Falling Star 2010 Malbec, Cuyo, Argentina

Wine Chick and Sax Man are always looking for a good deal when buying their favorite wines. Wine Chick was looking for an inexpensive Malbec and tends to choose new wines based on the label.

She discovered Falling Star 2010 Malbec, a deal at $5.99 that is every bit as sophisticated as the expensive options. It's robust palate ends with a smooth finish but has all the complexity that comes with the vintage. Great for dinner or to top of an evening!

Technorati Tags: wine,malbec,Argentina

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2011 California Wine Shipments Within U.S. Reach All-Time High: U.S. Is World’s Largest Wine Market

From the California wine producer in the Central Coast (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sales of California wine within the U.S. in 2011 grew to a record 211.9 million cases, up 5.6 percent in volume compared to the previous year. The estimated retail value of these shipments was $19.9 billion, according to wine industry consultant Jon Fredrikson of Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates in Woodside. Global 2011 California wine sales to all markets in the U.S. and worldwide also increased 5.6 percent to 256.6 million cases.

"California’s vintners grew the wine market with creative, innovative offerings at all price points," said Wine Institute President and CEO Robert P. (Bobby) Koch. "Our wineries are in sync with consumer tastes and California wines have increasingly become a preferred lifestyle choice."

Wineries worldwide competed for consumer attention in the U.S. with thousands of brands—120,000 new wine labels were approved by the U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau last year. Wine sales expanded as Americans were treated to a diverse array of classic and new wine choices including Moscato, sweet reds and other easy-drinking wines with unpretentious packaging. Restaurant business recovered somewhat and value-oriented wines were still key for on-premise offerings. Many marketers focused on new opportunities in the direct-to-consumer channel as the number of states that now accept these shipments has expanded to 39, and apps and other technologies have made it easier for consumers to use these online options, according to Fredrikson.

"Wine consumers are adventuresome by nature so Muscat/Moscato became a popular new flavor to try, experiencing the largest varietal volume gain of the year," commented Danny Brager, vice president of client services for beverage alcohol at The Nielsen Company. The "millennial" consumer, aged 21-34 who make up 26 percent of legal drinking age Americans, continue to be a wine sales growth driver, while Baby Boomers continue to be the largest generations contributor to overall wine sales. Even with the volatile economy, consumers are finding high quality and value in the wine category, and continue to experiment with sweet reds, unoaked wines, wine blends, and other diverse offerings, he explained.

Total wine sales in the U.S. from all production sources—California, other U.S. states and foreign countries—climbed to a new record of 347.0 million cases, a 5.3 percent jump from 2010, with an estimated retail value of $32.5 billion, according to Fredrikson. Of the total, California’s 211.9 million cases held a 61 percent share of the U.S. market. This is the 18th consecutive year of volume growth in the U.S.

Technorati Tags: wine,California wine

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Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: April 25-28, 2012

Image of Gysler via Snooth

Wednesday, April 25
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Great Closeouts, and Bike to the Bay sign-up. 1. Lingenfelder Gewurztramine, 2. Yorkville Cellars Petit Verdot, 3. Yorkville Cellars Malbec, 4. Yorkville Cellars Cabernet Franc.  $8 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

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

Thursday, April 26

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM.

Even More Great New Wines: 1. 2010 Vanesa – Viura/Verdejo – Spain, 2. 2005 Kiona – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – Washington State, 3. 2010 Goose Bump – Velvety Red – Italy, 4. 2009 Gysler – Riesling Kabinett – Germany. $4 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. New Wines For Spring: 1. Casal Garcia Vinho Verde, 2. Swanson Pinot Grigio Napa, 3. Luisa Friulano, 4. L’Ecole No.41 Chardonnay, 5. Catillo de monseran Garnacha, 6. Torii Mor Pinot Noir, 7. Lock & Key Meritage, 8. La Spinetta Ca’ di Pain Barbera d’Asti. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Blended Wines. $15. Come out and taste Jet's Pizza.

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, April 27
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 vs. Australian Shiraz: 1. Box Car Syrah, 2. Woop Woop Shiraz, 3. Bonnie Doon Syrah Le Pousseur, 4. Fetish Playmates Shiraz. $15 tasting.

Saturday, April 28
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 vs. Australian Shiraz: 1. Box Car Syrah, 2. Woop Woop Shiraz, 3. Bonnie Doon Syrah Le Pousseur, 4. Fetish Playmates Shiraz. $15 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Springtime Whites. 1, Gazela Vinho Verde, 2. Minini Garagnega/Pinot Grigio, 3. Primal Roots White, 4. Lost Angel “Ruckus” White. $2 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12 – 5 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine Tasting. 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Special Guest – Adam Mahler of Ampelography. Adam Mahler’s Ampelography represents many of the finest small production wines around the world.  He’ll be on hand to guide us through some of his newest discoveries. 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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Wine ‘n Bloom Wine Weekends Set for Vines and Wines Trail in NE Ohio May 4-5 and 11-12

Garden with some tulips and narcissus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Vines and Wines wine trail in Northeastern Ohio is scheduling their annual Wine N Bloom Weekend event. You sample wines and collect flowers at the 16 participating wineries. This is a great way to ring in spring. The event is scheduled May 4-5 and 11-12. Tickets go quickly, so don't delay.

This is a self driving tour of the wineries in northeast Ohio. You have two weekends (4 days: Fridays & Saturdays, Noon to 6:00 PM each day) to visit all the wineries participating on the trail. Sample great wines, enjoy delicious appetizers, and you will pick up a gift item to help celebrate the glories of spring at each stop.At a designated winery you will receive and basket to collect your goodies in and a Schott Zwiesel crystal wine glass.

Tickets for this event are $50 for a couple and $40 for a single. You Must have advance reservations. Call 800-227-6972 or click here to make reservations.

Participating wineries are:
Bene Vino Urban Winery, Perry
Biscotti Family Winery, Conneaut
Buccia Vineyards, Conneaut
Debonné Vineyards, Madison
Deer's Leap Winery, Geneva
Emerine Estates, Jefferson
Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Geneva
Grand River Cellars, Madison
Goddess Wine House, Ashtabula
Laleure Vineyards, Parkman
Maple Ridge Vineyards, Madison
Old Firehouse Winery, Geneva-on-the-Lake
Old Mill Winery, Geneva
St. Joseph Vineyard, Madison
The Winery at Spring Hill, Geneva
Virant Family Winery, Geneva

The are also special lodging deals in the area being offered for this special event.

Technorati Tags: wine,Ohio wine

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Antigal 2008 Malbec Uno, Mendoza

Wine Review by Glorious T

In celebration of World Malbec Day, we went to Cellar Tracker to make our pick. We're in luck, on hand is a 2008 Antigal Malbec Uno. I remember being attracted to the bottle because of the large copper "1" on the case which held the bottle (the bottle has the same emblem).

Fortunately, the wine lived up to the impressive packaging. It was so fragrant upon opening, big berry scents along with spice and oak. We savored the nose for a bit before taking the first sip. Big soft feel leads to slight tannins and oak, not overpowering.

It's well structured, finishes with a slight bitter coffee finish. At about $15, it's an excellent value that would be nice to bring to a party. Good, smooth feel makes this very drinkable. Cheers!

Technorati Tags: malbec,wine

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