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February 2009
The wines of March: Dayton-area wine tastings and events
We’ve got the best and most comprehensive list of Dayton-area wine tastings and events imaginable, courtesy of the Dayton-based wine listserv that compiles it. And that makes me happy. You?
Note that there is a new establishment on this week’s list: 56 Degrees Wine Bistro at 1045 Central Avenue in Middletown. The bistro is hosting a five-course wine dinner with Rich Parducci at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 8.
For details on that and more, click on “continue reading” if the tastings list doesn’t appear immediately below. And cheers!
Jay’s Kitchen Door
Friday, Feb 27, 2009 4-8 pm
1999 Paul Bara Grand Cru Brut 2001 Ruffino Riserva Ducale Gold 2000 Le Potazzine Brunello di Montalcino 2004 La Petite Eglise 2001 Viader Cabernet Sauvignon
Saturday, Feb 28, 2009 1-6 pm 2005 Louis Latour Corton 2001 Chateau Beaucastel Chaten 2003 Elderton Command Shiraz 2005 Lewelling Cabernet Sauvignon
Arrow Far Hills - Kettering
Saturday, Feb 28, 2009, 11 - 4 pm
2007 Reuscher Haart Piesporter Riesling 2006 Palazzone Bubini Bianco 2008 Hacienda Araucano Pinot Noir 2007 Evodia Old Vine Garnacha 2004 Field Stone Merlot 2006 Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon
Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Oakwood
Friday, Feb 27, 2009, 5:00-8:00 pm Bertrand ‘07 Viognier Gosset Brabant Brut NV Walnut City Wineworks ‘07 Pinot Noir Yalumba ‘06 Patchwork Shiraz Napa Cellars ‘06 Merlot Red Lion ‘06 Cabernet Brown Bag
Saturday, Feb 28, 2009 2-6 pm Con Class ‘07 Rueda Torbreck ‘06 Woodcutter’s Semillon King Estate ‘07 Pinot Noir Septima ‘07 Malbec Pecina ‘00 Rioja Dei ‘05 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Duckhorn ‘05 Merlot Bonus Bottle
DLM Washington Square
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 5-8 pm Bill’s “Now that’s Italian” Tasting 2007 Prima Mano Fiano Greco 2005 Mauro Veglio Nabbiolo 2007 Mauro Veglio Barbera d’Alba 2004 La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino 2001 Podero Scopetone Brunello di Montalcino Encore Wine!
Saturday, Feb 28, 2009 12-5 pm 2006 Chat-en-Oeuf White Blend 2006 Domaine Drouhin “Arthur” Chardonnay 2007 Penner Ash Pinot Noir 2007 Evodia Garnacha 2004 La Storia Petite Sirah Encore Wine!
Dorothy Lane Springboro
Friday, Feb 27, 2009, 3:00-7:00 pm Espelt Vailet 2008 Ken Wright Canary Hill Pinot Noir 2007 Espelt Saulo 2007 Jacuzzi Cabernet 2006 Mystery Wine
Saturday, Feb 28, 2009 12-6 pm Bellerucche Blanc 2007 Ken Wright Guadalupe Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 Comenge Ribera del Duero 2004 Pine Ridge Rutherford Cabernet 2005 Negro Basarin Barbaresco 2004
Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar, 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook 848-2161
Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm, Friday 11:30 - 8 pm Saturday 11:30 - 7 pm www.cuveewinebar.net
Wines for Friday, Feb 27 - Mar 5, 2008
Washington Hills 2006 Late Harvest Riesling Espelt 2008 Vailet Angove 2006 Viognier Mauta Valley 2008 Pinot Noir Sly Dog Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Clos de Los Siete 2007
Beer: Bluegrass Brewery Bourbon Barrel Beer
Food: Jay’s Justin White is doing shortribs, Justin’s style
Wednesday, Mar 4, 2009 4:30 - 7 pm Soup Night ! Anne Kearny from Rue Dumaine is preparing soup!
Arrow Centerville 937-433-6778
615 Lyons Rd Centerville
Friday, Feb 27, 2009 5-8 pm Beer Tasting 4 Delicious Barleywines Sierra Nevada - Bigfoot Stone - Old Guardian Victory - Old Horizontal Flying Dog - Horn Dog Ale
Saturday, Feb 28, 2009 11 am-5 pm Wine Tasting
2007 Leitz Eins Zwei Dry. 2007 L de Lyeth Chardonnay. 2007 Del Rio Pinot Noir. 2005 Finca Flichman Barrancas. 2005 Haywood Zinfandel Chamizal Vineyard. 2006 Schild Estate Shiraz
Thursday, March 5, 2009 5-7 pm
Italian Wine Tasting with Ardie Bonanno and Importer Alfred Laudato
Boffa Dolcetto d’Alba 2006 Boffa Barbera d’Alba Buschet 2006 Boffa Barbaresco Vitalotti 2003 Corte Giuggiolo Bianco 2007 Corte Giuggiolo Rosso 2006 Corte Vino Nobile di Montalcino 2004 Cast. Sonnino Chianti Castello 2006 Cast. Sonnino Leone Rosso 2007 Rocche Costamagna Barbera Rocche delle Rocche 2005 Rocche Costamagna Barolo Annz 2004 La Fiorita Brunello di Montalcino 2003
Rue Dumaine www.ruedumainerestaurant.com
Tuesday, Mar 3, 2009 5-7 pm BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS O. FOURNIER Urban UCO Malbec Mendoza, 2006 NAIARA Malbec Reserva Mendoza, 2006 FINCA FLICHMAN Paisaje De Barrancas Mendoza, 2005
Rue Dumaine’s Mount Eden Wine Dinner March 23, 2009 $120 inclusive RSVP
Mount Eden Chardonnay, Monterey County 2007 Smoked beef with a honey-champagne vinegar gastrique and bright herbs House-smoked ruby red trout tartlet, served with crème fraîche and a relish of fennel, celery and leeks Pork rillette “boulette” with plum jam
Mount Eden Chardonnay, Saratoga Cuvee 2004 Salad of Jumbo lump crab meat, mache, cucumber and charred tomato-caraway vinaigrette
Mount Eden Pinot Noir, Saratoga Cuvee 2006 House made pork-caramelized onion sausage, sweet potato hash, served with moutarde rouge
Mount Eden Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains 2004 Cold-smoked confit of duck, sour cherry compote, pommes Sarlat and roasted garlic reduction
Mount Eden Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains 2005 Venison with huckleberries, wild rice croquette and wilted Swiss chard
Mount Eden Chardonnay Estate fruit, Santa Cruz Mountains 2003 Toasted almond-butterscotch tart with local honey infused ice cream
The Wine Gallery and Cafe , Corner of 3rd and Wayne
Wednesday, Mar 4, 2009 5:30pm - 8 pm
2007 Sineann Gewurztraminer Celilo Vineyards, Columbia Gorge 2005 Wild Hog Vineyards JMR Talmage Zinfandel 2004 Steltzner Malbec 2005 Fritz Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Fritz Zinfandel
Trader Joe’s in Kettering
Tastings Thursday 6:00-8:00 and Sunday 4:00-7:00 Epicuro Vermentino (2007) IGT Lazio, Italy. Epicuro Nero d’Avola (2006) IGT Sicilia, Italy. Gaetano d’Aquino Sangiovese (2007) IGT Toscana, Italy. Gaetano d’Aquino Chianti (2007) DOCG Chianti, Italy. Losen-Bockstanz Riesling Beerenauslese (2006) QmP Mosel, Germany.
A Taste of Wine 90 S. Main St Miamisburg, OH 937.247-1120 www.atasteofwine.org
This week’s wines:
Castoro Cellars Muscat Canelli Twisted River Riesling Poppy Chardonnay Windmill Petitie Sirah So Zin Tin Barn Vineyards 2003 Napa Valley
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 937-320-9548
Wine Wednesdays in the bar. Mar 4, 2009 4-8 pm
First Wednesday - Two Flights Maloy O’neill, Pinot Grigio California, 2006 Paul Dolan, Pinot Noir Mendocino County, 2006 Artizin, Zinfandel Mendocino County, 2006 Robert Sinskey, Merlot Los Carneros, Napa Valley, 2004
RESERVE TASTING Villa Giulia Chianti, Italy 2007 Villa Giulia Amarone Della Valpolicella, Italy 2003 Villa Giulia Barbaresco, Italy 2003
Bruning’s Wine Cellar
Saturday, Feb 28, 2008 1-4 pm 2006 Esca Pinot Grigio NV Clyde’s White NV Fred’s Red 2006 Khroma Cabernet 2002 Summit Lake Zinfandel
The Culinary Company Cross Pointe Center
Saturday, Feb 28, 2009 12-6 pm Sterling Vintner’s Collection Merlot Sterling Vintner’s Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Robert Mondavi Riesling
Beers from the Stone Brewery: Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale Smoked Porter Arrogant Bastard Ale
The Winds Cafe and Bakery - Yellow Springs
6 March: Open that Bottle Night (7:00 pm) 14 March: Austrian Wine Tasting & Luncheon (12:00 pm) 24 March: Spanish Dinner (5:00 pm)
Bella Vino Wine Merchant & Bar , Springboro, OH 45066
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 6-8 pm Saturday, Feb 28, 2009 12-4 pm
Familia Schroeder: SAURUS. Saurus Sauvignon Blanc Saurus Chardonnay Saurus Patagonia Select Malbec Saurus Patagonia Select Cabernet Sauvignon Familia Schroeder Estate Merlot
Cork&Vine York Commons Blvd
Week’s wines
White Flight Firehose Riesling Cline Viognier Rodney Strong Sauv. Blanc Tamari Torrontes
Red Flight Red Diamond Shiraz Wingnut Zinfandel Trinchero Chicken Ranch Merlot Louis Martini Alex Valley Res. Cabernet
Mar 5, 2009 6-9 pm Clarendon Hills wine tasting with special guest Samantha Smith
Miami Valley Wine
Friday, Feb 27, 2009 5-9 pm Dr. L Riesling Silver Lake Cabernet sav. PQ Chardonnay Chalone Syrah Beas Honey Wine
Cork&Vine Troy
Week of 2/27-3/6
WHITES: LEELANAU LATE HARVEST RIESLING EL COTO WHITE RIOJA KIM CRAWFORD SAUVIGNON BLANC SOUVERAIN WINEMAKERS RESERVE CHARDONNAY REDS: BERINGER CALIFORNIA MERLOT CHATEAU ST. JEAN CABERNET PENFOLDS HYLAND SHIRAZ CASTE’P DI MODANELLO TORRI ANTICHE CHIANTI
56 Degrees Wine Bistro 1045 Central Avenue Middletown, Ohio
Sunday, March 8, 2009 4pm RSVP 513 571-1274 $50 5 course wine dinner with vineyard owner Rick Parducci
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 and Saturday “Open That Special Bottle Night”
2007 Treana White 2006 Boeger Barbara 2006 Peltier Station Petite Sirah 2006 Double T Napa Valley by Trefethen & Trefethen 2004 Walter Clore Private Reserve
Jungle Jim’s International Market
www.junglejims.com 513-674-6000 to RSVP
Saturday, Feb 28, 2009 1 -3 pm $25 Chile’s Hot Wines
Inn at Versailles
McNab Ridge Wine Dinner, March 6, Michael Anthony’s at The Inn 7 pm $75
The Wines of McNab Ridge with owner Rich Parducci
French Columbard Pan Seared George’s Bank Jumbo Scallops with a braised fennel marmalade and Jalapeno Pepper buerre blanc
Chardonnay Roasted Heirloom Beets with sautéed Jonah Crab, baby Arugula, wood fired pears with a fresh citrus & dill vinaigrette & a Corbezzola honey & goat cheese crouton
Pinotage Roasted cauliflower with braised Radicchio & red beans
Petite Sirah Roasted shallot, garlic & wild mushroom bisque with white truffle oil & crème fraiche
Coro Jumbo shrimp, New Brunswick Bay Scallops & crawfish gumbo
Dessert Apple & Toasted Almond Bread Pudding
Greater Cincinnati International Wine Festival
March 13-14, for details see www.winefestival.com
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Transplant patient Jessica Paringer improving; fund set up
Jessica Paringer, the co-owner of Cuvee Wine Bar & Cellar in Bellbrook who received a double-lung transplant Feb. 13, is continuing to improve in the intensive care unit at the Cleveland Clinic, her husband Chris Cavender said late Monday, Feb. 23.
“This has been the best day so far,” Cavender said.
Paringer had to have a surgical procedure late last week to aid in her breathing, but “has been breathing without help” for long stretches, and doctors are pleased with her progress, Cavender said.
Still, Paringer faces three or four more days in the ICU and additional time in a step-down unit in the hospital, then must stay in the Cleveland area for several weeks in case there are complications. “We’re in for a long haul,” Cavender said.
A fund has been set up to help defray the costs of lodging and of other surgery-related costs. Checks should be made out to Jessica Paringer and dropped off at Cuvee, which is located on Alex-Bell Road just east of Wilmington Pike in Bellbrook, or can be mailed to the shop at the following address:
Cuvee Wine Bar
4457 State Route 725
Bellbrook, OH 45305
Paringer, 36, suffers from cystic fibrosis, an inherited, chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. and which often causes death in the patients’ 20s or 30s.
The disease had taken an increasing toll on Paringer in recent months. She had been approved for a lung transplant, but on Friday, Feb. 6, she suffered a serious setback and nearly died, Cavender said. She was flown by a care-flight medical helicopter from Dayton to the Cleveland Clinic. After she was stabilized, doctors told her that a pair of lungs had become available, and the donor lungs were determined to be a good match. The transplant surgery took place Feb. 13 and lasted nine hours.
Several friends and Cuvee employees are pitching in to help run the wine shop in Cavender’s and Paringer’s absence, and Cindy Hill, the founding owner of Cindy’s Wine Shop that became Cuvee, has returned to work at the wine shop during Paringer’s recovery.
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Indiana sugar-free wine goes to the Oscars
Here’s an offbeat little quasi-local connection to tonight’s Academy Awards: Chateau Thomas’ “Slender Wine” is going to the Oscars tonight.
Apparently, the sugar-free wine from the Greenfield, Indiana winery was “selected o be included in the 81st Annual Academy Awards Oscar Baskets,” according to the winery’s web site and to Associated Content.
Here’s how a post at Women & Wine described the sugar-free wine:
Ok, so the grapes may come from Napa, but this latest “gimmick wine” aimed at women will be promoted this weekend at the Oscar suites and in the celebrity goodie bags. …It’s been a while since there’s been such blatant marketing to women - White Lies as I recall was the last disaster.
Anyone tried this wine? Would you like to?
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Local wine, spirits buyers won’t find Kentucky such a bargain anymore
Kentucky lawmakers and governor have boosted taxes on wine and spirits as part of a deal to balance the state’s budget.
Legislators’ decision to apply a 6 percent state sales tax to all wine and spirits sold by the bottle will almost certainly make it less likely Ohioans will find the same kinds of bargains south of the border that they might have found before.
Unless Ohio law has changed, it is technically illegal for Ohioans to cross the border and stock up on large amounts of beer and wine in Kentucky, then turn around and drive back into Ohio.
But of course, it happened, and frequently. Kevin Keith, wine buyer for Liquor Direct Wine & Spirits in Covington and Fort Thomas, KY, and a Wine Blogger himself, commented on the My Wine Education blog that 80 percent of his store’s business comes from Ohioans crossing the border, and the tax increase will “induce the Ohio shoppers … to remain in Ohio and spend their money there.” (Click here to read the full text of Kevin Keith’s comment and Michelle’s blog entry).
Dayton-area wine retailers say their prices overall are no higher, or not much higher, than Kentucky’s, although Kentucky’s open pricing system allows its retailers to discount wines and spirits of their choosing as “loss-leaders” while Ohio forbids such practices through mandatory price markups.
And of course, this newer, seemingly more level playing field could change when Ohio’s lawmakers start the hard work of balancing the state’s two-year budget. Will they also consider a “sin tax” hike to raise tax revenues as their counterparts in Kentucky did?
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Wine to soothe the gray days of February
It’s cold. It’s February. In Ohio.
But even in the depths of winter, we have the best damn wine-tastings list in the land, brought to us by the sunny Dayton-based wine listserv that compiles this list week in and week out, for which we are all thankful. Even in February. Especially in February.
Click on “continue reading” if the wine-tastings list doesn’t appear below. And for information regarding Cincinnati-area wine events, go to Michelle’s My Wine Education blog.
Jay’s Kitchen Door
Friday, Feb 20, 2009 4-8 pm It’s Bordeaux weekend at Jay’s so there will be lots of Bordeaux wines!
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 1-6 pm It’s Bordeaux weekend at Jay’s so there will be lots of Bordeaux wines!
RSVP 222-2892 for all Dinners and Luncheons Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 12:30 pm 33rd Anniversary Bordeaux Luncheon $75 Lobster parfait with chantrelle mushrooms Sous Vide lamb loin with herb potato gallette Duck breast with red wine sauce Salad of duck confit with endive, beets and walnuts Assorted cheeses
Arrow Far Hills - Kettering
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009, 11 - 5 pm
2007 Weingut Hofer Gruner Veltliner 2007 Simi Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Strong Arms Shiraz 2005 Glass Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 L’Ecoloe No 41 Merlot 2005 Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards “Right Bank”
Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Oakwood
Friday, Feb 20, 2009, 5:00-8:00 pm
Bucci ’06 Verdicchio Auratus ’07 Alvarinho Trajadura J.K. Carriere ’06 Pinot Noir Louis Bernard ’05 Cotes du Rhone Villages La Spinetta ’05 Barbera Ca Di Pian Chimney Rock ’05 Cabernet Sauvignon Brown Bag
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 2-6 pm
Hat in the Ring ’07 Sauvignon Blanc Bruno Colin ’05 Montrachet Torbreck “The Struie” ’03 Shiraz Joel Gott ’06 Lodi Zinfandel Potazzine ’00 Brunello Layer Cake ‘07 Cabernet Sauvignon Bonus Bottle
February 19, 5:30-8:30 for the “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” Beer Tasting Bell’s Two Hearted Hop Hound Amber Wheat Thirsty Dog Leghumper Porter Lagunitas Brown Shugga Rogue Dead Guy Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard Pete’s Wicked and Victory Hop Devil
DLM Washington Square
Thursday, Feb 12, 2009 5-8 pm
2007 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Blanc NV Caprari Reggiano Lambrusco Dolce 2006 EQ Pinot Noir 2005 Stonecap Syrah 2005 Dei Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Encore Wine!
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 12-5 pm
Mardi Gras Madness (throw me somethin’,mister) 3 Saints Chardonnay Toad Hollow Risque Jester Sauvignon Blanc Peachy Canyon Cirque du Vin Cacophony Zin De Loach Russian River Pinot Noir Grail of Lisa
Dorothy Lane Springboro
Friday, Feb 20, 2009, 3:00-7:00 pm
Domaine Feuillard Saint Veran 2005 Hill Family Estate Merlot 2004 Torres Nerola 2004 Domaine des Cantarelles Cabernet 2005 Mystery Wine
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 12-6 pm
Domaine Drouhin Arthur Chardonnay 2006 Patricia Green Estate Old Vine Pinot Noir 2007 Hill Family The Barrel Red 2005 Clio 2006 Mauro Veglio Vignete Arborina Barolo 2004
Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar, 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook 848-2161
Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm, Friday 11:30 - 8 pm Saturday 11:30 - 7 pm www.cuveewinebar.net
Wines for Tuesday, Feb 20 - Feb 26, 2008
Rustico Prosecco Le Faux Frog 2006 Pinot Noir Ledgewood Creek 2005 GSM Clos LaChance 2005 Syrah
Beer: Bluegrass Brewery Bourbon Barrel Beer
Food: Rue Dumaine’s chef, Anne Kearney, is preparing Charcutier plate!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 4:30 - 7 pm Soup Night! Soup TBA
Arrow Centerville 937-433-6778 615 Lyons Rd Centerville
Friday, Feb 20, 2009 5-8 pm Beer Tasting
Dogfish Head - Red & White - Black & Blue Schmalz Brew. Co. - Human Blockhead Lager TommyKnocker - Oaked Butthead Bock Southern Star Brew Co. - Pine Belt Pale Ale.
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 11 am-5 pm Wine Tasting
Riondo Prosecco 2006 Montoya Chardonnay Arroyo Seco… 2006 Erales Malbec… 2005 Chateau LaGrange Clinet Red Bordeaux… 2006 Montoya Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon… 2006 Desert Wind Ruah
Rue Dumaine www.ruedumainerestaurant.com
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2009 5-7 pm
Celebrate Fat Tuesday at RUE DUMAINE with beers from one of Louisiana’s finest breweries ABITA BREWING COMPANY and Chef Anne’s Creole cuisine. RESTORATION ALE MARDI GRAS BOCK PURPLE HAZE A classic Hurricane Cocktail made from a traditional New Orleans recipe.
The Wine Gallery and Cafe, Corner of 3rd and Wayne
Saturday, February 21, 2009 from 10AM to 2PM Midnight Cellars, Full Moon Red Coyote Creek Merlot
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2009 5:30pm - 8 pm 2007 Walnut City Wineworks Pinot Noir 2007 A-Z Pinot Noir 2006 Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir 2006 A-Z Night and Day Claret
Thursday, February 26, 2009 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm Trappist Ale Tasting featuring: St. Bernardus Abt 12 St. Bernardus Prior 8 St. Bernardus Pater 6 St. Bernardus Triple
Trader Joe’s in Kettering . Tastings Thursday 6:00-8:00 and Sunday 4:00-7:00
La Ferme Julien White (2007) AOC Cotes du Luberon, France. La Ferme Julien Rose (2007) AOC Cotes du Ventoux, France. La Ferme Julien Red (2006) AOC Cotes du Ventoux, France. Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Pinot Noir (2007) AVA Santa Lucia Highlands, California.
Beer: Stockyard Oatmeal Stout.
A Taste of Wine 90 S. Main St Miamisburg, OH 937.247-1120 www.atasteofwine.org
This week’s wines:
La Sera Red Ambrosia Urban Torrontes Vega Sindoa Gabarda III Palomas Syrah Angeline Cabernet Sauvignon
2/25 - WOW (Women & Wine on Wednesday)
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 937-320-9548
Wine Wednesdays in the bar. Feb 18, 2009 4-8 pm
BUENA VISTA, Chardonnay Carneros, 2006 ERNST&CO, Pinotage South Africa, 2007 SPELLBOUND, Petite Syrah California, 2005 ESTANCIA, Meritage Paso Robles, 2005
Bruning’s Wine Cellar
Saturday, Feb 21, 2008 1-4 pm
Del Rio Vineyards
2006 Rose Jolie
2007 Chardonnay
2004 Claret
2005 Syrah
2005 Cabernet
The Culinary Company Cross Pointe Center
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 12-6 pm 7 Deadly Zins 6th Sense Syrah Incognito Pink Windmill Estates Sirah
The Winds Cafe and Bakery - Yellow Springs
20 February: Australian Wine Tasting (7:00 pm) 24 February: Fat Tuesday (5:00 pm) 6 March: Open that Bottle Night (7:00 pm) 14 March: Austrian Wine Tasting & Luncheon (12:00 pm) 24 March: Spanish Dinner (5:00 pm)
Bella Vino Wine Merchant & Bar, Springboro, OH 45066
Thursday, Feb 19, 2009 6-8 pm
Italian wines American Style: Wines from the Graziano Family of Mendocino Enotri Cortese Enotria Dolecetto Monte Volpe Primo Rosso Monte Volpe Sangioveso Graziano Coro
Saturday, Feb 21, 2008 12-4 pm Mardi Gras Party!
Cork&Vine York Commons Blvd.
Week’s Tasting List
White Flight Batasiolo Moscato Beringer Aluvium Blanc Ghost Pines Chardonnay Etude Chardonnay
Red Flight Hartford Court Pinot Noir Windmill Old Vine Zin Melini Res. Chianti Simi Cabernet
Cork&Vine York Troy
Week of 2/20-2/27
Whites Schlink Haus Kabinett Nappa Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Louis LaTour Grand Ardeche Chardonnay Penfold Hyland Chardonnay
Red Beringer California Collection Cabernet Hogue Shiraz Chateau St. Jean California Merlot Ernst & Co. South African Pinotage
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, February 20th, 4:30 - 7:30 pm House Wines - Everyday Affordable Selections Saturday, February 21st, 3-6 pm House Wines - Everyday Affordable Selections
Jungle Jim’s International Market www.junglejims.com 513-674-6000 to RSVP
February 20, 2009 7pm - 9pm $25.00 Per Person
Flying Dog Craft Brews
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 1 -3 pm $25 Wines Rated From 90 and Above: That Sell for Under $20!
La Petite France www.lapetitefrance.biz
Friday, Feb 20, 2009 at 6:30 pm Birthday Bordeaux Bash $60 per person
aperitif Chateau U, Cremant de Bordeaux first course Chateau Bellechasse Blanc, vol-au-vent of creamy mussels second course Christian Moueix, Merlot, carmetized leek, pancetta, roquefort tart third course Christian Moueix, St. Emilion, roast beef tenderloin with sauce bordelaise, garlic potato puree and haricot vert fourth course Chateau Roustit, almond charlotte with vanilla sauce
Greater Cincinnati International Wine Festival - March 13-14, for details see www.winefestival.com
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How the recession is impacting wine drinkers
Nielsen has studied consumer preferences and wine sales in recent weeks and in 2008 and has come up with some data on how the recession has impacted wine drinkers’ habits, according to Wine & Spirits Daily, which interpreted the Neilsen results this way in its entry today (Feb. 19, 2009):
ALTERNATIVE PACKAGING “HOT” IN WINE. In, wine you’re still seeing some growth in the higher end tiers but the lower end is outpacing that growth. Like spirits, this is a dramatic shift from a year ago. In the 13 weeks, wines priced $3-$5.99 posted the most volume growth and dollar sales growth.
Growth of the dominant 750 ml bottle has dramatically slowed, making room for alternative packaging formats. Three liter premium boxed wines and Tetra paks posted 27.7% and 44% volume gains in the 13 weeks to February 13. As far as dollar sales are concerned, they grew 34.1% and 47%, respectively.
Domestic wines (mainly California, Oregon and Washington) grew well ahead of slumping imports. Most recently, wine pricing has slid, led by domestics. Import pricing has started to stabilize after significant increases earlier last year. Several old world countries (France, Italy, Spain and Germany) and Australia declined in volume in the 13 week period, while Chile, Argentina and New Zealand posted growth.
Interestingly, white wines picked up last year after reds dominated 2007. In dollar sales, red wines grew 4.8% and wines rose 5.6%. Pinot Noir continued to lead varietal growth in 2008, but Cabernet and several whites were not too far behind. In dollar sales, Sauvignon Blanc was not far behind Pinot Noir, followed by Riesling, Pinot Grigio and Cabernet. In terms of “smaller” varietals, Malbec and Moscato/Muscat led the ranks in dollar sales.
Boxed wines and whites on the march? Who knew?
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Coming soon: wine as vitamin supplement
Wineries are developing wines dosed with high levels of resveratrol, according to WineSpectator.com.
The wineries would then presumably trumpet those enhanced resveratrol levels as a marketing ploy, treating their products more as dietary supplements than a mealtime beverage.
An Australian physician has developed a process to boost the resveratrol levels in his wine by up to 25 times the normal level, and has released wines under the label “The Wine Doctor,” according to the Spectator story. The doctor claims that his process “does not change the wine’s color, clarity, nose or taste,” the story says.
I’m not buying it.
And here’s a prediction: this whole wine-as-neutraceutical thing is an ominous development that will come back to bite the wine industry — hard..
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Today is ‘Drink Wine Day.’ Maybe.
Assuming there really is such a thing, today apparently is “Drink Wine Day.”
I’m not sure who declared it such (one blog says it was “Designated by Congress” … could that be true?), but what the heck? It’s probably no more or no less legitimate than National Pizza Day or National Avocado Day, so … let’s go with it.
Happy Drink Wine Day.
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I’ll give you 3 reasons why I love Nebbiolo
THERE are my three reasons.
And in case you can’t make out the labels (photography is not my strong suit), the wines are:
— Mauro Molino 2005 Langhe Nebbiolo
— Tenute Cisa Asinari Dei Marchesi Di Gresy 2000 Matinenga Barbaresco
— Gaja 2000 Sori San Lorenzo Langhe
These wines all showed up on my dinner table Sunday (only the Molino was mine) and all three were glorious, capturing the essence of what the Nebbiolo grape can do in Italy. All of the typical and traditional attributes were present: tar and roses, iron fist in a velvet glove, etc.
The three were closer in quality than I might have expected. The Molino had shed some of its youthful tannins and was drinking beautifully, the best Langhe in its price range (I think it was in the low-to-mid $20s) that I’ve ever had. Poor man’s Barolo, indeed.
The 2000 Martinenga was light in color, but for those who translate light color to mean light flavor or little complexity, this wine would disavow that notion in one sip. It had tar, spices, fruit, and a bit of a tannic edge in the finish.
The Gaja was darkest in color, and fully loaded, taking the grape to its greatest heights. The wine changed with each sip, and the finish was phenomenally long.
Still, despite its pedigree, the Gaja didn’t overshadow its fellow Italian Nebbiolos by much. That’s a testament to the quality of the other two wines, and not a knock on the Gaja.
Speaking of Italian wines, there’s a tasting tonight at the The Wine Gallery and Cafe, Corner of East Third Street and Wayne Avenue just east of downtown Dayton, that will continue this theme (though with some Brunellos thrown into the mix. Well, if we must …)
From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. tonight (2-18-09), the Wine Gallery will be pouring the following:
— 1999 Valecchia Pinot Nero del Veneto
— 2000 Villa Girardi Amarone Della Valpolicella
—1997 Dezzani il Barbaresco (Nebbiolo!)
2003 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio Degli Ulivi
2003 Brunello di Montalcino Valdicava
2003 Brunello di Montalcino La Fiorita
Anyone else feeling a little Italian today?
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Wine shop owner receives double lung transplant
Jessica Paringer, the co-owner of Cuvee Wine Bar & Cellar in Bellbrook, received a double-lung transplant Friday, Feb. 13, and is recovering at the Cleveland Clinic.
The surgery went well, although Paringer will remain in the Intensive Care Unit for a few more days, and will be hospitalized for two weeks after leaving the ICU, her husband, Chris Cavender, said Monday, Feb. 16.
Paringer, 36, suffers from cystic fibrosis, an inherited, chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. and which often causes death in the patients’ 20s or 30s.
The disease had taken an increasing toll on Paringer in recent months. She had been approved for a lung transplant, but on Friday, Feb. 6, she suffered a serious setback and nearly died, Cavender said. She was flown by a care-flight medical helicopter from Dayton to the Cleveland Clinic. After she was stabilized, doctors told her that a pair of lungs had become available, and the donor lungs were determined to be a good match.
The surgery began at 4 a.m. Feb. 13 and lasted nine hours, Cavender said. Doctors are pleased with Paringer’s recovery so far, although she endured a “bump in the road” on Tuesday and had to have the ventilator tube re-inserted as doctors attempt to fine-tune her medications, he said.
Drugs used to prevent rejection of transplanted lungs can leave patients susceptible to infections and can have other serious side-effects, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
A lung transplant is a relatively uncommon treatment for the disease. In 2006 and 2007, fewer than 200 double-lung transplants were performed on CF patients each year nationwide, according to Barbara Rothstein, associate executive director of the Dayton office of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Greater Cincinnati Chapter. Nationwide, many more patients are approved for the procedure than there are available donor organs, the foundation’s web site says.
Several friends and Cuvee employees are pitching in to help run the wine shop in Cavender’s and Paringer’s absence, and Cindy Hill, the founding owner of Cindy’s Wine Shop that became Cuvee, has returned to oversee the wine shop’s operation during Paringer’s recovery.
Even after her release from the hospital, Paringer won’t be coming back to Dayton right away. She must stay within a hour-or-less drive from the Cleveland Clinic for a few weeks in case there are complications, Cavender said.
Sometime later this week, a bank account is expected to be set up locally in Paringer’s name to help defray costs associated with the surgery, particularly the lodging while she must remain close to the Cleveland hospital.
We’ll bring you more information about that when it’s available.
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A weekend of wine & romance
Valentine’s Day just happens to fall on a Saturday this year (I bet you already know that …), and local wine shops and restaurants have embraced the Valentine’s Day spirit with gusto. Heck, one wine shop — Bella Vino in Springboro — is even having a Valentine’s dinner. And Arrow Wine & Spirits has a Super-Saturday-style tasting. Yowzah!
Click on “continue reading” if the wine-tastings list doesn’t appear below. And for information regarding Cincinnati-area wine events, go to Michelle’s My Wine Education blog.
Jay’s Kitchen Door
Friday, Feb 13, 2009 4-8 pm NV Fourny + Fils Ventus Extra Brut 2004 Paolo Scavino Nebbiolo 2001 Chateau Pontensac 2005 Mount Eden Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Chateau Lascombes (Margaux)
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 1-6 pm NV Veuve Clicque Rose 2002 Chateau Clerc Milon Pauillac 2003 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet 2005 Chateau Haut Carles (Fronsac)
Saturday,February 21, 2009 12:30pm RSVP 222-2892 33rd Anniversary Bordeaux Luncheon $75 Lobster parfait with chantrelle mushrooms Sous Vide lamb loin with herb potato gallette Duck breast with red wine sauce Salad of duck confit with endive, beets and walnuts Assorted cheeses
Arrow Far Hills - Kettering
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009, 11 - 5 pm Valentines Super Saturday Wine Tasting 2006 Clio 2007 Mount Eden Vineyards Monterey Chardonnay 2006 Luca Laborde Double Select Syrah Uncle Dick Sparkling Shiraz 2006 Coniglio Sauvignon Blanc 2005 St Gregory Pinotage 2004 Kenwood Artist Series cabernet Sauvignon 2007 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Cotes Du Rhone Blanc and many more
Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Oakwood
Friday, Feb 13, 2009, 5:00-8:00 pm Bortolotti Prosecco NV Fontaleoni ’07 Vernaccia Caprari Lambrusco Reggiano Dolce Au Bon Climat ’04 Pinot Noir Isabelle Morgan Peter Franus ’05 Zinfandel Culler ’04 Sonoma Syrah Brown Bag
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 2-6 pm Fattoria Laila ’07 Verdicchio Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc Castello Romitorio ’03 Donna di Rango Schild Estate ’06 Barossa Shiraz Cloudview ’05 Red Wine La Spinetta ’03 Pin
February 19, 5:30-8:30 for the “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” Beer Tasting Bell’s Two Hearted Hop Hound Amber Wheat Thirsty Dog Leghumper Porter Lagunitas Brown Shugga Rogue Dead Guy Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard Pete’s Wicked and Victory Hop Devil
DLM Washington Square
Thursday, Feb 12, 2009 5-8 pm 2006 Scambia Orvieto Classico 2006 Las Rocas Vinas Viejas Garnacha 2006 Montellori Chianti 2000 Senorio de P. Pecina Crianza 1999 Cuvee du Vatican Chateauneuf du Pape Encore Wine!
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 12-5 pm FiFI’s Bubbles,Valentines and Love taste Anime Rose Prosecco Bon Bon Rose Turn me Red Pasion #4 Erik’s the Red Pillar Box Red Tempatation Zin Stephano Farina Barolo Heart Syrah Encore Wine!
Dorothy Lane Springboro
Friday, Feb 13, 2009, 3:00-7:00 pm Lucien Albrecht Brut Rose NV Fattori Soave 2007 Patricia Green Whistling Ridge Pinot Noir 2007 Gianfranco Alessandrio Barolo 2004 Mystery Wine
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 12-6 pm Jean Vesselle Brut NV Patricia Green Estate Pinot Noir 2007 Las Rocas Vinas Viejas Garnacha 2006 Colli del Trasimeno Oscano 2005 Mauro Veglio Castelletto Barolo 2004
Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar, 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook 848-2161
Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm, Friday 11:30 - 8 pm Saturday 11:30 - 7 pm www.cuveewinebar.net Wines for Tuesday, Feb 13 - Feb 19, 2008 Pierre Andre Chardonnay Dr. L Riesling Columbia Crest Two Vines Red Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvee Casa Silva Carmenere
Beer: Bluegrass Brewery Bourbon Barrel Beer
Food: Really Foot LONG Hotdogs!!! Your way!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 4:30 - 7 pm Soup Night! Soup TBA
Arrow Centerville 937-433-6778
615 Lyons Rd Centerville Friday, Feb 13, 2009 5-8 pm Beer Tasting
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 11 am-5 pm Wine Tasting Valentines Super Saturday Wine Tasting
Rue Dumaine www.ruedumainerestaurant.com
Tuesday, Feb 11, 2009 5-7 pm SPANN VINEYARDS Charbono Napa Valley “Five Barrels”, 2005 BODEGAS SIERRA CANTABRIA Crianza Rioja, 2004 K VINTNERS Syrah Columbia Valley Boom Boom, 2006
Trader Joe’s in Kettering.
Tastings Thursday 6:00-8:00 and Sunday 4:00-7:00 La Boca wines from Mendoza, Argentina: all 2007 vintage. Chardonnay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Douglas Oak Syrah (2006) AVA Oakville, Napa Valley, California.
Friday Valentine’s Day dessert and wine pairing at the demo kitchen! Almond Creek Sparkling (NV) California. Incanto Raboso Rosato Frizzante (NV) IGT Veneto, Italy. Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon (2006) WO Robertson, South Africa.
Wine Gallery and Cafe
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 5:30 - 8:30PM 1999 Valecchia Pinot Nero del Veneto 2000 Villa Girardi Amarone Della Valpolicella 1997 Dezzani il Barbaresco 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio Degli Ulivi 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Valdicava 2003 Brunello di Montalcino La Fiorita
A Taste of Wine 90 S. Main St Miamisburg, OH 937.247-1120 www.atasteofwine.org
This week’s wines: Romeo & Juliet Old Fart & Old Fart’s Wife Fat Bastard & Bitch Menage a Trois Red & White Pasion 4 Subduction Red Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon
2/12 - Sparkle with your Sweetie - 10 Sparklings tasting $15 RSVP appreciated. 2/18 Writing & Food-Writing Workshop 7:00-9:00 pm -Workshop will be led by Darren McGarvey founder of Word’s Worth Writing Center.Cost: $30 2/25 - WOW (Women & Wine on Wednesday)
Bruning’s Wine Cellar
Saturday, Feb 14, 2008 1-4 pm 2007 Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Y Series Viognier 2005 Oxford Landing GSM 2006 Oxford Landing Shiraz 2006 Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2005 Yalumba Shiraz Viognier
Winan’s at the Dayton Mall
Wine tasting Saturday, Feb 14, 2008 4-10 pm A singles wine tasting on Valentines Day. Come in and drown your sorrows…. and perhaps meet someone special. Low cost, high quality wines.
The Winds Cafe and Bakery - Yellow Springs
20 February: Australian Wine Tasting (7:00 pm) 24 February: Fat Tuesday (5:00 pm) 6 March: Open that Bottle Night (7:00 pm) 14 March: Austrian Wine Tasting & Luncheon (12:00 pm) 24 March: Spanish Dinner (5:00 pm)
Bella Vino Wine Merchant & Bar, Springboro, OH 45066
Thursday, Feb 12, 2009 6-8 pm Saturday, Feb 14, 2008 12-4 pm PLANTAGENET RIESLING TORBRECK WOODCUTTER’S SEMILLON RAFFETY RULES [angels’ share] Shiraz CORIOLE REDSTONE CABERNET SAUVIGNON MOLLY DOOKER BLUE EYE BOY SHIRAZ, 2007 2006 Mollydooker Shiraz Blue Eyed Boy
Saturday Feb 14, 2009 6 -9 pm $18.99 per person Valentine’s Day Dinner Seafood Raw and Made to Order Pasta Bars, Assorted Truffles
Cork&Vine York Commons Blvd.
Friday, Feb 13 - 23, 2009 White Flight Chateau St. Michelle Riesling Taz Pinot Gris Raymond Res. Chardonnay Frei Bros. Russian River Chardonnay Red Flight J. Lohr Wildflower Ridge 3 Valleys Matchbook Tinto Rey R. Strong Alex Valley Cabernet
Miami Valley Wine and Spirits Tipp City
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 2-6 pm Silver Lake Chenin Blanc Silver Lake Chardonnay Casa Silva Cab. Sauv. Casa Silva Carmenere
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 2/13 Friday’s tasting is 4:30-7:30 pm six wines including O’Brian Seduction 2/14 Saturday’s tasting is 3-6 pm, five wines
Wine Enrichment Series - February 18 & 25, from 6-8 pm. Cost is $75 per person for the series. Call 513-942-9463 to enroll.
Jungle Jim’s International Market
www.junglejims.com 513-674-6000 to RSVP
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 1 -3 pm $25 Meritage Wines From the U.S. California, Washington and Oregon make some incredible blends that fall into that all encompassing name of Meritage. Mostly reds but a few whites will also be reviewed.
La Petite France www.lapetitefrance.biz
Valentine’s Day Celebration, February 14, La Petite France will feature a three course dinner for $49.
Friday, Feb 20, 2009 at 6:30 pm Birthday Bordeaux Bash $60 per person aperitif Chateau U, Crement de Bordeaux first course Chateau Bellechasse Blanc, vol-au-vent of creamy mussels second course Christian Moueix, Merlot, carmetized leek, pancetta, roquefort tart third course Christian Moueix, St. Emilion, roast beef tenderloin with bordelaise,garlic potato puree and haricot vert fourth course Chateau Roustit, almond charlotte with vanilla sauce
Versailles Winery RSVP (937) 526-3232
Saturday, February 14 7 p.m. Gourmet Valentine Dinner The Winery is pairing two wines with each course.
Cincinnati International Wine Festival - March 13-14, for details see www.winefestival.com
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Dr. Ruth says: great sex is like fine wine
“Having intimate sex is like drinking fine wine.”
Those wise words come from none other than Dr. Ruth, whose new book entitled “Dr. Ruth’s Top 10 Secrets for Great Sex” is excerpted on MSNBC.com.
Here’s a … um … taste:
Let me give you an illustration from another arena altogether to help me explain this point: drinking alcohol. Anyone can drink enough wine to get tipsy. You can drink the cheapest, most awful tasting wine and still get quite drunk. But when you drink the cheap stuff, maybe holding your nose so that you don’t taste it as much, you certainly don’t appreciate all the other qualities that wine has to offer.
However, if you drink a fine wine, after having learned to appreciate its subtleties, while you may wind up feeling the effects of the alcohol, you’ll also enjoy the taste, aroma, and the overall sensory experience that drinking fine wine entails. So the wine connoisseur enjoys his wine fully, even intimately. And he, or she, doesn’t just gulp down the wine but, instead, swirls it in a glass to release its aroma, smells it, sips rather than gulps the wine in order to savor the many flavors before swallowing, and usually makes sure that any food that accompanies the wine complements it.
Having intimate sex is like drinking fine wine. You may have orgasms with or without intimacy, but you’ll get a lot more out of a sexual liaison if intimacy is part of the experience.
Hard to disagree, isn’t it?
Tip o’ the cap to my blogging colleague Alder Yarrow at Vinography for discovering this little gem and Twittering about it.
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Champagne bottle injures championship skier, forces surgery
I’m beginning to think that championship athletes should find something else to celebrate with other than Champagne.
Check out this story about American skier Lindsey Vonn slicing her thumb on a Champagne bottle. Vonn was celebrating her victory in the downhill in a competition in Austria.
The injury required surgery, because the tendon on her right thumb “was completely cut through,” an Austrian doctor told reporters.
The story begs another question:
How in the world does one use a ski to open a bottle of Champagne?
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3 tons of California wine grapes equals 300 tons o’ fun (and hopefully a good vintage)
The freshly released 2008 Grape Crush Bulletin Preliminary Report has “hit the wires,” and it shows that the ‘08 California winegrape harvest brought in an estimated 3.05 million tons, down about 6 percent from 3.25 million winegrape tons crushed in 2007.
Here’s what the numbers mean, according to an email sent out today by the fine folks at The Wine Institute:
Lighter yields in the state’s winegrape vineyards resulted from a dramatic growing season last year beginning with below normal winter rainfall, an extended April frost that reduced quantity in many regions of the state, followed by ideally mild summer and fall temperatures with no precipitation. Berry size was small throughout California, and, combined with the lighter yields, resulted in excellent quality fruit. The total crush of wine, raisin and table varieties was 3.67 million tons.
“We are well under expected yields for the third straight year. Lighter than normal with lighter cluster weights and smaller clusters,” said Tom Rinaldi, Director of Winemaking at Hewitt/Provenance Vineyards in the Rutherford area of Napa Valley. “Overall, we are pleased with the deep colors, variety of flavors, nice balance, elegant style, and rarity of the wines.”
Winemaker Kevin Sass of Justin Vineyard & Winery in Paso Robles agreed with the assessment of a challenging but high quality crush. “Yields were down in Cabernet Sauvignon and related varietals due to shatter, small cluster sets and, in some cases, because of the early spring frost. The low yields did produce some great wine; the problem is there will be a shorter supply of wines from 2008.”
Vintner David Lucas of The Lucas Winery in Lodi added that “2008 was a remarkable year for Lodi’s large population of old vine Zinfandel; little stress, not much pressure, no heavy burdens. Lodi produced small tight grape clusters, deep obsidian color, bright acids, and fully textured tannins yielding wines of great promise. For many red vineyards, yields were less than our crystal ball forecast. The white varieties yield was close to estimates, with intense citrus, lime and Pippen apple flavors in the Chardonnay. A year when great vineyards required little winemaking…mostly tending.”
“California has had three moderate to light crops since the record 2005 harvest which has put the supply/demand cycle in a balanced position, given the inventory that we have at our brokerage,” said Glenn Proctor of Ciatti Company in San Rafael. “The industry is continuing to drive the quality/value quotient to produce a flavor profile and price point that consumers like and accept.”Tweet
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Australia’s killer wildfires also destroy wineries
In addition to the horrific human toll, the wildfires that have ravaged Australia have also destroyed and/or damaged several wineries, Decanter.com reports today.
The British-based wine web site has also posted a story containing eyewitness accounts of the conflagration.
The death toll is now expected to exceed 200 people, according to AsiaOne News.
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DLM School of Cooking to offer Wine 101 class
A couple of weeks back we told you about several Wine 101 (and Wine 201) classes available across the Miami Valley.
Here’s one more: The Dorothy Lane Market School of Cooking, located adjacent to DLM’s Washington Square store, will host a Wine 101 class from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 19. The cost is $40.
George Punter, who serves as wine manager for DLM’s Springboro store, will lead the class.
For more information, go to DLM’s web site or contact Sandy Martz, the school of cooking’s director, at 937-434-1294.
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Lushes, teetotalers have this in common
Lushes and teetotalers have more in common than they might think.
They both regard wine as a drug.
That paraphrased observation by G.K. Chesterton is just one of the nuggets in this beautifully written piece by Paul Clarke in the New York Times “Proof: Alcohol and American Life” blog.
Best read on the web on this Saturday morning — for drinkers and non-drinkers alike.
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The magic of fermentation, in all its glory
And that magic is on full display this weekend (as always) and beyond in this, the quintessential wine tastings and events list that comes to Uncorked via the heroic efforts of a Dayton-based wine listserv that compiles it.
Click on “continue reading” if the wine-tastings list doesn’t appear below. And for information regarding Cincinnati-area wine events, go to Michelle’s My Wine Education blog.
WYSO’s Silent Auction & Wine Tasting
Saturday, February 7 at 6 PM, $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Call 937-769-1388 Antioch University McGregor 900 Dayton Street Yellow Springs
Jay’s Kitchen Door
Friday, Feb 6, 2009 4-8 pm 2005 Bouchard Meursault 2003 Revello Barolo 2006 Darkhorse Gunfighter 2003 Chateau Fontenil 2005 Groth Reserve Cabernet
Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 1-6 pm 2006 E. Guigal Cote du Rhone 2004 Allende Rioja 2003 Poderi Luigi Einaudi Barol 2002 Chateau Les Cruzelles
RSVP 222-2892 for all Dinners and Luncheons Saturday, February 21, 2009 12:30 pm 33rd Anniversary Bordeaux Luncheon $75 Lobster parfait with chantrelle mushrooms Sous Vide lamb loin with herb potato gallette Duck breast with red wine sauce Salad of duck confit with endive, beets and walnuts Assorted cheese
Arrow Far Hills - Kettering
Saturday, Feb 6, 2009 11 - 5 pm Far Hills Store only Awesome Aussies with Australian Importer, The Grateful Palate Taste 15 wines from Australia including: 2006 Marquis Philips “9” Shiraz 2006 Greenock Creek “Alices” Shiraz 2006 Willows “Bone Setter” Shiraz 2008 Permutations Pinot Noir
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009, 11 - 5 pm Valentines Super Saturday Wine Tasting 11 am ‘til 5 pm Both Arrow Stores
Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Oakwood
Friday, Feb 6, 2009, 5:00-8:00 pm Corte dei Papi ’07 Colle Sape Bianco Cliff Lede ’07 Sauvignon Blanc Sanford ’06 Pinot Noir Mori ’05 Chianti Corte dei Papi ’07 Colle Ticchio Hendry ’04 Cabernet Brown Bag
Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 2-6 pm Star Lane ’06 Sauvignon Blanc Tapestry ’07 Unoaked Chardonnay Chehalem ’07 Pinot Noir Tyrus Evan ’03 Syrah Barnett ’03 Merlot La Casella ’01 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Bonus Bottle
DLM Washington Square
Thursday, Feb 5, 2009 5-8 pm 2006 Chateau de Parenchere Bordeaux Blanc 2008 Colores del Sol Malbec 2004 Torres Nerola 2000 Ribas de Cabrera 2003 Chateau D’Issan Margaux Encore Wine!
Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 12-5 pm Brown Bag Tasting DLM staff will select 3 white and 5 red wines from around the world that are felt to be exceptional wines in their respective categories. You can rank them, guess what they are, or maybe even find a style you like that you didn’t think you would. All wines tasted will be in the $14-$20 a bottle price range (just to keep it fair).
Dorothy Lane Springboro
Friday, Feb 6, 2009, 3:00-7:00 pm Lesse-Fitch Chardonnay 2006 Patricia Green Reserve Pinot Noir 2007 Le Vignate Montepulciano 2007 Garofoli Monte Reale 2007 Syncline Subduction Red 2007 Mystery Wine
Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 12-6 pm Scambia Gualdocli Meana Orvieto 2006 Patricia Green Croft Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 Lesse-Fitch Cabernet 2007 Chateau LaGrange-Clinet Bordeaux 2005 E Pira & Figli “Via Nuova” Barolo 2001
Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar, 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook 848-2161
Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm, Friday 11:30 - 8 pm Saturday 11:30 - 7 pm www.cuveewinebar.net Wines for Tuesday, Feb 6 - Feb , 2008 Darting 2007 Riesling Spatlese Hughes Beaulieu 2007 Picpoul Casa Silva 2006 Sauvignon Gris Dante 2006 Merlot Casa Silva 2004 Cabernet Elderton 2005 Tantulaus
Food: Smoked Brisket Sandwiches and Cowboy Chicken Stew
Next Wednesday Soup Night: Bavarian Cheddar Soup
Upcoming Events: Thursday, February 19, 2009 Diamond Creek Tasting Thursday, March 12, 2009 Mark Neal from Neal Family Vineyard
Arrow Centerville 937-433-6778
615 Lyons Rd Centerville Friday, Feb 6, 2009 5-8 pm Beer Tasting Mendocino Brewing Co. Eye of the Hawk - Select Ale… Mendocino Brewing Co. White Hawk - Select IPA… Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywhine Ale… Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA… Mt Carmel Brew Co IPA
Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 11 am-5 pm Wine Tasting 2008 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc… 2006 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Cotes du Rhone Blanc… 2005 St. Francis Red… 2008 Gascon Malbec… 2006 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon… 2005 Grgich Hills Zinfandel… 2006 Honig Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Rue Dumaine www.ruedumainerestaurant.com
Tuesday, Feb 9, 2009 5-7 pm Montarbaldi Chardonnay 2007 Baffa Barberesco 2006 Vitoarturo Sangiovese 2001
The Wine Gallery and Cafe, Corner of 3rd and Wayne
Thursday, Feb 5, 2009 from 5:30PM to 8:30PM Beer Tasting Green Flash West Coast IPA Troegs Nugget Nectar Bell’s Hopslam Founder’s Double Trouble Founder’s Imperial Stout
Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009 5:30pm - 8:30 pm 2007 Jovino, Pinot Noir, Oregon 2006 Red Car, TROLLEY, Pinot Noir 2005 Lorlando Nero D’Avola 2006 Red Car, THE FIGHT, Syrah 2007 Heartland Stickleback Red
Trader Joe’s in Kettering . Tastings Thursday 6:00-8:00 and Sunday 4:00-7:00 Albero Organic Sparkling (NV) Spain. Grigio Luna Pinot Grigio (2007) IGT Delle Venezie, Italy. Tres Pinos Red (2007) AVA Paso Robles, California. Tertre de Moulin Cuvee Millesimee (2004) AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France. Ridge Geyserville (2006) AVA Sonoma County, California.
Savona’s Restaurant and Wine Bar
Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009 5 - 8 pm Featured wines will be Fontaleoni Vernaccia di San Gimignano (Italy), Cantina del Taburna Falanghina (Italy), Cuatro Pasos Mencia Bierzo (Spain), Altos de la Hoya Monastrell (Spain), Cinnabar Mercury Rising (CA), & Selby Merlot (Sonoma County)
A Taste of Wine 90 S. Main St Miamisburg, OH 937.247.1120 www.atasteofwine.org
This week’s wines: Leitz Dragonstone Riesling Gnarly Head Pinot Grigio Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay Desert Wind Merlot Bota Box Zinfandel (the only Zin in a box!) Kroma Cabernet Sauvignon
2/12 - Sparkle with your Valentine - Sparkling tasting $15 RSVP appreciated. 2/14 - Valentine’s Day - Wine, Chocolate & Music 2/18 Writing & Food-Writing Workshop 7:00-9:00 pm $30 RSVP Writing prompts will be perfectly paired with wine and cheese tastings. Workshop will be led by Darren McGarvey founder of Word’s Worth Writing Center.
Bruning’s Wine Cellar
Saturday, Feb 7, 2008 1-4 pm 2007 O’Reilly’s Riesling 2006 Toad Hollow Chardonnay 2007 O’Reilly’s Pinot Noir 2005 Toad Hollow Merlot NV Erik’s The Red Toad Hollow 2006 Tonjum Cellars Curious Beagle
Wednesday February 11, 5-8 PM and on Saturday February 14, 1-4 PM: 2007 Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Y Series Viognier 2005 Oxford Landing GSM 2006 Oxford Landing Shiraz 2006 Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2005 Yalumba Shiraz Viognier
The Culinary Company Cross Pointe Center
Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 12-6 pm The Culinary Company will be at the Dayton Home Show at the Dayton Expo Center and at Ale Fest at the Dayton Masonic Center.
Bella Vino Wine Merchant & Bar, Springboro
Thursday, Feb 5, 2009 6-8 pm Saturday, Feb 7, 2008 12-4 pm Wines of Napa Valley…Charles Krug. The Charles Krug Winery, first in the Napa Valley and established in 1861. The Peter Mondavi family has owned and operated 850 acres of estate Napa land with organic and sustainable farming practices and state-of-the art winemaking techniques. Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc Charles Krug Pinot Noir Charles Krug Merlot Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cork & Vine Wine Market and Lounge off Miller Lane
Saturday February 14th from 9pm - Midnight. The Eddie Brookshire Quintet for Valentines Day with roses and wine and chocolate specials.
Cork-n-Vine Troy
2/6/09 to 2/12/09 Lorendona Viognier Campanile Pinto Grigio Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc Beringer Napa Chardonnay Gabbiano Classico Chianti Hogue Cabernet/Merlot Penfold Cabernet Blackstone Rubric
Miami Valley Wine and Spirits Tipp City
Friday, Feb 6, 2009 5-9 pm Barley Wine Style Ales tasted in a Vertical fashion. Stone Old Guardian ’08 and ‘09 Victory Old Horizontal ’07 and ‘08 Brooklyn Monster ’07 and ‘08 Boulder Killer Penguin ’07 and ‘08
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, February 6th, 4:30-7:30 pm - Washington State Wines Saturday, February 7th, 3-6 pm Washington State Wines California isn’t the only source of fine wines from the West Coast! Just to the north in Washington State there’s a thriving wine industry.
Wine Enrichment Series - February 4, 11, 18 & 25, from 6-8 pm. Cost is $75 per person for the series. Call 513-942-9463 to enroll.
Jungle Jim’s International Market www.junglejims.com 513-674-6000 to RSVP
$30 Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 Saint Emilion Wines A tour of the great Chateaux in the village of Saint Emilion.
La Petite France www.lapetitefrance.biz RSVP 513-733-8383
Valentine’s Day Celebration, February 14, La Petite France will feature a three course dinner for $49.
Friday, Feb 20, 2009 at 6:30 pm Birthday Bordeaux Bash $60 per person aperitif Chateau U, Crement de Bordeaux first course Chateau Bellechasse Blanc, vol-au-vent of creamy mussels second course Christian Moueix, Merlot, carmetized leek, pancetta, roquefort tart third course Christian Moueix, St. Emilion, roast beef tenderloin with sauce bordelaise, garlic potato puree and haricot vert fourth course Chateau Roustit, almond charlotte with vanilla sauce
The Winery at Versailles , Versailles, Ohio 45380, (937) 526-3232
Saturday, February 14 7 p.m. Gourmet Valentine Dinner The Winery is pairing two wines with each course.
Inn at Versailles
Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 6:30 pm Italian (Piedmont ) Wine Tasting and antipasti - RSVP appreciated.
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Several California,Washington wine brands surge
The Wednesday, Feb. 4 entry on WineandSpiritsDaily.com contains some interesting sales figures for wine brands that enjoyed a very fine 2008, thankyouverymuch.
Check out some of the high-profile domestic wineries that basked in the glow of consumer preference (and the weak dollar) in 2008:
There are a handful of wines that really stood out in dollar sales growth, beginning with Gnarl (Uncorked note: I think WSD meant “Gnarly”) Head (137.2%), Folie A Deux (73.3%), Vendange box wine (61.2%), Oak Creek (51.1%), Red Diamond (47.7%), Barefoot (46.9%) and Black Box Wines (33.4%). Aside from Red Diamond, which was produced in Washington, all the wines come from California. Barefoot managed to gain the most dollar share in the wine category in 2008, gaining 0.8 share points according to IRI.
Other California wines that grew in the 20% dollar sales range include: La Crema (24%), Estancia (26.7%), Mirassou (26%), Chateau St. Jean (21%), Corbett Canyon box wine (28.7%) and Louis M Martini (25.8%).
Nobilo of New Zealand grew 20.3% in dollar sales, while Yellow Tail Reserve (from Australia) rose 28.1%.
Other wines that showed impressive dollar sales growth include: Chateau Ste Michelle of Washington (14.2%), Peter Vella Box wine (12%), CK Mondavi (16.2%), Toasted Head (11.8%), Hogue Cellars (12.7%), Simi (13.7%), Colombia (Columbia) Crest of Washington (18.8%) and Concha y Toro of Chili (Chile) (13.6%).
What do you make of these figures? Even granting that percentage increases can mislead, especially when calculated on a small base, these numbers are impressive.
Certainly, Washington turned in a strong performance with the sales gains for Chateau Ste Michelle, Hogue and Columbia Crest, all of which produce wines that seem to have a consistently high price-to-quality ratio. But those handful of California wineries that recorded the most eye-popping gains must be pinching themselves — at least for now.
What will 2009 bring?
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‘Bottle Shock’ now out on DVD
For those of you who wanted to see the movie at the movie theater, but blinked and missed it, “Bottle Shock” has come out on DVD.
Tip of the cap to bearcated for the tip.
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Italian Wine Adventure — Part IV
You may recall that local wine enthusiast Niki Foor has written about her trip to Italy — and the Italian wines and foods she encountered there — for Uncorked a time or two, or, actually, three, come to think of it. Today, Niki is back with part IV of the Italian Wine Adventure. Doesn’t a trip to Italy sound appealing right now?
By Niki Foor
Italian Wine Adventures - Alba
After spending Saturday settling in to our rented farmhouse in Piemonte, we were ready for more excitement. Sure, it was fun to wander the Barbera vineyards surrounding the farmhouse, picking hazelnuts from the trees surrounding the grapevines, but one of my dreams had always been to attend the Alba truffle festival.
My online research said the festival was held every weekend in October, and featured both black and white truffles. Since we rented the farmhouse from Saturday to Saturday, Sunday would be our only opportunity to visit. Armed with a GPS and a couple of Italian cell phones, the six of us piled into two vehicles and took off.
Our GPS indicated it would take us about an hour to get from the farmhouse to Alba, but that proved a bit optimistic. Even though it was a new GPS, theoretically equipped with the latest European maps, it didn’t know about the new highway between Asti (of Asti Spumante fame) and Alba. Add that to the round-abouts that separated our two vehicles and an hour stretched into a couple. Still, it was a beautiful fall day and the scenery was fascinating.
The truffle festival itself wandered all through the small town of Alba. Somewhat similar to a food festival in the USA, there were numerous booths selling all kinds of things. One significant difference, however, is that the Italians offer free samples of almost everything they’re selling; the intent of course is to entice one to buy.
Another significant difference, at least from my perspective, was the quality of the offerings. We tasted (and bought) fabulous pesto, made traditionally by an older gentleman with a mortar and pestle using fresh Genovese basil, pine nuts, and cheese.
I got to taste multiple types of honey, made from the pollen of all different types of flowers. The one I liked best was called Mille Fiore (a thousand flowers), and if my rudimentary understanding of Italian is correct, it’s honey made from mountainous wildflowers. No one was offering tastes of the raw truffles, but we tasted and bought salumi with truffles. We also bought gorgeous chanterelle mushroom, and of course truffles; white and black.
We spent most of the day wandering the streets of Alba, tasting as we meandered, and eventually we found ourselves in the wine area. Here the vintners were offering tastes of their local wines, poured into small plastic cups. We tasted and bought a really good sparkling Arneis, for about 5 euros per bottle. We also tasted and purchased several Langhe Nebbiolos to carry home to our cellar.
When we got to Signore Cerrino’s table, he poured us tastes of his Dolcetto, Barbera, and Nebbiolo. Signore Cerrrino only spoke Italian and French, and although I’m really only fluent in English, we still managed to communicate using plenty of hand gestures, and the assistance of an occasional passerby. I wanted to buy two bottles of his Barbera and one of his Nebbiolo, but he wanted me to buy one each of the Dolcetto, Barbera, and Nebbiolo, because as he told me, “It’s Dolcetto in the morning, Barbera in the afternoon, and Nebbiolo at night”.
He meant of course, that Italians make Dolcetto to drink immediately, while waiting for the Barbera to age a few years; then they drink the Barbera while waiting for the Nebbiolo to be ready.
I eventually acquiesced to him and bought one of each before heading off to the grappa tables. We tried several, but decided grappa must be an acquired taste. The flavored grappas, however, were more to our liking; we bought a small bottle of cherry flavored grappa, Antica Grappa Ciliegia, before heading back to the farmhouse. That night as we ate the veal scallopini, mushroom and truffle risotto, and salad we prepared, we toasted Signore Cerrino with his very delicious Dolcetto. As one couple did the dishes, the cooks sipped our cherry grappa and celebrated la dolce vita — the sweet life!
Thanks to Niki for allowing us to live vicariously!
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Mega-wineries flourish as recession forces wine lovers to ‘trade down’
Check out this Santa Rosa Press Democrat piece on the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, at which many sales figures for the previous year are released, and there’s plenty of analysis of wine trends for 2009 and beyond.
Those who attended the Boonshoft Museum’s “Science of Wine” event last weekend, at which wines from the E&J Gallo Winery family of wines were served, should take particular note of what the industry analysts had to say about Gallo’s 2008 performance. Hats off to the empire that Ernest and Julio built!
Here’s how Wine & Spirits Daily summarized the event:
High volume wine companies like Bronco, E&J Gallo and Constellation had one of their strongest years in 2008 as consumers shifted towards cheaper wines sold in grocery stores, said analyst Jon Fredrikson at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium. Gallo performed especially well with 10 of its brands making the 25 best selling list of wines in the nation last year. The trading down trend is also supported by a consumer shift to grocery stores instead of restaurants in an effort to save money and stay at home.
Meanwhile, the trend toward cheaper wine is hurting high-end wineries, particularly those that built their business at restaurants. Restaurants and distributors “dramatically cut” wine orders last year because they anticipated poor holiday sales. Jon said shipments were particularly weak in October and November, with many area winery warehouses reporting 30% declines. He encouraged high end wineries to find new markets for their wine, such as direct-to-consumer shipping or deep discounts at retail. Jon also said not to expect a quick recovery in the restaurant sector.
Luckily, California grape growers are experiencing a shortage instead of a bumper crop, which would further drive down prices.
Luckily?
Guess it’s all in your perspective.
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Local restaurant poised to launch wine bar, retail wine shop nearby
Note: This was also posted on the Taste: Dayton Food and Restaurants blog.
Amelia’s Bistro in Bellbrook has signed a lease to open a wine bar and retail wine shop across the parking lot from its location at 129 W. Franklin St., according to owner Sharon Bistrek.
The new wine-and-cigar shop will be called Tastings by Amelia and will occupy space that formerly held Addie’s Attic, Bistrek said. The wine bar will serve appetizers and small plates prepared at the nearby restaurant.
The shop will feature an outdoor patio, where cigar enthusiasts can smoke a cigar while having a glass of wine, Bistrek said.
The restaurant owner and Sugarcreek Twp. Realtor said she has hired a manager for the venture: Stephanie Hetzel, a former employee of Jay’s Restaurant who recently has worked at a wine bar in the Atlanta area.
The cigar component of the shop is a bit of an experiment. Bistrek said she personally is no fan of cigars, but the patio that overlooks a creek seemed a good spot for cigar smokers who also enjoy wine, and a cigar shop may fill a void in the Bellbrook area. Still, if the concept isn’t embraced, Bistrek said she may decide to drop cigars.
Bistrek is looking into innovative technology that would allow wine enthusiasts to use a store debit card of sorts that allows customers to choose their own tastes or glasses from a selection of bottles in a system that uses nitrogen gas to preserve the opened wines.
Bistrek said she hopes to open the shop before the end of March.
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