pace. The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council has added 11 new wineries to its roster over the last year -- for a total of 92. The council promotes those wineries that support Michigan agriculture by using predominantly Michigan grapes and other fruit for their wines. Along with newly opened wineries, expansion of several existing wineries has allowed for increased production to help meet the rising demand for quality wines made locally.

"We continue to see growth of Michigan wine sales -- a win for wineries, vineyards, and other small businesses statewide," said Greg O'Neil, council member and president of O.K. Distributors of St. Joseph, Mich. "As wine races toward the top spot in popularity among American consumers, Michigan-made wines are really kicking into gear. I attribute this growth in market share to the increased quality and availability of Michigan wines and to consumer interest in 'buying local' in these tough economic times."

Michigan wineries will begin to release new white wines from the 2011 vintage in April, as part of their Michigan Wine Month promotion. Winemakers report the quality of the 2011 wines is exceptional. Warm weather late in the season was of great benefit to wine grapes -- especially red grapes, which need a longer, warmer season to ripen fully. Most of the red wines from 2011 won't be released for a year or two, but some reds from the equally outstanding 2010 vintage will be released this spring.

Many events are planned this spring and early summer that will provide opportunities to meet winemakers and sample a variety of Michigan wines, including:
For a complete list of events featuring Michigan wine, visit http://www.michiganwines.com/.

April will also see the release of the 2012 Michigan Wine Country magazine, an indispensable guide to the wines and wineries of Michigan. The magazine contains maps and touring information, as well as a popular section on "what's new at the wineries." To request a free copy of Michigan Wine Country, visit http://www.michiganwines.com/page.php?menu_id=97 or contact the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council at 517-241-1207. The magazine is also available at all Michigan wineries and Travel Michigan Welcome Centers.

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

New Bordo Tasters Tablet Lends Wine Lovers A Helping Hand

Sometimes it seems like a wine lover could use an extra hand… or three. You’ve got a wine glass in one hand, tasting notes in the other, a camera around your neck, your notebook in your pocket, the pen on the table and – oh yeah – you’d really like a bite of that cheese. 

The Bordo Tasters Tablet is a new product that aims to help make things a bit more convenient for wine fans, especially those tasting in “extreme” conditions like large tastings or wine competitions.

The product is the brainchild of Nick Kubiak, formerly of The Andersons Maumee wine department and now a sales consultant for Pere Jacques Wine Imports. We connected on Twitter a couple months ago and he dropped off a tablet for testing.

The Bordo is ergonomically designed to help you take notes while tasting wine. It is about 1/4” thick and feels almost like an artist’s palette in your hand. It’s very lightweight, made out of what appears to be pressboard. There’s a glossy white finish on the top and a matte finish with the logo (and vineyard photo) on the reverse. There is a band of elastic running vertically along the center to hold down your notepaper or booklet.

There is a circular cut-out that forms the “docking station” for your wine glass. The sample I received has a nice booklet that you can use for tasting notes with check off boxes to record your ratings on sweetness, intensity, tannins, etc. as well as a place to record the wine producer, region, price and more. There’s a nice list of descriptors in the categories of sight, aroma and taste in the front.

The Tasters Tablet has gotten testing at the Cincinnati Wine Festival, which seems to be the sort of venue that’s just right for this product. For local events like the Wine Gala and Wine Affair, you are moving from table to table getting small samples and constantly referring to the program book. I know I’d have to try the wine, set down my glass, then write my notes in the book -- then pick up and do it all over again. It gets tiresome.

Another setting in which the Tasters Tablet would be awesome is the annual Wine Bloggers Conference I attend. During the event you sample hundreds of wines in a lot of different settings – taking good notes is a must. This also could come in handy if you are lucky enough to tour vineyard while sampling vino.

Bordo can also be branded for a particular event or sponsor, which could make this a popular swag item at wine festivals.

This won’t go with me to the local wine bar, but for “extreme” wine tasting situations I’ll be taking the Tablet. You can find out more about Tasters Tablet on their Facebook page.

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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: March 28-31, 2012



Wednesday, March 28
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. 1. Charles & Charles Rose, 2. Tatt Red, 3. Joseph Carr “Josh” Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Quady Elysium Black Muscat. $8 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Easter Wines. $15.
Thursday, March 29

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Easter Wines: 1. 2009 Siduri – Pinot Noir – Santa Rita Hills, California; 2. 2009 Tori Mor – Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley, Oregon; 3. 2010 Hook and Ladder – Gewurztraminer – Russian River Valley, California; 4. 2009 G.M. Machmer – Gewurztraminer – Bechtheimer, Germany. $6 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Grapes Off the Beaten Path: 1. Prima Mano Fiano/Greco ~ Italy, 2. Altitude 500 Ventoux ~ Southern Rhone Grenache-Syrah, 3. The Keeper ~ California Cabernet Franc, 4. Errazuriz Single Vineyard Carmenere ~ Chile, 5. Atalaya Alicante Boushet ~ Spain, 6. Meerlust Rubicon ~ South Africa Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Merlot; 7. Bouncristani Dulcatto ~ California, 8. Portal White Port ~ Portugal. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Easter Wines. Come out and taste Jet's Pizza, featuring their Buffalo Chicken Pizza, as well as the Famous Pepperoni Deep Dish Pizza, great with any hardy 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, March 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. Italian Pinot Grigio: 1. Zenato, 2. Dipinti, 3. Terlano, 4. Maso Canali. $15 tasting.
Saturday, March 31
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Italian Pinot Grigio: 1. Zenato, 2. Dipinti, 3. Terlano, 4. Maso Canali. $15 tasting.
The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Wines for the Easter Feast: 1. Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier, 2. Toad Hollow “Eye of the Toad” Pinot Noir Rose, 3. Kim Crawford Pinot Noir, 4. Guenoc Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon. $2.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12 – 5 PM. Tuscany, Italy – The Modern vs. the Traditional. We will compare the two competing styles of Italy wines from Tuscany, Italy. The modern style features smooth rich wines that blend historic Italian wine grapes with international varieties. The traditional wines are many very much like their ancestors. Expect to taste Chianti Classico, various Super-Tuscans, and Brunello di Montalcinos. This taste will be delicious and eye-opening. Premium tasting.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine Tasting. 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.


AREA WINE BARS
  • The Bistro at Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee.
  • 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.
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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Spann Vineyards 2007 Betsy’s Backacher Bottle Blond


The 2007 Betsy’s Backacher Bottle Blond from Spann Vineyards is a casual California sipper. The wine is a 60-40 blend of Semillon and Chardonnay.
The Semillon-Chard mixture is a classic blend. The Semillon gives it a creamy mouth and rich texture.
The Chardonnay is half fermented in stainless steel while the other half is aged in oak barrels. The Semillon is treated in stainless steel. This lightens the oakiness that can smother the fruit in some California Chardonnays.
We previously tasted the Betsy’s Backacher Red and so we thought it would be interesting to try the white version. This wine is bone dry and is refreshing with the tastes of pear and apple.
Betsy Spann is the winery’s winemaker and the name is a play on “back acre” that rings true because the far lot of 40 acres can give quite a backache to harvest. Apparently some of the women are 50-somethings who you might suspect get their hair color from a bottle.
With that back story you can expect a wine that has a fun spirit. It is an enjoyable watching TV or reading the newspaper wine, but isn’t a new sensation. It retails for $17 but can frequently be found under $10.
Rating: 2.5 of 5
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Monday, March 26, 2012

Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards: Santa Barbara County Winery Visit


Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards is a must see stop on the Foxen Canyon Road in Santa Barbara County. Even if they didn’t pour wine, the fantastic tasting room and scenic grounds are worthy of attention.

Of course, Zaca Mesa does pour wine – very good wine indeed – and we were delighted with our recent visit there.

The vineyard was planted in 1973 with a number of grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery was built in 1978 and it was then they planted the first Syrah in Santa Barbara County.

By 1990 it was determined that the Rhone varieties (Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre) grew best on the property. Today Zaca Mesa is a Syrah powerhouse with half of their acreage devoted to the grape.
The tasting room is nestled under a sheltering tree and gives spectacular views of mountains on the other side of the Santa Ynez Valley. A hiking trail gives an even more ideal vantage point from the hillside.

Our little band found the metal tasting bar “riveting” as we sampled through the Zaca Mesa wines. We opened with the 2009 vintage of Estate Viognier and Estate Grenache Blanc. These were satisfactory,
but the real standout was the 2007 Estate Roussanne. This was one of the most interesting whites we found on our whole California trip. It had a rich, creamy mouthfeel and a bit of oak. In the glass there were flavors of apricots and honey.

The 2007 Estate Z Cuvee is a blend of 57% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre and 12% Syrah. There was a wildfire in 2007 that brought ash to the vineyard and surprisingly you could taste it in the grapes. This is a firm wine with blackberry and blueberry.

One of the most rewarding wines was the 2008 Estate Syrah. This wine was highly drinkable, whereas some of the reds could use a few more years of aging. The 2008 was velvety with plum and chocolate and many layers of enjoyment.

The 2007 Estate Z Three is a blend of 49% Syrah, 31% Mourvedre and 20% Grenache. We found it to have a bit of heat at 14.5% alcohol that gave it intensity. There were flavors of ripe blueberry and raspberry. This is a wine engineered for eight to 10 years. It has strong tannins and will be even more satisfying with aging for at least two years.

We were fortunate to close with the 2008 Estate Mesa Reserve Syrah. This is a dark, rich and dramatic wine with pepper, chocolate and dark berry flavors. It has super tannins and so should be given some time in the cellar to fully evolve.

Zaca Mesa is the top-flight operation in all of our key areas: tasting room experience, knowledgeable staff and smashing wines. To experience Zaca Mesa is to experience Santa Barbara County wines at their best.
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Friday, March 23, 2012

Finger Lakes Reds Gaining Deserved Recognition

No doubt about it. Finger Lakes red wines don’t get the recognition they deserve – and we may be part of the problem.

We simply love the stylish Rieslings from dozens of producers in the Finger Lakes and the Gewürztraminers are among the finest produced this side of Germany. Something about the cool climate, the sloping vineyards near the lakes and the shallow soil rife with slate results in heavenly whites. We tend to zero in on the whites and zip past the reds.

But the creative and skilled Finger Lakes winemakers are aiming to turn heads with a crop of distinctive red wines that let winemakers show the region is not just a one-trick pony.

The TWAV tasting team gathered earlier this week for a virtual tasting to sample eight new red releases to check the pulse on the Finger Lakes “other” wines.

The tasting, sponsored by the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, opened up with a pair of Lemberger wines. Lemberger is known as the “Pinot Noir of the East” because of its reputation in Eastern Europe. The 2009 Lakewood Vineyards Lemberger is smooth and light with raspberry flavor notes and prominent roasted finish.

It isn’t often you get to do a side-by-side Lemberger tasting, but we had that chance when the 2009 Fox Run Vineyards Lemberger was poured. The Fox Run had a blackberry flavor with some black pepper and a smoky finish. The Fox Run also has 4% Merlot and 2% Pinot Noir. This mixture was to my liking but the group was split about 50-50 on which Lemberger they preferred. The oak aging seemed to have a very different outcome in each of the wines.

Anthony Road Wine Company’s 2010 Cabernet Franc/Lemberger signature blend was up next. This is a grape pairing that really worked for us. In sum, the wine is a much greater creation than either wine alone. The grapes come from the Martini Family vineyard block. By itself Lemberger can be a lightweight – the Cab Franc adds some heft and the Lemberger smoothes out the rough edges. This wine was the highlight of the tasting thus far.

The next wine was the 2010 Wisdom Cabernet Franc Reserve from Inspire Moore Winery. My initial reaction upon sipping was “Who are these guys?” The wine is impressive but the Inspire Moore Winery has never even been on my radar despite several visits to the Finger Lakes. It definitely will be from now on!

Wisdom is 80% Cab Franc from three different Seneca Lake
vineyards and 20% Merlot. The wine is barrel fermented in local oak and aged 15 months in Hungarian oak. Cranberry and pepper flowed smoothly with this wine. It is structured with a dusting of vanilla and spice. The winery opened in 2007 and produces a few thousand cases each year. This wine was a clear favorite with the tasting team!

We caught our breath and then prepared for the second flight. Opening was Damiani Wine Cellars 2010 Pinto Noir. Damiani is on our list to visit due to its reputation for outstanding vino. This offering is a single vineyard wine from the Sunrise Hill Vineyard on the west side of Cayuga Lake.

This is a very light Pinot and some of the tasters felt it was a bit lackluster. Tasting through eight wines in an hour leaves very little time to savor the wine and let it open up. I found nice ripe cherry and delicate earth flavors as I swirled mine in the glass.

There is no way to sugarcoat this. The 2010 Estate Barbera from Stoney Lonesome (part of Three Brothers Wineries & Estates), did not fly well with the team. Sax Man took an early “dump” and said he was done. This was before the wine had reached my lips. The primary taste for me was of Sweet Tarts. Ace of Bass commented that this would be a good choice for someone just developing their palate.

Billsboro Winery is another spot that has beckoned me but I’ve not yet visited. I was anxious to try their 2010 Syrah. There just aren’t many made in the Finger Lakes. Although a pleasing wine with dark berry flavors and a smooth body, it lacked the boldness and complexity of a Syrah from Washington State. Billsboro gets props for working with one of our favorite grapes – but their best Syrah is still ahead of them.

Steve Shaw is an eclectic winemaker with a style inspired by the Old World. His Pinot Noirs are among the best in the Finger Lakes. While the rest of the wines we sampled were from 2009 and 2010, we sampled a 2006 Shaw Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine sports raspberry and cherry flavors with a medium body and a short finish. The wine, while pleasant, doesn’t exude the same polish and power as a Napa Cab.

The bottom line on Finger Lakes reds? For us, Cabernet Franc remains king. Lemberger is a versatile grape that can blend well or make interesting wines on its own. The region is not ready to wrest the crown from Napa, Oregon or Washington State with some of the “noble” red varieties such as Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.

We have fallen in love with various reds during past visits to the Finger Lakes, so you certainly can’t pass judgment based on only one tasting. One thing is for sure, the Finger Lakes produce some of the best wines in the world. It has the terroir and the talent to produce amazing wines. We look forward to exploring and enjoying their reds in the future.

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Biltmore Estate NV Limited Release Merlot

The Biltmore Estate in Ashville, North Carolina, is best known as the Gilded Age mansion built on a sprawling 8,000-acre estate by George Vanderbilt.  The spectacular grounds and architecture combine to make it one of the biggest tourist attractions in the country.
Not everyone is aware that the estate also boasts a winery, which produces 75,000 cases of wine a year and wins numerous awards. When Green Dragon visited her mom a couple years ago she toured the estate and winery, snaring a bottle of this limited release Merlot.
It’s a medium bodied wine that’s ruby red. The cherry and earth flavor notes mix well over a smooth and polished texture. We haven’t compared it with their entry-level Merlot, but it has a bit of complexity that allows it to pair well with a wide variety of food.
Although not a showstopper, it’s a perfectly acceptable choice for casual sipping. It may be the closest you get to the Vanderbilt millions.
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: March 21-24, 2012



Wednesday, March 21
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. More Closeouts: 1. Hugel Pinot Gris, 2. Vigilance “Cimarron” Red Blend, 3. Soliter Barbera d’Asti, 4. Buena Vista “The Count” Red Blend. $8 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Easter Wines. $15.
Thursday, March 22

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. The Two Extremes: Two bold, dry reds and two light, slightly sweet whites. 1. 2007 Los Alisos – Syrah – Santa Barbara County, California, 2. 2007 Del Rio – Syrah – Rouge Valley, Oregon, 3. 2007 Lingenfelder – Morio Muskat – Grosskarlbach, Germay, 4. NV Angioletta – Moscato – Puglia, Italy. $3 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM.Spring into Rieslings: 1. Donnhoff Riesling Trocken (dry), 2. Soil to Soul Riesling, 3. Donnhoff Riesling, 4. Alfred Merkelbach Urziger Kabinett, 5. Dr. Loosen Erdener Spatlese, 6. Darting Spatlese, 7. Merkelbach Erdener Auslese $24.99 and more…Nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 5-7 PM. Night Harvest wines from R.H. Phillips. 1. Night Harvest Chardonnay, 2. Night Harvest Cabernet Sauvignon, 3. Night Harvest Merlot, 4. Night Harvest Shiraz. $2 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Easter 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, March 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. Red Blends: 1. Maryhill Wine Maker's Red, 2. Fontsainte Corbieres, 3. Cameron Hughes "Lot 313" Field Blend, 4. Colome "Amalaya." $15 tasting.
Saturday, March 24
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Red Blends: 1. Maryhill Wine Maker's Red, 2. Fontsainte Corbieres, 3. Cameron Hughes "Lot 313" Field Blend, 4. Colome "Amalaya." $15 tasting.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. No wine tasting today.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine Tasting. 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.


AREA WINE BARS
  • The Bistro at Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee.
  • 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.
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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Lamoreaux Landing 2010 Yellow Dog Vineyard Riesling, Finger Lakes


Lamoreaux Landing is one of our favorite Finger Lakes wineries. It combines great wines with spectacular scenery and wonderful Greek Revival architecture.
They also are a leader in the single vineyard movement in the Finger Lakes. This trend is one I welcome. It declares the terroir of the region so interesting that individual vineyards have their own unique personalities.
The Finger Lakes are unrivaled in this country for producing outstanding Riesling. The Yellow Dog Riesling, while not the most outstanding Finger Lakes Riesling, is head and shoulders above most California Rieslings.
The wine comes from a two-acre block in the Yellow Dog Vineyard, which is located across the road from the winery. Only 200 cases of this wine were produced. I love small production wines!
Fruit is noticeable on the nose. On the palate there is a sweetness that becomes balanced with the acidity as sipping continues. Citrus and grapefruit flavors are mingled with an undercoat of minerality.
Upon my initial tasting, I thought this would be too sweet for my liking since my favorite Riesling style is dry. However, I was pleased that the wine settled into a nice groove and was drinking nicely. The touch of sweetness also allows you to enjoy the nuances of fruit, which I sometimes miss with the drier, more slatey Rieslings.
For about $20, this is a fine example of Finger Lakes winemaking.
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Monday, March 19, 2012

Foxen 7200: Santa Barbera County Winery Visit


Foxen Winery was founded in 1985 by Bill Wathen and Dick Dore. Since that time they have focused on making small production, vineyard designated wine in northern Santa Barbara County.
Foxen has two tasting rooms, one at the solar powered winery and the other just down the road at the original “tasting shack.” Looking for a unique experience, we opted to go to Foxen 7200, the site of the original winery and its humble wine shanty.
The day was bright and sunny and the informal nature of the shack led
to a sun-spangled, California country vibe for our tasting. We opened with the 2009 Vogelzan Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. In general we prefer Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc over its California counterparts, but the Foxen 7200 was certainly a treat.
The Vogelzan Vineyard is in the warmest part of Santa Barbara County in the Santa Ynez Valley. The wine has a nice crispness with citrus and green apple flavor notes. The acidity is dialed in to provide just the right balance.
The 2008 Volpino is an 80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot proprietary blend that is aged for 22 months in once-used French oak barrels. This is a well balanced blend with sour cherry and a polished finish.
The 2009 Range 30 West is a 58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon blend from the new Happy Canyon of Santa Barbera County AVA. It’s a happy mixture with a palate of blackberry and spice.
The Tinaquiaic Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley is the source of fruit for the 2009 Cabernet Franc. The vineyard is dry farmed – no irrigation – and so smaller grapes with intense flavor concentration are produced. This results in a big full bodied wine. Only 150 cases of this wine were produced. The flavor notes are of cherry and black pepper. A true winner.
Happy Canyon is also the AVA for the 2009 Grassini Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. It has big tannins and is a berry, berry big wine. The flavor profile are of blackberry and cherry with a dash of tobacco. This is an ideal wine for a thick steak with gorgonzola cheese.
Foxen 7200 is a cool place to sample outstanding wine. The original Foxen winery stands on this location in a barn and the location served as a stagecoach stop years ago. Just a short distance away is the main Foxen winery which serves up some of the best Pinot Noirs in the region.
Foxen 7200 adds up to an outstanding and unique wine experience.
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Saturday, March 17, 2012

Walnut Block Wines Collectables 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

The postage stamp design on the Walnut Block Wines Sauvignon Block is quite eye-catching, but this New Zealand wine doesn’t make a special delivery.
It’s designation as part of the “Collectables” series had us hoping for just a little bit more than what we found in the glass. The citrus and melon flavor notes along with the herbaceousness associated with Sauvignon Blanc add up to a perfectly satisfactory wine. Those who want something extraordinary, however, won’t find it here.
This wine retails for about $15, but can be found on sale for less.
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Friday, March 16, 2012

Moscato Wine Trend Shows Growth, Michigan Winemakers Get On Board

Black muscat grapes on the vine.

Image via Wikipedia

 

Plantings of Moscato grapes are expected to increase in the US more than 130% in the next three years.  This push for Moscato is driven by the Echoboomers and the Millennials, the generations born between 1980 and the mid-1990s, and wine grape growers are really happy because grape prices are up right now.

Moscato, the wine with the Italian name and long European heritage, is making its mark in the mid-priced sweet, aromatic wine category. Moscato is made from Muscat grapes, several varieties are grown commercially in Michigan for Moscato and other styles of Muscat wines. Michigan State University researchers are evaluating Muscat varieties for expansion of acreage in what is now a minor wine grape category.

Matt Moersch, southwest Michigan winemaker and owner of Free Run Cellars, felt the trend came on fast for Moscato. With three different Muscat varieties in the vineyard, Free Run Cellars already has Moscato. At Moersch family wineries, Free Run and Round Barn, they are always trying new grape varieties. “The beauty of the tasting room for the customer is to taste new wines such as Moscato at the winery,” Moersch said.

Reports of Muscat-based Moscato flying off the shelves of American retail winery shelves is not lost on Mike Merchant, Tabor Hill Winery winemaker. Tabor Hill Winery’s planting of Muscat varieties is probably one of the largest in Michigan from which they make a Muscat wine with a dry, off -dry flavor profile much different from Moscato. According to Merchant, if there is a place for Moscato, it will be considered.

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Michigan State University Assistant Professor Paolo Sabbatini caught the Moscato wave five years ago while designing wine grape variety trials with colleague Tom Zabadal. Orange Muscat, Muscat Ottonel, Moscato Giallo, Moscato Canelli and Valvin Muscat were planted in a pilot testing vineyard.

“When we planted the new grape variety trial in Michigan few years ago, the national trend in consumer preference was a rapid increase in popularity for Moscato and dessert wines,” Sabbatini said. Sabbatini believed that this is a sweet spot for Michigan wine producers (aromatic Moscato wines and sweet dessert wines) and therefore was pivotal to evaluate the viticultural and enological performances of Moscato varieties in our climate.

Sabbatini describes Moscato as the, “perfect wine for the American sweet tooth. It’s simple and doesn’t scare the new wine drinker. Michigan is strategically placed in a viticultural region where Moscato could be a signature wine.”

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Grand River Valley Winegrowers Cool Hosts Of 9th Annual Ice Wine Festival


The flier for the 9th Annual Ice Wine Festival, hosted by the Winegrowers of Grand River Valley sports a photo of snowman in the middle of a swirl of snowflakes. The recent summer-like weather would reduce Frosty to a puddle of water in a flash but provides great traveling weather for visitors to Ohio’s wine country.

That was the case last weekend when we dropped in at the festival, which runs for three Saturdays in March. The festival continues this Saturday (March 17) from noon to five.The five participating wineries are Debonne Vineyards, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant, Laurello Vineyard and St. Joseph Vineyards. The cost is $6 per person for ice wine samples plus a complimentary appetizer. You can read more tickets, etc. at the link below the story.

Green Dragon and I aren’t big sweet wine drinkers, but appreciate the artistry and hard work that goes into making this tasty elixir. The grapes are harvested when frozen then immediately pressed. Here’s an important secret – taste in very small sips to enjoy the nuances and not be knocked out by the sugar.

This is one of the biggest events in Ohio wine country nestled near Lake Erie and in between Madison and Geneva. One winemaker told us that more than 600 people visited during the first Saturday of the festival – that’s a huge crowd for some mostly small wineries.

The festival is a blast. The wineries are rocking and people are in a boisterous and friendly mood. The sunshine and sweetness made it a great getaway for Green Dragon and me. We also enjoyed our stay at the Quail Hollow Resort in Painesville.

We started our visit at Laurello, which has a great tasting room plus a wide range of tasty wines. Our next stop was Ferrante. As usual, this winery is a class act. Most of the ice wine we sampled was from Vidal Blanc, which is perfect for this type of wine and thrives in our area. A few also offered ice wine from Cab Franc. The Cab Franc icewine at Ferrante was awesome with concentrated cherry and raspberry flavors. Green Dragon chose their Vidal Blanc ice wine as her favorite.

St. Joseph Vineyards Pinot Vista tasting room was next. It’s open, airy and a big improvement from their original tasting room. St. Joseph is known for their award-winning Pinot Noirs, but we sampled an awesome 2009 Gamay that is delicate but nicely structured with light fruit. They also produced a standout Late Harvest Vidal Blanc (the conditions weren’t cold enough to produce a true ice wine.

We headed to Debonne next, but the parking lot was full and it was as crowded as a Justin Bieber concert (is that dude still popular?). We pulled out of the parking lot and noticed a sign for South River Vineyards. They’re not a member of the winegrowers association, but they are one of our favorite area wineries.

It was also packed, probably more than it ever was when it was a church. We squeezed in and took a break from ice wine by sampling the Karma (Cabernet blend) and Dry Riesling. It was a massive party that we enjoyed from a prime viewing location. All was fine until we got up to leave. My jacket sleeve brushed against the wineglass sending it shattering on the floor. The hundreds of people in the room became silent – and then broke out in applause, which I acknowledged with upraised hands.

We cruised to Grand River Cellars and enjoyed our ice wine in their cellar, a first for us, while chatting pleasantly with another couple. GRC offered sparkling Vidal ice wine, which had enough frizzante to make it tickle. One of the best on our trip.

The only down note on the trip was when we tried to visit Farinacci Winery. This was at the farthest westerly part of our trip and we had good reports from our tasting team members. It was closed. On a Saturday? With hundreds of wine lovers roaming around just a couple miles away?
Ice Wine Fest 028
We zipped back to an old favorite, Harpersfield Winery. Their beautiful estate wines rate among our favorites in Ohio. I enjoyed the unique Musette blend of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin (highly recommended). Green Dragon was sippin’ on a pre-release Pinot Gris.

You’ll be pleased with a visit to any of this wineries no matter the season – but if you can, catch the last Saturday of the ice wine festival before it melts away!
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: March 14-17, 2012

Oregon Pinot noir wine from Bergstrom in the W...
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Wednesday, March 14
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Steve is back…well, sort of. Steve is now one of our wine reps, and will be bringing by some of the incredible wines of Orin Swift (and a great German style Riesling) for you to try. 1. “Cabinet” Riesling, 2. Orin Swift “The Prisoner,” 3. Orin Swift “Saldo,” 4. Orin Swift “Palermo.” $13 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. WJ Deutch Wines. $15.
Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville, (419) 878-9463. 6:30 – 8:30 PM  Italian wine tasting featuring unique and unusual grapes. The cost is $20 per person and includes food pairings.

Thursday, March 15

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Meet the Owner/Winemaker of Fattoria Rodano
Enrico Pozzesi from 5-6:15 P.M. with special guests Blair Taylor of Enotec (Importer of Rodano wines) and Diana Kerr-Brown form Wine Trends (our distributor of Rodano wines). 1. 2009 Poggialupi – 90% Sangiovese – 10% Merlot, 2. 2006 Chianti Classico, 3. 2004 Chianti Classico – Riserva Viacosta, 4. 2001 Monna Claudia. $9 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM.The Ides of March Italian Tasting. Nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 5-7 PM. Three Good Reds and a Sweet Irish Mead: 1. Rhiannon Red, 2. Tresor de la Riviere Cotes du Rhone, 3. Sebastiani Merlot, 4. Bunratty Irish Mead. $2.25 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. WJ Deutch Wines. $15.
Bistro at Maumee Wines, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee, (419) 893-2525, 6:30 PM. Enrico Pozzesi, owner of Fattoria Rodano Winery, hosts wine dinner featuring his winery’s Tuscan wines. Six wines will be paired with six gourmet appetizers. Cost is $48 per person. For reservations, call (419) 893-2525. Seating is limited.
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, March 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. St. Patrick's Green Labeled Whites: 1. Cleebourg Pinot Gris, 2. Burgans Albarino, 3. Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc, 4. Mirth Unoaked Chardonnay. $15 tasting.
Special Event – Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 7:00 – 9:30 PM. Art of the Vine. Wine: When Irish Wines are Smiling (GlasSalon)
Tour: Campiello del Remer #2. 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.
Saturday, March 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. St. Patrick's Green Labeled Whites: 1. Cleebourg Pinot Gris, 2. Burgans Albarino, 3. Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc, 4. Mirth Unoaked Chardonnay. $15 tasting.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 Noon - 5:00 PM. Superstars of Oregon Pinot Noir. A collection of some of the very best single vineyard and highly rated Pinot Noir from Oregon. Many rated 93 points and higher. Most very limited and rare. Premium tasting. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine Tasting. 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.


AREA WINE BARS
  • The Bistro at Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee.
  • 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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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Vignoble de la Jarnoterie 2008 Concerto Old Vines Cabernet Franc, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil


This French Cabernet Franc comes from vines between 60 and 80 years old. The Concerto Cuvee raises expectations of a virtuoso performance, but it was off-key for us.
We’re big Cab Franc fans and so we were anxious to check this version out. Our favorite Cab Francs come from the Finger Lakes and Ontario.
Concerto is aged six to eight months in chestnut barrels which rest under the vineyards in caves. Grapes are hand picked and sorted. With this much coolness, I was expecting something truly special.
I must say that our tasting team wasn’t dazzled by this wine. It’s just too refined. There is no punch in the tannins and the pepper notes are too demure. The producer suggests this as a good wine for aging, but the tannins seem too loose already.
On the nose there is a nice ripe fruit aroma. The black fruit and cranberry flavor notes are intertwined in an easy style dusted with a bit of earthiness. It is a smooth, pleasant wine, but with none of the rowdiness we like in a Cab Franc.
Rating: 2.5 of 5

Monday, March 12, 2012

Third Annual Great Lakes Wine Fest Scheduled At Michigan International Speedway May 19

Here’s looking at you again, Michigan International Speedway.
Michigan International Speedway, a 1,400-acre historic NASCAR racetrack in Southeastern Michigan’s Lenawee and Jackson Counties, will host its third annual Great Lakes Wine Fest presented by the Jackson County CVB on Saturday, May 19.
This event will once again feature the tastes and toasts of Michigan wineries, Michigan breweries and Michigan eateries in a unique setting — the state’s only NASCAR Sprint Cup racetrack.
“We are really excited to bring back the Great Lakes Wine Fest for the third year,” MIS President Roger Curtis said. “We had a fantastic event the past two years, and it has really grown into a can’t-miss for wineries and breweries, and for people who like sampling and enjoying the state’s wine and beer.”
The wine festival will once again be held in the speedway’s infield on Saturday, May 19. Entertainment will be featured throughout the day from the MIS stage. Other activities are also planned including wine, food and beer product vendors, tastings and displays.
Award-winning wineries from across the state of Michigan will be on hand showcasing more than 100 varieties of wine including, Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet and others.
Beer will also return to the Great Lakes Wine Fest presented by the Jackson County CVB in 2012. Nearly 20 brands of locally-brewed beers were featured at last year’s event and are expected to return.
In addition to wine and beer sampling and seminars, the festival will include an on-site retail store with select wines available for purchase. Only a handful of festivals allow guests to walk away with having purchased the wines and beers they tasted and liked, and MIS is one of them!
Advance one-day tickets are $25. Each ticket includes $10 worth of tasting tickets per day. This event is for guests 21 and older.
Tickets and details are available at www.GreatLakesWineFest.com or by calling 800-354-1010. The Twitter feed is @GLWineFest.
The event is being held in conjunction with the Michigan Wine Foundation, an organization devoted to Michigan wine education.
Camping is available for $35 for a non-electric site; and $50 for an electric site in the track’s MISCamping.com Graves Family Campground. Camping includes electric hookups. Need an RV? A turn-key camping option is available for the wine and brew fest at www.MIScamping.com.
Photo by Michela Simoncini











Saturday, March 10, 2012

Domaine Carneros by Taittinger 2005 “Le Reve”

This Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine from Domaine Carneros is indeed a dream come true. We sampled it at our recent Open That Bottle Night and I wanted to spotlight this fine wine on its own.

Champagne Taittinger is a long-established winemaker with roots dating back to 1734 and is today one of the last remaining privately-held Champagne firms. Claude Taittinger had the dream of using the ideal Carneros growing climate to produce an ultra-premium sparkling wine in California. He had discovered the allure of California during his extended travels as a student.

Carneros offers cool nights, foggy mornings, and sunny, breezy days bringing forth fruit of extraordinary elegance, complexity, and intensity.

Le Reve is produced in very limited quantities and is aged a minimum of six years prior to release. The wine is completed strictly according to the méthode champenoise, with the process taking place in Domaine Carneros' cellars, carved into the hillside beneath the winery.

This is a wine that is deep and light at the same time. It has citrus and mineral aromas. On the palate there is an appealing mix of biscuit, stone and fruit flavor notes with just a touch of sweetness. The froth gives a creaminess that remains uplifting.

It’s a classy wine that retails for about $95 and ranks with the best sparkling wine and Champagne I’ve ever enjoyed.

Rating: 5 of 5

Full disclosure: We received this wine as a sample.
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Friday, March 9, 2012

Zinful Wine Bar Provides A Taste of Unusual Italian Grapes March 14

Looking for a wine off the beaten path? Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville, is hosting a wine tasting featuring unusual grapes 6:30 – 8:30 PM Wednesday, March. The cost is $20 per person and includes food pairings.


Included in the tasting are:

1. Taburno Falanghina – From the Campania region. A white that has a floral/stone fruit nose with good acidity and expressive fruit on the palate. Unoaked.

2. Boccadiggabia Rosso- From the Marches region- A blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano. This is old world wine making at its best. Earthy , cherry flavors with mild tannins. The ultimate pizza/Pasta wine.

3. Castel Santa Lucia Vigna del Melograno Rosso- From the Puglia region. Made from the indigenous grape variety Troia. More old school style with bracing acidity and spice and an earth mouth-feel.

4. Terre Nere Etna Rosso- From Sicily. This could be the most interesting red wine made in the region. The Nerello Mascalese grape comes from the volcanic slopes of Mt. Etna. It has the body ,color and aroma of a red Burgundy but with the finish and taste of Nebbiolo.

Zinful has also announced some specials for area wine lovers. On Monday and Tuesday glasses of wine (anything open) are just $5. Also on Monday and Tuesday you’ll get a free appetizer or dessert to share with any bottle of wine you purchase. The fun keeps rolling on Wednesday with $5 glasses (anything open) plus half price appetizers in the bar. 

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