Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: July 31 - August 3, 2013

English: Part of the Justin Winery vineyard in...
Part of the Justin Winery vineyard in Paso Robles, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Wednesday, July 31
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. 1. Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc, 2. Portal Mural Reserva, 3. Coto de Hayas Carnacha Centenaria, 4. Don Simon Sangria. Nominal fee per sample or $7 flight.
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. $15.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000, 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Exotic White Wines from Around the World… with Wine Consultant Joe Mosier. Nominal fee per sample.

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Thursday, August 1
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. How about some wonderful "newbies?" 1. Mont Gravet – Columbard – France, 2. Chateau Respide-Medeville – White Bordeaux – France, 3. Pecchenino – San Luigi Dogliani (Dolchetto) – Italy, 4. Villalta – Valpolicella – Ripasso – Italy. 
$5 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Carnival of the Animal Named Wines. 1. Salmon Run Chardonnay Riesling, Finger Lakes, New York; 2. Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand; 3.
Goats do Roam, South Africa; 4. Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir, Willamette, Valley Oregon; 5. Monkey Business Cabernet, California; 6. Wild Hog Zinfandel, Sonoma Coast, California; 7. Paraduxx Red, Napa; 8. Petite Petite Sirah (Hippo), Lodi California. Nominal fee per sample.
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.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 1:00 – 5:00 PM. Riesling a Tour of Germany: 1. Dr.Loosen Riesling, 2. Richter Estate, 3. Donnhoff Kabinet, 4. Carl Schmidt Wagner Spatlese, 5. Merkelbach Auslese. $10 per flight.

Friday, August 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. European Wine Tour: 1. Wolf Pinot Gris, 2. Vina Eguia Rioja Reserva Tinto, 3. Tommasi "Rompicollo" Rouge, 4. Chateau de Saint Cosme "Les Deux Albion" Rouge. $15 per flight.

Saturday, August 3
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. European Wine Tour: 1. Wolf Pinot Gris, 2. Vina Eguia Rioja Reserva Tinto, 3. Tommasi "Rompicollo" Rouge, 4. Chateau de Saint Cosme "Les Deux Albion" Rouge. $15 per flight.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 - 5:00 PM. Wine Tasting – with Wine Manager Austin Beeman. 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, July 30, 2013

Henri Poiron 2007 Vin de Pays Domaine des Quatre Routes, Loire Valley


This is an uninspiring wine that cost me just a few bucks but gave me a wealth of lessons learned. Sometimes I need that.
I bagged this wine during a clearance at The Andersons. This annual sale after the big holiday season can be the equivalent of Black Friday for the wine lover – great wines at bargain basement prices.
This was purchased a couple years ago. Even then, the 2007 vintage gave me a little bit of pause.
For whatever reason this bottle continued to sit in my cellar adding aging it clearly didn’t need. It wasn’t opened until I decided it was now or never – and that was three years after its prime drinking window.
The wine itself is a Cab Franc from the Loire Valley and it came across very flat and simple with a heavy dose of green pepper. What it failed to deliver in flavor, though, it delivered in nuggets of knowledge:
  • The Loire Valley produces great wines, but they are designed to drink young (within three years of vintage).
  • The Vin de Pays (country wine) is a cool designation for French wines that don’t qualify for the top (AOC) designation, but are better than those classified as table wine. They can carry a regional designation and are subject to some quality testing.
  • The cheaper the wine (I paid $6 for this bargain) the less the aging potential.
  • Keep a close eye on the drinking window of your wines.
My new strategy is to aim higher pricewise during these closeout sales. Whereas before I would pack a case with interesting wines being closed out in the $10 to $15 range, I now look for wines in the $30 range that are marked down to the $20 range. I’m content with fewer bottles of higher quality.
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Monday, July 29, 2013

Volcano Winery: Hawai’i Winery Visit

When we set off for Hawaii a couple weeks ago, the last thing we expected was to be visiting a winery. I had a business meeting in Honolulu and we tagged on a few vacation days to go to the Big Island of Hawai’i.

At the Kona airport I noticed a winery brochure and tossed it into our car. We were staying at a couple vacation rentals and I later glanced at the brochure and noticed that Volcano Winery was very close to our lodging. That’s how we came to visit America’s southernmost winery.

The winery is unique (of course it is, it’s in Hawai’i!) in that most of its wines are estate grown, something you wouldn't expect in that location. It isn’t just a tourist destination – they are focused on winemaking.

The history of the winery go back to 1986 when “Doc” McKinney, a retired Oahu veterinarian selected the site in the town of Volcano for its unusual climate. It is located above 4,000 feet and is just a few miles from the dormant Kilauea volcano and Volcano National Park. He planted Symphony grapes, a white hybrid from California of which I happen to be a fan.

Doors to the winery opened in 1993. Six years later the winery was purchased by Del and Marie Bothof, who planned to retire to Hawaii and love wine. Two years ago they fully retired and moved to Hawai'i to oversee the operation.

I was excited to see rows of grapes outside the tasting room as we pulled up. Shortly after we were inside the tasting room preparing to quench our thirst.

The first wine we tried was Symphony Dry. Symphony is not a common wine and it is one of my favorite “offbeat” whites. This is their driest wine and features nice peach and apricot flavors with a nice acidic bite. This is best chilled.


Next up was another surprise – the 2010 Estate Pinot Noir. Estate Pinot in Hawai'i, you ask? Yes, it is a variety that thrives in the winery’s environment, which has a high elevation, wide temperature swings and much cooler weather than you might expect in Hawai’i. Only 399 bottles were produced and this had a lovely cherry flavor with oak accents.

The Volcano Red is a medium bodied wine with a surprise – it features red and white grapes blended with jaboticaba, a fruit related to guava. This was very tasty.

Symphony Mele is another 100% Symphony wine, but is finished sweeter. We followed this with Volcano Blush, which pairs imported Pinot Grigio grapes with jaboticaba. This is a crazy version of a blush wine, but it works. It features the aroma and taste of coffee but is also list, sweet and refreshing.

Also on our tasting menu was Hawaiian Guava-Grape, which pairs Symphony with whole fruit guava and goes well with Hawai’ian food. Another unique wine is the Macadamia Nut Honey, made with 100% pure Hawai’ian macadamia nut honey. We tried this mead two ways, warm (to make it more like sake) and chilled.


The most unusual wine was Infusion, which is a combination of estate grown tea infused with the macadamia nut honey mead. The resulting taste is of sweet iced tea.

Following our tasting and a brief chat with Marie, Del led me on a tour of the vineyard. In addition to the Symphony and Pinot Noir grapes, he showed me the tea plants and Koa trees, which are revered by Hawai’ians.

One of the most surprising comments was that he was beginning to plant Cayuga White, a variety popular in our home state of Ohio, especially around Lake Erie. I couldn’t understand how a wine flourishing in the climate of Ohio could flourish in Hawai’i.

Del explained that the high altitude results in some cool temperatures and the soil is very thin – it cools off quickly. Cayuga has proved to be an unusual, but very suitable grape for his vineyard. If winemakers think they have it hard, consider Del’s situation. In order to plant more vines, they have to break through solidified lava in order to plant!

On the upside, Del’s vineyard features an open lava tube. He plans to have it checked by an engineer and potentially convert it into a wine cave for cellaring wine and doing special tastings. Now that would be a mountaintop experience. This is part of their plan to fully develop the operation into a destination winery.

On the Big Island we discovered volcanoes, lava galore, rugged coastlines and the very first official winery in Hawai’i. As the
southernmost winery in America and one that is in the middle of an old lava field – this should be on the bucket list for wine lovers.

It offers an unparalleled setting, fine wines and friendly people.

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Friday, July 26, 2013

Au Bon Climat 2010 XXX Anniversary Chardonay, Nuits-Blanches au Bouge, Santa Maria Valley

This tasty Chardonnay was a feature wine for the International Wine of the Month Club in May. It is the special anniversary cuvee from Au Bon Climat, which has a reputation for producing finely crafted French varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The XXX (wasn’t that a movie starring Vin Diesel?) is a combination of two Au Bon Climat styles of Chardonnay: the fully oaked Nuits Blanches and the more subtle, elegant Le Bouge. The combination hits the mark and results in a “Super Chard.”
In the glass it is pale yellow with medium body and delightful creaminess. The oaking (18 months in new French barrels) is certainly pervasive, but not overbearing. As one who prefers a refined Chablis over a “liquid tree” I found the XXX to be right on target. Flavor notes include subdued lemon, toast and bright melon.
This wine could be ideal for sushi, fish or chicken entrees or even pork. It is a pleasingly complex wine that will appeal to Chardonnay connoisseurs or anyone who appreciates a finely crafted wine.
The wine retails for about $40 and can age comfortably for several years. I can hardly wait for XL!
Full Disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.
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Thursday, July 25, 2013

Dry Creek Vineyard 2009 The Mariner, Dry Creek Valley

The Mariner is a pretty fearless dude. The label of this Dry Creek Vineyard Meritage shows an old salt with a sporty moustache bravely steering the ship’s wheel while waves threaten to overwhelm him.
Sail on, brave captain. At the end of your voyage you might be lucky enough to get a bottle of this righteous wine!
The Mariner is a premium Bordeaux-style blend with 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The grapes are grown in red, iron-rich soil and the wine is aged for 24 months in French oak.
Fans of single vineyard wines should take a big sip of The Mariner. If you have a single vineyard Cabernet, for example, you miss the magic that the winemaker’s expertise in blending can impart. This proprietary blend debuted in 2004 and is the culmination of years spent working with different vineyards (including the estate’s own DCV9 vineyard).
The wine has a complex earthiness with deep currents of blackberry and black cherry shot through with vanilla. The oak brings a nice toastiness to the wine. The finish is smooth sailing into a calm harbor.
The firmness and dark fruit reminded our tasting team of Cab Franc (although only 5% is present). Unlike the ship’s captain, our team members had both hands free to signal two thumbs up for this impressive wine.
This is a wine with character and suitable for a special occasion or an evening with good friends. A treasure chest is not required to pay the suggested retail price of $45.
Full Disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.
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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: July 24-27, 2013

Oregon Pinot noir wine from Bergstrom in the W...
Oregon Pinot noir wine from Bergstrom in the Willamette Valley (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Wednesday, July 24
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. $15.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000, 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Rioja: Spain's Classic Wine… with Wine Consultant Joe Mosier. Nominal fee per sample.

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Thursday, July 25
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Some German, some Greek, all great: 1. Theo Minges – Muskateller – Trocken (Dry) – Germany, 2. Muses Estate – Savatiano – Greece, 3. Knipser – Blauer Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir) – Germany, 4. Agape – Greek Red Blend – Greece.
$6 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Wine By the Numbers: 1. Three Pears Pinot Grigio, California, 2. Parallele 45 Cote du Rhone Blanc, Southern Rhone , France, 3. L’Ecole #41 Chardonnay, Walla Walla , Washington, 4. Casarna 505 Cabernet, Mendoza, Argentina, 5. 19 Crimes Shiraz Blend, Australia, 6. Antigal Uno Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, 7. Tower! 5 The Jetty, Paso Robles, California, 8. Dow 10 Year Old Tawny, Oporto, Portugal. Nominal fee per sample.
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.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 1:00 – 5:00 PM. Chardonnay: 1. Hess, 2. Joel Gott, 3. Liberty School, 4. Butter. Nominal fee per sample.

Friday, July 26
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Light Tannin Summer Reds: 1. Vina Borgia Garnacha, 2. Casa Santos "LAB," 3. McNab Ridge "Fred's Red," 4. Carisma Syrah. $10 per flight.

Saturday, July 27
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Light Tannin Summer Reds: 1. Vina Borgia Garnacha, 2. Casa Santos "LAB," 3. McNab Ridge "Fred's Red," 4. Carisma Syrah. $10 per flight.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 - 5:00 PM. Great French White Wines – with Wine Manager Austin Beeman. 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, July 23, 2013

Volcanic Hills Estate Winery: British Columbia Winery Visit

As our time wound down in British Columbia during our recent trip to the Wine Bloggers Conference in Penticton, we decided we needed to squeeze in just one more winery visit. Upon the recommendation of a new friend, we visited Volcanic Hills.

The small winery, located in West Kelowna, isn’t a scenic showcase – but it sure produces great wines. According to owner and president Bobby Gidda, the winery is “still a baby,” opening in May 2010. In 2011 it was named the best new winery in British Columbia.

Volcanic Hills has 65 acres of vines and sits upon a dormant volcano. The volcanic soil adds minerality to the grapes, which come from vines mostly more than 30 years old. Apples and cherries are also grown on the estate.


Cabinator, tasting team member who joined me on the British Columbia trip, and I began our tasting with a new release, the 2011 Magma Red, which is 64% Zweigelt, 12.5% Marechal Foch, 8% Michurinetz, plus a sprinkling of Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cab Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Michurinetz is a Russian grape which was a new discovery for me. It is a nice light red with a smooth texture and nice berry notes.

A simply superb wine was the 2009 Eruption. This is a beautiful blend of 40% Merlot, 32% Syrah and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is aged in oak for 12 months and had rich flavors of vanilla and coffee. To me this expressed the essence of the unique BC and Volcanic Hills terroir in a glass. I bought a bottle of this at $23.90, which I considered a great value.

The 2008 Syrah was another standout red with blackberry and caramel flavors and medium tannins.

Working in a contrarian fashion, we finished up with the 2012 Gewürztraminer, an off-dry estate grown white that has a touch of sugar that is nicely offset by the natural acidity. It features a floral bouquet and refreshing tropical fruit.

The tasting room is open and airy, with knowledgeable staff. Expansion plans include adding an Indian restaurant.

The spicy food should make a tremendous match for the Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer.

Volcanic Hills is erupting with wines that flow with the great terroir of British Columbia. This is a small production winery with tremendously good prices.

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Monday, July 22, 2013

Vignoble Musset-Roullier 2009 Petit Clos La Philosophie du bel ouvrage

The Loire Valley in France has some beautifully drinking reds. This Cabernet Franc from Anjou Villages is from a new favorite. Vingnoble (Vineyard) Musset-Roullier.
Petit Clos is a specially designated vineyard. “La Philosophie du bel ouvrage” roughly translates to the philosophy of fine craftsmanship. It’s something you can contemplate as you enjoy a glass of this French red.
In the glass this 100% Cab Franc is deep purple with earthy aromas. The wine opens with a bit of tannins, but then smoothes out with a medium to light body.
Wife and tasting partner Green Dragon can be turned off by the green pepper in some Cabernet Francs – there’s none to be found in this Loire Valley gem. Flavor notes include concentrated raspberry and flashes of clove spice. The finish is like a refreshing summer breeze.
I picked up this bottle online from Invino at $14.99. That’s another reason to love wines from Loire Valley. They are value priced, high in quality and don’t require cellaring for 10 years.
Buy into the “philosophie” of Musset-Roullier for a subtle and tasteful French experience.
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Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 5 of 5
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Friday, July 19, 2013

Big Six Grape Varieties



We've been travelling the globe - so while we recover from jet lag, we are republishing one of our first posts. A look at the Big Six wine grapes.

Many factors influence the taste of wine: winemaker techniques such as aging in oak barrels as well as climate and soil. Nothing, however, is more important than the grape itself. Here is a brief description of the top six grapes, also known as the “noble grapes."

White Wine

Chardonnay: The top selling varietal wine in the world. Usually fermented or aged in oak barrels. For those who do not like the oaky taste, try unoaked Chardonnay aged in stainless steel vats. Has a fruity taste with a flavor of apples, peaches or tropical fruit. Oak can give a buttery taste. Most popular in California, the Burgundy and Champagne regions of France, Northeastern Italy and Australia. For an introduction to Chardonnay, try Chateau St Jean Chardonnay or one from Columbia Crest Grand Estates.

Riesling: Light bodied and loaded with tangy apple, floral, lime, melon or mineral flavors. These wines can range from very dry to sweet, so experiment to try one that suits your palate. Germany is the traditional source of great Riesling. Also popular in the Alsace region of France, Austria, the Niagara region of Ontario and the Finger Lakes region of New York. Good for every day drinking but classy enough for special events. For an introduction to Riesling, try a Clean Slate Riesling from Germany. To truly rock, try Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes).

Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc can have a vastly different flavor depending on where it is grown. Look for zesty flavors of grapefruit and citrus or herbal tones. This grapes popularity is on the rise and some outstanding values can be had for under $15. In some areas of California the wine is called Fumé Blanc. Most popular in New Zealand, California and the Bordeaux region of France. For an introduction to this grape, try Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc or Dry Creek Vineyard Fumé Blanc.

Red Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon: Cab is one of the most popular red grapes. It is used to produce more wine than any other red grape and is frequently blended with other grapes. Some of the most famous Cabernets come from Bordeaux in France, Sonoma and Napa in California as well as Washington State and Italy. There are some great values coming from Chile. Known for a dark berry flavor (black cherry, blackberry) as well as earthy tones such as cocoa, leather even tobacco. These flavors are often blended in complex layers. Usually aged in oak barrels. For an inexpensive introduction, try a Blackstone Cabernet or a Columbia Crest Vintner’s Reserve. For a mountaintop experience, try a 2003 Jordan Cabernet. Medium to full body.

Merlot: Medium body with soft texture. Notes of plum and berry fruit flavor. Prevalent in Washington State, California (Napa and Sonoma) and Chile. Most Merlots are modeled after wines from its home of Bordeaux. Most Merlot growers blend in Cabernet Sauvignon or other grapes. The price can range widely. For an introduction, try a Kenwood Merlot or one from Beaulieu Vineyard Coastal Estates. For a great Merlot, try California's Duckhorn. Has a similar taste to Argentinean Malbec.

Pinot Noir: The Pinot Noir grape is difficult to grow, but when grown well, they make some of the world’s best wine. Popular in Burgundy (France), Australia, Oregon (Willamette Valley) and California. It makes a medium to light bodied wine with flavors of red berries (cherry, raspberries) also plum. For an introduction, try a Sterling Vintner’s Reserve or an A to Z Pinor Noir from Oregon. Ken Wright Cellars in Oregon produces top flight Pinot.

These are admittedly just thumbnail sketches, but hopefully a launching point for you if you haven’t yet sampled all of the Big Six.

Photo by ndrwfgg

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Lone Oak Vineyard Estate Hosts Pedal & Whine Bike Tour August 3

English: Lone cyclist heading for Upleadon Wha...
Lone cyclist on a country road. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Area cycling fans are in for a treat. The Pedal & Whine Bike Tour, an event started and ending at Lone Oak Vineyard Estate and sponsored by the Cascades Cycling Club, will be held Saturday, August 3.

There are four different routes to choose from, each starting and ending at Lone Oake Vineyard Estate, 8400 Ann Arbor, Grass Lake, Michigan. For beginners, a 7 mile route travels to Sandhill Crane Vineyards, returning to Lone Oak. There are also 15, 36 and 65 mile routes. Enjoy beautiful country roads with light traffic.

Terrain is flat to rolling, shaded and well marked.  Lunch will be served at Lone Oak between 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM. Nutritious snacks, fruit and drinks will be enjoyed by all riders at Lone Oak and all official rest stops. Additional food and drinks can be purchased along the routes in Leslie and at both wineries.

Registration on or before July 21 is $25 per adult and $10 per child (ages 17 and under). After July 21 and the day of registration, the cost is $30 per adult. (A scrumptious lunch and beverage are included with pre-registration only.)  Lone Oak Vineyard Estate will be open for free wine tasting, plus a vineyard talk at 12:30 and 2:30. 

Further details and registration for this event are available at: www.cascadescyclingclub.org 
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Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: July 17-20

Sancerre vineyard.
Sancerre vineyard. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Wednesday, July 17
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Nominal fee per sample or flight.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. $15.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000, 4:00 to 7:00 PM. It's Easy Being Green: Organic Wines… with Wine Consultant Joe Mosier. Nominal fee per sample.

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Thursday, July 18
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
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.
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 1:00 – 5:00 PM. Pinot Noir: 1. Acacia, 2. Regusse Pinot Noir, 3. Pierre Andre, 4. Riviera Pinot Noir. Nominal fee per sample.

Friday, July 19
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Southern France: 1. Les Lauzeraies Tavel Rosé, 2. Le Petit Caboche, 3. Chateau Mas Neuf Rouge, 4. Domaine Tour Boisee Minervois. $10 per flight.

Saturday, July 20
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Southern France: 1. Les Lauzeraies Tavel Rosé, 2. Le Petit Caboche, 3. Chateau Mas Neuf Rouge, 4. Domaine Tour Boisee Minervois. $10 per flight.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 - 5:00 PM. Best French Wines that are Still Secrets – with Wine Manager Austin Beeman. 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, July 16, 2013

Vintage Ohio, State’s Premier Wine Event, Scheduled August 2-3

Colorful tents, rolling hills, picnic tables, and groves of tall oaks provide a tranquil setting for the Vintage Ohio Wine Festival, the premier food and wine event of the year. The event will take place August 2 and 3, 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.VisitVintageOhio.com or by calling (800) 227-6972. Two-day taster tickets are available for $45. Designated driver tickets are $12 and includes up to five non-alcoholic drinks. Children age 3-17 are $3. Children two and under are free.  Vintage Ohio will feature the "Meet the Wine Maker Experience," where for a small additional fee of $15, festival visitors will be able to talk directly with the winemakers, sample 10 premium wines, and receive a plate of light appetizers in an exclusive area reserved just for them.  Receive 25 wine sampling tickets to taste from 20 wineries offering regional wines ranging from world-class wines like Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc or Riesling to fun-to-drink fruit wines made from fresh strawberries, blackberries, peaches and raspberries. Whether one enjoys red, white, blush, dry, sweet or something in-between, there will be an opportunity to find a favorite "Vintage Experience."

There is also plenty of scrumptious food, cooking school demonstrations, three stages of live music entertainment, artisans, shopping, and spectacular Friday fireworks.
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Monday, July 15, 2013

Ogio Prosecco DOC, Italia


We popped open this sparkler from Italy at our friends house before a movie night. Ogio is a third-generation family winery and crafts this wine from grapes from the hills of the Prosecco wine region.

We decided on the movie “Side Effects.” One of the side effects from this wine is that people naturally feel happy when sipping on a sparkling wine. Green Dragon insisted we bring along some Champagne flutes, where I thought any old wine glasses would probably do. She certainly was correct as the flutes enable you to appreciate the tiny bubbles streaming to the top of the glass.

The body of this wine is light and fresh. Upon first sip, there was an acidic tanginess which mellowed out as we sat and watched the movie unfold. The flavor is delicate with apple and peach flavor notes – but the texture that tickles the tongue is the real star.

This wine retails for $16.99 and is a great match with seafood or sushi. It also pairs well with suspenseful movies and will get a bubbly reception from your guests.

Full Disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.
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Friday, July 12, 2013

Serenity Vineyards: Finger Lakes Winery Visit

Another in our continuing series of Finger Lake winery reviews.

One of the joys of a Finger Lakes wine excursion is checking out the hidden gems – a new winery, or one off the beaten path you’ve never visited before. That’s how we came to visit perhaps the most “unscenic” of the Finger Lakes wineries.

Don’t get me wrong, when I say the winery isn’t pretty, that’s not a judgment on their products. Far from it. The curb appeal of this winery is strictly from the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, a collection of wineries based in industrial garages in the Santa Barbara area of California. They produce wonderful wines – but if you are looking for manicured lawns and stained glass windows, forget about it.

The winery tasting room located on the west shore of Seneca Lake and has been open for two years. Although the winery has been open a short time, the Smith family vineyard has been supplying area wineries for many years.

The facility is basically a large metal warehouse building and the setting inside is simple and casual. Winemaker and sales manager Darren Bowker was doing the pouring behind a table the top of which was a wooden board covered with colorful graffiti from past wine tasters. Barrels and cases of wine filled most of the other area.

Darren is not only a master of wine, but of music as well. He tuned in some String Cheese Incident while we enjoyed the tasting.

First up was the 2007 Chardonnay. This is unusual because most whites are trending down after three years and are an uncertain proposition after five. This Chardonnay had a great flavor profile with a rich body and tastes of coconut and butterscotch.

We enjoyed the 2008 Riesling, which was finished semi-dry, but it wasn’t a standout with so many premier Rieslings in the Finger Lakes.  Moving to the reds, we tried the 2007 Pinot Noir. this was a richer wine with strawberry highlights and one of the best during our visit.

The 2011 Cab Franc was another standout. It is finished dry with flavor notes of tobacco leaf and spice. We finished with the 2011 Merlot, which is their priciest bottle at $24.99. Although pleasant, the 2011 Cab Franc or the Pinot (each at $16.99) are better buys.

True to its name, Serenity Vineyard is a peaceful tasting experience – far from the bustling crowds. There’s plenty of good wine to enjoy and we look forward seeing their growth in the years ahead.

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