No More Wine by Mail

Effective Monday, October 1 (2007), a new Ohio state law goes into effect that bans direct wine shipments from wineries that produce over 150,000 gallons of wine a year (about 63,000 cases). All of Ohio's more than 100 wineries fall into this category.

The provision, supported by Ohio's powerful Wholesale Beer and Wine Association, was attached to the state budget without a public debate. In my opinion, it's a huge step backwards for Ohio wineries attemping to compete with their California and Pacific Northwest counterparts.

It's also a loss for consumers who will have to pay the wine wholesaler's up to 33% mark-up rather than buying directly from the winery. (Of course, you can still buy from the winery in person.)

The Cleveland Plain Dealer this morning quoted Donniella Winchell, executive directory of the Ohio Wine Producers Association, as saying the ban will be good for Ohio's wine industry, allowing it to grow. Personally, I don't see that artificially protecting the smallest growers will help the industry or wine consumers.

Do you have an opinion? Leave a comment below.

^{(photo credit: istockphoto)}

Ohio Wine Tours

Looking for a way to enjoy Ohio's Lake Erie wine district without having to find a designated driver or forego tasting the wine? Consider Ohio Wine Tours' tour of the "Grand River Valley." The eight-hour tour includes visits to a selection of the region's best estate vineyards, a gourmet lunch, cellar and vineyard tours, and a talk about how grapes are grown and harvested in Ohio and what makes the Grand River Valley ideal for wine grapes. Four-hour tours are also available.

The tour is $150 per person with a maximum of four persons. They will also pick you up at your hotel, residence, or business for a rate of $40/hour. Reservations and information can be found by calling 440 228-8941.

Ohio Wine Tours are offered by Western Reserve Touring Company, with more than 17 years experience in creating NE Ohio group tours.

^{(photo credit: istockphoto)}

Loudonville Wine Shop Hosts Sweetest Day Ohio Wine Night

It's only fitting that Loudonville's 39 East wine shop should host a Sweetest Day Ohio wine night, since the Valentine's Day-like, romantic holiday is a Northeast Ohio creation. The event, to be held on October 20, will feature a variety of wines, including those from Rainbow Hills and Shawnee Springs Wineries. In addition to the tastings, there will be a dessert bar, with chocolate-covered strawberries, miniature cheesecakes, and other delicious creations, and a selection of appetizers.

Tickets are $25 per person, which includes wine tasting plus food. Designated driver tickets are available at $20 per person (includes non-alcoholic drinks instead of wine).

Reservations are recommended. Visit the 39 East Web site or call 419 994-4479 for information and reservations.

39 East is located at 16427 State Route 39 in Loudonville, in Mohican County.

^{(photo credit: istockphoto)}

Make Plans Now for the Aurora Wine Fest

Aurora Farms Premium Outlets, located in Aurora Ohio just southeast of Cleveland, is hosting a wine festival October 13 from 1pm to 7pm. In attendance will be eight Ohio wineries and 10 wine distributors, including "It's Your Winery" and Chalet Debonne; the Western Reserve Cooking School; and seven local restaurants, including Hudson's Vue Restaurant and Aurora's Bertram Inn.

Admission is $30 in advance or $35 at the door; designated drivers pay $10 (no wine samples). Tickets are available online or by calling 800 648-6342.

Vintage Canton

Get to know the wines of Northeast Ohio a little better at Vintage Canton, an evening of wine, art, music, and food, on Thursday, September 20 from 430pm to 930pm.

The event, held on Central Plaza in downtown Canton, features local wineries, including "It's Your Winery," Maize Valley Winery, and Perennial Vineyards as well as music by two blues bands and food from area restaurants, including the Arcadia Grill and Iris Restaurant. In addition, local artists and craftsmen will be in attendance, with demonstrations and exhibits.

Tickets to Vintage Canton are $25 in advance (register before September 18) and $35 at the door. Admission includes entrance, eight wine or microbrew samples, cheese, and live entertainment. A "designated driver" ticket is also available (no wine or beer samples) for $10. Call 330 458-2099 or visit the event's Web site.

Old Firehouse Winery

Geneva-on-the-Lake's Old Firehouse Winery is a delightful place to spend a fall weekend afternoon. Located along the Lake Erie shoreline, the winery has a huge patio, ideal for sharing a bottle of wine with your friends. There's even live music on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Old Firehouse Winery creates over 20 different wines, from the sweet Pink Catawba to the robust Chambourcin. All except for their Icewine are priced until $15. There's also an adjacent restaurant, the Firehouse Grill, that serves a variety of Mexican fare, steaks, sandwiches, and salads. Nothing on the Grill menu is overly expensive, either.

The tasting room is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 7pm, on Friday and Saturday from noon to midnight, and on Sunday from 1pm to 6pm.

Old Firehouse Winery is located about 1 1/4 hours from downtown Cleveland, at 5499 Lake Road in Geneva-on-the-Lake. For more information, call 440 466-9300 or 800 UNCORK-1.

(photo credit: Flickr user: Jessica Jeanne/cc license)

September is Italian Wine Month at Cellar Door.

Cellar Door, the retail tasting room run by the Cleveland Wine School, is celebrating Italian wines this month. The unique venture is open each Friday and Saturday and is located just a few doors door from Moxie and Red Restaurants in Beachwood.

On September 14 and 15, they will be pouring wines from Friuli, Veneto, Trentino, and more. Look for Pinot Grigios, a Valpolicella or two, and the savory/sweet aromas of Amarone. Cellar Door is open Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 9pm. Tastings are $10 per person. You can even bring your own food (perhaps a salami or hunk of Parmesan) to munch on. No reservations are necessary.

Next week, the Cellar Door will feature wines from Central Italy--Tuscany, Umbria, Marches, and Latium.

No, they aren't pouring Ohio wines this month, but it is a fun Ohio wine event--close enough to our topic here.

Where to Stay in Lake Erie's Wine Country

Lake Erie's Wine Trail extends along the Lake from Painesville in Lake County to the eastern edge of Ashtabula County. The region is home to over 1500 acres of grape vines and to over 45 wineries.

Fall is a perfect time to visit. There are fall festivals, such as the Geneva Grape Jamboree (September 29 and 30) and the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival (October 13 and 14), clambakes, fall foliage, and lots of wine to sample.

Plan a weekend -- or mid-week-- getaway to the Lake Erie Wine Trail by planning to stay at one of the region's small inns and bed and breakfasts. Among my favorites are:

• Fitzgerald's Irish Bed and Breakfast - Located in Painesville, this family-run B&B (pictured above) is a 1937 Tudor home with six guest rooms, four with private baths. All feature air conditioning, cable TV, and free wireless Internet access. Breakfast is included each morning.



• Rider's Inn - Another Painesville hostelry, Rider's Inn is a 19th century structure with a long history, including a role in Ohio's Underground Railroad route. The inn features eleven individually decorated guest rooms and a popular restaurant.



• The Eagle Cliff Inn - This six-room inn is located in along the shores of Lake Erie in Geneva-on-the-Lake Ohio. The 19th century Victorian inn features air conditioning, large private baths, and complimentary high-speed Internet access.

(photo credit: Flickr user: Trish N/cc license)

Wine Quotes

People have been writing about wine, almost as soon as man took pen to paper. Here's a sampling of notable quotes:

• Good wine is a necessity of life for me. ~ Thomas Jefferson
• A man will be eloquent if you give him good wine. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
• My only regret in life is that I did not drink more Champagne. ~ John Maynard Keynes
• If God forbade drinking, would He have made wine so good? ~ Cardinal Richelieu
• What though youth gave love and roses, age still leaves us friends and wine. ~ Thomas Moore

^{(photo credit: istockphoto)}