Hudson Wine Festival V.I.P. Tasting a big success!!

Greetings from the Lake Erie Islands!

Friday night was the kick off of the Hudson Wine Festival running today (Saturday) and tomorrow July 19th and 20th at First and Main in Downtown Hudson, Ohio. The V.I.P. tasting took place at the Vue Restaurant and benefited the Humane Society of Greater Akron. Around 120 attended the event and it was fantastic. For the people in attendance it was a chance to sample some of the wonderful appetizers from Chef Rick Carson at the Vue. Rick is quickly making a name for himself in Northeast Ohio and if last nights offerings were any indication, the kudos are well deserved.

The Vue which has been open for the past three plus years, is the brainchild of partners Butch Bartlet and Paulo Giorgi and is managed by Michael Tomaselli. Michael also handles the wine purchasing for the restaurant which just this past week won their third straight Best of---Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. This award went to only 8 Ohio restaurants and only 802 worldwide.

The wines were equally as good. Although I'd like to mention all of them, I only have space for a few standouts. Here they are:

2004 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Jericho Canyon was probably my favorite of the evening. I am a Cab fan and Ramey Cellars best known for the fine Chardonnays makes a great one. It's around 76% Cabernet, with the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc, which qualifies it as a cab and not a red blend. Dark inky ruby color, dark berries, chocolate and coffee with some cassis, and with a little smokiness on the finish. This one should cellar well. 95 points in my book. A bit expensive at 114.99, but one for a special occasion.

2005 Au Bon Climat Pinor Noir Isabelle Morgan and the 2005 Au Bon Climat Pinor Noir Knox Alexander, both named after the Wine maker Jim Clendenen's kids, are well crafted classically styled wines of which these two are excellent examples. This is world class wine from a world class wine maker. The "Isabelle," by the way, made the San Francisco Chronicle's top 100 wine of the year in 2007. 92 points on Isabelle and 91 on the Knox Alexander. Around $50 bucks a bottle give or take.

2005 Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley was another outstanding Cab made with 100% Cabernet juice. Deep Ruby/purple color it had a nose of currents with a little smokiness and a nice long finish. 90 Pointer in my book and another one that will cellar well. At 87 bucks a bottle this is another special occasion wine, and it's kosher!

I wish I had time to describe more!

The Hudson Wine Festival continues from 12 Noon-8P.M. on Saturday and 1 P.M.-6 P/M. on Sunday. Admission is 20 bucks and entertainment, cooking and wine demonstrations will be featured throughout the entire event. This festival is worth checking out and I predict will become an area "biggy".