Welcome to ActiveDayton!

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30

Home > Blogs > Uncorked > Archives > 2008 > November

November 2008

Giving thanks for wine events like these

By Mark Fisher | Friday, November 28, 2008, 06:43 AM

Thanksgiving indeed. It is time to give thanks for the bestest wine tastings and events list on either side of the MIssissippi, and for the Dayton-based listserv that compiles it, and most of all, for the wine shops, grocers, restaurants and wineries that offer us this bountiful harvest every week. You rock. Click on “continue reading” below to gaze upon the wonders in store for us …

The following list is copied and pasted from a Dayton-based wine listserv:

Check out The Ohio River Valley Annual Barrel Tasting Tour, Saturday November 29 at the bottom of the list.

The list is light due to the Thanksgiving holiday! If additional tastings arrive Friday, I will send an updated list.

Jay’s Kitchen Door

Going to Jay’s this weekend? Help personalize the Back Door Christmas tree by bringing an ornament and receive a treat!

Friday, Nov 28, 2008 4-8 pm 2007 Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc 2007 McManus Syrah Petite 2005 Caravan Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Ch Les Grauds Chenes (Medoc) 2003 Ch Monbousquet Saint Emillon

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 1-6 pm NV Henriot 2003 Moccagatta Basarin Barbaresco 2005 Pride Cabernet 2004 Le Petite Mouton De Mouton Rothschild

RSVP 222-2892 for all Dinners and Luncheon 12:30 pm Saturday, Dec 6, 2008 Merryvale Wine Luncheon $65 Roasted Pear and Cauliflower Soup with Brie and Toasted Almonds Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Tart with Black Olive Veal Reduction Beef Tenderloin with Potato Cake and Twiced Baked Spinach Souffle Truffle Tartlets

Arrow Far Hills - Kettering

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 11-4 pm 2008 Kim Crawford Sauvignon blanc 2006 Talley “Olivers Vineyard” Chardonnay 2004 Coppola Rosso 2005 Old Zin Vines Old Vine Zin 2007 McManis Petite Sirah 2006 Dobbes Assemblage Cuvee Pinot Noir 2005 La Grande Clotte St. Emilion

Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Oakwood

Friday, Nov 28, 2008 5-8 pm No tasting!

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 2-6 pm Leitz Eins Zwei Dry ’07 Riesling Trocken Domaine St Michelle Brut McManis ’07 Pinot Noir Michael David ’06 Petite Petit Dominio de Atuata ’04 Ribera del Duero Estancia ’05 Meritage Bonus Bottle

DLM Washington Square

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 12-5 pm “Australia” Premier Week Fifi’s back showing her love for Australia and celebrating the release of the new Hugh Jackman/Nicole Kidman movie. NV Jacob’s Creek Brut Rose 2006 D’Arenberg “The Hermit Crab” 2005 Flinder’s Run 2005 D’Arenberg “The Custodian” 2003 Loan Shiraz 2005 Marquis Philips 9 Shiraz Encore Wine!

Dorothy Lane Springboro

The DLM store in Springboro will NOT HAVE ANY TASTINGS this weekend.

Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar , 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook 848-2161 Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm, Friday 11:30 - 8 pm Saturday 11:30 - 7 pm www.cuveewinebar.net Wines for Nov 28 - Dec 4, 2008

Beer: St. Feuillien Noel Saturday Food: TBD

Wednesday Night Soup Nights are back! 4:30 - 7 pm Dec 13 - Champagne Tasting - Details to follow Dec 18 - Port Tasting

Arrow Centerville 937-433-6778 615 Lyons Rd Centerville Friday, Nov 28, 2008 5-8 pm Beer Tasting New Holland Brewery Pilgrim’s Dole Wheat Wine… Avery Czar Imperial Stout… Avery Old Jubilation… Avery IPA… Avery Karma Belgian Style

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 11 am-5 pm Wine Tasting Scharffenberger Brut… 2007 St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc… 2007 Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling… 2007 Sketchbook Pinot Noir… 2006 Sketchbook Cabernet Sauvignon… 2005 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon… Dow’s Crusted Port

The Wine Gallery and Cafe, Corner of 3rd and Wayne Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008 5:30-8:30 pm 2006 Graziano Sauvignon Blanc, California 2003 Graziano Old Vines Zinfandel, Calilfornia 2004 Graziano Old Vines Zinfandel, California 2006 Frank Family Zinfandel, California 2006 Dusted Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State

Trader Joe’s in Kettering.

Tastings this week Friday 1:00-4:00 and Sunday 4:00-7:00. Epicuro Lazio (2007) IGT Vermentino, Italy. Epicuro Nero d’Avola (2006) IGT Sicilia, Italy. Chateau Meric (2006) AOC Medoc, France. J.W. Morris Zinfandel (2005) California. Ipsus (2006) DOC Passito di Pantelleria, Italy.

2008 Trader Joe’s Vintage Ale

Trader Joe’s Winterfest Beer.

BOOSALIS BAKING AND CAFE HOSTS HOLIDAY WINE TASTING

9486 Springboro Pike, across from Lexis-Nexis Saturday, November 29, 2008 4-7 p.m.Holiday Wine Tasting 15 includes complimentary appetizers French and Italian wines

A Taste of Wine 90 S. Main St Miamisburg, OH 937.247-1120 www.atasteofwine.org This week’s wines: Electra Orange Muscat Wine Conundrum Donder & Blitzen Chardonnay Spann Vineyards Betsy’s Backacher Mayacamas Range Comet & Cupid Cabernet Sauvignon

12/4 - Prohibition Party Tasting 12/5 - Winter Beers Tasting 12/8 - Italian Tasting with Ardie Bonanno 12/9 - Wine R Tainment Class - Tapas & Spanish Wines 12/11 - Biltmore Wines Tasting

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 937-320-9548

Wine Wednesdays 5pm to 8pm in the bar. Dec 3, 2008 5-8 pm First Wednesday, Two flights FORTY-SIX DIAMONDS Chardonnay, Pouilly-Fuisse, 2006 J. & F. LURTON Red Wine, Douro Barco Negro Portugal, 2005 RODNEY STRONG Merlot, Sonoma County, 2005 NORMAN Zinfandel, Paso Robles Mephistopheles, 2004 Each tasting is $15.00 per person

SPECIAL RESERVE FLIGHT CUVEE SAUVAGE Chardonnay, Carneros Napa Valley, 2006 HARTFORD COURT Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast Land’s Edge, 2005 LANCASTER Cabernet-Merlot, Alexander Valley, 2003

Cena Restaurant Wine Tasting

Sunday, Nov 30, 2008 3-6 pm Red -El Coto Riojo White - Friday Monkey Chardonnay

The Wind’s Cafe and Bakery - Yellow Springs Saturday, Dec 6, 2008 3 pm $50 RSVP Champagne and Sparkling Wine Tasting

December 13, 2008 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sampling 15 wines that are great for gifts or holiday gatherings. RSVP 937-767-9441. Cost is $30 per person.

Saturday, January 31, 2009 3 pm RSVP Wine 101

Little Sonoma , 6078 West Chester Road, West Chester, OH 45069.513-942-9463. Located two blocks north of Union Centre Blvd. at the corner of Muhlhauser and West Chester Roads www.LittleSonomaWines.com

Wednesday, November 26th, 4-8 pm t More Wines for Thanksgiving! Friday, November 28th, 5-8 pm and Saturday, November 29th, 3-6 pm Wines for the Holidays, Six wines

Jungle Jim’s International Market

www.junglejims.com 513-674-6000 to RSVP Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 1pm-3pm $30 Tuscan Thrillers

The Ohio River Valley Annual Barrel Tasting Tour , Saturday November 29

Five Southern Ohio Wineries Open Their Cellars To Sample Unreleased Vintages Harmony Hill Vineyards & Estate Winery (Bethel) Kinkead Ridge Estate Winery (Ripley) Burnet Ridge Winery (Cincinnati) Henke Winery (Cincinnati) Woodstone Creek Winery (Cincinnati) More information is available at www.KinkeadRidge.com/barreltasting.htm

Permalink

Comment on thisI'm no longer accepting comments here.
Go to my facebook page and click Like to comment.

Newspaper comic brings new meaning to wine bliss

By Mark Fisher | Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 08:48 PM

In case you didn’t see it in Tuesday morning’s paper, check out the Bliss comic strip (well, panel) from that day (11-25-08). Fun stuff …

Cheers!

Permalink

Comment on thisI'm no longer accepting comments here.
Go to my facebook page and click Like to comment.

5 wineries team up for Ohio River Valley Barrel Tasting Tour

By Mark Fisher | Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 06:25 AM

Those intrepid southern Ohio wineries are at it again, to wit the following news release:

THE OHIO RIVER VALLEY ANNUAL BARREL TASTING TOUR, SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29

FIVE SOUTHERN OHIO WINERIES OPEN THEIR CELLARS TO SAMPLE UNRELEASED VINTAGES

Five Southern Ohio wineries have teamed up for the “Annual Ohio River Valley Barrel Tasting Tour.” The winemakers at Harmony Hill Vineyards & Estate Winery (Bethel), Kinkead Ridge Estate Winery (Ripley), Burnet Ridge Winery (Cincinnati), Henke Winery (Cincinnati) and Woodstone Creek Winery (Cincinnati) will open their cellars to feature barrel sampling of unreleased vintages. Currently released award winning wines will also be available at the tasting counters for those interested in purchasing that special holiday gift. This is a very traditional event common in California and Oregon, for families and friends to tour their local wineries, taste current and upcoming releases and meet the winemakers. More information is available at www.KinkeadRidge.com/barreltasting.htm . Cincinnati Magazine features this event as a Top Pick for November.

Permalink

Comment on thisI'm no longer accepting comments here.
Go to my facebook page and click Like to comment.

The world’s most amazing wine tastings and events list

By Mark Fisher | Friday, November 21, 2008, 07:00 AM

Really, I’m not kidding. The MOST amazing wine tasting events list ANYwhere. It comes to Uncorked via the heroic efforts (and given the expanding nature of the list, that effort is getting more heroic by the week) of a Dayton-based listserv, and it’s yours for just a click of a mouse on “continue reading” below. Enjoy! And for information regarding Cincinnati-area wine events, go to Michelle’s My Wine Education blog.

Chin’s Ginger Grill and BOOSALIS BAKING AND CAFE are new to the list this week

Check out The Ohio River Valley Annual Barrel Tasting Tour, Saturday November 29 at the bottom of the list.

Jay’s Kitchen Door

Friday, Nov 21, 2008 4-8 pm 2006 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone White 2005 E. Guigal Crozes Hermitage 2006 Selby Cabernet 2003 Chateau Haut Carles 2004 Clos les Lunelles

Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 1-6 pm NV Gruet Brut Rose 2004 Robert Geoffier Bonne Mares 2004 Fleur Cardinale St Emilion 2006 Storybook Mountain Mayacamas Range Zinfandel

Arrow Far Hills - Kettering

Thursday, Nov 20 2008 Beaujolais-Nouveau at both Arrow locations for all-day tasting! Wines to be tasted include those from: Georges Duboeuf Joseph Drouhin Bouchard …and others

Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 11-5 p 2006 Razors Edge Shiraz Grenache 2003 Nunci Negre Priorat 2007 Wine By Joe Pinot Noir N.V Il Follo Prosecco Brut 2006 Dunham “Shirley Mays” Chardonnay 2004 Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Pumpkin Spice Liqueur

Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Oakwood

Friday, Nov 21, 2008 5-8 pm Les Jamelles ’07 Cinsault Rose Bennett Family ’05 Chardonnay GV Cellars ’05 Sangiovese Grimaldi ’03 Barolo Muga ’04 Rioja Haywood Rocky Terrace ’05 Zinfandel Brown Bag

Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 2-6 pm Oyster Bay ’08 Sauvignon Blanc Three Saints ’05 Chardonnay Little James’ Basket Press Pertimali ’06 Rosso Parcel 41 ’05 Merlot Helix ’04 Pomatia Columbia Crest ’04 Rsv. Cabernet

Thursday, November 20, 2008 5:30-8:30 Beer Tasting A guest from Goose Island will feature a large assortment of Goose Island beers. There is a nominal fee. No reservations required.

DLM Washington Square

Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 12-7pm Beaujolais Tasting

Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 5-8 pm Piemonte Tasting 2007 Cascinetta Vietti Moscato d’Asti 2006 Roero Arneis 2006 Pio Cesare Dolcetto d’Alba 2005 Neh! Rosso 2005 La Spinetta Ca di Pian Barbera d’Alba 1999 Mauro Veglio Barolo

Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 12-5 pm Thanksgiving Dinner Wines 2007 Turkey Flat Rose 2006 Lioco Stuhlmuller Chardonnay 2007 O’Reilly’s Pinot Noir 2006 Lioco Marchaud Pinot Noir 2006 Tres Picos Garnacha Encore Wine!

Dorothy Lane Market Springboro

Friday, Nov 21, 2008 3-7 pm Garofoli Verdicchio 2006 Mas Negre Priorat 2005 Dusted Valley Cabernet 2006 Franciscan Stylus 2005 Mystery Wine

Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 5-7 pm Mas de la Dame Rose 2005 La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir 2006 Chateau Peaquie Artemia 2004 Columbai Crest RSV Cabernet 2004 Anerson Conn Valley RSV Cabernet 2005

No wine tastings Friday 11-28-08 and Saturday 11-29-08

Cuvee Wine Bar and Cellar , 4457 State Route 725 Bellbrook 848-2161

Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 - 7 pm, Friday 11:30 - 8 pm Saturday 11:30 - 7 pm www.cuveewinebar.net Wines for Nov 21 - Nov 27, 2008 Le Poussin 2006 Rose Campus Oaks Almond Sparkling Wine Fritz Haag 2004 Estate Riesling Nichole Chanrion 2006 Cote de Brouilly Jean-Marc Burgaud Chateau de Thulon 2006 Beaujolais-Villages Joseoh Drouhin 2007 Morgan

Beer: St. Feuillien Noel Saturday Food: TBD

Thursday, November 20, 2008 4-7pm Food Buffalo Mozzarella with Asparagus, Tomato Relish and Balsamic Sauce French Lamb Sausage with Gamay Mustard Prosciutto Wrapped Slider with Candied Pickles

Beaujolais (not Nouveau) Jean-Marc Burgaud Chateau de Thulon 2006 Beaujolais-Villages Drouhin 2007 Morgon Nicole Chanrion 2006 Cote de Brouilly

Wednesday Night Soup Nights are back! 4:30 - 7 pm Nov 26 - Posole - Pacific Coast Mexican Tripe Dec 13 - Champagne Tasting - Details to follow Dec 18 - Port Tasting

Arrow Centerville 937-433-6778

615 Lyons Rd Centerville Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 11 am-5 pm Wine Tasting 2007 Adelsheim Rose… 2006 Toad Hollow Chardonnay… 2007 McManis Syrah… 2007 Wine by Joe Pinot Noir… 2005 Wild Hog Porter Bass Zinfandel… 2005 Steltzner Cabernet Sauvignon… 2006 Max Ferd Richter Zeppelin Riesling

Rue Dumaine www.ruedumainerestaurant.com Tuesday, Nov 25, 2008 5-7 pm Graff Family Vineyards Viognier 2007 Grenache 2006 Mourvedre 2006

The Wine Gallery and Cafe , Corner of 3rd and Wayne

Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 10:00 am to 2 pm 2007 Vega Sindon Viura-Chardonnay, Navarra, Spain 2007 Coro Sur Pinot Noir, Chile 2007 Coro Sur Carmenere, Chile 2006 Amano Chianti, Italy 2006 Domiciano de Barrancus Malbec, Argentina 2005 Rabid Red, Cabernet Sauvignon-Petite Sirah, California

Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008 5:30-8:30 pm 2006 Graziano Sauvignon Blanc, California 2004 Graziano Old Vines Zinfandel, California 2006 Frank Family Zinfandel, California 2006 Dusted Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State

Trader Joe’s in Kettering.

Tastings Thursday 6:00-8:00 and Sunday 4:00-7:00. Black Mountain Chardonnay (2006) California. Napa River Merlot (2005) AVA Napa Valley, California. Trellis Merlot (2005) AVA Sonoma County, California. Three Knights Pinot Noir (2006) AVA Russian River Valley, California. Dynamic Red Certified Biodynamic (2006) AVA Lake County, California. Charles Shaw Valdigue Nouveau (2008) California.

Trader Joe’s Winterfest Beer.

BOOSALIS BAKING AND CAFE

9486 Springboro Pike, across from Lexis-Nexis Saturday, will host a holiday wine tasting November 29, 2008 4-7 p.m.Holiday Wine Tasting 15 includes complimentary appetizers French and Italian wines

A Taste of Wine 90 S. Main St Miamisburg, OH 937.247-1120

www.atasteofwine.org This week’s wines: Conundrum Leitz- Rheingau Riesling Trocken Napa Cellars Chardonnay Bouchard Aine & Fils -Beaujolais Nouveau Veranda Pinot Noir Garnacha de Fuego

11/20 - Beaujolais Nouveau tasting 12/4 - Prohibition Party Tasting 12/11 - Biltmore Wines Tasting

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 937-320-9548

Wine Wednesdays 5pm to 8pm in the bar. Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008 simi Merlot, Sonoma County, 2004 simi Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2005 estancia Meritage, Paso Robles, 2005 enzo boglietti Red Wine, La Morra Italy, 2007

L’Auberge Restaurant RSVP 937-299-5536

www.laubergedayton.com

Sunday, Nov 23, 2008 6:00 PM $120.00 Per Person A European Xmas Dinner & Bazaar Featuring: European Game and Wines of Burgundy Bazaar will feature unique Xmas gifts for the wine lover from older vintage wines, ports and Armagnac’s to Baccarat crystal decanters. Amuse Bouche Kir Royal

1st Course Smoked Duck Salad, Beetroot Vinaigrette, Goat Cheese, Toasted Walnuts Domaine Alain Normand Macon La Roche Vineuse 2005

2nd Course Grilled Quail , Lentils, Nueske Bacon, Natural Jus Jean-Marc Brochard Petite Chablis 2006

3rd Course Roasted Wild Boar, Porcini Mushrooms, Foie Gras Cream Domaine Danjean-Berthoux Givery 1er Cru 2005

4th Course Venison, Winter Vegetable Capanota, Fig Balsamic Vinaigrette Domaine De La Vougeraie Pommard Les Petits Noizon 2002 Grand Vin Bourgogne

Dessert Molton Chocolate Lava Cake

Cena Restaurant Wine Tasting Sunday, Nov 23, 2008 3-6 pm Red -Vina Borgia Grenache White - Las Brisas Sauvignon Blanc

The Culinary Company Cross Pointe Center Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 12-6 pm Cline Viognier Parker Station Pinot Noir Primeur Beaujolais Nouveau Georges Deboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

The Wind’s Cafe and Bakery - Yellow Springs

Saturday, Dec 6, 2008 3 pm $50 RSVP Champagne and Sparkling Wine Tasting

Saturday, January 31, 2009 3 pm RSVP Wine Class Wine 101

Bella Vino Wine Merchant & Bar , Springboro, OH 45066

Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 6-8 pm W. Bergmann Auslese Riesling Banyan Gewurztraminer Travis Chardonnay Alfredo Roco Pinot Noir Campus Oaks Old Vine Zinfandel

Miami Valley Wine and Spirits Tipp City

Friday, Nov 21, 2008 5-9pm George Debouff Beajolais Nouveau Bouchard Aine & Fils Boujelese Nouveau Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin La Spinetta Moscato D’Asti St Nick Egg Nogg

Great Divide Pale Ale War Bird Irish Shanty Founders Curmudgean old ale Kwak Belgian Special Ale Avery Fifteen

Chin’s Ginger Grill , 965 West Main Street, Tipp City

www.chins-ginger-grill.com RSVP 937-667-6664 Tuesday, November 25, at 6:30 PM. $15.00 includes five wines and light appetizers Cline Viognier Rock Rabbit Sauvignon Blanc Legado Munoz Merlot Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon Guenoc California Cabernet Sauvignon.

Little Sonoma , 6078 West Chester Road, West Chester, OH

45069.513-942-9463. Located two blocks north of Union Centre Blvd. at the corner of Muhlhauser and West Chester Roads www.LittleSonomaWines.com Thursday, November 20, 2008 4-8 pm Beaujolais Nouveau! George DeBeouf.

Friday November 21, 2008 7 pm Winter REDS, Holiday Values! Saturday, November 22, 2008 3-6 pm Continuation of Winter REDS, Holiday Values!!

Jungle Jim’s International Market

www.junglejims.com 513-674-6000 to RSVP Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 1pm-3pm $125 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Vertical

La Petite France www.lapetitefrance.biz

Friday Nov. 21, 2008 at 6:30 pm $60 RSVP 513-733-8383 aperitif Malbec Rose, Los Cardos first course Sauvignnon Blsnc, Leyda pumpkin and shrimp bisque second course Pinot Noir, Villa Maria duck terrine with caramelized shallots third course Shiraz “Faith”, St. Hallett veal and tomato ragout with potatoes and cream fourth course Late Harvest Riesling, Pirramimma pumpkin bread pudding with caramel sauce and a dollop of pumpkin ice cream

The Ohio River Valley Annual Barrel Tasting Tour , Saturday November 29

Five Southern Ohio Wineries Open Their Cellars To Sample Unreleased Vintages: Harmony Hill Vineyards & Estate Winery (Bethel) Kinkead Ridge Estate Winery (Ripley) Burnet Ridge Winery (Cincinnati) Henke Winery (Cincinnati) Woodstone Creek Winery (Cincinnati) More information is available at www.KinkeadRidge.com/barreltasting.htm

Permalink

Comment on thisI'm no longer accepting comments here.
Go to my facebook page and click Like to comment.

Nouveau Day — will you be tasting?

By Mark Fisher | Thursday, November 20, 2008, 10:43 AM

Today’s the third Thursday in November, which means it’s … Nouveau Day!

Is it just me, or have I been sensing less and less enthusiasm for the special day in which Beaujolais Nouveau and other nouveau-style wines from the new vintage are released?

Many local wine shops and grocer’s wine departments are tasting all day today and/or into the evening. Call ahead to find out your favorite shop’s plans, and let us know how the wines stack up to previous vintages.

Will YOU be tasting the nouveaus today?

Permalink

Comment on thisI'm no longer accepting comments here.
Go to my facebook page and click Like to comment.

Restaurants turn to wine to ferment new ideas, attract new customers

By Mark Fisher | Thursday, November 20, 2008, 10:00 AM

The cover story in tomorrow’s Dayton Daily News Go! section is all about restaurants and how more of them are turning to wine tastings, dinners and other wine events to help them fashion their menus and wine lists — and to attract new customers.

Before we offer up a “sneak peek” at the story, you should know about the latest restaurant that didn’t make it into this story, but which is launching its first monthly wine tasting next weekend (after Thanksgiving). Boosalis Baking & Cafe at 9486 Springboro Pike in Miami Twp. will host a Holiday Wine Tasting from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, featuring ” an eclectic collection of unique French and Italian wines,” owner Matt Boosalis said. The cost is $15, which includes appetizers. For more information, call (937) 424-0636. Now, here’s what will be published Friday:

Some are searching for new customers. Others are looking for a test market for new appetizers or entrees. Others want customer feedback on which new wines to add to the wine list.

Whatever their reasons, more restaurants in the Dayton area are using wine tastings and wine dinners to try to get new, fresh faces to cross their doorsteps.

A decade ago, diners could easily count on one hand the number of restaurants that held regular wine events. Now, the number exceeds a dozen and is growing.

Cena Brazilian/Mediterranean Steakhouse, in front of the Dayton Mall, is one of the most recent to join the trend, launching a late-afternoon tasting on a day not yet taken by any other restaurant: Sundays.

“We decided to do something fun for a Sunday afternoon for little money,” Cena owner Eva Christian said of her event that offers tastes of two wines for $10 served with free appetizers. The event allows Cena to introduce wines that are not on its regular wine list, and to test-market new appetizers and wines, Christian said.

In Vandalia, the inaugural wine-and-appetizers event in October at Mr. Lee’s Fine Dining was a smashing success, with the restaurant serving up 15 appetizers accompanied by four wines to a crowd of more than 40 people. The restaurant had intended to cap the attendance at 25, but the surge in reservation requests prompted a change of heart, as well as plans for similar events in early 2009.

Keith Taylor, chef-owner of Savona Restaurant and Wine Bar in Centerville, holds a monthly wine tasting in the restaurant’s bar. He launched the idea shortly after the restaurant opened a year ago, figuring it would be a “great way to get people to try new wines for a good price.”

Now, the tastings “really have grown and become like a party,” Taylor said. “People drinking, eating and talking to one another, making new friends.

“One of the benefits we have noticed is that people are staying for dinner after the tasting. On a couple of occasions people have met other couples and stayed and had dinner with one another. I have also experimented with dishes for the appetizers, and then gotten feedback from the guests.”

Jay’s Restaurant in Dayton’s Oregon District was among the trailblazers — along with restaurants such as l’Auberge in Kettering, The Winds in Yellow Springs and Anticoli’s/Caffe Anticoli in Harrison Twp., among others — in using wine to attract customers. Today Jay’s hosts wine luncheons, dinners and weekly Friday night tastings in Jay’s Kitchen Door behind the restaurant. While reservations are required for luncheons and dinners, the Friday tastings are drop-in events in which wine samples are priced based on the wine’s expense, and complimentary appetizers are served.

Amy Haverstick, co-owner and general manager at Jay’s, said customers have benefited from the knowledge of visiting winemakers at the restaurant’s special dinners — and they’ve also boosted sales of wines sold at retail.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, which launched weekly wine tastings with appetizers in its bar just after opening at The Greene in Beavercreek, also hosts wine dinners with visiting winemakers and in conjunction with local charitable organizations such as CultureWorks. Seth Brown, operating partner for the restaurant, said the commitment to wine events “shows we’re not your typical steakhouse.”

The weekly after-work-Wednesday tastings allow the restaurant’s chefs to exercise their creativity in devising appetizers that pair nicely with the wines offered and allows them to find local sources for ingredients for those one-time appetizers, Brown said. Fleming’s tries to make the atmosphere as non-intimidating as possible, putting wine-tasting notes in writing on each table and having the restaurant’s wine manager, Diana Morrison, mingle with guests to answer questions, Brown said.

Sometimes, wine-tasting events can blur the distinction between wine bars and restaurants. On most Saturdays — and on other occasions when visiting winemakers arrange to host a public tasting of their wines at Cuvee wine bar in Bellbrook that he co-owns — chef Chris Cavender will put together a menu of small-plate appetizers to accompany the wines. The appetizers could include, as they did for a visiting winemaker’s appearance last month, cold poached salmon with chardonnay sauce or cider-roasted rack of pork chop with squash puree.

Art and Carol Chin held wine tastings and dinners frequently at the now-defunct Chin’s restaurant in downtown Dayton — and that tradition continues at their Tipp City restaurant, Chin’s Ginger Grill, which hosts monthly wine (and occasionally beer) tastings paired with test-drive appetizers.

“Our initial reasons for starting the tastings were to market ourselves and bring diners in,” Carol Chin said. “But we also do frequently use the tastings to try out new menu items.” (A wild mushroom dumpling I sampled several weeks ago at one of the restaurant’s monthly wine tastings “made the cut” and is now on the menu.)

In the end, though, Chin said the restaurant has continued the tastings “because they’re really quite fun for our customers and our staff, and they’re also a great way to make wine more approachable for a wide variety of wine drinkers, including novices.”

For a list of restaurants that have frequent or regular tastings, click on “continue reading” …

RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE REGULAR OR FREQUENT WINE DINNERS/TASTINGS

— L’Auberge, 4120 Far Hills Ave. in Kettering, holds frequent wine dinners. (937) 299-5536, www.laubergedayton.com

— Cena Brazilian/Mediterranean Steakhouse, 2854 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Miami Twp., holds weekly tastings from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, (937) 438-2362, www.cenarestaurant.com

— Chin’s Ginger Grill, 965 W. Main St., Tipp City, holds monthly wine tastings with appetizers, (937) 667- 6664, www.chins-ginger-grill.com

— DiSalvo’s Deli, 1383 East Stroop Road in Kettering, offers a monthly wine tasting in conjunction with a special dinner. 937-298-5053, www.disalvosdeli.com.

— Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 4432 Walnut St. at The Greene in Beavercreek, holds weekly tastings on Wednesday after work, and frequent wine dinners. (937) 320-9548, www.flemingssteakhouse.com

— The Inn at Versailles, 21 West Main Street, Versailles, holds frequent wine dinners, (937) 526-3020, www.innatversailles.com

— Jay’s, 225 E. Sixth St. in Dayton’s Oregon Historic District, holds weekly drop-in tastings after work on Fridays and frequent wine luncheons and dinners, (937) 222-2892, www.jays.com

— McCormick & Schmick’s, 4429 Cedar Park Drive in The Greene in Beavercreek, holds occasional wine dinners, (937) 431-9200, www.mccormickandschmicks.com

— El Meson, 903 E. Dixie Drive in West Carrollton, holds frequent wine dinners, (937) 859-8229, www.elmeson.net

— Mr. Lee’s Fine Dining, 7580 Poe Ave., Vandalia, holds occasional monthly tasting/dinner, (937) 898-3860, www.mymrlees.com

— Pacchia, 410 E. Fifth St. in Dayton’s Oregon Historical District, holds occasional wine dinners, (937) 341-5050, www.pacchia.com

— Rue Dumaine, 1061 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Washington Twp., holds weekly wine tasting with appetizers on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., (937) 610-1061, www.ruedumainerestaurant.com

— Savona Restaurant and Wine Bar, 79 S. Main St. in Centerville, holds monthly after-work wine tasting and appetizers on the second Wednesday of the month, (937) 610-9835, www.savonadayton.com

— The Winds, 215 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs, holds frequent wine dinners and luncheons, (937) 767-1144, www.windscafe.com

Permalink

Comment on thisI'm no longer accepting comments here.
Go to my facebook page and click Like to comment.

McManis wines on tap tonight at Bruning’s

By Mark Fisher | Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 11:00 AM

Well smack my a*s and call me Sally, the very same McManis Family Vineyards that I wrote about doing so well at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo wine competition is the featured winery at tonight’s tasting at Bruning’s Wine Shop in Beavercreek, according to the listing on the Dayton-based wine listserv, to wit:

Bruning’s Wine Cellar

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 5 - 8 pm McManis Family Vineyards 2006 Collection Viognier Chardonnay Pinot Noir Syrah Petite Sirah Cabernet Sauvignon

The tasting was of course set up well ahead of time, long before the Houston competition results were known.

For more on the winery, take a look at today’s post from Sacramento Bee wine writer Mike Dunne, who also served as judge at the competition.

And just to prove my colleague Mike really WAS there …

Mike Dunne, wine writer for the Sacramento Bee, judges the finalists in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition on Sunday, Nov. 16. (Photo by Mark Fisher)

Permalink

Comment on thisI'm no longer accepting comments here.
Go to my facebook page and click Like to comment.

A little help, please, from my wine-and-dining-savvy friends

By Mark Fisher | Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 03:58 PM

I’ve compiled a list of Dayton-area restaurants that have regular or frequent wine dinners or tastings. Take a look at this list and help me out: Am I leaving anyone out?

RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE REGULAR OR FREQUENT WINE DINNERS/TASTINGS