My Wine Education

Featured Cincinnati Wine Events: Nov 7 - 13

2009-11-06T08:29:27-05:00

There are some nice events coming up this week. The retailers are gearing up for the holidays. Around the first week of December, watch for some blow-out tasting events. In the meantime, check out what's coming up over the next week.

20 Brix is having an anniversary party all week, peppered with drink and menu specials and special events. Additionally, the week finishes off with the Jungle Jim's International Wine Festival on both Friday, Nov 13 and Saturday, Nov 14. Also on Nov 14 (but not listed because I only list through Friday), is the Taste of the World at the Aquarium. Get your tickets now for any of these events if you're interested.

Remember, all the recurring events, those dependable weekly tastings, are displayed on our calendar. The one-time events are after the jump.

For information on what's going on in Dayton, you can refer to Mark's blog at Uncorked.

Local Wine Tasting Event Calendar

Friday Interactive Wine Tasting Map

Saturday Interactive Wine Tasting Map

Saturday, Nov 7

You Ain't Never Heard of This Grape
The Party Source
95 Riviera Drive
Bellevue, KY 41073
For this fun tasting we’ve chosen for you a group of very unknown grapes, truly top secret and completely unheralded—but they do offer delicious drinking in place of their more famous cousins.
1-3 pm, $20/pp
Reservations required.
859.291.4007

Plush Pomerols
Jungle Jim's
5440 Dixie Highway
Fairfield, Ohio 45014
Dave will take you to the smallest sub-appellation of Bordeaux, Pomerol to taste rare and hard-to-find reds that are a treat to experience. We will taste some chateaux that lie next to petrus, the most expensive red Bordeaux there is. Don’t miss this one if you love Bordeaux or merlot!
1 pm, $50/pp
Reservations required.
(513) 674-6008

Fall Wine & Food Fest
The Wine Store
9905 Montgomery Road
Montgomery, OH 45242
Two sessions: 2-4 pm, 4-6 pm
Call 513-984 9463 for more information

Tuesday, Nov 10

Wine and Food Pairing with Tom Stevens, featuring Varietal Blends
20 Brix
8170 Montgomery Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45236
6 pm
Reservations and information:
513-831-2749

Wednesday, Nov 11

St Ursula Academy Wine Tasting
The Wine Merchant
3972 Edwards Road
Oakley, OH 45209
Theme: Roman Holiday. Featuring Italian wines. Guests welcome. Ages 21 and up. Benefits St. Ursula Academy Victorian Christmas benefiting scholarship and financial aid program at St. Ursula Academy.
6:30 pm, $15, $10 online
Reservations and information:
More Information:
513-961-3410 or online

Thursday, Nov 12

Italy's Native Grapes
The Party Source
95 Riviera Drive
Bellevue, KY 41073
Italian wine importer Michael D'Amato has a basket of Italy's native grapes to share with you. These white and red wines are found nowhere else on earth, and are part of Italy's vinous treasure. And they're great values, to boot!
6-8 pm, $20/pp
Reservations required.
859.291.4007

Friday, Nov 13

Jungle Jim's Int'l Wine Festival
Jungle Jim's
5440 Dixie Highway
Fairfield, Ohio 45014
Prepare your palate for a showcase of over 400 wines from all the major wine producing regions of the world as Jungle Jim’s presents our second annual International Wine Festival. Boasting over 80 booths, there are wines you have heard about, wines you’ve tried and new wines to tempt your palate. In addition to the wines, there will be food samples provided by Jungle Jim’s; olives, cheese, meats and more from all over the world. The food samples will be intersperse between wines so you can try food and wines from the same part of the world.
7-10 pm, $100 VIP; $60, $55 advance; $25 non-drinker
Repeats on Saturday, Nov 14.
More information:
513-674-6008 or online

Eat for the Cause TODAY: KLP Scholarship Fund and Max & Ermas

2009-11-04T08:18:00-05:00

As many of you know, I'm working to raise money for a scholarship fund in memory of my little sister. Krystal, at the age of 21, passed away unexpectedly from an undiagnosed congenital heart defect two years ago. We want to put together a scholarship for educations majors at Thomas More College - just like Krystal.

There is an easy (easy easy easy!) way you can help! Max & Erma's is donating 20% of all purchases from their Crestview Hills location on Thursday today. That's great, right? There's a catch. In order for your purchase to qualify, you MUST bring this flyer with you.

But that's it. Download the flyer, make copies, share it with everyone you know. The flyer is good all day, from lunch through a late dinner. I'll probably be eating both there. You can also fax in an order and pick it up from their carry-out counter.

Thanks for all your help! It's an important cause for me personally and this is just such an easy way to help us raise money.

Max & Erma's
Crestview Hills, KY 41017
(859)426-5501
HOURS: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

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Wine Humor

2009-11-03T16:01:50-05:00

Doug Pike, a cartoonist, contacted me today. He's offered me the use of three of his comics on the blog. This is, I'm sure, a cheerful ploy to get us all to buy his new book of wine cartoons. However, these cartoons made me laugh, and well, I love comics and cartoons.

I'll post the other two over the next couple of weeks, but here is my favorite:

Cheers!

Mad Men Mondays: A Little Cocoa for Comfort

2009-11-02T08:49:46-05:00

Last night's Mad Men was amazingly depressing. Not only did it bring back memories, for me, of how I reacted to 9/11, it was just plain sad. And could someone please explain to me why, despite the fact that he is a jerk and, at most, an anti-hero, I still want everything to turn out all right for Don Draper?

What did they have to drink last night? Well, there was "red wine," which isn't helpful. There was a return to champagne coupes for the wedding toast. There were nameless mixed drinks, made by a cast that is extremely skillful at hiding the bottle label from me.

But I'm settling on the hot cocoa, because it's comforting. In the beginning of the episode, Pete's assistant wakes him up and offers him a hot cocoa. It's instant, made with water and not milk, but the thought is nice.

Personally, I'm not a coffee drinker (unless it's an Irish Coffee). All year long I live on hot tea and/or chai, usually with milk for that latte kick. Around this time of year, I start breaking out the hot chocolate. Now, I agree with Pete - the best hot chocolate is made with milk. I even have a Hot Chocolate Maker that perfectly mixes and heats the milk and cocoa powder (it also works with Oregon Chai and milk).

But in the evenings, sometimes I want to add a kick. I thought I'd list my three favorite additives for hot cocoa. I'd love to hear yours in the comments;

Bailey's Irish Cream: Baileys is this great winter mixer for me. If you're unfamiliar, it's an Irish whiskey and cream liqueur. It seems to go well with just about everything and a shot of this in hot chocolate can be just perfect.
Amarula: I've written about amarula before, and it remains one of my favorite liqueurs. This South African liqueur is a blend of cream and fruit from the Marula tree. I love to drink it over ice in the summer. However, it adds just a hint of fruit and caramel when added to hot chocolate.
Peppermint Schnapps: This is an old standby I first started drinking in college. Around the holidays, it's like sticking a slightly alcoholic candy cane in your cup of chocolate, and it works beautifully.

What are your favorite mixers in warm drinks? You can't go wrong with bourbon and honey in hot tea or Irish Whiskey and cream in coffee. Any other ideas?

Featured Cincinnati Wine Events: Oct 31 - Nov 6

2009-10-30T08:24:28-04:00

It's a low-key week for wine events. Maybe the retailers are just giving you a chance to recover from a Saturday night Halloween!

There are too many Halloween events for me to cover. For a full list of Halloween events, check out Metromix, where they're compiling compiling a list of the hottest parties in town.

Remember, all the recurring events, those dependable weekly tastings, are displayed on our calendar. The one-time events are after the jump.

For information on what's going on in Dayton, you can refer to Mark's blog at Uncorked.

Local Wine Tasting Event Calendar

Friday Interactive Wine Tasting Map

Saturday Interactive Wine Tasting Map

Saturday, Oct 31

Blood Red Wine
The Party Source
95 Riviera Drive
Bellevue, KY 41073
Celebrate Halloween by sampling the scariest red wines from around the world.
1-3 pm, $20/pp
Reservations required.
859.291.4007

Wine & War: A special once in a lifetime tasting with Lester and Dave Schmerr
Jungle Jim's
5440 Dixie Highway
Fairfield, Ohio 45014
Dave Schmerr’s father, Lester, served in World War II in the European Theatre under General George Patton. We will follow his 80th Infantry Division as they fought their way through France (and many of the small wine villages along the way. Dave will taste the wines of different appellations as his father adds his experience of being on the front line in some of the heaviest fighting that occurred in France, culminating in his being wounded in the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne. This tasting will benefit Honor Flight, a charity organization that sends veterans to Washington DC to see all the memorials there. Please be sure to attend this very unique and special event.
1 pm, $40/pp
Reservations required.
(513) 674-6008

Sunday, Nov 1

Epilepsy Center Fundraiser
Embers
8170 Montgomery Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45236
Features guest bartenders, food by the bite and a silent auction and raffle of fine wines, sports items and a vacation condo. In addition to free wine tastings, the event will showcase a “sommelier’s tasting room” with wines available by the glass. Matthew Citriglia, a Level IV master sommelier, will be on hand to answer guests’ questions about wine.
6 pm, $50 pp
Reservations and information:
Contact Jennifer Dilbert at (513) 558-6903 or Jennifer.Dilbert@uc.edu

Monday, Nov 2

Class: Appetizers for Entertaining and Wines for Pairing
Midwest Culinary Institute
Cincinnati State
3520 Central Pkwy
Cincinnati, OH
Kyle Goebel, executive chef, Bell Event Centre and Laura Landoll, Level III Sommelier
Get cutting edge recipes and techniques from the pros! After this class, your holiday party will be the talk of the season. Beginners/Intermediate Level
6 pm, $75/pp
Reservations and information:
513-569-1643 or online

Tuesday, Nov 3

Swirl! For Women Only -
A Sensorial Wine Education and Tasting Experience
The Art of Entertaining
2019 Madison Road
Cincinnati, OH 45208
Tapas-style dinner and 4-6 wine tastings.
6:30 pm, $42/pp
Reservations required.
513.871.5170

North Coast Brewery
20 Brix
101 Main St
Milford, OH 45150
Reservations required.
(513) 831-2749

Thursday, Nov 5

Newton Winery Tasting
Dilly Cafe
6818 Wooster Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45224
6:30-8:30 pm, $20/pp
Reservations required
513.561.5233

Friday, Nov 6

Unibroue Beer Tasting
Jungle Jim's
5440 Dixie Highway
Fairfield, Ohio 45014
There is more to certain beers than simple refreshment. Unibroue has raised the standards of conventional beer in by brewing craftsman beers for savouring. Of incomparable quality and a taste, the beers at Unibroue are entirely natural, contain no chemical additives or preservatives, and are made with first quality ingredients. Rediscover beer with Unibroue. You will never taste beer the same way again! Drink less, drink better!
7-9 pm, $25/pp
Reservations required.
(513) 674-6008

Drink Pink: 2007 Montes Cherub

2009-10-29T08:10:00-04:00

As part of my own little Drink Pink initiative, I've opened several rosés and wines that donate to Breast Cancer research in the last month. Truthfully, a lot of them have been disappointing. So instead of posting each not-so-great wine on its own, I'll do a wrap-up next week.

For today, I'm sharing my all-time favorite pink with you. I originally reviewed this wine back around Valentine's Day, but it's worth sharing. This one is over and above my favorite rosé. It's also really affordable, coming in around $14.00.

2007 Montes Cherub Rosé of Syrah

The cherub is actually a cartoon rendering by Ralph Steadman of Alfredo Vidaurre, a founding partner of the Montes winery.

Montes is a Chilean winery and this wine comes from their Archangel estate in the Colchagua Valley, close to the Pacific Ocean. This particular rosé is 100% syrah. The color is a ruby red, but still obviously a rosé. The particular color comes from the juice and the skins having a one night stand. I'm not kidding. It's called a vin de nuit - the wine spends one night only in contact with the red-grape skins.

On the nose I got, appropriately, roses. I still hate the cliche of roses on a rosé, but sometimes it happens. (A rose is rosé by any other name?) Of course, the scent wasn't just floral, there was some undefinably red fruits on there too.

The taste and texture are what won me over. It's a rich, ripe wine, filled with crisp cherries and raspberries. It's also a wine with heft, dry without tannins. There's a lot of structure and balance and it completely fills up your mouth. There's a long, pleasing aftertaste that still manages to be gentle. I would go so far as to say this rosé is sophisticated.

At under $15, it's also a great deal. Montes makes some great wines, including the equally affordable Montes Folly and the not-so-affordable but excellent Purple Angel.

The real endorsement? Even Kevin likes this wine, and as he likes to say, he's still looking for his inner pink.

Rating:

Parts of this post originally posted on Feb 13, 2009