Thursday, March 28, 2024

The 2015 Wine Guide

Since people discovered that fermented grapes are delicious, wine has been celebrated for the taste it provides and the feeling it leaves. Whether you love to sip a deep red with a significant other, or laugh over a light, sweet white with friends, Toledo has many unique locales to enjoy the fruit of the vine. This town has wine down to a science. 

Majestic Oak Winery 

13554 Mohler Rd., Grand Rapids
419-875-6474 | majesticoakwinery.com 

Want a truly farm to table experience? Surround yourself with fields of top-quality grapes that turn into delectable wines at Majestic Oak Winery, as you discover the perfect blend for you. Sip a wide selection of whites, blush, red and fruit wines, enjoy wine tastings— with no reservations required, or a flight of hand-crafted wines, bottled only a half hour away from Toledo. The locally grown grapes offer a great base for unique flavor profiles, Majestic Oak offers not only the usual suspects, but they also bottle dessert-style wine, bourbon barrel-aged wine and, their popular strawberry wine made from plump, local strawberries.

All prices range from $11.99-$24.99

Mancy’s Steakhouse

951 Phillips Ave.
419-476-4154 | mancys.com

Enjoy high quality wines, with bottle prices typically beginning at $40, at this Toledo staple. With three different places to store wine, the fine dining restaurant preserves their wine in a temperature controlled cellar, ensuring that each bottle is perfectly ready for your table. The restaurant also features a first-class component: pouring the eight bottles on tap through a nitrous dispenser, allowing Mancy’s to sell higher-end wine by the glass.

Steal: Borsao Berola Spanish, Red Blend ($33)

Deal: 2012 Cabernet from Washington State Winery ($50)

Unreal: 2012 Cabernet from Bryant Family Vineyard in Napa Valley ($850)

Flick’s Package Liquor

3320 Sterns Rd., Lambertville
734-854-2000 | flicks4fun.com

Just over the border in Michigan, Flick’s is known for their diverse stock of high quality products, Flick’s offers a 2,000+ wine bottle selection that includes variety of brand, price and flavor. Not sure what kind of wine you like? No problem. Flick’s can create a special wine tasting for any size party— at any location. It has never been easier to become a wine connoisseur.

Steal: Sledgehammer (Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and a Red Blend.) (on sale now = $9.99, regular = $19.99)

Deal: 90+ (This brand comes in several varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, French Fusion Red, Big Red California, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz) ($16-$20)

Unreal: Perrier Jouet Champagne (Demi Sec and Brut) (regular = $200, right now = $175, comes with hand-painted bottle and two hand-painted champagne flutes) 

Element 112

5737 Main St., Sylvania
419-517-1104 | element112restaurant.com

Let Drew, the house sommelier, guide you through your meal by pointing to the built-in, all-glass wine cellar near the Chef’s Table. The glass inclosure offers patrons a glimpse at the incredibly diverse selection that hits the major wine-producing locations, available to accompany their meal. As Element 112’s loyal fanbase knows, the Sylvania restaurant’s impeccable wine menu and similarly niche food create an evening with a perfectly executed experience. Experiment with the perfect pour by purchasing 3oz samples— a fantastic choice when noshing on small plates, or, sip rare finds by the glass or bottle.

Steal: Barton & Guestier, Bordeaux (60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, $28/bottle)

Deal: Domaine Rochette Côte du Py which is Beaujolais Cru (This kind of wine has spent time in oak so it has a fruit forward and darker undertones, $64/bottle)

Unreal: Kobalt “Window Pane” a Red Blend of Napa Valley (excellent structure, well balanced and complex, $108/bottle )

Final Cut Steakhouse at Hollywood Casino

1968 Miami St.
419-661-5200 | hollywoodcasinotoledo.com

Winner of the 2015 Wine Spectator Award, Final Cut has a very large wine list that proudly represents each wine region. Upon walking into the steakhouse, customers are greeted by a larger-than-life (nearly 20 foot high and 50 foot wide) glass wine cabinet, the bottles are presented in a modern, yet classic display. 

Steal: Wine Wednesdays, Stag Leap’s Petite Syrah ($40/bottle)

Deal: Mount Vedeer Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley ($77)

Unreal: Opus by the glass ($100/glass) Probably one of the only places in town that sells it by the glass. (Opus is one of the most popular names from Napa Valley.)

Joseph’s Beverage Center

4129 Talmadge Rd.
419-472-1421 | JosephsBeverageCenter.com

The family owned and operated business has one of the largest and finest selections of wine in Northwest Ohio. Domestics, imports, and plenty of champagnes and sparkling wines are in stock, so you can find something perfect for the holidays. On-site wine expert, Tom Eppard, can help you find the perfect bottle.

Steal: Columbia Crest Gold, Red Blend ($10.99)

Deal: La Crema Chardonnay ($17.99/now only, $23.99/typically)

Unreal: Opus One, sought after by collectors because there are limited quantities released every year.

Aidriana’s

6060 Renaissance Place, Suite G
419-214-0599 | aidrianas.com

Upping the ante for wine and food pairing, the newly opened Aidriana’s offers a unique selection of wine with a multi-course dinner. With a variety from around the globe, they keep flavor in mind, as well as being economically driven. Offering vino just a tad above state minimum, you know that any bottle you chose to pair your meal with will be available to buy at a comparable price, which comes in handy with the “cork and take home” rule (taking home a bottle you corked at a restaurant). Proudly carrying the little and big brother wines, you can enjoy a selection from a smaller menagerie of grapes than most places around town.

Deal: Egly-Ouriet, a grower Champagne (made from the “special” grapes that are saved by the growers)

Steal: Vin de Savoie Abymes (a beautiful white wine, mineralistic and great with seafood)

Unreal: Elyse is special, not many places carry it. We have a few bottles that are super expensive, but we sell at the lowest, closest to retail price. We don’t need to add much price to the state minimum.

All prices TBA

Degage Jazz Cafe

301 River Rd., Maumee
419-794-8205 | historiccommercialbuilding.com

Degage Jazz Cafe has made a name for itself as a classy, sophisticated restaurant. Considering their dedication to locally sourced, creative menu items, Degage commitment to wine should be no surprise. With a mission to serve staple wines from quality vineyards at affordable prices, Degage provides a luxurious dining experience, under the direction of head bartender and entertainment manager Nick Reno takes pride in knowing our wine selection.

Steal: Cocobon Red Blend from California ($6 per glass, $22 per bottle) 

Deal: Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand ($24 per bottle)

Unreal: Chimney Rock from Napa Valley, California ($112 per bottle)

Walt Churchill’s Market

3320 Briarfield Blvd. Maumee | 419-794-4000
26625 N. Dixie Hwy. Perrysburg | 419-872-6900
https://​waltchurchillsmarket.comwaltchurchillsmarket.com

Wine tastings and a variety of wines that range from humble to luxurious make Walt Churchill’s Market the ultimate place to fill your glass. Both sides of town are covered as you can visit Mario Salpietro, wine manager at the Perrysburg location or Richard Fortney, the Maumee Wine Manager. Both wine experts have tasted every wine in their respective stores and are on site daily to help shoppers navigate two of Toledo’s most expansive collections of wine, both of which include $10 bottles perfect for a relaxed evening, as well as rare vintages perfect to impress the entire table at your next dinner party.

Steal: Domaine de Châteaumar (winery), from the “Cotes-du-Rhone”region ($13.99)

Deal: Italian, Benevelli Piero’s Langhe Nebbiolo ($24.99)

Unreal: Domaine Jean-Louis Chave’s Hermitage ($310.99)

Stella’s Restaurant & Bar

104 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg
419-873-8360 | stellasrestaurantandbar.com

In a current transition to offer more food and wine pairings, Stella’s focuses on Italian, French, German and Spanish wines with a quality to match the impeccable cuisine.

Steal: Bortolotti Prosecco ($10/glass)

Deal: Chateau Pegau, a Côtes du Rhône ($13/glass) 

Unreal: Hexamer a Spätburgunder (Burgundy Pinot Noir varietal, white, from the Nahe region in Germany, $14/glass)

M’ Osteria Bar & Lounge

611 Monroe St.
419-214-4222 | mosteriatoledo.com

When you walk into M’ Osteria, you quickly notice the modern interior and a centrally located bar with a huge wine display rack on both sides. Owned by Italian born, Pat Giammarco, the wine selection includes fantastic Italian wines, not just the typical California selections. The wait staff is trained on the wine and is familiar with the list, so whatever you are in the mood for, whether bold or sweet, robust or light, the staff is able to point customers in the right direction.

Steal: The Seaglass Pinot Noir ($7/glass, $24/bottle) A solid drink, get a deal with the bottle. 

Deal: Pedres Sapaio Volpolo, a solid wine, 93 point on wine spectator Super Tuscan ($54/bottle)

Unreal: Amarone Roverone That bottle is a solid wine, Italian, on the price list at $88/bottle. Complexity in flavors.

Revolution Grille

5333 Monroe St.
419-841-0066 | revolutiongrille.com

With servers who know wine like the back of their hand, Chef Rob’s Revolution Grille is the ultimate place to pair your interest in eclectic American cuisine with perfect wine. The recently paired down menu has shrunk the the glass list to 6 reds and 6 whites. The bottle selection includes a nice blend of smaller boutique wines along with more known wines. Wine pairing dinners are anticipated for the future.  

Steal: Sharecropper Cabernet ($25)

Deal: Bonny Doon Vineyard Vin Gris de Cigare — ($29)

Unreal: Magnum size (roughly the size of 3 bottles) of Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet ($100)

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