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' !

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

VINTAGE ESTATES WINE AND BEER WINE TASTE..............

The wine tasting yesterday was simply fabulous as usual at Vintage Estate Wine and Beer in Boardman, Ohio. What started out to be a down pour of rain the whole way in from Pittsburgh turned into a sunny day at 4pm, right at the start of the taste. Somehow though the clouds moved back into the afternoon. But once inside and situated at a bar table of away from the crowd the weather was not important at all. I am a people watcher. Whether rain or shine or even snow for that matter it is always a nice therapeutic trip to Boardman for shopping, dining or just visiting the wine store. Sitting off to the side and enjoying time with my friend it was nice to see familiar faces and of course some new ones to me. It is a peaceful gathering. Relaxation and tranquility can be felt if you pay attention to the surroundings. You might think that at a gathering of so many people that it could turn chaotic, especially with alcohol involved. But, no....it always is a pleasant experience. This is why I go back. The cost is affordable. Where can you socialize, taste 6 wines, have as many appetizers as you wish and do your wine and beer shopping all at the same time.All for $15. And the bonus is you meet new people. It is a place where even though a wine taste is going on there are those who also love beer sitting and mingling with the crowd. They always have door prizes. Yesterday they gave away 2 VE Tshirts. I was wishing I would have won. But no luck for me yesterday. They sell the shirts there at the store. Gives me something to put on my wish list. 
Phil and Sandy the owners were of course the host and hostess with the gift of entertaining and at your beckon call when needed. They have a good thing going on there with this wine taste but you must check out their WEBSITE   to see all the events they have each week. They are both highly motivated to seeing your visit at the VE is enjoyable. 
Out of the 6 wines yesterday I had 3 favorites. 

• The Grinder Coffee Pinotage was my most favorite. It was served up last and that was a very fitting position for it. The description of it is: full of bright coffee, mocha & chocolate aromas & flavors integrated throughout the wine. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS...this one will be on my wine rack throughout the year! Good choice Phil & Sandy!
• Also there were 2 Kosher wines: Barkan Cabernet Sauvignon 
• and Baron Herzon Chardonnay...you must try these also. These were my 3 favorites yesterday. 
• The 2009 Hans Von Wilhelm Riesling Piesporter came in next by my choice
• The 2007 Windsor Sonoma Winery Sauvignon Blanc was next
• and my least favorite was 2010 Calcu Rose

Now this order is only my opinion....I am very, very partial to deep, bold, rich, intense red's. I am learning to love Chardonnay and White Burgundy has become a favorite. It was love at first sip for me when I tried that in February. 
All in all it was a great time in Ohio yesterday. It felt great to get out of the house and have some social time. And now looking forward to more trips for shopping, dining and wining. Oh...did I mention they have a patio? I used to love sitting there years back and chatting with friends, sharing a bottle of beer or wine and just enjoying the sunset. This is on my to do list for the summer and fall. Stop by...get to know this extraordinary wine and beer store and Phil and Sandy and there great crew of workers.
Salute!

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!

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

On Saturday I did a blog on the upcoming Wine Taste @ Vintage Estate Wine & Beer in Boardman, Ohio. Here is an updated email they sent me & you will be thrilled to see the samplings they are having! And don't forget the "live" entertainment!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-to-Use-.html?soid=1102343283220&aid=d3ctp_TNU4k

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

It is time once again for the monthly wine taste at Vintage Estate Wine and Beer of Boardman Ohio.

This taste will have Organic wine featured with organic appetizers. It is from 4pm-7pm March 19. They will kick off their Hunger Campaign with a collection of canned foods. Ticket price is $20 but if you bring along 3 or more canned goods the price is lowered to $15. Where else can you go for a wine taste...get a generous sampling of 6 wines....+ tons of appetizers for that price?

Consider stopping by the VE on March 19th!

As the Holiday Season ends

Well as the holiday season comes to an end it is time once again to start thinking about getting our wine study group gathered together. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I will have something new to tell you we learned as a group. I have tried to hold your interest these last several weeks on topics I have found interesting for myself. As time goes by I find myself yearning for a ride to Boardman to the wine & beer store I so love to stock up on some beers and wines. New Year's Eve I spent with a friend celebrating German's New Year at a quaint neighboring town just outside of Zelienople, PA. The name of the town is Harmony, it is not very large at all. They celebrated the German New Years which was at 6PM our time. So early in the afternoon we set out for a very nice ride on the country back roads. The weather that particular day was extremely warm and lovely for Pittsburgh weather. After browsing several of the shops in town (one in particular will be selling my recently published book and some of my hand made purses, perfumes and soaps) we went to The Harmony Inn Restaurant where we sat outdoors in the "beer garden" and enjoyed a beer next to the outdoor fireplace. It was such a beautiful day! People were everywhere in the streets congregating, children running and having fun. I got a bratwurst sandwich and we sat in the car (since we had prime parking) and ate & drank while we watched the ball drop @ 6pm and said "Happy New Year"! We returned home after 7pm and opened a bottle of Lindeman's Framboise Lambic (raspberry).Long before hops were common in most beers, various fruits and vegetables were used to season beers. The acidity of Lambic beers blends perfectly with raspberries. Magnificent aroma, delicate palate of rasp.berries with undertones of fruity acidity; elegant, sparkling clean taste. Style—Raspberry Lambic. Color—Rose.
Serving Suggestions

Chocolate desserts (especially chocolate decadence), fresh raspberries, ice cream with a raspberry demi-glaze sauce, créme caramel, baked Alaska, Olympia oysters, caviar. Serve in flute-shaped Lambic glasses at 45 degrees.
If you love berries you really need to try a Lambic...it was a pleasing change from wine, but wine is my ultimate favorite. But for a German New Year....I could not think of any other way to end the evening but with a favorite someone, a fire in the fireplace and a relaxing drink as we reminisced about 2010 & talked of hopes for 2011.
Cheers!

Vintage Estate Wine & Beer of Boardman, OHIO

If you are in the Boardman, Ohio and have a need to get out and about from being indoors with all this snow, drop by Vintage Estate Wine and Beer store at 7317 South Avenue for their Christmas Wine Taste. It all begins at 4pm and ends at 7pm, Sautrday December 18.They will as usual have great wines for you to taste. Cost at the door is $10 (where else can you taste wine for that price!) They also will feature live entertainment.

Vintage Estate Wine & Beer of Boardman, OHIO

Also known as the V.E. to those who frequent this awesomely designed and operated wine & beer store in Boardman, Ohio. Several years ago, possibly 6 years, I was taken to the store by my dear friend Lola who is like a daughter to me. She took me there on Mother's Day and let me pick a bottle of my choice. I had seen the store for several years but never ventured in. Boy what a mistake that was on my part. Once inside its doors I was intrigued by the huge selection of wines and beers. Beers which you could purchase by the bottle only. Living in Pennsylvania I was used to the concept of having to purchase a 6 pack or case of beer. And of course the selections of both wine and beer is so limited as to what I saw in this shop. The shop is tucked away in the corner of a tiny plaza in Boardman. At the time of my finding this shop it had a different owner. It is now run by Phil & Sandy Reda and they have done some changes in the stores setup.
I had attended pretty regularly the monthly wine taste which is on the 3rd Saturday of each month and met some interesting friends along the way. Then when some life changes in my own life kept me away for a while I had not known it had been remodeled and had new owners. Upon being in Boardman this past summer for a lunch date with a friend at the Springfield I decided to stop by and pick up a bottle of wine for myself. At the V.E. you can get wines you can not obtain in Pennsylvania. The V.E. has over 800 craft beer labels and 1000 wine labels. The day I chose to go to the V.E. just happened to be the day of the wine taste. The place was bursting with people and bubbling with excitement! I was thrilled to see all the improvements done to the shop. Phil & Sandy have certainly made something which was already good so much better! I was limited for time so I could not stay for the taste but I was graciously greeted by both Phil & Sandy and asked to stay. Being such a wine lover it was sad to say I could not stay...but I would be back! I purchased my bottle of 337 wine which Phil helped me pick out. Even though the place was bursting with people I still received great service and felt for the moment that I was the only one in the shop. Phil & Sandy's hospitality will get them far in their endeavor of running this shop.
The 337 wine is a cabernat sauvignon which is bursting with blackberry, cherry, laced with coffee bean with a hint of pepperiness. I am a syrah or shiraz fan...leaning towards a merlot at times....but this cab gave me all the taste and boldness which I enjoy and at the same time remained a softer wine. 337 Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
In September my friend Gaynor & I attended the wine taste and had a great time. For a cost of $10 at the door you receive a glass to use for the taste and back at the bar can exchange your 6 tickets for a generous taste of the 6 wines chosen for the month. 3 reds and 3 whites are offered. Tons of appetizers are there for your enjoyment. Where else can you get such a grand wine taste for such an economical price? No where that I have ever come upon! The V.E. now has an added room with a bar area which allows it to pack in even more people to enjoy their tastings.
If you are in the area of Boardman you must stop by and visit the V.E. If you are a beer or wine lover you will not be sorry. You will only wish to go back more often!
Last month I had surgery and had to miss the October & November wine taste...but it is my plan to do my best to get over for the December tasting. It is not only a very reasonable way to sample new wines but a wonderful time of socializing.
I have found from the past that sometimes if you find a certain wine at the V.E. and ask your state store to order it they sometimes can. But really I think if you live outside of Boardman you really need to make the trip there if possible to have the whole experience of their unique shop. Plus enjoy yourself a glass of beer or wine while there!
Phil & Sandy I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and thank you for allowing me to blog about you! Hoping to visit soon!.....needing a wine for our wine study our group is having in December!