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!

Tastingroom.com

I stumbled upon this unique site the other day called Tasting Room. Here you can order tasting sets of 4 or 6 tiny bottles allowing you to sample wines before you purchase the larger bottles. You pick a wine sampler, have it shipped to your home to try and then you can make your mind up about a future purchase. It is your own "wine flight" brought direct to your door so you can have your very own private taste within the walls of your home. Then you can purchase the larger bottles of those you wish to have in your wine collection. Their top six samplers are:

1. Napa Valley Wines I----hand selected reds and whites from Napa
   
2. Six Pinot Noirs---six pinots, six regions, one flight
   
3. Hidden Gems---the best of smaller wineries
   
4. A Tour of The Wine Road---treasures of Sonoma Valley
   
5. Red Essentials---classic California wines
   
6. A Tour of California---six varietals from six wineries

T.A.S.T.E. Technology™ -- which stands for “Total Anaerobic Sample Transfer Environment.”

Using T.A.S.T.E. Technology, the wine in the big bottles is transferred directly into mini bottles in a sealed, zero-oxygen chamber. A state-of-the-art production facility was built in Northern California, in the heart of the wine country, expressly for this purpose. There’s nothing like it anywhere in the world.1 normal size bottle yields 15 samples. 1 gets tasted and if it passes the taste test then the other 14 get packaged for selling.

Visit them today & pick a sampling for your home!