DaytonDailyNews.com

Springtime thoughts turn to the fermented juice of the grape

By Uncorked | Saturday, March 31, 2007, 06:15 AM

Wow, once again, lots of GREAT stuff going on this weekend and beyond … big-time California winemaker at Arrow, brewmasters at DLMs, mouth-watering snacks on Saturday at Cuvee to match with a selection of fine wines, a wine dinner upcoming at l’Auberge featuring the cuisine of Hungary and Bulgaria, another wine dinner down in the southern part of the valley that will pit California wines against French wines, a four-year vertical of Merryvale Profile at DLM Springboro, a new tasting schedule at Trader Joe’s, and tonight, a wine from one of the best winemakers on the planet, J.L. Chave from the Hermitage region of France will cross the lips of tasters who stop by at Jay’s Kitchen Door.

Good Golly Miss Molly, we are blessed.

All available for your viewing, planning and tasting pleasure with a click of the mousepad on the “continue reading” link, thanks to the nothing-less-than-heroic efforts of a Dayton-based listserv that compiles this information. Cheers!

Wine Tasting at the Dayton Philharmonic Show House by Sip’s Cafe Thursday May 10 - 6:00 - 7:30 Thursday May 17 - 6:00 - 7:30 www.dpva.org You must purchase a show house ticket - wine tasting is a $3.00 donation. Parking is at Sugar Camp on W Schantz Avenue. Free shuttles will run all evening. www.dpva.org for more information.

Jays Kitchen Door Friday, March 30, 2007 4-8 pm 2004 JL Chave Crozes Hermitage White 2002 Louis Jadot Nuits St George 2001 Merryvale Reserve Merlot 2002 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet 2002 Chateau Smith-Haut Lafite

Saturday, March 31, 2007 1-6 pm 2004 Chappellet Chenin Blanc 2002 Cristom Pinot Noir 2004 Hendry Block Zinfandel 2004 Shafor Cabernet

Arrow - Kettering Saturday, March 31, 2007 11-5 pm SPECIAL GUEST: DREW NEIMAN, will be here pouring: 2006 pomelo sauvignon blanc 2003 au bon climat chardonnay, nuits-blanches au bouge 2003 au bon climat white, hildegard 2005 au bon climat pinot noir, santa barbara 2005 joel gott cabernet sauvignon 2004 lagier meredith syrah

Dorothy Lane Market (DLM)

The brew masters from Barrel House will be in all three DLM stores this Saturday and DLM will tasting their beers to celebrate the Cincinnati Reds playing at 5/3 Field against the Florida Marlins.

DLM Oakwood Friday, March 30, 2007 5-8pm Artazuri Rose 2006 Dartung Kabinett Riesling 2005 August Briggs Zinfandel 2003 Red Mud Petit Verdot 2004 Arrowood Sonoma Cabernet 2001 Brown Bag

Saturday, March 31, 2007 1-6 pm Tavel Rose 2005 Domaine Bastidonne Viognier 2005 Longfellow Pinot Noir 2002 Carmody McKnight Merlot 2002 August Briggs Syrah 2004 Chateau Latuilerie (St. Emillion) 2003 Bonus Bottles

DLM Washington Square Thursday, March 29, 2007 5-8 pm 2005 Villa Simone Frascati 2005 Barnett Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2004 Jean Luc Dubois Savigny les Beaune 2001 Tedeschi San Rocco 2004 Palacios “Les Terasses” Priorat Mystery Wine!

Saturday, March 31, 2007 12-5 pm “Fifi Barely Remembers the 60’s” Tasting 2005 Handley Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Toasted Head Chardonnay 2002 Longfellow Pinot Noir 2004 Plungerhead Zinfandel 2005 Red Guitar Special Effects Wine!

Dorothy Lane Springboro Friday, March 30, 2007 3-7pm 05 Volker Eisele White Wine 05 Glen Carlou Chardonnay 01 Long Meadow Ranch Cabernet 01 Showket Cabernet

Saturday, March 31, 2007 12-5 pm 02 Hanzell Chardonnay 99 Merryvale Profile 00 Merryvale Profile 01 Merryvale Profile 02 Meeryvale Profile

Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar, 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm Friday and Saturday 11:30 - 8 pm www.cuveewinebar.net Wine Tasting Menu Friday, March 30 - Thursday, April 5, 2007 Geil 2005 Kabinett Riesling Inama 2005 Soave Classico Margan 2006 Shiraz Saignée (Rosé) Longfellow 2002 Pinot Noir Domaine Grand Veneur 2004 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines Simi 2003 Landslide Cabernet Sauvignon Soos Creek 2004 Artist Series #4

Saturday Snacks: Oyster Shooters, Jerked Pork Loin with Black Beans and Mango, Spanish Style Escolar

Beer: Wooden Shoe Bock

Arrow Centerville 615 Lyons Rd Saturday, March 31, 2007 11 am - 5 pm 2005 Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay Kabinett… 2003 Martin & Weyrich Chardonnay… Canaletto Pinot Noir… 2004 Midnight Zinfandel… 2003 Spann Vineyards MoJo… 2001 Villalta Amarone

Trader Joes, Town & Country Kettering Trader Joe’s in Kettering at Stroop and Far Hills New Tasting Schedule for 2007: Thursday 6-8 and Sunday 4-7. Losen-Bockstanz Kabinett Riesling (2005) QmP Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany. Bocce Pinot Grigio (2004) California. Bocce Zinfandel (2003) California. Recanati Kosher Merlot (2004) Galilee, Israel.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar ( at The Greene ) 937-320-9548 Wine Wednesdays from 5pm to 7pm in the bar. There will be four different two ounce tastes every week and will provide different appetizers through out the night to pair with these wines. Features for Wednesday April 4, 2007 5pm to 7pm Chalk Hill, Chardonnay Russian River Valley Chalk Hill, 2002 Robert Sinskey, Pinot Noir Napa Valley Los Carneros, 2002 Oberon, Merlot Napa Valley, 2002 Fisher, Napa Valley Coach Insignia, 2001

Little Sonoma, 6078 West Chester Road, West Chester, OH 45069. 513-942-9463. Located two blocks north of Union Centre Blvd. at the corner of Muhlhauser and West Chester Roads www.LittleSonomaWines.com Friday, March 30th, 7 pm French & Italian Wines, reservations recommended. Saturday, March 31st, 3-6 pm 2007 Cincinnati International Wine Festival Winners

Winds Cafe Yellow Springs Call 937-767-9441 to make reservations for events. March 30, 2007 7pm Spanish Wine class with tapas - reservations required.

Villa di Giovanni Wine Tasting! Wednesday, April 4, 2007, 1100 E. Dayton Yellow Springs Rd. 5-7 p.m. Canaeltto Pinot Grigio Brut, Primativo, Ner D’ Avula, La Mura Grillo, Villa Caffagio Chianti Classico

l’Auberge Restaurant l’Auberge is presenting its first Wine Dinner of 2007 on April 12th at 7pm, featuring, a pairing of ethnic foods and wines from Hungary and Bulgaria. Four courses, four wines- $75.00. 299-5536 for reservations.

FLEURS DE FETE DONATIONS needed!!! Fleurs de Fete, Sunday, May 20th from 1-4pm at Carillon Historical Park:

Fleurs de Fete is actively seeking donations from private individuals for the live auction. Enjoy a tax-deduction and recognition in the program booklet at the event (if desired.) Contact Laura Lanier (Wellness Connection) at 223-4117 ext. 112. Fleurs de Fete will feature over 300 wines and food samples from Dayton’s finest restaurants with the proceeds benefiting the Wellness Connection of the Dayton Region.

La Petite France 3177 Glendate-Milford Road Cincinnati, Ohio www.lapetitefrance.biz Call 513-733-8383

The restaurant presents a “Taste of France” featuring gourmet specialties from seven different regions of France on the last Friday of each month, they will offer a special three course dinner from the Alsace, Bordeaux, Brittany, Dijon, Normandy, Provence, and Toulouse regions of France.

On Friday evening, April 13th at 6:30 pm, La Petite France will host a wine dinner tasting entitled “California and French Side by Side Tasting”. The price is $60 per person. Aperitifs will be served at 6:30 pm.

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Taste of the Mediterranean

By Uncorked | Friday, March 30, 2007, 07:44 AM

In the Go section of this morning’s Dayton Daily News, I review the Taste of the Mediterranean restaurant located at State Route 725 and 741, just west of the Dayton Mall.

The Lebanese wines at the newly expanded (and dramatically remodeled — see the stunning photo in this morning’s paper) are surprisingly delicious, and the whole-fish preparations are among the best seafood entrees in town. If you’ve never been, or if you haven’t seen the “after” version, it’s worth checking out.

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

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Restaurants urged to embrace Ohio’s wine doggy-bag law

By Uncorked | Thursday, March 29, 2007, 06:59 AM

As Uncorked readers, you were in on the ground floor in more ways than one of the new “merlot-to-go” state law that allows restaurant customers to take home leftover wine in bottles. Heck, we even schooled a few restaurants about the legislation.

Now, the March edition of A La Carte, a newsletter produced by the Ohio Restaurant Association for its member restaurants, revisits the issue with an article entitled “Don’t leave money on the table: Take advantage of wine doggy bag laws.” A sub-headline reads, “Make sure your servers are knowledgeable, too.”

The story suggests it’s up to restaurants to educate their customers that they are, indeed, allowed to take home leftover wine. “It’s up to you to make them aware of the law, and if you do, you’ll see huge increases in the sale of bottled wines,” the story says.

Restaurants “risk losing a very valuable patron” if they don’t have the bags used to reseal bottles, says the article’s author, Bob Beck, who, it should be noted, does have a vested interest in the issue, since he’s the vice president of WineDoggyBag.com.

Nevertheless, it’s hard to argue Beck’s points. I suspect it will take some time for Ohioans to get used to the concept that they can order a bottle of wine that strikes their fancy, and if they want, drink just a glass or two from it and take the rest home to enjoy.

I’ve done that — quite successfully (finally) a few months ago at the Coldwater Cafe in Tipp City, with a fine bottle of Loire white. And it was a very good thing. Kind of — liberating, in a way.

Try it sometime, and if the restaurant balks, tell ‘em to take a look at their own trade association’s newsletter to learn more.

How’s the new law working for you?

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

Federal grand jury investigates wine, beer wholesalers’ contributions to legislators

By Uncorked | Wednesday, March 28, 2007, 07:31 AM

Take a look at this Associated Press story entitled ‘Federal grand jury investigates wine, beer wholesalers’ contributions’ and tell me which of the following most closely matches your reaction:

A) “That’s disgusting, and those responsible should be held accountable for their actions.”

B) “Ho-hum, just sounds like business as usual — or perhaps politics as usual — to me.”

As for Ohio, last year brought quite a bit of controversy as wine wholesalers squared off in some cases against one another over proposed legislation that would have made several important changes to Ohio’s wine laws. The opposing groups formed coalitions that included the Coalition for Fair Wine Laws and the Ohioans for Choice and Competition. Things have been quiet lately, at least in terms of the public eye — which suggests to me that the action has “moved indoors” for now but will likely re-emerge later.

Can anybody shed some light on what might be coming in 2007 in terms of proposed changes in Ohio’s wine laws?

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

The true cost of what was lost in the flames

By Uncorked | Tuesday, March 27, 2007, 08:46 PM

There’s word that 58-year-old Mark Anderson — the suspect in the huge October 2005 wine warehouse fire in Vallejo, CA that destroyed an estimated $250 million worth of wine — has pleaded not guilty to one count of arson, four counts of interstate transportation of fraudulently obtained property, nine counts of mail fraud, one count of use of a fictitious name and four counts of tax evasion.

By the way, he posted $500,000 bond so he wouldn’t have to stay in jail while awaiting trial, but told the judge he couldn’t afford a private attorney. Hmm.

Anyway, amidst the legal proceedings, Uncorked reader Sunny Brown posted a rather poignant comment that came a few days after our ealirer report that a suspect had been charged. It deserves to be pulled out and spotlighted. Here’s what Sunny had to say:

I know that few people will read this comment, as it is on a blog that is at the end of it’s run on the uncorked homepage, but I want everyone out there to know exactly how serious this arson is. The 1st impression is to throw up your hands in mock pain and say “All that wine I could have drunk!” But I think the bigger picture here is lost. Scores of wineries held their wine in this warehouse. The entire stock of dozens of producers is gone forever. Back vintages, special bottlings, and in some cases actual businesses and dreams went up in flames that day. I personally know of three different wineries whose wines were not insured for a deliberate act such as arson. Many will recover, as their next vintage is finally ready to sell. Some have not and have closed up shop. That guy didn’t just burn wine when he set the fire to cover his theft, he burned hope and sweat and dreams. I for one hope that his punishment is equal to the magnitude of his crime though I know that it never can be.

Well said, Sunny.

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The final verdict on Cincy WineFest — and a look ahead to Fleurs and more

By Uncorked | Tuesday, March 27, 2007, 06:53 AM

The reviews are in and the verdict is unanimous: The Cincinnati International Wine Festival rocked the house this year.

And that shows festival organizers were listening last year when some attendees criticized the meager food offerings of the 2006 festival. From the comments of festival-goers, it’s clear organizers took steps to correct the shortcoming. I’ll be checking with the festival folks to get attendance figures and find out how much was raised for the deserving Cincinnati-area charities, but all signs point to a very successful festival. And did I mention the wines? Well done all ‘round.

So now, let’s look ahead, first to the Fleurs de Fete, to be held Sunday, May 20, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Carillon Historical Park. Once again, there will be 300 or so wines available for sampling, and delicious bites provided by two dozen Miami Valley restaurants.

If this date isn’t circled on your calender already, get up from your computer right now and do so. This is the region’s premier wine-and-food event, and has gotten better each year for 16 years. The food alone at the Fleurs de Fete may well be worth the $50 advance ticket price ($60 at the gate), and the wines are varied and interesting. Once you pay to get in, everything else is free — the wines, the food, the jazz, even the wine glass. And the event’s proceeds go to a good cause.

But why wait until May for a wine event for a good cause? Check out “For the Love of Wine,” a benefit for Camp Emanuel, to be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at Jay’s Restaurant, 225 E. Sixth St. The event benefits a southwest Ohio summer camp for hearing-impaired and language-impared youth and for hearing youth. Here’s what event organizer George Punter has to say about the event:

For the Love of Wine Event at Jay’s please contact me at 436-3424 or Nan Crawford at 312-1012 for tickets and further imformation. Ticket prices are $55 for a single and $100 for couples. There will be good food and wines and one of the best silent auctions in Dayton. Space is limited to 120 people. This is our 32nd year.

Any other events coming up we should know about? Post a comment and let everybody know, and check back on Fridays for the full list of wine-related tastings, dinners and other events.

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

Another rock star tries his hand at winemaking

By Uncorked | Monday, March 26, 2007, 07:25 AM

No, it’s not me, although I do have some “basement tapes” of my high school buddies and myself delivering scorching renditions of “Takin’ Care of Business” and “Smoke on the Water.” That’s me playing bass guitar, through my stereo, since I couldn’t afford an amp. It’s hideous.

No, this time, the Rumours are true: Fleetwood Mac alumnus Mick Fleetwood is now a winemaker, making a line of “Mick Fleetwood Private Reserve” wines from Mendocino, Lake County and other California-sourced grapes, according to this Santa Rosa Press Democrat story. The story suggests that unlike some of his rock-star winemaker buddies, Mick is heavily involved in winemaking decisions.

If I were Mick, I’d bottle a Stevie Nicks Sangiovese, and tell wine drinkers they should age the wine for 16 years, then uncork it and drink it on …. (insert drum roll here) … The Edge of Seventeen.

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

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Cincy WineFest in the spotlight — and under the microscope

By Uncorked | Saturday, March 24, 2007, 07:35 AM

I’m counting on Uncorked readers to fill us all in on how the Cincinnati International Wine Festival’s Grand Tastings went Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Saturning night. How’d it go?

I attended a Friday afternoon tasting for those involved in the wine business, and that experience is not the same as the Grand Tastings, so I’m not qualified to weigh in on the full experience. Did anybody go? What was your experience?

Here are a few broad observations about the wines:

— The California wine-producing regions of Paso Robles and Santa Barbara — which trail California “wine country” of Napa and Sonoma in terms of prestige and hype but are quickly narrowing the gap in quality — continue to impress. The Robert Hall Winery in Paso is producing some delicious reds, including the 2005 Rhone de Robles ($19.99). From Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Winery pinot noir and syrah and LaFond Winery pinot are delicious, as are the Rhone varietals such as Roussanne and Viognier from Zaca Mesa. Napa who?

— Ohio wines are also stepping up. Cincinnati-based Vinoklet Winery makes a dry white from Vidal Blanc grapes that it calls “Tears of Joy,” and while it didn’t prompt that extreme of a reaction, it was well-balanced and tasty. The Firelands Winery, located in Sandusky, produces a crisp and aromatic gewurtztraminer for a scant $8.49 a bottle. I’m tellin’ ya, if Ohio winemaking were a stock, I’d buy it.

— At the risk of making a sweeping generalization, the 2005 vintage in Europe — France and Germany in particular — is shaping up to be a dream vintage in which inexpensive bottlings are a significant cut above the normal and taste more like their more expensive brethren. I’ve formed that early impression based on German Rieslings and White Burgundies, but one of the first reds I’ve tasted from the ‘05 vintage — the 2005 Paul Jaboulet Parallele 45 Cotes-du-Rhone — did nothing to shatter the belief. It’s a $12.99 wine that could pose for a Gigondas. Although there certainly wasn’t a thing lacking in the 2004 Domaine la Remejeanne Cotes-du-Rhone ($15.99) or the 2004 Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence ($14.99) either. It’ll be fun to compare the ‘05 versions of those wines with their excellent ’04s.

— Milla Handley from Handley Cellars is a breath of fresh air — down-to-earth and fun to talk to, with dazzling whites (and pinks) including the 2005 Pinot Noir Rose and the 2006 Gewurtztraminer, both $18.99.

— Wine values abound. Go to Arrow Centerville today and chat with Covey Run winemaker Kerry Norton and taste through his array of reasonably priced, high-quality wines from Washington State, including a 2003 Syrah for something in the neighborhood of $10. Or seek out an eclectic duo of bargain Spanish reds: 2005 Veroleon Grenache-Merlot and 2003 Encuentro Tempranillo, both $13.99 and drinking like they should cost much more.

The festival seems to be attracting greater numbers of winemakers, which is a positive sign. But enough of my wine babbling. What did you think of the Cincy WineFest?

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

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Great wine, great food — what else is there?

By Uncorked | Friday, March 23, 2007, 07:14 AM

Plenty of fun on tap in the wine-tastings list, not only this weekend (Covey Run’s winemaker pouring at Arrow South), but also next week: Check out the Tuesday night tasting at Cuvee, which comes with the added bonus of Chris Cavender’s dishes to accompany the wines. Where else in the country can you enjoy Grilled Escolar on Asian Slaw, Braised Rabbit Tacos, Cabernet Beef Sandwich, and Double Dutch Chocolate Cake at a casual, drop-in, order-only-what-you-want tasting of premium Napa Valley wines?

Nowhere but Dayton, Ohio, dudes. (Well, Bellbrook, actually). Ain’t it cool?

Also today, check out the Lounge Lizards’ review of the Wine Galley & Cafe at Third and Wayne downtown.

Click below on “continue reading” to view the wine tastings and special events list, which comes to Uncorked via a local wine listserv. And for tastings and events in the Cincinnati area, check out Michelle’s blog at My Wine Education.

We’ll start critiquing the Cincy WineFest later this weekend, so stop back …

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

Jays Kitchen Door Friday, March 23, 2007 4-8 pm 2005 Provenance Sauvignon Blanc 2002 Gigondas 2005 IL Nero di Casanova Sangiovese 2002 Chateau Phelan Segur 2003 Tiganello

Saturday, March 24, 2007 1-6 pm 2004 Chateau St Jean Le Petite Etiole Fume Blanc 2005 Chateau St Jean Pinot Noir 2004 Chateau St Jean Cabernet 2003 Tenuta Di Casteglioni

Arrow - Kettering Saturday, March 24, 2007 11-5 pm 2006 enotria moscato 2002 monte volpe primo rosso 2006 graziano chenin blanc 2002 enotria barbera 2004 dryer sonoma cabernet sauvignon 2004 nalle zinfandel, dry creek valley

Dorothy Lane Market (DLM)

DLM OakwoodFriday, March 23, 2007 5-8 pm De Clementine Rose 2005 Destino Russian River Chardonnay 2003 Sho Fly Aussie Salute 2005 Kokomo Cabernet 2004 Trilogy 2003 Brown Bag

Saturday, March 24, 2007 1-6 pm Gosset-Brabant NV Brut Destino Napa Valley Chardonnay 2004 Arcadian Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2003 Lirac Cote-du-Rhone 2003 Selvapiana Chianti Reserva 1999 Cosentino Cabernet 2002 Bonus Bottles DLM Washington Square Thursday, March 22, 2007 5-8 pm 2006 Two Oceans Sauvignon Blanc 1993 Nikolaihof Riesling Smaragd 2004 Torrevento Saneros Salice Salentino 2004 Scagliola Frem Barbera d’Asti 2004 Haras Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 Fattoria Scapone Brunello di Montalcino

Saturday, March 24, 2007 12-5 pm While Fifi’s away, it’s the boys turn to play! 2005 Astica Torrontes 2004 Destino Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2005 Cosentino CigarZin 2004 A to Z Night and Day Claret 2003 Destino Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 August Briggs Petite Syrah Brown Bag Special!

Dorothy Lane Springboro Friday, March 23, 2007 3-7pm 05 San Pietro Pinot Grigio 04 Scagpiola Barbera d’Asti 03 Le Fonti Chianti Claasico Riserva 03 La Spinetta Pin

Saturday, March 24, 2007 12-5 pm 04 Honig Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 03 Gundlach Bundschu Chardonnay 01 St. Supery Dollarhide 93 and/or 97 Beringer Reserve Cabernet

Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar, 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm Friday and Saturday 11:30 - 8 pm www.cuveewinebar.net Wine Tasting Menu Friday, March 23 -Thursday, March 29, 2007 BEX Riesling R & B Sauvignon Blanc Saint Gregory Pinot Blanc Arcadian Chardonnay A to Z Pinot Noir Red Mud Petite Verdot Aries Merlot Howell Mountain Bear & Lion Zin

Beer: Wooden Shoe Bock

Tuesday, March 27th 5-7 PM Drop-in Tasting at Cuvee Cuvée welcomes Scott Lloyd, representative for Frank Family Vineyards in Napa Valley, and Mike Tramonte to taste and discuss their wines.

Arrow Centerville 615 Lyons Rd Saturday, March 24, 2007 11 am - 5 pm Meet winemaker Kerry Norton from Covey Run Winery Kerry will be pouring and discussing the following wines: 2005 Covey Run Covey Run Reserve Semillon Icewine… 2005 Covey Run Winemakers Collection Chardonnay… 2005 Covey Run Winemakers Collection Merlot… 2005 Covey Run Winemakers Collection Syrah… 2005 Covey Run Quail Series Cabernet/Merlot… 2006 Covey Run Quail Series Riesling

Trader Joe’s, Town & Country Kettering Trader Joe’s in Kettering at Stroop and Far Hills Tasting Sunday 4-7. Purple Moon Chardonnay (2005) California; Recanati Kosher Cabernet Sauvignon (2005) Galilee, Israel; Epicuro Aglianico (2004) IGT Beneventano, Italy.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar ( at The Greene ) 937-320-9548 Wine Wednesdays from 5pm to 7pm in the bar. There will be four different two ounce tastes every week and will provide different appetizers through out the night to pair with these wines. Features for Wednesday March 28, 2007 5pm to 7pm Landmark, Chardonnay California Overlook, 2005 Bodega Budini, Malbec Mendoza Argentina, 2005 Sequum, Zinfandel Napa Valley Kidd Ranch, 2003 Roth, Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, 2002

Little Sonoma, 6078 West Chester Road, West Chester, OH 45069. 513-942-9463. Located two blocks north of Union Centre Blvd. at the corner of Muhlhauser and West Chester Roads www.LittleSonomaWines.com Friday, March 23, Best of the 2006 Fest, 5-7:30 pm Saturday, March 24, More 2006 Wine Festival Winners! Note: Mitchells Wine Dinner has been moved from March 15th to Thursday, March 29th

The Wine Gallery & Cafe 424 East Third Street Dayton, Ohio 45402 937-224-WINE Wednesday, March 28, 2007 6-8 pm Highlighting the wine of Walla Walla Washington, 3 Rivers Winery 2003 Cab, 2002 Merlot, 2004 River Red (merlot, cab , malbec, grenache,) Meritage White (sauvignon blanc and semillion) and a chardonnay

Winds Cafe Yellow Springs Call 937-767-9441 to make reservations for events. March 30, 2007 7pm Spanish Wine class with tapas - reservations required.

La Petite France 3177 Glendate-Milford Road Cincinnati, Ohio www.lapetitefrance.biz Call 513-733-8383

Grapes of Ruth Wednesday, March 28, 6- 8pm Red wines from various regions of the world. Learn basic wine information, and learn to distinguish tastes by region of origin. Class Fee $20.00 and reservations are required.

An insider’s guide to wine-festival bliss

By Uncorked | Thursday, March 22, 2007, 06:43 AM

Don’t forget this weekend’s Cincinnati International Wine Festival … tickets for the Friday night and the two Saturday grand tastings are available at many Dayton-area and Cincinnati-area wine shops and wine departments.

For those headed to the event, here’s an insider’s tip: festival organizers have posted the Tasting Guide that lists all of the wineries that will be present, the wines that those wineries will be pouring, and a map of where each winery will be on the convention center floor. (That link has been a bit balky for me this morning, so if you’re having trouble downloading the tasting guide’s pdf file, try linking first to the festival’s home page and linking to it from there).

The tasting guide is an invaluable tool for those who want to plan their attack and to spot “must-try” wines before setting foot into the arena. The venue, with its nearly 150 booths, can be a tad overwhelming, if not downright confusing. The guide can help.

Perhaps you can be a bit more systematic about the tasting than I am. I’ve gone into the CIWF with a specific game plan and usually abandon it 20 minutes in. It goes something like this:

“Okay, I’m going to make the full rounds once and taste just the white wines first, then go through a second time to taste the reds I’m interested in, then the dessert wines. Nothing will distract me from my game plan.” Three sauvignon blancs later, I’ll spot a pinot noir that I really want to try. “Hmm. There’s already a crowd around that wine. Maybe they’ll run out before I make it back here. It won’t hurt to try a sip of pinot.” Then, ditto for a syrah. Then a cab. Then a late-harvest riesling. Poof! My grand plan is history.

YOU, however, will have more willpower than I. You’ll stay focused. Disciplined. On task.

Right?

Any “insider tips” you can share for those attending their first Cincy Winefest?

And don’t forget to log onto Uncorked on Sunday and tell us what you thought of the event, and whether you have any suggestions for how it can be improved. And if you don’t make it down, you can find out what you missed — or find out whether you made the right choice to stay home and save your money!

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

Of course,

A beer-wine smackdown, a few new twists, and wine ‘appreciation’

By Uncorked | Wednesday, March 21, 2007, 07:32 AM

A triumvirate of tender news morsels to ease you through a busy workday:

— We, of course, know which is better, beer or wine, but a herd of unwashed in New York City had other ideas following a special beer-versus-wine dinner held earlier this month at a restaurant there, according to Wine Enthusiast Online. Somehow, I suspect the fix was in.

— The numbers are growing for screwcap wines, according to both Decanter.com and the “Beverage Alcohol Annual Snapshot: A Review of 2006 — What’s Hot, and Not” produced by The Nielsen Company. The Decanter story charts the increasing interest in screwcap closures among French winemakers, while the Nielsen report shows that the number number of brands using screwcaps jumped from 120 to 214 between early 2006 and the end of 2006, while the average price of the wines under screwcap also rose to above $9. Also, to answer a question posed yesterday by Dennis, the sales of wine by price tier measured in that same Nielsen report show how American wine consumers are “moving up” in price: Sales of $3-and-under wines dropped 0.2 percent, while sales of wines in the $9 to $12 price range grew 11.9 percent, and of $12-$15 wines grew 16.3 percent. Even the over-$15 category recorded a healthy 10.5 percent increase in sales.

— Wow, somehow the value of the damaged wine in that California wine warehouse blaze jumped by a multiplier of three, seemingly in a single 24-hour news cycle. It’s now worth $300 million, Decanter.com reports this morning. That $100 million estimate must have been an early one that was “adjusted upward” as additional damage became apparent.

Either that, or this is a case of rapid appreciation of wine value.

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

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Businessman charged with torching $100 million worth of wine to cover his own embezzlement

By Uncorked | Tuesday, March 20, 2007, 12:53 AM

Remember that huge warehouse fire in California that destroyed $100 million worth of wine? It was nearly a year and a half ago. But now, a California man has been charged with setting the fire, apparently to cover up his own embezzlement of wines he had been storing in the warehouse for his clients.

Now, I’m all for the presumption of innocence, but if — IF — this fine young man is convicted of this crime, what, pray tell, should his punishment be?

Just wondering …

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

‘Merlot’ banned in Utah, and all I want to know is: who was the anonymous tattletale?

By Uncorked | Monday, March 19, 2007, 11:53 AM

Check out this Associated Press story as well as this Salt Lake Tribune story and answer me this: What would be an appropriate “people’s justice” for the anonymous caller who tattled on the license-plate owner?

Riesling’s in, white zin is out; New Zealand’s hot, and Chile’s, well, chilly.

By Uncorked | Monday, March 19, 2007, 07:17 AM

More fun facts from the “Beverage Alcohol Annual Snapshot: A Review of 2006 — What’s Hot, and Not” produced by The Nielsen Company:

— Sangria was the fastest-growing category among wine sales in 2006, with sales jumping 10.9 percent compared with the previous year. Sales of table wines (chardonnay, cabernet, and other non-sparkling wines), which constitutes 86.3 percent of the entire wine category, rose a handsome 6.9 percent. Non-alcohol wines dropped 3 percent.

— When the folks at Nielsen looked at the sales figures of wines by their country of origin compared to the previous year, New Zealand was the biggest winner, with sales surging 38.4 percent in 2006. Other winners included South Africa, Argentina, Spain and Germany, with sales increases of 21 to 26 percent. But combined, all of the abovementioned countries still account for less than 4 percent of the market, while domestic wines account for more than 70 percent of the market, followed by Australia (10.2 percent of wine sales in the U.S.) and Italy, which has a 10 percent market share. The only country to record a sales drop was Chile, and that decline was less than 1 percent.

— Within that “domestic” category, California dominates, commanding a 64.9 percent total market share of all U.S. wine sales, and recording a 7.2 percent sales increase in 2006. Washington State, Texas and North Carolina experienced double-digit percentage sales increases compared to the previous year. Ohio was not listed separately in this particular report.

— The “hot” grape varieties in 2006 included Riesling (sales up 25.2 percent), pinot noir (up 20.3 percent), pinot grigio/gris (+17.9 percent), zinfandel (+11.6 percent) and cabernet sauvignon (+11.1 percent). The only grape variety to see a decline in sales? White Zin, down 0.7 percent. And chardonnay is still the dominant wine variety in America, accounting for nearly one out of every four bottle sold. Its sales rose 5.2 percent in 2006.

— Sales of rose table wine jumped 24 percent in 2006.

— Red wines sales appear to be benefitting from all of the positive health news that began to flood the airwaves in the fall of 2006. Over the first 16 weeks of 2007, red-wine sales accounted for 52.9 percent of all wine sales, compared to 51.6 percent over the same period in 2006, and up from 47 percent from 2003.

Any surprises here? Does this match your drinking trends? Or are we (ahem) ahead of the curve? For another take on the Nielsen numbers, check out our Wines & Vines friend Jim Gordon’s analysis of the numbers.

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

— Are national chains starving independents?

Bloody nubs, that’s what my fingers are

By Uncorked | Sunday, March 18, 2007, 01:24 PM

Spent Saturday in northern Ohio interviewing a winery owner and tasting some VERY intriguing wines. More on that later. For now, take a look at this package of stories that ran in the business pages of this morning’s Dayton Daily News, and the rather robust conversation it has triggered among our web readers who dine out at local restaurants:

— Chain-vs.-independent restaurant rivalry happening all over

— Readers sound off

See, I wasn’t kidding about the “bloody nubs” part …

When you’re deciding where to eat, do you take into consideration whether it’s a chain or independent restaurant? Why or why not?

Thanks for reading, and cheers!

Mark Fisher

An intriguing new dining destination, and plenty of wine for the weekend

By Uncorked | Friday, March 16, 2007, 06:58 AM

Looking for something new and different? Cena in front of the Dayton Mall is definitely worth a visit. As I tell Dayton Daily News readers in today’s Go! section, you won’t go away hungry. If you’ve already visited, post a comment to let us know what YOU thought of Cena …

As usual, quite a lineup of wine tastings for this weekend, but note also the back-to-back midweek tastings at Arrow Far Hills on Tuesday and Arrow Centerville on Wednesday, with special guests pouring their wines. Both are drop-in tastings; no reservations required.

And if you’re looking for tastings and events in the Cincinnati area, check out my friend and blogging colleague Michelle’s entry at My Wine Education. It’s fun to see how the other half — our southern neighbors — live.

But ours are better. Neener-neener.

The stellar list of Dayton-area tastings, which come to Uncorked via the heroic efforts of a local listserv, are yours with a mouse click on the “continue reading” link. And thanks for doing so. Cheers!

Mark Fisher

FLEURS DE FETE DONATIONS needed!!! Fleurs de Fete, Sunday, May 20th from 1-4pm at Carillon Historical Park:

Jays Kitchen Door Friday, March 16, 2007 4-8 pm 2000 Trimbach Reserve Pinot Gris 2005 LE Pigeoulet en Provence 2005 Ponzi Pinot Noir 2003 Chateau Fonreaud 2003 Chateau Cantenac Brown

Saturday, March 17, 2007 1-6 pm 2005 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Elk Cove Pinot Noir 2004 Frogsleap Zinfandel 2003 Chateau La Croix St Georges

Call 222-2892 for reservations to any of the following wine events! Thursday, March 22, 2007 Chateau St Jean Wine Dinner $60

Arrow Wine & Spirits — Kettering Saturday, March 17, 2007 11-5 pm 2004 las rocas garnacha, vinas viejas 2003 maison nicolas chardonnay 2004 protocolo 2004 clio 2005 ste. michelle riesilng, indian wells 2003 ste. michelle cabernet sauvignon

Tuesday March 20, 2007 5-7:30 pm Arrow welcomes George Foote, National Wine Educator, Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (Chateau Ste. Michelle/ Antinori Wine Alliance) Antinori Campogrande Orvieto Santa Cristina-Antinori 2003 Tormaresca 2001 Guado al Tasso Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Tenuta Tignanello Solaia

Arrow Centerville 615 Lyons Rd Saturday, March 17, 2007 11 am - 5 pm 2005 Prager Riesling… 2004 Knightsdale Pinot Noir… 2003 Lapis Luna Cabernet Sauvignon… 2000 Fonterutoli Chianti Classico… 2005 Rosenblum Petite Sirah

Wednesday March 21, 2007 5-7 pm Meet Sandy Walheim, winemaker at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. 2005 Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2005 Francis Ford Coppola Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2005 Francis Ford Coppola Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Dorothy Lane Market (DLM)

DLM Oakwood Friday, March 16, 2007 5-8pm Carmody Chardonnay 2005 M & V Edna Valley Chardonnay 2003 A to Z Pinot Noir 2005 J. Vidal-Fleury Crozes-Hermitage 2004 L’Ecole 41 Cabernet 2002 K Ovide 2003 Brown Bag

Saturday, March 17, 2007 1-6 pm Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2005 Hess Su’Kol Vineyard Chardonnay 2005 Peter Lehman Clancy’s 2004 Hess Mountain Cuvee 2003 Hess Collection Cabernet 2003 Peter Lehman Stonewall Shiraz 1998 Bonus Bottles

Beers: Snakebites (1/2 Guiness & 1⁄2 Strongbow Dry Cider) Rogue Kell’s Irish Lager Three Floyds Brian Boru Red Ale

DLM Washington Square Thursday, March 15, 2007 5-8 pm 2006 Artazuri Rose 2004 Destino Napa Valley Chardonnay 2004 J. Vidal Fleury Cotes du Rhone 2005 Renato Ratti Dolcetto d’ Alba 2005 Ercavio Mystery Wine!

Saturday, March 17, 2007 12-5 pm Fifi’s “Luck of the Irish” Tasting 2004 Hop Kiln 1000 Flowers 2004 Fiddlehead Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2004 Fiddlehead Cellars Pinot Noir 2003 St. Francis Old Vine Zinfandel 2002 St. Supery Cabernet Sauvignon Pot of Gold Wine!

Dorothy Lane Springboro Friday, March 16, 2007 3-7pm 05 August Briggs Chardonnay 03 August Briggs Cabernet 04 August Briggs Petite 04 Red Mudd Petite Verdot

Saturday, March 17, 2007 12-5 pm 01 Shuffit Gewurztraminer 05 Chalone Pinot Noir 05 Stag’s Leap Karia Chardonnay 01 Stella Maris Red Wine 01 Roda I

Saturday Snacks:

St. Patrick’s Day at O’Cuvee (It is also Chef Chris’s Birthday, for real!) Saturday, March 17th 9:00 AM - ? Saracco Moscato di Asti 2005 Man Vintner’s 2005 Chenin Blanc A to Z 2005 Pinot Noir Monte Volpe Sangiovese 2004 Howell Mountain Vineyards 2005 Zinfandel Hofer 2005 Gruner Veltliner Mystery Green Wine!

On tap: Smithwick’s Ale Beer: Wexford Irish Cream Ale, Broughton Scottish Oatmeal Stout, Orkney’s Skullsplitter, HARP, Founder’s Dirty Bastard, Harpoon Hibernian, and Guinness.

An incredible Irish food menu! SCOTTISH HAGGIS MEAT PIE BRIDIE CORNISH PASTY PORK PIE BANGERS & MASH CORNED BEEF & CABBAGE

DiSalvos Deli and Italian Store Wine Tasting - every third Wednesday of the month in conjunction with their Meal of the Month! www.disalvosdeli.com. The Delis Feature Wines: Ecco Domani Merlot, Chianti, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese

Trader Joe’s, Town & Country Kettering Trader Joe’s in Kettering at Stroop and Far Hills Time change this weekend only: Sunday 5:30-8:00, Tuesday 6:00-8:00 Gaetano d’Acquino Reserve (2004) DOC Chianti, Italy. Old Moon Zinfandel (2004) California. Dr. Beckermann Auslese (2005) QmP Piesporter-Michelsburg, Germany.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar ( at The Greene ) 937-320-9548 Wine Wednesdays from 5pm to 7pm in the bar. There will be four different two ounce tastes every week and will provide different appetizers through out the night to pair with these wines. Features for Wednesday March 21, 2007 5pm to 7pm FERRARI-CARANO, Fume Blanc Napa Valley, 2005 ARGYLE, Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, 2005 STEPPING STONE, Cabernet Franc Napa Valley, 2004 ROBERT CRAIG, Affinity Napa Valley, 2002

L’Auberge L’Auberge’s Tuesday night tastings 7 pm! More information coming!

Pacchia Wine Tasting Every Thursday will feature at least 6 wines for to taste, discuss, and enjoy from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. When your tasting is finished, you will receive a credit for the $10 fee applied to the purchase of any dinner entrée in Pacchia Prima or any bill of $20 or more in the café. Live music! Thursday, March 15, 2007 6 pm - 8 pm!

Little Sonoma, 6078 West Chester Road, West Chester, OH 45069. 513-942-9463. Located two blocks north of Union Centre Blvd. at the corner of Muhlhauser and West Chester Roads www.LittleSonomaWines.com Friday, March 16th, 7 pm ~ Dessert Wines and Port Wines Reservations are required, and seating is limited.

Saturday, March 17th, 3-6 pm ~ “Everyday Drinking” Wines

Note: Mitchells Wine Dinner has been moved from March 15th to Thursday, March 29th

Winds Cafe Yellow Springs Call 937-767-9441 to make reservations for events. March 30, 2007 7pm Spanish Wine class with tapas - reservations required.

Villa di Giovanni Wine Tasting! Wednesday, March 21, 2007, 1100 E. Dayton Yellow Springs Rd. 5-7 p.m.

El Meson 903 East Dixie Drive, West Carrollton, Ohio 45449 (937) 859-8229, Fax (937) 859-8220, www.ElMeson.Net El Meson is no longer offering the Tuesday night tapas/wine pairings.

The Wine Gallery & Cafe 424 East Third Street Dayton, Ohio 45402 937-224-WINE

Everyday is Wine Tasting at The Wine Gallery with 16 different flights. Open 11:30AM to 9:30PM M-Th and 11:30AM to 1:00AM Friday, Saturday.

Market Wine Imports 2nd Street Public Market Saturday, March 17

TomKatz Wine Tasting Wednesdays Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Phone: 937-743-8111 Address: S.R. 73 just East of I75

La Petite France 3177 Glendate-Milford Road Cincinnati, Ohio www.lapetitefrance.biz Call 513-733-8383

On Friday evening, March 16th at 6:30 pm, will host a wine dinner tasting entitled “Ciao Italia”. Aperitif “La Cata” Vermentino, Sella & Mosca 1st. Course Fiano de Avellino Bianco, Feudi di San Gregorio Mache and field greens with pears and hazelnuts in a vinaigrette dressing 2nd. Course Dolcetto d’Alba, Marchesi di Barolo Seared salmon with endive chutney, brie cheese, and raspberry coulis 3rd. Course Morellino di Scansano, La Doga Panceta-wrapped roasted beef tenderloin with wild mushroom risotto 4th. Course Nero d’Avola, Feudo Arancio Italian cheese tasting 5th. Course Moscato Legatura Veneto, Mionetto Mixed berries with zabaglione

Chantrell’s Banquet Facility, Catering & Restaurant 20 Commercial Way Springboro, Ohio 45066 937-743-6073

The Inn at Versailles

The Winery at Versailles (937) 526-3232 www.wineryatversailles.com

Wine gains ground on beer, again

By Uncorked | Thursday, March 15, 2007, 08:25 AM

The “Beverage Alcohol Annual Snapshot: A Review of 2006 — What’s Hot, and Not” produced by The Nielsen Company is chock-full of lots of fun facts about our collective drinking habits, but none more revealing than how wine continues to kick beer’s butt, in terms of growth and increased cosumer interest, anyway.

Page 14 of the 100-page report trumpets the fact that “Beer is losing Share of Wallet Over the Long Term to Wine and Spirits.” Nielsen’s research shows that as a share of American consumers’ total alcohol purchases, beer has dropped from 50.5 percent in 1995 to 44.6 percent in 2006, while wine’s market share over the same period jumped from 16.8 percent to 20 percent. Spirits’ market share grew by a smaller rate, 31.4 percent to 33.8 percent.

In terms of dollars spent in 2006 compared to 2005, Americans shelled out $8.8 billion on beer last year, up 1.9 percent from 2005, while money spent on wine reached $5.3 billion, up a nifty 9 percent.

Gee, anybody else spot a trend here?

Now, I’m all for an occasional brew, but if I must choose one “desert-island” beverage, there just isn’t any doubt … pack the corkscrew, honey.

You?

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

l’Auberge appoints sommelier

By Uncorked | Wednesday, March 14, 2007, 06:57 AM

l’Auberge has hired a sommelier and general manager.

He is Daniel Warner, who served as general manager for the Blue Moon and Eclipse and has been in the fine-dining industry for 16 years, many of those years in restaurants in the Indianapolis area.

Daniel is a certified Sommelier with interest in pursing his Master Sommelier Certification, he said in an introductory e-mail. He’ll be helping to put together the Kettering restaurant’s wine tastings, dinners and special events.

“I also look forward to working with Josef Reif and the staff here at l’Auberge and helping to continue the success and longevity of a great restaurant institution,” Warner wrote.

Is anyone aware of another Dayton-area restaurant that has a sommelier?

Does having a sommelier make a restaurant more appealing to you — does it make you more likely to patronize it?

Thanks and cheers!

Mark Fisher

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Women wine drinkers still struggle for respect

By Uncorked | Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 07:41 AM

Jessica Paringer at Cuvee — Dayton Daily News photo by Jim Witmer

You’ll recall we wrote a few weeks back about the lack of respect afforded to women wine lovers. We asked for some of your stories, and you shared them with us. Well, those experiences developed into a cover story in today’s Dayton Daily News Life section entitled Breaking the Wine Glass Ceiling that I humbly submit is worth your time and mouseclick.

But wait, there’s more. Just as a DVD of a movie has “extras” such as outtakes and deleted scenes, we offer up our own version of extras. Click here to view more photos of the DLM wine tasting and other shots that didn’t appear in the paper.

And many thanks to the Uncorked readers, wine shop owners and DLM tasters who made the story possible.

Cheers!

Mark Fisher

Avoid the shame of the overflowing recycling bin

By Uncorked | Monday, March 12, 2007, 03:44 PM

Build a house with your empty wine bottles instead!

No more sneaking over to the neighbor’s recycling bin on trash morning. Now, every time you polish off a bottle, you’ve put another brick in the wall.

I’m serious. Check it out!

And a tip of the cap to yesterday’s Uncorked author, Dennis Hall, for sharing today’s story … Maybe I should just turn the whole blog over to Dennis for the week ….

cheers!

Mark Fisher