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

Saturday was a beautiful day for a road trip to Ohio to attend our monthly wine tasting at Vintage Estate Wine and Beer in Boardman, Ohio. We started out having our favorite salad & gigantic baked sweet potato for lunch. Then onward to the wine taste. This month VE was celebrating "Christmas in July". There is always a fun time at the VE even if they are not having a special program going on. There you can purchase a single bottle or two of great beers or a favorite wine and sit on their patio or in their lounge. If hungry you can order one of their great tasting flatbreads from their selection. Phil & Sandy always do thier best to make you feel welcome. 
This month the tasting featured 7 unique wines from Italy. 


                                    SPECIAL GUEST from Italy !

Leonardo Stroppiana

presented 

the

"Barbera d'Alba Doc"

Red Wine

He  signed his bottles if you purchased one.

I have a hard time pronouncing the wines, let alone spelling them. Even being of part Italian heritage I am unfamiliar with the pronunciation. So it is a good thing you can read this and not have to listen to me struggle with the wordage. The first wine we sampled was Lugana di Sirmione Doc. It was a medium bodied dry white wine. Very tasty and appealing with notes of peach & almonds. It was grand with the cheeses which were provided by the VE to accompany the wines. The second was a sparkling white called Prosecco Spumante V.S.A.Q Caviti which also was a dry white wine. Very fruity and also went well with cheese. Next we tried the Garda Classico Rosso Doc, moving on the the reds which I so love. Even though I am finding whites I enjoy and drink again, I still love my reds! This wine was light & dry on the palate. It was a blend of groppello, barbera, sangiovese,marzemino grapes......blended to perfection. The taste was described to us a prune, vanilla & wild red fruits. The presentation of the wines was wonderfully done by a beautiful young Italian woman presenting the wines who also as the tasting went on entertained us with her lovely singing. This wine went well with the salami & cheese selections provided by the VE. They always have a wonderful spread of appetizers for us to fill our bellies with. This wine also went well with the petite brownies drizzled with chocolate sauce they provided. There never is a reason to go hungry at the VE's tastings! Number 4 was a Chianti called Cianti Torre del Sasso Dogg. It was a light, dry, fruity tasting wine of sangiovese & canaiolo grapes. It had the specific taste of chocolate and fruits. I would love to have this wine with a giagantic bowl or dish of spaghetti & meatballs & a nice hunk of fresh Italian bread. Oh my...yum, yum, yum! My imagination ran wild with this wine! The next wine was Barbera d'alba Superiore Doc which was a medium bodied fruity tasting wine made from barbera grapes. Cherries, vanilla & chocolate were the tasting of this wine. This also was perfect with the tiny brownies.I just love dark chocolates with my red wines. Tons of antioxidants from the red grapes and the cocoa invading my body! This is how I choose to look at it. I choose to drink red wine for health reasons, as my neurologist suggested years ago. I do limit my intake to 1 small amount in my crystal wine glass about 5 times a week. On an occassion I will have 2 glasses. But that is rare. I have learned to savor and enjoy the taste and make it a pleasurable time of my day where I look forward to  having my glass of wine and relaxing with no other thoughts racing through my mind. And then I start to wonder about what grapes were used, what the vineyard looked like, who harvested the luscious grapes from the vine, who bottled it and then I become thankful for all the hard work involved just so I could sit and enjoy the "fruit of their labor". Then I get out The Wine Bible and learn about what I have just drank. This to me is relaxing. We all need to find what helps us relax and momentarily get out of this rat race of a world in which we live in. My friends & I find taking our monthly trip to the VE when able a great experience and we always are refreshed afterwards. Even if we are tired at the end of the day after the drive home, it somehow leaves you refreshed and you look forward to the next time. 

The 6th wine we tasted was Sogno Mediterraneo  Igt Super Tuscan. It was a dry red wine with a blend of alicante, sirah, petit verdot, sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes. The taste was very intense and again a favorite of mine. Blueberry, blackberry & licorice tasting with an oaky aroma. I would love this wine with a thick steak grilled to perfection! Oh what a dinner that would be! Salad on the side and chocolate cake for dessert & it would be a dinner to not forget! The final wine of the taste was Lambrusco Amabile Rosso "Stella Italia" made from lambrusco maestri and ancellotta grapes. It was a semi-sweet, sparkling red wine. It was a cherry, berry taste with a light hint of pepper.

All of these wines are available for purchase at the VE and range in price from $10.99 to $29.99.

Thank you VE for making our visit a pleasurable one! Keep up the great work! It is appreciated. 

Salute' !

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

Show Details

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

WINE WOOZIE & WINE KOOZIE

What is a "Woozie" or a "Koozie"? Woozies are an insulated sleeve for your wine made of neoprene, a fantastic fiber which insulates. Koozies are made from thick scba high density foam which insulates. No more holding wet wine glasses when drinking your wine cold. Keeps your wine at a constant temperature, fun and stylish. A great gift idea for the wine enthusiasts. Visit the Woozie site  and see all the different styles they have. They also have this for the wine bottles. A design for everyone. Washable and reusable these are perfect for indoors and outdoors.
You can also find a wine bottle "Koozie" at this site  where you can get it personalized with an embroidered initial or name. 
Koozie's or Woozie's whichever you prefer could be the gift you've been looking for to accompany your bottle of wine or wine glass.

The Reserve 2007 Merlot by Yellow Tail

Last evening a friend and I uncorked a bottle of The Reserve Merlot my friend Janet gave me for Christmas. I had been saving this bottle to share with someone who would appreciate it. I had no idea what it would taste like but I did know Yellow Tail wines have been one of my favorite Australian wines for many years, right along side of Jacobs Creek wines from Australia. I am partial to Australian wines. I don't know why. Could it be because I love the accent Australians have? Could it be because I have a friend who lives in Australia? Could it be because I have only seen pictures of the place and they are breath taking and I dream of living there? Or could it just be that I love wine and they make a darn good wine over there? Maybe all of these reasons play a part. We had some brie and crackers with our wine and killed the entire bottle over a couple hours of laughing and enjoying ourselves in the luscious, velvety smoothness of the fruit of the vine from this bottle. The tannins were as smooth as silk on our palates. Merlots usually leave my mouth knowing a merlot has just entered. But not this one. If you were to price it according to smoothness then this bottle should be priced right along side Turley Vineyards wines. Hints of chocolate and mocha were noted and you could smell the oak. Not intense oakiness but a soft, gentle oak. The entire experience was pleasurable and I will soon be buying another bottle or two of The Reserve for my collection. Thanks Janet for a remarkable Christmas gift! I am so glad I shared this with a fellow wine lover who appreciates a fine red wine!
Ahhhhh.....the joy and pleasure you feel when sharing a great wine, drinking it from crystal stemware and snacking on great cheeses and kicking back with not a care in the world for the time being.....PRICELESS! Yes, I do love my wines!
Salute!

WINE AND CHEESE WEEKEND @ LAKE ERIE WINE COUNTRY

May 13,14 & 15 are the dates to remember for the Lake Erie Wine and Cheese Weekend! There are 21 participating Wineries involved in this event. Tickets are $35 per person and include an events wine glass, a gift and a $5 voucher to spend at any winery in the event or food at a participating restaurant. You can purchase tickets online through paypal until 5pm eastern time on Wednesday. After that you may purchase tickets at the event. Designated driver tickets are available for $20 but do not include wine samples or the $5 voucher. Non-alcoholic beverages will be given instead. Designated drivers are a great idea to be made available to you. 
The link above provided will get you tickets and more information. It is to be a beautiful weekend  this weekend, hopefully the rain will stay away all 3 days, so plan on getting out and seeing what Lake Erie Wineries are all about.

NOT BAD SINCE OCTOBER 24,2010 JUST STARTING BLOG ON WINE STUDY....

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Daily Grape

Daily Grape

Watch this great video and learn a lot from Gary...I have been following his works for a bit now and he is very interesting and informative concerning our common interest....Wine....the fruit of the vine.

Thanks Gary for sharing!

Gabbriella Conte 3 SITES IN ONE 4 NOW

NEW SITE......CLICK HERE

I have put all my sites on 1 for now. you can still enter each separately if saved in your favorites.

We're Taking a Flight!

Wine flights......growing each week in popularity across the world. It is a great way to be able to have a fine evening out with friends experimenting with several different types of wines and keeping the cost low and still being able to have a pleasurable amount of wine. Most give a choice of 4 or 5 1 oz or 2 oz sampling for $5-$10. I came across one wine bar in Kansas which gives 12...I think that is a bit much even at 1 oz sizes. Flights are tastings of multiples so you can get a real feel for the type you would like to drink. A flight for me on a night out would be sufficient for me to get by the evening on. Remember you mustn't drink and drive. Then the next time you go out for a wine you have a very good idea of the wine you would like to order. It is a great way to educate the public on the fantastic's of wine tasting. Many will not try this but those true wine lover's, eager to learn will jump for joy to this idea. For those bars and restaurants who are truly into this idea they will provide you with pen and paper, but be sure to carry your own. It will soon become an interest to you if you love wine. The gathering of those you enjoy spending time with, learning about the common drink you share. Laughing, talking, remembering wines of before the flight you are on now. The growing you can discuss in the future to where your wine travels have taken you as a group. It is oh such a wonderful feeling to have this human bond and connection with one or more of your special friends. A good wine flight will come with a flyer or some sort of paperwork already prepared to let you know what you have in front of you. This way the only notes needed to be taken are your findings which are personally yours. You may see, taste, smell something entirely different that what someone else may. At times our senses need to be trained for various reasons. I think they should have a "Wine Flight Club" where each week or night of the week a certain "flight"takes off for the evening at a special price.

Consider going on a flight real soon with your friends...we are planning one for an outing. It will be a nice field trip for the group! You can even purchase these flight bars for your home bar at Barnes & Noble and other stores.

Cheers!

Last Blast of Cold Weather? Try Relaxing with a cup of mulled wine!

As the weather turns colder, mulled wine as a flavorful way to warm up. Wine, spices, fireplace, your favorite person, book or pet or all....what more could you want?

There are many, many recipes for mulled wine.

It is a combination of citrus (1 lemon or orange) and spices.

Cinnamon (6 sticks)

cloves (12 whole)

nutmeg (1/4 tsp)

ginger (1/8 tsp)

allspice (1/8 tsp)

Combine the spices and citrus in a dry red wine, such as Burgundy

Add 1/4 cup sugar

Heat this through for at least 15 minutes, but don't BOIL

A clean, large coffee pot is a great method for heating the wine.

Use an inexpensive wine for this recipe. But do not get something you do not like or you

may be disappointed. You do not want to doctor up the wine, but make something you already know is good just more pleasing to you and relaxing. A book or friend in front of the fireplace & you will have the most pleasurable glass of wine this winter! A bonus is the mulling spices make your home smell just wonderful! My mom used to sew mulling bags from cotton fabric with these ingredients in and just boil the bags in water a few minutes and the entire home smelled wonderful for a very long time. Try it! cheaper than candles and safer too!

Salute!

SANGRIA TIME AHEAD!

Strong Sangria Recipe

For those who like their liquor strong, this powerful sangria recipe aims to please. Fortified with wine, vodka, and gin, this recipe will strip you from your everyday worries (and perhaps, your memory as well).

• Makes 6 glasses
• Difficulty: Very easy
• Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups ( 26 fl. oz) dry red wine
• 2 cups (16 fl. oz) sparkling apple juice
• 4 tablespoons gin
• 4 tablespoons citron-flavored vodka
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Juice of 1 large orange
• Juice of 1 large lemon
• 1 small orange, sliced thin crosswise
• 1 small lemon, sliced thin crosswise
• 1 small lime, sliced thin crosswise

Preparation

Pour all the ingredients into a large pitcher, mix well, and refrigerate. Serve chilled over ice & ENJOY!!!!!

I have used this in the past several times and it is not sweet like some sangrias. Being a dry red wine lover..this is great!

Jacob's Creek Merlot...mighty soft, mighty fine wine!

Last evening I opened my Christmas gift of a bottle of Jacob's Creek Merlot Wine for a friend & I over dinner. I must say it is my favorite Merlot. Smooth, silky & luscious. Also, full-bodied. The tannins are loaded with velvety softness which makes you wonder..."is this really Merlot"? Great taste of plums, cherries, spice, earth & white pepper. Such a balance.

In 1847 a young Bavarian immigrant planted a vineyard along the banks of Jacob's Creek all because he missed the wine he used to drink in his homeland. So he decided to make the wine himself. He had no idea it would do so well and later be named after the creek he planted his vineyard. I admire stories like this. Where would we be in this world without these stories? All because people have a vision & dream & passion & they put that into action & here we are, reaping the benefits of their brilliancy! I am inspired by people like these. His timeline goes back to 1837 when at age 18 he traveled to his new land, worked hard, toiled the soil & let his dream within become a reality! I tip my hat to you Johann Gramp!

Days of Our Live's has The Wine Bible as a Prop

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON

CLICK HERE FOR BARNES & NOBLE

While watching Days of Our Lives this morning I noticed in Sammy & Rafe's apartment on a book shelf there was a copy of The Wine Bible there. With all the drinking they do on the show maybe they actually use this book as a guide. This is the book I found nearly one year ago and it captured my attention to turn the gatherings from time to time with my girlfriends into a Wine Study. This is the most complete wine book I have ever come across in my search. If you are a lover of wine this book will help you immensely. It contains all the information you need to know about your favorite wines & tons more information from the vine to the glass. I highly recommend this book & I suggest to you that you & your friends start your own group to gather & do a study. Add a field trip of a wine tasting & then a tour of a vineyard or 2 when the weather is nice and it will not only draw you closer to your favorite wine but to your friends and you may also make a few new friends along the way. Couple that with trying wines you never dreamed you would like & you may just find a few more fine wines which are pleasing to your palate.

Take turns hosting the study at each others home or take it on the road to the local wine bar or favorite restaurant when it is your turn. Each brings a bottle of wine and an appetizer to pair with it. The idea is to keep it simple and not a lot of work for the host or hostess. Be creative. Each time you gather will be a different perspective and a reflection on the host. We all have different ways of entertaining and it will be nice to be open to how others wish to do it. The idea behind it is to learn. Keep it small & intimate as more than 6 will most likely turn it into a social and not a time of learning. There can be times throughout the year when you all gather for an event and invite a larger crowd and it is then you can share what you have learned and tell of the fun you had doing this and perhaps your friends will start groups of their own. I don't know if this was the author's intention on this book but it is how it is serving its purpose with my friends and myself. I can't think of a better way to enjoy the book than by trying the wines! Get your copy of The Wine Bible Today!

Salute!

Have you ever been to an Ice Bar?

This is all new to me! I thought it was make believe! But they do exist. Upon entering you need to go into a vacuum room and put on a special material cape for warmth and then enter. Capacity is usually 30 people to keep the temperature regulated. One ice bar is on a cruise liner. I myself would much rather drink at a Tiki Bar in a warm climate. Cold & I do not get along. But for those who do like the cold and want to say they did this...I suppose it is a great idea! Time spent in one of these bars is limited. They keep it 17 degrees so I guess it is drink & go. Google Ice Bars & see what all you can learn about this interesting concept. It all looks very pretty...but mighty cold!

Book Preview

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every now and then I promote my other writings on this page....the link above will take you to a preview of the book which can be purchased on amazon.com or createspace publishers

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Welcome Spring!!!

The most wonderful sign of all after a cold, snowy winter is the sounds of robins chirping out doors! This has been happening for a couple weeks now but the sunshine now here is making it seem more real!

Welcome sunshine & warm weather!!!! I have missed you!

Organic Wines @ Vintage Estate Wine and Beer

What does "organic" mean in a wine? "a wine made without any added sulfites" Sulfites occur naturally in the wine making process. You very carefully analyze what does "organic" mean to you. I prefer to call them wines made from organic grapes, rather than organic wines. It can become frustrating to the consumer who goes into the wine store and is not educated in the process of what makes a wine organic.Most people say they are allergic to sulfites so want an organic wine which they think contains no sulfites. But the matter of the fact is they just contain less sulfites. Sulfites in wine help maintain it's freshness and have antioxidant & antibacterial properties. Consumption of sulfites is generally harmless unless you have asthma. Sulfites are a natural byproduct of the chemical reaction of the yeast breaking down in wine making. The idea behind organic wine growing is the non use of chemicals in the growing process of the vines which in turn is better for the planet & the consumer. Well, enough on this confusing subject and now on to our day spent at Vintage Estate Wine and Beer at Boardman, Ohio. This month for their event they not only had wines, but also beers for tasting. Organic.....I had not been to a taste since September due to health issues and bad weather. Upon entering the store I noticed there had been more changes made since my last visit. They have expanded even more. All for the good! Each time I do get to go back something is different. It is hard to believe that 6 or more years ago when I started going here for my wines I was a regular each week. There were time when it was more than once a week. The one thing I like the most about VE is that you can not only shop for your wine or beer but you can also have a glass on the patio. I can remember many times going there & enjoying time with friends & sitting outdoors & watching the sunset. It was the perfect way to end a trip to Boardman shopping.

The wines we tasted were 2 whites & 4 reds. My favorites were the Green Truck Petite Sirah & Bonterra Zinfandel. I love reds best and both of these were deep and dark with the hint of pepper which I like in a wine. Even though Bonterra wines are among my first organic wine I ever tried I liked the Green Truck Petite Sirah a whole lot better. They also served Green Truck Sauvignon Blanc, Bonterra Chardonnay, Emiliana Natura Merlot & Girasole Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir's are a bit milder tasting to me. But I must say, all the wines selected were pleasing to your palate and good choices for a taste. It is a fabulous way to be able to go out for a day with friends and have an enjoyable time and at the same time be able to try different labels of wines and not have to purchase a whole bottle and take home only to find it is not the wine for you. Along with the wines & beers to taste they had appetizers to enjoy. If you get a chance check out their website in the link provided in this blog or better yet.....drive on over to the VE and browse the selections...meet Sandy & Phil....enjoy a glass of your favorite wine or beer at the bar & order up a great flat bread & become friends with my favorite wine & beer store I have ever found!

Cheers!

Nantucket Vineyard......

If all goes well & I get to visit Nantucket Island this summer the Nantucket Vineyard is on my list. I have been to Nantucket on several occasions and never visited the vineyard. It is located on the way to Cisco Beach. It will be their 25th anniversary & I hope to be able to be there.

NANTUCKET VINEYARD TOUR INFO FROM THEIR WEBSITE

Tour Info:

• Tours last 1 - 1.5 hours
• The cost of the tour is $20 per adult which includes many samplings of our products
• We also offer an exclusive "Notch" tour which includes a tasting of our famous whiskey.
• Sign up in the brewery bar, this is where the tour starts
• Tours cover the behind the scenes operations of the brewery, distillery and winery.
• Children are neither discouraged or encouraged to join in on tours, please use your own discretion, there is no charge for underage participants
• We do not have a restaurant on site nor do we have any food for sale on site, therefore we encourage you to bring your own snacks or to eat before the tour.
• Each tour includes a tasting glass for you to keep!

I am looking forward to this trip.....picnic lunch, ocean breeze on my cheeks & blowing my hair! Oh, I just can't wait!!! Then "blog time"!

Green Wine

HAPPY

ST PATRICK'S

DAY!!!!!!

Green Wine????

Follow the link and watch a video to see how easy!