Sun, Fun & Wine Saturday!

The sun has not shined much this past spring for us. But yesterday was a gloriously beautiful sunshiny day! What a perfect day for a drive to Ohio to the wine tasting at Vintage Estates Wine and Beer. My friend and I set out as usual to have lunch at our favorite restaurant. Then off to the wine taste. The turnout at the VE was not as large as normal possibly because of the nice weather and graduation parties. But nevertheless we had a great time as always. 
Phil & Sandy had a wine rep behind the bar who was very informative about each sampling he poured for us. This is something I hope they have more often as it was a nice touch to an already nice arrangement. The rep offered information on each wine and was personable to each and every one who went for their next sampling. Watching from a distance and also speaking with him I could tell he really loves his job. Passion is a good thing when your job has you working with the public. Well done. I applaud you!
The samplings consisted of a nice selection of whites and reds. The first was a Mason Cellars "Pomelo" Sauvignon Blanc 2009 from California. It was very light, crisp and clear with citrus notes along with a bit of herbiness. A very good choice for a hot day. Drinking this on the patio at the VE was very refreshing. Next was another white from France, Chateau Mas Neuf "Paradox" Blanc 2010. It was part Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. Its color was yellow with scents of peaches.It also was a great choice for a hot day. It reminded me of drinking mineral water, but with more taste. The next was another "Paradox" ....Chateau Mas Neuf "Paradox" Rouge 2009. This wine had a deep rich color and fruitiness along with strong leather aroma.To me I could smell a smokiness but when thinking upon this again I now can relate it to leather.  This wine would go well I think with a nice dinner of roast. Either chicken or beef. 
We also had Plungerhead Zinfadel 2009. This one I liked alot. I love old vine Zins. It was jammed packed with flavor and aromas. Berries of all sorts with a hint of pepper and oak.Very good choice VE!
Bishop's Peak Cabernat 2007 had a bittiness to it. Just the right amount to leave you wanting another sip of pleasure. This also was a pleasing red to try. 
We finally wound down our time at the VE with a Pennywise Petit Sirah 2009. This wine was deep dark purple in color with the taste of berries lingering on your palate. Mixed with spices and chocolate flavors it was a perfect wine to end our day before heading out to Starbucks to enjoy a cup of full bodied coffee before we began our journey back home. 
We could not have asked for a more perfect day! A great drive, great lunch, pleasant wine tasting, time to sit on the patio both at the VE and at Starbucks. Time to kick back, relax and enjoy and for a while just forget about life's stress, whatever they may be. Stop by the VE  if you are ever in the Boardman, Ohio area. You can enjoy a bottle of beer or glass of wine on their patio or at their bar anytime they are open. You don't need to wait to attend a wine tasting to see what they are all about. Phil & Sandy will love having you!
Salute !

WINE TASTE @ VINTAGE ESTATE WINE AND BEER, BOARDMAN, OHIO

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TOMORROW

Wine Taste, Saturday, May 21, 2011 Please join us for THE V.E. MONTHLY WINE TASTE on  May 21, 2011 from 4PM-7PM. Only $15.00 per person.  Includes light appetizers.    The Wines Mason Cellars "Pomelo" Sauvignon Blanc 2009            Château Mas Neuf "Paradox" Blanc 2010 Château Mas Neuf "Paradox" Rouge 2009 Plungerhead Lodi Zinfandel 2009 Bishop's Peak Cabernet 2007 Pennywise Petit Sirah 2009 www.vewinebeer.com 330.629.8080

RETIREMENT.....WINE.....FRIENDS....

I had some good friends over yesterday afternoon for a bit of food...fun & wine. In celebration of my retiring and just for the fun of it. To liven things up I passed out sleep masks for them to wear so we could have a "blind" wine taste. I had chosen 4 bottles of wine, wrapped each bottle with dark tissue paper and placed them in a bronze color organza gift bag. Then the fun began. Truly my friends must love me as they played right along with me. First I let them fill their plates with chicken salad filled croissants & sun dried tomato wrapped sandwiches, cheeses such as Gruyere, fresh buffalo mozzarella, extra sharp New York Cheddar & Swiss, hummus & crackers, spinach dip & veggies (brought by Nanc...thanks Nan).....eat a bit... then I barked orders at them to place their blindfolds on! In between each different wine we cleansed our palates with these tiny little wine crackers Leslie brought which were like little pellets of crunchy sweetness which truly did the job of absorbing the lingering taste of the previous wine from our palate. Thanks Les!
We started with the whites....it was a Pinot Grigio, Bella Sera from Italy. It was fresh, crisp & refreshing with hints of apple & pear with scent of citrus. They liked it! And the best part was it was only $7.99! Next was a Vouvray from France. I liken this to a White Burgundy I had recently, a close match, but I like the White Burgundy a bit better. But still this one was very satisfying. This one was flowery & citrusy. It's cost was $19.99. The next was a Redwood Creek Pinot Noir of California. Very good, I must say all my choices were very good and to the liking of my guests. Some liked certain ones better, but each wine had its pleasing qualities to each. This wine was medium bodies with cherry notes and was smooth on your palate. I think this one was somewhere between $5.99 and $7.99.  And I finished up with a Pinotage from The Grinder, a wine of South Africa. This one stumped everyone as it has the smell and slight taste of coffee. They could not guess it! I do say I had just as much fun watching them with their blindfolds and listening to them guess as they did in guessing. This was a great way to do a taste!.This wine had hints of mocha & coffee along with berry and dark chocolate. Doesn't sound like it would make a good wine with the coffee and mocha...but it is truly now a favorite of mine. I had tried this at the wine taste last month my friend & I went to and I will buy this one over and over again. It's price is $14.99. 
To end our time celebrating my "retiring" I put on a pot of Starbucks coffee and served up homemade cheesecake (made by me, cheesecakes are my specialty)  This one was crushed up Oreo crust with chocolate chip filling, topped with fresh blackberries. Yum....Yum....Yum! 
Six hours later I made my way up to bed. Tired. Ready to sleep. Thankful for good friends, good times & good wines!
My bottles from the wines are next to my bed so I could do my blogging upon waking up this morning. All I can say is .....thank God I did not pass away in the middle of the night or they would be saying I am an alcoholic with all the bottles by my bed! It is a good thing my friends and son know my habits of blogging about what I drink.....hopefully if this were to ever happen they would clear my name....and if not....after we leave this earth...people will say something about us so what does it matter anyhow! 
Salute!...to retiring...good foods....good friends & good wines & good times!