The Red River

 

The beginning of something new

Awakened by a drop of dew

The hands from above

Transformed in Canaan for love

 

Infectious the red river flows

From the land of Bacchus

To the shores of Gaul, no land too small

Soon there will be plenty for all

 

Damned to the ones who choose

The price to pay for those that abuse

Fires illuminate the sky

Centuries past bye

 

Dare he, who goes to check on thee

The serpent’s tail lashes out freely

Mowed down by disease

A gravesite as far as the eye can see

 

Through the mist

A new future exists

Hand in hand to the vine we go

So the river of red may flow

 

By Bryan Bennington

pictures by Kristine Ellison
Baby Zin
Vineyards on Fire

Save the Planet

Our Earth

As timeless as the Earth may be,

We are but newborns in history.

 

We discard all things

Like a handful of stones.

What difference does it make?

The Earth moans.

 

Grief, the Earth feels as I view its mange.

Nature like history should not change.

Like an ant, I feel helpless here.

Only together will we make a difference I fear.

 

If birds and bears can co-exist,

Why cannot we I must insist.

Share the path with your neighbor.

View it, smell it and savor, but do not waiver.

 

Out there in the wilderness,

Their eyes are watching I must confess.

Should they speak, they would protest.

Do not leave your mess so far from the nest!

 

So if you can, take your hand.

Refresh the Earth our Mother Land.

From sand to sea, every rock and tree,

And all creatures including me will be happy.

 

Bryan Bennington

Table & Goblet Newsletter August 3, 2012

Carneros Creek Winery

Before Pinot Noir became the Box Office hit, this tough to grow grape was receiving steadfast attention from Francis Mahoney.

Armed with the enthusiasm of a 25-year-old and confidence in California’s potential to make world-class wines, Francis Mahoney set out in 1971 with bride, Kathy, to grow Pinot Noir and make wines that would rival red Burgundies. Undaunted by Pinot Noir’s reputation as a difficult grape to grow and vinify, Francis accepted the challenge.

Francis researched the elements linked with great French Pinot Noirs, noting that the Burgundians were captivated by the concept of terrior, the combined influence of climate and place on a wine. Francis found an area similar to Burgundy in Los Carneros, the appellation that lies across the southernmost portions of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Often obscured by fog and swept by breezes from San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, Carneros offered cool year-round temperatures ideal for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Francis planted Pinot Noir and began 30 years of clonal trials to better understand some of the hundreds of clonal variations of the variety. In 1972, he built a small, functional winery and set about using his best tool, a palate honed in the cellars of Burgundy during his tenure as a wine importer, at Connoisseur Wine Imports in San Francisco.

When the Mahoneys purchased their land in Carneros, which means ram in Spanish, the land was mainly comprised with orchards and sheep herds. Under his direction, Carneros Creek and the U.C. Davis school of Enology and Viticulture conducted the first research focused on improving California Pinot Noir clones in separate small lots and then blending these clonal selections in different ways, he could create several styles of Pinot Noir all of which were stylistically unique representatives of the varietal. With over 160 acres planted to this one variety, the next step was to build a state-of–the-art winery to bring out the best from each clone. The combination of the most modern technology and viticultural research along with a reverence for Old World methods insures the success of Carneros Creek as a leading producer of New World Pinot Noir.

      Over the next 10 years, Francis became the leader in Pinot Noir development in the area and soon Los Carneros earned the status of AVA, American Viticultural Area. Carneros Creek gained a reputation of possessing wines that rivaled the greatest wineries in France. Mr. Mahoney continued to purchase lands and plant vineyards with clonal varieties that were well suited for the region.

In 1998, investors helped turn Carneros Creek Winery into a destination spot and expanded the facility. Francis found himself becoming more of a winemaker and was losing focus on what got him to where he was and that was farming. Ken Foster was hired as winemaker and Francis continued to work the vineyards and do clonal research along with Ken.

At this time, Michael Mondavi was looking for an actual winery to produce his brands of wine: I’m, Oberon, and Hangtime, which were all being made at other facilities. Therefore, in 2004, Mondavi purchased the Carneros Creek brand and some of the acreage surrounding the winery.

To this day Francis continues to farm the lands around the winery, which he still owns, and uses the winery to make his own wines under the Mahoney Vineyards label.

The two wines we are tasting this month are from the Fleur de California portfolio. Although Francis Mahoney does not own the wines, he has a history and involvement with the wines that put them in a class of their own. Ken Foster is the winemaker for both wines and he carries the flag for Mahoney while using the fruit developed in the Carneros AVA.

The Pinot Noir Rose is made in a crisp, dry style that is designed to accompany food. The Fleur Rose combines the typical Carneros Pinot Noir floral and fruit aromas with a mouthful of fresh strawberry and honeysuckle. The wine has a fresh mouth-watering finish that cleanses the palate. This delightful wine reminds us that even though the wine is light in color, it can retain all the character and beauty of its varietal. Pair this wine with seafood, salads, cheeses, white-sauced pastas, and your favorite light-medium fare.

      Our Petite Sirah is fabricated from an extremely low yielding vintage, making this wine highly concentrated with flavor. This wine is dense with intense aromas of blueberries, peppercorn and nutmeg. Dark in color, once in the mouth, it explodes in flavors of blackberries, vanilla, spice and a hint of black pepper. This is a nice quaffing wine that finishes smooth yet bright and is best served with barbecued pork ribs, teriyaki beef dishes or any type of wild game.

2011 Fleur de California

Pinot Noir Rose

North Coast, California

Alcohol: 13.05%

Harvest date: Sept. 15- 17, 2010

No barrel aging

Cold fermentation 55-60⁰ F

Suggested retail: $15.99 750ml

Club price: $14.99 750ml

2008 Fleur de California

Petite Sirah

North Coast, California

Alcohol: 13.8%

Harvest date: Sept. 30 – Oct. 18, 2008

12 months French Oak barrel aging

Fermentation at 80-90⁰ F

Suggested retail: $15.99 750ml

Club price: $14.99 750ml

I'd rather be in Love

What is Love?

If everyone wants love,

Why is it so hard to find?

It could be right in front of you,

And it goes by without notice.

Love is free for the taking,

And costly when abused.

Love comes in many ways,

It could be affection, a feeling, or praise.

Love can be lasting or short lived.

It may be the only way one may feel free.

Would you rather feel love than pain?

You can love your parents,

Or feel the love for a child.

A love for the one you’re with,

Is like a like a breath of fresh air,

You just have to remember to keep breathing.

Love is a sunny day and birds singing.

 It is gift we all can share but are afraid to pass on.

Love is seeing another person’s soul,

And knowing you are exposed.

Can you see love staring at you?

Love is honest and forgiving.

It is a beauty you cannot see with your eyes.

Love is passion and will,

It is a riddle with no answer.

Are you in love?

By Bryan Bennington

June is Ohio Wine Month

      Well folks, it is official, June is Ohio Wine Month. Oh, what a joy it was to hear myself say that. I am not kidding…

Just so you know, Ohio used to be the number one producer of wine in the United States. Of course, that was when Ohio was the west and nobody had traveled past the Mississippi.

Therefore, with deep thought and much deliberation I decided to pick two Ohio wines for our club this month. My method for picking these wines was simply the same as always, to find wines that were of tremendous quality, wines that represented their terrior accurately, and wines priced just right. This was so much fun I could hardly restrain myself. I am sure you are getting as excited as I am, so let us get on with it…

The history of wine making in Ohio can be traced back to the early 1800's. Nicholas Longworth, a lawyer from the Cincinnati area, saw the potential of the Ohio River Valley to become a major producer of wine. In 1820 he planted the first Catawba grapes. This domestic variety was hearty enough to withstand Ohio winters and the wine produced from it won quick consumer acceptance. The light, semi-sweet wine was different from the other strong American wines of the day. Soon there were many acres of vines growing in the greater Cincinnati area and by 1845 the annual production was over 300,000 gallons. By 1860, Ohio led the nation in the production of wine. As crop diseases, such as black rot and mildew, began to plague the grapes, the Civil war left the grape growers with little manpower. This led to the demise of wine making in southern Ohio.

      As the southern vineyards wilted, a new Ohio growing area emerged in the Lake Erie Islands. The islands had a unique climate; the waters surrounding them provided a long growing season and insulated the vines from spreading disease. German immigrants who brought the traditions of wine making with them settled the islands. By the turn of the century, thousands of gallons of wine were being produced by dozens of wineries on and near the islands. Vineyards were soon planted along the entire southern shore of Lake Erie. This narrow strip of shoreline soon became nicknamed the "Lake Erie Grape Belt."

     Then Prohibition struck the United States and brought disaster to the Ohio wine making traditions. Some family businesses turned to making wine for sacramental purposes, others produced juice, and still the majority of land was turned into industrial land and housing developments. The general grape-oriented economy of the area collapsed.

When prohibition was repealed in 1933, a few wineries reemerged, but they had a lot against them: the majority of vineyards were in a state of disrepair, government restrictions hindered their wine making traditions, and the few lasting vines had been converted to produce juice grapes. Ohio's one time status as the top wine producer was gone, and with it a long road to recovery.

The turning point for the Ohio Wine industry came in the early 1960's with the planting of French-American varieties in southern Ohio, encouraged largely by The Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster. The hardy, disease-resistant grapes produced wines similar to the older European vinifera varieties. Their success in the south encouraged plantings in the Lake Erie Grape Belt. Since 1965, more than 40 new wineries have been established across the state and each spring wine makers continue to plant French-American Hybrids and vinifera varieties.

In 1975, a group of innovative wine makers formed the Ohio Wine Producers Association. Their purpose was and still is to bring together the grape growers and the wine makers. Through the efforts of the O\VPA, individual members stay better informed on governmental action, technical advances, and research and development programs affecting the grape/wine industry.

 The Ohio General Assembly and Governors, James Rhodes and Richard Celeste established another vital program in 1981. In cooperation with wine makers and grape growers, the Ohio Grape Industries Program was created and charged with the development of marketing and research programs to encourage the continuing revitalization of the fresh grape and grape wine industries.

In the decade of the nineties, one of the significant threats facing the industry was a lack of quality Ohio grown wine grapes. A major effort to increase acreage was initiated under the leadership of Governor George Voinovich. Tax credits, vineyard planting grants, arid the hiring of a state extension viticulturist are having a positive impact on the total number of wine grape acres being planted.

The results can be seen through the continued success of Ohio wines in national competitions. In the early 1990, an Ohio Riesling won Best of Show at the prestigious Sari Francisco State Fair Wine Competition. That award was a tremendous boost for the Ohio Wine Industry', and a new era of respect emerged. Other gold medals in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and across the nation have reinforced Ohio's position as one of the major wine regions of the world.

Our wine picks this month come from Halliday Wines. Halliday’s Winery is named after Jesse Halliday, Milton Township’s first entrepreneur. Jesse built a grist mill less than a half mile from the Lake Milton Dam. Our Winery is a tribute to Jesse and the wonderful history of the Mahoning River Valley and the Lake Milton area.

So, with all that said, I have chosen Halliday’s Jacob’s choice for our white wine. Made from slow ripening grapes, primarily Pinot Gris, creating complex aromas of vanilla, apples, lime zest, hazelnuts and a hint of floral, rich body, crispy brightness, spice and fruit flavors enhanced by partial barrel fermentation. This is a great summer sipper. We recommend consuming this wine chilled slightly and may be served with cold appetizers. Our red wine is Jesse’s Red. This is a bold, head turning wine with cabernet notes, a hint of black cherry and cocoa, balanced with oak and acidity. Jesse’s Red finishes with rich and robust flavors. This wine is great served at your favorite barbeque or drink while hanging out with friends and family.

As President Washington said, “I cannot tell a lie,” and so we cannot either. These wines are made for Halliday Wines by the Debevc Family from the Grand River Valley, Ohio.

References:

www.ohiowines.org, www.hallidayswinery.com

Pools of Darkness

Pools of Darkness

As I wade in the endless darkness,

Tears fill pools that are heartless.

It is the depth I flee

Screams of loneliness surround me.

With closed eyes my world is free;

Filled with birds and trees, peace and harmony.

Why can’t this scene be real to me?

A place that’s calm with tranquility.

At night I drown in sorrow,

My heart is calloused, I fear tomorrow.

Reaching for a hand to save me,

The darkness grows I can’t see.

Soon they say there will come a light.

A time when everything is back to right.

How long do I wait in this pool of tears?

It could be too long my heart fears.

Hope is waiting, it’s within my grasp.

Pleas are useless, my heart cracks.

I plunge into the pools to find my way.

The light is there it needs to stay.

I reach for it and pray…

But when I open my eyes I realize,

The dream I’m in has black skies.

Deeper into the pools my heart drifts,

Until only the darkness exists.

By Bryan Bennington

Remember America

Do you remember when family meant something? When Christmas was celebrated for Christ! I remember when kids could play in the streets without parental supervision, (at least until the street lights came on). There was an era before computer games and the commercial hype of the holidays. When I was a kid, our family would always eat dinner together at the table. I especially think about the time when doing your job did not mean just going to work. There was a time when the American dream was just to get here. Does this mentality still exist? When you look at your life now, do you fall into all the hypocrisy of today? Here is the big question; do we take enough time out to actually see America and all its beauty?

What do us, as Americans need to do to get back there? We need to live our lives for a purpose not just to get something done. We need to celebrate the family because it brings neighborhoods together. We need to redevelop pride in our work so we can feel like true Americans. We need to teach our children that playing sports is exactly that, playing. We need to celebrate what we have, not look past it all and wish for more. Is this even possible? Ask yourself that question. Is it too late? What would your dad say about how you celebrate life? What would your Grandparents think about how you have raised your children?

I know many of you may think, “I do not fall into these categories.” If you are like me, you may find yourself with eyes wide open and realize that you are trapped in an inescapable life style. Then again you may be one of those people that read this and think, “I did not sign up for this. What does this have to do with wine?” Well, every month I have to write a newsletter about wine. I have to tell you sometimes it is hard. Creativity is a gift. If we all received the same gift every day, we would probably get sick of it.

Therefore, I am choosing to use my gift of writing to ask each of you, who are you as a person? Whether you have religious beliefs or not, you still have a mind and your sense of vision. I say we all need to improve ourselves in one way or another. Each day we should do one thing that will get us back to that place. What if on Mondays we said, “Hi” to someone we do not know. Starting this week, reserve Tuesdays for family dinner night. Wednesdays you should go around and complement anyone for doing a good job. Maybe Thursday we say a prayer for those less fortunate than us. On Friday go watch your kids play ball or a local team if you do not have kids and let them know you appreciate them trying even if they did not win. Saturday, take your loved one out on a date and do something they want to do. Sunday, it is the last day, what can we do to make the past week count? How about planning the next week? Yeah, we cannot stop there; keep going until it all becomes viral. Can you imagine if we all did something different six days a week, week after week, to rejuvenate the spirit of life? How will it make you feel to know you have touched another person? Would people notice and follow your lead? All I can do is try. I know this I can do better!

As for the wine, I think I am ready now. I am intellectually open to discuss other people’s accomplishments.

This month I am taking your palates to Argentina. The wines I have chosen are from Bodega Poesia. This winery is located in the town of Lujan de Cuyo, in the district of Mendoza. It is here where a husband and wife, Patrice Lévêque and Hélène Garcin-Lévêque, have joined their knowledge of wine and produced a finished product unique to this terrior.

As prestigious owners of famed Chateau’s like Clos L’Eglise, Chateau Barde-Haut, and Chateau Haut Bergey, they have come to Argentina to produce the finest wines. Their 13-acre estate is located in the heart of Lujan de Cuyo, which is considered the finest region for Malbec in Argentina. Our Poesia Malbec comes from vines planted in 1974. The vineyard and wine are treated with the same meticulous care that is applied in France to their Grands Crus. The vine cultivation is 100% natural, no herbicides or pesticides are used and all work is done by hand. The grapes are hand-harvested, and all the equipment used in the winemaking process is imported from France in order to guarantee that the 20,000 bottles of Poesia are produced with the same high quality tools, that they use in France.

Small, traditional, wooden vats, which are imported, are used in the winery, that resembles Clos L’Eglise in Pomerol more than a typical Argentinean Bodega. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new French oak barrels and the wine is aged for 18 to 20 months. Poesia Malbec is blended with 40% old vine Cabernet Sauvignon, which comes from the same vineyard. Its aromas and flavors are unique. Our wine is deep garnet in color with a tinge of purple. The nose exudes appealing notes of warm blackberries, cassis, mocha and spice. The palate shows great balance and structure. Ripe, berry fruit fills the mouth balanced by nice acidity and velvety tannins. The Lévêques recommend slightly chilling this red, before consuming, to enhance this passionate style of wine. This wine’s unique character pushes the flavor index to an extreme for food pairing. We recommend grilled beefy meats like Flank steak or a Tri-tip roast. Smoked meats and grilled vegetables will also pair well with this wine.

Our white wine, also from Bodega Poesia, is a Torrontes. This white grape variety is becoming popular in Argentina and I feel it is way under the radar as far as a quality grape varietal goes. Another outstanding effort from Hélène and Patrice, this Torrontes comes from vines with an average age of 25 years. The wine has a beautiful nose of tropical fruit and spice. On the palate, we pick up rich lemon, pear and a hint of pineapple. This wine is perfect as an aperitif or you may serve it with light seafood, chicken or veal.