Bellbrook graduation 2012
Fairfield Senior 2012 graduation
Kroger Aquatic Center opens
Home > Blogs > Uncorked > Archives > 2006 > September > 22 > Entry
No doggy-bag for me: First merlot-to-go experience a dud
Well, MY first attempt to bask in the glow of the new merlot-to-go legislation that took effect yesterday fizzled big-time.
I visited Brio Tuscan Grille at The Greene last night and ordered a bottle of wine at the bar while we were waiting to be seated. I inquired of the bartender whether I could take home the leftover wine, and she said she’d have to check with a manager. Later, she came back and apologized, and told us I could not bring home any leftover wine because it’s against corporate policy, and they’d have to stick with the policy until they hear differently “from above.”
Well, no one “from above” must have been reading the papers or paying much attention as they were preparing to open the restaurant, because this legislation was signed by Gov. Taft 90 days ago. Seems like adequate time to prepare.
I hope your experience with this new law is more positive than mine. Maybe next time.
I’ll have ample opportunity to chase away my sorrows this weekend, as you’ll see when you click on “Continue Reading” and gaze upon the pristine beauty that is the weekly wine-tastings list, which comes to us direct from a Dayton-based wine listserv. Looks like some new wine shops and restaurants are discovering the wine listserv and submitting their events for us to consider. Welcome!
Thanks and cheers!
Mark Fisher
Jay’s Kitchen Door Friday, September 22, 2006 4-8 pm 2005 Gerard Boulay Sancerre Rose 2005 Coolonia Las Liedres Bonarda 2005 Altos Las Hormigas Malbec 2003 Chateau Cantenac Brown 2000 Spottswoode Cabernet
Saturday, September 23, 2006 1-6 pm 2002 Domaine Zind Humbrecht Herrenweg Pinot Gris 2002 Louis Jadot Nuis St Geogs 2001 Poderi Luigi Einaudi Barolo 2001 Poderi Luigi Einaudi Cannubi Barolo
The Thursday Night Wine Dinners are back! September 21, 2006 7PM $55 Jay’s is hosting a French wine dinner.
Arrow Wine & Spirits – Kettering Saturday, September 23, 2006 11-4 pm 2005 Il Roccolo, Grecanico, “R� 2004 Seebrich Riesling Niersteiner Spatlese 2003 Domaine du Dragon “Cuvee Saint-Michel� 2003 Domaine Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine Grand Veneur 2004 J.K. Carriere Pinot Noir “Provocateur� 2002 ONYX Late Harvest Chenin
Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Saturday October 14th from 12 – 4 pm, wine tastings at all three stores are not going to be so regular. There will be TEN winemakers from the Grateful Palate portfolio pouring their wines. They will be split between the three stores. They are: 1) Colin Cooter of Leng’s & Cooter (McLaren Vale) 2) Justin McNamee of Samuel’s Gorge (Mclaren Vale) 3) Colin Kay of Kay Brothers (Mclaren Vale) 4) Mike de la Haye and/or Peter Taylor of Hare’s Chase (Barossa) 5) Peter Scholz of The Willows (Barossa) 6) Kim Johnston of Henry’s Drive and Shirvington (Padthaway & Mclaren Vale) 7) Sam Papasidero of Lillypilly (Riverina) 8) Peter Lynn of Majella (Coonawarra) 9) David Hickinbotham of Paringa (Riverlands) 10) R Winery – Bon Bon (South Australia)
DLM Oakwood Friday, September 22, 2006 5-8pm Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Martin Ray Chardonnay 2004 Firestone Pinot Noir 2004 St. Francis Reserve Zinfandel Pagani Vineyard 2003 Robert Pecota Cabernet Kara’s Vineyard 2002 Brown Bag!
Saturday, September 23, 2006 1-6pm Leasingham Magnus Riesling Clare Valley 2004 Bernard Ambroise Bourgogne 2003 River Road Zinfandel Dempel Vineyard 2004 Ch. St. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot 2002 Rockledge Cabernet 2002 Seghesio Barbera D’Alba 2004 Bonus Bottles!
DLM Washington Square Thursday, September 14, 2006 5-8pm 2005 Ondine Sauvignon Blanc (South Africa) 2004 Plozner Tocai Friulano (Italy) 2003 Vision Cellars Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir (California) 2005 Vina Antigua Sangiovese Bonarda (Argentina) 2004 Elyse Morisoli Vineyard Zinfandel (California) Mystery Wine!
Saturday, September 23, 2006 12-5pm Fifi’s Football Favorites 2005 Budini Chardonnay 2004 Steele Pinot Noir 2003 Todd Norman Syrah 2004 Matchbook 2002 Carson Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Mystery Wine!
Dorothy Lane Springboro Friday, September 22, 2006 3-7pm 04 Ancien Chardonnay 04 Zind Humbrecht 04 Ancien Pinot Noir 04 Guelbenzu Hoppe
Saturday, September 23, 2006 12-5pm 04 Nickel & Nickel Chardonnay 02 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir 00 Quintessa 99 Henschke “Hill of Grace”
Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar, 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook Tuesday – Thursday 11:30 – 7 pm Friday and Saturday 11:30 – 8 pm www.cuveewinebar.net Chateau Suau Bordeaux Blanc 2005 Matilda Plains 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Kalin Cellars 1994 Chardonnay River Road Vineyards 2004 Zinfandel Menguante 2005 Old Vine Garnacha Leal Estate 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Beer: Spaten Oktoberfest
Market Wine Imports 2nd Street Public Market Saturday 10-2 PM Kinkead Ridge 2004 NEW Release (Cab Franc, Cab Sauv and Syrah)
B. R. Scotese Wednesday, September 27, 2006 4:30 pm The Big House Red and White Pacific Rim Riesling Cigar Volant Heart of Darkness Syrah Le Pousseur The restaurant is no smoking on Wednesdays!
DiSalvo’s Deli and Italian Store Wine Tasting – every third Wednesday of the month in conjunction with their Meal of the Month! www.disalvosdeli.com. The Deli’s Feature Wines: Ecco Domani Merlot, Chianti, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese
Arrow Centerville 615 Lyons Rd Saturday, September 23, 2006 2004 Travis Chardonnay 2005 Sebastiani Pinot Noir 2001 Aries Merlot 2003 Renwood Old Vine Zinfandel 2003 Chateau Beaulieu Comtes de Tastes 2003 Simi Landslide Cabernet Sauvignon
Oktoberfest Celebration!! Friday, September 22, 2006 4-8 pm GERMAN FOOD GERMAN BEER GERMAN WINE LIVE MUSIC FUN, FOOD AND PRIZES
l’Auberge Tuesday, September 26, 2006 7pm there will be a tasting! These are organized, seated tastings costing $20. There is a 20% discount if you choose to stay for dinner. Call 299-5536 for reservations.
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, September 22nd, 7 pm ~ The Great Paris Tasting Anniversary Celebration Friday will be a blind, side by side, comparison tasting, pitting five French wines against five California wines.
Saturday, September 23rd, 3-6 pm ~ Wine & Cheese Pairing Di-Vine Matches ~ five wines, white & red, meet their life-long cheese mates.
Trader Joe’s - Town & Country Shopping Center, Kettering Tastings Sunday 4-7 and Tuesday 6-8 Lacheteau (2004) AOC Vouvray, France; Aranleon Tempranillo-Cab (2000) DO Utiel-Requena, Spain; La Vielle Ferme (2004) AOC Cotes de Ventoux, France
The Winds in Yellow Springs Friday, September 22 at 7:00 The Winds will be tasting of some of the most compelling white wines available accompanied by some late summer favorites from the Winds kitchen. 937-767-9441 for reservations.
The Emporium in Yellow Springs Friday, September 22, 2006 6:30 PM Il’Roccolo Red and White fron Sicilia Obvio Malbec from Argentina Chateau Bianca Oregon Reisling Andeluna Merlot from,Argentina Barnard Griffin Fume Blanc from Washington state Barnard Griffin Cabernet Clarette De Die a sparkler from the Rhone region
La Petite France Friday, October 20, 2006 6:30 PM $60 per person “Journey Through France� tasting will be featuring a fine wine selection from Burgundy, the Loire and Rhone River valleys, and Bordeaux.
The dinner menu will feature scallop, endive, watercress, goat cheese & apple salad for the first course, asparagus, prosciutto & gruyere cheese crepe for the 2nd, roasted pork tenderloin with fig chutney and mashed carrots and parsnips for the 3rd, and pumpkin creme brulee for dessert. www.lapetitefrance.biz
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Comments
By Robert Smith
September 29, 2006 3:31 PM | Link to this
Our website www.togobrand.com offers “Merlot-to-go� law compliant bags for restaurants. We’ve seen a significant spike in sales to the Ohio market, so we’re now offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders shipped to Ohio through October 31, 2006 – just mention the offer in the “comments� section of your online order. Cheers!
By robert beck
September 26, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this
While the Ohio law does allow you to take home unfinished wine, it is unfortunately not mandatory that a restaurant “join” this program. That’s one of the reasons that restaurants are using wine doggy bags which further “limit” their liability. But they don’t have to give it to you. It is voluntary.
By doug
September 22, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this
Brio: bre-o, n [It]: “Enthusiastic vigor; vivacity, verve” (Webster). “Quality of being active or spirited or alive and vigorous” (Wikipedia). Hmm, misbranding perhaps? I think ‘torpor’ comes a bit closer…
By Tony
September 22, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this
Went to the Bistro of l’Auberge last night. Although we could have drunk the whole bottle we wanted to test the ” system”. We apparently were the first ones to ask, but no problem. The waitress came with the paper band from beerandwinespecialists.com and promptly put it over the top of the bottle and off we went.
By Kirk
September 22, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this
It seems not all restarant managers read the papers still shame on Brio, after allthey are a Columbus-based chain for goodness sakes. Time should fix this problem. I hope everyone else has a better experience this weekend. I wanted to share an experience that I had recently while working in Nebraska, where a similar law just went into effect. I was making sales calls on restaurants in the city and the distributor rep had a little sideline business going. He was selling the “wine doggy bags” that you mentioned in an earlier blog to his accounts. He was 10 for 10 that day closing on the bags, I wish we were as successful with my wines. Maybe the local distributors should consider including these in their offerings, like many do glassware. It may not be a profit center but it would spread the word, and I suspect increase wine sales.
By mk
September 22, 2006 8:44 AM | Link to this
Mark, We are very excited at the Winds Cafe about this new policy. We are making sure all our customers are aware and have a supply of bands to place over the uncorked bottles to assure they aren’t tampered with on the drive home. Finally, customers are allowed to be grownups and take home what they paid for.