Vintage Ohio Wine Festival - August 3-4

We have gone to Vintage Ohio Wine Festival twice. It is certainly a fun atmosphere with plenty of Ohio wineries in attendance. A great way to sample and get to know which wineries you might want to visit in person.

The second year we went on a Saturday and the lines were very long. I recommend going on Friday to avoid such the huge crowd. Let me know how it was if you go!

8800 Eucid Chardon Road
Kirtland, Ohio 44094
800.227.6972
Lake Metroparks - Lake County Ohio

For additional information visit:
http://www.visitvintageohio.com/index.htm

Thorny Rose Cabernet $9.99 @ Giant Eagle

NEW! Save $6! Available thru Wednesday 8/1

This wine was a little bit more difficult to find some reviews on. The only information of substance I have found is on the winery's website itself.

The winery claims this wine to be: "Smooth and delicious. Blackberry, strawberry and cherry, oh my! Cocoa and spice and everything nice."

They even provide a recipe that you can use the wine in, (see below).

"Thorny Rose Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown in the world-renowned coast of Marlborough in the South Island of New Zealand – a region known for its fresh and lively fruit. Thorny Rose’s other varietals are made using grapes grown in the Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills and Wahluke Slope of Washington. Situated on a latitude of 46ºN, the region is similar to that of the world class regions of France. The Cascade mountain range maintains a dry climate (less than 10 inches of rain a year) with its rainshadow effect, while the range’s snow melt provides the region with pristine rivers and an ideal irrigation source. Warm days followed by cool nights bring out the grapes’ natural acidity and the region’s incredible variety of microclimates allow for many different types of grapes to be grown."

This one intrigues me because I can't find much out there about it. I do plan on picking this up this weekend on my trip to Giant Eagle. 

 Information provided by: http://thornyrosewines.com/ view their website for information on other wines they are making which are also on sale this week at Giant Eagle!

Cheers!

Robin

 

Twilight at the Cleveland Zoo - August 3

I have a very good friend who goes to this every year and always has a blast. From the pictures, it looks like more fun than I've ever had at the zoo!

Don’t miss the summer’s BEST music festival celebrating Cleveland’s vibrant local music scene!

GENERAL ADMISSION 7:00 p.m. to Midnight
Complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks, hors d'oeuvres and 18 of Cleveland's hottest bands in the wildest venue in town!
eTickets: $65 May; $70 June; $75 July — Block of 10 $650

Participating Bands:
1988
Almost Famous
Armstrong Bearcat
Arrival — The Journey Tribute
Craic
Disco Inferno
Jah Messengers
Joe Bell & The Swing Lizards
Otis & the Shoreway Saints
Robbing Mary
Run Avril Run
Shady Drive
The Avenue
The Chozen Few Band
The Curve
The Madison Crawl
The Roadhouse Band
Wanted – Bon Jovi Tribute

Info provided by zoo website:

http://www.clemetzoo.com/

Wine Tasting 101.5 part 1

I am by no means an expert on wine. I don't claim to be and never will. If you want Wine Tasting 101, you should probably consult a qualified sommelier. I can offer you Wine Tasting 101.5 from a humble farm girl who loves good wine at a great price.

Let's start with your first and most important lesson: How to enjoy the wine you are drinking to the fullest.

When you open a new bottle of wine, there are 4 key steps to enjoying that bottle of goodness.

Step 1: Put on your glasses. LOOK at the wine. Read the label on the bottle, what does the wine maker tell you that you should be tasting. This is a good way to prepare yourself and you will start to train your palette. Pour a glass. Look at the wine in the glass...can you see your hand thru the glass? The thickness of the wine is called viscosity. Tip the glass to see how the wine coats the inside, as it runs down the insides of the glass it drips lines, these are called legs. Look at where the wine meets the glass at the top. This is called the meniscus, a darker one=full body.

Step 2: SWIRL. Now would be a good time to change out of that white shirt and put on a black one. This has the potential for a wine mishap. I don't want you slurping off the table so I recommend this: keep your wine glass ON the table. Press your fingers on the top of the base and start to move the glass in a circular motion on the tabletop. Swirling the wine exposes more of it to air and releases more aromas!

Step 3: SNIFF! Stick your nose into your glass and inhale deeply. What do you smell? Does it match what's on the bottle? If not, that's not a wrong answer, everybody's sniffer picks up different things.

Step 4: Finally... TASTE!
Restrain yourself. Take a small sip. Hold it! Let it roll back on your tongue and now...CHEW it. You will figure it out. Ok, now very carefully you need to open your mouth just a little bit and suck in some air. I bet you're glad you changed out of that white shirt now. The point of this is to expose the wine sitting on your tongue to more air. The flavor will explode. Swallow and savor. How long is the finish of the wine, in other words, how long can you taste the wine after it is headed down to your belly? The longer the finish, the better the wine. A long finish can last up to or longer than a minute.

I hope these steps help you enjoy your next new wine test. Or maybe you will discover something new about an old favorite? Let me know how it goes!

Cheers!
Robin

Kitchen Sink Red Blend @ Marc's $8.99

Available thru July 31st

I never look at the Marc's ad. To be honest it stresses me out, too many little pictures all crammed on one page. But I looked at it this week. FOR YOU! ;-) I haven't highlighted a red wine in quite a few days, so I'm overdue. Those of you that know me well know that in the summer I'm a white wine kind of girl and in the winter I'm a red wine girl! So that is one reason why I have skewed toward white thus far.

There will be plenty of reds in our future, trust me!

This wine is true to it's name in that it's a little bit of everything. Blending so many different standard wine flavors, it sounds to me like something my mother would throw together and bake in the kitchen. Sometimes things that sound far fetched End up to be family recipes.

"A general blend of California varietals, this simple, but tasty, red wine doesn't pretend to be something it's not. Called the "kitchen sink" for a reason, it's made of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, and there's no mistaking a hint of each varietal inside. The smoothness comes from the Merlot, the deep, inky color and splash of fruit flavors from the Zinfandel, and the depth from the Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah.

It's like a dark chocolate bar in a glass. With flavors of blackberry, chocolate and oak, this deeply satisfying red can be had for a ridiculously low price (around $8). The whole bottle was gone in no time."- The Houston Press

Houston Press Blog Review


"Fresh, Blackberry, Plum, Medium-bodiedCalifornia- This wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah that together create a wine with complex structure, ripe tannins, fresh red and dark berry flavors and a hint of creme de cassis. The winemaker has created a harmonious artisanal blend." -Totalwine.com

Let me know if you pick this one up!
Cheers!
Robin

Cleveland Wine Festival - July 27-28

This festival offers a variety of tastings, seminars and cooking demonstrations in a relaxed, scenic setting on the shores of Lake Erie. Festival guests can sample from more than 270 wines from around the world – including Ohio wines – and learn about new and exciting varieties from the experts. Some of the area’s best restaurants will sell their signature dishes. 

Adult Wine Tasting Ticket
$28 in advance or $35 at the door.

There are no additional handling or processing fees for online orders. This ticket includes a souvenir wine glass, ten tastings, Festival Program, Food & Wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, musical entertainment, and the opportunity to purchase wine at a discount.

Designated Driver Ticket
$10 in advance or at the door.
This ticket includes two non-alcoholic drinks, Festival Program, Food & Wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, musical entertainment, souvenir wine glass upon departure. Under 21 admitted free when accompanied by paid adult.

Additional Information:

http://www.clevelandwinefestival.com/ 

Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc @ Acme $8.99

Available thru Friday 7/27

I've found all good reviews on this Sauvignon Blanc. It was referred to as an exceptional sauvignon blanc in this price point. Crisp, light and wishing you had more!

TASTING NOTES

Color: Shining yellow with green tints and brilliant clarity.
Aroma: A vibrant bouquet of ripe grapefruit, kiwi and pineapple with a hint of freshly cut grass. You’ll think you’ve wandered into Paradise.
Palate: A fresh, lively approachable wine overflowing with grapefruit, lemon and passion fruit and infused with a delicate, herbaceous character.
Food Pairings: Great on its own or pair it with chicken, sea bass or shell fish.
Think summer. Think the sun deck.
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyards: Marlborough, on New Zealand’s South Island

Info found at: http://www.monkeybaywine.com/

Chateau St. Michelle Riesling @ CVS $8.99

Available thru 7/28

Not only is this my favorite Riesling...this is by far, my FAVORITE white wine of any kind! I have yet to have someone taste this wine and not LOVE it.

"Sweet peaches and juicy ripe pears fill the nose on this wine. Slightly sweet and surprisingly tart in the mouth, with some green apple, this wine had very nice acidity to balance out the sweetness."

"Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State’s oldest winery, dating back to 1934, and the largest producer of Riesling in the country."

At typically $9.99-$12.99 retail buy a couple bottles of this beauty, and save a few bucks!

All info found at:
href="http://www.vindulgeblog.com"

Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc @ Giant Eagle $9.99

Available thru Wednesday 7/25

This looks like one that I'm definitely going to pick up!! A tropical citrus Sauvignon Blanc is right up my alley. Especially when it's 90 degrees outside!

Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc awarded 91 points!!

"Nobilo Regional Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2010 received 91 points and a Great Value distiction at the 2011 Ultimate Wine Challenge held in New York City on May 2.

This is fantastic recognition for a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc on a global scale!

A Quintessential Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc which treats you to aromas of ripe tropical and citrus fruits which flow through to the palate and a crisp dry finish. A fresh,fruity liquid pleasure."

Information found at: http://nobilo.co.nz

Looking for something to do tomorrow?

Why not check out the Hudson Wine Festival?!



This event benefits the Humane Society of Greater Akron. Located along Village Way in First & Main, the festival features over 250 wines plus international food, entertainment, artists, and pet-related activities for the entire family. Wine tasting tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and include 10 tastes plus a souvenir glass. All other activities are free. www.hudsonwinefestival.com

Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio @ Giant Eagle $8.99

Available thru Wednesday, 7/25

This white wine is said to be jumping with pear and hints of citrus. Mmmmm!!!

"Lumina is an innovative wine in many ways:

· It is Ruffino's first Pinot Grigio
· It represents Ruffino's first official extension beyond its Tuscan roots'...

'Lumina is produced from carefully selected grapes coming from the Northeast Italy's finest vineyards. It is a wine that shows complexity and elegance. It merges the qualities of a very popular grape variety with the virtues of a historical vine-growing area, perfect for the production of fine quality white wines.

Lumina is a Pinot Grigio with a well recognizable personality. Its medium-bodied structure and full aromas makes it stand out in the broad Pinot Grigio category. This wine, which was first introduced in 2002, has in fact been so well reviewed by consumers world-wide that its production has grown well beyond 1,000,000 bottles per year in only 4 years."

Info provided by: www.ruffino.com

Simi Sauvignon Blanc @ Giant Eagle $9.99

On sale thru Wednesday 7/25.

www.wineweekly.com rated this jewel at 91 points!

Straight from Sonoma County..."This brilliantly clear, pale-straw-colored Sauvignon Blanc leads with fresh and appealing aromas of Meyer lemon, lime zest, stone fruit, grapefruit, and lifted mineral notes followed by a lively palate which reprises the lemon and lime themes of the nose. This refreshing and brightly acidic wine at first appears delicate but then reveals nuance after nuance, finishing with a long, lingering impression of citrus and mineral notes."

Info found at www.simiwinery.com

Colby Red @ Walgreens $10.99

On sale thru 7/21

Colby Groom is now 13 years of age. Just prior to his 10th birthday he underwent back to back open heart surgeries. He is now a seasoned
volunteer with the American Heart Association and was inspired to
raise money for heart research through creating a wine with his Dad,
notable winemaker Daryl Groom and Colby Red was born.

Tasting Notes
Deep red with vibrant purple hues, the 2009 Colby Red is a unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Merlot. This wine shows enticing aromas of red and black fruits, which continue on a rich, smooth palate. The Cabernet Sauvignon lends flavors of blackberries, boysenberries and plum, which are enhanced by lovely spicy notes from the Syrah and Zinfandel, along with a slight toasty, vanilla character from oak aging. Easy to drink and enjoy, this wine is very much a crowd pleaser.

Info courtesy of:
www.cellar360.com
www.colbyred.com for more info!

Cheers!
Robin

Cheers to wine and saving money!

I've decided to start this blog to ensure that all women in Ohio are informed of great deals on wine at our local stores! ;-) Well, men can read it too I suppose...

As I was browsing the local ads I was looking at the wine on sale and thought to myself: "I just wish I knew if this was good!". Now with a little research I can read reviews and find that out, but it would take a lot of time. So if I'm going to take the time to look this information up every week, it only makes sense that I share it with you.

This blog will inform you of wines in the area that you can pick up for a great price. My goal is to find you super deals in the $5.99-$7.99 range, but I will set a max price of $14.99. I will also occasionally post to inform you about upcoming events in the area. Wine Tastings or "Taste of..." events should not be passing us by!

I am open to suggestions on what else you would like to see here, "wine alerts", or any other information worth sharing.

Wash all your wine glasses and make sure your corkscrew is in working order! It's going to be a fun ride.

Cheers!

Robin