Featured Wines
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Valley Vineyards – Winery and Brewery
Since 1970, the Schuchter family has been dedicated to bringing you a wide variety of fine wines, and now, craft beers.
www.valleyvineyards.com -
Francis Ford Coppola
The wines of the Diamond Collection are made from grapes grown in vineyards across California. By carefully combining fruit selections with precise winemaking techniques, we are able to capture pure expressions of each varietal.
www.franciscoppolawinery.com
Articles
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Maple & Vine: An Ohio Original
What could be more characteristic of Northeast Ohio than grapes and maple syrup? Blend them together with an expert hand and you’ve got a world-class taste experience. Produced by Auburn Twin Oaks winery in Chagrin Falls, Maple & Vine ($29.99/375ml) is a blend of Ohio Riesling, Traminette, Vidal and Vignoles highlighted by pure maple syrup from Dome Sugarbush, Hillside Farm and the Geauga Maple Company. The result is a wine with luscious flavor of caramel apples delicately enhanced by maple. With crisp acidity, its sweetness never overpowers, making it a versatile beverage that pairs equally well with savory, rich foods like triple crème cheeses or desserts like pear tart or flan.
Wine Reviews
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Cleebourg Pinot Gris, Cuvee Prestige, 2011; $14.99
Very appealing aroma of honeyed pears and candied orange peel; full of bright, concentrated tangerine and honeyed citrus flavors with a lovely finish.
Dopff & Irion Riesling, 2008; $16.99
Lush Riesling aroma with plenty of petrol and a big mineral component; loaded with slatey minerality and rich candied citron notes; beautiful finish.
Hugel et Fils Riesling, 2011; $24
Warm, delicately spicy aroma; honeyed richness on the palate with zesty acidity and a crisp, clean finish.
Cleebourg Gewurztraminer, Cuvee Prestige, 2011; $15.99
Very inviting characteristic aroma of lychee, spice and Mandarin orange; nicely balanced with integrated spice and a rich toffee finish.
Hugel et Fils Gewurztraminer, 2011; $29
Subtle spice, honeysuckle and mineral notes on the nose; delicious – full of apple, honey and spice flavors with a caramelized fruit finish.
RECOMMENDED
White Blend
Cleebourg Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois, Cuvee Prestige, 2011; $10.99
Ripe pear and honeysuckle aroma; bracing on the palate with crisp honey/lemon drop flavor and spicy undercurrents.
Hugel et Fils Gentil, 2011; $16
Pleasant and inviting, with aromas of lime and minerals; crisp and full of bright citrus and Red Delicious apple flavors.
Dopff & Irion Crustacés, 2009; $12.99
Subtle mineral aroma; full flavored and crisp, with spicy rose petal and honey notes; slatey grapefruit finish.
Pinot Blanc
Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Blanc “Les Princes Abbes,” 2009; $14.99
Appealing aroma notes of honeysuckle and tangerine; loads of crisp fruit on the palate with mineral overtones and zingy finish.
Dopff & Irion Pinot Blanc, 2011; $13.99
Floral, honey and mineral aroma; bright and mouthwatering – like liquid sunshine – with rich fruit and balancing acidity.
Hugel et Fils Pinot Blanc “Cuvée Les Amours,” 2009; $16
Warm pineapple and honey aroma with a subtle mineral undercurrent; full bodied with tart lemon and honey flavors and delicate nutty note.
Pinot Gris
Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris “Les Princes Abbes,” 2009; $21.99
A touch of spicy warmth and rose petals on the nose; lush and full, crisp yet rich, with concentrated fruit and notes of butterscotch, toffee and candied orange.
Hugel et Fils Pinot Gris, 2009; $23
Herbal, earthy aroma carries over to flinty notes on the palate; full flavored, with hints of sweet lemon rind and florals.
Riesling
Cleebourg Riesling, Cuvee Prestige, 2011; $12.99
Aromas of minerals, florals, candied citrus and honey; zippy tart apple flavor with a crisp finish.
Domaines Schlumberger Riesling “Les Princes Abbes,” 2008; $21.99
Flinty, mineral, petrol aroma; full flavored, with lemon zest brightness, racy acidity and hints of pear and honey.
Gewurztraminer
Domaines Schlumberger Gewurztraminer “Les Princes Abbes,” 2008; $29.99
Warm spicy aroma with a touch of brine and earth; loaded with flavorful, unctuous, lush caramelized peach notes; long, lovely finish.
Dopff & Irion Gewurztraminer, 2011; $21.99
Spicy carnation aroma; bold and spicy on the palate with big peppery notes and a rich, buttery burnt-sugar finish.
Pinot Noir
Robert Klingenfus Pinot Noir, 2010; $14.99
Pleasant Bing cherry aroma with hints of black tea, forest floor and mushroom; lovely, bright cherry/berry flavor with notes of cracked black pepper and minerals.
Prices may vary.
WineFinds
White – California
Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc, 2010 (Napa Valley); $20
Very inviting honey/lemon aroma with notes of flowers and grass; deliciously tart and refreshing, loaded with bright lemon and grapefruit zest.
Grgich Hills Estate Fumé Blanc, 2011 (Napa Valley); $30
Floral grapefruit zest aroma with subtle herb undercurrent; full of crisp, concentrated Clementine flavor with grassy notes and a zesty finish.
White – Germany
Carl Ehrhard Rüdesheimer Riesling Kabinett Trocken, 2011 (Rheingau); $15.99
Aroma notes of minerals and petrol with undercurrents of candied orange; bright, crisp and mouthwatering with clean, bright citrus flavors.
Carl Ehrhard Riesling Spätlese Feinherb, 2009 (Rheingau); $23.99
Aromas of spice, minerals and petrol with subtle citrus undertones; rich and concentrated, full of slate and minerals with an apple peel/lemon drop finish.
Karl Kaspar Riesling Kabinett, 2010 (Mosel); $13.99
Delightful aroma of minerals, honey and pear; lightly textured and refreshing, full of lush flavors of white peaches and orange with crisp balancing acidity.
Red- Australia
Red Knot Shiraz, 2011 (McLaren Vale); $14
Inviting aroma of baking spice, black currant and eucalyptus with subtle floral notes; bold and full bodied, with generous ripe fruit and bright cherry skin/black pepper finish.
Red Knot Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 (McLaren Vale); $14
Very deep color with aromas of spicy brambles, new leather, black licorice and earth; bold and tannic, with wild berry flavors and a peppery finish.
Shingleback The Davey Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 (McLaren Vale); $22
Deep, nearly opaque purple; aromas of black plums and Bing cherries with a touch of violet and fruit leather; big tannins and bold dried cherry flavor.
Shingleback The Davey Estate Shiraz, 2011 (McLaren Vale); $22
Enticing cocoa/mocha aroma with notes of rich fruit and vanilla; ripe, big and bold with solid tannins and concentrated flavor of black berries, dark plums and Black Mission figs.
Red – California
Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 (Napa Valley); $28
Appealing aromas of rose petals, violets, fresh berries and clove; delicious, elegant and perfectly balanced with ripe fruit and clean acidity.
Mettler Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 (Lodi); $24.99
Smoky campfire aroma with notes of clove, eucalyptus and boysenberry; leathery, spicy blueberry and vanilla notes on the palate, with firm tannins and cocoa finish.
Mettler Family Vineyards Petite Sirah, 2010 (Lodi); $24.99
Deep magenta color with inviting aromas of warm spice, violets and smoky berries; juicy and jammy with lush texture and rich, concentrated flavors of chocolate-covered cherries.
Dry Creek Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel, 2010 (Sonoma County); $19
Seductive aromas of black licorice, blueberries, bergamot, dark chocolate and violets; an elegant, balanced Zin with lovely berry bowl flavors and a clean, long finish.
Red – Washington State
Waterbrook Malbec, 2011 (Columbia Valley); $12
Deep magenta color with chocolate and violet notes on the nose; juicy, fruity, full black fruit flavor with bright acidity and a brisk, peppery finish.
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Prices may vary.
Bargain Buzz
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Franco Serra Gavi DOCG, 2011; $9.99
Bright straw color with aromas of pineapple, lime zest and subtle minerals; bright, crisp lemongrass flavor and a pleasant mineral finish.
Tasting Notes:
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Baron De Hoen Pinot Blanc, 2011 (Alsace); $12.99
Warm butterscotch notes on the nose; rich, full and opulent mouth feel and flavor – almost chewy in texture with great balancing acidity.
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Baron De Hoen Riesling, 2011 (Alsace); $12.99
Seductive aroma of honey, minerals and tangerine with a petrol undercurrent; beautiful – crisp, bright and racy with great balance and ripe fruit.
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Baron De Hoen Gewurztraminer, 2011 (Alsace); $14.99
Luscious, sweet lychee and spice aroma with honey overtones; thick with rich, spicy Yellow Delicious apple flavor and a lingering finish.
WineFinds
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Martin & Weyrich Moscato Allegro, 2011 (California); $12
Aperitif: California Lovely aroma of pear, orange and maraschino cherry with honeysuckle notes; sweet and lush with delicate citrus and honey flavors.
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Martin & Weyrich Pink Moscato Allegro, 2011 (California); $12
Aperitif: California Aromas of cherry and sweet spice with floral undercurrents; sweet berries and honey on the palate.
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Carl Ehrhard Riesling Kabinett Feinherb, 2010 (Rheingau); $17.99
White: Germany Loaded with mineral aroma backed up by crisp apple and spice; full of life, with bright, racy, zesty flavors that explode in the mouth.
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Canoe Ridge Vineyard “The Expedition” Chardonnay, 2011 (Horse Heaven Hills); $15
White: Washington State Crisp apple aroma with subtle creamy vanilla and tropical fruit notes; richly textured with luscious flavors of mango, pineapple and guava.
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Waterbrook Chardonnay, 2011 (Columbia Valley); $12
White: Washington State Pineapple aroma with hints of toasty caramel; classic, balanced oaked Chardonnay style with full fruit and toasty roundness.
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Slantwalk Malbec, 2011 (Mendoza); $23
Red: Argentina Deep, inky color and rich, concentrated ripe fruit aroma with some underlying earthiness; full bodied, with solid tannins and a peppery finish.
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19 Crimes Red Wine, 2012 (South Eastern Australia); $12.99
Red: Australia Deep violet/magenta color and bold, juicy aroma with brambly eucalyptus notes; clean, bright and juicy with fresh, ripe berry flavor.
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Waterstone Pinot Noir, 2009 (Carneros); $22
Red: California Earthy aroma with notes of mushrooms, forest floor, clove and smoky berries; full flavored, with smoky, spicy red fruit and a lingering peppery finish.