Corning & Southern Finger Lakes Offer A Bounty Of Incredible Wine

Seeking world-class white wine? Look no further than New York’s Keuka Lake.

A Wine Playground

We’ve trotted the globe in search of adventure and exemplary wine. While Italy’s Alps and the old vine Shiraz of Australia are impressive, the Finger Lakes region is perhaps our favorite place for wine adventures.

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The Native American legend says that the Great Spirit loved the central New York State region so much that he placed his hands on the land. The imprint filled with crystal water and became the Finger Lakes (although there are 11 of them!).

During a recent International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association webinar with Corning & The Southern Finger Lakes we had a chance to revisit our favorite wine playground. The webinar included a tasting of three superb white wines.

The sensational wine is just part of the story. Corning and the Southern Finger Lakes is a 4½-hour drive from New York City and about four hours from Philadelphia. It is a world away, though, with small town Americana charm plus world class attractions.

Corning has been voted the Most Fun Small Town and Hammondsport has been named one of the country’s best small lake towns. We’ve enjoyed visits to both over the years. In addition to great dining and shops, Corning also has the Corning Museum of Glass, which has the world’s largest collection of glass art. Its collection spans 3,500 years.

Keuka Lake is known as the crooked Finger Lake, being shaped like a “Y.” While we have enjoyed wine tastings on Seneca, Cayuga, and Canandaigua, we have special affection for Keuka.

Nearby Hammondsport is a wonderful small town with a perfect town square surrounded by restaurants and shops. It’s a short distance from the three wineries highlighted during our webinar.

Towering Trio

In addition to representatives of the Steuben (stew-BEN) County convention and visitors bureau, three wineries were featured: Domaine LeSeurre, Weis Vineyards, and Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery. It is a great snapshot representing the quality wines of the region.

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Domaine LeSeurre 2017 Chardonnay Unoaked Cuvée Classique – Sébastien LeSeurre and wife Céline craft wines using their taste and feelings. “If you make wine with numbers, your wine will taste like numbers,” he said during the webinar. Both Céline and  Sébastien are from France with deep family roots in winemaking. They are the winemaking team for Domaine LeSeurre and with the Chardonnay Cuvée they have crafted a wonderful food wine.

The wine is fermented 100% in stainless steel and undergoes battonage for 10 months. Grapes are sourced from two Finger Lakes vineyards, one predominantly shalestone and the other clay. The wine has tropical fruit and honey notes. There is a flowing minerality and great balance.

Weis Vineyards 2019 Dry Riesling – Hans Peter Weis was born in the Mosel region of Germany and spent his youth in the vineyards and wine cellar of his family’s winery. He decided to pursue his winemaking passion in the US and tried one vintage in Sonoma before stumbling upon the Finger Lakes. Here he found the soils and climate similar to home and the perfect location to handcraft German-style wines.

We paired the Weis Riesling with a vegan meal of crispy tofu with orange sauce and stir-fried vegetables. Our daughter is a vegan chef and outdid herself with this delicious meal. While we had visited the other two featured wineries, this was our first taste of Weis (pronounced VICE) and it did not disappoint.

The wine has refreshing minerality with lime notes and a crackling acidity. There are flavor notes of wet stones and apple. This is an amazing wine and for those who aren’t familiar with the dry style of Riesling, this bottle will be a game-changer. Superb!

Dr. Konstantin Frank 2019 Rkatsitelli – Meaghan Frank is the great-granddaughter of Konstantin Frank, the Ukrainian immigrant whose determination and skill changed the course of wine history in the Finger Lakes. It was previously thought that New York was only suitable for table wines made with native grapes and that vitis vinifera, or noble grapes, would never grow there. He dashed that idea and today the region produces world-class wine and the winery that bears his name is acknowledged as one of the top 100 wineries in the world.

Meaghan has brought innovative ideas to the winery, but shared something very old. Rkatsitelli is one of the oldest grape varieties in the world, dating back to 3000 BC.

Dr. Frank’s has a wide-ranging lineup of wines, but the Rkat is special indeed. It has medium body weight and texture and a core of grapefruit flavor. Notes of citrus and flower blossoms intermingle with mineral undertones. What an amazing wine! It will pair perfectly with sushi, seafood, poultry and even barbeque.

We have only scratched the surface of this enticing locale. Each time we travel there we return with beautiful memories (and plenty of wine). For more information on the destination, check out the Corning and the Southern Finger Lakes website.

My colleague Stacey Wittig has recently shared her top picks for the best Finger Lakes wineries near Corning. Check them out!

Rosé Summer Rolls On With Two French Mediterranean Winners

We’ve declared this the Rosé Summer. Pink is everywhere you look. For us in the Triangle area of North Carolina, there has been some sweltering humidity. What’s a person to do? Try uncorking one of these rosé blends.

Power Of The Chiller

Rosé is a pink wine made from red wine grapes. Red wine wouldn’t be red if not for extended contact with the grape skins, which provide anthocyanins – the compound which gives grapes color. When it comes to drinking wine, that may be TMI (too much information)!

The art of rosé is controlling the process to result in the delightful salmon, coral or rose colors. The visual treat is a boost to the spirits on a hot day as much as the crisp refreshing wine.

We encourage you to chill it down and then get down, so to speak, with a glass of rosé. It’s a perfect pairing wine for a variety of foods.

Say Cinsault – Say What?

We recently tried a pair of rosé wines from France, the Mimi en Provence Grand Reserve, Côtes de Provence and the Gérard Bertrand Cote des Roses, Languedoc Sud de France. Both are 2016 vintages and both can be found in the $12-$15 price range.

This pair also shares the same trio of grapes in their blend: Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah – popular grapes in the south of France. The Mimi lists the grapes in the order above, while the Cotes des Roses leads with the Grenache in the greater quantity followed by Cinsault. Cinsault, is pronounced SAHN-soh, and can also be spelled Cinsaut. Cinsault can withstand very high heat, and so it is widely grown in the hotter areas of France, like Languedoc. It is typically blended to tone down its naturally high acidity. We consider this a playful blend of grapes, that well represents the Mediterranean region from which they originate.

A Rosé By Any Other Name

Two great entrée choices for rosé are pork and salmon. We tried them both with excellent results. We paired the Mimi with cedar plank rosemary salmon served with broccoli and baked potatoes.

The Mimi, which we picked up at Cellar 55, is a light salmon in color – how fitting! The bouquet is bright and floral. On the palate, there is a taste of Granny Smith apples and citrus. It is fresh and crisp. It was a seamless match with our salmon and we continued to enjoy it on into the evening.

The Gérard Bertrand is pale pink in the glass. On the nose there are whiffs of red fruit. The Cote des Roses was poured with panko-coated pork chops grilled with apples and served with broiled vegetables and couscous. The grapes for this vino are grown in a warm, windy climate and the altitude and cooling sea breezes allow the grapes to retain their freshness. We tasted honeysuckle and flavor threads of candied citrus.

I grabbed the Gérard Bertrand for dinner when I saw the Green Dragon arranging some pink roses on the dining table. The Cote des Roses bottle is embellished with a pink rose on the neck. The bottle was created by a young designer from the Ecole Boulle. It features a rose molded into the bottom of the bottle. You can turn the bottle upside down and present it like a rose, I guess.

Both the bottles are closed with glass stoppers, adding to the artistic appeal. These are crisp, refreshing food-friendly choices for your warm weather refreshment. Let the Rosé Summer roll on!

Fuquay-Varina’s Cellar 55 A Home Away From Home For Wine Lovers

We developed a powerful thirst relocating to North Carolina from 600 miles away. Luckily we discovered Cellar 55 in our new hometown.

Wine Oasis Ahead

Relocating from another state can really put a crimp on things – especially our enjoyment of wine. We are newcomers to North Carolina, specifically to the hyphenated town of Fuquay-Varina in Wake County. As a result, we were disconnected from our wine compadres and the usual shops, tastings and events we used to frequent. On top of it all, more than half of my vino is in my mother-in-law’s spare bedroom.

We were scouting out a fitness club in our new town when I happened to spy the sign for Cellar 55 across the street. I was hoping this wasn’t a misleading sign for a new fashion store for ‘tweens. All thoughts of that were dispelled when we walked in the door. Displays of wine and craft beer stretched wall to wall. That was just the first of what I expect will be many visits.

The shop, located at 1351 E. Broad St. in Fuquay-Varina, NC, in Fuquay Crossing shopping center, is owned by Bill and Karyl Wigington. The mission is to provide advice and education so that all can understand and enjoy what they are drinking at all price points. We’ll put it more simply, this is “home sweet home” for area wine lovers who want an eclectic selection of bottles, free tastings, wine pairing events and education.

A Social Hub For Vino

I don’t want to short-sell the amazing array of craft beers and the activities for those focused on brew. It’s very impressive. Our focus, however, is on wine. And there’s a lot of it!

The wines on display are very diverse, with good selections from some of our favorite areas including Washington State, South Africa, Spain, Oregon and Paso Robles. No one should ever walk out of the store without a bottle – too many good choices.

On Fridays and Saturdays, there are free tastings of both beer and wine. Wine Specialist Jim Breece has handled the wine tastings each time I’ve been there. He’s friendly and knowledgeable. The back half of the store is the tasting room, with individual tables and seating areas and a large communal table. One of my favorite features is the “wall of wine,” a Wine Station dispenser that allows you to use a swipe card to dispense any of 16 different wines in three different portion sizes (and prices).

The Wine Station is a stellar feature. In addition to being a dispenser, it is a wine preservation system, ensuring you won’t have a spoiled glass of wine. You have the chance to take small samples of wine – or dispense a whole glass. It’s an excellent way to sample a variety of wines. A nearby corkboard displays tasting notes and pricing on each featured bottle. I sampled the 2012 “The Ball Buster” Shiraz blend from Australia and it did indeed pack a flavorful punch.

The large communal table can be used for socializing or for one of the many events/programs put on by Cellar 55. They also offer a “small bites” menu ranging from olives to charcuterie or even dessert chocolate (nice for those Cabernets).

The Educated Grape

Cellar 55 hosts regular wine and food pairings, in conjunction with local chefs. Beware! These events sell out well in advance, so get your tickets early. Educational programs on various wine regions or aspects of wine tasting are also on the docket. One upcoming program (August 16) focuses on the Bordeaux and Loire regions of France – two of the greatest in the world.

Specials abound at Cellar 55. Wednesday is 10% off beer and wine by the glass. Every day they offer 20% off growler fills. They also offer discounts on purchases of three bottles of special selection wines and a discount on case wine purchases.

Cellar 55 opened its doors in July 2016. Just a year later it is making an indelible impression on the wine landscape in Wake County. There’s only one way you can be sure – walk in their door and grab a glass!

Exchange Club of Toledo Sets 5th Annual Wine Tasting February 25

Members of the Exchange Club of Toledo will host a wine tasting with paired appetizers at the historic Oliver House in downtown Toledo 6:00 – 8:00 PM Saturday, February 25.

The event will benefit their Youth of the Year and Accepting the Challenge of Excellence scholarships. Both scholarships benefit seniors in high school from our area with monetary scholarships for either being an exceptional student and young citizen or overcoming a life changing obstacle and achieving success. The Exchange Club works with students from the TPS system.

The event promises tasty wines and food pairings in a comfortable, historic downtown setting. There will be several irresistible silent auction items, the famous “wall of wine” and the company will be just right.  Tickets are $50 per person. For information or tickets, contact Gail Weller at  (419) 343-2426 or at gweller@nationalexchangeclub.org . All major credit cards accepted.

The Oliver House is located at 27 Broadway St Toledo. At 150 years old, the pre-Civil War hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Oliver House is currently the home of a number of Toledo favorites, including Maumee Bay Brewing Co. and Rockwell's Steakhouse.

Zinful Features Natural Beauty of Organic Wines

At Toledo Wines and Vines we believe in sustainability and taking care of the environment. Grapes are agricultural crops that depend on healthy water, soil and climate. So when Earth Day rolled around, you might guess how we celebrated: by drinking wine. Hey, it was organic!

Organic Wines Are Naturally Good

Zinful, Perrysburg’s downtown wine bar, was the scene of the Earth Day tasting with a focus on two organic wineries: Domain de Mauperthuis of Burgundy and Tenuta delle Terre Nere of Italy.

We sampled a white and red from Mauperthuis. The first was a 2014 Chablis, which is Chardonnay. In the style of this famous French region, the wine was not oaked. It was crisp, light and delicious. SRP $19.99. The 2014 Domaine Mauperthuis Bourgogne Rouge Les Brulis is a Pinot Noir in the earthy, Burgundian style with the fruitiness dialed back. Enjoyable, but not a match for a good Willamette Valley Pinot. SRP $17.99.

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The wines of Terre Nere are extremely interesting because they come from the volcanic soil of Italy’s Etna island. Four different Terre Nere wines were featured. The 2014 Etna Bianco is a field blend of 65% Carricante plus local varieties Catarratto, Grecanico, Inzolia and Minnella. This had floral notes with a sour taste. The 2014 Caldera Bianco is also a Carricante wine, but this is a lightly oaked wine that is enthralling.

We finished with two reds: the 2014 Terre Nere Etna Rosso and 2013 Terre Nere Feudo Mezi Rosso. The Rosso was heavy on the tannins, perhaps due to the whole cluster fermentation.

The prize of the evening was the 2013 Feudo Mezi Rosso. This wine is made from Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio vines that are 50 to 80 years old that are grown in soil with black volcanic ash and balsaltic pebbles. How cool!

The Feudo Mezi is silky and dark in character with deep cedar and spice notes. A prize wine, it has a SRP of $39.99.

Wines from Domain de Mauperthuis and Terre Nere demonstrate that respect for the environment and sustainable farming practices pay off in the glass.

Zinful Tasting Boutique–A Wonderful Addition to Downtown Perrysburg

What happens when the Toledo Wines & Vines publisher is traveling in Spain for a week? It’s a Green Dragon takeover and an article about a great new tasting venue.

By TWAV Tasting Team Member Green Dragon

The house was too quiet. Had my dinner. Walked the dog. Didn’t want to watch TV. Thursday evening. With Dave gone, what could I do on my own? I had been wanting to check out the newest business in downtown Perrysburg, Zinful Tasting Boutique, and this was going to be the night!

It was 7:00 PM when I pulled into a parking spot on Louisiana Avenue and walked into the tastefully decorated front room. The evening was quite gloomy and I thought tonight’s tasting would be lightly attended.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the place was buzzing with activity! I was greeted by Joyce Franzblau, the owner, my coat was hung up for me, and a nice wine glass was put in my hand. Wines from Walter Berman Distributers were being featured tonight and the first one was a lovely New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, “Whitehaven.” I had enjoyed this one before when Zinful was located in Waterville, so I knew I was in for a treat.

As I sipped, I wandered into the well-stocked retail wine area, then chatted with some of the other patrons. I love wine people! Everyone is so friendly and it is really no big deal to go to a tasting by yourself, because everyone talks to you. I wanted to get a feel for the others’ wine experience and there was a vast difference in the responses. Rich and his wife as well as T.J. and Mary consider themselves casual oenophiles. On the other side of the spectrum, there were several wine connoisseurs. Some in the room had taken the Wine 101 class which had been offered here recently and raved about it. It will be offered again (call Zinful for more details at (419) 931-9946).

Three more wines were being offered , all Napa Valley red blends. I asked the customers to vote for their personal favorite, and in a landslide win, the victor was Kuleto India Ink. This is a blend primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah and retails for $22.99. It was divine.

Zinful retail hours are from 12:00 to 9:00 PM Wednesdays and Thursdays and 12:00 to 10:00 PM Fridays and Saturdays. They sell wine, craft beer, cigars, accessories, and local art. The address is 218 Louisiana Avenue in historic Perrysburg, Ohio.

Wine tastings are usually held on Thursdays and beer tastings on Friday, but there is some variance there, I noticed. Tastings begin at 5:00 PM and are $8 with light snacks included.

Looking for a change of pace? Come on out and enjoy a relaxing time in the upholstered furniture or at the communal table and chat with the friendly folks while enjoying the special flavors of the evening.

Toledo Exchange Club Scores With Fine Wines And A Charity Boost

Each year the Exchange Club of Toledo Annual Wine Tasting continues to unite wine lovers with a great charitable cause. With a swanky setting and top flight wines, it makes for just the right blend of fundraising and fun.

Wine and Education

Last weekend was the 4th Annual Exchange Club of Toledo Wine Tasting. We wouldn’t dare miss it for a couple of reasons. First, it is a fun event at the historic Oliver House and secondly, the Cabinator (a member of our TWAV tasting team) is the organizer and his wife Glorious T is the top official with The National Exchange Club. The money raised helps support the Toledo Exchange Club’s youth scholarship program. And, did I mention the wine?

The soiree featured wines from Wine Trends with an international flair. While guests mingled, sipped wine and noshed on tasty appetizers, they could also buy tickets for the “wall of wine,” bid on silent auction items or just chat with interesting people.

The first featured wine was the Colomé Torrontes from Argentina. Torrontes is a crisp white and an underappreciated grape in the US. In Argentina it is the signature white wine. Colomé is a favorite winery of ours and produces a stellar reserve Malbec. The Torrontes was a great opener, with refreshing, light citrus flavors.

My wife, the Green Dragon, loves Sauvignon Blanc, so the next wine was right down her alley. The Mouton Cadet White Bordeaux is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. It has flavors of lime and grapefruit and a tart finish minus the teeth-shattering acidity of some Sauvignon Blanc wines.

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With moderation always in mind (wink, wink) I bypassed the Moscato, which I heard was good, and moved directly into the reds. Next on the wine menu was Santa Ema Reserve Merlot, another winner from Argentina. This is a wine that scores with rich, beautiful berry flavors and amazing value. Some of the guests tried the Santa Ema and decided to drink only that the rest of the evening.

My Pick Of The Night

In the interest of journalism, I pressed on. In my glass next was the Vina Eguia Rioja Reserva. To me, this was the wine of the night – a dynamite Tempranillo from Spain’s most famous region. The wine is complex with elegant red fruit flavors liberally laced with vanilla notes. The Vina Eguia is aged for 24 months in French and American oak and is a ruby red color.

Somewhere between the Rioja and my last wine, I ended up bidding on and winning a wine dinner in the silent auction. To savor my auction win, I celebrated with a glass of The Count from California’s Buena Vista Winery. This is a unique Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel blend with an explosive rush of flavor.

Cheers to the Exchange Club of Toledo for another outstanding event. Fine wine and supporting a worthy cause is a pairing we really appreciate.

Zinful Tasting Boutique Plans Grand Opening In Perrysburg

Zinful Tasting Boutique, 218 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg, (419) 931-9946 is no stranger to area wine lovers. For many years the wine bar was a gathering place for aficionados when it was located in Waterville. Joyce Franzblau has a new location in downtown Perrysburg and area residents are headed there in droves.

Tastings are typically held on Thursdays and Fridays from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, but you should check the schedule here (we run an area wine calendar on Wednesdays) and on their Facebook page. Due to some special events, the schedule will vary.

Tonight (February 19) there will be a special Winterfest tasting from 5:00 to 8:00 PM with Tricia Rasar from Vintner Select. A beer tasting will be held on Saturday. On February 25th, Tricia Rasar is back for a tasting.

The Grand Opening Tasting is scheduled 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Saturday, February 27. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. There will be live music from Tim Oehlers, hors d’oeuvres and prizes. Anyone who has attended an event at Zinful knows that it will be exceptional!

The retail store has a fantastic selection of wines and the atmosphere is great.

Buy Tickets Now For Exchange Club Of Toledo Benefit Wine Tasting February 27

It’s getting closer! Don’t be left out in the cold. Order your tickets now for the Exchange Club benefit wine tasting.

The Exchange Club of Toledo is a community serice organization with a long history of helping where it is needed most and lending a hand to area students. They’ve also made a name for themselves by hosting an immensely enjoyable benefit wine event.

On February 27, 6-8 PM, the Exchange Club of Toledo will host its Fourth Annual Wine Tasting at the Oliver House, 27 Broadway St., Toledo. The event will take place in the very cool Historic Lobby. Wine pairings with delicious appetizers will be featured along with a silent auction.

The cost for the event is $50 per person and proceeds benefit the club’s area youth scholarship program. In short, you can do good by having fun.

We’ve attended each of the previous wine tastings and have enjoyed the wide selection of wines and the chance to mingle in this very historic room. The Oliver House opened its doors as a hotel in 1859. It was designed by renowned architect Isaiah Rodgers and now has a place on the Historic Register. The Historic Lobby is a unique curved room with an elegant bar and high ceilings. In short, it is a perfect place for a wine event.

For tickets contact Gail Weller at (419) 343-2426 or gweller@nationalexchangeclub.org .

Toledo Youth Scholarship Wine Tasting Set March 19

The Exchange Club of Toledo will host its 3rd Annual Toledo Youth Scholarship Benefit Wine Tasting on Thursday, March 19. The event will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the historic Oliver House, 27 Broadway, Toledo.

The cost for the event is $50 which includes wine tasting and paired appetizers. Wines, appetizers, silent auction items and raffle tickets are all available during a night of fun in benefit of Toledo area high school students.  Proceeds support the Exchange Club of Toledo's Youth of the Year scholarship and ACE award programs for local high school students.
The Exchange Club is a national service organization which was founded and is headquartered in Toledo. The organization, which has more than 650 clubs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, focuses on family, community and country.
We’ve attended this program each year and it has been a blast. We encourage you to come out, have fun and support a good cause while enjoying some great wine.
For tickets or information, call (419) 343-2426 or email gweller@nationalexchangeclub.org.

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Perrysburg Winterfest Will Feature Wine Tasting February 21

Perrysburg’s Winterfest will be held February 20 to 22. The event includes the United States National Ice Carving Championships, which will feature demonstrations and artworks carved by experts. A wine tasting will also be featured.
Heidelberg Distributing will present a selection of wines representing the best regions in the United States for the wine-tasting event, which will be held 7 to 10 PM on Saturday, February 21.
Tickets cost $40, and will include food samplings from some of the area’s best chefs.
An “Old World Meets New,” beer tasting will be is scheduled 7 to 10 PM on Friday, February 20. Thirty traditional and “Old World” beers will be offered for comparison with contemporary and “New World” varieties.
Food pairings prepared from Stella’s Restaurant and Bar as well as Swig Restaurant, recently named Best Casual Restaurant by Ohio Magazine, will be offered. Tickets are $30.
Both events will be in downtown Perrysburg, at Second Street and Louisiana Avenue. For more information, go to perrysburgwinterfest.org.

Sensory Wine Tasting 101 Class Offered December 6 at Pairings Ohio

Smelling wine as part of wine tasting (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A special wine class for beginning wine lovers is scheduled 1:00 to 2:30 PM December 6 at At Pairings, Ohio's Wine and Culinary Experience, located at 50 Park Street, Geneva, Ohio. 

The cost for the Sensory Wine Tasting 101 Class is $40.00 and pre-payment is required. Follow the link for online tickets RSVP Sensory GP

What is swirling, smelling and sipping all about? This class takes participants on a sensory tasting  to teach the fine art of tasting and enjoying wine. Participants will leave with the confidence to order, taste and talk about wine at any social event!

Walt Churchill’s Market in Maumee Offers World of Wine Wednesdays

Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000, is offering a special series of wines tastings called, “World of Wine Wednesdays.” This is a series of one-hour wine seminars designed to introduce you to the places responsible for some of the world's most interesting wines.  During the hour you will get a quick overview of the area, a tasting of two or more wines from the region, and an opportunity to get your questions answered.

The programs start promptly at 7:00 PM most Wednesdays this fall.  The cost is $15 per person.  Programs are limited to 20 people. These will take place at the seating in the front of Walt Churchill's Market Maumee and be lead by either Austin Beeman or Jim Krusinski of the Churchill’s wine department. You must prepay to reserve your space.

The schedule is as follows: October: 22 - Piedmont, Italy, 29 - Santa Cruz Mountains, California. November: 5 - Carneros, California, 12 - The Mosel Valley, Germany, 19 - Priorat, Spain. December: 3 - Bordeaux, France, 10 - Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France, 17 - Porto, Portugal.

Call for more information.

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Michigan By The Bottle, Michigan Wineries Partner For Second Metro Detroit Tasting Room

View of Grand Traverse Bay from Old Mission Peninsula, Traverse City, MI (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The founders of Michigan By The Bottle, a website/online community promoting the Michigan wine industry, are teaming up with eight wineries from throughout the state to establish a second collaborative wine tasting room in Royal Oak.

Located on Woodward Ave., just south of Webster, the Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room will offer tasting flights paired with small bites for a nominal fee, plus take-home wine sales by the bottle and case. The facility also will carry various Michigan-made snacks and products, and will host events like winemaker meet-and-greets, art exhibits, food and wine pairing sessions, wine education classes and more.

With all state and municipal licensing and approvals in place, buildout on the space began the week of Aug. 18. Nov. 1 is targeted for a “soft opening,” with a more formal grand opening celebration to follow.  

The first MBTB Tasting Room in Shelby Township last December was the first in the state to open a tasting room under this collaborative concept, which links multiple previously unaffiliated wineries under a single roof. The Shelby location has been extremely successful and warmly welcomed by the surrounding community, prompting the expansion into Oakland County.

At the Royal Oak location, two additional partner wineries are being added to the six already involved in the Shelby Township site. The eight partner wineries are excellent examples of Michigan viticulture and viniculture, all using estate-grown and/or locally sourced fruit. They are:

• 2 Lads Winery (Traverse City)
• Chateau Aeronautique (Jackson)
• Chateau de Leelanau (Suttons Bay)
• Domaine Berrien Cellars (Berrien Springs)
• Gill's Pier Vineyard & Winery (Northport)
• Peninsula Cellars (Traverse City)
• Sandhill Crane Vineyards (Jackson)
• Verterra Winery (Leland)

Michigan By The Bottle was founded in 2009 by Shannon and Cortney Casey of Macomb Township, MichiganByTheBottle.com promotes the Michigan wine industry through video features, podcasts, articles, tasting notes, winemaker interviews, event listings and more.

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Toledo Museum of Art Announces Schedule for Wine By The Glass Pavilion

Glass Pavilion, Toledo Museum of Art (Photo credit: mmeiser2)

The Toledo Museum of Art’s popular wine tastings will make a return in July. World class artwork and architecture enhance your winetasting experience. It takes place during the popular “It’s Friday!” festivities which includes an ever-changing combination of events for adults and families including free tours, activities, live music, glassblowing demonstrations, and (our favorite) wine tastings.

Wine By The Glass Pavilion takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Enjoy four wines and light snacks at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion. Tickets are $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers, plus tax, and are available for purchase during Museum hours by phone at (419) 255-8000 Ext. 7448 or at the information desks.

Here’s the lineup for the tastings:

July 18 – Mario’s Favorites: Italian Wines
July 25 – Princess Peach’s Picks: Fruity & Full-Bodied
August 8 – Pinky & Blinky: Blush & Red Wines
August 15 – Zelda’s Zinfandels: California Classics
August 22 – Gamers’ Grapes: Casual to Hardcore

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Stella’s Italian Wine Tasting Explores Piemonte

The focus of  the most recent wine tasting at Stella’s Restaurant in Perrysburg was Piemonte. This is one of the most important wine areas in Italy, known for the Nebbiolo grape and standout regions like Barolo and Barbaresco.
The wines of Specialty Wine Company were matched with appetizers and a five-course meal prepared by Chef Rob Campbell. The host for the evening was Claudio Salvador, winemaker at Firelands Winery and importer of great Italian wines.
Treviso Prosecco De Faveri, a slightly sweet sparkling wine, was matched with an anti pasto assortment of meats, vegetables and cheeses. It was just the right way to unwind after a long day at the office.
Another white was on the tasting menu next: 2012 Cayega Arneis Tenuta Carretta. Arneis is sometimes know as the “white Barolo” and its name in Italian means “little rascal.” This is an unoaked reflection of crispness and acidity that paired fantastically with a “zuppa” of smoked cod, spring peas, leeks, new potatoes, thyme and cream served in a Mason jar.
We were joined at the tasting by Glorious T and the Cabinator. Glorious T may have a new nickname, “Mama Nebbiolo” after our most recent tasting.
The 2009 Nebbiolo d”Alba Tenuta Carretta is smoky and balanced. It is an ancient grape that is oaked in the traditional way. Nebbiolo produces some of Italy’s greatest wines and often requires many years to soften. This Nebbiolo, however, was drinking beautifully and was a great pairing with risotto prepared with hazelnuts, artichokes and goat cheese. Mama Nebbiolo needed additional glasses to confirm that this was indeed an awesome wine. It retails for $25.
The Vitello Scallopine, featuring veal studded with wild mushrooms and arugula, was paired with “Bric Quercia” Barbera d’Alba Tenuta Carretta. The Barbera I have tasted before have seemed lightweight. This version, however, was polished, velvety on the palate with a snap, crackle and pop. Contrary to my preconceptions, this wine was much darker than the Nebbiolo. The Barbera goes for $22.

We wrapped up with panna cotta prepared with strawberry, rhubarb, vanilla and chocolate mint. It paired with the “La Sera” Red Ambrosia from Malgra. This was a red sparkler that had spritz and a pop of sweetness. The sugar of the dessert ratcheted down some of the sweetness of the wine – a very successful pairing.
Not only did we enjoy a divine tasting, we even had a chance to test our vocal skills. Led by Claudio we sang “Volare” (Oh, Oh, Oh) while our glasses clinked and we nibbled on cuisine Italiano. Bravo!

Technorati Tags: wine,Italian wine

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Churchill’s Schedules “Dramatically The Greatest Wine Seminar We Have Ever Had” Sunday, May 11

French wine from the left bank Bordeaux wine region of Pauillac (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In what Wine Manager Austin Beeman terms “dramatically the greatest wine seminar we have ever had,” Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000, will focus attention on the world’s premier wine region – Bordeaux, France – and taste some of its greatest wines.

The wine seminar 100 Point Perfection from Pontet Canet and 1996 Mouton Rothschild will be held 6:00 – 8:30 PM Sunday, May 11. The cost is $150 per person and it is limited to 20 participants.

Pontet Canet is the only organically-certified wine among the Great Growths of Bordeaux and in 2009 and 2010 Pontet Canet did the impossible. Robert Parker, arguably the world’s most important wine critic, gave Pontet Canet a perfect 100 out of 100 points for back-to-back vintages. Seminar participants will taste both wines side-by-side.

How do you follow up on that?  Well – great Bordeaux is meant to be consumed with lots of bottle age, so also on the tasting menu is the elite First Growth Mouton Rothschild from the glorious 1996 vintage.

The tasting group will be joined by Importer/Distributor Mark Maher of Cutting Edge Selections who will be bringing a nice surprise as well.

Here’s more about the featured wines:

1. Pontet Canet 2009 Pauillac - $349.99 - 100 points, Robert Parker. "An amazing wine in every sense, this classic, full-bodied Pauillac is the quintessential Pontet Canet from proprietor Alfred Tesseron, who continues to reduce yields and farms his vineyards biodynamically - a rarity in Bordeaux. Black as a moonless night, the 2009 Pontet Canet offers up notes of incense, graphite, smoke, licorice, creme de cassis and blackberries. A wine of irrefutable purity, laser-like precision, colossal weight and richness, and sensational freshness, this is a tour de force in winemaking that is capable of lasting 50 or more years. ...This vineyard, which is situated on the high plateau of Pauillac adjacent to Mouton Rothschild, appears to have done everything perfectly in 2009."

2. Pontet Canet 2010 Pauillac - $349.99 – 100 points, Robert Parker. "An absolutely amazing wine, ... It comes from one of the few biodynamic vineyards in Bordeaux...An astounding, compelling wine with the classic Pauillac nose. The wine has off-the-charts massiveness and intensity but never comes across as heavy, overbearing or astringent. The freshness, laser-like precision, and full-bodied, massive richness and extract are simply remarkable to behold and experience... it is really a privilege to taste something as amazing as this. ...Is there anything that proprietor Alfred Tesseron is not doing right? Talk about an estate that is on top of its game! "

3. Mouton Rothschild 1996 Pauillac - $999.99 - 96 points, Wine Spectator. Incredible nose of ultra-ripe fruit, it's yet subtle and complex. Full-bodied, with very ripe fruit and a long, long caressing finish. Superb. This is edging out the 1995.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010.

The seminar must be paid in advance and the registration is non-refundable. For more information, contact Wine Manager Austin Beeman at austin.beeman@waltchurchillsmarket.com or call the store at (419)794-4000 and speak to either Austin or Jim Krusinski.

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Flight Event May 2 At Toledo Zoo Offers Wine Tasting and Tour

Get ready to take wing during a special “Flight” wine tasting 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Friday, May 2 at the Toledo Zoo. You’ll have an opportunity for an Aviary Tour then you will “migrate” to the Lodge to enjoy delicious appetizers and selected wines. The cost is $40 for Toledo Zoo members, $45 for non-members
Appetizers in the Lodge: Pesto chicken salad, grilled bread, Polenta rounds with roasted pepper mousse, fried capers, Lamb and mint rissoles with beet tzatiki, Giardeniera Chocolate bark.
Wines: Leese Fitch Chardonnay, Leese Fitch Sauvignon Blanc, Dynamite Chardonnay, Dynamite Sauvignon Blanc, BV Coastal Riesling, BV Coastal Moscato, Leese Fitch Cabernet, Leese Fitch Merlot, Leese Fitch Pinot Noir, Leese Fitch Red Zinfandel, Dynamite Cabernet, and Dynamite Red Blend.
Entertainment: Gypsy Luvin’
You may purchase tickets online here. If you have any questions, or prefer to place your reservation by phone please call The Toledo Zoo Group Sales department at 419-385-5721, Ext. 6001, Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm.

Technorati Tags: wine,Toledo,Toledo Zoo

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Walt Churchill’s Market In Maumee Schedules Second Iconic Cabernet Tasting April 26

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000, has scheduled their second Iconic Cabernet Tasting. The event will be held Saturday, April 26, from 12 Noon to 5:00 PM. The cost is $75 for the flight, or you can pay per sample.
We attended the first Iconic Cabernet Tasting and it was a roaring success. You can read our article about it here. According to WCM Wine Manager Austin Beeman, there were immediate cries for another – and the result is another installment, perhaps even bigger and better.
They have an outstanding lineup featuring the following wines:

• Miner Family Vineyards Oracle 2008
• Fisher Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
• Cade Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
• McCauley Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
• Joseph Phelps Insignia 2010
  Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

This is one tasting you do not want to miss.

Technorati Tags: wine,Napa Valley,Cabernet Sauvignon

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Cherished Friends of Ahava To Host 10th Annual Wine Tasting May 1

It’s a new date and a new venue – but the same great cause. The Cherished Friends of Ahava 10th Annual Wine Tasting will be held 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, May 1, at Fifth Third Field - Suites Level, 406 Washington Street, in Toledo. This fabulous event benefits the Cherished Friends of Ahava and its non-profit special guests program.
Through the program, more than 950 men and women undergoing cancer treatment have enjoyed a day of pampering and relaxation at the Ahava Spa and Wellness Center at no charge. The program caters to those who are newly diagnosed or currently in treatment for cancer.
Attendees can sample more than 40 wines, appetizers, and desserts. A silent auction is part of the fun. The cost is $45 per person and $55 per person for the reserve tasting. For tickets and details call (419) 241-5877.
Photo by Andrew Morrell

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