Monday, September 30, 2013

Island Wine Festival Scheduled Saturday, October 5, At Put-In-Bay Winery

The 8th Annual Island Wine Festival will be held Saturday, October 5, at Put-In-Bay. Representatives from wineries across the US will be on hand for festival goers to sample more than 400 of their wines. Also featured will be great food, a display on the history of island wineries, winery and grape related merchandise.
Entry is $6. You will receive a souvenir wine sampling glass with admission. Sampling tickets are $1 each with most samples $1 to $2 with some from $4 to $5. Retail sales are available so you can take your favorite bottle home with you. This is a great time to find a wine for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Heineman's, Put-in-Bay Winery and several other island and Ohio wineries will be participating. A silent auction will be held with items including a vacation package, large bottles of wine, and other fine gifts. The silent auction benefits the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society. The event is scheduled 11 AM to 6 PM at Put-In-Bay Winery.
We had a chance to attend this event last year and you don’t want to miss it. Check out our story from last year’s event here.
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Friday, September 27, 2013

In Search of the Perfect Wine and Food Pairing: Finding An Ideal Match

English: Picture of Chateau Chantal Vineyard

Picture of Michigan’s Chateau Chantal Vineyard (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When food and wine are perfectly paired something magical happens -- the pleasure of your meal is greater than the sum of its parts. Here is the criteria: The flavors and the body of the wine and food maintain their distinctive personalities while mingling in a way that enhances both. A pretty good rule for any good relationship! Enjoy these pairing suggestions courtesy of Michigan Wines, who suggest selecting Michigan wines for your pairings.

  • Cabernet/Merlot pairs well with Braised Lamb Shanks, Venison Chops with Blackberry Compote and Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce
  • Cherry/Fruit Wine pairs well with Snickerdoodle Cookies, Bittersweet Chocolate and Palmiers
  • Eau De Vie/Brandy pairs well with nuts or by itself. Try cooking with it: Poach Fruit in Pear Brandy or Flambé crepes with apple
  • Gewurztraminer pairs well with Thai Chicken Salad, Herb de Provence rubbed Pork Chops with Applesauce and Yellow Curry Chicken
  • Late Harvest Wine pairs well with Flat Bread with Ham, Caramelized Onions & Gruyere Cheese, Pork Chow Mein, Curried Herring and Sausages and Sauerkraut
  • Pinot Grigio/Gris pairs well with Pesto Pasta, Spanokopita, Chinese Food and Sushi
  • Pinot Noir pairs well with Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Apples and Onions and Braised Chicken with Leeks and Moral Mushrooms
  • Port Wine pairs well with Chocolate Truffles, Stilton Cheese and Nuts
  • Riesling pairs well with Indian Curries, Liverwurst, Roasted Pork Loin with Herbs and Asian Chicken
  • Rosé pairs well with (dry) Fried Mozzarella Sticks and Croque Monsieur or (sweet) Gorgonzola on Sliced Apples
  • Semi-Dry/Sweet Reds pair well with Pork Chops with Port Sauce and Dried Fruit, Stuffed Mushrooms and Cold Cuts
  • Semi-Dry/Sweet Whites pair well with Roasted Fig & Gorgonzala on Mixed Greens and Sautéed Halibut with Nicoise Vinaigrette
  • Sherry pairs well with Spanish Tapas, Spicy Pan Fried Crab
  • Sparkling Wine pairs well with Asian-Style Appetizers, Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Fish and Chips and Fried Chicken
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Thursday, September 26, 2013

Zolo 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza


I’m trying to branch out. Everyone knows that California makes killer Cabernets. I also enjoy Cabernet-driven Bordeaux from France and bottles from Ontario and the Pacific Northwest.
My quest for adventure – and value – led me to pick up three bottles of Zolo Reserve Cabernet during an online sale. The wine is from Argentina’s most famous wine-growing region, Mendoza. I purchased it at $18 a bottle.
Normally I would let a bottle like this age for a few more years. But I reckoned that with Argentina’s propensity for fruit forward, “pop and pour” wines, that this would be ready to consume now. Did I make the right choice?
In the glass this wine is a deep red with ruby edges. On the nose there are aromas of fruit and leather. Not surprisingly, the body is medium rather than full.
This wine is juicy with intense raspberry and sour cherry flavors. There’s a good swirl of spice in the mix as well. Tannins are a bit rugged. To me, the Zolo has the right ingredients, but they are not yet fully assembled.
Additional aging is needed to allow the tannins to integrate into a better balanced package. In retrospect, this could have used some decanting as well.
That’s the nice thing about buying multiple bottles. I’ve taken the pulse on the first bottle, but have two more that I can allow to age and compare against my first sip.
Zolo is a fair to nice bottle right now, but will improve significantly with time.
Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 3 of 5
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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: September 25-28, 2013

Spanish vineyard in Galicia with wide spacing ...
Spanish vineyard in Galicia with wide spacing among the vines. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Wednesday, September 25
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. 1. Stellina di Notte Prosecco, 2. Cameron Hughes Lot 314 Chardonnay, 3. Bayonette, 4. Scott Harvey Old Vine Reserve Zinfandel. Nominal fee per sample or $8 flight.
Denny’s Craft Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. Call for schedule… 6-8 PM. $15.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000, 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Back to School. New Discoveries… with Wine Consultant Joe Mosier. Nominal fee per sample.

Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. Call for schedule… 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Thursday, September 26
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Barton & Guestier – The Pairing We think these are great wines for a great bargain. 1. Lobster and Shrimp –AOC Muscadet – Muscadet, 2. Cheese and Crackers –AOC Beaujolais-Villages – Gamay, 3. Chicken and Turkey – AOC Cotes-Du-Rhone – Grenache and Syrah, 4. Chops and Burgers – AOC Bordeaux – Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  $4 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Red Blends from the West Coast: 1. Greg Norman Estates “Shark Red,” 2. Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas, 3. The Dirty Pure Project “The F Bomb,” 4. Tower 15 “The Jetty,” 5. Vinum “Red Dirt Red,” 6. One Time Spaceman “Moon Duck,” 7. Soda Canyou”Barrel Chaser.” 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. New Arrivals (reds). $10 per flight.

Friday, September 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. Spanish Reds: 1. Fuego Garnacha, 2. Atteca Garnacha, 3. Volver Tempranillo, 4. Can Blau. $15 per flight.
Saturday, September 28
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Spanish Reds: 1. Fuego Garnacha, 2. Atteca Garnacha, 3. Volver Tempranillo, 4. Can Blau. $15 per flight.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Customer Appreciation Day - Insane Discounts… 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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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.] Photo by Les Haines
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Domaine de Nizas 2008 Languedoc Rouge

This wine from the south of France is a blend of 60% Syrah, 35% Mourvedre and 5% Grenache Noir. Like the Languedoc region itself, it captures the feeling of the Mediterranean.

“Garrigue” is a word to describe the distinct herbal notes captured in the wine: a blend of lavender, sage, rosemary and wild thyme. Almost sounds like a Simon and Garfunkle song!

Perhaps that’s why I had a hard time calibrating this wine. I was expecting a heartier, fruitier wine – but instead got a mellow, herbal flavor.

The wine should be served slightly cool and is a good match with Mediterranean dishes or savory food such as duck, lamb or mushrooms. This could be a good weekday drinker, but was uninspired. Cost is about $17.

Rating: 2 of 5  Value: 2 of 5
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Monday, September 23, 2013

TWAV Goes South of the Equator with Successful Tasting at Zinful Wine Bar and Restaurant


It was an exotic and sometimes raucous evening at Zinful Wine Bar and Restaurant during the Toledo Wines and Vines South of the Equator tasting. Wines from Argentina, Australia, Chile and New Zealand were featured.

Six wines were on the tasting menu plus a seventh bonus wine. Chef Mike prepared four dishes to accompany the wines. The wine lineup was:
  • Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
  • Carrick "Unraveled" Pinot Noir, New Zealand
  • Santa Ema Reserve Merlot, Chile
  • The Lucky Country Shiraz, Australia
  • Allamand "H" red blend (50/50 Malbec, Cab), Argentina
  • Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina
  • Bonus Wine (extra charge) Montes Purple Angel Carmenere, Chile
Keep reading to find out which was the favorite selection from the 36 or so attendees.

The lone white on the list was the Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc, from New Zealand. It was a very good choice. We love the vibrant Sauv Blancs from the Marlborough region and this was spot on. The refreshing wine had zesty citrus flavors with a touch of herbaciousness. The acidity was not teeth-rattling and so it was a nice kickoff to the evening. This was picked as the group’s second favorite wine.


Lamb chops with potato rosti and fresh herb pistou was the food pairing with the Carrick “Unraveled” Pinot Noir, another New Zealand wine. New Zealand is rapidly gaining a reputation for world-class Pinot. It comes from Central Otago, the world’s southernmost winemaking region. This wine has depth with some spice and earth flavor notes.



Next was perhaps the best value wine in the tasting: 2010 Santa Ema Reserve Merlot from Chile. This wine explodes with richness without becoming a “fruit bomb.” It has supple flavors of blackberries and plum with wafts of vanilla and caramel. It has a long, smooth finish. It paired nicely with the Plantain soup with brie crutes. This was the overall favorite of the group by a far margin! Many bottles marched out the door at the end of the evening.



We next visited Australia’s McLaren Vale region for The Lucky Country 2010 Shiraz. When selecting the wines for the tasting, we had previously sampled another Shiraz that had a good dollop of sweetness. We opted for this drier version and were not disappointed. It paired nicely with some Poppyseed Cheesecakes. This is a savory wine with a focus on dark fruits. It tends more to the rugged flavors of Syrah than the Shiraz style (both the same grape!).

You can’t have a South of the Equator tasting without Malbec. The Allamand “H” red blend is 50% Malbec and 50% Cabernet. Our tasters either loved it or could leave it. The wine is finished in oak, giving it the sturdiest tannins of the lineup so far. Malbec is a plush wine, but here the softness is balanced with the Cabernet.

We called in tasting team member The Cabinator to introduce the next wine, the 2008 Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina. The wine is from the Lujon de Cuyo region known as the prime growing area of Mendoza. The wine is produced through a partnership with Paul Hobbs. This is a magnificent Cabernet at about half of what you might pay if the label read Napa Valley. Dark chocolate, currants and oak percolate through this wine, which is deep and rewarding.

The bonus wine was the Montes Purple Angel Carmenere from Chile. Carmenere is Chile’s most famous red grape – with the prominence that Malbec has in Argentina.  It is a member of the Cabernet family of grapes, but has a softer body and richer red berry flavor. It also has a dash of Petit Verdot. This was the most complex wine of the evening and had several layers. Beyond the berry rush there was a nice mixture of toast and tea leaves. Just luscious.

Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the evening. A special tip of the cap to Joyce Franzblau and her staff at Zinful for making it an extra special night. We promise we won’t wait another three years until our next TWAV tasting.
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Friday, September 20, 2013

At Your Fingertips: Our Tasting Team Reports On More Than 100 Wineries

At Toledo Wines and Vines we have a threefold approach to editorial content. We provide a weekly calendar on wine events, provide tasting notes on wines from around the world and, perhaps the most fun, we provide stories on wineries we have visited.



Photo by Claudio Matsuako
You’ll be able to get the inside scoop on wineries from our tasting team members and learn their favorite wines and tasting rooms.

We have compiled all the winery reports on one page for your convenience. There are reports on more than 100 wineries including the Finger Lakes, Ontario, California, Washington and Oregon. You will also find reports on great wineries close to home in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. There are also articles on great wineries in Colorado, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

To dive in and begin exploring this great group of wineries, visit our winery report page.

You might also enjoy reading our stories about the closest wineries to Toledo, Ohio, and what makes a great winery visit.

Please let us know if you have a suggestion for a winery that we absolutely, positively must visit by using the comment button below.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Cooking Up Some Great Barbeque Wines


It’s just about time to exchange the barbeque tongs for a leaf rake. We managed to find a nice late summer day to cook out with some shrimp, chicken and beef kabobs accompanied by an impressive line-up of wines.
We started out with a refreshing white, the Red Rooster Winery 2011 Reserve Gerwürztraminer from the Okanagan VQA in British Columbia. Glorious T missed out on our trip to Penticton for the Wine Bloggers Conference, so I wanted to be sure she tasted some of the great Gerwurz from there. This is a whole cluster pressed wine and it shines with clean pure flavors of spiced pear, peach and citrus. There is some floral – but not the heavy rose petal flavor that drives my wife away. This is fresh tasting and well-balanced.
Due to busy schedules, we hadn’t had a chance to drink wine with the Cabinator and Glorious T, so we were breaking out the good stuff. From the cellar I grabbed the Ravenswood 2008 Single Vineyard Pickberry Red Blend, Sonoma Mountain. This is a Bordeaux-style blend with 59% Merlot, 39% Cabernet and 1% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot. The Merlot ensures that this is a velvety wine. It is ripe with red currant flavor and a slight tobacco taste. There is a trace of spiciness that rolls into a smooth finish. We could have finished three or four of these bottles. Superb!
The Cabinator rightly said that the point of having “treasure wines” wasn’t to keep them locked up in a cellar, but to enjoy them with friends and make a special occasion. He then uncorked the 2008 Organized Crime Cabernet Sauvignon. Organized Crime is an off-the-grid winery that is one of our favorites in the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario.
They produce some awesome reds and this one was a lights-out winner, especially paired with a Boston Crème Pie for dessert. This is a lush wine, but has a nice backbone – perhaps due to the cooler climate. Black cherry, plum and dried berries rock the flavor with a medium body. Dynamite finish.
The evening could have been done – but our sense of adventure prevailed. I grabbed the Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County. I was anxious to try this out with friends. It is unlike most Pinots with a bigger body and slight sweetness.
Our group loved the flavors of raspberry and strawberry. The Belle Glos is an unconventional Pinot with more power and less daintiness than your expect from this grape.
We enjoyed our final glass as our tiki torches flared away and – we learned later – the mosquitoes had a feast of their own. It was a great night of wine, food and friendship.
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Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: September 18-21, 2013

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SPECIAL EVENT – Presenting Toledo Wines & Vines Special South of the Equator Tasting. Thursday, September 19, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463 , 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville. Six outrageously good wines from south of the equator for just $15. Special food pairings available. Drumroll please! Here are the wines:
  • Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
  • Carrick "Unraveled" Pinot Noir, New Zealand
  • Santa Ema Reserve Merlot, Chile
  • The Lucky Country Shiraz, Australia
  • Allamand "H" red blend (50/50 Malbec, Cab), Argentina
  • Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina
  • Bonus Wine (extra charge) Montes Purple Angel Carmenere, Chile
We look forward to personally welcoming you to this special tasting.
Wednesday, September 18
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. It’s back! Our annual “Talk Like A Pirate Day Wine Tasting.” 1. Banyan Gewurztraminer, 2. Don Ramon Vino Tinto Barrica, 3. Treasure Hunter “Captain Trey” St. Helena-Napa Valley Red, 4. Treasure Hunter “KR-1” Calistoga-Napa Valley Cabernet. Nominal fee per sample or $9 flight.
Denny’s Craft 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. Back to School. The Last of the Summer Wine: Part Two… 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, September 19
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Great French Varietals: 1. 2012 Barton & Guestier – Poully-Fuisse – Chardonnay, 2. 2011 Georges Duboeuf– Morgon - Gamay, 3. 2010 J.L. Chave – Cotes-Du-Rhone – Mon Coeur– Grenache and Syrah, 4. 2010 Thomas Barton Reserve – Saint-Emilion – Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  $7 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Wines From Washington State: 1. L’Ecole No. 41 Chardonnay, 2. Revelry Merlot, 3. Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red, 4. Charles Smith Cabernet, 5. Corvidae ‘Lenore’ Syrah, 6. Bergevin Lane ‘She Devil’ Syrah, 7. Bookwalter Subplot No. 27 Red, 8. Covington Cellars Red Mountain Cabernet. 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. Tour of the Rhone (reds). $5 per flight.

Friday, September 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. Aficionado's 8th Anniversary Party: 1. Adler Fels Russian River Cabernet Sauvignon, 2. Vina Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, 3. Murphy Good "Dealer's Choice" Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Niner "Bootjack" Cabernet Sauvignon. $15 per flight.
Saturday, September 21
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Aficionado's 8th Anniversary Party: 1. Adler Fels Russian River Cabernet Sauvignon, 2. Vina Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, 3. Murphy Good "Dealer's Choice" Cabernet Sauvignon, 4. Niner "Bootjack" Cabernet Sauvignon. $15 per flight.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Recap of the 2013 Italy Wine Trip: Prosecco, Amarone, Chianti, & Bolgheri… 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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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.] Photo by Les Haines
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Maumee Wines Announces Tasting Events


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Photo by Andrew Morrell
The schedule for tastings at Maumee Wines, 2556 Parkway Place, Maumee, has been announced with several events certain to attract the attention of area wine lovers. Reservations are strongly encouraged to guarantee a seat, you may call at (419) 893-2525.

* Tuesday September 24 Pinot Blanc & Pinot Noir - Four whites and four Reds with appetizers by Chef Bill Koloff 6:30 to 8:30 $25.00

* Tuesday October 15 Bordeaux - Whites and reds from both sides of the bank and plenty of hors d' oeuvres 6:30 to 8:30 $30.00

* November 12 Champagne - Reservations Required (Seating is Limited) - Grower/Producer French Champagnes from the Terry Thiese Selection 6:30 to 9:30 $50.00 Smoked salmon and imported cheeses to compliment the wines

* December 17 California Cabernet Sauvignon - Best Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa and Sonoma 6:30 to 8:30 $40.00 Beef and imported cheeses to accompany the wines.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Finger Lakes 2012 Vintage Stands Tall In Riesling Challenge


The Finger Lakes has glacier-sculpted landscapes, ideal microclimates and gifted winegrowers that produce some of the world’s best Rieslings. The tasting team from Toledo Wines and Vines recently sampled several Finger Lakes Rieslings from the new 2012 vintage pairing them with an assortment of dishes and contrasting them again against Rieslings from Germany and Alsace.
Our tasting panel included Green Dragon, Wine Chick, Sax Man plus our friends Larry and Donna (they still have to earn their nicknames!).

The main event, of course, was the debut of the 2012 Finger Lakes Riesling vintage. Each was paired with a delicious dish. We also threw in Rieslings from Germany and Alsace to make this a true challenge. Here’s a capsule on each wine.
Louis Guntrum 2007 Rheinhessen Dry Riesling, Germany -- This arrival wine from the “competition” opened with some slight spritz. The temperature had gotten above 90 degrees, so this first Riesling was like a tropical breeze. The flavor was mild and elegance with the flavor of pears.
Swedish Hill Winery 2012 Dry Riesling – Pairing: Lime-infused coconut squash curry soup. This crisp wine is very dry (0.8 residual sugar) with a faint sweetness that quickly recedes. The wine paired well with the spice of the soup. Light minerality. Swedish Hill has grown to be one of the Finger Lakes largest producers. It is the only winery of the five tasted that we haven’t visited, so we are due.
Standing Stone Vineyards Old West Block 2012 Riesling – Pairing: Island Fish Salad. This wine was paired with a salad that had mango dressing and a warm, mild whitefish. The wine comes from an exceptional Riesling vineyard and it was a favorite with our tasters. There is an initial tartness then smoothes into a rich, almost buttery texture. This has 1.4% residual sugar, but tastes dry. It offers a kick of pepper. Only 129 cases – buy it now!
Red Newt Cellars 2012 Circle Riesling – Pairing: General Tsao’s Chicken. The Red Newt is almost in walking distance of the B&B we stay at on Seneca Lake. We frequent the Red Newt Bistro and are fans of all things Newt. Circle Riesling is one of the most awarded Rieslings in the Finger Lakes. This medium sweet Riesling is like a Swiss Army knife – good for almost any occasion. The spicy Chinese chicken was a great pairing. It offers bright flavors of apple and citrus. A slight bite on the finish.
Wagner Vineyards 2012 Riesling Select – Pairing: Shrimp with Sizzlin’ Sauce. The Wagner Riesling represented a jump in the sweetness scale. It has 4.2 residual sugar and is finished in a Germanic style. The earlier wines had ample acidity, but this one called out for some spicy food to balance the sweetness. It is a lush wine from Wagner’s oldest Riesling block.
Domaine Schlumberger 2008 Les Princes Abbés Riesling, Alsace, France. Time for another speed bump by injecting a Riesling from another top wine region: Alsace. This wine would have been better earlier in the tasting order, since it is much drier than the Wagner at 2.2% residual sugar. There was no minerality to speak of, but a some nice fresh fruit with an almost salty quality to the finish. A top wine, but it could not steal the show from the Finger Lakes.
Fulkerson Winery 2012 Riesling Iced Wine – Pairing: Apple Brown Betty. This is a delicious dessert wine at 19.7% residual sugar. The consistency is thick with aromas of wood and honey. We sampled with with a great Apple Brown Betty dessert. This pairing would not be out of place at a fine dining restaurant.
On the palate it offers a delicious apricot honey flavor. This is not a wine to take a big gulp, but small sips to savor with a sweet dessert. Due to forecast rain, Fulkerson decided to harvest the grapes at optimum ripeness and freeze them later, making it an “iced” wine. Traditional ice wines are harvested while the grapes are frozen.
First of all thanks to Green Dragon for preparing all the dishes (except for the Chinese, which was provided by Wine Chick and Sax Man). Cheers also to the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance who provided the Finger Lakes samples and coordinated the #winechat virtual tasting.
Our conclusion: There’s a wealth of Riesling in the Finger Lakes and the wine stands tall even when compared with some of the world’s greatest Riesling regions like Rheinhessen and Alsace. The 2012 vintage offers fresh, vibrant world-class Riesling from the Finger Lakes.
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Friday, September 13, 2013

Opolo 2005 Rhapsody Red Blend, Paso Robles


The Rhapsody from Opolo was a closeout special that had me worried. I had two previous bottles from Opolo – one a winner and the other a worn out loser.
This wine is a Meritage-style blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. It also comes from a fantastic wine region: Paso Robles.
I didn’t have a lot at stake. I paid $9.99 for it, but it had been selling for close to $40. Seemed like it was worth a gamble.
Well, the gamble paid off. This was a rich, rewarding wine with caramel notes. It’s soft in texture with a tad of sweetness. It’s not a very complex wine, but it sure was enjoyable.
Our bottle was lively and showed no signs of aging out. But this Rhapsody is on the last page of its sheet music and if you have a bottle, you should drink it soon.
Opolo offers a 2010 Rhapsody Reserve for $47. That should be worth checking out – or you could keep your eyes peeled for an older vintage at a lesser price.
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Thursday, September 12, 2013

Constantin Richter Scheduled at Special WCM Tasting September 23

Tenth generation German winemaker Constantin Richter will be the special guest at a tasting Monday, September 23, at Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Max Ferd Richter Vineyards in the Mosel Valley was founded in 1680.
The event starts at 6:00 PM and the cost is $20. No reservations are needed. This will be a structured tasting of sweet and dry Riesling.
The Max Ferd philosophy is that great wine comes from the vineyards the Mosel Valley in Germany, not the cellar.
The challenge of cultivating vines on the steep, slate slopes of Mosel is overcome by fastidious handwork, small crop sizes, all-natural fertilizers and sustainable farming practices. All harvesting is done by hand.
Vinification starts with gentle pressing and slow temperature controlled fermentation in traditional old oak barrels (fuders). When possible, Richter uses natural yeasts and no chemical fining agents.
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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings–September 11-14, 2013

Vineyard in Amador County, California
Vineyard in Amador County, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Wednesday, September 11
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. 1. Sangio Sangiovese, 2. Mont Olivet Font Blanche Cotes du Rhone ‘10, 3. Red Dirt Red, 4. Bridgeview Blue Moon Oregon Riesling. Nominal fee per sample or $8 flight.
Denny’s Craft 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. Back to School. Wines for Your Lunchbox… 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, September 12
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. The wonderful world of Zinfandels: 1. 2011 Cameron Hughes - Lot 381 – Lodi, California, 2. 2010 Renwood – Old Vines – Amador County, California, 3. 2011 Ridge – Three Valleys – Sonoma County, California, 4. 2010 Titus – Napa Valley, California.  $8 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. We will be featuring the Artisan Wines of Elizabeth Spencer. Enjoy an array of wines and special offerings paired with expert advice and fun.
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. French Whites and Fish. $5 per flight.

Friday, September 13
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. French Seafood Whites: 1. Picpoul de Pinet, 2. Poiron Muscadet, 3. Val de Mer Petit Chablis, 4. Chateau Lamothe de Haux Blanc. $15 per flight.
Saturday, September 14
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. French Seafood Whites: 1. Picpoul de Pinet, 2. Poiron Muscadet, 3. Val de Mer Petit Chablis, 4. Chateau Lamothe de Haux Blanc. $15 per flight.
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. summer wineThe Last of the Summer Wine: Part One… 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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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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