Thursday, February 28, 2013

Calendar Listing of Finger Lakes Wine Trails Special Events

Looking south on Seneca Lake in the city of Ge...
Looking south on Seneca Lake in the city of Geneva, New York (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Finger Lakes Wine Country, New York is home to three wine trails; Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, Seneca Lake Wine Trail, and Keuka Lake Wine Trail. Each trail is a group of wineries that sit among vineyards on the sloping hills overlooking its respective lake. Each wine trail offers unique food and wine pairing events, breathtaking scenery, and world-class wine.

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail The first organized and longest running wine trail in the United States, the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail celebrates 30 years in 2013. The 16 members include award-winning wineries, in addition to a meadery, a cidery, and distilleries. Traveling the idyllic shores of Cayuga Lake offers visitors a diverse and delicious taste of Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Seneca Lake Wine Trail The Seneca Lake Wine Trail is the largest wine trail in the east with over 30 member wineries. This trail offers a wide range of winery experiences for everyone including weekends that celebrate pairing wine with different types of food like pasta, chocolate, and even grilled foods. New this year is the Preferred Pairing Event Series, a partnership with the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail. Events take place the last Saturday of January, February, and March in 2013. Event-goers will enjoy an intimate cheese and wine pairing experience while touring beautiful Seneca Lake.

Keuka Lake Wine Trail The Keuka Lake Wine Trail may be small in numbers, but it offers a big, world-class experience. The seven member wineries surrounding the y-shaped lake are all award-winners with unique characteristics and personality. While in the tasting rooms, visitors will enjoy magnificent views paired with exquisite wines. Events such as Viva Italia! in April, Keuka in Bloom in May, and Harvest Celebration of Food and Wine in September, celebrate the beauty and bounty of Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Wine Trail Calendar
  • February 23 Preferred Pairings Seneca Lake Wine Trail
  • March 9 – 10 Say Cheese! Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
  • March 22 – 24 Cruisin’ The Tropics Weekend Seneca Lake Wine Trail
  • March 30 Preferred Pairings Seneca Lake Wine Trail
  • April 6 – 7 Viva Italia! Keuka Lake Wine Trail
  • April 26 – 28 Spring Wine & Cheese Weekend Seneca Lake Wine Trail
  • April 26 – 28 Wine & Herb Festival Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
  • May 3 – 5 Wine & Herb Festival Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
  • May 4 – 5 Keuka in Bloom Keuka Lake Wine Trail
  • June 7 – 9 Smokin’ Summer Kickoff Seneca Lake Wine Trail
  • June 8 – 9 Barbeque at the Wineries Keuka Lake Wine Trail
  • June 22 – 23 Barbeque at the Wineries Keuka Lake Wine Trail
  • September 14 – 15 Harvest Celebration of Food & Wine Keuka Lake Wine Trail
  • November 9 – 10 Keuka Holidays Keuka Lake Wine Trial
  • November 16 – 17 Keuka Holidays Keuka Lake Wine Trail
  • November 22 – 24 Holiday Shopping Spree Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
  • November 22 – 24 Deck the Halls Weekend Seneca Lake Wine Trail
  • December 6 – 8 Holiday Shopping Spree Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
  • December 6 – 8 Deck the Halls Weekend Seneca Lake Wine Trail
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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: February 27 – March 2, 2013

Old Vine cabernet from Chateau Montelena, Napa...
Old Vine cabernet from Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, California. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Wednesday, February 27
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. 1. Crafted Artisan Meadery Tupelo Dry,  2. Crucillon Campo de Borja Garnacha, 3. Gradis'ciutta Collio Cabernet Franc, 4. Treasure Hunter "Captain Trey" Red. $10 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. $15

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Heart Healthy Wine Tasting Dinner - heart healthy red wines and food. Call for ticket information.
Thursday, February 28
*SPECIAL EVENT * Exchange Club of Toledo Benefit Wine Tasting, Oliver House in downtown Toledo 6:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday, February 28. Benefits Youth of the Year and ACE scholarships. Cost $50 per person. For information or tickets, contact Ted Lindsley at (419) 367-8731 or at tedlindsley@gmail.com . All major credit cards accepted.
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. A Salute to Italy! 1. 2010 Icardi – Cortese –Italy, 2. 2010 Brigaldara –Valpolicella– Italy, 3. 2009 Lamuri –Nero D’ Avola– Sicily, 4. 2006 Rodano –Chianti Classico – Italy. $5 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. New Vine Values: 1. San Pietro Pinot Grigio, 2. Pra Soave Classico, 3. Rocca Maura Lirac, 4. Sinfonia Tempranillo, 5. Ducceto Chianti, 6. Troublemaker Red, 7. Aranwa Malbec. Nominal fee per sample.
Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Thief Wines from the state of Oregon. $15.

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 1
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 Reds: 1. Dreyer "Compass" Merlot, 2. B. Wise "Wisdom" Red Blend, 3. Gunfighter Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Tin Barn Zinfandel
$15 tasting.
Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Wine of the Month Club tasting.
Saturday, March 2
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 Reds: 1. Dreyer "Compass" Merlot, 2. B. Wise "Wisdom" Red Blend, 3. Gunfighter Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Tin Barn Zinfandel
$15 tasting.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 - 5:00 PM. New Discoveries. With 'New Discoveries,' we take a moment to feature an eclectic mix of awesome wines that are new to the store.  We'll have a Pinot Noir delivering $100 quality for under $30, a rich powerful Napa Valley Cabernet, a killer $10 New Zealand Sav Blanc, and whatever else we feel like opening that day. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 1:00 – 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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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Central City Ministry of Toledo Schedules March Sip and Savor Wine Tastings

Three Sip and Savor events during the month of March will benefit Central City Ministry of Toledo Schools – Queen of Apostles and Rosary Cathedral campuses. The events are scheduled March 5, 12 and 21 and feature wine or beer tasting and grazing. Food is provided by The Andersons and all proceeds will benefit tuition assistance at the schools. Tickets are $25 per each event.

Each ticket includes:
• A chance to win an exciting vacation for two to Bluegreen Wilderness Club in Branson. Missouri valued at $2,200, including $1,000 for travel expenses and resort lodging for 4 days and 3 nights. Trip may be taken at any time within one year.
• Entry in a raffle for dinner for four at Real Seafood
• A chance to throw out the pre-game first pitch and four complimentary tickets to a Toledo Mud Hens game, along with a Mud Hens T-shirt and hat.
• A 10% discount* to shop at The Andersons on the evening of each event. *Some exclusions apply, including alcoholic beverages.

Tuesday, March 5, 6:00 – 8:00 PM: The Andersons Maumee, 530 Illinois Avenue. Lenten Libations: Wines to pair with seafood during Lent. RSVP by March 1.

Tuesday, March 12, 6:00 – 8:00 PM: The Andersons Toledo, 4701 Talmadge Road. Tasty Beers and Wines for St. Patrick's Day. RSVP by March 8.

Tuesday, March 21, 6:00 – 8:00 PM: The Andersons Market Sylvania, 7638 Sylvania Avenue. Elegant Easter Wines. RSVP by March 18.

Please make your reservations by calling (419) 244.6711 Ext. 155, or email ccmt@toledodiocese.org. Winner need not be present. Entrants must be at least 21 years of age.

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Monday, February 25, 2013

Finger Lakes Tasting: Eight Shades of Red Excellence

In the Finger Lakes red wine universe Cabernet Franc is like the sun, with other reds millions of miles away contentedly orbiting around the blazing giant. Last week’s virtual tasting by the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance was a chance for the TWAV tasting team to sample eight Finger Lake reds to see if there is anything new under the sun.

Tasting team members Dr. J, Cabinator, Sax Man, Green Dragon and yours truly participated. As the winemakers discussed each wine, the TWAV team enjoyed appetizers and sampled the following. We scored on a five-point scale with 5 being the best. Almost every wine had one “champion” on the tasting team.

2011 Silver Thread Vineyard Blackbird: A great opening wine from a boutique winery. 70% Cab Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. Barrel fermented for eight months. Light to medium body with raspberry red color. Aroma of smoke and cherry. Rich with tart raspberry, blackberry flavor with a dash of pepper. Rating: 3.6
2007 Swedish Hill Optimus: This is another Bordeaux style blend with 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 25% Cab Franc. Swedish Hill is one of the most award-winning wineries in the Finger Lakes. Color is a dark garnet There is pepper on the nose with juicy raspberry and oak flavor notes. The finish is short. Despite being the oldest vintage tasted, it still tasted young. Rating: 2.7

2010 Heron Hill Ingle Vineyard Cabernet Franc: This Cab Franc had a unique flavor profile. Light to medium body with cherry swirls. The prominent flavor from our tasters was butterscotch. It is expressive with a smooth texture and complex flavors and noticeable acidity. Rating: 3.3

2010 Damiani Cabernet Franc Reserve: Our winner of the first flight. This is the “real deal” with a medium to full body and a classic Cab Franc with a nose of smoke and pepper. The flavors are of cherry and green pepper.  The finish is long. Only 97 cases of this distinctive wine. Rating: 4.5

2010 Rooster Hill Reserve Lemberger: Deep red in color, this vino is high in spiciness.The body is light and the flavors include black pepper and cherry. A unique and special wine aged 21 months in French oak. Favorite of Dr. J. Rating: 3.0

2010 Atwater Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir: Light red in color, this offers medium tannins and nice smooth cherry flavors. The wine is elegant with high drinkability. This wine is 100% hand-picked Pinot. Lacks the complexity of an Oregon Pinot, but a fine wine. Rating: 3.4

 2011 Hector Wine Company Essence: The first we’ve tasted from this winery, which opened in 2010. This is a blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. Flavors of cherry and smoke with toffee on the back end. Produces a bit of a twang on the finish. Aged in small oak barrels. Rating: 3.0

2008 McGregor Vineyard Black Russian Red:  The second flight winner, this is a blend of the obscure Saperavi and Sereksiya Charni grapes. This wine stands up against those from any wine region. The color is dark, almost black. The tannins are well integrated and the caramel and raspberry flavors make this a smooth and unique experience. A great match with sea salt chocolate. The tannins and acidity are nicely balanced. A superb wine priced at $54. Rating: 4.7

The Finger Lakes and its impressive winemakers continue to produce stellar wines. We’re planning another visit to the region in a couple months. This tasting shows there are exciting things happening there. Cab Franc continues to be excel, but there’s a whole universe of reds that needs exploring.
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Friday, February 22, 2013

Domaine Pont de Guestres 2006 Lalande-de-Pomerol

This red Bordeaux blend come from Lalande-de-Pomerol, just north of the more prestigious Pomerol wine region. While Bordeaux blends can contain Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and lesser quantities of Malbec and Petit Verdot, this vino contains mostly Merlot.
We drank this with a great meal prepared by Glorious T: Crab corn chowder, a delicious chicken with wine sauce over Hungarian noodles and we finished with Bananas Foster. The Pont de Guestres proved to be a very food friendly wine.
We’ve been sipping quite a few Napa Cabs lately, so this was a nice departure. The tannins were dialed down, as you might expect with an ‘06, and it proved a great balance with its light acidity.
As the meal progressed, the wine opened up somewhat. It is quite dry with an elegant feel, certainly not in your face with fruit intensity. There was a mix of cherry and black fruit.
It proved a good dinner companion all the way until the last delicious bite of the Bananas Foster. For about $20, it was certainly enjoyable, but I kept hoping for more. The promise was there, but it never fully delivered.
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Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 3 of 5
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Thursday, February 21, 2013

World Famous Bordeaux Wine Region Continues To Set High Standards

The wines of Bordeaux can mean the pinnacle of fine wine, or good value, everyday drinking with prices that can go from $10 to a thousand. The amount and variety of Bordeaux wine is staggering. If you could only drink wines from Bordeaux, you would be well satisfied, quenching your thirst with some of the best wines in the world.
The Bordeaux region in western France surrounds the city of Bordeaux and stretches to the Atlantic. There are about 57 appellations (wine regions) within Bordeaux, which is the world’s most famous wine region.
Most red Bordeaux wines are made almost entirely from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with small amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot. The proportions vary in the different appellations. The English call this wine Claret (and you’ll see some US wines using this moniker).
Wines from the Médoc appellation use primarily Cabernet Sauvignon. While those from Pomerol and St. Émilion have larger percentages of Merlot. As a general rule, wines on the left bank of the Gironde (which divides Bordeaux) focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and those on the right bank favor Merlot.
White wine lovers are not forgotten in Bordeaux. Two of the appellations, Graves and Sauternes, are known for their whites. The major white grape varieties used are Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. While Sauternes makes world famous sweet white wine, Graves is known for dry whites. Bordeaux is one of the few regions in the world to blend Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon and age them in oak.
The different quality levels of Bordeaux wines are: Bordeaux (simple drink wines), Region (from one of the 57 regions, e.g. Pomerol) and Region + Chateau. Chateau wines are the products of individual vineyards. They are entitled to have a drawing of the chateau on the label.
Some of the appellations have their own classifications. The term “cru classé” means classed growth. The term “grand cru classé” means great classified growth. Both terms indicate the wine is of a higher quality.
One of the most important events in wine history took place in 1855 in the Médoc region when a wine classification was created. Brokers from the wine industry were asked by emperor Napoleon III to rate the best wines in France for an international exposition. The top wines in Médoc were rated according to price (which at the time was directly related to quality). On this basis, the chateaus were divided into first through fifth growth classifications (or crus). The list can be found here.
The finest Bordeaux can age for a decade or more and be very costly. However, up to 80% of the total production of Bordeaux is priced between $8 and $25 – so there are plenty of opportunities at all price points.
If you haven’t yet expanded your wine map to include Bordeaux, the time has come!

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: February 20-23, 2013

Cabernet Sauvignon grape cluster, shown by DNA...

Cabernet Sauvignon grape cluster, shown by DNA studies to be a cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Wednesday, February 20
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. Eastern European Wine with Tricia Rasar. $15

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Zinful’s top sellers. Nominal fee per sample.
 
Thursday, February 21

059216-yellow-road-sign-icon-food-beverage-food-grapesAndersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Meet Stephano, the Winemaker from Batasiolo. 1. 2011 Gavi, 2. 2007 Barbaresco, 3. 2006 Barolo, 4. 2011 Moscato D’ Asti. $9 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
 
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Pedro Romero Sherry Tasting. $15.

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, February 22
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. Orin Swift F1, 2. Sola Meritage, 3. Chateau des Karantes Rouge, 4. Buena Vista "Founders Count" Red
$15 tasting.

Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Pedro Romero Sherry Tasting. $15.

Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 7 - 9:30 PM. Art of the Vine. Enjoy four wines and light snacks during It’s Friday! at the TMA. This week: African-American owned wineries. Tickets ($15 members/$25 nonmembers, plus tax), are available at the Information Desks.

Saturday, February 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. Orin Swift F1, 2. Sola Meritage, 3. Chateau des Karantes Rouge, 4. Buena Vista "Founders Count" Red
$15 tasting.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 - 5:00 PM. Premium Porto Wine & Chocolate. Nothing works quite so well as a pairing of fine Vintage Port and chocolate. This tasting will feature only the finest authentic Ports - Vintage Port and Aged Tawny Porto - from Portugal. We'll also have an awesome selection of gourmet chocolates to pair with the wines. 'Nuff said.  Premium tasting.

Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 1:00 – 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, February 19, 2013

Wines From Israel Gaining in Quality and Acceptance

This article is written by Juda Engelmayer, an executive at the New York PR firm 5W Public Relations.


Having become somewhat of a wine enthusiast over the years, I have tasted many fine wines from all over the world, and have toured wineries in the United States and abroad in pursuit of a recreational oenophile’s whimsy.  Over the past 20 years or so, the market for kosher wines – don’t laugh – has grown, as post Baby Boomers acquired money and taste, and began seeking finer alternatives to the old style syrupy sweet Malaga and Concorde Grape selections of Kedem and Manischewitz.

My late step-mother loved to tell this story. She went to a local liquor emporium known for its kosher wines, and asked for two gallon-sized bottles of ritual (Kiddush) wine, one Malaga and one Concorde. The owner pulled her over to the side and said, in a low voice, “You know, you don’t need to drink that anymore. We have a large selection of really good kosher wines.”  “I know,” she said, with a tinge of regret. “But my husband loves this stuff.”

That was over 15 years ago, and the “large” selection is now a huge one. In a sense, kosher wines have become ultra-westernized, and along with the fine cars, nice homes, single malt scotches, boutique distilled bourbons and golf outings, kosher baby boomers now collect fine wines.  Fine wine and kosher used to be contradictory terms, but with the rise of so many wonderful vineyards in Israel, the race to produce the best kosher wines soon expanded to Spain, Australia, France, Italy, Chile, Argentina, Australia, New York, California, and every other place non-kosher wines have been made for centuries.

Grapes, like all foods that grow in the ground, are inherently permissible foods, as is the alcohol produced during fermentation. Any wine can be “kosher,” and some kosher consumers accept that they are. A biblical prohibition prohibiting “pagan wine” ceased to be a problem in the first millennium, according to the rabbinic literature of the period, but social contact with non-Jews was an issue, so the ban on “non-kosher” wines continued. “Cooked wine,” on the other hand, was permissible, even during social contact with non-Jews. Thus, “mevushal” (cooked) wines became the standard until only recently.

Why that is so is subject to debate. To get into that debate here is beyond the scope of this article. Besides, it would force me to examine why I can do tequila shots in a dark bar with my non-Jewish friends, but sitting down with them for a sedate dinner with wine is frowned upon.  Needless to say, the cooking process does sound as if it will certainly make any wine taste off as compared to typical non-mevushal wines.

Yet, two important phenomena have occurred in the past two decades: flash pasteurizing, which maintains the essence of the flavor and qualities while super heating the wine; and the growth of wineries in Israel that are controlled and staffed by Orthodox Jews. These developments have allowed for an increased production of non-mevushal wines.

Now, I am good friends with Jose DeMereilles, the owner of and inspiration for the kosher New York bistro, Le Marais. He is not only a master chef, but a wine connoisseur who enjoys traveling around in search of the best. At his restaurant, he has some of the very best mevushal wines (they must be mevushal, because kosher certification agencies insist on it).

In recent years, he has come to know Israeli and Spanish wines of the kosher variety, and now buys them for his own home. He once believed that kosher meat could not taste as good as the non-kosher equivalents he served at Le Marais’ sister eatery, Les Halles, the home of chef Anthony Bourdain.  Then Jose perfected the aging process for Le Marais, and his food now ranks among the best eateries in its class, kosher or non-kosher.  He also remembered a time when kosher wine was undrinkable and unthinkable for non-Jews, but has come to respect greatly the wines made today. That leads to his thought about wine marketing.

When you go to most, if not all, liquor stores that carry kosher wines, the kosher wine is sectioned off, and few real wine lovers will stop in the kosher section. What a grand idea it would be for Israel’s wineries — any kosher winery for that matter — to be displayed in the regional sections alongside their non-kosher peers.

This is where my public relations and marketing background comes into play, alongside my enthusiasm for wines. Kosher wineries now make a bulk of their revenues off the Jewish, and kosher in particular, consumers who enjoy good wines. That Jews are not big drinkers is a myth, but the number of Jews who drink only kosher wines is limited, and that limits market share. Consumers who want to see kosher wine sales really soar and who want to support Israel on a larger scale should work on a campaign to lessen the emphasis on kosher wines and increase the awareness of the regions where they come from.

There are few “Israel” wine sections in wine stores across the United States. There are French, Italian, Spanish, Chilean, New York, and Californian sections, as well as every other country where wine is made.

Yet the Israel sections are found only among the kosher wines, and the kosher wines from every other country are relegated to that small section, as well. Take that section away, market Israel as a wine-producing nation unto itself, and place it among its fellow regions, then put the kosher wines from every other country within its own regional section. Kosher Italian with the Italians, kosher French with the French, and so on.

Kosher wineries such as Tura, Castel, Recanati, Rothschild, Elvi, Capcanes, to name a few, are perfect for the tables and cellars of both connoisseur and high-end restaurant. There is no reason they have to be put in sectioned off in ghettos in the liquor store.

Juda Engelmayer is an executive at the New York PR firm,5W Public Relations.

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Monday, February 18, 2013

Sean Minor 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is a great value for a Napa Cabernet. It’s a good choice for an everyday wine at a price that won’t break the bank.
Sean Minor blends 80% Cabernet, 13% Merlot, 6% Cab Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and the result is smooth drinking. It offers ripe cherry and blackberry flavors. There is also a smattering of roast coffee.
The body is medium and the finish is in the middle range.
This was satisfying, but not mind-blowing. For $15 or less, it doesn’t compete with the higher end Napa Cabs. But Sean Minor 2009 is ready to go for a nice “pop and pour” experience.
Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 3.5 of 5
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Friday, February 15, 2013

Steltzner Vineyards 2009 Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District


Dick Steltzner started his winery in Napa Valley about the same time as Robert Mondavi. He is one of the pioneer winemakers of this famous California wine Mecca.

A few months ago we enjoyed a delicious 2003 Steltzner and so we were anxious to uncork a piece of Napa history. The 2009 Cab was courtesy of tasting team member Cabinator. (This is what happens when our wives go out of town!)

We decanted this while we slipped out to Fat Fish Blue for dinner. The color of this wine is a spectacular black cherry color with ruby highlights.

The wine started out as a bit of a puzzle, with the aroma being a bit closed. I’ve noticed recently that with some wines it takes a sip or two for my palate to get dialed in. That was the case with the ‘09 Steltzner.

As the wine opened, it was a different spectrum than a “pop ‘n pour” Napa Cab, which can be fruity. This skewed toward the plum instead of bright cherry with tobacco and dark mocha swirls.

This is a wine that is distinctive and delicious now, but certainly could age for another five years or more. We’re glad we took the Leap!

Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 3 of 5
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Thursday, February 14, 2013

Strewn 2006 Terroir Cabernet Sauvignon, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA


We bagged this wine on a sojourn to Ontario. Over the weekend we decided it was time to unleash the “terroir.”

An unusual feature of this wine is the low percentage of alcohol. It weighs in at 12.4%, which is in the bantamweight category compared to some of the “big” California Cabs that tip the scales at 14.5%.

The low alcohol content translates into a medium body and a more delicate wine.

Upon first sip, the wine was closed. It began to open up and the warm red fruit flavors became apparent. As we continued to decant the wine, a delicate cherry taste came to the forefront.

The finish on this wine was a bit muted and not very long. As best I can tell, my overall impressions on my tasting notes was “boort.” Guess my handwriting is getting worse, or else that’s French for “it’s a pretty good wine.”

Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 3 of 5 
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: February 13-16, 2013

Tempranillo varietal wine bottle and glass, sh...
Tempranillo varietal wine bottle and glass, showing color Shot with Nikon D70s (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Wednesday, February 13
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Wine and Chocolate Pairings for Valentine's Day: 1. -Seraphicum Toscana Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, 2. Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel, 3. Borgo Maragliano Piemonte Brachetto, 4. Ruffino Moscato D'Asti. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. $15

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Love Wines! Beautiful rose's and reds to set the mood. Nominal fee per sample.
Thursday, February 14

Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Wines that are good for your Heart. 1.2011 KRIS – Pinot Grigio – Italy, 2. 2011 KRIS – Pinot Noir – Italy, 3. 2009 KRIS – Heart Rosso – Red Blend – Italy, 4. 2006 Graham’s – LBV Port – Portugal. $5 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Our Annual Heart of Darkness Tasting. The darkest, boldest, strongest, firmest wines for the heart of winter. 1. Altos de la Hoya Monestrell, Jumilla, Spain, 2. Montus Tennat blend, France, 3. Harmonium, Sicily, 4. Victorino Tempranillo, Toro, Spain, 5. Seghesio Barolo, Italy, 6. Altod La Hormigas Reserve Malbec, Argentina, 7. Niner Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, 8. Clarendon Hills Cabernet, Australia. Nominal fee per sample.

Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Wine, Chocolate and Dessert Wines. $15.

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, February 15
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Valentine's Tasting: 1. Santero Sparkling Moscato Rosé, 2. Beso de Vino, 3. Pasión de Bobal, 4. Alexander Valley "Sin Zin." $10 tasting.
Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Wine, Chocolate and Dessert Wines. $15.
Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 7 - 9:30 PM. Art of the Vine. Enjoy four wines and light snacks during It’s Friday! at the TMA. This week: African-American owned wineries. Tickets ($15 members/$25 nonmembers, plus tax), are available at the Information Desks.
Saturday, February 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. Valentine's Tasting: 1. Santero Sparkling Moscato Rosé, 2. Beso de Vino, 3. Pasión de Bobal, 4. Alexander Valley "Sin Zin." $10 tasting.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 - 5:00 PM. Exploring Piedmont, Italy, with special guest Rachel Nasatir. Join Rachel Nasatir of Grand Cru with a selection of whites and reds from one of Italy's finest - and most enigmatic - wine regions. We'll taste Barolo, Barbaresco, Arneis, Gavi di Gavi, and maybe a few surprises. Nominal fee per sample.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 1:00 – 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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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Exchange Club Schedules Benefit Wine Tasting Feb. 28 At Oliver House

Members of the Exchange Club of Toledo and Maumee will host a wine tasting with paired appetizers at the historic Oliver House in downtown Toledo 6:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday, February 28. The event will benefit their Youth of the Year and Accepting the Challenge of Excellence scholarships.

Both scholarships benefit seniors in high school from our area with monetary scholarships for either being an exceptional student and young citizen or overcoming a life changing obstacle and achieving success. The Exchange Club works with students from the TPS system.

The event promises tasty wines and food pairings in a comfortable, historic downtown setting. There will be several irresistible silent auction items and the company will be just right.  Tickets are $50 per person. For information or tickets, contact Ted Lindsley at (419) 367-8731 or at tedlindsley@gmail.com . All major credit cards accepted.


The Oliver House is located at 27 Broadway St Toledo. At 150 years old, the pre-Civil War hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Oliver House is currently the home of a number of Toledo favorites, including Maumee Bay Brewing Co., Rockwell's Steakhouse, the Toledo Brewing Hall of Fame & Museum and Middle Grounds Market.

Photo Credit: Robert S. Donovan via Compfight cc
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Monday, February 11, 2013

Damilano 2011 Langhe Arneis


Arneis is an ancient grape from the Piedmont region in Italy. It’s name translates to “little rascal.”

This little rascal of a wine is quite tasty. For the adventurous wine lover, it is a welcome departure from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

We picked this bottle up from Middle Ground Market, which is located at the Oliver House in Toledo. This is my third tasting of Arneis, which is not always easy to find, so I opened the bottle with anticipation.

In the glass the Damilano Arneis is a pale golden color. On the nose there is a bit of cut grass. There were small bubbles in the glass, suggesting a bit of effervescence, but it wasn’t apparent when sipping began.

The wine is light to medium in body. There is a steely acidity, but the level of acidity is much lower than a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or a good dry Riesling. For me the flavors hit more of the lower, deeper flavors than I expected. The predominate flavor note was pear.

Stylistically, Green Dragon compared this to a California Sauvignon Blanc. Those wines don’t feature the tangy citrus flavors and the mouthwatering acidity of the New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs.

This Arneis is from the Langhe DOC in foothills of the Italian Alps, but Arneis also has found a home in the Santa Ynez Valley and Russian River Valley in California. The grape performs better in cooler wine regions.

For $22, this is a nice purchase that would do well with a nice seafood dish or pasta with a white sauce.

Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 2.5 of 5
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Friday, February 8, 2013

Inaugural Glass City Wine Festival Scheduled at Seagate Center on March 16

The very first Glass City Wine Festival is scheduled to take place Saturday, March 16, at the Seagate Convention Center, 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo. This new festival is your opportunity to taste regional wines, sample gourmet cheese and fare from local restaurants and shop for unique gifts and household treasures from a large number of local and craft businesses. Plenty of free parking is available.

Tickets are available for two sessions. The day session is 1:00 to 4:00 PM and the evening session is 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The day ticket is $25 and the evening ticket is $30.

For an extra $10, you can get a VIP ticket to either session. This will give you access to the festival an hour earlier (Noon to 4:00 or 5:00 to 9:00 PM). The number of VIP tickets is limited to 200 and at last report only 80 are left.

Additional information about the event and online ticket ordering are available here.
Every ticket holder gets a keepsake wine glass, sampling from all the wineries and vendors. Entertainment is also planned.

Featured wineries include:
Be sure to support this newest addition to the Toledo area wine scene.
Photo Credit: I .. C .. U via Compfight cc
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Thursday, February 7, 2013

Familia Deicas 1er Cru D’Exception 2006 Tannat, Uruguay


The Familia Deicas 1er Cru D’Exception Tannat is a dense, robust heavyweight from South America.

Familia Deicas is a label of the Establecimiento Juanico winery in Uruguay. The winery dates back to the 1800s.

Then owner Don Francisco Juanico broke with traditional farming methods to build an underground cellar, enabling him to make better quality wine due to the cooler conditions.

In 1979 there was a big change when the family headed by Juan Carlos Deicas took over the winery. Since then three generations of the family have worked with passion and innovation to create great wines to share with the world. Juanico is the most technically advanced winery in Uruguay.

In color the wine is an intense violet with black notes. The wine is full of earthiness, chocolate and brown sugar. It’s a darker, firmer palate than Cabernet Sauvignon, but it opened nicely. It has a full body without excessive tannins. While Cab might be a warmed up bowl of cherries, the Familia Deicas is more a mysterious mixture of dark spices and fig.

This is an effort to create a wine in the garagiste style – high quality, limited production wines in an expressive style – sometimes even made in a garage. Familia Deicas grabs your attention with its contrasting flavor profile – so different from the fruity California reds.

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Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 2.5 of 5

Full disclosure: We received this bottle as a marketing sample.
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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: February 6–9, 2013

A collage of several producers who competed in...
A collage of several producers who competed in the historic 1976 Judgement of Paris wine tasting event. From top left clockwise: Stag's Leap Wine Cellars (California) Chateau Montelena (California) Chateau Haut Brion (Bordeaux) Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (Bordeaux) Chateau Montrose (Bordeaux) Chateau Leoville Las Cases (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Wednesday, February 6
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. 1. Tora Bay Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Lucashof Pfalz Riesling, 3. Engine Room Clare Valley Malbec, 4. Engine Room McLaren Vale Shiraz-Cabernet. Flight $6 or nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. Local Wines. $15

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Call me a cab! - our best Cabernets. Nominal fee per sample.
Thursday, February 7

Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Wines that will warm you. 1. 2011 Theo Minges – Muskateller – Tocken – Germany, 2. 2009 Montgras – Bicentennial – Cab Sauv/Carmenere – Chile, 3. 2009 Sola –Meritage – California, 4. NV Graham’s – Six Grapes Reserve Port – Portugal. $5 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. What do you get with a more expensive wine? We are pairing five different grapes with a $5 and $15 bottle so you can discern the difference in the quality and balance or the intensity, extraction, complexity of the flavor and the overall balance when you spend more for a more expensive wine.
Pair1: Covey Run Riesling and Max Richter Riesling, Pair 2: Hacienda Chardonnay and Folie a Deux Chardonnay, Pair 3: Gabbiano Chianti and Piazzono Rio Camerata Chianti, Pair 4: Mont Pellier Pinot Noir and Bear Boat Pinot Noir, Pair 5: Douglass Hill Cabernet and Rodney Strong Cabernet. Nominal fee per pairing.

Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Beautiful Blends wine tasting. $15.

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, February 8
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Wines of Italy: 1. Capestrano Montepulciano d' Abuzzo, 2. Mazzi Valpolicella, 3. Pecchenino San Luigi Dolcetto, 4. Colli Lapio Aglianico. $15 tasting.
Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Beautiful Blends wine tasting. $15.
Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 7 - 9:30 PM. Art of the Vine. Enjoy four wines and light snacks during It’s Friday! at the TMA. This week: African-American owned wineries. Tickets ($15 members/$25 nonmembers, plus tax), are available at the Information Desks.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 4:30 – 7:30 PM. Special Valentines Day Tasting: Wines for Wine Lovers and their Sweethearts. Featured are 10 wines from California, Argentina, France, Germany and Italy including a French Brut Rose Champagne. Cheese and noshes by Dave and Music by Richard Everhardt. Prices per taste will be mostly $1.
Saturday, February 9
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Wines of Italy: 1. Capestrano Montepulciano d' Abuzzo, 2. Mazzi Valpolicella, 3. Pecchenino San Luigi Dolcetto, 4. Colli Lapio Aglianico. $15 tasting.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 - 5:00 PM. Family Feud – Wine Tasting Edition. Cissie Schnoering and her daughter Melissa Crockett are both wholesale Wine Distributors. However, they work for competing companies. At this wine tasting, both women will select the finest wines from their respective portfolio to be tasted in competition. You'll vote and decide the winner! This should be a great time. Premium tasting.
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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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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