World's oldest champagne bottles from shipwreck - sampling in Mariehamn, Aland Islands
Bottles of Champagne were on display in Finland in 2010 after being uncovered in a shipwreck. Most of the Champagne and sparking wine in Greater Cleveland this month will be sipped and enjoyed, not photographed: Several tastings are be held throughout Northeast Ohio.
(Jussi Nukari, Associated Press)
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Saturday, Dec. 13 in particular is a big day for wine tastings. We've got a handful of events going on, in Akron, Cleveland, Kent and Solon. Plus we have a couple of different gift options for the wine lover in your life.
Friday, Dec. 12: West Point Market's annual Bubbles Bash is 7-9 p.m. Two dozen sparklers – between $10 and $90 – will be available for tasting. Cost is $45. The market is at 1711 West Market St., Akron. Go to westpointmarket.com or call 330- 864-2151.
Saturday, Dec. 13: Riverside Wine and Imports is having a Holiday Wine Tasting 1-4 p.m. Taste 25 wines for $30. Includes food. Distributors will attend the tasting. Reservations recommended. The shop-bar is at 911 North Mantua St., Kent. Go to riverside-wine.com or call 330-677-4400.
Saturday, Dec. 13: The fifth annual Traderman Holiday Tasting is 2-6 p.m. at Regency Wine Bar, 115 Ghent Road, Fairlawn. Go to regencywinesellers.com or call 330-836-3447. Luke Taylor of the Stow-based distributor will guide customers through more than a dozen wines of different varietals from 2 to 6 p.m. Cost is $12; no reservations needed. Wines to be served:
• Didier Chopin Brut Champagne, $34.99.
• Haus Creek White Cuvee, $14.99.
• Casey Flat Ranch Viognier, $17.99.
• Casey Flat Ranch Chenin Blanc, $17.99.
• Bank Note The Vault Chardonnay, $27.99.
• Lucas & Lewellen Goodchild Pinot Noir, $29.99.
• Injuste Red Blend, $13.99.
• Open Range Red, $14.99.
• Casey Flat Ranch Estate Red, $24.99.
• Haus Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, $24.99.
• Neal Family Estate Zinfandel, $29.99.
• Neal Family Estate Petite Sirah, $39.99.
• Quevedo Tawny Port NC, $17.99.
Saturday, Dec. 13: Little Italy Wines will have a tasting of six Italian wines ranging in price from $12 to $25 per bottle. Cost is $8. Tasting is 5-9 p.m. Little Italy is at 12414 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, go to littleitalywines.com or call 216-231-9463.
Saturday, Dec. 20: Little Italy Wines will host a tasting of Rodano wines from the Chianti Classico region in Tuscany. Christina Lakatos from Wine Trends will coordinate the tasting, which is $10. It's 5-9 p.m. Here's the lineup:
• Zardetto Prosecco, $16.99.
• Poggialupi Blend (Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot), $14.99.
• Chianti Classico, $20.99.
• Chianti Classico Riserva, $28.99.
• Monna Claudia Super Tuscan, $54.99.
Little Italy is at 12414 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, go to littleitalywines.com or call 216-231-9463.
Big Mouth Toys has a slew of novelty items, including a special bottle with a glass protruding from its neck.
Saturdays in December: Western Reserve Wines has three more Saturday events this month. All are 2-5 p.m. at 28300 Miles Road, Suite B, Solon. Cost is $6 and includes cheeses and crackers. Upcoming tastings:
Dec. 13: The Best of 2014 from Euro Fine Wines.
Dec. 20: Christmas Wines, with certified wine educator Gary Twining.
Dec. 27: Bubbles and Stuff! Owen Molloy of Vintner Select will host.
Gift options: Don't know what to get the wine lover in your life? Connecticut-based Big Mouth Toys has a slew of novelty items, including a special bottle with a glass protruding from its neck. It is inscribed with "Finally! A wine glass that fits my needs!" The company also sells the "World's Biggest Wine Glass" – an oversized giant glass that holds three bottles of wine. Prices vary; go to bigmouthtoys.com for info and retail outlets. .. For a slightly more upscale item, Wine Enthusiast is selling EuroCave Wine Art, an air-vacuum system that preserves open bottles of wine for as many as 10 days. It retails for $499. Go to wineenthusiast.com.
Finally ... We recently listed 15 wines "on the tens" – that is, wines ranging in price as potential gift buys. Next week we'll run a similar feature, focusing on sparkling wines.