Glenelly 2009 Grand Vin, Stellenbosch

A new APWASI wine certification means we pop open a special bottle.

South Africa Certified!

For the past few weeks, I’ve been studying South African wine as part of the Asia Pacific Wine and Spirit Institute Certified South African Wine Specialist program. I previously completed the Certified Argentinian Wine Specialist course and now just passed the exam for the South Africa certification.

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A major wine holiday took place while I was studying, Open That Bottle Night. On OTBN, you are supposed to open a special bottle (instead of letting it gather dust waiting for a super-special occasion). Our selection was the 2009 Glenelly Grand Vin from Stellenbosch. I chose the bottle for a couple of reasons. First, it was timely in light of my APWASI studies. It was also one of the last remaining wines we brought back from our trip to South Africa in 2015.

Memories Of A Safari And The Winelands

It was a special trip that caused us to fall in love with the country, its people, animals, cuisine, and wine. Glenelly has a stylish tasting room (or cellar door as they say in South Africa) and has a wonderful art glass collection. In fact, one of their ranges of wine is called the Glass Collection.

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We not only did a tented safari (OK, it was more like "glamping") but also visited Cape Town and the South African wine country. Known as the Winelands, these are perhaps the most scenic wine regions on earth.

Winemaking in South Africa dates back to the 1600s when the Dutch settled the area at the continent's tip. It was believed that wine would help prevent scurvy for sailors, so this became a popular stop for ships sailing between Europe and India.

The country ranges from a mild Mediterranean climate to desert conditions, resulting in a wide range of different wines and styles. Since the end of apartheid in the 1990s, there has been a boom in wine quality.

The Best Of Both Worlds

While South Africa's best-known white wine is Chenin Blanc, known locally as Steen, it also produces beautiful Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. For red wines, the signature grape is Pinotage, a unique grape that is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Perhaps our favorites are the Bordeaux-style red blends (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot, etc.). The winemaking is a wonderful blend of New World flavors with Old World craftsmanship.

Stellenbosch is known as the Kingdom of Cabernet, and the Grand Vin blend includes Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

When we first tasted it at the winery, it was more fruit-driven. In the years since it evolved to have lovely toasted caramel notes with flavors of cooked fruit and black tea. The body remains smooth and supple. Delightful!

Nelle ultime settimane ho studiato vino sudafricano nell'ambito del programma di specialista del vino sudafricano certificato Asia Pacific Wine and Spirit Institute. In precedenza ho completato il corso Certified Argentinian Wine Specialist e ora ho appena superato l'esame per la certificazione Sud Africa.

Mentre studiavo si è svolta una grande festa del vino, Open That Bottle Night. Su OTBN, dovresti aprire una bottiglia speciale (invece di lasciarla raccogliere polvere in attesa di un'occasione super speciale). La nostra selezione è stata il Glenelly Grand Vin 2009 di Stellenbosch. Ho scelto la bottiglia per un paio di motivi. Innanzitutto, è stato opportuno alla luce dei miei studi APWASI. È stato anche uno degli ultimi vini rimasti che abbiamo riportato dal nostro viaggio in Sud Africa nel 2015.

È stato un viaggio speciale che ci ha fatto innamorare del paese, della sua gente, degli animali, della cucina e del vino. Glenelly ha un'elegante sala degustazione (o porta della cantina come si dice in Sud Africa) e ha una meravigliosa collezione di vetri d'arte. In effetti, una delle loro gamme di vini si chiama Glass Collection.

Non solo abbiamo fatto un safari in tenda (OK, era più come "glamping") ma abbiamo anche visitato Cape Town e la regione vinicola sudafricana. Conosciute come le Winelands, queste sono forse le regioni vinicole più panoramiche della terra. La vinificazione in Sud Africa risale al 1600, quando gli olandesi stabilirono l'area all'estremità del continente. Si credeva che il vino avrebbe aiutato a prevenire lo scorbuto per i marinai, quindi questa è diventata una tappa popolare per le navi che navigano tra l'Europa e l'India.

Il paese varia da un clima mite mediterraneo a condizioni desertiche, risultando in una vasta gamma di vini e stili diversi. Dalla fine dell'apartheid negli anni '90, c'è stato un boom della qualità del vino.

Mentre il vino bianco più conosciuto del Sud Africa è lo Chenin Blanc, conosciuto localmente come Steen, produce anche bellissimi Chardonnay e Sauvignon Blanc. Per i vini rossi, l'uva firma è il Pinotage, un'uva unica che è un incrocio tra Pinot Nero e Cinsault. Forse i nostri preferiti sono le miscele rosse in stile bordolese (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot, ecc.). La vinificazione è una meravigliosa miscela di sapori del Nuovo Mondo con l'artigianato del Vecchio Mondo.

Stellenbosch è conosciuta come il Regno del Cabernet e la miscela Grand Vin comprende Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot e Petit Verdot.

Quando l'abbiamo assaggiato per la prima volta in cantina, era più fruttato. Negli anni successivi si è evoluto per avere piacevoli note di caramello tostato con aromi di frutta cotta e tè nero. Il corpo rimane liscio ed elastico. Delizioso!

Open That Bottle Night Set For February 25

Why let that special bottle gather dust while you wait for that perfect occasion which may never come? Celebrate life now – or more exactly on February 25 – during Open That Bottle Night.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 25.That's the date for Open That Bottle Night.
This is an international event designed to help you celebrate life by savoring a special bottle of wine.

Are you saving a certain bottle of wine for a special occasion that never seems to arrive? Created by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, wine writers for the Wall Street Journal, Open That Bottle Night makes the last Saturday in February just that occasion. Use OTBN as a reason to enjoy that special wine — while it’s still at its prime!

We hope you use this opportunity to pop a special bottle. Let us know about your OTBN experience (click on comment below).


Here are some tips for enjoying OTBN:

1. Choose the Setting. Alone with a special loved one, at a dinner party with friends, or in a restaurant that permits BYOB.
2. Select the Bottle. The important concept is that the bottle of wine or champagne have a special significance, not that it be particularly expensive or prestigious.
3. Stand it Up. Sediment sometimes forms inside wine bottles, so you should set the bottle vertical position a few days before OTBN to let it settle to the bottom.
4. Watch the Temperature. Both reds and whites are best served at about 55F (12C).
5. Watch the Cork. Old wine-bottle corks may crumble during removal. If that happens, pour the wine through a coffee filter into a carafe until all the cork particles are separated.
6. Watch the Oxygen. Older, fragile wines are quickly damaged by oxygen in the air. Keep them closed up.
7. Have a Backup Wine Available. If your favored bottle has gone bad, you will still be able to enjoy the evening.
8. Share Your Thoughts. Everyone should say a few words about the significance of their bottle.
9. Give it Time. Gaither and Brecher report that they often hear of bottles of wine that becomes more delicious as the evening progresses.

Get Ready To Celebrate: Open That Bottle Night Scheduled Feb. 27

Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 27. That's the date for Open That Bottle Night.
Are you saving a certain bottle of wine for a special occasion that never seems to arrive? Created by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, wine writers for the Wall Street Journal, Open That Bottle Night makes the last Saturday in February just that occasion. Use OTBN as a reason to enjoy that special wine — while it’s still at its prime!

We love the concept of Open That Bottle Night. It’s a once-a-year excuse to unshackle that special bottle you’ve been saving and savor it – no need to wait for a 25th anniversary, new job or significant birthday. Celebrate the here and now, or as an artist friend of mine likes to say, “savor the moment.” It's like having fine china and crystal that never gets used because no occasion seems to be special enough.

We hope you use this opportunity to pop a special bottle. We’ll be celebrating in style at the Exchange Club of Toledo benefit wine tasting. Let us know about your OTBN bottle (click on comment below).

Cheers!

Lakewood 2013 3 Generations Riesling, Finger Lakes

We celebrated Open That Bottle Night last weekend with a number of friends. To get things off on the right note, we offered this  Riesling from Lakewood as an arrival wine.
We are over the top fans of Finger Lakes wine and, in our minds, there is nothing finer than a deliciously Dry Riesling from the region in upstate New York. Lakewood is a standout winery with a l-o-o-o-n-g tasting bar, a wide assortment of wines and a scenic view of Seneca Lake.
Riesling is king in the Finger Lakes. This noble grape is the Finger Lakes most widely planted variety with nearly 850 acres in production and almost every winery produces at least one Riesling brand. The microclimate conditions and the slate soils that are so special to the Finger Lakes are exactly what make Riesling thrive there.
The 3 Generations Riesling was grown , fermented and blended by three generations of the Stamp family working together. The wine was blended from their finest lots of Riesling.
The initial impression is one of freshness. It is dry, but bubbling with flavors of lime and peach but with just the right amount of acidity to keep if from being flabby. The there is a refreshing slate minerality running through the wine that  wraps the package together nicely. It’s rather low 11.7% alcohol level means this is a food friendly wine.
As with most Finger Lakes wine, the price is a welcome surprise. The 3 Generations Riesling is only $19.99. That’s true value and world class taste. Each generation did their job quite well!
Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 5 of 5

Open That Bottle Night 2015 Pops Cork On New Memories

For one frosty night in February, the dreary cold is banished by the warmth of Open That Bottle Night. The event is a time to gather with family and friends to open a special bottle that otherwise would remain sealed for lack of the “just right” occasion.
At Toledo Wines and Vines, we scraped the ice off the sidewalks, polished up the wine glasses and hosted 17 friends to enjoy a selection of unique wines. It was an evening filled with fun, fellowship and bottles from the Finger Lakes, Ontario, Australia, Argentina, Portugal, New Zealand, Washington, Spain and California.

We provided a number of wines and invited guests to bring a special bottle. Each person was to share a story and also a dish to go with their wine.
This was our lineup:

• 2013 Lakewood Vineyards 3 Generations Riesling, Finger Lakes
• 2011 TerraVentoux Ventoux les Sablons
• 2012 Jean-Jacques Vincent Pouilly-Fuissé Cuvée Marie Antoinette
• 2007 Five Star Cellars Petit Verdot/Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley (Signed by owner Dave Huse)
• 2012 19 Crimes, Victoria, Australia
• Byron 2012 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley
• 2010 Kenwood Vineyards Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
• 2007 Kacaba Vineyard Reserve Meritage, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
• 2009 Numanthia Termes, Toro, Spain
• 2008 Susana Balbo Brioso, Mendoza, Argentina
• 2009 Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon, California
• 2011 Selaks East Coast Ice Wine, New Zealand
• NV Kessler Vineyard Cherry Port
• Dow’s 10 Year Old Porto

Phew! Let me say that we were giving “tasting” pours and Pastor Chuck was there to ensure the event didn’t descend into mayhem.
Arrival wines included the Ventoux les Sablons, a nice Syrah-Grenache blend from Rhone and the 2013 3 Generations Riesling from Lakewood. The 3 Generations is a knockout Dry Riesling from the outstanding 2013 Finger Lakes vintage. The wine has peach, pear, and lime with pleasing minerality and acidity.

The 2007 Five Star Cellars Petit Verdot/Cab Franc was a case of lost and found. I attended a tasting a few years ago at Corks. Dave Huse, owner of the winery was there doing the tasting. He was happy to autograph bottles for those who bought them. I purchased one and so did tasting team member, the Cabinator. In subsequent years, we both drank our bottles – and loved them. Just a few months ago, I discovered this autographed bottle languishing in a discount bin at Corks. I snatched it up for a paltry sum.
The Five Star fills the glass with its aromatic bouquet. It is initially velvety on the tongue. It has notes of dark fruit, cherry, mint and the forest floor. It finishes with a touch of spice.
We then learned that there were 19 crimes for which a British citizen could be banished to the penal colony of Australia. That wouldn’t be bad these days, as there is some fine wine being produced there, such as the 19 Crimes Shiraz blend.
The 2012 Byron Pinot Noir showcases the Pinot mastery of Santa Barbara County. Jack let the group know that this was one of the wines featured in Sideways that fueled the Pinot craze. The flavors blend cherry and toffee with a long peppery finish.

Our group then filtered down to the wine cellar – or more accurately, our cellar where I keep the wine. I don’t want to make it sound too grandiose. Anyhoo, while I showed off my Jeroboam of Rioja, I poured the 2010 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has a full body with red fruit and flavors of eucalyptus and cola. The finish is long and beautiful. It is an enticing wine that urges you to come back for more (we did, until the bottle was empty!).
Next was from one of our favorite wineries, Kacaba Vineyard in the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario. Cabinator presented this 2007 Reserve Meritage to the delight of the crowd. This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It was a standout with a full nose, savory flavors of red and black fruit coat the tongue while toasty oak is also in the mix.

Our exploration of exotic wines continued with our savoring of the 2009 Numanthia Termes Tempranillo from Toro. Eric told the story of how he picked up the bottle while in Barcelona preparing for the running of the bulls – what a great story, which we soon learned was completely fabricated. 
Another high point was the 2008 Susana Balbo Brioso from Mendoza. Brioso means “spirited love of challenge” and these grapes are challenged indeed, all being grown at elevations over 3,300 feet. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. This is a magnificent wine with great depth. It is dark, smooth and elegant with notes of toffee and dark fruit.
We enjoyed one final Cab, the impenetrably dark 2012 Carnivor provided by tasting team members Wine Chick and Sax Man. This is a teeth-stainer with rich flavors of raisin, blackberry and oak.

We finished with a trio of dessert wines: the Selaks 2011 East Coast Ice wine from New Zealand, Kessler Vineyard Cherry Port, and the Dow 10 Year Old Porto. The Selaks wasn’t syrupy as we thought it might be. It paired quite nicely with celery (at least according to one guest, but it’s not a recommended pairing). Tasting Team Member Dr. J poured his own creation, Kessler Vineyard Cherry Port – and it was a hit. Just the right amount of fruit to balance the “portness” of the wine. We closed with a traditional Port and it was a fitting finish – warming us all before many had to trek into the snowflakes for the ride home.
OTBN 2016 can’t come fast enough!

Technorati Tags: OTBN,wine

Join The Celebration: Open That Bottle Night 2015 Is Saturday, February 28

Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 28. That's the date for Open That Bottle Night.
Since the millennium, one night in the dull, dark month of February has been immeasurably brightened for wine-lovers by the creation of a special day to celebrate cherished bottles of wine, champagne and spirits. Open That Bottle Night is dedicated to making sure that those bottles of fine wine put away for a special occasion, are used and enjoyed.
Open That Bottle Night is an annual occasion that aims to motivate people to reconnect with each other over a bottle, and create good memories with friends and family.
Are you saving a certain bottle of wine for a special occasion that never seems to arrive? Created by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, wine writers for the Wall Street Journal, Open That Bottle Night makes the last Saturday in February just that occasion. Use OTBN as a reason to enjoy that special wine — while it’s still at its prime!
Are you feelin’ it yet? Here is a link to our report from last year’s OTBN to get you in the spirit. This year we’ll have a gathering at Toledo Wines and Vines international headquarters to celebrate the event.
If you follow us on Twitter (@toledowav) , you’ll be able to see the various bottles we sample in real time. You can share your activities on our Facebook page, Google+ page, comment on the blog or tweet us. All that social media should help you work up a big thirst!
Happy OTBN!

Open That Bottle Night 2014 Report: Diverse Wines Delight

This year one of our favorite events just sort of snuck up on us. It’s a holiday of sorts for wine lovers – Open That Bottle Night. That’s the night when you are encouraged to open a special bottle and enjoy with friends. No sense letting a “treasure wine” molder away for a perfect occasion that may never arrive. Pop the cork and savor the moment now!

This year’s OTBN was February 22. Quite frankly, we forgot all about it. Perhaps our brains were frozen over by the sub-Arctic winter. It turned out better than alright because we had an invite to visit tasting team member Dr. J and wife Casey to sample some wines. So we grabbed a bite at Ruby Tuesdays and headed to their house.
I had gotten a Le Nez du Vin wine aroma kit from Green Dragon for Christmas, so I brought that with me. We began the evening by trying to identify wine aromas – some not so common, like boxwood and lychee.
Our wine lineup was as follows:

• 2009 Bonny Doon Vineyard Muscat Ca' del Solo
• 2008 Mark Herold Wines Acha Red
• 2009 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
• 2006 Sempre Vive Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vine

I grabbed the Bonny Doon on a whim, wanting to try a white and something different – and we don’t drink Muscat every day. This was our opening act. In the glass the wine is a nice yellow in color. It is just off dry with muted floral tones. Minerality was the main impression on our group of tasters. It was an interesting, but not dazzling wine.

Acha is a Tempranillo blend from Mark Herold. I became a fan of his when I sampled his Flux Grenache blend. When I saw a special deal on Underground Cellar, I picked up three bottles including two Acha.
The blend is primarily Tempranillo, with Grenache, Carignane, Graciano and Petite Sirah rounding out the wine. I was expecting a laid back, light bodied Tempranillo and was surprised by the deep earthy flavors and spicy black cherry notes. The wine also has some serious tannins. Acha is expressive and complex. I’m glad we gotcha Acha!
The Willamette Valley Pinot was the “baby” of the group, being a 375 ML bottle we picked up at a dinner at the winery while in Oregon. It might be diminutive in size, but it was 10 feet tall in flavor.
This is a ruby colored wine that represents America’s best Pinot Noir region very well. It is light in body without being weak. Cranberry, cherry and vanilla  swirl in the glass. Green Dragon tagged this as her favorite of the evening.
From the cellar of Dr. J we selected the Old Vines ‘06 Napa Cab from Sempre Vive. Sempre Vive means “always alive” and this wine surely was. We gave it a good decanting while chatting, enjoying cheese and crackers and tasting through the other wines.
Sempre Vive is a beautiful expression of Napa Cabernet. The bouquet is of fresh berries and on the palate it is nice and velvety. The flavor profile is a pleasing jumble of raspberry and black cherries.
I was surprised to learn that the price on this was about $24. That is an impressive value – especially when the current vintage costs $45. If you see it, buy it!
As we drained the last drops from our glass, yet another chapter was added to the Open That Bottle Night legend…

Technorati Tags: Open That Bottle Night,wine

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Open That Bottle Night 2012 Report: A Bevy Of Stars Come Out To Play

It was a double header for the TWAV tasting team as we celebrated Open That Bottle Night and the Academy Awards. The elegant party was hosted by Glorious T and Ace of Bass and featured a lineup of stars both on and off the screen.
Our lineup included:

• Wines That Rock 2007 Police Synchronicity Red Blend
  
• Tattinger Domaine Carneros 2005 Le Reve
  
• Clos du Bois 2007 Sonoma Reserve Merlot, Alexander Valley
  
• Reif Estate 2007 Meritage, Niagara River VQA
  
• Ecco Domani 2010 Merlot Sicilia
  
• Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2007 Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The Synchronicity wine was a bottle picked up by Wine Chick and Sax Man to enjoy on a special occasion. When the call went out for Open That Bottle Night, they knew this was just the right time. OTBN encourages wine lovers to savor the moment by opening a special bottle to celebrate life, rather than waiting for a perfect moment that may never arrive.

The Police laid down some great grooves with this blend of Carignane, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Viognier. This was a light and compelling wine that delivered a multi-faceted performance with floral aromas and juicy berry palate. My only regret is that it was almost gone by the time we arrived at the party.

Next up on the red carpet was Domaine Carneros by Tattinger 2005 Le Reve. Le Reve translates to “the dream” and to many this Blanc de Blancs is the best sparkling wine in America. Tattinger is a famous French Champagne house that established Domaine Carneros to make sparkling wines in the methode champenoise with California grapes. This is a luxury cuvee made entirely from Chardonnay grapes. Le Reve proved to be the Meryl Streep of the evening, delivering an award-winning performance that was elegant, not overly dry and refreshingly bubbly.

The Clos du Bois Merlot is a limited production wine made from the superb hillside and benchland vineyards of Alexander Valley. This had a full, silky body with blackberry, toast and mocha.

Delivering an Oscar-caliber performance was the Reif Estate 2007 Meritage. This is a classic Bordeaux blend of 47% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. It was picked up by Glorious T and Ace of Bass during a trip to the Niagara Peninsula and it was a blockbuster. This vintage is just coming into its own and exhibits rich vanilla and blackberry on the nose. On the palate spice, plum and smoke are at play. The superior finish deserves a standing ovation.

Merlot was again on center stage as we sampled the 2010 Ecco
Domani. This has bright cherry and soft blackberry flavors, a perfect fit for a variety of foods.

As the crowd was gathering around the big screen to see who took the top awards, we sampled the final vino: the 2007 Stag’s Leap Artemis Cabernet. Like a Hollywood leading man, it was big, rich and powerful. This is Napa Cabernet at its best. The tannins are strong but loosened in the glass. It delivers a punch of black cherry and cassis with a woodsy flair. This offers some spice and rosemary flavor notes as well.

Technorati Tags: wine,Open That Bottle Night

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Open That Bottle Night Scheduled For Saturday, February 25

Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 25. That's the date for Open That Bottle Night. This is an international event designed to help you celebrate life by savoring a special bottle of wine.

Are you saving a certain bottle of wine for a special occasion that never seems to arrive? Created by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, wine writers for the Wall Street Journal, Open That Bottle Night makes the last Saturday in February just that occasion. Use OTBN as a reason to enjoy that special wine — while it’s still at its prime!

We hope you use this opportunity to pop a special bottle. Let us know about your OTBN plans (click on comment below).

Look here for our report from last year’s OTBN.

Here are some tips for enjoying OTBN:

1. Choose the Setting. Alone with a special loved one, at a dinner party with friends, or in a restaurant that permits BYOB.
2. Select the Bottle. The important concept is that the bottle of wine or champagne have a special significance, not that it be particularly expensive or prestigious.
3. Stand it Up. Sediment sometimes forms inside wine bottles, so you should set the bottle vertical position a few days before OTBN to let it settle to the bottom.
4. Watch the Temperature. Both reds and whites are best served at about 55F (12C).
5. Watch the Cork. Old wine-bottle corks may crumble during removal. If that happens, pour the wine through a coffee filter into a carafe until all the cork particles are separated.
6. Watch the Oxygen. Older, fragile wines are quickly damaged by oxygen in the air. Keep them closed up.
7. Have a Backup Wine Available. If your favored bottle has gone bad, you will still be able to enjoy the evening.
8. Share Your Thoughts. Everyone should say a few words about the significance of their bottle.
9. Give it Time. Gaither and Brecher report that they often hear of bottles of wine that becomes more delicious as the evening progresses.

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• Otbn 2012: Wwybo? (binnotes.com)
• Lost Block Pinot Noir 2008 wine review by (PB) (winecask.blogspot.com)
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• Wine Words Demystified: Punt (enofylzwineblog.com)

Open That Bottle Night 2011 Report: Red and White Rockers

We love the concept of Open That Bottle Night. It’s a once-a-year excuse to unshackle that special bottle you’ve been saving and savor it – no need to wait for a 25th anniversary, new job or significant birthday. Celebrate the here and now, or as an artist friend of mine likes to say, “savor the moment.”

The OTBN event this year featured a tasty lineup of wines:

• Ravines 2007 Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes
• Von Schleinitz 2007 Apollo Dry Riesling, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
• Beni di Batasiolo 1999 Barbaresco
• O’Brien Estate Winery 2004 Seduction, Napa Valley
• Alere Vineyard 2007 GMS Blue Oak Vineyard, Santa Barbara
• Toasted Head 2008 Barrel Reserve Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

The event was hosted by Glorious T and Ace of Bass. Sax Man and Wine Chick joined Green Dragon and me for the tasting.

Ravines Winery in the Finger Lakes is one of our favorite wineries. It’s scenic and relaxing to visit and rocks out some outstanding dry Riesling and succulent reds. The Cab Franc started the evening on a high note. The wine is finely balanced with a lighter body than expected. The lush taste is punctuated with pepper and spice. Smashing!

Before we got too deep into the reds, we circled back for the Mosel Valley Dry Riesling. On a night when the spotlight was expected to be on the reds, this German wine was a crowd-pleaser. The wine has strong minerality and finished with a blip of tropical fruit. “Mineral domination,” shouted Ace of Bass. Sax Man is a big Dry Riesling fan and he was all smiles as he swirled and sipped. This was an aristocratic white.



I was looking forward to the Barbaresco, which has been a prized wine since we purchased it a couple years ago. We had decanted the Cab Franc, but I suggested that we not do it for this one, thinking the wine might be fragile and lose its pop with too much exposure to air. My mistake!

As we served up the Barbaresco, it was a bit edgy. Green Dragon thought it had some acetone in the aroma. It wasn’t drinking well. I kept sampling as the conversations meandered and Ace of Bass and I were rewarded with a wine that opened up to some complex and enjoyable earthy flavors. This is a sturdy wine best enjoyed with a meal – or a cigar.

The O’Brien Seduction was a treasure wine from Ace and Glorious T.It is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. This is a wonderful wine that has snagged 90+ ratings from Robert Parker and other wine authorities. This had beautiful flavors of dark cherry and espresso.

Alere (ah-lare-ey) Vineyard and Winery focuses on Rhone varietals. Their GMS is a blend of Grenache (57%), Mourvedre (26%) and Syrah (14%). It is medium bodied with flavors of dark berries and plum.



Our finale wine was the 2008 Toasted Head Barrel Reserve Pinot Noir. This was touted as the wine buy of the year at Walt Churchill’s Market in Perrysburg. The loud Rush concert DVD in the background couldn’t drown out the raspberry and cherry flavors from this elegant wine.

We did indeed “Open That Bottle” and it made for a night to remember.

Technorati Tags: wine,Open That Bottle Night

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Open That Bottle Night 2011: Pop The Corks in Celebration on February 26!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 26.
That's the date for Open That Bottle Night.
This is an international event designed to help you celebrate life by savoring a special bottle of wine.

Are you saving a certain bottle of wine for a special occasion that never seems to arrive? Created by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, wine writers for the Wall Street Journal, Open That Bottle Night makes the last Saturday in February just that occasion. Use OTBN as a reason to enjoy that special wine — while it’s still at its prime!

We hope you use this opportunity to pop a special bottle. Let us know about your OTBN experience (click on comment below).

Look here for our report from last year’s OTBN.

Here are some tips for enjoying OTBN:

1. Choose the Setting. Alone with a special loved one, at a dinner party with friends, or in a restaurant that permits BYOB.
2. Select the Bottle. The important concept is that the bottle of wine or champagne have a special significance, not that it be particularly expensive or prestigious.
3. Stand it Up. Sediment sometimes forms inside wine bottles, so you should set the bottle vertical position a few days before OTBN to let it settle to the bottom.
4. Watch the Temperature. Both reds and whites are best served at about 55F (12C).
5. Watch the Cork. Old wine-bottle corks may crumble during removal. If that happens, pour the wine through a coffee filter into a carafe until all the cork particles are separated.
6. Watch the Oxygen. Older, fragile wines are quickly damaged by oxygen in the air. Keep them closed up.
7. Have a Backup Wine Available. If your favored bottle has gone bad, you will still be able to enjoy the evening.
8. Share Your Thoughts. Everyone should say a few words about the significance of their bottle.
9. Give it Time. Gaither and Brecher report that they often hear of bottles of wine that becomes more delicious as the evening progresses.

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