Food Trucks Featured at Vintage Ohio August 3 and 4

Vintage Ohio, the state’s premier wine event, will take place August 3 and 4, from 1:00 to 10:00 PM at Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road in Kirtland, Ohio. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the gate. Ticket includes entry to the festival, a souvenir wine glass and wine samples.

Advance tickets and info are available on the web at www.OhioWines.org or www.VisitVintageOhio.com, by calling (800) 227-6972. Two-day taster tickets are available for $45.Foodie tickets and designated drivers are $12 and include admission to the festival and up to 5 non-alcoholic beverages. Children age 3-17 are $3. Children two and under are free.

And again this year Vintage Ohio will showcase the best of the best of the Cleveland food trucks.

Across America, in the 'Locavore' world and in 'Foodie' culture, mobile food trucks are all the rage. Cleveland has some of the best in the nation sharing their cuisine daily on the streets. As the national web site describes them: Food trucks offer "high end food for the masses at drive-through prices."

They will be stationed near the Meet the WineMaker Pavilion, where exceptional Ohio-grown vintages will be shared by the winemakers who vinified those award winning wines. The MTW Pavilion and the fabulous Food Trucks will provide a perfect opportunity to match locally grown foods with locally grown wines.

The menus:

JiBARO: Oysters with dates, pickled carrots, bacon and sunflower seeds; Shrimp ceviche with mango, Caribbean bruschetta: shredded beef on top of plantain, Pulled pork burrito, Veggie-gluten free burrito, Jamaican jerk chicken.  

Umami Moto: Fish tacos: curry marinated fish, corn tortillas, cilantro, mint, cucumber, red onion and aioli; Umami burger: lean beef, brioche bun, onion, homemade hot sauce, Vietnamese grilled pork over rice, Asian slaw: cabbage, peppers, carrots, dressing; Fresh fruit cup including seasonal Asian pears, lychee, jackfruit.

Zydeco Bistro: Pullet and Andouille jambalaya, fresh chicken, sautéed sausage and dirty rice; Blue crab, heirloom tomato and Ohio corn salad; Crispy rock shrimp salad with creole mustard, Summer vegetable ratatouille and cheesy polenta.

OHIO GROWN WINES NEARBY IN THE MEET THE WINEMAKER PAVILION

[These limited production wines will not be poured in the individual winery tents on Festival Field, but will be available only in the MTW Pavilion and for to-go sales in the store]

Breitenbach Wine Cellars, Dover:

• Gewurztraminer, Lake Erie, 2010 -- off dry white, well balanced, spicy nose
• Cabernet Sauvignon. Lake Erie, 2010 -- nicely balanced, very fruit forward

Debonne' Vineyards, Madison:

• Pinot Grigio, Grand River Valley, 2010 -- dry white, aromas of fresh apricot, dired flowers and spice

Ferrante Winery and Ristorante, Geneva/Harpersfield:

• Golden Bunches, Riesling Grand River Valley 2011 -- off dry, flavors of peach and citrus
• Pinot Grigio, Grand River Valley, 2011 -- melon and citrus with a creamy finish

Grand River Cellars, Madison:

• Cabernet Franc, Grand River Valley, 2010 -- dry with a hint of spice, tobacco and blackberries, oaky finish

Klingshirn Winery, Avon Lake:

• Cabernet Franc, Lake Erie -- aromas of wild cherries and blackberries hint of tannins
• Vidal Blanc, Lake Erie -- semi dry, aromas of tangelos, hint of citrus, fruity and fresh finish

Maize Valley Winery, Hartville:

• LaCrescent, Ohio -- fruity, tropical aromas and flavors form the Hartville vineyard, semi sweet, cold climate Sevsen varietal

St. Joseph Vineyard, Madison:

• Pinot Noir Reserve, Grand River Valley, 2009, intense red, black cherries and plum flavors, bouquet of cedar and cloves with a hint of rose
• Shiraz, Grand River Valley, 2009, Rhone style red with blueberry, cloves and peppery flavors

Valley Vineyards, Morrow:

• Cabernet Sauvignon, Ohio River Valley, 2010, black cherries, black currents, violet, cocoa, velvety tannins
• Ice Wine, Ohio River Valley, 2009: sweet, luscious, dessert wine

Meet the Wine Maker VIP tickets are an additional $15 and will feature only vinifera and French hybrid wines which are in short supply and thus cannot be poured on Festival Field.

For information on dining, lodging and attractions in Lake County, go to www.lakevisit.com

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Dry Creek Vineyard 2011 Dry Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg

Chenin Blanc is a white grape with its origin in the Loire Valley of France. This versatile grape is high in acidity, allowing it to be finished in a range of styles from sparkling wine to sweet dessert wines. In the Vouvray region of the Loire it produces one of my favorite wines, slightly off-dry with a frizzante touch of bubbles.

For most of its time in the US, it was grown and blended in mass consumption jug wines. At the end of the last century winemakers in California’s Clarksburg AVA decided to make quality varietal Chenin Blanc a specialty. Since its founding in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard has produced Chenin Blanc.

The 2011 DCV Chenin Blanc is ripe with a touch of sweetness. There is a lush tropical bouquet and on the palate there are rounded flavor notes of apple and citrus.

This is a wine for all occasions. Its food-friendly character earned it a place at the table. It’s also suitable for a beat-the-heat patio sipper or an aperitif or after dinner drink.

The alcohol level at 12.5% is lower than beefy California reds which edge near 15%. The sweetness is 0.6% residual sugar, which is dry with a spritz of sugar. That will make it popular with a wide spectrum of your guests. This wine also has the potential to age for three to five years, which is rare for a white wine.

Have you tired of tangoing with Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay? This bottle is a chance to enjoy some quality California Chenin Blanc at a very reasonable $12 price tag.

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

Technorati Tags: wine,Chenin Blanc

Rating: 3 of 5 Value: 3.5 of 5

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Rabbit Ridge 2008 Barrel Cuvee Zinfandel, Central Coast

I picked up this 2008 Rabbit Ridge Zin for our July 4th celebration. As it turns out it was very hot and the crowd was more beer than wine that evening. The Rabbit went back into its hole until re-emerging for a get together with neighbors several days later.

Rabbit Ridge Winery takes its name from founder and winemaker Erich Russell, a world class runner in college. The winery began in Sonoma County in 1981. Russell’s commitment to producing high quality wines at affordable prices later led him to Paso Robles where he opened a state-of-the-art winery in 2003.

Barrel Cuvee is the Rabbit Ridge label for their everyday, approachable wine. Even so, it is made with some prime estate grown grapes. They have a reserve label and a Paso Robles label as well with higher prices, but I nabbed this bottle for about $10.

This packs a double rabbit punch of taste plus value. The nose of currant leads into the complementary taste, which is smoky with rich flavors of blackberry and currant. There is a complex ripple of pepper to add to the enjoyment.

Rabbit Ridge has hopped to the front of the QPR (Quality Price Ratio) race with their Barrel Cuvee Zin.

Technorati Tags: wine,Zinfandel

Rating: 3.5 of 5  Value: 5 of 5

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

Cabernet Franc (Photo credit: Southern Foodways Alliance)

Wednesday, July 25

The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Closeouts: 1. Hey Mambo Chardonnay, 2. Chateau des Tourtes Cotes de Bordeaux, 3. Odoardi Savuto, 4. Rosenblum Eagle Point Zinfandel. $7 flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. A night with Norm Heineman of Bowling Green Beverage. Come out and taste New vs. Old World Wines. $15.

Thursday, July 26

Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Fun Summer Bubbles: 1. Francois Montand – Brut – France, 2. St. Julian – Raspberry Spumante – Paw Paw, Michigan USA, 3. Castello del Poggio – Rosato – Italy, 4. Contero – Moscato D’ Asti – Italy. Flight $4.50 or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM.Piedmont Dolcetto and Barbera: 1. Voerzio Lange Arneis, 2. Pecchenino San Luigi Dolcetto, 3. Frantelli Revello Docetto d’Alba, 4. Alessandria Dolcetto d’Alba, 5. Stroppiana Barbera d’Alba, 6. Renato Corino Barbera d’Alba, 7. La Spinetta Ca’Di Pian Barbera d’Asti, 8. Contero Brachetto d’Acqui. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. New vs. Old World 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, July 27
Special Event – Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 7:00 – 9:30 PM. Art of the Vine. Wine: Color Play (visual feast), Tour: Jules Olitski Exhibition . 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. Italian Wines: 1. Rodano Poggialupi Toscana, 2. Poggio Amorelli Chianti Classico, 3. La Tanuta Brunello di Montalcino, 4. Stella Rosa Rosso. $15 tasting.

Saturday, July 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. Italian Wines: 1. Rodano Poggialupi Toscana, 2. Poggio Amorelli Chianti Classico, 3. La Tanuta Brunello di Montalcino, 4. Stella Rosa Rosso. $15 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. One is a Cabernet but not a Sauvignon; the other is a Sauvignon, but not a Cabernet … what are they? 1. Corvidae “The Keeper” Cabernet Franc, 2. Pilliteri Cabernet Franc, 3. Bogle Sauvignon Blanc, 4. Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc. Flight $3 or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:30 – 5:00 PM. 2^nd Annual Oyster Blast: Few things in this world taste better than raw oysters and beautiful dry wines like Muscadet and Albarino. Chef Bill Kolhoff is going to be on the patio shucking oysters and Austin Beeman will be pouring delicious wine by the glass. For the carnivores among you, we will also have grilled sausages. Call for more information.

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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Winemakers Randall Grahm and Elizabeth Clark Set To Visit Toledo Area

Mark your calendars. The Toledo area will be hosting a pair of top-flight winemakers in August including a stellar California wine personality and a maker of premium wines from Willamette Valley, Oregon.

Randall Grahm of Boony Doon Vineyards

On Sunday, August 5, from 12:00 noon until 3:00 PM, Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000, will host an Afternoon with Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyards. This will be a wine tasting on the patio and no reservation is needed.

“Randall Grahm is the most important California wine personality to ever visit Northwest Ohio,” said WCM Wine Manager Austin Beeman. He urges wine lovers not to miss the opportunity to meet this iconic winemaker.

Bonny Doon is a winery based in the city of Santa Cruz in the central coast of California. It was started by Grahm in 1983. Bonny Doon was among the first Californian wineries to embrace Rhone varietals, giving Randall Grahm the nickname "The Rhone Ranger.”

Grahm has an impressive array of awards including the James Beard Award as wine professional of the year and Cooks Magazine lifetime achievement award. He is a leader in biodynamic winemaking and in the screw cap movement to use twist closures to ensure quality wine.

Elizabeth Clark of Airlie Winery

On Wednesday August 8, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, winemaker Elizabeth Clark of Airlie Winery, Monmouth, Oregon, will be presenting a selection of her wines at The Oliver House Market, 27 Broadway in Toledo. Airlie Winery, established in 1986, is dedicated to vintage dated Oregon premium wines. The winery overlooks Dunn Forest Vineyard and produces estate varieties well suited to the coastal edge of Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Thirty-two acres of estate vineyards consist of eight varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Müller Thurgau, Gewürztraminer, Maréchal Foch, and Muscat Ottonel.Their wines also benefit from grapes selected from top Willamette Valley vineyards.

The cost is $15 per person and will include elegant appetizers, great wines, and a chance to purchase autographed bottles of your favorite selections. For further information, call Matt Snyder at (419) 351-3335.

Technorati Tags: wine

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Oregon Wine Country: Behind Every Bottle A Place And A Face

Portland, Oregon, will host the 5th Annual Wine Bloggers Conference August 17-19. Once again a tasting team from Toledo Wines and Vines will be there to visit wineries, sample new wines and report on the festivities. Here a brief snapshot of the wonderful wine region of Oregon.

Rolling Oregon vineyards between Dundee and Newberg. Photo by Stu Seeger.

In 1979 at a Paris tasting with entries from more than 330 countries, the 1975 Eyrie Pinot Noir took a top 10 finish. In a follow-up match the next year, it came in second place – and less than a point behind – the 1959 Drouhin Chambolie-Musigny. This was an astounding international achievement. Since that time Pinot Noir has been Oregon’s flagship wine.

Although there is much more than Pinot Noir in Oregon, it certainly is king. There are 12,560 acres of Pinot Noir planted in Oregon, more than four times the amount of the second most popular grape (which is Oregon’s “other Pinot,” Pinot Gris). Lesser amounts of Chardonnay, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon are also planted.

Oregon’s Pinot Gris is often been compared to that made in Alsace. It is medium-bodied, yellow to copper in color, crisp with full fruit flavors.

King Estate Winery. Photo by Don Hankin.

Countless millennia of volcanic eruptions and cataclysmic glacial action have blessed Oregon with some of the finest soil on earth. The rugged, alluring terrain attracts adventurous winegrowers who create artisan wines featuring fresh fruit flavors and lively acidity.

The vineyards are planted in small pockets to take advantage of the best micro-climates. There are enough of these pockets to make Oregon the fourth largest producer of wine in the U.S.

Oregon has 16 American Viticultural Areas (AVA): Columbia Valley, Umpqua Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Willamette Valley, Rogue Valley, Applegate Valley, Columbia Gorge, Dundee Hills, Yamhill-Carlton District, Southern Oregon, McMinnville, Ribbon Ridge, Red Hill Douglas County, Eola-Amity Hills, Chehalem Mountains, and Snake River Valley.

The Columbia Gorge and Walla Walla Valley include parts of Washington State while the Snake River Valley is principally in Idaho.

The three main wine regions are:

Willamette Valley: Located just south of Portland and home to approximately 70 percent of Oregon’s wineries.  It is the largest and most important region. This fertile river valley produces primarily Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Riesling.

Umpqua Valley: Located in the southwestern area of Oregon. It is the site of Oregon’s first winery, Hillcrest Vineyard. The warm climate here produces outstanding red wines including Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Also produced are Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.

Rogue Valley: Located in the southern part of the state just above the California border. The warm weather is well suited to growing red grapes such as Merlot. Also produced are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillon.

The wines of Oregon are impressive and food-friendly. Unlike some other states, if a grape variety is named on the label of an Oregon wine, 90 percent of that wine must be made from that variety. Other states require only 75 percent. (One exception to this rule is Cabernet Sauvignon, which only needs to contain 75 percent.)

Oregon offers a diverse and bountiful landscape with handcrafted, exquisite wines.

Technorati Tags: wine,Oregon wine

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