Friday, March 29, 2013

Tickets Available For April 25 Friends of Ahava Benefit Wine Tasting

The Cherished Friends of Ahava wine tasting will be held 6:00 to 8:00 PM April 25, 2013, at the Toledo Club, 235 14th St., Toledo. This fabulous event benefits the Cherished Friends of Ahava and its non-profit special guests program.
Through the program, more than 800 men and women undergoing cancer treatment have enjoyed a day of pampering and relaxation at the Ahava Spa and Wellness Center at no charge. The program caters to those who are newly diagnosed or currently in treatment for cancer.
Attendees can sample more than 50 wines, appetizers, and desserts. A silent auction is part of the fun. The cost is $45 per person and $55 per person for the reserve tasting. For tickets and details call (419) 241-5877.
Photo by Claudio Matsuako
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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Pair of Tastings Highlight Island Wines and Wines You’ve Never Heard Of

Tricia Rasar and Bowling Green Beverage have announced two upcoming wine tastings sure to tickle the fancy of wine lovers.
On Tuesday, April 2,  at 6:00 PM, the Byrnes Heatherdowns Business Association is hosting an "Island Get Away Tasting" at Capers Pizza Bar, S. Byrne Rd, (419) 389-9900 . Cost is 25$ per person and includes food and wines from the islands and Peninsulas of the Great Lakes. Wineries include L. Mawby of the Leelenau Peninsula, Heinemans winery on Put-n-Bay, and Pelee Island Winery. Reservations are recommended.
The second event is at Zinful Wine Bar and Restaurant, Dutch Rd. Waterville (419) 878-9463 on Wednesday, April 10,  at 6:00 PM.The theme is "the best wines you have never heard of.” Prepare to explore grape varieties and growing areas of Europe that are rare gems!
Photo by R.L. Hyde
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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: March 27-30, 2013

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Wednesday, March 27
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Ken's Farewell Tasting: 1. Domaine Talmard Macon-Chardonnay,  2. Fagus De Coto de Hayas Garnacha, 3. Mother's Ruin Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Viking Blod. $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. Easter Wine Dinner. Call for cost and information.
Thursday, March 28

Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Non-Chardonnay Easter Wines. 1. 2009 Anne Amie - Cuvee A - Muller-Thurgau – Oregon; 2. 2011 The Furst – Pinot Blanc – Alsace, France; 3. 2011 Lahnhof – Sauvignon Blanc – Italy; 4. 2011 Chateau Roubine – Cotes de Provence - Rose – France. Only $6 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Marvelous Merlots: 1. Masaga, Lodi, California; 2. Candor, Central Coast, California; 3. Decoy, Sonoma County, California; 4. Charles Krug, Napa Valley, California; 5. Weinart, Mendoza, Argentina; 6. Chateau Saint-Andre Corbin, Saint Emillion, Bordeaux, France; 7. Pine Ridge Crimson Creek, Napa Valley, California; 8. Sant' Elena Ros di Rol, Italy. Nominal fee per sample.
Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Easter Friendly 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, March 29
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Easter Wines: 1. Furst Gewürztraminer, 2. Richter Estate Riesling, 3. Rosé des Karantes, 4. Fritz Windisch Dornfelder. $10 tasting.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 5:00 – 7:30 PM. Whites: 1. Gott Sauvignon Blanc (California), 2. Merk Pinot Grigio (Italy), 3. Domaine Delsol Picpoul Pinet (France), 4. La Forcine Vouvray (France),  and 5. Erbacher Riesling (Germany).
Reds: 1. Parker Station Pinot Noir (California), 2. Lucignano Chianti Colli Fiorentini (Italy), 3. Chateau Davril Bordeaux (France), 4. Columbia Crest Les Chevaux Heaven Hills Red Blend (Washington), and 5. Raymond North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Most samples $1.
Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Easter Friendly Wines. $15.

Saturday, 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. Easter Wines: 1. Furst Gewürztraminer, 2. Richter Estate Riesling, 3. Rosé des Karantes, 4. Fritz Windisch Dornfelder. $10 tasting.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 - 5:00 PM. Customer Appreciation Day. If you've never been to a 'Customer Appreciation Day,' you don't know what you are missing. Whether is the awesome wines you'll taste or the incredible discounts you'll receive or the wild fun you'll have -- you will come out of this wine tasting feeling truly appreciated.. 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, March 26, 2013

Bridlewood Estate Winery 2009 Syrah, Central Coast


A recent trip to Zia’s Italian restaurant at the Docks in Toledo called for a nice red to go with pasta. Our pick was a 2009 Bridlewood Syrah.
We had visited the Bridlewood winery last year. We were as impressed with their wines as with the gorgeous grounds and tasting room.
This bottle was a great bargain at just $26. It’s tough to get a nice bottle off a restaurant wine list at that price.
The Syrah was smooth with raspberry and blackberry fruit up front.The tannins were light in this medium to full bodied red. This is a very expressive wine for its price point.
Pairing this with pasta was spot on. As we enjoyed the sights and smells of this Italian restaurant our entrees disappeared and the carafe slowly sank to empty.
Bridlewood wines are a great choice at the value, middle or high ends of the price spectrum. The complexity grows as the prices increase, but there is a bottle for every palate.
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Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 4 of 5
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Monday, March 25, 2013

Dry Creek Vineyard 2010 Heritage Zinfandel, Sonoma County


Dry Creek Vineyard’s Heritage Zinfandel began as an experiment more than three decades ago. The verdict is in and the experiment is a tasty success.
Heritage Zin began as an experimental project in 1982 to preserve the heritage of very old Zinfandel vineyards. Cuttings from a pre-Prohibition vineyard in Dry Creek Valley were grafted onto disease resistant rootstock. Finally in 1997 the process concluded with a “young vine” that displayed “old vine” Zinfandel characteristics.
The wine was released in 1997 as Heritage Clone Zinfandel. Later the controversial term “clone” was dropped. Today the wine is a beautiful blend of 88% Zinfandel and 12% Petite Sirah that spends 14 months in French, American and Hungarian oak. The average vine age is 30 years.
For us, old vine Zinfandel conjures up images of gnarly old roots producing a few struggling grapes which have delightfully concentrated flavors. This wine delivers that smooth side of Zinfandel with panache.
There is a mixed berry aroma and on the palate there are layers of black cherry, currant and some earthiness. The wine has 13.5% alcohol, which is about a point less than the “big” California reds. This leads to a great balance. The finish is mouthwatering and satisfying.
Dry Creek Vineyard, a pioneering winery in Northern Sonoma, is undergoing a bit of a Zinfandel renaissance. They currently offer the Heritage Zinfandel, Old Vine Zinfandel, Somers Ranch Zinfandel, Beeson Ranch Zinfandel, Spencer’s Hill Zinfandel and even a Late Harvest Zinfandel.
Heritage Zin is a delicious bottle that retails for $19 and is a good choice for an after dinner drink or for a special occasion.
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Full Disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.
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Friday, March 22, 2013

Glass City Wine Festival Shines In Debut Event


The inaugural Glass City Wine Festival kicked off its inaugural event in a big way, drawing thousands to Toledo’s Seagate Center on March 16. Eleven Ohio wineries and 22 vendors were featured at the festival which seems like a sure bet to return next year.

Our party of four arrived shortly before doors opened at 6:00 and lines were already forming to get in. It was obvious from the start that this was a very well run event, with a nicely printed program and scores of workers outfitted in matching Glass City Wine Festival shirts.

Upon entry we headed toward the back of the hall and settled in at the Hillside Winery table. We sampled their Marechal Foch, a grape that isn’t often
seen, but we’ve grown to love. At each winery booth, our tasting cards were marked or punched to keep track of our samples. Based on the number of spaces on the card, we could have up to 50 tastes (don’t worry, we never made it that far!).

The festival had a great array of vendors such as Copper Moon Studio Gallery, Maumee Valley Chocolate & Candy and Rachel Michael’s Gourmet Popcorn. We met Nick Kubiak at one of the first booths. His Bordo Tasters Tablet, which provides a way to hold your wine glass while you conveniently take notes, was indispensible during the festival.

Aside from the ability to taste so many Ohio wineries under one roof, the greatest feature of the event was the food – most of it free. We enjoyed crepes from Toppers Ice Cream/Crepe Creations and noshed on food from Final Cut Steak & Seafood and Beirut.

After Hillside we visited Firelands for some of their 2010 Cabernet. Our only regret is that they were sold out of their Gewurztraminer. We also were able to visit Klingshirn Winery and Mon Ami Historic Winery.

Our final stop, and our favorite, was Emerine Estates Winery. Jason Emerine was serving up the wine and entertainment. We sampled the enigmatically named “Wine” wine. This is a 100% all natural Pinot Noir that is hand-picked and pressed. It is finished in oak barrels and was a hit with us all.

The bell-ringer for us was the Seduction wine from Emerine. This is 100% Pinot Noir plus coffee. The blend is exotic and the aging in oak barrels gives this a robust body and hearty flavor.

The Glass City Wine Festival benefits Therapy Dogs United of Erie, PA, and was sponsored by Lilly Broadcasting LLC, a privately owned broadcasting company, and by Therapy Dogs United. Sponsorship for the event looked very strong and the crowd was enthusiastic.

If there was a downside to the event, it was its popularity! The hall soon became crowded with reveling wine lovers and the lines grew. Immediately after grabbing a glass of wine, we had to head to the next line.

There are also some favorite Ohio wineries we’d love to see be part of the festival, such as Ferrante, Vermillion Valley and Laurello.

Way to go Glass City Wine Festival! Welcome to Toledo. We’ll plan on seeing you again next year.
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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Collezione di Paolo Bianco 2011 Vergine Valdichiana Toscana IGT


Valdichiana is a appellation within the famed Italian wine growing region of Tuscany. The area covers the land east and west of Chiani river.
The Bianco (white) wine of the region is required to have at least 20% of Italy’s favorite white grape: Trebbiano. This wine was created by winemaker Paolo Masi in an effort to create a “white Chianti.”
I was unable to pinpoint the exact blend for this wine, but the 2009 vintage blended Trebbiano, Malvasia and Chardonnay. It all sounds rather awesome – but the taste left us flat.
This is a fresh wine with citrus notes, but not a great depth of body or flavor. The finish is rather weak as well. As it opened in the glass the flavor improved somewhat, but this is an Italian without true passion.
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Rating: 2 of 5  Value: 2 of 5
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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

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

A glass of Chardonnay. Thomas Jefferson's Rotu...
A glass of Chardonnay. Thomas Jefferson's Rotunda is reflected in the wine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Wednesday, March 20
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. 1. Dragone Lento, 2. The Blonde Bombshell, 3. Main Street Pinot Noir, 4. Mi Terruno Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. $7 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. ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) White Wine Tasting . Nominal fee per sample.
Thursday, March 21

Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Non-Chardonnay Easter Wines. 1. 2009 Anne Amie - Cuvee A - Muller-Thurgau – Oregon; 2. 2011 The Furst – Pinot Blanc – Alsace, France; 3. 2011 Lahnhof – Sauvignon Blanc – Italy; 4. 2011 Chateau Roubine – Cotes de Provence - Rose – France. Only $6 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Iconic California Wineries Series: Rombauer & Jordan. 1. J Sparkling Wine, 2. Rombauer Chardonnay, 3. Jordan Chardonnay, 4. Rombauer Merlot, 5. Rombauer Zinfandel, 6. Rombauer Cabernet, 7. Jordan Cabernet. Nominal fee per sample.
Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. McManis Family Vineyards 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, March 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. Spring Whites: 1. Burgans Albarino, 2. Mer Soleil Unoaked Chardonnay, 3. Monmousseau Vouvray, 4. Montaribaldi Moscato d'Asti. $10 tasting.
Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. McManis Family Vineyards Wine Tasting. $15.

Saturday, 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. Spring Whites: 1. Burgans Albarino, 2. Mer Soleil Unoaked Chardonnay, 3. Monmousseau Vouvray, 4. Montaribaldi Moscato d'Asti. $10 tasting.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 - 5:00 PM. Priorat and Other Cutting Edge Spanish Wines with special guest Mark Maher. Priorat is a rugged dangerous hillside south of Barcelona, Spain. It is a place of men and mules and brutal winds. It is also the home to very old vines that produce one the most powerful, complex, and intriguing red wines in the world. 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, March 19, 2013

Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery: Michigan Winery Visit

Sometimes the pot of gold isn’t at the end of a rainbow, but a bumpy dirt road. We found that to be the case during a recent trip to Ann Arbor. On the way home we decided to make a detour and visit Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery, 3402 Chase Road, Adrian, MI, the newest stop on the Pioneer Wine Trail.

The winery, which opened in 2011, is a family operation. Father Bob Utter is the founder and winemaker and when we visited, we were greeted by Jeff Utter, the winemaker in training.

In 2005 the first vines were planted and now the vineyards boast 13 different varieties. They have a great spectrum of wines. While it isn’t unusual to have hybrid grapes in Michigan and Ohio, I don’t recall visiting one that offers single varietal Frontenac and Marquette or blends with St. Croix, Sabrevois, La Crosse, St. Pepin and Brianna.

We opened with the Noiret, a dry peppery red and the only wine on their list that isn’t wholly made from Michigan grapes. This is a light bodied wine that is their most popular seller.

A hybrid grape that really seems to thrive in Michigan is Chancellor. The 2010 Flying Otter Chancellor is deep red in color and is fruit forward with plum and berry flavors.

Marquette is a hybrid grape developed at the University of Minnesota and it thrives in cold weather. It is a distant relative of Pinot Noir. The 2011 Estate Marquette is tasty with dark berry and spice flavors.

My favorite red was the 106 estate wine. This is a field blend from Row 106 of the vineyard. All of the grapes in the row are harvested together including Frontenac, St. Croix and Sabrevois. This is dry with a pleasing tartness.

Perhaps their most robust red is the 2011 Estate Frontenac. This would be a good choice for your grilled steak entrée.

On the white side, Flying Otter offers four different wines. Our favorite was the 2011 Sunshine, an estate blend of Frontenac Gris, La Crosse, La Crescent, St. Pepin and Brianna. This is an off-dry white (residual sugar about 0.5%). This is a crisp summer white perfect for sipping on a hot day.

Also worthy of note is Northern Lights, a blend of Chardonel and Traminette grapes. This is semi-dry and another good sipper.

The surprise of the day? The Cherry Pie is a blend of grapes plus Montmorency cherries. The tartness of the cherries provides a real zing and it is indeed like cherry pie in a bottle.

Jeff also shared a work in progress, from an unlabeled beaker he poured us a glass of white wine and challenged us to guess. Green Dragon was the winner. She guessed “apple pie,” and so it was. This is a blend of Vidal grapes and cinnamon and nutmeg flavors to deliver yet another pleasing “piece of pie in a glass.”

Our visit to Flying Otter was on a frosty winter day, but in spring or summer, you can enjoy your wine in the gazebo in the midst of the vineyard while enjoying live music. And in case you are curious, the name Flying Otter combines Bob Utter’s love of flying and the family name (Utter is Swedish for Otter).

The wines of Flying Otter are unique and worth the scenic drive to their tasting room. Make it part of your next flight plan.

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Monday, March 18, 2013

Domaine Charbonnier 2010 Cȏt, Touraine, Loire Valley


We are huge Malbec fans and typically that means a bottle from Argentina, which hangs its hat on bold, fruit-forward wines. When I saw an online deal for three bottles of this French Malbec, with free shipping, I just had to satisfy my curiosity.

Green Dragon and I had guests coming over to enjoy a glass of wine before heading out to dinner. I told her we would be serving Cȏt and she didn’t know what to think. When our guests arrived I let her in on the secret: Cȏt is actually the name used in some parts of France for Malbec.

The Loire Valley is the third most important wine region in France (behind Bordeaux and Burgundy). Its wines have a great harmony reflecting the mild climate and rich terroir. This wine is from the Touraine appellation where the primary red grape is Gamay.

This is a light, accessible wine – much more subtle than the juicy South American Malbecs. It’s very light in tannins and like most wines from the Loire region, it is intended to drink within two years of bottling.

Flavor notes of cranberry mingle with light herbal undertones. The body is medium to light and the finish is smooth. This is an easy drinking wine but with some jazziness.

I snagged three bottles for $40, so it’s quite a value. This is a tasty Loire red and a recommended bottle for Malbec fans.

Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 5 of 5

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Friday, March 15, 2013

New Mexico Winery Visit: Casa Rondeña


The high desert of New Mexico is becoming known for something other than hot peppers and adobe architecture. Fine wine is burgeoning in the area and the leader in the state is Casa Rondeña Winery.

John Calvin is the owner and winemaker and a bit of a renaissance man. His interests focus on music, architecture and wine. During a recent conference in Albuquerque, I took advantage of a tour of this fascinating winery.

The 350 days of sunshine and low humidity make New Mexico ideal for producing high quality dry red wines, although some finesse is needed to adapt to the unique conditions. John pointed out a
surprising fact: the first vinifera grape vines in North America were grown in New Mexico in 1629 by Spanish monks.

The trip would have been worth it for the architecture alone. The winery features a soaring bell tower and a great hall with cathedral ceilings and Indian-carved sandstone shaded windows. Casa Rondeña is a top quality operation in every regard.

Our group toured the tank room and the grounds and finally settled in for a tasting in the 1629 Club. Our first wine was an elegant 2012 Viognier that is cold fermented and has a touch (0.4% RS) of sweetness. It has beautiful tropical flavor notes.

Next up was the 2010 La Sobrina’s Table, a blend of Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a soft and fruity summer red.

The 2008 Meritage blends Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a dash of Petit Verdot. This is a delicious wine that displays complexity with flavor notes of blackberry and vanilla and a nice long finish.

Cab Franc was what convinced John and his family that they wanted to make wine for a living. The grape grows well in New Mexico. It has a beautiful dirty barnyard aroma and dark cherry flavor mingles with the earthiness. Only 440 cases of the 2009 Cab Franc were bottled and it is a splendid wine.

The flagship of Casa Rondeña is the 1629. This “numerical” wine is 50% deep, dark Syrah, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% peppery Tempranillo. This is a bold wine that displays the very best of New Mexico winemaking. It can stand tall with any red wine in North America. It retails for $39 and has a limited production of 600 cases.

It’s only taken 384 years, but it looks like the time is right for New Mexico wine to step into the spotlight. With outstanding wine such as those being produced at Casa Rondeña, it won’t be a secret very much longer.

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

Château Ollieux Romanis 2008 Cuvée Classique, Corbières

We had been dying to get back to the Registry Bistro for many months. The restaurant in downtown Toledo specializes in eclectic American cuisine and is located in the former Secor Hotel, constructed between 1906 and 1908.

The interior is chic and sophisticated with massive concrete pillars and industrial accents. Of course the cuisine is superb, under the orchestration of Chef Erika Rapp.

The wine list for Registry is small but mighty. While other restaurants may have more wines from which to choose, Registry offers a well crafted list that covers the world quite well. It will bring a smile to the face of any wine lover.

Our entrees ranged from pot pies to beef to seafood. Our dinner group was decidedly red – so I selected the 2008 Chateau Ollieux Romanis Cuvée Classique.

The Cuvée Classique is a blend featuring the Carignan grape. Carignan is a trademark grape of  Corbières, a region in Languedoc-Roussillon, France, close to the Mediterranean Ocean. A typical blend will include Carignan, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre.

The wine has a unique flavor profile with flavor notes of candied raspberries and blueberries. At first quaff, there was a slight medicinal flavor that faded into the blend. The body is rich and creamy.

Cuvée Classique is a versatile food wine and an ideal pick for the adventurous wine lover.

Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 3 of 5

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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

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

South River Vineyard (winery)
South River Vineyard (winery) (Photo credit: kuddlyteddybear2004)
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Wednesday, March 13
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. 1. Trivento "Golden Reserve" Chardonnay, 2. Cocobon, 3. Aranwa Reserve Malbec, 4. 1805 Cabernet Sauvignon. $6 per flight or nominal fee per sample.

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

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Jiggs dinner wine tasting. Nominal fee per sample.
Thursday, March 14

Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Try Something New: 1. 2011 Gysler – Silvaner halbtrocken – Germany, 2. 2009 Clos Du Val – Pinot Noir – Napa Valley, California, 3. 2010 Donati – Claret – Paicines, California, 4. 2007 Donati – Cabernet Sauvignon – Paicines, California. $5.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Our Annual Wine and Meatloaf Night, featuring meatloaves from the House of Meats. (Special one night only, $1 off coupon for any House of Meats meatloaf.) Since meatloaf is an inexpensive blend, all our wines tonight are inexpensive blends. 1. Domaine de Pouy, 2. Lunatic White, 3. David Girard Coda Blanc, 4. The Big Woop, 5. Periano, The Other, 6. Laposta Tinto, 7. Dalliance, 8. Cryptic. Nominal fee per sample.
Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Mead 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, March 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. St. Pats Green Labeled Wines: 1. Hugl Weine Gruner Veltliner, 2. Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc, 3. Monte Volpe Sangiovese, 4. McManis Cabernet Sauvignon. $10 tasting.
Middle Ground Market at The Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Mead 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: Italian Grand Tour. Tickets ($15 members/$25 nonmembers, plus tax), are available at the information desks.

Saturday, March 16
* SPECIAL EVENT * Glass City Wine Festival, Seagate Convention Center, 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo. Day session 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Evening session is 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The day ticket is $25 and the evening ticket is $30. VIP ticket to either session is an additional $10. Additional information about the event and online ticket ordering are available here.
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. Pats Green Labeled Wines: 1. Hugl Weine Gruner Veltliner, 2. Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc, 3. Monte Volpe Sangiovese, 4. McManis Cabernet Sauvignon. $10 tasting.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 - 5:00 PM. Neil Rosenthal Wine Merchant – Ohio Premiere with Special Guest Jim Krusiniski. Neil Rosenthal has been one of the leading importers of European wines for the last few decades. He has specialized in small artisan producers that use traditional winemaking methods. Unfortunately, his wines have not been available in Ohio....until now! We will taste a selection of his Italian and French portfolios. All of these wines are available in Ohio only because of Walt Churchill's Market and this wine tasting. 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, March 12, 2013

African Passion 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape

At the southern tip of the African continent, where two oceans meet, lies a great center of international winemaking. South Africa today is a peaceful democracy with a winemaking tradition that dates back more than three centuries.
The African Passion line of wines by KWV debuted this year with eight different varieties.When you purchase a bottle, 10% of the proceeds benefit TransAfrica Forum (www.transafrica.org), the oldest and largest African-American human rights and social justice advocacy organization.
The Western Cape of South Africa is the southernmost region of the continent and has a Mediterranean type climate and diverse soils. South Africa is known for great white wines, especially Chenin Blanc, so we were anxious to open this bottle.
The wine has a screw top closure and is a light gold in the glass. The aroma is grassy and slightly floral. On the palate the wine is light in body with a bit of mineral acidity. The wine has flavor notes of tropical fruit and a slight pop of sweetness – enough for Green Dragon to call it off dry. There is a bit of mouthwatering acidity
In terms of winemaking style, South Africa has one foot in the Old World and one in the New. This wine has more finesse and less of the tanginess you’ll find in the New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs.
This is an enjoyable sipper that would do well chilled on its own or perhaps with a green salad.
Full Disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.
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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Five Star Cellars 2009 Supernova Red Blend, Walla Walla Valley

The recent Exchange Club of Toledo wine tasting at the Oliver House was a great success, raising money for the group's scholarship program and giving wine lovers a chance to sample some great wine in a cool setting.
The Thief wines from Washington State were a tasty treat and the Obsidian Ridge from Napa was a great culmination to the tasting lineup. But after tasting through the lineup, we still had a thirst for more.
Luckily the Middle Ground Market is located in the Oliver House, a quick elevator ride from the Historic Lobby where the tasting was held. The wines for the tasting came from the Market and so manager Matt Snyder let it be known that we could purchase bottles and bring them to the tasting with no corkage fee. I was all over that! I swooped downstairs and purchased the 2009 Supernova Red from one of our favorite Washington wineries, Five Star Cellars.
Tasting team member Cabernetor had organized the tasting and had been working pretty hard. I poured him a glass of the Supernova to celebrate.
This is a blend of 55% Petit Verdot, 45% Cabernet Franc from the Frazier Bluff and Seven Hills vineyards respectively. I ‘m starting to appreciate Petit Verdot as a grape that can make its own statement, as opposed to being a 4% or 5% addition to a blend. Of course, Cab Franc is one of my favorite grapes. The partnership is quite heavenly.
Velvety smooth, the Supernova is medium body with a rich, ripe taste. The taste is of dark, concentrated blueberries with sprinklings of caramel. The wine is bold and energetic and while well structured, has no harsh tannins.
It retails for $38 and delivers at this price point and beyond. Five Star Cellars is a savvy pick for outstanding Washington wine and Supernova is truly a star in their constellation.
Rating: 5 of 5  Value: 3.5 of 5
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Friday, March 8, 2013

Cantele 2008 Salice Salentino Riserva

The recent Exchange Club of Toledo wine tasting at the Oliver House featured many fine wines, but perhaps the most unique was the Cantele 2008 Salice Salentino Riserva. Cantele winery is in the Apulian peninsula, which is in the “heel” of the Italian “boot.”

The wine is made from 85% Negroamaro, 15% Malvasia Nera grapes. That alone is enough to pique the interest. To my knowledge, I’ve never tasted Negroamaro before.  The wine is very aromatic with odors of spices and tea apparent.

Upon sipping, this wine has flavors of candied red fruit and wood brambles.  Malolactic fermentation is used to give this wine a nice soft texture. The wine is aged for six months in small oak barriques.

Salice Salentino is low in cost (about $12), but high in unique flavor. It will pair well with a pepperoni pizza, beef or lamb.  Rating: 3 of 5, Value: 4 of 5

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