From The Publisher: A New Beginning For Toledo Wines and Vines

This month marks the seventh year since I wrote the first post for Toledo Wines and Vines. Since that time we’ve had more than a half million page views and written more than 1,900 blog posts.

Whew! We’ve come a long way. We’ve shared wonderful wine tastings, winery visits, parties and new experiences galore. We’re made new friends and minted incredible memories. We’ve endeavored to share the fun and knowledge surrounding the fruit of the grape. It’s been a fun trip.

The path ahead will take another direction.

Effective in a matter of days, Toledo Wines and Vines will be rebranded as Vino-Sphere. We will expand our focus from wine to include food and travel. There are a couple of reasons for the change.

First, as we’ve explored the wine lifestyle with friends and our Tasting Team, it’s become apparent that it isn’t only about the vino. What are your most memorable wine experiences? Chances are they were great wine paired with an amazing meal or a spectacular destination. It’s the complete experience. Like the atmosphere in which we exist, we are surrounded by elements that make life something special. Vino-Sphere will explore them with you.

All of the great content produced over the last seven years will still be available through the archives on Vino-Sphere. You’ll see some graphic changes and our social media channels will be rebranded as well.

So, the desire to expand the vision for the blog was the first reason. The second reason is that the Green Dragon and I will be relocating. It wouldn’t make much sense to publish a blog about Toledo wine activities while living 500 miles away. We’re currently working on a Facebook presence for Toledo to continue on even after our wine bottles have moved on down the road.

We’re glad you’ve enjoyed Toledo Wines and Vines. Thanks for taking the trip with us as we enter the next phase of our journalistic voyage and launch into the Vino-Sphere!

Cheers!

Dave Nershi
Publisher, Toledo Wines and Vines

Golan Heights 2011 Moscato, Galilee

I must say upfront that I’m not a huge Moscato fan. Yes, I know it is a major trend. Vineyards are planting Muscat grapes in hopes of cashing in and even rappers are writing songs about the stuff. Still, so much of it is too sweet and simple for my palate.

When I was browsing at the Briarfield location of Walt Churchill’s Market I asked wine manager Austin Beeman if he had any interesting wines (of course, there are a lot of them there). He recommended the Golan Heights Winery 2011 Moscato from Israel. I’ve been interested in trying some Israeli wine ever since a friend returned from a trip there and said the wines were quite good.

I asked Austin if he thought I would like it since I’m not a Moscato fan. In turn he asked me, if I was capable of experiencing pleasure. Hmmm… that’s a recommendation interesting enough to get me to pop $13 for this bottle of wine.

During the recent unrelenting heat wave, I chilled it down and tried it out. Austin was right. This is one pleasurable glass of vino.

The wine is produced from Muscat Canelli grapes grown entirely in the cool climate and rocky volcanic soil of the Golan Heights. It can be enjoyed on its own as a pre-dinner wine or as an accompaniment to dessert. It is a Kosher wine and a great introduction to Israeli wines.

A luscious bouquet of citrus blossoms and a richness reminiscent of fine German Riesling provides the opening act for this wine. The body is full and its texture is percolated by a slight effervescence. If you are thinking this is a sweet syrupy concoction, don’t. The sparkling quality along with a low alcohol level of only 6% give this wine a lightness missing from most dessert wines.

On the palate the soft fizz mixes with a tumble of peaches and honeysuckle. It’s a rich, rewarding wine certain to please even those who usually draw the line at Moscato. The sweet finish lingers long.

Golan Heights Moscato is a splendid wine -- delicious in its taste, exotic in its origin and pleasurable to sippers everywhere.

Rating: 3.5 of 5  Value: 4 of 5

Technorati Tags: wine,moscato

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2011 California Wine Shipments Within U.S. Reach All-Time High: U.S. Is World’s Largest Wine Market

From the California wine producer in the Central Coast (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sales of California wine within the U.S. in 2011 grew to a record 211.9 million cases, up 5.6 percent in volume compared to the previous year. The estimated retail value of these shipments was $19.9 billion, according to wine industry consultant Jon Fredrikson of Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates in Woodside. Global 2011 California wine sales to all markets in the U.S. and worldwide also increased 5.6 percent to 256.6 million cases.

"California’s vintners grew the wine market with creative, innovative offerings at all price points," said Wine Institute President and CEO Robert P. (Bobby) Koch. "Our wineries are in sync with consumer tastes and California wines have increasingly become a preferred lifestyle choice."

Wineries worldwide competed for consumer attention in the U.S. with thousands of brands—120,000 new wine labels were approved by the U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau last year. Wine sales expanded as Americans were treated to a diverse array of classic and new wine choices including Moscato, sweet reds and other easy-drinking wines with unpretentious packaging. Restaurant business recovered somewhat and value-oriented wines were still key for on-premise offerings. Many marketers focused on new opportunities in the direct-to-consumer channel as the number of states that now accept these shipments has expanded to 39, and apps and other technologies have made it easier for consumers to use these online options, according to Fredrikson.

"Wine consumers are adventuresome by nature so Muscat/Moscato became a popular new flavor to try, experiencing the largest varietal volume gain of the year," commented Danny Brager, vice president of client services for beverage alcohol at The Nielsen Company. The "millennial" consumer, aged 21-34 who make up 26 percent of legal drinking age Americans, continue to be a wine sales growth driver, while Baby Boomers continue to be the largest generations contributor to overall wine sales. Even with the volatile economy, consumers are finding high quality and value in the wine category, and continue to experiment with sweet reds, unoaked wines, wine blends, and other diverse offerings, he explained.

Total wine sales in the U.S. from all production sources—California, other U.S. states and foreign countries—climbed to a new record of 347.0 million cases, a 5.3 percent jump from 2010, with an estimated retail value of $32.5 billion, according to Fredrikson. Of the total, California’s 211.9 million cases held a 61 percent share of the U.S. market. This is the 18th consecutive year of volume growth in the U.S.

Technorati Tags: wine,California wine

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Moscato Wine Trend Shows Growth, Michigan Winemakers Get On Board

Image via Wikipedia

 

Plantings of Moscato grapes are expected to increase in the US more than 130% in the next three years.  This push for Moscato is driven by the Echoboomers and the Millennials, the generations born between 1980 and the mid-1990s, and wine grape growers are really happy because grape prices are up right now.

Moscato, the wine with the Italian name and long European heritage, is making its mark in the mid-priced sweet, aromatic wine category. Moscato is made from Muscat grapes, several varieties are grown commercially in Michigan for Moscato and other styles of Muscat wines. Michigan State University researchers are evaluating Muscat varieties for expansion of acreage in what is now a minor wine grape category.

Matt Moersch, southwest Michigan winemaker and owner of Free Run Cellars, felt the trend came on fast for Moscato. With three different Muscat varieties in the vineyard, Free Run Cellars already has Moscato. At Moersch family wineries, Free Run and Round Barn, they are always trying new grape varieties. “The beauty of the tasting room for the customer is to taste new wines such as Moscato at the winery,” Moersch said.

Reports of Muscat-based Moscato flying off the shelves of American retail winery shelves is not lost on Mike Merchant, Tabor Hill Winery winemaker. Tabor Hill Winery’s planting of Muscat varieties is probably one of the largest in Michigan from which they make a Muscat wine with a dry, off -dry flavor profile much different from Moscato. According to Merchant, if there is a place for Moscato, it will be considered.

Technorati Tags: wine,Michigan wines

Michigan State University Assistant Professor Paolo Sabbatini caught the Moscato wave five years ago while designing wine grape variety trials with colleague Tom Zabadal. Orange Muscat, Muscat Ottonel, Moscato Giallo, Moscato Canelli and Valvin Muscat were planted in a pilot testing vineyard.

“When we planted the new grape variety trial in Michigan few years ago, the national trend in consumer preference was a rapid increase in popularity for Moscato and dessert wines,” Sabbatini said. Sabbatini believed that this is a sweet spot for Michigan wine producers (aromatic Moscato wines and sweet dessert wines) and therefore was pivotal to evaluate the viticultural and enological performances of Moscato varieties in our climate.

Sabbatini describes Moscato as the, “perfect wine for the American sweet tooth. It’s simple and doesn’t scare the new wine drinker. Michigan is strategically placed in a viticultural region where Moscato could be a signature wine.”

Rethinking Banrock Station Wines: Why Is It the Most Read Item On This Blog?

For the life of me, I can't figure it out. One day Green Dragon comes home with a couple bottles of inexpensive wine from the grocery store. They were so cheap, she said, that they could be a casual sipping wine or even cooking wine. One of them was Banrock Station Moscato and you can read the tasting notes by following the link.

In short, while I didn't give it the lowest of the low ratings (which is "ghastly") it came mighty close. I figured that at the price of about $4 it didn't put on airs by pretending to be an ultra sophisticated complex wine.

What I didn't expect was that this post would get the most comments of any post (out of more than 350) in the short history of this blog. The story has been viewed 496 times and it seems like every day someone from a far-flug part of the world is reading it again. (If you look on the right sidebar and scroll down you'll see the Feedjit gadget which shows a real time listing of who is reading what on the blog. Chances are that if you look today you'll find someone reading about this wine.)

I guess the adage holds true, you should drink what you like -- and if almost 500 people seem to like it, who am I to tell them they are wrong. At a wine tasting recently I was told by a reader that I was "too nice" in my reviews. Well, my goal isn't to be the "wine curmudgeon" telling people that they can't possibly be enjoying the wine they've been drinking because it wasn't aged in Slovakian Oak and grown using Biodynamic techniques. My philosophy is to let people experience the world of wine and discover the style they like -- everyone likes a different style or else there would be only one wine: Banrock Station Moscato. (See how I cleverly got back to the main topic?)

Earlier this year I did get an e-mail from Kimpton Hotels talking about their "Happier Hour." Each Kimpton property has a hosted wine reception for guests each evening. It's really a nice touch. When we stayed at a Kimpton hotel last summer while in Denver, they had a nice selection of wines and they rolled out a Wii for people to play while enjoying their wine.

Kimpton changes their wines monthly and their theme in 2010 has been "Wines That Care." Here's what they had to say about Banrock Station, one of their monthly selections.
"Banrock Station produces quality wines, with character. Part of the proceeds from every sale go to conservation projects around the world. For instance, Banrock's Plant a Tree Project encourages customers to plant a tree with every product purchase. Banrock Station Chardonnay. (A soft buttery flavor rounds out the fresh tropical fruit and fresh citrus characters of this wine. The palate is full-flavored with a burst of peach, pineapple and refreshing Meyer lemon fruit.) Banrock Station Shiraz Cabernet Blend. (Vibrant purple colored and laden with spicy pepper, cassis, chocolate, and black cherry flavors. This is a crown pleaser!)"

Perhaps I would have enjoyed the Moscato more if I were drinking it in the hip lobby of the Kimpton hotel in Seattle, let's say. And the focus on environmentalism is a plus.

I'm not ready to jump on the train as it leaves the Banrock Station -- but it is clear that this brand has some fans around the world.

Banrock Station Moscato 2009

This is definitely a value wine. It was picked up by my wife while grocery shopping as a “backyard” casual sipper. In fact, this can be considered an ultra-value wine at about $4. Unfortunately, the price is just about the only good news.

While I would not give this wine my lowest rating (which is “ghastly”) it is not a very complex wine and comes to close to earning that label. It tends to the sweeter side of semi-dry and has a bit of fizz to it. The taste is citrusy with a prominent lemon tang. The body is rather flat with no finish to speak of. This is an Australian wine and the winery has been very supportive of environmental issues. Banrock Station’s 2002 Cabernet was selected as a top value wine by Wine Spectator, rated 86 with a price of $7. So the winery can produce some respectable wines. This Moscato, however, didn’t enchant us.

(I've noticed many people from around the world looking at this post. If you have tried this wine we would like to see your comment. PLEASE COMMENT by clicking on the comment link below. We would love to hear from you. Also read our follow-up article, by clicking “Rethinking Banrock Station Wines)

Rethinking Banrock Station Wines

Technorati Tags: moscato,white wine,Australia

Batasiolo Winery Showcased

The Italian winery of Beni di Batasiolo showcased its outstanding range of wines at a tasting at Cork’s on Tuesday, September 22. Batasiolo export manager Stephano Poggi was on hand to oversee the tasting and provide the background on the wines. Fives wines were featured including the crisp and elegant 2006 Gavi, which is  made from the Cortese grape. The tasting was bookended by two whites, the Gavi and the Moscato d’Asti, which is a fruity, sweet wine with a bit of fizz. Batting second was the Barbera from Alba, a DOC red wine with an earthy, dark berry flavor. DOC is Di Origine Controllata, which is the second highest tier of wines under Italian wine law. KN termed this a musky wine, although not unappealing.

The wonderful Nebbiolo grape was highlighted in the next three selections. The Nebbiolo delle Langhe  was smoother than the Barbera but paled in comparison with the next two. The Barbaresco and Barolo (both named for their respective Italian towns) were beacons of flavor that stood out from the rest. Both are DOCG wines, the highest tier in the Italian wine system. My favorite was the Barolo, perhaps no surprise since Batasiolo is the world’s leading producer of Barolo. My wife favored the Barbaresco. The wines exhibit an elegant flavor of dark berries that is strong but elegant at the same time. Batasiolo terms the wines as “liquid elegance” and we agree! They are termed the Queen and King of Italian wines and were four times in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100. They were wonderful and we left with a bottle of 1999 Barbaresco (the Queen won out).

We finished with a nice glass of Moscato d’Asti. We’ve had some uninspired Moscato in the past, so this was a pleasant surprise. Although certainly the sweetest of the night, it was nowhere near the sweetness of an ice wine. This is also a DOCG wine and this 2007 vintage had a light golden color with a note of peaches. It’s fizz was a nice cap to a great evening of tasting.

Technorati Tags: Batasiolo,Barolo