Category Archives: Whites

Up the Creek to Find a Hidden Gem

Up the Creek wine flight

Up the Creek wine flight

With the dog days of summer nipping at our heels, my friend, Shelly, and I decided to take a little road trip. The past few weeks had been incredibly busy for us and we needed to find a place that we could just relax, decompress, and sample some wine. Shelly was already familiar with Thorn Creek Winery, having planned an event with them last year but it was new to me ~ not that I ever need any arm twisting to check out a winery.

Located in Aurora, OH and only 30 minutes by car from downtown Cleveland, Thorn Creek, is a sweet ride to rustic charm, beautiful gardens and some nice wine. Established in 2005, owner David Thorn envisioned what would become the Thorn Creek experience; old world European ambience, blended with a casually elegant vibe.

Before we ordered our wine flight, we took a little tour of the gardens and winery. Down stairs was a beautiful event space that juxtaposed a smaller nightclub feel with the warmth of a winery cellar due, in part to the wooden casks that lined the walls. Outside, the gardens unfolded almost labyrinth like, winding casually from an old English courtyard, through a lanterned brick pathway to a tented waterfall garden wedding space.

Thorn Creek’s approach to winemaking includes purchasing select grape products from other wine growing regions around the country; then marrying those qualities with grapes native to Ohio. For our wine flight, we chose Up the Creek, which included Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Cab Sauvignon, Merlot,  Aurora Cream Red, and Aurora Cream White. We paired our wine samples with seasonal strawberry lettuce wraps and some amazing braised short rib sliders, which brought more depth to our wine selections.

My pick: the Pinot Grigio, which had a great honey-like vibe and texture. It paired beautifully with the strawberries, goat cheese and chocolate dusted almonds. Shelly liked the Cab reserve, which we had in addition to our flight. She found it had a slight pepper-y finish on its own but when paired with the sliders, awakened a more full bodied warmth.

One of the things I enjoy about life in Cleveland is the incredible variety of urban and rural experiences; both are cool in their own unique way. Nearby destinations like Thorn Creek give the experience of being at a Napa winery getaway without feeling like you’ve really left the city.

Cheers!

©TheWineStudent, 2014

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Who Cut the Cheese?

 

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Well, I did. It was another fantastic day in the Cleve, I was communing with nature on my patio so I cut a few pieces of Sartori MontAmore cheese to pair with my 2012 Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc. It had a creamy, sweet/savoury vibe that brought out the refreshing vegetal quality in the wine. I won’t deny it, I supplied it ~ and it made the second day of summer even nicer.

Cheers!

When Stoned Isn’t Always So Much Cooler

It was bright, sunny, hot (yes) and crystal clear here in the Cleve. And like the summer romance that vanishes by Labor Day, I chose to make the most of it while it was here. I wanted a little glass of Chard to toast a beautiful late afternoon but nothing was cold (stupid fridge ~  for not knowing what I needed before I knew what I needed). Bah! And so I did something one should never do with any white wine ~ I opened it anyway and tried to chill it with some frozen whiskey stones. Desperate times called for somewhat desperate measures. How did they fare? About as well as you can imagine … notsomuch. While they created a nice little bubbly effect on the glass, they didn’t help cool the temp to drinkable. But then again, they’re not really designed for wine.

Well, live and learn. And in future, I’ll make sure I always have a couple of bottles on the chill. Because that’s so much cooler for me if I do.

Cheers!

©TheWineStudent, 2014

Lusca the Irish: Wine from the Emerald Isle

Kiss me! I’m Irish. Actually, I am. And for these past three St. Patrick’s holidays, I’ve been on a quest to find the elusive Irish wine. Coming up about as lucky as a sliding down a banister with the splinters pointing in the wrong direction, I found nothing that was a true wine made exclusively in Ireland. So I wrote instead about Mead ~ and while it is a traditional Irish honey fermented drink, it’s not wine in the sense of the true grape nectar. Faith and begorrah, I searched today and found a little pot ‘o’ gold at the end of the rainbow. The third time was definitely the charm.

Planted in 2002 by David Llewelyn, Lusca Irish Wine currently produces a small trove of about 300 bottles per year of: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Dunkfelder and Rondo. Sauvignon Blanc, Gerwurztraminer and Schoenberger round out their whites. Vineyards are planted near their orchards, just outside the village of Lusk , and use cloche-like polythene structures to encase the vines during the summer months. They find that this helps protect the fruit and foliage canopy from rain, subsequent rot, disease and insects ~ negating the need for pesticides. It also acts to increase temperatures helping to mature the late-ripening fruit.

The wine is made exclusively from their own grapes, using simple winemaking methods, natural filtration processes and is hand bottled and labelled. These are some mighty young wines, to be sure, but may be worth a sample after a wee bit of cellaring to gain some depth and complexity.

Lusca wines are currently available from www.winesonthegreen.com.

As my Da used to say when he’d toast the day, “May the good Lord take a liking to you … But not too soon!”

Slainte!

©TheWineStudent, 2014

Vina Medicata ~ The Doctor is In… Your Glass

What’s good for the heart may also be very good for lung cancer. In a groundbreaking study just published in  Cancer Cell International, investigators from Brock and McMaster universities in Canada have shown that wines are effective in stopping the spread of non-small-cell carcinoma.

Over the past few years, much has been written about the benefits of  polyphenol resveratrol on cardiovascular health, confirming that drinking a glass of red wine a day can help keep the heart surgeon away.

In cancer, cell damage occurs from oxidation, a process that releases harmful free radicals. Polyphenol resveratrol, is a potent antioxidant that prevents this damage. The significance of this study: This is the first time that researchers have demonstrated this link using actual wine instead of a synthetic form.

Evangelia Tsiani, associate professor of community health sciences at Brock University and Dr. Theos Tsakiridis, from the Radiation Oncology division at McMaster University’s Department of Oncology, looked at the effects of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Riesling on Non-Small Lung Cancer Cells (NSLCC). Using wine from Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries, they found strong data suggesting that wine may have “considerable anti-tumour and chemoprevention properties in lung cancer and deserves further systematic investigation in animal models of lung cancer.”

While all the reds had a significant effect, and in small doses, the Pinot Noir was the most effective. White wines produced an effect that was evident but higher doses were required to be significant. And as with most things in life, moderation is key. Too much of a good thing will not help increase the result, and it’ll just give you a sore head in the morning.

According to Mark McNeil [via the Hamilton Spectator], just eating the wine grapes was not identified by the research team as a beneficial way to deliver the resveratrol needed to obtain these results ~ it may be a combination of resveratrol and the various, currently unidentified, chemicals in fermentation that impact the cancer cells.

While more investigation is needed to determine whether this study will yield the same effect in animals, it’s an excellent step in the right direction for helping prevent the progression of a disease that affects so many.

So drink up! In many cases, it’s just what the doctor ordered.

Cheers!

©TheWineStudent, 2014

MmmmmMonday :)

Quick and easy ~ that’s what I wanted for tonight’s dinner. I made a potato | leek soup in about 30 minutes and followed it with a tossed salad to which I added some cubed, rich and creamy smoked Gouda. Although the weather in the Cleve has still been snowy and cold, I thought I’d trade my usual red for a  nice 2012 Parducci Small Lot Blend Chardonnay. It had been chilling for a while (so I put on another sweater before I poured my glass). Waiting for HubbyDoug to get home ~ downtown Cleve traffic can be a bit snarled this time of day ~ I thought I’d sample a tiny bit of the wine with a few small bites of the gouda all on its own. The smooth and soft consistency, and delicate yet lush, smoke undertones of the cheese was heightened by the lively peach and pineapple essence of the Chard. So nice.

Enjoying a little cheese and wine helped to pass the time until  we were all together to enjoy a cosy night at home, and start our week off on a high note.

Cheers!

©TheWineStudent, 2014

Top Three Picks for Thanksgiving Dinner: Red, White and Bubbles

The snow is starting to swirl and I’m so excited to see my sisters, Megan and Shiona, who are coming to visit for the holiday! This year, instead of my safe and sure one wine dinner, I want to make it a little more festive. We’re still going to serve Pinot Noir ~ it’s a favorite of HubbyDoug and I’m thankful for him, so without question, it’s on the menu.

But I’ve found myself enjoying whites this year; George at Royal Park Fine Wine in Strongsville suggested Gerwurztraminer as a nice change of pace. He said that the spice of this wine would beautifully coax out the flavors of the turkey (which on its own can be a little mellow) and any vegetable dishes we had on the side.

Two should do, right? No, I don’t think so. I wanted to begin the celebration on a fun note. Bring on the bubbly!

So… here are my choices for Thanksgiving dinner, 2013:

 2012 LaMarca Prosecco (Italy) ~ It was described as a great sparkler that was not lip puckering dry, but also not cloyingly sweet. The tasting notes say that it is fresh and vibrant feel with essences of golden apple, white peach and honeysuckle. I believe I’ll pair this with a warm Brie and toast points, and fresh fruit.

2012 Villa Wolf Gerwurztraminer (Germany) ~ Combining fruit and spice should be a nice counterbalance to the mild turkey, and just enough acidity to cut through some of the fat from the gravy.

2012 Decoy Pinot Noir (Sonoma County) ~ Steadfast and true, Pinot Noir, with its low to medium tannins is a staple for lighter fare. Since it is also has high acidity, it, too, will be perfect with lots of gravy and mashed potatoes dripping with butter (blood pressure cuff not included). Tasting notes say that essences of red fruit (red cherry, strawberry and the tang of raspberry) are prominent. I think it’ll be interesting to experience how differently the food tastes with each wine choice.

I am thankful for wonderful family and friends; those who have made a long trip to be with us in the Cleve, and those who are with us in spirit. And I feel very thankful to those of you who read the blog. It means a great deal to me.

No matter what you choose to pair with your holiday dinner, I hope you all have a wonderful, happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Cheers!

©TheWineStudent, 2013

Tricks and Treats!

It’s my favorite time of year: Halloween. And in the spirit of the holiday (that’s a pun ~ so please, take a sip), I chose three different wines that embody this seasonal vibe. I chose them, not based on their wine merits, but the label art (bad Wine Student, bad). I thought they looked fun, and if they happen not to be too bad in my skull goblet, then it’s a happy surprise. And isn’t being taken by surprise what Halloween is all about?

So, Igor, get the corkscrew and let’s get on with the tasting! After all, these bottles won’t open themselves… or will they??

  • Treat White ~  A ’12 white table wine from Chateau Diana Winery in California, I found Treat to be a pleasant enough white. As light in color as a scarecrow’s locks, it had a nose that I had to work a bit for. Once I got there, it had a light pineapple essence. It was as refreshing and tang-y; a little like a lemon drop. It had a surprising little cream-y finish that wasn’t as long-lasting as a handful of candy corn, but was still satisfying. Would I sip it in a Cleveland boneyard way after dark? Probably not. With the temps dipping to near-freezing, my old bones need a little something beefier to keep them warm.
  • Zombie Zin ~  also from Chateau Diana winery, this Zombie was a skull-chewing, brain sucking little Zin ~ but that might be the acidity. The nose (which didn’t fall off) had a bright, cherry vibe and it had a clear, claret color that turned a cool purple in the setting sun. Most Zins I’ve had in the past have been very creamy, full-bodied and rich. This one at first taste seemed  young, and a little thin but it settled into a finish of buttery coconut that I found I could sink my teeth into.
  • Skeleton Malbec ~  from Skeleton Vineyards was  deep blood-red in color.  At first sniff, I detected a waft of perfume;  maybe dried black roses from a long forgotten  wreath?  It tasted of blackberry jam and spice, with an earthy quality. Much like the Zombie Zin, the mouthfeel was lighter than expected from an Argentina Malbec. It seemed as though it needed a little more time in the catacombs. It wasn’t bad, but not quite what I was expecting at first sip.

I realize that most Halloween- themed wines are just that; fermented fun with cool labels that look funky on a decorated bar. Pair them with the right ghoul and you’ll probably have a great night.

Which wine made the cut for the skull goblet? The Zombie Zin. I couldn’t help it; zombie see, zombie drink.

Cheers, and Happy Halloween!

©TheWineStudent, 2013

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Summer Solstice, Wine, and Finding a G-Spot?

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Wait. What? Yeah, I thought the same thing when I saw the list of wine offerings last weekend at the 11th Annual Sarah’s Vineyard Summer Solstice Festival in Cuyahoga Falls. I’d been looking forward to this event for a while because I had wanted try some other local wineries in North East Ohio that I’ve yet to visit. It’s great  because you can sample from many local wineries that aren’t always featured at other wine events in and around the Cleve. We started by sampling Sarah’s Vineyard‘s top three; The Sweet Elisa ~ a Concord and Niagara grape blend; Painted Lady ~ Riesling and Chardonnay and the Miserabile ~ A Tuscan blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Zin ~ their biggest seller of the festival’s first two nights. The woman next to me described it as ‘powerful’ and it was probably the most interesting and complex of the wines we sampled.

The best wine name had to go to Red Horse Winery’s G-Spot; a Riesling blended with a tart little hint of Granny Smith apple. I’m not one for apple wine but this wasn’t a bad combination; refreshing and crisp, it definitely got everyone’s attention. HubbyDoug’s pick of the day was their Pinot Noir.

I liked Mastropietro‘s  Chambourcin ~ which, served slightly chilled, seemed to have a little more depth of flavor than normally found in a typical blush. It provided a nice, light sip on this smokin’ hot day.

Summer Solstice is a time when we celebrate the promise of wonderful things to come. This festival was a great celebration of some Ohio wineries’ proud offerings of the season.

Cheers!

©TheWineStudent, 2013

2013 Cleveland Wine Festival

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The night breeze was almost tropical. And that’s saying something for the Cleve. Every year, I look forward to going to the Cleveland Wine Festival at Voinovich Park, and this year it was spectacular. My friends, HubbyDoug and I arrived early enough to sample responsibly and get a good look at this year’s offerings. The pick of the night for my friends Terri and Shelly: the 2012 Estancia Moscato. Light and refreshing, it delivered a nice complexity with the sweetness, which made it a good sipping wine ~ requiring seconds (and thirds) to get the ‘full view’ of flavors. At least, that’s what they told me.

What I found most interesting this year was seeing a real change in label art. Many of the brands represented moved towards (especially for their entry-level wines) more eye-catching, funky artwork; spectrum of pastel to neon to color-blocked lettering, backgrounds, and lots of movement on the label. Be.Wines had a little test you could take to discover what type of wine suited you. I thought it’d be really interesting to see how the test scores changed as the night went on; someone who started the evening as a steadfast golden retriever (one of the choices) might end up as a jungle cat by closing time. Rowrrr!  They seemed to be reaching their target market; I saw a lot of  Millennial ladies taking the test as the night went on.

Many Ohio wines were well-represented and my choice for the evening was Laurello Vineyards Rodavi, a 50 | 50 blend of Merlot and  Cabernet Franc.I’m not always a fan of Merlot but blended with their Cab Franc, it brought an extra dimension of fruit and tannin that I don’t find with Merlot on its own.  I was also fortunate to sample a little of their 2012 Cabernet Franc, which I found to be a delicate combination of red cherry and a hint of vanilla.

When all the elements come together to make a great evening: good weather, great friends, food and wine, you can’t ask for anything more.

Cheers!

©TheWineStudent, 2013