Kroger Aquatic Center opens
Badin vs. Fredericktown
Miamisburg graduation 2012
Home > Blogs > Uncorked > Archives > 2008 > July
July 2008
Blue Moon chef-owner joins new Bellbrook restaurant
Restaurant news that is NOT Restaurant Week related: here’s a story we posted this afternoon (7-29-08) on the newspaper’s web site …
Greg Fitzgerald, former chef-owner of the Blue Moon and most recently the executive chef at Madison’s Bistro, has been named executive chef at Amelia’s Bistro, a new restaurant scheduled to open in mid-August at 129 W. Franklin St. in Bellbrook.
Amelia’s, owned by Sugarcreek Twp. Realtor Sharon Bistrek, is scheduled to open on Aug. 12 at the former Garstka’s Tuscany Grille, Bistrek and Fitzgerald said. It will be open for breakfast and lunch only for the first couple of weeks, then will add dinner hours.
Bistrek described the cuisine as “gourmet comfort food.” She and Fitzgerald said the restaurant will work closely with local growers to include local produce and meats into the restaurant’s dishes.
Bistrek originally had hired Candace Rinke of Springboro as executive chef, but the two parted ways due to a misunderstanding, the restaurant owner said. She then hired Fitzgerald, who owned and operated the Blue Moon in Dayton and Eclipse in Centerville until early 2007. For the past year, he served as executive chef at Madison’s Bistro in Washington Twp.
When it is up and fully operating, Amelia’s Bistro will be open six days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It will be closed Monday. The phone number will be (937) 310-3040
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
‘Nothing decent comes out California for less than $25’
Yesterday’s post about beer’s popularity surging in relation to wine prompted a comment from a reader named Stu about the high cost of wine, ending with the declaration, “… nothing decent comes out California for less than 25 bucks.’
Do you agree?
I, for one, suspect that if I sat down and tasted 20 California wines blind — 10 that cost more than $25, 10 that cost, say, between $15 and $25, all of them selected randomly — I would end up preferring the less expensive California wines, which I believe would be less likely to be overly alcoholic, less overtly oaky, less likely to be overextracted, and overall, better-balanced wines. If — rather than tasting the 20 wines at one sitting — I instead drank the wines with dinner for 20 consecutive days, I’m pretty damn SURE I would prefer the less expensive Californians. That’s because whenever a single California winery makes a “regular” bottling for less than $25 and a more expensive “reserve” bottling, I almost inevitably prefer the regular bottling.
“Nothing decent comes out of California for less than $25??”
Not true.
How about, “Nothing decent comes out of California for more than $25.” Not true either, but I wonder whether that declaration might not be closer to the truth.
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Beer surge comes at wine’s expense
We’ll start delving deeper into the local Restaurant Week offerings tomorrow and later in the week, but until then, there’s news about an annual Gallup poll that shows Beer has regained a comfortable margin over wine when U.S. drinkers are asked to name which alcoholic beverage they most often drink.
“In recent years, wine had narrowed the gap, including pulling slightly ahead in 2005 (though not by a significant margin),” the Gallup news release says. “(B)ut for the first time since 2002, beer enjoys a better-than-double-digit advantage over wine.”
This is surprising to me, especially given the virtual flood of positive news regarding potential health benefits of moderate consumption of wine. Got to admit, I thought the trend toward wine that apparently peaked in 2005 would keep going.
So, what do you think is going on? Was it just the “Sideways Effect” after all?
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
26 wineries will pour at Vintage Ohio
Before we let you know what’s happening around here this weekend, let’s take a look at what’s happening on the other side of the state next weekend.
The event is called Vintage Ohio, and it enters its 14th year this year. That link will tell you a bunch of what you need to know about the festival, which organizers call “the most acclaimed summer wine and food festival between the Appalachians and Rockies.” (Hmmm. Still contemplating that.)
Anyway, Vintage Ohio will be held Aug. 1 and Aug. 2 (1 p.m. to 10 p.m. both days) at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland, Lake County, OH, east of Cleveland. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the gate, with two-day taster tickets $40. They’re available on the web from the Ohio Wine Producers Association or by calling 800-227-6972.
Head north and see what Ohio wines are all about — next weekend. But this weekend, take a look at what’s happening right here in the Miami Valley, courtesy of the Dayton-based wine listserv that compiles the following tastings and events list:
Jay’s Kitchen Door
Friday, July 25, 2008 4-8 pm 2006 Pascal Cotat Les Monts Damnes Sancerre 2003 Montirius Gigondas 2005 Karvan Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Ch Lafon Rochet St Estephe 2005 Ch Larmande St Emillion Saturday, July 26, 2008 1-6 pm 2000 Weingut Brundlmayer Zobinger Riesling 2004 Pride Merlot 2005 Steltzner Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Ch L Ermitage de Bellaire
RSVP 222-2892 for all Dinners and Luncheons Saturday, July 26, 2008 1-4 pm Mike Tenore’s Fundraiser $125 payable by check or in cash. Wine and heavy appetizers! Saturday, August 9, 2008 Crabfest Luncheon $65 Saturday, September 27, 2008 Lobsterfest Luncheon $65
Arrow Far Hills - Kettering
Saturday, July 26, 2008 11-4 pm N.V. De La Costa Sangria 2007 Zaza Garnacha Rose 2006 Terlan Terlaner Classico 2005 Ventisquero Queulat Camenere Reserve2005 Marquis “The Grail Of Lisa” Shiraz
DLM Washington Square
Thursday, July 24, 2008 5-8 pm 2007 Paso a Paso Verdejo 2004 Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir 2005 Neh! Nebbiolo 2006 Poggio ai Ginepri Bolgheri 2005 K Vintner’s “Morrison Lane” Syrah Encore Wine!
Saturday, July 26, 2008 12-5 pm 2006 Oberon Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Three Saints Chardonnay 2003 David Girard “Cote d’Or” 2005 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 K Vintner’s “The Boy” Encore Wine!
Dorothy Lane Springboro
Friday, July 25, 2008 90 Degrees Riesling Spatlese 2006 Chateau Chamirey Mercurey 2004 Domaine Sarrelon Cotes Du Rhone 2006 Dunham Dellars Trutina 2005 Mystery
Saturday, July 26, 2008 12-5 pm Langtry Sauvignon Blanc 2006 King Estate Domaine Pinot Noir 2006 Langtry Cabernet 2005 Langtry Petite Sirah 2004 Numanthia 2005 Bonus Bottle
Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Oakwood
Friday, July 25, 2008 6-8 pm TBA Brown Bag
Saturday, July 26, 2008 1-6 pm TBA Bonus Bottle
Starting August 2, the Saturday wine tasting will begin at 2:00pm until 6:00pm.
Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm, Friday 11:30 - 8 pm Saturday 11:30 - 7 pm www.cuveewinebar.net Wines for July 25 - July 31, 2008 90 Degrees 2006 Riesling Loli 2007 Chardonnay Punset Arenis 2006 Red Diamond Cabernet Pierre Marie Chermette Beaujolais A variety of high end reds! Beer: Pyramid Crystal Wheat Saturday Food: TBA
Arrow Centerville
937-433-6778, 615 Lyons Rd Centerville Friday, July 25, 2008 5-7 pm… Beer Tasting Harpoon UFO Hefeweizen… Harpoon Raspberry UFO Hefeweizen… Harpoon IPA… Lakefront IPA… Guinness Draft from the Surger
Saturday, July 26, 2008 11 am-5 pm Wine Tasting 2006 Columbia Crest Grand Estate Pinot Grigio… 2004 Distant Bay Merlot… 2004 Distant Bay Cabernet Sauvignon… 2005 Darioush Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon… 2006 Columbia Crest Grand Estate Riesling… Evolution Edition #12
Rue Dumaine
www.ruedumainerestaurant.com Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5-7 pm BORRA Fusion Lodi, 2006 CHATEAU NOEL SAINT-LAURENT Cotes du Rhone, 2007 D’ARENBERG Viognier Marsanne McLaren Vale The Hermit Crab, 2006
The Wine Gallery and Cafe, Corner of 3rd and Wayne
WDPR Summer Wine Tasting Event Monday, July 28, 2008 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Featuring summer wines, food, and live classical entertainment provided by The Ballester Trio of Oakwood $20 for WDPR station members $25 for non-members For additional information or to make reservations, contact jill at 937-222-9377 or jillb@dpr.org
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 5:30-8:30 pm July 30, 2008, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm 2007 Chateau Noel Saint Laurent Cotes Du Rhone 2002 Hagafen Merlot 2006 Domaine Sarrelon Cotes Du Rhone 2005 Conti Degli Azzoni Rosso Picero 2005 Le Cruste Puglia (100 % Nero Di Troia)
Market Wine Imports
Second Street Public Market Saturday, July 26, 2008 8AM to 1PM. Only 2 weeks left for value wine tasting!
L’Auberge
Sunday 7-27-08 at 5:30 Wine Auction and Wine Dinner RSVP 299-5536 Note to wine collectors: It will be a silent auction and prices will start at state minimum retail.
Trader Joe’s in Kettering.
Tastings Thursday 6:00-8:00 and Sunday 4:00-7:00. Trader Joe’s Organic Grower’s Reserve Chenin Blanc (2007) California. Trader Joe’s Organic Grower’s Reserve Zinfandel (2007) AVA Paso Robles, California. Trader Joe’s Stonehedge Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (2005) California. Kennebunkport Porter.
Therapy Cafe 3rd Street with Bella Vino Sunday, July 27, 2008 5-8pm Shiraz/Syrah of the World Allison Rose, 2007 Magenta Rose, 2007 Wishing Tree Shiraz, 2007 McManis Petite Sirah, 2006 Michael David, Petite Petite, 2005 Perrin et Fils, Nature, Cote du Rhone, 2004 Peralta, Syrah, 2005
A Taste of Wine
90 S. Main St Miamisburg, OH 937.247-1120 www.atasteofwine.org This week’s wines: Toad Hollow - Chardonnay - Francine’s Selection Toad Hollow - Sauvignon Blanc - Askew Toad Hollow - Erik’s the Red Toad Hollow - Cabernet Sauvignon - Concinnity Enotria Dolcetta Rosado Sangria 7/24 - Toad Hollow Tasting
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
937-320-9548
Wine Wednesdays 5pm to 8pm in the bar. Wednesday, July 30, 2008 Chalk Hill Chardonnay, Russian River Valley Imagine, 2004 Cristom Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Mt. Jefferson Cuvee, 2005 Michael Pozzan Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County Special Reserve, 2005 Dry Creek Zinfandel, Sonoma County Heritage Reserve, 2005
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 6:30 pm $60 (including gratuity) RSVP Stephanie Clemens (937) 431-9765 Summer Patio Wines Dinner Gazpacho, strawberry salad, Salmon with cream cheese potatoes, NY Strip and a peach dessert paired with wines for summer dining.
Bruning’s Wine Cellar
1481 North Fairfield Road, Beavercreek 937.426.4950 www.brunings.com Wednesday, July 30, 2008 5-8 pm Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Washington State 2007 Domaine Menard, Cotes-de-Gascogne, France 2006 Altos las Hormigas Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2007 Handley Chardonnay, Dry Creek Valley, 2007 Frog’s Leap. Merlot, Napa Valley,2006
Bella Vino
Wine Merchant & Bar, Springboro, OH 45066 July 24 - Charles Coniglio, owner of Coniglio will be featuring new releases.
Little Sonoma
6078 West Chester Road, West Chester, OH 45069.513-942-9463. Located two blocks north of Union Centre Blvd. at the corner of Muhlhauser and West Chester Roads www.LittleSonomaWines.com Friday, July 25, 2008 Meeker Wines RSVP recommended Saturday, July 26, 2008 C Squared Cabernets & Chardonnays
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
‘It’s just too bad we can’t undo the consequences of those violations’
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has fined the company that employed a pregnant teenager who died of heat stroke this spring after working in a California vineyard $262,700 yesterday for violating eight workplace safety requirements.
It was the highest fine ever issued to a California farming operation, the Associated Press reported.
Here’s a quote from the story to remember:
“There was virtually a complete absence of shade or water, two of the very few tools that employers and employees have to fight the heat,” said Len Welsh, chief of the division known as Cal-OSHA. “It’s just too bad we can’t undo the consequences of those violations.”
True that.
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
L’Auberge wine auction will feature France’s finest domaines
Here’s an early look at two upcoming wine events that might tickle your fancy.
L’Auberge, 4120 Far Hills Ave., will host a wine auction and five-course dinner at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, July 27. The event will include dinner, music and dancing, along with a silent auction of wines, including offerings from Bordeaux first-growths, Burgundy and Chateau d’Yquem across multiple vintages. Click here for a full list of the wines. The cost of the event is $100. Proceeds will benefit the Guild of Sommeliers to promote local wine education. For more information or to make a reservation, call (937) 299-5536.
Wine Gallery to host public radio fundraiser
The Wine Gallery & Cafe, at East Third Street and Wayne Avenue just east of downtown Dayton, will host a wine-tasting fundraiser for WDPR Classical 88.1 FM from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 28. The event will feature summer wines, food and live classical entertainment by The Ballester Trio of Oakwood. The cost of the event is $25 ($20 for WDPR station members). For additional information or to make reservations, contact Jill Bishop at (937) 222-9377 or jillb@dpr.org
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Next week’s Restaurant Week attracts some new, high-profile participants
Some rather high-profile restaurants have joined the list of eateries participating in the summer 2008 Restaurant Week that starts Sunday, July 27, and extends through Friday, Aug. 1. Restaurants offering the special meals for the first time include Rue Dumaine, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, J Alexander’s Restaurant and Barleycorn’s. Two other first-timers have opened in recent weeks: Rudy’s Churrascaria in Germantown, and Kohinoor Palace in Miami Twp. The Caroline in Troy and Fairlawn Steakhouse in Greenville have also signed up to offer the three-course meal deals for the first time.
Most of you know the drill: Restaurant Week diners enjoy a three-course meal for $20.08, with restaurants donating $1 for each meal to local charities. This year’s beneficiaries are The Food Bank and the Miami Valley Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation. The twice-a-year promotion has proven popular with diners, some of whom map out a five-day plan to take full advantage of the low prices.
“Guests love this promotion because it’s priced so reasonably, restaurants like it because it comes at the end of what is traditionally a very slow business month for the industry, and the non-profits we partner with love it because it’s some of the easiest fundraising they do during the year,” said Lisa Grigsby, executive director of the Miami Valley Restaurant Association.
“Each time we’ve done this promotion is has grown a little,” Grigsby said. “This year with the economy we are cautiously optimistic. I think that many people who have been cutting back and cooking at home may be willing to go out and enjoy a three-course meal for just $20.08, especially knowing that a portion of the proceeds will be going to the Food Bank.”
The restaurant association held a “sneak peek” event last night (7-22-08) in downtown Dayton at which 10 restaurants — Bahn Mai Thai Cafe, Bullwinkle’s, Barleycorn’s, Chappys Tap Room & Grille, Chin’s Ginger Grill, Coco’s Bistro, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Jay’s Restaurant, Madison’s Bistro and The Chimneys Inn — prepared and served some of the courses that will be part of their Restaurant Week menus.
I wasn’t able to sample every restaurant’s offerings, but the highlights included the Sweet & Savory Pork Tenderloin topped with Tomato & Onion Chutney from Coco’s Bistro; Salmon Ravioli with Wild Mushrooms and Spinach from Jay’s Restaurant; Ginger Lime Ahi Tuna atop a black bean-corn-rice mixture from Bullwinkle’s; and Panang Shrimp atop Burmese Rice from Bahn Mai Thai Cafe.
Reservations for Restaurant Week are a must. Restaurant owners strongly recommend calling to check on availability and hours.
Be aware that some restaurants are closed Sunday or Monday — or in some cases, closed both days — so calling ahead will avoid disappointment. And remember that tax, tip and beverages are not included in the $20.08 price.
Two restaurants that are otherwise open to members only — the Dayton Racquet Club and Greene Country Club — will be open to the public during restaurant week.
Click here to take a look at the all-important menus, which also show what nights the restaurants are closed.
And to view a list of participating restaurants and their phone numbers, click on “continue reading.”
Participating Restaurants
Amber Rose Restaurant, (937) 228-2511
Bahn Mai Thai Cafe, (937) 435-0624
Barleycorn’s, (937) 848-6999
Benham’s Restaurant & Catering, (937) 228-7041
Buckhorn Tavern, (937) 890-3261
Bullwinkle’s Top Hat Bistro, (937) 859-7677
C’est Tout, (937) 298-0022
Cafe Boulevard, (937) 824-2722
Caffe Anticoli, (937) 890-0300
The Caroline, (937) 552-7676
Carvers, (937) 433-7099
Cena, (937) 438-2362
Chappy’s Tap Room & Grille, (937) 299-7427
Chin’s Ginger Grill, (937) 667-6664
Christopher’s, (937) 299-0089
CoCo’s Bistro, (937) 228-2626
Dayton Racquet Club, (937) 224-4381
The Dock, (937) 864-5011
El Meson, (937) 859-8229
Fairlawn Steak House (Greenville), (937) 548-2262
Figlio: (937) 534-0494
Fleming’s, (937) 320-9548
Greene Country Club, (937) 767-5621
J. Alexanders, (937) 435-4441
Jay’s, (937) 222-2892
Kohinoor Palace, (937) 838-3767
L’Auberge*, (937) 299-5536
La Piazza, (937) 339-5553
Madison’s Bistro, (937) 435-7080
McCormick & Schmick’s, (937) 431-9200
Meadowlark, (937) 434-4750
Oakwood Club, (937) 293-6973
Pacchia, (937) 341-5050
Roush’s Restaurant, (937) 878-3611
Rudy’s Churrascaria, (937) 353-7375
Rue Dumaine, (937) 610-1061
Savona, (937) 610-9835
Sweeney’s Seafood House, (937) 291-3474
Thai 9, (937) 222-3227
The Chimney’s Inn, (937) 847-0800
The Winds, (937) 767-1144
*In addition to a $20.08 special in its Bistro, l’Auberge will have reduced pricing on a prix fixe option in its Dining Room.
Source: The Miami Valley Restaurant Association
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Cos d’Estournel buys Napa’s Chateau Montelena
Decanter.com is reporting today that Cos d’Estournel will buy Chateau Montelena, perhaps for $110 million.
Okay, this probably shouldn’t surprise me … and yet, it does.
Is it just me?
The more I think about it, though … I think it could be kinda cool.
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards have a familiar ring
Wine Spectator has released its 2008 Dining Guide, and the results, well, will come as no surprise.
There were no changes — no additions, no subtractions — from last year among Dayton-area restaurants. And Wine Spectator still insists on calling it a dining guide — actually, in the magazine, it is headlined “The Dining Guide” (emphasis mine) — even though the magazine makes no effort to evaluate the dining at the vast majority of the self-nominated restaurants it bestows awards on.
(Two years ago, when I wrote about Wine Spectator Restaurant awards, it triggered quite a response. I was called a tripe-monger, among other things, and even the magazine’s publisher, Marvin Shanken, waded into the swamp.)
Don’t get me wrong, the Miami Valley restaurants that paid the $250 application fee and were given the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence last year and again this year are deserving of recognition. They include:
— Carvers in Washington Twp. (yes, it’s owned by a parent company named Paragon, although that’s confusing in the Dayton market);
— Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar at The Greene in Beavercreek;
— Jag’s Steak & Seafood in West Chester.
— Jay’s Restaurant in Dayton’s Oregon Historical District;
— Mesh Restaurant in West Chester;
— Michael Anthony’s at the Inn at Versailles in Darke County;
— The Pine Club in Dayton.
I’ve got no argument with that list, although I have been terribly disappointed several years back when I chose a restaurant in the Carolinas based on its Wine Spectator award only to be shocked at how bad the food was there.
In its current issue, Wine Spectator publishes essentially the same disclaimer it ran last year, saying, “It’s important to note that our awards evaluate wine lists, not restaurants as a whole. While we assume that the level of food and service will be commensurate with the wine lists entered by award winners, this unfortunately is not always true. We cannot visit every award-winning restaurant (although all Grand Award winners and many others are inspected by Wine Spectator editors), so we encourage you to alert us to disparities and disappointments.”
Which I still translate into: “You suckers can do our job for us for free, while we laugh all the way to the bank.”
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Will smoke from wildfires taint California’s 2008 vintage?
Sometimes, a hint of smokiness can be a desired attribute of certain wines — French syrahs come to mind.
But in California, when the source of that smokiness are the smoke and soot from the state’s wildfires, well — let’s just say that smokiness is not so desirable.
Some in California are worrying that smoke could taint California’s 2008 vintage, according to this story from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Of course, it should be noted that one person who is pushing the panic button just happens to sell a filtration system designed to remove smoky flavors from tainted wines.
You don’t suppose he has something to gain from this, do you?
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
The wackiest wine auction price EVER
Take a look at this link from WineMenu.net and tell me whether I’m hallucinating:
A 1993 Barton & Guestier Vin de Pays Merlot for $85?!? Could this wine — which cost what, five bucks on release — be perfectly aged and sublime? Should I be emptying out my savings account to stock up?
How about you go first?
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Winemakers file lawsuit against shipping restrictions
Hmmm. A group of California winemakers are challenging restrictions that forbid certain-sized wineries from shipping wine to consumers.
The federal lawsuit targets Massachusetts. But if memory serves, don’t Ohio’s shipping laws also ban large wineries from shipping while allowing smaller wineries to ship legally?
Hmmm.
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Wine in the dog days of summer
This, the Lafite of tastings lists, comes to Uncorked via the highly respected efforts of a local Dayton-based wine listserv, which compiles the information for its subscribers. But let us not thank only the listserv — let us thank the people in the wine shops and the grocery stores and the restaurants who make it all happen. And, let us taste the fruits of their efforts. But first, let us read what delectable treats are headed our way…
Jay’s Kitchen Door
Saturday, July 19, 2008 Todd Nikolai Memorial Wine Luncheon $65 Area wine distributors have donated wine to be served with the luncheon and for purchase with the profits from the luncheon and wine sales to be given to Todd’s family.
Menu: Grilled Sea Scallop Salad with Orange, Red Onion and Melon Salsa Salmon Ravioli with Shrimp Toast, Chive Beurre Blanc Sauce Roast Filet of Beef with Peppercorn Sauce, Au Gratin Potatoes and Vegetable Summer Berry Stacks RSVP 222-2892 for all Dinners and Luncheons
Friday, July 18, 2008 4-8 pm 2006 Morgan Chardonnay 2002 North Star Merlot 2005 Kinkead Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Chateau Belgrave 2003 Chateau Smith Haut Lafite
Saturday, July 19, 2008 1-6 pm 2006 Pascal Cotat La Grande Cote Sancerre 2001 La Morra M. Marengo Brunate Barolo 2001 Ciacci Piccolomini d Aragona Brunello 2002 Bond Melbury
Saturday, August 9, 2008 Crabfest Luncheon $65 Saturday, September 27, 2008 Lobsterfest Luncheon $65
Arrow Far Hills - Kettering
Saturday, July 19, 2008 11-4 pm N.V. German Gilabert Cava Reserva 2007 Louis Bernard Cotes Du Rhone White 2007 Notro De Montana 2005 Venta La Ossa Tempranillo 2004 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages
Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Oakwood
Friday, July 18, 2008 6-8 pm Bone Jolly ’06 Rose Saintsbury ’06 Chardonnay Eyrie ’05 Pinot Noir Cht . La Grace Dieu ’02 St. Emilion Grand Cru Frog’s Leap ’03 Merlot Bernard Cotes du Rhone Villages ’05 Grand Reserve Brown Bag
Saturday, July 19, 2008 1-6 pm JJ Christofel Erben ’04 Riesling Spatlese Eyrie ’06 Chardonnay Marimar ’04 Pinot Noir Joel Gott’06 Mohr Fry Zinfandel Bernard ’06 Domaine Montbayon Vacqueyras Bernard ’05 Chateauneuf du Pape Grand Reserve Bonus Bottle
Thursday, July 17, 2008 5:30 - 8:30 pm Beer Tasting with Aaron Tyrell, Midwest Beer Ambassador for Stone Brewing.
Starting August 2, the Saturday wine tasting will begin at 2:00pm until 6:00pm.
DLM Washington Square
Thursday, July 17, 2008 5-8 pm 2007 Prima Mano Bianco 2005 Conch Y Toro Amelia Chardonnay 2006 Firesteed Williamette Valley Estate Pinot Noir 2005 Kaleske Pirathon Shiraz 2002 La Grace Dieu Saint Emilion Grand Cru Encore Wine!
Saturday, July 19, 2008 12-5 pm 2006 Discovery Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Louis Latour Grand Ardeche Chardonnay 2006 Erath Dundee Hills Estate Pinot Noir 2005 Benziger Tribute 2005 Grail of Lisa Shiraz Encore Wine!
Dorothy Lane Springboro
Friday, July 18, 2008 Belleruche Rose 2007 The Eyrie Vineyards Chardonnay 2006 Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2006 Buoncristiani OPC Napa Claret 2004 Mystery
Saturday, July 19, 2008 12-5 pm Lioco Rose 2007 Boyer-Martenot Meursalt “Les Narvaux” 2006 The Eyrie Vinyards Pinot Noir 2005 David Girad Rive d’Or Red 2003 Chateau LaGrace Dieu St Emilion 2002 Bonus Bottle
Todd Nikolai Memorial Charity Auction Sunday, July 27, 2008 2-4 pm DLM Springboro Mezzanine Bring a bottle to share and a bottle (or something) for the auction. Feel free to bring an appetizer or snack. All proceeds go to Wendy and Carina Nikolai.
Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm, Friday 11:30 - 8 pm Saturday 11:30 - 7 pm www.cuveewinebar.net Wines for July 18 - July 25, 2008 Leonard Kreusch 2006 Niersteiner Gutes Domtal Riesling Kabinett Kelley & Young 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Las Brisas 2006 Pierre -Marie Chermette 2006 Cuvee Traditionnelle Beaujolais vielles vignes The Eyrie Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir Hobo 2006 Zinfandel Beer: Pyramid Crystal Wheat Saturday Food: Mixed Grill Sandwiches
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Paul Skinner, Winemaker for Sequum Zinfandels and Cabernets
Food: Sliced Hanger Steak with Roasted Onion and Hawaiian Potato Salad, Roasted Lamb Loin with Spinach and Sausage Stuffing, Mini Pulled Duck BBQ Sandwiches
Cuvee’s Tasting with winemaker Erik Miller of Kokomo Wines this past Tuesday was great - knowledgeable and personable winemaker and good wines paired with Chris’s food. How did an Indiana guy come up with a name like that vfor his winery?
Arrow Centerville 937-433-6778 615 Lyons Rd Centerville Friday, July 18, 2008 5-7 pm… Great Lakes Imperial Dortmunder… Victory Golden Monkey Tripel… Pyramid Crystal Wheat Ale… Victory Hop Devil… Sam Smith Organic Ale
Saturday, July 19, 2008 11 am-5 pm Wine Tasting 2007 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Rose… 2007 Anne Aimee Pinot Gris… 2006 Anne Aimee Cuvee A Pinot Noir… 2006 Dobbes Grand Assemblage Pinot Noir… 2006 Owen Roe Lady Rosa Pinot Noir
Rue Dumaine www.ruedumainerestaurant.com Tuesday, July 22, 2008 5-7 pm MAS BELLES EAUX Coteaux du Languedoc Les Coteaux, 2005 MAS DE LA DEVEZE Cotes du Roussillon Village “66”, 2004 PERRIN & FILS Vinsobres Les Cornuds, 2005
The Wine Gallery and Cafe Corner of 3rd and Wayne Wednesday, July 23, 2008 5:30-8:30 pm 2006 Chataue Laboume Petite Chablis 2001 Martin Weyrich Insieme 2005 Waterstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Spann Vineyards MoZin
Market Wine Imports , Second Street Public Market Saturday, July 19, 2008 8AM to 1PM. Only 3 weeks left for value wine tasting!
Trader Joe’s in Kettering. Tastings Thursday 6:00-8:00 and Sunday 4:00-7:00. Alexander & Fitch Chardonnay (2006) AVA Alexander Valley, California. Alexander & Fitch Merlot (2005) AVA Alexander Valley, California. Gold Rush Red (NV) AVA Sierra Foothills, California. Layer Cake Malbec (2007) Mendoza, Argentina. Alice White Lexia - Muscat of Alexandria (2007) South Eastern Australia.
A Taste of Wine 90 S. Main St Miamisburg, OH 937.247-1120 www.atasteofwine.org This week’s wines: Evergreen Vineyards Riesling Evergreen Vineyards Pinot Gris Kelly & Young Sauvignon Blanc Evergreen Vineyards Chardonnay Castle Rock Pinot Noir David Girard Rive d’Or
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant
Thursday, July 30, 2008 6:30 pm $60 (including gratuity) RSVP Stephanie Clemens (937) 431-9765 Summer Patio Wines Dinner Gazpacho, strawberry salad, Salmon with cream cheese potatoes, NY Strip and a peach dessert paired with wines for summer dining.
Bruning’s Wine Cellar GRAND OPENING! 1481 North Fairfield Road, Beavercreek 937.426.4950 M.-F. 10-6, Sat. 10-5 www.brunings.com Wednesday, July 23, 2008 5-8 pm 2006 Four Vines, Chardonnay 2005 Bogle Petite, Syrah 2005 Eventus, Chianti 2006 Four Vines, Old Vine Zin 2006 Cloudline, Pinot Noir
Cork-n-Vine Wine Cellar in Troy, Ohio July 18, 2008 at 5 pm - July 25, 2008 Red Flight Bon Bon Rose(Syrah)- Terra D Oro Zinfandel- Simi Merlot Sonoma- J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet-
White Flight J. Lohr Riesling- Clos du Bois Pinot Grigio- Root 1 Sauvignon Blanc- Virgin Chardonnay-
Bella Vino Wine Merchant & Bar Springboro, OH 45066 Thursday, July 17, 2008 6 - 8 pm Wine Tasting Kunde Wines: Sauvignon Blanc, NU (unoaked) Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel Artist Mike Elsass will be present to discuss his art work.
July 24 - Charles Coniglio, owner of Coniglio will be featuring new releases.
Little Sonoma , 6078 West Chester Road, West Chester, OH 45069.513-942-9463. Located two blocks north of Union Centre Blvd. at the corner of Muhlhauser and West Chester Roads www.LittleSonomaWines.com Friday, July 18, 2008 7 pm 7 New Italian Wines RSVP recommended Friday, July 25, 2008 Meeker Wines RSVP recommended Saturday, July 26, 2008 Cabernets & Chardonnays
La Petite France RSVP for events 513-733-8383 Friday evening, July, 18, 2008 6:30 pm $60 “Bastille Day Celebration” Bordeaux Wine Dinner Aperitif - Bordeaux Rose, Le Rose de Paveil 1st. Course - Chilled watercress soup 2nd. Course - Tomato onion tart with field greens. 3rd. Course - Beef tenderloin with raspberry-port sauce and gorgonzola 4th. Course - Sabayon with fresh peaches and mangos
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Founder of southern Ohio winery dies at 88
Ken Moyer, founder of Moyer Vineyards, Winery & Restaurant in Adams County, has passed away at the age of 88.
I regret that I never met Mr. Moyer. Did any of you? Based on the information contained in this news obituary story in The People’s Defender, his certainly appears to have been a life well lived.
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Pitching alcohol to kids: Two viewpoints
Of the eight gazillion press releases that tumble into my email inbox seemingly every hour, this one caught my eye for its rather, um, unusual approach. It comes from the Washington D.C.-based Statistical Assessment Service (STATS) — which describes itself as a “a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization affiliated with the George Mason University” which “does not accept funding from industry.”
Who knew that supposedly objective numbers and statistics — albeit on a hot topic such as the impact of alcohol advertising on the underage — could stir such passions? What was that old saying about statistics?
Help me understand what’s going on here. Here’s the news release.
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Back-label wine descriptions: Let the purple prose flow
Do you ever get the feeling that folks in the southern hemisphere have, well, different way of doing things?
Check out some of the back-label descriptions of wines from New Zealand and Australia in this piece entitled “Putting wines into words”.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to taste a wine that boasts “wafts of toasted marshmallow, sweet custard pie and freshly snapped cinnamon sticks”?
Fun stuff, mate.
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Are vineyard deaths the price we pay for cheap wine?
This question was perhaps danced around in the story last month about a pregnant 17-year-old vineyard worker dying of heat stroke while pruning in a vineyard co-owned by the mastermind behind “Two-Buck Chuck” wines.
Now comes yet another story — this one from the Sacramento Bee entitled “State investigating third farmworker fatality in scorching weather” — that seems to me to beg the question.
Are vineyard deaths the price we pay for cheap wine? Or is there absolutely no connection?
Presumably, stricter oversight of workplace conditions, along with shorter shifts, more frequent breaks, and other steps that would reduce the possibility of vineyard workers suffering heat-related illnesses, would add cost to the production of wine, at a time when the rising price of fuel and other factors are pressuring wine prices.
Are we willing to pay the price?
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Broadbent vs. Parker: Smackdown in London
Check out the Decanter.com story about a Michael Broadbent-Robert Parker smackdown tasting in London.
My only question: Why weren’t the wines tasted blind, by both the heavyweight tasters themselves and by the audience members? Seems that would have been much more illuminating — and fun.
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Red wine may prevent breast cancer
The research into resveratrol, a substance found in the skins of red grapes and a handful of other foods, continues to show promise. The most recent study newly released from the University of Nebraska suggests that even in small doses — the amount found in a glass of red wine, in fact — resveratrol can prevent breast cancer, according to this WebMD story.
The story goes into some detail about how the substance works in the body. Now we should keep in mind, all medical research should be viewed in a broad context, and I don’t think anyone should dramatically change their habits based on a single study. But the research into resveratrol and its effects is certainly something that those of us who enjoy wine can raise a glass to.
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
A tasting list that dazzles
I’ll be out of town Friday night and much of Saturday, but that just means there’s more wine for everybody else, right? Here’s the best darn wine tastings and events list ever created, and it comes to Uncorked courtesy of a Dayton-based wine listserv … enjoy!
Jay’s Kitchen Door Friday, July 11, 2008 4-8 pm 2005 Meyer Fonne Pfoeller Riesling 2005 Meyer-Fonne Grand Cru Wineck-Schlossberg Gewurztraminer 2006 Yann Chave Crozes Hermitage 2003 Dievole Novecento Chianti 2005 Feather Cabernet Sauvignon
Saturday, July 12, 2008 1-6 pm 2006 Domaine Perraud Macon Villages 2003 Pinno Reserve Rosso di Montalcino 2004 Dare Viader Cabernet Franc
RSVP 222-2892 for all Dinners and Luncheons
Todd Nikolai Memorial Wine Luncheon Saturday, July 19, 2008 Area wine distributors have donated wine to be served with the luncheon and for purchase with the profits from the luncheon and wine sales to be given to Todd’s family. Grilled Sea Scallop Salad with Orange, Red Onion and Melon Salsa Salmon Ravioli with Shrimp Toast, Chive Beurre Blanc Sauce Roast Filet of Beef with Peppercorn Sauce, Au Gratin Potatoes and Vegetable Summer Berry Stacks
Saturday, August 9, 2008 Crabfest Luncheon $65 Saturday, September 27, 2008 Lobsterfest Luncheon $65
Arrow Far Hills - Kettering Saturday, July 12, 2008 11-4 pm 2007 Crios Rose of Malbec 2005 Jean Marc Brocard Kimmeridgien Chardonnay 2005 Jaumier Quincy 2007 McManis Pinot Noir N.V. Agrinatura Rosso 2005 Alto Moncayo Garnacha
Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Oakwood Friday, July 11, 2008 6-8 pm Andelsheim ‘07 Rose Whitehaven ‘07 Sauvignon Blanc Patz and Hall ‘05 Chardonnay Clos Pegase ‘05 Pinot Noir Michael David ‘05 Petite Petit Star Lane ‘05 Cabernet
Saturday, July 12, 2008 1-6 pm Chandon Brut Chotard ‘06 Sancerre Marimar Estate ‘04 Chardonnay Del Rio ‘04 Rockblock Syrah John Duval ‘06 Entity Feather ‘05 Cabernet Bonus Bottle
Thursday, July 17, 2008 5:30 - 8:30 pm Beer Tasting with Aaron Tyrell, Midwest Beer Ambassador for Stone Brewing.
Starting August 2, the Saturday wine tasting will begin at 2:00pm until 6:00pm.
DLM Washington Square Thursday, July 10, 2008 5-8 pm 2007 Chateau Saint Laurent Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2005 DeMoor Chablis 2005 Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone Villages Grande Reserve de Bonpas 2007 Chris Ringland Ebenezer Shiraz 2001 Lealtanza Rioja Reserva Encore Wine!
Saturday, July 12, 2008 12-5 pm 2006 Hexamer Riesling Kabinett 2006 Vinum Cellars It’s OK Rose 2006 Sweetwater Zinfandel 2006 Luchador Shiraz 2006 Donnafugata Sedera Encore Wine!
Dorothy Lane Springboro Friday, July 11, 2008 Chateau Coupe Roses Rose 2007 Louis Bernard Cotes-Du-Rhone Blanc 2007 Enotria Nebiolo 2000 Alessandria Nebiolo 2004 Justin Isosceles 2005 Mystery
Saturday, July 12, 2008 12-5 pm Artazuri Rose 2007 Boyer-Martenot Meursalt-Perrieres 2006 Louis Bernard Cotes-Du-Rhone Rouge 2006 Louis Bernard Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2005 Roy Estate Cabernet 2004
Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar, 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm, Friday 11:30 - 8 pm Saturday 11:30 - 7 pm www.cuveewinebar.net
Cuvee is Closing at 5:30 on Saturday
Wines for July 11 - July 17, 2008 Coteaux D’Ancenis 2007 Rose of Gamay Paso a Paso 2007 Verdejo The Innocent Viognier Montinore 2006 Pinot Noir Teira 2006 Zinfandel Buoncristiani 2004 Claret
Beer: Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat Saturday Food: Chris’s Sausage
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 Eric Miller, Winemaker for Kokomo Wines of Sonoma County, California Drop-in 5-7:30 PM 2006 Kokomo Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Kokomo Chardonnay 2006 Kokomo Pinot Noir 2006 Kokomo Sonoma Cuvee 2006 Kokomo Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Kokomo Zinfandel
Food: Steamer Clams or Mussels (Subject to fishmonger’s product availability), Mixed Mushroom Baguette with Spinach & Roasted Garlic, Demi Lambwich with Red Onion Marmalade
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Paul Skinner, Winemaker for Sequum Zinfandels and Cabernets
Food: Sliced Hanger Steak with Roasted Onion and Hawaiian Potato Salad, Roasted Lamb Loin with Spinach and Sausage Stuffing, Mini Pulled Duck BBQ Sandwiches
Arrow Centerville 937-433-6778 615 Lyons Rd Centerville Saturday, July 12, 2008 11 am-5 pm Wine Tasting 2007 BORSAO ROSE 2007 URBAN TORRONTES 2007 SOLNIA RIOJA 2006 EL CHAPARREL GRENACHE 2006 STOLLER J.V. PINOT NOIR
Rue Dumaine www.ruedumainerestaurant.com Tuesday, July 15, 2008 5-7 pm CHATEAU PONTET-CANET Pauillac, 2004 SODA CANYON CELLARS Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2006 MOLLYDOOKER Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale Gigglepot, 2006
The Wine Gallery and Cafe, Corner of 3rd and Wayne Wednesday, July 16, 2008 5:30-8:30 pm 2006 Sancerre, La Reime Blanche 2005 Cotes du Rhone Rouge Reserve Grand Veneur 2005 Lirac Rouge “Clos de Sixte” Alain Jaume 2005 Lirac Rouge Segries 2005 Chateauneuf de Pape “Terron” Alain Jaume
Market Wine Imports, Second Street Public Market Saturday, July 12, 2008 8AM to 1PM. Value wines tasting
Trader Joe’s in Kettering. Tastings Thursday 6:00-8:00 and Sunday 4:00-7:00. Grand Pacific Starliner White (2005) California. Grand Pacific Starliner Red (2005) California. Stonehaven Shiraz (2005) South Eastern Australia. Stonehaven Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon (2006) South Eastern Australia.
Fat Weasel Ale
Therapy Cafe, 3rd Street with Bella Vino Sunday, July 6, 2008 5-9 pm featuring wines from France. Lucien Albrecht Pinot Blanc, 2006 Chateau Calabre Montravel, 2005 Domaine de la Cadette Bourgogne, 2006 Cote de Brouilly Beaujolais, 2006 L. Tramier & Fils Roncier, NV Perrin et Fils Nature Perrin, Cotes du Rhone 2004 Baron Phillip de Rothschild Mouton Cadet Bordeaux, 2006
A Taste of Wine 90 S. Main St Miamisburg, OH 937.247-1120 This week’s wines: Stonecap Riesling Seghesio Arneis Joseph Drouhin Pouilly-Fuisse Chateau Moncontour Vouvray Le “C” Des Domaines Tari Rose Hahn Meritage Ironstone Petite Sirah Ironstone Cabernet Franc Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon
7/10 Blind Wine Tasting 7pm 7/17 Evergreen Wine Tasting
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant Thursday, July 30, 2008 6:30 pm $60 (including gratuity) RSVP Stephanie Clemens (937) 431-9765 Summer Patio Wines Dinner Gazpacho, strawberry salad, Salmon with cream cheese potatoes, NY Strip and a peach dessert paired with wines for summer dining.
Bruning’s Wine Cellar GRAND OPENING! 1481 North Fairfield Road, Beavercreek 937.426.4950 M.-F. 10-6, Sat. 10-5 www.brunings.com Wednesday, July 16, 2008 5-8 pm 2007 Hogue Late Harvest White Riesling 2007 Saintsbury Vincent Vin Gris 2006 Hayman & Hill Santa Lucia Highlands Reserve Pinot Noir 2005 Waterbrook Melange Red 2005 The Hess Collection Block 19 Cuvee
Cork-n-Vine Wine Cellar in Troy, Ohio July 11, 2008 at 5 pm - July 18, 2008 Red Flight PKNT Carmenere- Veramonte Primus- Beringer Pinot Noir- Franciscan Cabernet-
White Flight Castello di Pogio Moscato- A-Mano Pinot Grigio- Pampano Vino Blanco- Beringer Chardonnay-
July 24 - Charles Coniglio, owner of Coniglio will be featuring new releases.
Little Sonoma, 6078 West Chester Road, West Chester, OH 45069.513-942-9463. Located two blocks north of Union Centre Blvd. at the corner of Muhlhauser and West Chester Roads www.LittleSonomaWines.com Friday, July 11, 2008 7 pm “Pinots” Six wines, light appetizers. RSVP recommended.
Saturday, July 12, 2008 3-6 pm: Two Pinot Noirs/Two Pinot Grigios
Saturday, July 19, 2008 6-9 pm - Lobsta Bakes! Lobster dinner, fine wine & live jazz $55 Prepaid RSVP by Monday, July 14.
La Petite France RSVP for events 513-733-8383 Bastille Day Weekend Friday evening, July 11, Saturday, 7/12, and Monday, 7/14, 4 course dinner $45 Aperitif - Kir Royale or Kir normale 1st. Course - Vichyssoise 2nd. Course - Avocado with crabmeat 3rd. Course - Cassoulet 4th. Course - Creme brulee
Friday evening, July, 18, 2008 6:30 pm $60 “Bastille Day Celebration” Bordeaux Wine Dinner Aperitif - Bordeaux Rose, Le Rose de Paveil 1st. Course - Chilled watercress soup 2nd. Course - Tomato onion tart with field greens. 3rd. Course - Beef tenderloin with raspberry-port sauce and gorgonzola 4th. Course - Sabayon with fresh peaches and mangos
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Mobsters, politicians and wines
One of my colleagues in the wine-blogging biz, the esteemed Dr. Vino, has written a book entitled “Wine Politics: How Governments, Environmentalists, Mobsters, and Critics Influence the Wines We Drink” …
You mean politics has some sort of impact on wine? How can that be?
Anyway, I haven’t read the book yet, but I have a hunch, based on Dr. Vino’s blog (linked to from the Uncorked index page under “Other Wine Blogs”), that it is well-researched and quite lively.
Politics and mobsters? And wine?
Who knew?
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
The glories of old Loire chenin blanc
I had the good fortune of having a wine mentor who is a huge fan of Loire whites, particularly those based on the chenin blanc grape — Vouvray, Savennieres, Coteaux du Layon and others. He’s an avid wine collector, and he has always had more Loire whites in his cellar than any other white wines, including white Burgundies. At their best, these wines age almost effortlessly — and not just the dessert wines, but the dry and off-dry whites, too.
That was on full display over the weekend when I coerced another friend (whose cellar has been influenced by my wine mentor, obviously) to pull out a 1989 Vouvray Demi-Sec from Domaine Huet, certainly one of Vouvray’s greatest (quite possibly THE greatest) producer. (I believe the wine was the Le Mont bottling, but I need to double-check)
We served the 19-year-old off-dry demi-sec with seared scallops topped with mango salsa (mango, lime juice, red onion, red bell pepper, jalapeno and cilantro). To say the Vouvray “held up” to the dish was an understatement. The lime-citrus flavors and firm acidity — a hallmarks of Loire chenins — married well with the salsa, and the mineral-laden semi-sweetness matched up with the silken interior of the seared scallops.
As riveting as this wine was, we had the sense it could age another few decades. Man oh man, I wish I had a case of the stuff.
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Cutting carbs? Forget the reds, reach for a chardonnay
The ever-so-helpful folks at the Consumer Federation of America have come up with an Alcohol Facts Poster that compares all kinds of alcoholic beverages based on alcohol content, calories and carbs. The poster analyzes the 26 top-selling domestic and imported alcohol brands, from good ol’ Bud Light to Beringer Chardonnay.
And why, pray tell, would the consumer group do this? Well, it’s lobbying in Washington D.C. for a government-mandated “standardized and complete alcohol label” to be slapped on every bottle of alcoholic beverages, according to the federation’s press release.
The alcohol info is also “designed to help consumers follow the Dietary Guidelines’ advice that men limit their consumption to two drinks a day and that women restrict their consumption to one drink per day,” the news release says. And I don’t know about you, but I live my life according to the federal government’s dietary guidelines. Don’t you? Doesn’t everyone?
Anyway, here’s a quote from the release:
“Right now, consumers really have no way of knowing the most basic information about alcoholic beverages,” said Chris Waldrop, Director of the Food Policy Institute at the Consumer Federation of America. “It’s time to end the confusion so consumers can make informed and responsible purchasing and consumption decisions. We’re making information available today on some of the top selling brands, but the federal government needs to require standardized and complete alcohol labeling on all alcoholic beverages.”
While I’ve never really monitored my carbohydrates intake beyond watching them go into my mouth, it was a bit surprising to see the difference in carbs between one serving of chardonnay (0.8 grams) and cabernet (5.0 grams). Perhaps I’ll put that on my list of things to worry about someday.
What do you think of this report, and the factors behind it?
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
There are wine labels — and there are WINE labels
Now that’s a label. (You may have to use your imagination just a bit, because of the small size of the image — but I suspect you can).
What would you expect from a wine called “Playmates,” produced by Fetish Wines?
I mean — we are selling wines, right?
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Go Fo(u)rth and taste on this Independence Day weekend
The holiday has sabotaged some of the regularly scheduled Friday tastings (sigh …) but there’s plenty going on to slake the thirst of Miami Valley wine enthusiasts over the coming week. Note there are some tastings and events coming up to benefit the family of Todd Nikolai. And Bruning’s Wine Cellar will have a Grand Opening wine tasting next Friday, July 11 from 5-8 pm with light hors d’oeuvres for $25. The Bruning’s folks would like you to RSVP by Monday, July 7 at 426-4950 if you’d like to attend. The shop is at 1481 North Fairfield Road in Beavercreek.
Jay’s Kitchen Door Friday, July 4, 2008 4-8 pm No Tasting
Saturday, July 5, 2008 1-6 pm 1998 Duval-Leroy Blanc de Chardonnay 2004 L’Ecole Merlot No. 41 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2002 Chateau Bahan Haut Brion
RSVP 222-2892 for all Dinners and Luncheons
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 7 pm $55 Dinner and Crawfish & Lipstick The first three courses will be at Jay’s Kitchen Door. Dessert will be at the new Color of Energy gallery located on Brown Street and Mike Elsass’s exhibit of Crawfish and Lipstick from the Bayous of Louisiana.
Crawfish etoufee with grilled polenta Fried catfish served with vinaigrette coleslaw with remoulade, Quail with crawfish stuffing with honey roasted Opelousas sweet potatoes Bread pudding soufflé served with a whiskey sauce and coffee
Todd Nikolai Memorial Wine Luncheon Saturday, July 19, 2008 The profits from the luncheon will be given to Todd’s family. Details to follow.
Arrow Far Hills - Kettering Saturday, July 5, 2008 11-4 pm 2007 Domaine Lafond Tavel 2007 Shoo Fly “Buzz Cut” 2004 Huia Marlborough Riesling 2005 Chateau Lyonnat St. Emilion 2006 Chris Ringland Ebenezer Shiraz 2006 Ken Griffey Jr. Cabernet Sauvignon
Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Oakwood Note: No tasting July 4, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008 1-6 pm Hugel ‘05 Riesling Cuvaison ‘05 Chardonnay Frei Brothers ‘06 Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir Steltzner ‘05 Claret Morgan ‘03 Syrah Segla ‘03 Margaux Bonus Bottle
Thursday, July 17, 2008 5:30 - 8:30 pm Beer Tasting with Aaron Tyrell, Midwest Beer Ambassador for Stone Brewing.
DLM Washington Square Thursday, July 3, 2008 5-8 pm 2007 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Rose 2005 Guillemont-Michel Macon-Villages 2005 Domaine Bouisson Clos de la Brussier 2007 High Note Malbec 2001 Donatella Brunello di Montalcino Encore Wine!
Saturday, July 5, 2008 12-5 pm 2007 Les Pentes Pouilly Fume 2006 Boomtown Chardonnay 2006 Dry Creek “Heritage” Zinfandel 2005 Hendry Primitivo 2004 Marquis Philips “9” Shiraz Encore Wine!
Dorothy Lane Springboro Friday, July 4, 2008 No Tasting!
Saturday, July 5, 2008 12-5 pm Mas de Gourgonnier Rose 2007 Macon-Pierreclos “En Crazy” 2006 Argyle Nuthouse Pinot Noir 2005 Stephen Vincent Crimson Red 2006 Robert Mondavi Oakville Cabernet 2005 Chimney Rock Stags Leap Cabernet 2005
Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar, 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm, Friday 11:30 - 8 pm Saturday 11:30 - 7 pm www.cuveewinebar.net
Note: Opening at Noon on Saturday, July 5 Saturday Food: Picnic Food: Hot dogs! Sausage sandwiches and more!
Saturday, July 19, 2008 will be a day of wine and food in honor of Todd Nikolai, wine guy to us all, who passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2008. Cuvee will be raising money for Todd’s three year old daughter Carina and his wife Wendy. Details to follow.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 Eric Miller, Winemaker for Kokomo Wines. Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Paul Skinner, Winemaker for Sequum Zinfandels
Arrow Centerville 937-433-6778 615 Lyons Rd Centerville No beer tasting July 4. Saturday, July 5, 2008 11 am-5 pm Wine Tasting 2006 Veredad Dry Rose. 2006 Stephen Vincent Sauvignon Blanc. 2006 Elsa Bianchi Malbec. 2004 Franco Merlot. 2003 Girabaldi Barbaresco. 2002 Chateau de Campuget Costieres de Nimes
Rue Dumaine www.ruedumainerestaurant.com Tuesday, July 8, 2008 5-7 pm Crozes-Hermitage, 2005 KINKEAD RIDGE Syrah Ohio River Valley, 2005 JC CELLARS Syrah Monterey Ventana Vineyards, 2003
Savona Italian Restaurant Wednesday, July 9, 2008 5:30-8:30 pm 6 wines including Cappezzana barco reale di Carmignano, Edna Valley Syrah, Sagelands Merlot (Columbia Valley), Coppola Directors Cut Chardonnay, Trimbach Pinot Blanc (Alsace), Dry Creek Fume Blanc (Sonoma)
The Wine Gallery and Cafe, Corner of 3rd and Wayne Wednesday, July 9, 2008 5:30-8:30 pm 2006 Jaffurs Santa Barbara County Roussanne 2004 Toad Hollow Concinnity, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 McMannis Petite Sirah 2005 Steltzner Claret 2006 Uvaggio Vermentino, Lodi California
Market Wine Imports, Second Street Public Market Saturday, July 5, 2008 8AM to 1PM. Value wines tasting
Trader Joe’s in Kettering. Tastings Thursday 6:00-8:00 and Sunday 4:00-7:00. Stonehaven Chardonnay (2006) South Eastern Australia. Stonehaven Merlot (2006) South Eastern Australia. Rosenblum Appellation Series Zinfandel (2005) AVA Paso Robles, California.
Plus beers for the holiday weekend: Gila Monster Amber Lager Black Toad Dark Ale
Therapy Cafe, 3rd Street with Bella Vino Sunday, July 6, 2008 6-8 pm Wines from California Luna Vineyards Freakout White Wine, 2006 R&B Cellars Serenade in Blanc Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 Heron Chardonnay, 2006 Irony Pinot Noir, 2005 Dynamite Vineyards Merlot, 2005 Tractor Shed Red, 2005 Stephen Vincent Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006
A Taste of Wine 90 S. Main St Miamisburg, OH 937.247-1120 OPEN July 4 11 am - 11pm This week’s wines: St Julian Semi-Sweet Red Wine Auto Moto Riesling PKNT Sauvignon Blanc PKNT Chardonnay Vinavera Dry Rose PKNT Carmenere ESCA Cabernet Sauvignon
7/10 Blind Wine Tasting 7pm
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant Thursday, July 30, 2008 6:30 pm $60 (including gratuity) RSVP Stephanie Clemens (937) 431-9765 Summer Patio Wines Dinner Gazpacho, strawberry salad, Salmon with cream cheese potatoes, NY Strip and a peach dessert paired with wines for summer dining.
Bruning’s Wine Cellar GRAND OPENING 1481 North Fairfield Road, Beavercreek 937.426.4950 M.-F. 10-6, Sat. 10-5 www.brunings.com Friday, July 11, 2008 5-8 pm $25 Tastings and Light Hors d’oeuvres RSVP by Monday, July 7
Cork-n-Vine Wine Cellar in Troy, Ohio July 4, 2008 at 5 pm - July 11, 2008 Open July 4th White Flight Simi Rose- Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc- Silverado Trail Sauvignon Blanc- Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay
Red Flight Chateau St. Jean Pinot Noir- Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet- Clos du Bois Reserve Cabernet- Domaine de Nizas Coteaux de Languedoc
Bella Vino, Wine Merchant & Bar, Springboro, OH 45066 Thursday, July 3, 2008 6 - 8 pm Wine Tasting Nola Palomar will be featuring her Veleta wines.
July 24 - Charles Coniglio, owner of Coniglio will be featuring new releases.
Miami Valley Wine and Spirits Monthly Beer Tasting, Friday July 4, 2008 6 - 9pm
Little Sonoma, 6078 West Chester Road, West Chester, OH 45069.513-942-9463. Located two blocks north of Union Centre Blvd. at the corner of Muhlhauser and West Chester Roads www.LittleSonomaWines.com Special hours, Friday, 4th of July Holiday: 10 am - 3 pm, No tasting
Saturday, July 5, 2008 3-6 pm - Wines from California’s Central Coast
La Petite France RSVP for events 513-733-8383 Bastille Day Weekend Friday evening, July 11, Saturday, 7/12, and Monday, 7/14, 4 course dinner $45 Aperitif - Kir Royale or Kir normale 1st. Course - Vichyssoise 2nd. Course - Avocado with crabmeat 3rd. Course - Cassoulet 4th. Course - Crème brulee
Friday evening, July, 18, 2008 6:30 pm $60 “Bastille Day Celebration” Bordeaux Wine Dinner Aperitif - Bordeaux Rose, Le Rose de Paveil 1st. Course - Chilled watercress soup 2nd. Course - Tomato onion tart with field greens. 3rd. Course - Beef tenderloin with raspberry-port sauce and gorgonzola 4th. Course - Sabayon with fresh peaches and mangos
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Chillin’: If the NY Times says it’s OK, it must be OK
I’ve railed before about red wines served too warm — sometimes WAY too warm — in restaurants and at outdoor festivals, and from the comments you’ve added to those posts, many of you agree.
So, apparently, does Eric Asimov, the wine writer and blogger for the New York Times. In an entry entitled “Reds on Ice? It’s Not Heresy,” Asimov bemoans the tyranny of the self-proclaimed wine “experts” who proclaim red wine must be served at the notorious “room temperature.” Well, in Ohio in July, please don’t get near me with a red wine “at room temperature.”
I don’t like ‘em refrigerator-cold either, but if I had to choose, I’ll take ‘em cold. At least they can warm up in my glass, but I’ve yet to find a warm red wine that cools off in my wine glass in the middle of summer.
Eric’s post is a fine one, and it comes at just the right time, headed into a July 4th three-day weekend. Enjoy!
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Would you buy a wine from Hootersville?
This piece from Washington Post business columnist Cindy Skrzycki is an absolute hoot.
The column details the efforts of a group of Napa County winemakers to add the designation “Tulocay” to theier wine labels. The winemakers who petitioned the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau were enamored of the sound and potential marketing cachet of the word “Tulocay,” and turned up their collective noses at a designation that would have been more geographically correct: “Coombsville.”
The petitioner who wanted the change, a winemaker himself, told the Post, “We felt Coombsville sent kind of a redneck vibe.” Even one of the winemakers who opposed the Tulocay designation (because he runs a winery by the same name) said, “Coombsville sounds like it ought to be in Arkansas.”
Well good heavens, we can’t have that, now can we?
In the end, the feds rejected the change.
Perhaps now the winemakers will all sit down and come up with a new AVA. Hootersville, anyone? How about “Mayberry RFD?”
A tip of the wide-brimmed straw hat to Dennis Hall for passing along this little gem of a story …
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Prince Charles tricks out his Aston Martin to run on wine.
Prince Charles has apparently converted his Aston Martin to run on wine, according to a Daily Mail story.
Now yes, I know, technically the car is not running on wine, but rather, on biofuel that has been distilled from wine. Still, I wonder if the emissions have a certain, well, grape aroma, perhaps with subtle oak shadings or a hint of mango or lychee.
As my colleague Alexis Larsen — she of Lounge Lizards fame — puts it, the prince is proving that “Being green can be very cool.”
And who’da thunk Prince Charles would ever be the epitome of cool?
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Governor’s veto of ‘wine-parties-at-home’ legislation triggers spirited debate
Last week, on a particularly busy day for wine news, I posted a quick little entry entitled “Governor vetoes wine-at-home legislation”, acknowledging I didn’t know much about the issue and inviting readers to help make some sense of it.
Reader response began with a trickle — then grew to a flood, with the bulk of the comments coming in well after the initial entry appeared (a phenomenon I like to call “secondary fermentation”).
Suffice to say this is a bigger issue for some folks than I realized. Suffice to say steam will rise from your keyboard when you read the comments on the post.
And suffice to say I’m still a bit confused.
But I’m sure the politicians in Columbus will be able to sort all this out and do what’s right for Ohioans. Right?
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
