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Friday, May 16, 2008
Robert Mondavi, 1913-2008
Robert Mondavi died this morning at the age of 94, according to this story from the Napa Register.
Mondavi’s name was virtually synonymous with California wine, and his contributions to the development of winemaking in this country are incalculable.
Click here for the San Francisco Chronicle’s coverage and here for Wine Spectator’s coverage of Mr. Modavi’s passing.
Do you have any personal memories of Mondavi or his wines? Please post a comment and share them with Uncorked readers.
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Stamping out wine snobbery and elitism, one festival at a time
Most of you Dayton-area readers of Uncorked already know all of traditional reasons that the Fleurs de Fete has evolved over 17 years into this region’s premier wine-and-food event: the 400-plus wines, the food samples from 25 area restaurants, the great outdoor venue at Carillon Historical Park, the music, the highly entertaining live and silent auctions, and the, um … unparalleled people-watching.
Now, here’s another reason why this event continues to have such a good vibe: all of the attendees are on equal (if sometimes soggy) footing. No special VIP tastings, tents or events. Organizers of the Fleurs de Fete — unlike their colleagues who oversee the Cincinnati International Wine Festival — have resisted the temptation to make a few quick & easy bucks by setting up events that would allow a privileged few to separate themselves from the unwashed. (The Cincy winefest earlier this year offered a “Special Tasting Room” where festival-goers could, as the festival’s web site put it, “Enjoy High End wines for one hour prior to the Grand Tastings” for an “additional charge of $35 for 7 tastes.” As if the grand tastings didn’t offer enough wines?)
Why is that important? Because wine already has a reputation for snobbery and elitism that discourages people from learning about and enjoying this natural, potentially healthful mealtime beverage. The VIP events for high-rollers only just cement that reputation for snobbery and elitism. Wine doesn’t need it, and festival organizers shouldn’t promote it, even if it costs them some short-term gain.
I brought this up with Lynda Weide, vice president of corporate and community wellness for the Wellness Connection of the Dayton Region, the organization that promotes early detection and treatment of heart disease and cancer and which benefits from the Fleurs de Fete. Weide acknowledged that the idea of holding such separate VIP events “has been brought up” — but rejected.
“The philosophy of this event since its inception was to make it approachable to all people who wanted to learn about and explore wine,” Weide said. “We didn’t want it to be an event of privilege or make any part of it exclusive.”
I’ll drink to that.
Now it could be argued, I suppose, that the $60 price tag keeps out plenty of folks who want to learn more about wine, and while that may be true, just compare the Fleurs de Fete to other cities’ charitable wine events — many of which start at $100 before all the VIP stuff — and for all of the incredible food and great wines available at the Fleurs, our event comes off looking like a bargain. And Weide points out that the wine distributors and restaurants at the Fleurs de Fete are donating everything consumed at the event.
Oh, and one other reason to attend this year: at 1:30 p.m., half an hour into the event, there will be a tribute toast to Doug Simon.
The Fleurs de Fete will be held this Sunday, May 18, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Carillon. Advance tickets, which cost $60, are available at local wine shops through the end of the day Saturday. Or buy ‘em at the door for $65.
See you there.
Mark Fisher
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Best wine-tasting list in ‘murrica
Tastings? Check. Dinners? Check. Other special wine events? You betcha. Just click on the “continue reading” link, and silently thank the Dayton-based wine listserv that compiles the list you’re about to read.
Sunday, May 18, 2008 1-4 pm, $60 in advance, $65 at the gate. Fleurs de Fete Wine and Gourmet Food Festival featuring more than 300 wines and food offerings from over 25 Dayton restaurants. Rain or Shine. Purchase tickets at many local wine stores or online at www.wellness-connection.org
Jay’s Kitchen Door Friday, May 16, 2008 4-8 pm 2006 Max Richter Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling 2005 Care - Syrah, Tempranillo, and Garnacha Blend 2005 Chateau Pey Latour 2005 Chateau La Garde 2004 Hess Collection Cabernet
Saturday, May 17, 2008 1-6 pm 2006 Fieldstone Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Tamarack Cellars Merlot 2005 Chateau Paveil De Luze 2004 Don Melchor Cabernet
RSVP 222-2892 for all Dinners and Luncheons
Saturday, May 31, 2008 Copper River Salmon Luncheon $67.50 Tuna Nicoise Salad, Duo of Dungeness Crab Cakes with Avocado and Mango, Cedar Planked Salmon with Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes and Summer Vegetables, Lemon and Plum Bread Pudding with Mascarpone Ice Cream
Arrow Far Hills - Kettering Saturday, May 17, 2008 11-4 pm 2007 Toad Hollow Rose 2006 Toad Hollow Chardonnay 2006 Owen Roe Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir 2005 Di Arie Southern Exposure Zinfandel 2004 Estampa Gold Assemblage 2005 Steltzner Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon
Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Oakwood Friday, May 16, 2008 5-8 pm Monchof ’06 Riesling Liopart Brut Rose Faiveley ’04 Bourgogne La Ca Nova ’03 Barbaresco Alios ’05 Syrah Crios ’06 Cabernet Brown Bag
Saturday, May 17, 2008 1-6 pm Torbreck ’06 Semillon Newton ’06 Unfiltered Chardonnay Carmody McKnight ’02 Merlot St. Cosme ‘03 St. Joseph Ben Marco ’06 Malbec X Winery ’05 Cabernet Bonus Bottle
DLM Washington Square Thursday, May 8, 2008 5-8 pm 2006 Schloss Gobelsberger Gruner Veltliner Steinsetz 2007 Triennes Rose 2006 Alberto Longo Primitivo 2004 Cedro do Noval Douro 2005 Chateau d’Escourac Medoc Encore Wine
Saturday, May 17, 2008 12-5 pm 2007 Las Brisas 2005 Vinum Cellars White Elephant 2007 Mandolin Pinot Noir 2004 La Corte Solyss 2005 Penley Estate Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 John Duval Entity Encore Wine
Dorothy Lane Springboro Friday, May 16, 2008 Posenato Soave Classico 2006 Posenato Valpolicella 2005 First Drop Dos Por Ciento 2% 2005 R & B Cellars Napa Cabernet 2001 Mystery wine
Saturday, May 17, 2008 12-5 pm Brander Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Patz and Hall Chardonnay 2005 Alexander Valley Cyrus 2004 Dominio de Atauta Ribera del Duero 2004 Finca Dofi Priorat 1999
Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar, 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm, Friday 11:30 - 8 pm Saturday 11:30 - 7 pm www.cuveewinebar.net Tasting from Friday, May 16 -Thursday, May 15, 2008 J.K.Carriere 2007 Glass - (Rose of Pinot Noir) Turkey Flat 2007 Rose Gruet 2006 Chardonnay Shooting Star Zinfandel 2006 Onix Priorat J.K. Carriere 2006 Provocateur Pinot Noir Turkey Flat 2005 Shiraz
Beer: A new beer Saturday Food: Smoked Trout Spread
Saturday, 10 minute chair massages 12:30-3:30.
Wednesday, June 11, 2006 (drop-in) 5-7 pm Adelsheim Vineyards Tasting with Michael Adelsheim. Details to follow.
Arrow Centerville 937-433-6778 615 Lyons Rd Centerville Friday, May 16, 2008 5-7 pm Beer Tasting Christian Moerlein Lager… Christian Moerlein Barbarossa Double Dark Lager… Christian Moerlein Emancipator Dopplebock… Hofbrau Maibock… Sinebrychoff Porter
Saturday, May 17, 2008 11 am-5 pm Wine Tasting 2006 Del Rio Rose Jolee… Rock Point White… 2006 Schild Estate Shiraz… 2005 Posenato Valpolicella Classico… 2004 Callabriga Douro Red
Tuesday May 20, 2008 5-8 pm Bouchaine Vineyards Tasting Winemaker and General Manager Michael Richmond and Greg Gauthier, Vice President of Sales and Marketing from Bouchaine Vineyards, Napa Valley and Carneros California will be available to discuss an array of their wines.
Rue Dumaine www.ruedumainerestaurant.com Tuesday, May 20, 2008 5-7 pm DOMAINE DE NOIRÉ Rosé Cabernet Franc Chinon, 2006 ARTAZURI Rosé Garnacha Navarra, 2007 TURKEY FLAT Rosé Grenache Barossa Valley, 2007
The Wine Gallery and Cafe, Corner of 3rd and Wayne Wednesday, May 21, 2008 5:30-8:30 pm Special Tasting with Tony Cotturi featuring 5 organic wines: sauvignon blanc, cab sauvignon, syrah and zinfandel.
Market Wine Imports, Second Street Public Market Saturday, May 17, 2008 8AM to 1PM. Value wine tasting!
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 937-320-9548 Wine Wednesdays 5pm to 8pm in the bar. Wednesday, May 21, 2008
A Taste of Wine 90 S. Main St Miamisburg, OH 937.247-1120 This week’s wines:
Thursday May 8, 2008 Norton Tasting & Tapas May 16 A Taste of Miamisburg 5 - 9pm
Trader Joe’s in Kettering. Tastings Thursday 6:00-8:00 and Sunday 4:00-7:00. Segura Viudas Brut Reserva (NV) DO Cava, Spain. Bear’s Lair Chardonnay (2005) California. Charles Shaw White Zinfandel (2007) California. Three Knights Pinot Noir (2006) AVA Russian River Valley, California. Chateau Coucy (2001) AOC Montagne Saint-Emilion, France.
Winds Cafe, Yellow Springs May 16, 2008 Southern French Wine Tasting 7:00 pm $40./person. Call 937-767-9441 for reservations.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Domaine Serene Dinner & Wine Tasting 6:30 pm
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant Wednesday, May 28, 2008 6:30 pm $60 includes gratuity Rocco delle Macie Winery Dinner with winery World Ambassador, Vito Candelo Five courses, Five wines Reservations Limited
Cork-n-Vine Wine Cellar in Troy, Ohio May 16, 2008 at 5 pm - May 23, 2008 Red Flight Greg Norman Pinot Noir Zolo Malbec Clos Du Bois Zinfandel Joseph Carr Cabernet
White Flight Covey Run Pinot Grigio Meridian Chardonnay Chateau Souverain Chardonnay Michael David Symphony(Blend)
Friday May 16 Special Guest Brew Master Angelo Fields from Anheuser Busch 6-9 pm at Dagwoods
Miami Valley Wine & Spirits 943 West Main St., Tipp City, Oh. 45371 Friday May 16, 2008 5-9pm 8 3oz pours of beer and broasted wings and potatoes.
Bella Vino Wine Merchant & Bar, Springboro, OH 45066 Thursday, May 1, 2008 5:30-7:30pm. Saturday May 17, from 2:00-4:00 Lucien Albrecht Pinot Blanc Joseph Drouhin White Burgundy Joseph Drouhin LaForet Bourgogne Domaine Chateau de Rothschild Bordeaux Rouge Chateau Fleur Haut Gaussens Bordeaux supérieur
