Weingut Burg Ravensburg 2009 Dry Riesling, Baden

This is a value priced dry Riesling from Germany. Ravensburg is one of the greatest surviving castles in the Kraichgau area of Baden. The estate has a lot of history, being mentioned in documents that date it back to 1251.

I must admit that none of this influenced my decision to pick up this bottle. Rather it was the amazingly low price of $7 and the fact this is Riesling month.

The wine is a versatile one, serving well as a casual sipper or an accompaniment to a meal of ham, poultry or Chinese cuisine. The alcohol level is 11.5%, so it has a very light feel.

We weren’t dazzled by this wine, which lacks complexity. It has a smattering of lime and floral flavor notes and the finish is missing in action. Although listed as dry, this wine inches its way toward off-dry with a hint of sweetness.

This Riesling falls short of other German ones and is well below others much closer to home. Well, what do you expect for $7? Ravensburg would, however, be a perfectly satisfying wine chilled down on the back patio during a scorching Memorial Day weekend.

Rating: 2 of 5   Value: 2.5 of 5

Technorati Tags: wine,Riesling

Sprucewood Shores 2007 Lady In Red, Lake Erie North Shore VQA

Friends, a fire pit, a starlit evening and a bottle of Ontario wine. Those are ingredients for a crackling good evening.

As the stars came out and we fed logs into the flames, we uncorked the 2007 Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery Lady in Red. This Lady is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Green Dragon (the Lady in Green?) was surprised by the quality of this wine. She dislikes heavy tannins and so was quite pleased with the smoothness of this wine. We picked up this wine while on a visit to wineries of the Lake Erie North Shore in Ontario and had a nice visit with Tanya Mitchell, the winemaker. It costs $14.75 Canadian.

But hold the presses – LENS is no more. The wineries on the north shore are now EPIC (Essex Pelee Island Coast). There are 12 wineries and based on our last visit, they should be getting more attention from wine lovers than they do.

Lady In Red is as silky smooth as the name suggests. Bright cherry and blackberry flavors are woven together in this medium bodied wine. After a tasty dance, the wine finishes on a soft note.

Those who are unfamiliar with Ontario wines or wines from EPIC wine country are in for a pleasant surprise. You gotta love this lady!

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Dry Creek Vineyard 2009 Estate Sauvignon Blanc DCV3

This wine comes from the very first vineyard planted with Sauvignon Blanc in Sonoma County’s famed Dry Creek Valley. It all started when Dry Creek Vineyard’s DCV3 (Dry Creek Vineyard #3) was planted after Prohibition ended.

Today Sauvignon Blanc is the number one planted white variety in Dry Creek Valley. Vines more than 30 years old produce the single-vineyard fruit for DCV’s 2009 Estate Sauvignon Blanc DCV3.

This wine has a complexity that’s lacking in many California Sauvignon Blancs. It has some zesty tropical pop, but stops short of an over-the-top New Zealand style in favor of finesse. The wine has a deep, golden hue and the body is medium.

On the palate there is a delightful riff of pineapple and tropical fruit counterbalanced with acidity and pleasing mineral notes. There is subtle spice in the finish.

There were 252 cases produced and it retails for about $25. The wine was fermented in stainless steel for about 30 days.

DCV3 is PDG (pretty darn good). It’s a Sauvignon Blanc with history and taste and a perfect partner for your seafood entrée.

Rating: 3.5 of 5   Value: 3 of 5

Full Disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.

Technorati Tags: wine,Dry Creek Valley,Sauvignon Blanc

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Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: May 23-26, 2012

Image of Domaine de Nizas via Snooth

Wednesday, May 23
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. 1. Valley of the Moon Sangiovese, 2. Michael David “6th Sense” Syrah, 3. Franco Serra Barbaresco, 4. Machmer Gewurztraminer Spaetlese. $8 or nominal fee per sample.

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

Thursday, May 24

Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Newbies: 1. 2011 Domaine de Nizas – Rose’ – Languedoc, France, 2. 2010 Cameron Hughes – Chardonnay Lot 320 – Arroyo Seco, California, 3. 2007 Chateau Gonin – Red Bordeaux – Bordeaux, France, 4. 2009 David Girard – Rive d’ Or – Sierra Foothills, California. Flight $5.50 or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Wines in the Key of Salmon: 1. Mas del la Dame Rose Provence, France, 2. Yalumba Viognier South Australia, 3. Versiano Vingamoto Verdicchio
Italy, 4. Anne Amie Pinot Gris Oregon, 5. Brutacoa Chardonnay
Mendocino, California, 6. Terrica Pinot Noir Monterrey, California, 7. Alain Juame Les Champauvins Cote du Rhone Southern Rhone, France, 8. Talley Pinot Noir. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Zinfandel. $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, May 25
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Memorial Day Grillin' Wines: 1. Monte Volpe Pinot Grigio, 2. Coppola "Votre Sante" Chardonnay, 3. Rio Perdido Malbec, 4. Sobon Estates Zinfandel. $10 tasting.

Saturday, May 26
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Memorial Day Grillin' Wines: 1. Monte Volpe Pinot Grigio, 2. Coppola "Votre Sante" Chardonnay, 3. Rio Perdido Malbec, 4. Sobon Estates Zinfandel. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. Great American Wines for Grilled Foods: 1. Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Michael David’s “Incognito” White, 3. Michael David’s “Incognito” Red, 4. Vigilance, “Cimarron” Red. Flight $2 or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12 – 4 PM. All-American Saturday. (The First of Three.) The Summer Patio Season is launched with this celebration of classic American food, wine, and beer. (Weather Permitting) Chef Bill Kolhoff will be cooking gourmet burgers, delicious sausages, fresh fish, and whole lot more. Our Wine Guy Austin Beeman will be on hand pouring samples of delicious American Wines and American Craft Beers. No reservations needed.

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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June is Ohio Wine Month; Celebrate with the 2nd Annual Amazing Grape Race



Photo by Toledo Wines and Vines

In celebration of June is Ohio Wine Month, eleven wineries and three visitors bureaus along the Lake Erie Shores and Islands Wine Trail announce the second annual AMAZING GRAPE RACE which will take place between June 1^st to June 30^th.

A free 'Amazing Race' card is available at each of the participating wineries and supporting convention and visitors bureaus.

Travelers must visit the wineries within the month of June, have their race card endorsed with a secret code word at each participating winery. Once the Amazing Grape Race card is completed, it must be mailed by July 14, 2012 to Ohio Wine Producers Association at 33 Tegam Way, Geneva, OH 44041.

The first three hundred travelers who return cards will receive a complimentary 6-bottle wine tote to fill with the wines they discovered so they may Take Home the Experience to enjoy with family and friends. [one gift per card please].
All who do complete the Race will also be entered into a drawing to win the following prizes:

• Grand Prize: Kalahari Resorts Safari 2 Bedroom Suite Stay for 6 including 6 Waterpark Passes for day of arrival and until 3 PM on Departure Day, 6 Passes to the Safari Adventure Animal Park, and a Take-Home Picture with the Giraffes (Giraffes only on site between May 16 and September 26, 2012.) Valid most Sunday though Thursday arrivals. Some days limited in availability. Expires December 20, 2012. ($919 value)

• Other prizes
  • Round Trip Jet Express Tickets for two from downtown Port Clinton to downtown Put-in-Bay ($60 value/3 winners)
  • Island Hopping Cruise for two aboard the Goodtime 1 ($54 value)
  • Vintage Ohio Wine Festival Gift Certificate for two ($42 value/8 winners)
  • Ferry tickets for two from Miller Ferries to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island ($26 value)

PARTICIPATING WINERIES

• Chateau Tebeau Winery, Helena, www.chateautebeauwinery.com
• D & D Smith Winery, Norwalk www.ddSmithWinery.com
• Firelands Winery, Sandusky www.FirelandsWinery.com
• Heineman's Winery, Put-in-Bay www.HeinemansWinery.com
• John Christ Winery, Avon Lake www.JohnChristWine.com
• Klingshirn Winery, Avon Lake www.KlingshirnWine.com
• Matus Winery, Wakeman www.MatusWinery.us
• Mon Ami Restaurant & Historic Winery, Port Clinton www.MonAmiWinery.com
• Paper Moon Vineyards, Vermilion www.PaperMoonVineyards.com
• Quarry Hill Winery, Berlin Heights www.QuarryHillWinery.org
• Vermilion Valley Vineyards, Wakeman www.VermilionValleyVineyards.com

SUPPORTING CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAUS

• Lake Erie Shores and Islands-EAST, Sandusky www.ShoresAndIslands.com
• Lake Erie Shores and Islands-WEST, Port Clinton www.ShoresAndIslands.com
• Sandusky County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sandusky www.SanduskyCounty.org
• Visit Lorain County, Lorain www.VisitLorainCounty.com

Sponsors providing the prizes for the Amazing Grape Race:

• Goodtime-Lake Erie Island Cruises www.GoodtimeBoat.com
• Jet Express www.Jet-Express.com
• Kalahari Resorts www.KalahariResorts.com
• Miller Ferries to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island www.MillerFerry.com
• Vintage Ohio Wine Festival www.VisitVintageOhio.com

Drawing will be held week of July 15^th, 2012.

Technorati Tags: wine,Ohio wine

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Adega Condes de Albarei 2009 Salneval Albarino, Rias Baixas

The Salneval Albarino is a delightful white wine ideal for summer sipping and for those with just a couple of bucks in the pocket.

Green Dragon picked this up on sale at the Andersons for a mere $4.99. The wine has a spirit far beyond it’s paltry price.

This is a Spanish white that is known to be a great partner with seafood. It has a golden color with aromas of stone fruit and apple.

It bears the consistency of an unoaked Chardonnay and tends more to the citrus end of the spectrum and away from fruitiness. There is a hint of spice and a refreshing crispness to the wine.

We enjoyed this by itself and then a glass outside on the patio with a dinner of Szechuan shrimp. It was an ideal pairing with the shrimp and blue skies.

Technorati Tags: wine,Albarino

Rating: 3 of 5   Value: 5 of 5

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