2009 Raven's Glenn "White October" Chardonel

Raven's Glenn is a Coshocton County, Ohio winery and restaurant located along the Three Rivers Wine Trail. I had the opportunity to taste their Chardonel called "White October" at the recent Hudson Wine Festival in Hudson Ohio and was pleasantly surprised.

I have long been a fan of Ohio wines and wineries. I say this because the first reaction you get from most wine drinkers is that ALL Ohio wines are bad. That's just not true. The mistake most people make is to compare Ohio Cabs to California cabs and other Ohio reds to those from California, Washington and draw the conclusion that Ohio wines don't compare.

But if they were to compare Ohio varietals like Riesling, Gavertztraminer, and Chardonel they would find them not only comparable but superior in many cases.

That is why I enjoyed the 2009 Raven's Glenn "White October" Chardonel! It was crisp, fruity, Riesling -like in many ways, with pineapple, papaya, and a hint of vanilla that makes for the perfect summer sipper.

Chardonel is a hybrid grape varietal developed by Cornell University back in 1953. It is a hybrid of Chardonay and Seyval Blanc (sevat). It is called GW9 (Geneva White Nine) among researchers. It is a hearty variety that stands up to Ohio (and New York and Michigan) winters well has large fruit clusters and is a later harvest grape usually after the first of October. It would go well with chicken and fish, almost any pairing that you would enjoy with an "un-oaked Chardonnay or a fruity Riesling.

I give this one 90 points, although at 20 bucks it's a little pricey compared to some other vintners. It currently is available only at the winery and on line at Raven's Glenn's web site.

Kevin Zraly wants to test your wine knowledge.

The renowned New York City-based wine educator is pairing with LocalWineEvents.com, the world's leading online calendar of food, wine, beer and spirits events, to present a weekly wine quiz. Zraly-created questions will appear exclusively in The Juice, the e-mail newsletter and event calendar distributed by LocalWineEvents.com.

"Kevin is the preeminent wine educator in the United States, especially in New York City. We are thrilled to be working with someone of his caliber, sharing his wealth of knowledge with our readers," said Eric V. Orange, CEO and founder of LocalWineEvents.com. Zraly also welcomes the new partnership, saying: "Whether you are in New York, California or anywhere else, the best place to find out where quality wine events are happening is to go where I go -- LocalWineEvents.com."

Kevin Zraly worked at Windows on the World, the restaurant atop the World Trade Center, from its opening in 1976 until September 11, 2001. He is the founder and teacher of the immensely popular Windows on the World Wine School that has graduated almost 20,000 students since its inception. The classes are now held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square.

His book, Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, is the largest-selling wine book in the United States with over 3 million copies sold. Zraly's new book, The Ultimate Wine Companion (available November 2010), includes work from 40 of the world's best wine writers.

Honors awarded to Kevin Zraly include: 2009 Wine Professional of the Year from Sante, Lifetime Achievement Award from the European Wine Council, the James Beard Award as the Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year, the Food and Beverage Association’s Man of the Year Award, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Wine Educators, and the 2006 Wine Literary Award. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Culinary Institute of America.

Zraly's wine quiz questions will appear only in The Juice, a weekly e-mail from LocalWineEvents.com. The Juice also includes a wine-themed article and other features along with a calendar of upcoming events customized to the subscriber's location. Available free, by request only, The Juice has 125,000+ subscribers worldwide.

LocalWineEvents.com was created by wine industry veteran Eric Orange as a one-stop destination for foodies, wine and spirits enthusiasts, craft beer lovers and other consumers looking for information about upcoming food and drink events in their area -- anywhere in the world.

The website, which uses a post-it-yourself format for publicizing food, wine, beer and spirits events, has grown every year since its launch in 2000. Since then, restaurants, wineries, retailers and other food/drink professionals have posted nearly 300,000 events worldwide. Currently, about 1,500 food, wine, beer and spirits events are posted every week. LocalWineEvents.com has nearly 30,000 fans on Facebook.

2007 Tobin James "Chateau Le Cacheflo" Red Wine

I was first introduced to the Tobin James Cellars by Dennis at Vernon's Cafe in Niles, Ohio with the 2003 Tobin James Reserve Zinfandel. (written up on this blog a few years ago) I have always been a fan of the flashy winery and the Paso Robles wineries in general. Diane and I on a trip to Santa Barbera were able to visit many of them including Tobin James.

So when I saw the 2007 Tobin James "Chateau Le Cacheflo" Red Wine at Buehler's grocery store for 9.99 a bottle, I figured, "what do I have to loose?" Most red table wines from California are blended from several "Left Over" batches of wine. A nice way to bottle a drinkable, inexpensive wine from a great winery. That's what I figured I was buying.

To my surprise, this is one drinkable wine! The nose was big with the smell of black fruit and the wine was delicious. You could taste the "plum fruit bomb" right up front a slightly sweet taste usually found in high alcohol Syrah and Zinfandel. It smoothed out on the palette and finished with a long spicy taste that didn't have any of the heat associated with alcohol. This was a wine that reminded me of the old worlk (Italy to be exact) and the addition of Sangiovese and Barbera smoothed out and added some softness to the Syrah that was so evident at first sip. It was a very nice blend that got better with a little air exposure.

Alright, we finished the bottle (quickly, I might add) and I made a note to stop buy and buy more of this wine before too many people read this blog and then I'll be out of luck!

The 2007 Tobin James "Chateau Le Cacheflo" Red Wine from Paso Robles, 14.6% alcohol and at $9.99 a great QPR! The only thing keeping me from giving this wine 90 points is the fear that it will sell out so quickly, I might get shut out.

2005 Valdifalco Morellino Di Scansano

This past Wednesday night Diane and I were off to celebrate our birthdays (we were born on the same day) at one of our favorite Trattoria's Vacarro's in Bath, Ohio. Rafael Vacarro is not only a good friend but a fantastic chef and shares a love of wines (especially Italian) with the two of us.

Tonight we chose the 2005 Morellino Di Scansano from Valdifalco. Morrilina is a cousin to sangiovese grape although some would argue that's just an alias. It is grown in the southern most region of the Tuscan coast in a town called Scansano. It's very hot in this region and the growing season is longer than most of Tuscany making the wines a little different that the sangiovese that represents most Tuscan "Big Reds".

I found it softer, more Pinot like than what is the usual from Tuscany, but this was a very enjoyable wine. Diane and I both felt it worked well with the dinner and I would rate this one 88 points. It sells for around 27 bucks at retail (if you can find it) and I would recommend it only to Italian wine lovers who want something different.

Another thing I that I found interesting is that Valdifalco has been using the Vino-seal closures for quite some time. The glass or synthetic bottle closures have a gasket that makes a wonderful seal. It's not cork, but it beats a screw cap in a restaurant setting. I'll have a separate bog on the Vino-Seal closures soon.

2008 Felino Vina Cobos Malbec

Here is a great malbec from Argentina carring the Paul Hobbs name. This dark purple wine from Mendoza is huge. A deep dark purple color and a big nose of plum, raspberry and spice with anice and a good amount of oak. Long, full mouth feel and a great finish this one got a 91 from Parker.

This is a wine that would compliament the big porterhouse steak, a great cut of prime rib, or a nice rare beef roast. I score this one 90 points, and at 17.99 a bottle a great QPR. This is a great way to introduce yourself to Argentine Malbec at a wonderful price point.

2006 Bogle Phantom Red Wine

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

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.

2001 Ruffino Romitorio Di Santedame

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!

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

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!!