WSU vs. Milwaukee
Badin Spirit Olympics
Adventure Summit
Home > Blogs > Uncorked > Archives > 2010 > May > 23 > Entry
Fleurs et Vin hits another one out of the (Carillon) Park
(For a photo gallery of shots taken at the Fleurs et Vin by Dayton Daily News photographer Teesha McClam, click here. There’s some good stuff here!)
Basking in the glow of some lovely spring weather — or was it early summer? — the Fleurs et Vin served up another fine Sunday afternoon of wine tasting and food sampling on Sunday, May 23.
The weather helped attract a strong crowd of 1,270 people — that’s a preliminary estimate that may go up — who chose from among 300-plus wines to taste and from the food samples of more than 20 Dayton-area restaurants and caterers.
Please do let us know what you thought of the event by posting a comment. As usual, I’ll jump in first:
The wines were a notch above many previous Fleurs et Vin/Fleurs de Fete events. I was surprised to see wines such as Clarendon Hilols 2004 Grenache and Louis Martini’s flagship wine, the 2005 Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon, being poured virtually side-by-side. Both bottles retail in the $75 range, according to the person pouring the wines. I’ve had previous vintages of the Clarendon Hills, and it’s one of Australia’s finest — the ‘04 was a monster, too.
Other highlights: a Domaine de Pellehaut Vin de Pays des Cotes du Gascogne white blend that was full of flavor, a fine summertime white for the bargain price of $9.99. Two 2008 German rieslings — Trullo and Dr. Loosen Riesling — struck just the right balance of fruit and acidity for the first steamy day of the year. And a Gramona Gessari white blend of Gewurtztraminer and two types of Muscat was a mouthful of exotic fruit that started sweet and finished dry. Wonderful stuff for $18.
In recent years, this event has become just as much a food event as it is about the wine, and this year was no exception. Carver’s delivered with its signature Fleurs dish of beef tenderloin tips with a creamy whiskey-peppercorn sauce, and will offer $10 off an entree for those presenting a Fleurs et Vin ticket stub. The Oakwood Club’s grilled salmon was spot-on, and Jay’s Restaurant’s oyster shooters were a crowd favorite. The Little Store offered rare beef on a slice of baguette with a creamy horseradish sauce and a dollop of orzo. L’Auberge offered a refreshing seafood dish of calamari, bay scallops and langostinos, I believe, and it was served cold — perfect for the weather. And Thai 9 offered a fine minced chicken with cilantro and a spring roll. I missed many others (a little help from other attendees, perhaps?)
It was tight at times, but the addition of the second tent is a godsend for this event, and the crowd seemed to disperse to the outdoor tables and silent auction areas more quickly, which made it easier to get around. Organizers split up some of the most popular food destinations that ring the outside of the huge tent, which helped with traffic flow.
The live auction was lively: a chef’s dinner for eight at Rue Dumaine with wine provided by Heidelberg Distributing sold after spirited bidding for $2,000. And bidding on a Hide-a-Bar cabinet from Bruning’s Clock & Home Accent Store & Bruning’s Wine Cellar reached $3,700.
Nitpicks: Many red wines were served several degrees too warm, although some pourers were wisely chilling some of their reds briefly in ice. As the event was winding down, well-chilled bottles of water were scarce, and later the bottled water disappeared from some stations entirely. That’s just when it’s needed and desired most.
But all in all, this was, once again, a well-run, well-attended, thoroughly enjoyable event. With an admission cost of $60, given the wine selection and the food served, the Fleurs et Vin is a relative bargain. And it benefits two local charities: Culture Works and the AIDS Resource Center of Ohio.
I’m already looking forward to next year.
But that’s just me. What did you think of the Fleurs et Vin?
(Photos by Mark Fisher)
TweetGo to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Comments
By wine-o
June 4, 2010 11:13 AM | Link to this
Perhaps the heat kept things from getting too far out of control this year? Who knows, but as for age descrimination, the only person I found abusing the system was a decidedly middle-aged lady who kept insisting we leave her the full bottles when the event was over during her multiple visits to the table. As for rowdy behavior later, I heard the Cincy-fest was much worse this year.
By Bill H
May 28, 2010 2:40 PM | Link to this
We were there from 12:30 to 4:00, and it was just a good time, as always. Even better with more room. Thanks for that. We were inside and outside, and the rumor about “rowdy” is just a crock. Great friendly, fun-loving crowd.
By mel
May 27, 2010 3:41 PM | Link to this
i thought the event was very well run the wines were better than some years and the food was great as usual i never saw anyone behaving badly as for asking for the most expensive wine i think thats just human nature to want to try something you might not be able to afford otherwise. i do like the football coaches and script my first several taste and yes i usually go for the higher end wines first. the difference is i don’t have to ask which one is expensive :)
By Larry
May 26, 2010 4:07 AM | Link to this
“They loved it, but they were all about 25. Put a happy face on this thing, DDN, but we all know it’s just a slosh-fest for winos with money to burn.” I’ll have to respond to null’s comments. Nope I wasn’t at this years event, but I’ve been to plenty in other years. As it to being a slosh fest- well it depends, and at the expense of being labeled age discriminatory yeah, I’ve seen some of the 25 year age group attending using it as an outlet to see how much wine they can swill in the allotted time frame. And ask the pourers “what’s the most expensive stuff you’ve got?” BTW null, is “we” the folks that think the $60 admission price is too steep- even though a good chunk of it goes to charity? Sour grapes? Pun intended. God Bless ya, enjoy your Busch Lite, and wine in a box. It’s a lot cheaper, and will get you just as buzzed. :)
By Dan Craven
May 25, 2010 10:10 AM | Link to this
I didn’t see any out of hand behavior at Fleurs…or at the Dublin Pub. We didn’t get there until about 6:15, but there was no indication that anything had happened. I have no clue what null is talking about, but I suspect it’s a wind-up.
By jw
May 25, 2010 8:28 AM | Link to this
I love it! Cheifwino speaks the truth…. 3 years ago there was a fight at the Brown St bar. And there have been some DUIs. Like he said, these are adults and are responsible for their actions. I wish the event would have some designated drivers, but none of my friends would ever do that. Dub Pub has its share of fights any way.
By lad
May 24, 2010 9:13 PM | Link to this
Null was not there to see it for own review. Posting based on a fictitious group coming to Dublin??. c’mon! I was at Fleurs, once again..excellent event..this is not a crowd that has a goal of raucous. That is one reason I attend, classy all the way.
By brutus
May 24, 2010 7:38 PM | Link to this
Chiefwino, null’s comment seems to refer to an incident at Dublin Pub not Fleur. I was part of the clean up crew and walk the event all day until there were maybe a dozen or so left sitting in the grass, I saw no problems of any sort. Please do not assume or paint the wholesalers and service workers with a broad brush, the majority of us go directly home to our families after working on what is usually a day off for us.
By chiefwino
May 24, 2010 6:36 PM | Link to this
I agree with Mark’s comments about the quality of the wines being a step up this year. There was also a broader selection across both the style and country spectrum. I particularly liked a couple of nice red Bordeaux [Cht Luzon (Margaux) & Cht St Georges (St Emillion)]. One of the most refreshing whites on a hot humid afternoon was the Baguala Torrontes from Argentina, juicy refreshing peach and apricot flavors with a floral aroma that just would not quit. Also the Montes Cherub Rose, a refreshing pink made from Chilean syrah that had a nice crisp cherry flavor and just a hint of sweetness, ideal for the patio. I also had a couple of old favorites that I had sort of forgotten about, it was nice to see they still are doing well (Clos du Bois Marlstone, Murrieta’s Well Red Meritage from Livermore Valley.) One of the most surprising was the Valkenberg Dornfelder, a German red but done in a moderately sweet style and served chilled was an excellent change from the big warm reds. I think a special thanks should go out to Mike from Brunnings Wine Cellar, when the bidding got hot between 2 people on the wine cabinet. Mike agreed to donated a second identical cabinet (retail $6000) at the $3700 price for the second bidder. I did not see any altercations during the event either. In the past there have been stories of unofficial “after parties” at local bars getting out of hand. However, these have reportedly involved the restaurant and distributor staffs not the paying customers. Regardless if this type of activity occurred (this includes the recent sorority incidents)it is the responsibility of the individuals and their friends to behave like adults.
By Denise
May 24, 2010 3:56 PM | Link to this
We were there til the auction was over and tables and chairs were taken down; made MANY circuits of the tent while wine was being poured and also totally missed this alleged brawl - never even saw even one wheelchair, by the way. If it really occurred, maybe outside by the tables? Didn’t see anything amiss out there, either. Sounds like a Miami sorority prank.
By Ann
May 24, 2010 10:04 AM | Link to this
Had an absolutely fabulous time at an event that supports two organizations that make a difference right here in Dayton. Culture Works and ARC Ohio both benefit from this great event. Missed the rowdy, racusous, slosh-fest for winos brawl…maybe next year…I was still sitting there enjoying the weather as they were tearing down tables so I’m not sure how I missed out.
By null
May 24, 2010 9:06 AM | Link to this
Seriously? A crowd descended on the Dublin Pub about 5:30, fresh from the Fleurs event and determined to keep the buzz alive. They said the thing was a rowdy, raucous, alcohol-fueled near brawl, with punches being thrown and wheelchairs being overturned. They loved it, but they were all about 25. Put a happy face on this thing, DDN, but we all know it’s just a slosh-fest for winos with money to burn.