Featured Wines
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Featured Wine

Beringer Red Moscato: Anytime is the perfect time for a light bodied wine with a smooth and clean finish. This innovative blend from Beringer is the perfect harmony of Moscato, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah bursting with aromas and flavors of fresh red berries and ripe dark cherry. Best served chilled. www.beringer.com
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Beringer Founders Estates

The Chardonnay shows pear, apple and ripe tropical fruit flavors, with a hint of citrus and a round mouthfeel. Complements grilled chicken or fish. The Cabernet Sauvignon has lush black fruit and intense cassis flavors with baking spice and vanilla aromas. Pair with an elegant duck dish or hearty barbeque pork ribs. ENJOY!
www.beringer.com
Articles
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Argentina’s Vin Fatale: Susana Balbo
“Wine is in our culture. We have strong European roots,” explained Susana Balbo, the owner and winemaker at Dominio del Plata in Argentina’s Mendoza region. She’s also Argentina’s first female winemaker and a dynamic figure on the international wine scene.
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Ohio now offers wine-degree program

Suppose you’ve had thoughts – serious thoughts – about becoming a winemaker or maybe starting your own vineyard. In years past, you would have to look out of state for a college that offered an enology (winemaking) or viticulture program. Now, however, Ohioans won’t have to leave the state at all. -
From the Wine Geek Files… Grapevine Clones
Since man domesticated grapevines, he has manipulated plants for improved quantity and quality. Site selection, spacing, fertilization, tilling, pruning, irrigation, grafting rootstocks, selection for traits like pest and disease resistance and the isolation and propagation of plants with the best performance (mass selection or Selection Massale) all have been effectively used.
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Got Game? Pair it with Napa Cellars and Folie a Deux

“I’m trying to frame the fruit but not mask it,” remarked Joe Shirley, director of winemaking at Napa Cellars and Folie a Deux winery in Napa Valley. Shirley recently visited Ohio to spend time with fans, and I was fortunate enough to sample some with a savory bison burger smothered with goat cheese at Gamekeeper’s Taverne in Chagrin Falls.
Wine Reviews
Sparkling
Mionetto Il Prosecco DOC; $12 Bready, mineral aroma with notes of orange; light and refreshing with creamy orange and vanilla notes. Mionetto Brut Prosecco DOC; $16 Aromas of white peach, florals and a hint of fresh bread; creamy texture with notes of apple, minerals and a blast of lemon/lime on the finish.White
Ancient Peaks Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 (Paso Robles); $14 Lemon drop, hay and grass on the nose; bright and vivacious with notes of lemon peel, orange and honeydew. Astica Torrontes, 2010 (Cuyo, Argentina); $5.99 Bright lemon/lime and mineral aroma; vivacious and tart on the palate with lemon zest flavor and a crisp finish. Borsao White, 2010 (Campo de Borja); $8.99 Clover, Golden Delicious apple and spice aroma; nice balance and zip, with notes of minerals and orange peel. Ca’Donini Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT, 2010; $7.99 Very appealing aroma of orange peel and citrus; very flavorful, with hints of honeydew and citrus. Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Chenin Blanc, Wilson Ranch, 2010 (Clarksburg); $12 Bright, appealing aroma of fresh apricots, florals, minerals and grass; tart and refreshing with Granny Smith apple flavor and steely character. Dry Creek Vineyard Fumé Blanc, 2010 (Sonoma County); $12 Aromas of pineapple, honey and passion fruit; balanced, crisp and clean with bright Golden Delicious flavors. Folonari Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT, 2010; $7.99 Golden Delicious apple, mineral and lemon/lime aroma; lively on the palate, with bright apple flavor. Grgich Hills Estate Fumé Blanc, 2010 (Napa Valley); $30 Very aromatic – full of passion fruit with a touch of grass – and delicious, bursting with bright flavor and bracing acidity. Rasciatano Malvasia Bianca, 2010 (Puglia IGT); $23.99 Lush aroma of tangerine, melon, honey and a hint of florals; rich and full with concentrated fruit, minerality and racy acidity. Robert Mondavi Chardonnay, 2009 (Napa Valley); $20 Delicate toasty aroma with a touch of melon; Golden Delicious apples on the palate with a bit of spice and coconut on the finish.Red
Ancient Peaks Renegade, Margarita Vineyard, 2009 (Paso Robles); $23 Smoky aroma with hints of bumbleberry pie, cinnamon and clove; full flavored and well balanced, with plenty of spice. Astica Malbec, 2010 (Cuyo, Argentina); $5.99 Bright, juicy aroma of cinnamon, currants and black plums; medium bodied, with black fruit flavor and a hint of smoke and tobacco. Barefoot Cellars Zinfandel, NV (Lodi); $6.99 Woodsy, brambly, earthy aroma with big cherry/berry flavor and a smooth, fruity finish. Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 (Napa Valley); $115 Deep inky purple with luscious, powerful, complex aroma of eucalyptus, black fruit, vanilla and baking spice; bursting with rich, ripe fruit, countered by crisp acidity – a perfectly balanced wine. Buehler Vineyards Zinfandel, 2010 (Napa Valley); $24.99 Enticing aroma of lush fruit and violets; rich, concentrated, soft and luscious, with a lingering, peppery finish. Candor Zinfandel, NV (California); $14.99 Aroma of woods, earth and smoky black cherries; medium bodied and creamy with soft tannins and layers of flavor. Castle Rock Zinfandel, 2007 (Dry Creek Valley); $12.99 Candied apple aroma with notes of spiced cranberries and earth; peppery and spicy with intense ripe black fruit. Chateau des Léotins Bordeaux, 2009; $9.99 Full, rich aroma, with ripe black fruit and earthy undertones; full flavored with pronounced tannins and notes of smoke and saddle leather. Chateau Grand Rousseau Bordeaux, 2009; $9.99 Clove, saddle leather and boysenberry aroma; good balance and earthy texture, with hints of black pepper, cherries and dark chocolate. Cline Ancient Vines Carignane, 2010 (Contra Costa County); $15.99 Concentrated, prune/plum aroma with a touch of black licorice and boysenberry; rich but balanced, with ripe berry and dark chocolate flavors. Cline Ancient Vines Mourvèdre, 2010 (Contra Costa County); $15.99 Complex aroma of earth, prunes, mushrooms and black currants; powerful and big, with ashy tannins and big earthy flavors. Domaine St. George Zinfandel, 2008 (Russian River Valley); $15.99 Spicy cinnamon and black pepper aroma; juicy and full of fruit, with excellent balance and body. Dry Creek Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel, 2009 (Sonoma County); $19 Warm baking spice and plum aroma with sweet boysenberry jam flavor, supporting tannins and a touch of smoke. Dry Creek Vineyard “The Mariner” Meritage Red Wine, 2007 (Dry Creek Valley); $40 Powerful, warm, spicy aroma with notes of vanilla, mocha and cassis; concentrated and delicious, with ripe, lush black fruit dusted with cocoa powder. Elyse Zinfandel, Morisoli Vineyard, 2007 (Napa Valley); $36.99 Appealing aroma of spice and rose petals; full flavored and nicely nuanced with rich berries and spicy black pepper. Estancia Zinfandel, Keyes Canyon Ranches, 2009 (Paso Robles); $10.99 Smoky campfire and cherry cigar aroma with prominent tannins, jammy fruit and bacon fat finish. Feudi di San Marzano Primitivo Puglia IGT, 2010; $12 Bright strawberry and spiced apple aroma; medium bodied, with pleasant fruitiness, tart cherry/berry flavor and cherry-skin finish. Folonari Pinot Noir delle Venezie IGT, 2010; $7.99 Juicy cherry aroma with delicate hints of pepper and smoke; tart red fruit, good acidity and a huge pepper finish Frog’s Leap Zinfandel, 2008 (Napa Valley); $29.99 Inviting black pepper and ripe berry aroma; spicy and lively with medium body, balanced tannins and great flavor. Grgich Hills Estate Merlot, 2007 (Napa Valley); $42 Appealing smoke, earth, eucalyptus and bramble patch aroma; juicy and rich, with great balance and peppery spiciness. Hendry Blocks 7 & 22 Zinfandel, 2007 (Napa Valley); $33.99 Very peppery aroma with notes of earth and smoky berries; robust and jammy, full of spiced berry flavor. Klinker Brick Winery Old Vine Zinfandel, 2009 (Lodi); $18 Smoky clove aroma with hints of vanilla and bacon; very juicy, classic Zin with soft tannins, big flavor and good acidity. Klinker Brick Winery Old Vine Zinfandel “Old Ghost,” 2009 (Lodi); $37 Intense ripe berry aroma with a touch of anise and spice; powerful and rich, with luscious, deep, ripe black fruit flavor. La Crotta di Vegneron Pinot Noir, 2010 (Vallée d’Aoste DOC); $18.99 Smoky cherry aroma with a touch of earth and tobacco; mild tannins, good acidity and bright fruit with earthy, peppery overtones. La Fornace Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, 2005; $59.99 Appealing, complex aroma of strawberry, cinnamon, clove and earth; full bodied and mature with solid tannins and flavors of berries, exotic spice and black pepper. Lake Sonoma Winery Zinfandel, 2008 (Dry Creek Valley); $14.99 Earthy aroma with notes of saddle leather, eucalyptus and spiced cherries; big, full flavor of juicy, ripe fruit. Laurel Glen ZaZin Old Vine Zinfandel, 2007 (Lodi); $18.99 Caramelized bacon and blackberry jam aroma with a hint of clove; big and fat on the palate, with powerful fruit and brambly undercurrents. Melini Chianti DOCG, “Borghi d’Elsa,” 2010; $7.99 Vivid berry aroma with notes of plum and rose petal; soft and round with hints of black pepper and dark cherries. Murphy-Goode Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 (California); $14.99 Very appealing aroma of clove, black licorice, black cherry and a hint of sweet tobacco; medium bodied, with pronounced tannins, smoky black berries, a bit of leather and earth. Paso Creek Zinfandel, 2008 (Paso Robles); $14.99 Clove aroma with an undercurrent of coffee bean and bramble patch; well balanced, bright, juicy and very flavorful. Parducci Zinfandel, 2005 (Mendocino County); $11.99 Earthy aroma with a whiff of smoke and strawberry jam; refined taste, with smoky berries, soft tannins, and medium body. Paul Dolan Vineyards Zinfandel, 2008 (Mendocino County); $17.99 A bit of prune and earth on the nose; medium bodied with black cherry flavor, a bit of spice and pepper and a clean berry finish. Predator Old Vine Zinfandel, 2010 (Lodi); $14.99 Smoky aroma with hints of bacon and cassis; big, brawny with huge, concentrated jammy cherry flavor and bacon on the finish. Rabbit Ridge Barrel Cuvée Zinfandel, 2008 (Central Coast); $10.99 Aromas of spicy, peppery, earthy brambles; big, lush flavors of spiced berries and vanilla. Rabbit Ridge Zinfandel, 2010 (Paso Robles); $17.99 Earthy, smoky aroma with notes of cassis and black pepper; juicy and jammy with smoky black cherries and pronounced tannins. Ravenswood Sonoma Old Vine Zinfandel, 2008 (Sonoma County); $13.99 Deep, rich aroma with lush notes of ripe fruit and florals; a classic, elegant Zin with ripe fruit and good balance. Ravenswood Vintners Blend Old Vine Zinfandel, 2009 (California); $9.99 Bright blueberry/boysenberry aroma with hints of spiced cranberry; full, juicy, black cherry flavor with peppery notes. Ravenswood Zen of Zin Old Vine Zinfandel, 2008 (California); $9.99 Woodsy aroma with prune plums and a touch of florals; juicy and pleasant with good balance, ripe black fruit, and moderate tannins. Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 (Napa Valley); $28 Delicious aroma of baking spice, dark chocolate and chocolate-covered black cherries; beautiful balance, ripe fruit and insistent tannins. Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir, 2010 (Carneros, Napa Valley); $27 Very enticing aroma of rich black cherries, black licorice, currants and violets; spicy, full, and peppery on the palate with cinnamon and clove notes. Seghesio Zinfandel, 2009 (Sonoma County); $24.99 Ripe Bing cherry and earthy aroma; big, fat and juicy with soft tannins and loads of concentrated ripe fruit. Storybook Mountain Vineyards Napa Estate Zinfandel, Mayacamas Range, 2008; $39.99 Aromas of lavender, black licorice and cassis; rich, concentrated and elegant with lovely ripe fruit and layers of complexity. The Climber Red Wine, 2010 (California); $14 Inviting aromas of clove and berry patch; juicy, full flavored and easy to drink, with a pleasant smoky, ashy finish. Trapiche Pinot Noir, 2010 (Mendoza); $7.49 Aroma of baking spices, cloves, smoke, ripe dark fruit and earth; good depth of flavor with a lingering cherry-skin finish. Valley of the Moon Zinfandel, 2008 (Sonoma County); $12.99 Bright, fruity black raspberry aroma with a bit of strawberry; good fruit, zippy acidity and a touch of smoke and pepper on the finish.Sweet and Dessert
Cherry on Top Sweet White Wine, 2010 (California); $9.99 Luscious aromas of honey and pears; sweet lively flavors of mandarin orange and fresh pineapple Cherry on Top Sweet Red Wine, 2010 (California); $9.99 Pleasant aroma of berries and black currants with a hint of dark chocolate; gently sweet, lush and easy to drink. Prices may vary.Bargain Buzz
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Bastide de Beauvert Côtes du Rhône, 2009; $9.99
Deep garnet color and berry bowl aroma with an undercurrent of baking spices; juicy, bright fruit on the palate, with a smoky, peppery finish. Great value.
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Domaine de la Motte Chardonnay, 2010 (Pays d’Oc IGP); $9.99
Pale golden color, with inviting aroma of honeysuckle and tropical fruit; lovely, vivacious fruit flavor – mango, passion fruit, pineapple – with beautiful balance and a great finish.
Tasting Notes:
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Artezin Zinfandel, 2009 (Mendocino Valley); $18
Deep cordovan with aromas of pepper, black berries, earth and vanilla; big and juicy with bold tannins, ripe fruit and spicy, ashy black pepper on the finish.
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Bota Box Old Vine Zinfandel, 2010 (California); $19.99/3L
Pleasant plummy aroma with hints of earth and bacon; medium bodied with blackberry and black raspberry flavors and a bit of cocoa on the finish. Excellent value.
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Brazin Old Vine Zin, 2009 (Lodi); $14.99
Aromatic notes of dark chocolate and mocha with hints of cassis and tobacco; full flavored and easy to drink with juicy black fruit flavors.
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Gnarly Head Authentic Red, 2010 (Lodi); $9.99
Bright cordovan with delicate floral and plum aroma; soft and juicy with lively fruit and chocolate-covered cherry flavor.
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Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin, 2010 (Lodi); $9.99
Appealing brambly, woodsy, wild berry aroma; delicious, with bright, juicy berry flavor, good balance, medium body and lingering finish.
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Haywood Estate Zinfandel, Los Chamizal Vineyard, 2006 (Sonoma Valley); $26.99
Very pleasant aroma of wild berries, black pepper and anise; juicy, spicy fruit on the palate with pronounced tannins and prune plum finish.
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Haywood Estate Zinfandel, “Morning Sun,” 2007 (Sonoma Valley); $37.99
Very aromatic with florals and lush ripe fruit; well balanced and full of rich berry flavor with a peppery, spicy finish.
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Haywood Estate Zinfandel, “Rocky Terrace,” 2007 (Sonoma Valley); $37.99
Earth, smoke and black raspberry aromas; creamy and rich, with solid tannins and flavors of baking spice and chocolate-covered cherries.
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Napa Cellars Zinfandel, 2008 (Napa Valley); $18.99
Deep purple with enticing aroma of cinnamon and cassis; beautifully balanced with ripe, concentrated black cherry flavor, moderate tannins and good depth.
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Optima Zinfandel, 2008 (Dry Creek Valley); $25
Mocha, Black Mission fig and dark chocolate aroma; rich and velvety with firm tannins, dried black fruit notes – almost port-like – juicy black pepper and smoky cherries.
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Quivira Zinfandel, 2009 (Dry Creek Valley); $20
Deep cordovan color and inviting aroma of black cherries with a touch of eucalyptus and lavender; soft and round, with good balance, lush ripe fruit and pronounced tannins.
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Terra d’Oro Zinfandel, 2007 (Amador County); $14.99
Deep purple/garnet color with spice rack aroma of clove, cinnamon and vanilla; full bodied, with excellent balance, big fruit and a smoky tobacco finish.
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Terra d’Oro Zinfandel, Deaver Vineyard, 2007 (Amador County); $23.99
Very appealing aroma of plums, ripe back fruit, cinnamon and clove; medium bodied and bright on the palate with balancing acidity, rich berries and a touch of florals.
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Terra d’Oro Zinfandel, Home Vineyard, 2007 (Amador County); $23.99
Inviting, juicy, brambly aroma with a hint of blueberries; soft and round, with rich ripe fruit and bright acidity.
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Twisted Old Vine Zinfandel, 2010 (California); $5.99
Bright cherry/berry aroma with underlying spice; vivid, fresh-tasting flavor of smashed berries with a nice fruit-filled finish.
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Z-52 Zinfandel, 2007 (Lodi); $12.99
Juicy, brambly, baking spice and earthy aroma with sweet raspberry jam flavor and peppery finish – just begging for barbecue.
WineFinds
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Castello Romitoro “Il Toro,” 2008 (Toscana IGT); $24.99
Garnet/cordovan color with smoky prune aroma and undercurrents of earth and vanilla; nicely balanced, with bright acidity and notes of tobacco and tart cherries.
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Castello d’Albola Chianti Classico DOCG, 2007; $16.99
Appealing aroma of rose, violet, cinnamon and black currant; nicely balanced, with eucalyptus, juicy tart fruit, and a touch of earth on the palate. Great with food.
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Paul Ponnelle Pinot Noir, 2010 (Pays d’Oc IGP); $12.99
Very classic Pinot Noir aroma of ripe dark cherries, a little black pepper, a touch of smoke; juicy, tart flavors of cranberry, raspberry and spice.
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Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 (Alexander Valley); $52
Enticing, concentrated aroma of ripe black berries with a touch of sage and lavender; perfectly balanced, with elegant black raspberry and cranberry flavor, bright juiciness and pronounced tannins.
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Gustav Adolf Schmitt Niersteiner Rehbach Riesling Spätlese, 2010 (Rheinhessen); $11.99
Lovely aroma of honeysuckle and minerals doused with honey and pear; luscious and sweet, with peachy-pear flavor and crisp acidity.


