One year ago on Memorial Day weekend, Mary Claire Schnier was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She is doing great! Mary Claire wanted to raise money and some attention to finding a cure for her disease. Mary Claire’s father, Lou, asked The Party Source if they would host a wine tasting to benefit Mary Claire’s cause and we were happy to do so.

On Tuesday, June 30th the wine tasting was held at EQ.
Mary Claire raised over $700 and all the proceeds from the event are being donated to  Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Diabetes Center!  Keep up the good work Mary Claire – together we can beat this disease!

The EQ Staff

Another fun evening was had by all last Friday night at Krohn Conservatory.  Not only did we shake some great cocktails and eat some fantastic appetizers, Diana Hoffman and Gary from Kama Salsa taught us some sexy salsa dance moves and Hannah Eaton from Mitchell’s Salon and Day Spa dazzled us with slick tricks for stylish summer party hairstyles and make-up.  The swag bags were filled to the brim with hand fans from the Bitty Breeze, Sunglasses, a sample bottle of Taste of Florida Mango Real Fruit Mixers and Hypnotic, mints, lip balm and coupons.  Check out the event photos and join us for our next Girl’s Night Out @ Krohn Conservatory on October 9th for “How to Host a Wine Tasting Party” presented by  Amy Tobin , party planner extraordinare.

See you there!

Connie Volker
EQ Event and Marketing Director

Weingut Jakob Schneider Riesling Kabinett
$15.49 (LITRE BOTTLE)
Germany, Aisle 7B
Here lies one of the best value medium dry German Riesling I can offer. This wine is an even balance of citrus fruits, dry acid and low sugar levels. Remember not all Riesling is sweet the term Kabinett shows that. With a lively spritz of lime zest and stony minerals this wine is a patio pleaser for sure. Jakob Schnieder Riesling would pair perfectly with spicy Asian cuisine, sushi and curry dishes. Whether you like wine with a little sweetness or want to try something new and refreshing this bottle goes a long, long way with it’s quaffable charm.
SCORE: 3++
Cheers!
Danny

The Wines of Patricia Green:
Oregon, Aisle 6A
I had the opportunity to taste the wines of what is my opinion one of the top Oregon Pinot producers. At the EQ inside the Party Source last Saturday, winemaker Jim Anderson was on hand tasting and talking about 6 of his estates  Pinot Noir’s.   This was a true testimony to how different the same grape can taste based on soil, climate and total production.   From their entry level Reserve to the high end Old Vine all these wines showed very well. Here are my tasting notes on the ones that stood out to me.

#4 Eason Vineyard- $32.99
This was the lightest in color with a very alive and super bright cherry bouquet that was long and refined. The wine had a huge mouth feel that was full of bright berry flavors and spices with high acid and chewy tannins. Somehow  Eason Vineyard was able to tie all of these big and ripe flavors and bring them to a sophisticated harmony.
SCORE: 3++++
#3 Balcombe Vineyard- $36.99
Deep earthy nuances of soil, tobacco and a hint of cherry juice on the nose. More earthy flavors dominate the palate with blackberry fruit in the background. Second sip and man oh man this is a savory wine and is a perfect showcase on what sets Oregon Pinot apart from the rest of the world. My comment to Jim was that this particular wine reminded me more of the wines I tasted in Oregon 2 years ago more then any of the others. He agreed that it was the most Orgonian in style.
SCORE:4+
#2 Estate Vineyard – $36.99
The nose on the Estate bottling was very French like with notes of leather, earth, and plum but had the distinct bouquet of Oregon’s volcanic soil. The flavor profile showed racy fruit flavors of cranberry and pomegranate and at first sip I knew this wine was going to be serious. This Pinot was more thick, rich and dense than any of the others on the table and finished with great poise and concentration.
SCORE:4++
#1 Estate Old Vine – $39.99
This wine was the show stopper. It might not have been the one that showcased Oregon’s soil and unique climate but it was too good not to rank #1. The essence of the wine was of silky and satin textured fruits, and a bouquet of red roses. The old vine was super smooth, and elegant. I was very impressed and think I said wow 3 or 4 times tasting this one. It had a feminine quality to it that could not be denied with little kisses of fruit that would show up here and there. This would be a prize possession for any Pinot fan.
SCORE: 4++++

Cheers!

Danny

Terre de Mistral:
$9.99
France, Aisle 7B
This red from the Rhone is my new favorite $10 bottle of wine in the store. Packed with juicy red fruit this Grenache dominated vino from the French is super friendly and over delivers for it’s price. There is an earthy aspect that acts as the knot that ties this little gem all together. Terre de Mistral is a serious wine for the money and would best enjoyed with barbequed pork and grilled Filet.
SCORE: 3++++

Cheers!

Danny

Cousino-Macul Finis Terrae
grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
This is a vineyard at the bottom of the world that I have paid close attention too over the last 7 years. Cousino-Macul has gained mine and yours trust with their red and white offerings from both Estate and Antiguas labels. They recently released their 2005 Icon for $65 (2nd best vintage for Chilean red wine to date) a wine I had the pleasure to taste in barrel while visiting Chile. Finis Terrae, the little brother to Icon is made of only the finest Cabernet and Merlot grapes after they select the Icon. Yet another well structured and refined dry red wine from South America that will cellar well and performs at twice the price. Meaty, with a focus of smoke and earth with touches of silk throughout.
$18.99
Aisle 7A
SCORE: 4+

Cheers,
Danny Gold
Fine Wine
The Party Source

Punkt Sparkling Gruner Veltliner
Austria $16.99 – Aisle 7B
This is a first not only for myself or the The Party Source but a first for the wine industry itself. Never before have we seen a Sparkling Gruner Veltliner before. This Austrian delight is full of bright stony fruit a chalky mouth feel and a very elegant touch to the dry finish. Pouring more like a still wine than a sparkler this wine makes too much sense not to try. If you are a venturous wine drinker do your self a favor and pick one up. This would make a great opening act for dinner or gift idea during wedding season.
SCORE: 4+

Cheers,
Danny Gold
Fine Wine
The Party Source

2006 Luca Laborde Double Select Syrah
91 points from W.S. and let me tell you why. We as a staff at dinner tasted this wine along with $50-$70 Oregon Pinot Noir,  high end Cali Cab and in my opinion it even hung with if not showed better than a $130.00 Spanish Cabernet. Luca is one of the hottest vineyards on the planet right now and this Syrah is one of the best bottles of juice I’ve had this year. Big, bold, and complex with a ton of charm. At this price buy 2 one to taste now and one to savor. I have already been working hard on my ‘09 top 100 wines of the year and I have this one marked #3 at present time.
SCORE: 4++++

Cheers,
Danny Gold
Fine Wine
The Party Source

If you enjoyed last night’s Zootini at the Cincinnati Zoo, you were not alone!  Jay Dickerson, EQ Bar Chef did a great job creating, mixing and shaking these cocktails just for you!  Let us know which was your favorite!

Cheers!

Connie Volker

EQ Event and Marketing Director

Manatee Melon Martini
1½ ounces tequila
1 ounce  melon liqueur
½ ounce orange flavored liqueur
½ ounce lime juice
2 ounces sour mix

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass.

The Watering Hole Hpnotiq® Martini
2 ounces Hpnotiq® liqueur
1 ounce coconut rum
2 ounces pineapple juice

Combine all ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain into a martini or cocktail glass and serve.

African Violet Martini
2 ounces raspberry vodka
½ ounce Chambord
1 ounce grape juice
½ ounce lime juice
Lime wedge

Shake with ice and strain into a well-chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Sihil’s Martini
2 ounces rum
½ ounce passion fruit liqueur
½ ounce simple syrup
1 lime wedge
2 ounces pineapple juice
Mint leaves

In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint, simple syrup, and limes.  Add ice, rum, passion fruit liqueur, and pineapple juice.  Shake vigorously and strain into chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with mint sprig.

Zootini Martini
1½ ounces bourbon
½ ounce maraschino liqueur
Dash grapefruit bitters
1 teaspoon of maraschino cherry juice
Maraschino cherry
Ginger ale

Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add all ingredients except ginger ale and shake. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.