Fountain Square - Downtown Cincinnati

The event runs from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM with Pinot Grigio as the varietal focus. For those of you new to Bacchanalian Society events, a different wine varietal is featured at each event. Teams, consisting of 1 to 3 participants, are admitted by bringing 3 bottles of the same featured varietal. Two of each team’s 3 bottles are bagged, tagged and ranked by each participant. The 3rd bottle is set aside and left unopened. The teams that brought the 5 highest ranked wines divvy up each team’s 3rd unopened bottle, except for the lowest ranked wine which will be returned to the team that brought it. Still confused? Check out the official rules page.

Proceeds from the Fall Gathering will benefit the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati, and that by itself makes it a great event. So grab a friend or two and check it out.

You can RSVP for the Bacchanalian Society’s Fall Gathering by clicking here. Enjoy!

Party Source owner to add bourbon distillery
From the Cincinnati Business Courier…a microdistillery may be coming to the Newport riverfront. Owners of the Party Source are looking to secure financing incentives for a $4.2 million project to bring a bourbon distillery to land currently owned by the Newport levee. According to the article, the distillery would have a rooftop pavilion that could hold 150 people and a 50-person event center for public tours and dinner meetings. Pulling for this one, as development on either side of the river is good for Cincinnati.

Grammer’s Reopening
From Wine Me, Dine Me…the historic Grammer’s bar in OTR will indeed be reopening. Hopefully soon, and hopefully with much success.

Top Ten Differences Between Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley
From Fermentation…a nice article comparing and contrasting Napa and Sonoma. Definitely pros and cons for both regions depending on what you like and what you’re looking to get out of a trip.

Weather Woes For Napa Wineries
From Vino Sense…an extremely late growing season may result in lower grape output across the Napa Valley. Blame it on a wet summer.

Ohio Wine TV is a free, on-line service that offers monthly subscribers access to expert-led tours of several of the state’s more than 150 wineries. Each month subscribers receive an e-mail directing him or her to the newest program highlighting a different winery or wine region and its top wines.

Each Saturday La Vigna will be pouring three wines: the 2010 Proprietary White (Late harvest Petit Manseng), the 2009 Carnevale Cabernet Franc, and the 2008 Proprietary Red Wine (while supplies last). All wines are 100% Estate grown, from ground to glass.

La Vigna is a small estate winery dedicated to the limited production of fine wines. For more information visit their website or call 937-375-1104.

Described by Piccolo as “small yet quaint” the outdoor patio will host live music throughout the summer. You can stay up to date on the featured acts by subscribing to Piccolo’s mailing list here.

Piccolo Wine Room is next to Piazza Discepoli in the Glendale Town Square. They feature wines by the glass as well as a nice selection of small plates.

23 Village Square, Glendale, Ohio
513.771.6612

The selected wine varietal for the Spring Gathering is Pinot Noir.  Tickets are $15 via online pre-registration or $20 at the door, with all proceeds benefiting the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati.  If this is your first Bacchanalian event be sure to check out their rules page as this isn’t your ordinary wine gathering, but it’s a lot of fun.

The Bacchanalian Society throws quarterly wine events that are a combination wine tasting, social gathering and philanthropic effort.  Each event features a different wine varietal and benefits a different organization or charity.  The mix of people is always unique and it’s a ton of fun.

To register for the Spring Gathering click here. Have fun…and designate a driver!

U.S. 2010 wine market sales topped out at 330 million cases, just edging out France at about 321 million cases.  The French continue to DRINK far more wine, though, averaging about 12.2 gallons per resident per year compared to just shy of 3 gallons for U.S. residents.  Clearly we need to be hitting up more wine tastings.

Still, this is a huge mark for the U.S. as a global wine leader and shows we’re headed in the right direction.  U.S. wine consumption continued to grow throughout the recession, although many consumers traded down to lower priced wines.  Also, the 2.6 gallons per U.S. resident average indicates a ton of growth potential and a very promising future.

Nice job, America…and keep it up!  Read more on this at USAToday.com.

Calling 20 Brix a “wine bar” might be considered limiting by some as it also plays the role of outstanding restaurant, and is the destination attraction in historic Downtown Milford.  20 Brix features more than 100 wines by glass or bottle and a contemporary and comfortable menu that hits consistently.  Try the lamb meatballs.

Also congratulations to all Cincinnati Metromix nominees, which included:

Vintage Wine Bar, Kitchen & Market in Hebron

Piccolo Wine Room in the Glendale Town Square

The Wine Guy Bistro in Rookwood Commons

The Wise Owl in West Chester

Bouquet Restaurant & Wine Bar in Mainstrasse Village, Covington

Piazza Discepoli - Glendale

Explore DRY Riesling at microWINES – Friday, 5:00 PM
Riesling is an extremely versatile grape capable of producing world-class wines in all styles from bone dry to intensely sweet. No other grape is able to express itself through this full stylistic spectrum with such grace and competence. microWINES specializes in small production wines, and their selections are always very good. This is a self paced tasting at the tasting table, with microWINES expert staff on hand to answer any questions.

microWINES – 7292 Kenwood Road, Kenwood
microWINES.com

Best of the ‘10 Fest – Little Sonoma Fine Wines - Friday, 4:30-7:30 and Saturday, 3:00-6:00
With the 2011 Cincinnati Wine Festival coming up next week, Little Sonoma is letting you warm up your palate by exploring last year’s winners.  Taste 6 medal winners from last year.  Stop into Little Sonoma next weekend for this year’s winners.

Little Sonoma Fine Wines – 6078 West Chester Road, West Chester
LittleSonomaWines.com

Viva Italia! – Piazza Discepoli – Friday, 5:00-8:00
The name pretty much gives it away.  Piazza will have several amazing value Italian wines on hand for tasting.  It’s also a great chance for you to get to the Glendale Town Square, one of Cincinnati’s absolute gems.

Piazza Discepoli – 23 Village Square, Glendale
PiazzaDiscepoli.com

You can see all of the latest Cincinnati Wine Events on the Uncorked Events page.  Let us know of any events we should add by sending an email to bryan@uncorkedcincinnati.com.

Enjoy the weekend!

Recently one of my favorite wine reviewers, the ever entertaining Gary Vaynerchuk, tasted three Willamette Pinots and as always provided some great notes.