Nick on Wine!

2006 Bogle Phantom Red Wine

2009-11-29T15:13:00.000-08:00

Sunday night, the Browns lost to the Bengals, it's raining and Diane has the gnocchi in the water and the sauce ready, it's time to open a bottle of wine. Tonight, it's the 2006 Bogle Phantom. I received this from my buddy Chuck on Thanksgiving. he said it was one he had enjoyed and picked up a few bottles.

The 2006 Bogle Phanton is a blend of three grapes, Petite Sirah, Old Vine Zinfandel, and Old Vine Mourvedre. Upon opening the bottle, I was greeted with a wonderful fruity nose that reached me only a second or two after the cork was removed. The taste was that of blackberries, nd ripe figs with black pepper and oak on the finish. I also detected some spice and anise. It had a short finish but this is a complex fruit forward wine. This is not a wine for wimps, it's big! I'd rate this a solid 89 points, and at just under $20 dollars (as low as $15 on the web) a good QPR. Thumbs up on this one.

KINKEAD RIDGE RE-OPENS WINERY FOR RELEASE OF 2008 VINTAGE

2009-05-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

Owners Ron Barrett and Nancy Bentley will re-open Kinkead Ridge winery to the public on Memorial Day weekend, May 23 and May 25, for the release of the 2008 white wines: Viognier/Roussanne, Revelation, Riesling and Traminette. The winery will also be open on summer Saturdays through Labor Day weekend, when Kinkead Ridge will release its 2007 red wines. The winery was closed last summer due to an Easter frost that decimated 90% of the white wine grapes. Also available is the 2006 River Village Cellars Cabernet Franc, which won a silver medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

Kinkead Ridge recently purchased a building in downtown Ripley, with the hope of turning it into a tasting room when Ohio passes the necessary legislation. Until then, the winery will continue to welcome the public to the winery at 904 Hamburg Street, 3 blocks behind McDonalds, east of downtown. See www.KinkeadRidge.com for details.

Southern Ohio is now home to several wineries, including Harmony Hill in Bethel, and other wineries will open within the next year, including Renascent Vineyards in Georgetown.

Top Wine Blogs

2009-02-14T07:15:00.001-08:00

Wine Bloggers, Wineries, Wine Lovers,

Check out my new web site at Top Wine Blogs. If you are looking for the top wine blogs, all in one place, for easy navigation, this web site is it! Let me know what you think, and please suggest other wine bloggers to be featured. We will add new ones as we get suggestions.

2001 Ruffino Romitorio Di Santedame

2008-10-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Wadsworth, Ohio!

Looking for another grape varietal to add to your Wine Century Club list, why not give this huge Italian a try. The 2001 Ruffino Romitorio Di Santedame is a huge blend of Colorino 60% and Merlot 40%. Its deep ruby color and nose of cherries, and plums gives way to a blackberry, current, tobacco and licorice pallet with a well balanced finish.

Probably originating from a native wild grape, Colorino is known for its deep color and makes an outstanding blending grape. It is used throughout Tuscany. This is a 90 pointer, but at a price point of over 50 dollars (as high as 70 at retail) this one doesn't have a good QPR.

Boy, is it loud in here!

2008-09-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Catawba Island, Ohio!

A few weeks back, Nick On Wine was asked to host a private wine tasting for a home owners association here on the island. With the help of my pal, Melissa from Bassett's Wine Department we featured eight different wines that evening, three whites and five reds. The other neat thing was that these eight wines represented 14 different varietals. The crowd started out quieter that the normal wine tasting crowd, but one we finished the whites and moved on to the reds the volume increased dramatically!! The sold out event went great and we have already picked out the date for next year. Here are the wines we sampled:

The first was the 2004 Piccolo Gavi de Gavi. This light Italian white is made with the Cortese Grape. The wine is not very aromatic, but has a clean fresh taste featuring white flowers, grapefruit, peach apricot, and minerals. his one would go nicely with shell fish. From Gavi in the Piedmont region of Italy, this bottle retails around 8.99.

Our second white was 2006 Brancott “Unoaked” Chardonnay This interesting white from New Zealand has pineapple, pear, and lime flavors with some grassy notes. Crisp and acidic, this wine goes well with fish. Not a bad "Unoaked" Chardonnay but I have had many better ones. The Brancott is fruit forward and around 15 bucks a bottle.

We finished off the whites with 2006 Ironstone “Obsession” Symphony. This Riesling like white comes from the Symphony Grape., a new varietal developed in California, part Riesling, part Gewurztraminer. This one is a nice change of pace for sweeter (but not too) white wine drinkers. It was citrus, with some pineapple and peach. Crisp and somewhat floral, the Ironstone would be good with spicy dishes like Asian, Cajun or Thai.

At that point in the evening the volume started to increase and the crowd began to loosen up a bit. If you have ever been to a Nick On Wine tasting, then you know how much I feed off of the groups energy and it was "hold on to your hats" from that moment on. Then it was off to the Reds!

Our first red to sample was the 2006 Cluoudline “Oregon” Pinot Noir. This deep ruby wine made in the classic Pinot style is soft and round with cherries, red fruit and spice. This wine is so fruit forward that it even feels effervescent. From The Williamette Valley in Oregon. This one goes well with Salmon, chicken, and light pasta dishes, and sells for around 22 bucks.

Next it was the 2006 Norman Vineyards “The Monster” Zinfandel. I can't begin to tell you how many wine tastings I have wowed with this one!Cherry and Chocolate blast your taste buds in this fruit bomb! Raspberry, Licorice, and pepper notes as well. Great with anything from Tuna to a t-bone steak, but particularly good with barbecued meats. Around 25 bucks.

Then a great find from Chile, the 2005 Veramonte “Primus” Red wine. A blend made with the Carmeniere, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon grape, this Chilean red featured the “lost bordeaux” grape Carmeniere. This one is from the Casablanca Valley in Chile, and is supple, ripe and smooth. Cherries, Plums, Black Cherry and Blueberries, with Bell pepper and tomato leaf. The Philloxera disease wiped out this varietal in France in the 1880’s. Thought lost, it turned up in Chile, misidentified as merlot. It was brought over to Chile from France in the 1850’s. 25 bucks a bottle and a 90 pointer in everyone's book.

Another wine that never fails to impress a wine tasting is the 2003 Alligrini Palazzo Della Tore. Made with three varietals, Corvina, Rondenella, and Sangiovese, the Palazzo Della Tore will knock your socks off. The deep ruby color and a long elegant finish of wild berries and raisins make this one explode on your pallet. The blend is made in the Respasso style, where 70% of the grapes are vintified and then, 30% are dried until December, when they are combined with the 70%. The results of this styling is Amaraone-like in quality. Good with meats, roasts, pork. From Valpolicella, Italy. In NE Italy. 25 bucks and another 90 pointer.

And finally, as if the crowd wasn't loud enough already we had the brand new 2006 Justin “The Orphan” Red Wine. This, if your read Nick On Wine often is one I discovered this year during the snow storm that shut down the Midwest. Made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petite Verdot grapes, the Orphan has a deep ruby color,with blackberry, spices, plum, cherry and vanilla. This blend is 14 months in the oak. Great with red meats, steaks, and roasts. The 2006 is 25 bucks and just as good as the 2005! 90 points.

What a fun night, and I can't wait to do this one again next year. It will sell out fast!!

2005 Mitolo G.A.M. Shiraz McLaren Vale

2008-09-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Akron, Ohio!

I had a wonderful dinner last night at Flemming's Steak House in Montrose with my friends Matt from Nashville and Sue from Akron. Matt is the guy that introduced me to the Justin "Orphan" and I brought a bottle of the latest 2006 vintage to share.

Flemming's has a nice relationship with West Point Market. If you purchase a bottle to bring to the restaurant from West Point, they attach a sticker and the folks at Flemming's opened it and decanted it for us.

But on to the wine! Once we tried the new "Orphan" Matt selected the 2005 Mitolo G.A.M. Shiraz from the McLaren Vale in Australia. The G.A.M. stands for the first names of the Mitolo children Gemma, ALex, and Marco. And remember since it is a shiraz from Australia, it is pronounced Sha razz' as in Razz a ma Tazz!

The wine with a solid ruby color had layers of black current, spices, and coffee and licorice with a nice, not over oaked, finish. Hard to price it but the Internet has it for between 45 and 60 bucks a bottle. I'd give this one 92 points, but at that price it's not a wine you'd drink every day. It's not Molly Dooker, but it's good if you can't find the Molly Dooker's. Thanks to Matt for a great time!!

2005 Buehler Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

2008-08-24T17:06:00.001-07:00

Greetings from Beverly Hills, California!

During our weekend visiting Mark and Jackie in California, Diane and I had dinner on Saturday night at Mastro's Steak House in Beverly Hills. Mastro's is one of Mark and Jackie's favorites, right down the street from Spago on Canon.

The meal was fantastic, the fillet mignon's were cooked to perfection and the Gorgonzola macaroni and cheese, the thinly cut french fries, and the garlic mashed potatoes were the perfect compliment to the meal.

And for wine we went with the 2005 Buehler Vineyards "Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon. After a stellar 2003 vintage the 2004 was a bit disappointing, but the 2005 puts Buehler's back on track for great wines at a value price. The wine was nicely fruit forward, with blackberry, plum and Asian spice, and a finish that was as long as it was smooth with a slight touch of anise. At $36 bucks, this cab ranks with the big boys at twice the price. 92 pointer in my book and right up there with the 2003.

We had a great night, wonderful meal with two of our favorite people, and a great bottle of wine from our friends at Buehler Vineyards.

2000 Pelee Island Winery Meritage "The Vinedressers"

2008-08-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the Lake Erie Islands!

On Friday, we invited our friend and neighbor Carol over for a glass of wine on the patio and she surprised us with a bottle of the 2000 Pelee Island Meritage. Carol had just returned from four days on Pelee and brought back several finds.

The Canadian island, for the uninitiated, is on Lake Erie around 15 miles from Canada's southern boarder. The Meritage is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. It is aged 16 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels. The "Vinedressers" is a homage to the vineyard workers who pruned and shaped the vines at the turn of the 20th century.

The wine has a wonderful nose of fresh plums, blackberry and spice. The blend has a nice mouth feel and a long smooth finish. This one is a nice wine to share with friends. It promoted Carol to recall several stories about her time on Pelee and made for wonderful conversation over a really fine wine. 89 points and a good value at 28 bucks American.

Hudson Wine Festival V.I.P. Tasting a big success!!

2008-07-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the Lake Erie Islands!

Friday night was the kick off of the Hudson Wine Festival running today (Saturday) and tomorrow July 19th and 20th at First and Main in Downtown Hudson, Ohio. The V.I.P. tasting took place at the Vue Restaurant and benefited the Humane Society of Greater Akron. Around 120 attended the event and it was fantastic. For the people in attendance it was a chance to sample some of the wonderful appetizers from Chef Rick Carson at the Vue. Rick is quickly making a name for himself in Northeast Ohio and if last nights offerings were any indication, the kudos are well deserved.

The Vue which has been open for the past three plus years, is the brainchild of partners Butch Bartlet and Paulo Giorgi and is managed by Michael Tomaselli. Michael also handles the wine purchasing for the restaurant which just this past week won their third straight Best of---Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. This award went to only 8 Ohio restaurants and only 802 worldwide.

The wines were equally as good. Although I'd like to mention all of them, I only have space for a few standouts. Here they are:

2004 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Jericho Canyon was probably my favorite of the evening. I am a Cab fan and Ramey Cellars best known for the fine Chardonnays makes a great one. It's around 76% Cabernet, with the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc, which qualifies it as a cab and not a red blend. Dark inky ruby color, dark berries, chocolate and coffee with some cassis, and with a little smokiness on the finish. This one should cellar well. 95 points in my book. A bit expensive at 114.99, but one for a special occasion.

2005 Au Bon Climat Pinor Noir Isabelle Morgan and the 2005 Au Bon Climat Pinor Noir Knox Alexander, both named after the Wine maker Jim Clendenen's kids, are well crafted classically styled wines of which these two are excellent examples. This is world class wine from a world class wine maker. The "Isabelle," by the way, made the San Francisco Chronicle's top 100 wine of the year in 2007. 92 points on Isabelle and 91 on the Knox Alexander. Around $50 bucks a bottle give or take.

2005 Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley was another outstanding Cab made with 100% Cabernet juice. Deep Ruby/purple color it had a nose of currents with a little smokiness and a nice long finish. 90 Pointer in my book and another one that will cellar well. At 87 bucks a bottle this is another special occasion wine, and it's kosher!

I wish I had time to describe more!

The Hudson Wine Festival continues from 12 Noon-8P.M. on Saturday and 1 P.M.-6 P/M. on Sunday. Admission is 20 bucks and entertainment, cooking and wine demonstrations will be featured throughout the entire event. This festival is worth checking out and I predict will become an area "biggy".

2006 Layer Cake Primotivo aka Zinfandel

2008-07-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the Lake Erie Islands!

Got a bottle of the 2006 Layer Cake Primitivo a.k.a Zinfandel from my friend Thom and had the opportunity to open it on the patio the other night when some friends stopped by. The wine bills itself as 100% Pure Primitivo and is labeled like a cheap American wine. The juice is from Puglia, Italy but the packaging is anything but.

OK, they make a point that these 100 year old vines from 2000 year old vineyards in Southern Italy are the real deal. Of course, EVERY vineyard in this region is as old as the dirt. And they make a point to mention that Primitivo and Zinfandel are actually the same grape. Which is also true but in Puglia it's Primitivo, Crijenak Kastelanski in Croatia and in the US it's Zinfandel.

What it looks like here is some enterprising Californian found some good tasting wine in Italy and are packaging it for the soccer mom,(including the layer cake on the label) under the guise that there are many layers of complexity in this wine.

The truth is this is a pleasant new world tasting Primiivo that reminds me if Hi-C fruit punch. Yes there is the obligatory blast of ripe fruit and a sugary taste, but there no layers of complexity there. And there is absolutely nothing Italian about this wine except the country of origin. This is an 84 point fruit bomb that's better that pop and 13.5% alcohol. And at 15.99 to 17.99 is a major pass. For a real Primitivo Try A-Mano.

2004 Peirano Estates Lodi Barbara

2008-07-11T11:28:00.001-07:00

Greeting from Catawba Island!

When you think of Barbera's you think of those special Italian wines (usually expensive) that you only get to try a few times a year. Usually, we don't think of California Barbera's especially done in the new world fruit forward style of the California Zinfandel makers.

That's why I took a chance on this one recommended by Melissa at Bassett's on the island. The 2004 Peirano Estates Lodi Barbera is a product of a vineyard over 100 years old founded by Giacomo Peirano in 1879. This bright fruity new world red took on some of the flavor components of a Zinfandel. A full bodied dry red, with dried cranberries, red and dark fruit with a nice acidity running through the long finish.

At 8.99 a bottle, I'll be stocking up on this one for a nice change of pace. 88 points and a great QPR.

Two for Fathers Day and Beyond!

2008-06-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Catawba Island!

It's Father's Day and I just received a call from my son Mark who is playing a tour with the USO in Kosevo at Camp Bondsteel. All is well and the troops were in great spirits although it rained just prior to the show.

Diane and I had a wonderful time with our friends Dan and Marie last night and enjoyed a couple of wines worth noting. First was the 2004 Veramonte Primus from Chile that has received great reviews including a 90 point rating from Wine and Spirits. A blend of three grapes, the Carmenere (almost lost in Europe since the 1880's Phylloxera outbreak is one of Chile's signature varietal) 23%, Cabernet Sauvignon at 30% and 47% Merlot.

A huge nose of blueberries and black cherry is met with a deep ruby color and a thick, supple, ripe style of blueberries and fig with a touch of dark chocolate. This wine really stood up to the New York Strips and redskin potatoes. At 17.99 a great bargain but sold out on a few web sites like wine.com. I think the 90 points is a bit high but an 89 for sure and a nice QPR. (bought on sale for 14.99!)

The second was a Shiraz from McLaren Vale in Eastern Australia, the 2005 Tinterra Shiraz.

This big jammy South Australian Shiraz packs a big flavorful palate of Plums and black cherries with a little mushroom and oak and a long finish. This is one that needs a little time to decant but is worth the time as it opens up beautifully. Wine and Spirits gave this one a 91, again a bit high but it's 89 points and at 18.99 is a nice buy. If you love the big jammy Aussy Shiraz (as in razz-a ma-tazz) then this one is for you.

What could be better, a great dinner with friends, two fantastic wines, and an unexpected Father's Day call from overseas. Life is good!

2001 Columbia Winery Columbia Valley Syrah

2008-06-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the Lake Erie Islands!!

Lunchtime and a great big salad with Honey-Baked Ham, and Jarlsberg Cheese with lettuce, tomato carrots and and a nice vinaigrette dressing, and an opportunity to sample the 2001 Columbia Winery Columbia Valley Syrah.

Washington State's first winery to release syrah wines from vines from France planted in the Red Willow Vineyard, this syrah is a great example of am American made syrah. Deep purple color, this wine mixes ripe fruit in a bigger wine than might be expected. (kinda overpowered the salad). This is a wine better suited with steak (which we will remedy tonight with a couple of steaks on the grill and the rest of the bottle (or yea, and probably at least one other)!

Dark fruit, Plums and red berries, with a little spice and vanilla with nice acidity and tannic structure, this one is 87 points and for under 10 bucks a good QPR. Now for those steaks!!!

101 Wines...a Cheap Plug for Gary's Book!

2008-05-10T10:09:00.001-07:00

Greetings from the Lake Erie Islands!

A shout out to my pal, Gary Vaynerchuck with the release of his new book this week (May 12, 2008). Gary is the host of Wine Library TV, and is a frequent guest on the Television talk circuit.

Always looking to make a buck (and that doesn't make him bad) Gary is releasing, "101 Wines Guaranteed to inspire, delight and bring thunder to your world." OK, so it's a long title and I haven't gotten an advanced copy yet (maybe the mail is slow), but knowing Gary it should be great!

A book tour is planned and there are some neat offers for people purchasing two or more copies. The book will be available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders. The book lists for 19.95 but you can get it for around 13 and a half bones!

Congrats, Gary.

A Few Wines for the Weekend!

2008-05-07T13:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Akron, Ohio!

Here are a few new wines that you might want to look for in the stores for this coming weekend. All are inexpensive and have a great QPR. (Quality/Price Ratio)

2006 Castle Rock California Cuvee Pinto Noir. In my never ending search for a good Pinot under 20 bucks, this one fits the bill nicely. The Castle Rock 2006 Pinot Noir is a medium bodied (not as light as most) wine with a nice nose of cherries and spice. On the pallet is is smooth with rather mild tannins and the distinct taste of cherries and a hint of iced tea, with a spicy but not peppery finish. At 13.99, this one rates 88 points and a great bargain.

2006 A to Z Oregon Pinot Noir. This is my first experience with this jammy fruit bomb. It is one of Wine.com's top sellers and now I know why. The label says "aristocratic wines at democratic price" and they are correct! At 17.99 a bottle the 2006 Pinot Noir is a refreshing mix of red cherry and red raspberry with good acidity and a hint of spices. Just what you would want from a Oregon Pinot. At 17.99 a little more expensive, but when you look at all of my Oregon favorites that used have this price point now over $30 bucks a bottle this one is a bargain. This is a 90 pointer!

2006 Windmill Estates Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel. What can I say, always one of my favorite Zins for the price, Michael and David Phillips have done it again with the 2006. This one reminds me of the 2001 with huge fruity plums and prunes, some Asian spice and black pepper on the long finish. A bargain at 11.99 and 88 points.

2005 Columbia Crest Two Vines Vineyard 10 Red Wine. This vibrant blend of of Washington State Syrah, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon, brings aromas of strawberry and some spice with blackberry and plum flavors on the mid-pallet and an nice smooth finish. And at 7.99, a really nice everyday wine especially with pasta and pizza. 86 points and a good QPR.

Cheers! Have a great weekend.

Oh my,,,I'm a Locavore...You might be too!

2008-05-03T07:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Catawba Island, Ohio!

Every year the New Oxford American Dictionary declares its word of the year. In 2007, it was Locavore. Loosely defined, it's someone who prefers buys their food and wine locally. It came out of the local food movement, which encourages people to develop their own local or regional food economies. A locavore, is a person who would rather shop at the farmers market, stop a local roadside stands, and consume locally produced and grown foods and yes, wines!!

I was talking with a friend in Michigan who recently returned from Italy and all he could talk about was the local fruit and vegetables and local wines. He couldn't believe how fresh and flavorful they were. As we talked we both commented about how in the United States we eat food from all over the world but most is picked before it is ripe and then must be shipped to the US distributor then to the local stores. It never tastes as good as it looks. It just isn't as good as local.

For me my favorite tomatoes are grown in my back yard. And what national distributor can beat Seiberling Farms corn, sold from their roadside stand in Norton? One of the nice things about living on Catawba Island is the opportunity to get Catawba peaches right off the tree at the roadside stand on NW Catawba Road. Or to purchase Ohio apples from Bergman's on Route 53 or the famous Rittman Orchards.

The same goes for wine. It's a wonderful thing to drink the local wines from Ohio. It's no different that dinning at a local Trattoria in Italy. If you ask for a wine list, they'll simply say "house wine" and fill a carafe from a unlabelled barrel or jug. Montepultiano has never tasted better than the local house wines of Abruzzo.

So Ohio, let's make it our goal this summer to shop the local farmers markets. There is a nice one in Downtown Akron every Saturday morning. And stop by those local roadside stands. And when your near Lake Erie or the Ohio River, stop in at one of the Ohio Wineries and check out the local wines. They'll be glad to see you and you might just discover that you are a locavore as well.

2003 Marramiero Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Inferi

2008-04-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Catawba Island, Ohio!

Once in a blue moon a wine comes along that knocks your socks off, the 2003 Marramiero Inferi is one of those. This ruby red Montepulciano combines an old world grape variety with modern wine making techniques to produce an intense "Barolo on steroids" fruit bomb.

The hand picked grapes are crushed and fermented in cooled stainless steel tanks, then spends two years in French and Slovenian oak barrels, are blended, bottled and further aged until release.

Vanilla and red fruit like cherry and raspberry explode in your mouth. This one really opens up with a little decanting. A 90 pointer and a real winner at around 30 bucks a bottle.

Area Wine Events, Wine, Food, and Fun for Charity

2008-04-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

On April 25, 2005, Our Lady of the Wayside and Giant Eagle present Grapes on Tour at the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Museum in downtown Cleveland. The tasting begins at 6:30 with the VIP and the Grand Tasting at 7:30 PM. More than 50 wineries will be featured spread throughout the wonderful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibits. Tickets are $50 per person with VIP's at $100. For more information call 440-934-6054.

On April 26, 2008, Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital Foundation Board will present a wine tasting featuring Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climate Vineyard in Los Olivos, California in the Santa Yanez region. The event, "California Dreaming" will feature some of the vineyards finest wines and great food pairings. Tickets are $500 dollars per person and will benefit Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital's Osteopathic Graduate Medical Education. For information call: 330-971-7409.

On May 15, 2008, it's the 14th annual Silver Spoons Awards Party for the Arthritis Foundation of Northeastern Ohio. The event is from 6-9PM and the InerContinental Hotel in Cleveland. A long list of fabulous restaurants will provide the food and a VIP Martini lounge will be open from 6-10PM. Tickets are $80 per person and $90 at the door. Call 216-831-7000, ext 110 for tickets.

Here are a few dates to block out on your wine tasting calendars.

June 13-15, 2008 Wine X III A weekend Wine Celebration of Wine to benefit the Akron Art Museum. 330-376-9185 ext. 211 is the number to call for information and tickets.

On Friday, July 25, 2008, is the 10th annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction at Hardesty Park on Akron's west side, during the Akron Arts Expo. Tickets for the event that runs from 6-10PM are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. Phone 330-375-2836 for details.

July 19-20, 2008 is the date for the First Annual Hudson Wine Festival hosted by the Vue Restaurant and benefiting the Humane Society of Akron. For ticket information please contact Debra Sherman at 330-256-8704.

Vintage Ohio is August 1-2, 2008. This premiere event runs from 1:00-10PM each day and is $25 dollars per person, $22 in advance. Over 30 Ohio Wineries and 20 area restaurants will be featured each day. Music, Artisans and demos will be featured throughout the event. For more information call: 800-2276972.

Grapes on the Gridiron at the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Museaum will take place on Friday, October 24, 2008. Mark that date, more details to follow.

Ohio's Wine Shipping Law Revision Stinks!

2008-04-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Wadsworth, Ohio!

Back on October 21, 2007, I wrote an article about the new Ohio wine shipping law and how I felt it was not only bad but probably illegally restrictive and that it needed to be changed. As I stated a 2005 Supreme Court decision against the state of Indiana for similar restrictions did not give equal treatment to out of state wineries as was overturned.

To refresh your memory, the Ohio Shipping law prohibits wineries from out of state to ship wines to Ohio if the winery has a production of over 62, 000 cases. That means if you want to purchase and have shipped to Ohio the Limited Edition Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, from your favorite vineyard, you'll be breaking the law.

Wine lovers united in an organization called Free the Grapes, an organization of over 300.000 wine lovers including many Nick On Wine fans, have been working to overturn the ban.

Now our State lawmakers have attempted to rework this awful piece of legislation and have come up with a revision that is just plain bad! Industry officials say the change won't do any thing except open the shipping to a few more wineries that the deal that was slipped into the June state budget without a public forum. The ban was the result of lobbing by the Wholesale Beer and Wine Association looking out for their best interests and not those of the consumer.

To read more check out Aaron Marshall's article in the Plain Dealer from last Monday. You can access it at: cleveland.com.

Truth in Labeling, When is Champagne not Champagne?

2008-04-12T11:45:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Wadsworth, Ohio!

I received a press release from the Center for Wine Origins, a Washington D.C. based lobbing group representing the Champagne district in France as well as Porto, Portugal and Jerez, Spain. The release concerned the misuse in the United States of the terms Champagne and Porto in describing a type of wine. They contend, and rightfully so, that a Porto, should be from Porto, Portugal and a bottle of champagne should be from Champagne, France.

To be fair, I doubt that any wine drinker would make the mistake of thinking that a bottle of sparkling wine for 3.99 was champagne, but I guess they could. Most wine drinkers in the United States call anything sparkling champagne whether it's the real thing or not. It's the equivalent of calling facial tissue, Kleenex even though that's a brand name or calling the condiment ketchup even though only Heinz is ketchup and the rest are catsup!

When a product become so familiar and so popular the brand name becomes the generic name for the product. In most instances, that's good. It proves the value and popularity of the product. But is it misleading?

Most American, according the the article, are opposed to mislabelling. Of course, they are! The release states:

"A recent national survey of U.S. wine consumers, conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, reveals that 79% of wine purchasers agree that consumers deserve protection from deceptive claims on food and beverage labels. The poll also found that 63% support a law prohibiting mislabeling."

Well, that depends on how the question was asked. If the questions was do you think consumers deserve protection from deceptive claims on food and beverage labels or support a law against deceptive labelling practices, sure they would agree to that. But would they feel the same way about a law to ban people from calling tissue Kleenex? I don't know.

Although someone might not be able to distinguish a bottle of sparkling wine from a bottle of French Champagne, or an American Port from a Portuguese Porto, I don't know if a law is worth the time.

So, what do you think? I'd love to have some readers weigh in on this issue. You can read more and view a well produced video package at the Center for Wine Origins web site at: wineorigins.com.

Let's hear from you, Nick On Wine fans!

It's Like MySpace For Wine!!!

2008-04-10T19:39:00.001-07:00

Greetings from Wadsworth, Ohio!

With social networks all the rage, MySpace, Facebook, Linkedin are as popular among we oldsters as they are among the college aged students who have been at this the longest.
With this in mind, I thought it was time to do a column on my favorite social network sites dealing with, you guessed it, wine!

I got the idea tonight after signing up for a new wine community called MustLoveWine.com . This site has all the feel and easy navigation of Facebook and lots of really great features that make this a well thought out community. So far I have made a few friends, posted a few sample blogs, made a few comments to fellow members of the community and had some fun. And don 't forget to send me a FRIEND REQUEST!!

The site is still in beta and granted, I have more MySpace friends that the site has members, that will change fast! As a matter of fact, I have promised to introduce some of my blog friends to the site and see what that think. Let me know your feelings once you've spent some time on MustLoveWine.com.

Another favorite is OpenBottles.com. This site is great for reviews of not only wines but wineries. I've found the wine reviews very interesting and helpful and the site has a nice feel and navigation. I wrote an earlier blog on OpenBottles.com but it is worth repeating here.

Still another favorite is Corkd.com. This one features reviews of wines and an easy way to set up an on-line wine cellar and wine journal. Wine buddies are the friend equivalent and you can friend me up there at as well.

And finally a FaceBook application called Wine Beagles is a cool app with some very active users. If social networks are your "thing" then don't forget the wine communities on the web and again, friend me up!

Another "Feast" at Vernon's Cafe in Niles!

2008-03-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Catawba Island!

It's Saturday and we just got dumped on. Another 4-6 inches fell over night and I just finished shovelling the driveway. I can't believe it was a week ago that we had the "Feast" at Vernon's Cafe in Niles.

It was Rick and Becky's 25th wedding anniversary and a group of friends (about 20) met at Vernon's for dinner. You may recall from a past post that I really like Vernon's! We ate from 7-11PM! That's right, first the hot peppers and crusty Italian bread, then the clams casino, followed by the bracciole, then the calamari. And that was just the appetisers!

Then a salad, followed by two pasta dishes, one in a red and one in a white sauce, Then chicken franchise, with Italian greens, and finally a steak followed by a tray of desserts, cheese cakes and such with coffee. A meal like that really deserves some good wine, and Vernon's had a nice surprise. They had the 2005 Justin "Orphan" that I wrote about last week from Nashville. Just when I thought that I'd never drink this one again, Dennis ( Vernon's fantastic sommeillier) came up with a couple of bottles. Needless to say it was a hit.

Then it was off to a nice Cabernet, the 2003 Cafaro Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. By the way, no relation to the Cafaro family from that area (although we did toast Capri Cafaro just for fun.)

The garnet colored cab had a nice subtle nose with tart cranberry and red raspberry with a hint of coffee, chocolate and mocha. Nice finish. A 88 pointer and a definite order again. A great evening with friends.

And a side note. Just when I thought I wouldn't get to drink the "Orphan" again, I found a case on Monday and have stashed a few bottles away for when we all are together again.

2003 Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico

2008-03-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Nashville, Tennessee!

It's my first day in Nashville, still unaware of the blizzard of 2008 that would have our flights to Cleveland canceled for two day. It was bad enough getting here are our flight to Nashville at 6 AM this Wednesday morning was canceled as was the 7:30 and the 9 AM. We finally got a flight, not to Nashville but to Midway in Chicago at 9:30 AM but parked on the tarmac for two hours to de-ice. A two hour layover in Chicago and finally we made it to Nashville. Normally a one hour flight, that day it took 13 hours!

I was anxious to get to Nashville because my son, Mark, was in town. He was leaving for a weekend of shows with Brian Stace in Oklahoma ad were going to have lunch before they hopped on the tour bus and headed for Tulsa. Brian and Mark picked us up at the airport and we had a chance to have a few drinks and get a great dinner offer.

You buy dinner and I'll buy the wine, was my response to an old friend also in town! We made our way to a little restaurant called Sole Mio, The food was great and we had a chance to drink one of my favorites, the 2003 Tommasi Amarone Della Volpolicella Classico (see my review on corkd)

This wonderful amarone from Veneto is a blend of three grape varieties, Corvina Veronese, Rondenella, and Molinara. I rated this gem 92 points. How can you beat that, a wonderful free meal, a great wine, and an opportunity to see my son. Well worth the 13 hour trip!

2004 Gargiulo Vineyards "Aprile" Napa Valley Red Wine

2008-03-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Nashville!

Friday night in Nashville, and we're getting ready for the storm that cancelled my flights for Friday and Saturday to Cleveland. This was a perfect time to have a nice dinner with an old Cleveland friend, Joe Carroll and a new one Brian Jennings, the Program Director at Cleveland's WGAR Radio.

Valentino's Ristorante on 1907 West End has always been a favorite. And Friday reminded me why. In addition to a great meal and impeccable service from Lyman Beck, a nice wine recommendation was a big hit.

The 2004 Gargiulo Vineyards Oakville Napa Valley Red was a hit in the style of the Super Tuscan's of the family's native Italy. This Oakville Estate blend of 96% Sangiovese and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come from a single estate vineyard, the Money Road Ranch. This wine spends 16 months in French Oak and retails for $40 dollars.

This is not a wine for beginners, wimps or folks who can't appreciate a little oak. As a matter of fact on first tasting, I was a bit worried that the Oak Monster had taken over the wine, but decanting and a little time and this gem opened up into a classic. Ruby Red in color this wine features black cherry, raspberry, some currant, a little tobacco and some leather, with a long puckery finish reminiscent of the Super Tuscans. I'd score this 90 points and a tip of the hat to Lyman for the recommendation.

2005 Justin Red Wine "The Orphan"

2008-03-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Nashville!

Thursday night and I've been invited to the Big Boys dinner at Morton's Steak House downtown. Matt Corbin from Universal South, along with Jay Bradley, had a few folks to dinner and to hear their new country artist Randy Houser.

A great dinner with seafood and steaks was made special by some great conversation. Matt is a wine fan and really has a passion for finding great wines at reasonable prices, a passion we share.

Matt asked if I had ever tried the Justin Wines, especially their famous Isosceles line of Cabs and blends in the 49 to 100 dollar range? I have, and Justin happens to be one of my favorite wineries from Paso Robles.

Then he asked if I had tried the "Orphan"? I haven't. The Orphan started in 2003 when Justin had a fire at the winery. The fire caused some damage and disarray of barrels in the cellar. As a result they couldn't identify the wine so it was blended into a red dinner wine called, "The Orphan". The price 10 to 16 bucks depending on when and where you bought it. That's right! The same juice as the 100 buck wine at a tenth of the price.

Now I was curious, and Matt made a run to his personal locker at Morton's to retrieve a 2005. Justin has done an Orphan since with the wines left over and not used in the proprietary bottling. The grapes, Cabs, Syrahs, and Merlots, are blended, depending on availability, into that years orphan.

The 2005 was a good one. A smooth Syrah and Cabernet blend, the wine has a nice nose of dark fruit Black Cherry and a bit of chocolate. The tannins pronounced in the mid-pallet, smoothly disappeared into a silky long soft finish. This one is 89 points in my book and for a 16 dollar wine is a home run that makes a QPR (quality, price, ratio) fan take note and stock some away.

Now all I have to do is find some. And of course, Matt wouldn't mind another case for himself. Thanks to Matt and Jay and the folks at Universal South for the dinner and the great wine find.

As for their new artist Randy Houser, a 90+ star in the making! The songs I heard, especially a scorching ballad, blew me away. You'll be hearing his name on the radio in the very near future.