My Wine Education

Our Own Sin City

Before there was Las Vegas, there was Newport, Ky. No kidding. From spending WAY too much time at York Street Cafe in my life, I knew a lot of the history of that building (speakeasy, hidden safes, etc), but I hadn't realized how real it all was, and how rampant, throughout Newport.

Gangsters everywhere, post-prohibition. Gambling, prostitution, alcohol, casino robberies, murder and tommy guns ... it was all in Newport. 

We got to take the Newport Gangsters tour last night. I loved it!  I knew the history of Prohibition and beer in this area from an article I once wrote. It was nice to see what happened in Newport after Prohibition was repealed and the bootleggers, um, expanded.

I had fun with my new camera. Newport has some great buildings. You can visit the Flickr set or watch the slideshow below.

The tour costs $15 and the proceeds benefit a great local charity where our kids are sent to teach for a week at schools in the Caribbean. It's another great cause. The guys that are running the tour are obviously having a great time - and they're sort of overflowing with facts from their research. In fact, I think their research sort of scares them a little. They talked to a lot of people - a lot of the still living (and still local) gangsters and club owners/partygoers from the era. 

It's worth a few hours of your time. Right now, this weekend is your only chance to experience the fun tour, although they're debating on continuing through the summer, as well as looking into a Haunted Newport Ghost Tour. Go show your support - it's a short walk to and from Newport from Taste of Cincinnat and the tour lasts 90 minutes.

You'll never look at Newport the same way.

Tweeting for a Great Cause

This doesn't have a lot to do with wine. But it does have to do with Taste of Cincinnati, which is how I'm justifying the post. Truthfully, I'm a sucker for a great cause and that's why it's here.

I originally posted this on Bub.blicio.us, a Silicon Valley-based technology blog for which I'm a contributing writer.

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The latest national news out of Cincinnati is what's being billed as The World's Largest Tweet-Up. I'm not sure if that's accurate on a number of levels, but it doesn't matter. It's good marketing for a good cause, and a great example of a non-profit using social media to raise awareness.

Last July, musician Katie Reider passed away at age 30 from a rare form of cancer that attacked the left side of her face. It left her blind in one eye and unable to do what she did best - sing. Katie was a local musician for us, but she'd been on the national scene as well, and was one of those artists spotlighted on WB shows like Dawson's Creek.

500Kin365.org, was created in May of 2008 with the help of Katie Reider's loyal fanbase to reconnect and introduce 500,000 people to Katie Reider, her music and her story over the next year, as she continued to undergo treatment. The site took off, and the goal is to introduce 500,000 people to her music. Two sets of Katie's songs can be downloaded for only $1 each on the site and 100% of the proceeds to go help pay off the family's exorbitant medical bills.

Paying it Forward with Drinking Charitably

We managed to pull in some money from our recent fundraiser for the Krystal Pepper Memorial Scholarship Fund. We'll still need to raise around $13000 (my best guess until the hard numbers come in) through 2010, so you'll still have to hear about it periodically.

But it got me thinking. I received so many amazing wine donations - not just from our generous, local wine community, but from a few wine bloggers and wine twitterers who know me only online. In fact, out of both the local and national donors, almost all of them have a wine blog or twitter account. There has to be a way to pay this generosity forward.

Well, David from 2days Per Bottle had the same thought and launched Drinking Charitably. This new blog is a place where we'll post any upcoming events, nationwide, that affect our wonderful and gigantic wine blogger and wine twitter community. I hope that Drinking Charitably will help folks find unique and wonderful causes to which they can donate money, time, or product.

(Oh, and if you head over to Drinking Charitably and see my banner, you'll get a preview of where we're heading with the Wine-Girl.net redesign.

Don't Miss It: Who's Coming and What You Can Get

I know, I've been a lousy blogger in the last few weeks. I haven't done the weekly events round-up and daily posts aren't really happening. Because I'm one of only four people on the organizing committee for the Krystal Pepper Memorial Scholarship - and the big benefit is this coming weekend - I've been a bit distracted. I'll be back to normal after Saturday.

So, who's coming?
Our benefit can't help but be good when folks like Monika from Such a Redkat Blonde, Bob & the Mrs from 5chw4rtz, and Amy & family from Amy in Ohio are in attendance. Twitterer Chris Bergman is serving as our resident photographer for the night, wandering around and snapping photos of everyone and everything.

What'cha got to drink?
My living room has been overtaken by the wine portion of the Silent Auction. I can't wait for the event to be over just so I can have the room back.

As you can see, we've got a lot of wine.  Here's just a sampling:

• 5L bottle of Steele Syrah, with thanks to Kevin Keith
• 3 bottles of high end wine, including Chester Kidder, thanks to David Lazarus
• 3 bottles of Marilyn Merlot from Hyde Park Wine & Spirits
• 6 different bottles of Harmony Hill wine, including a hard to find and yummy dessert wine
• 2 bottles of Kinkead Ridge (in which we've also included wine glasses and a gift certificate to the Wildwood Inn)
• 1 bottle of Pommery Champagne from my Twitter friend Amy, basketed with a bottle of 1998 Bordeaux from wine blogger David
• A half-case of wine from Tim at CheapWineRatings.com
• 2 fantastic "Better Beer" baskets from Tom & Carla at Hoperatives
• a French wine basket from The Party Source
• 2 bottles of Spanish wine from Kevin & I, paired with a Paella Party from Paella at Your Place
• An amazing (seriously amazing) picnic basket from Tricia at Napoleon Ridge Farm and Nature Center that includes a nice bottle of Pinot Gris

Step Right Up! Get Your Tickets Now!

It's that time of year. Tickets are now on sale for the 2nd Annual Dinner and Silent Auction to benefit the Krystal Pepper Memorial Scholarship. We'll be having the event on April 18, 6-10 pm.

The Scholarship, for first time readers, is in memory of my little sister, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 21 almost a year and a half ago. We established the scholarship to help elementary education majors at Thomas More, just like her. Krystal loved kids.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 over the course of the next two years. Last year we raised almost $10,000 through the first benefit and a wine tasting.

Just like last year, we've got some great wine gift baskets in the Silent Auction, including a basket from David & Jan Lazarus's personal cellar, a beautiful French wine basket from The Party Source, wines from Kinkead Ridge, Hyde Park Wine & Spirits, and Harmony Hill. I hope to gather more wine donations as well before the benefit. There are also other goodies, including a free class at the Midwest Culinary Institute and a $25 gift card to the Summit, tickets to the Cincinnati Opera, tickets to the zoo and the museum centers, and more.

Last year I acquired a gorgeous necklace in the silent auction (Swarovski crystals shaped like a bunch of grapes) that everyone loves. Maybe you'll find something equally wonderful this year. In addition to the pretty awesome silent auction, there is also a raffle that proved immensely popular last year.

Dinner is included in the cost, as is the cost of beer and wine. The benefit is being held again at The Briarwood Reception Hall in Hebron, KY. (That's just out by the airport.)

I would love for my readers to show my family that you actually read my blog. Please come!  You can purchase tickets online for $30 or at the door for $35. Your little ones, age 10 and under, are free.

Please tell everyone you know.

Thanks for your support.

Cheers,

Michelle

Uncorking a Cure

The Cincinnati International Wine Festival contributes most of its income to charity. But it's not the only way you can experience wine and help a charity this week. Uncorking a Cure launched, in partnership with local vineyard Elk Creek, on Saturday with a wine tasting event. Those events continue throughout the month of March and cost a bit less than the wine festival.

Uncorking a Cure came about after Maria Jung was diagnosed with Stage 3 Rectal Cancer four years ago. Her husband Wayne, Director of Integrated Marketing at local channel 12, started the Uncorking a Cure foundation as a gift for her. Maria and Wayne want to develop a platform to promote awareness, provide colonoscopies to individuals who cannot afford them and raise funds for a cure for others like Maria, who were not fortunate enough to have detected colorectal cancer in its early stages.

They developed a love of wine and local wineries as they took short day trips during Maria's recovery. Because they live in Northern Kentucky, there is a strong emphasis on local Kentucky wineries.  You can find a full list of events after the jump.

Visit the Uncorking a Cure web site, or find them on Twitter and Facebook. You can also donate directly to the cause.

Wine & Shakespeare (heavy on the wine)

Saturday night, the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is holding a wine tasting event at MicroWines as their 2009/2010 Season Announcement Party. CSC announces their new season and you get to try yummy, small production wines. I'm a big fan of MicroWines and a tasting there is an chance to try some unique, hard-to-find wines.

We'll be tasting

• Hofer Gruner Veltliner Weinviertel (Vienna)
• Domaine Barroubio Muscat Sec (Languedoc)
• Weingut Binz Spatburgunder (Baden, Germany)
• Sonnino Leone Rosse Toscana (Italy)

 

The tasting is open to everyone, but you do need to RSVP. Cost, because the wines are small production and this is a charity event, is $75/person. You can feel okay about that because a portion of the ticket price will be tax-deductible, and all proceeds go to help keep CSC happily afloat. The price includes the four-flight tasting and light bites by Funky's catering. If it matters to you, you also get the chance to hobnob with the actors.

Now, here's the really good part: each ticket enters you into the "door prize" drawing for the evening. As CSC announces each production in the upcoming 2009/2010 season, they'll draw the name of one attendee, who will receive a mini-lot of fine wines selected by MicroWines. There are seven shows, so seven winners. MicroWines is a small place, so I'm going to say your chances are pretty good.

There are two tastings: 5-7 pm and 8-10 pm. There is still room in both, but I know the early one is filling up faster. For reservations, contact Development Director Kelly Bollinger by email or phone: 513-381-2273 ext. 217. You can also fill out this form (PDF) and fax it to 513.381.2298. As long as you RSVP, you can still pay at the door.  Kevin and I will be at the later tasting, and we'd love to see you there!

Call for Donations

As many of you know, I lost my little sister in October 2007. She passed away from an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. As a coping mechanism and as a way to turn something tragic into something not so terrible, we started a memorial scholarship in her name.

Krystal was a student at Thomas More College, majoring in Education. She loved kids and couldn't wait to work with them full-time. Our scholarship, in her memory, will go to local kids like Krystal who need a scholarship to get to college and really want to be teachers.

Our 2nd Annual Benefit & Fundraiser will happen on April 18th this year. Tickets will be $30 and all the good stuff is included, such as dinner, desserts, beer and wine. (I'll let you know when they go on sale online.) We also have pretty amazing silent auction and raffle items. That's where I need your help.

We need fantastic auction items (wine, gift certificates, autographed items, etc) to stock our auction and fun items (Easter baskets, smaller gift certificates, books, etc) for our raffles. If any of you want to donate anything - whether personally or through your business - we'd welcome your donation.

Leave a message in the comments or just email me directly.

Big thanks,

Michelle

Midwest Winter Beer Festival

The Midwest Winter Beer Festival returns to the Radisson Cincinnati Riverfront on February 6th and 7th for the second year. For $35 you have the opportunity to try over 75 different beers from some  great micro-breweries. It looks like Bell's, Great Lakes, Stone, Bluegrass Brewing Company and Kentucky Ale will all be in attendance. There will be 3 sessions this year:

Friday 2/6 from 7 until 11 PM
Saturday 2/7 from 2 until 6 PM
Saturday 2/7 from 7 until 11PM

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door, a very reasonable price for a tasting event with proceeds going to the Big Joe Duskin Foundation. Also, designated drivers can pay $10 at the door that will get you everything except the beer.

Michelle and I missed out last year, but are excited the event has returned and we have a second chance to attend. Any readers brave last year's event? Any good stories?

As always, I recommend checking out our post on the Wine Festival Survival Tips. Most of them translate to any event with a lot of alcohol to try and maybe find a few new favorites. 

 - Kevin

Bacchanalian Society Winter Gathering

The Bacchanalian Society, that crazy wine tasting event held each quarter, is being held Thursday night at the gorgeous Phoenix downtown. More than just a party, the event benefits the Red Cross. The Phoenix is just lovely and can hold up to 1000 people, so there should be some breathing room at this event. 

Suggested donation is $10 per person in advance or $15 at the door. Your donation gets you admission to the event, wine tasting, DJ entertainment, and appetizers. If I'm not mistaken, the afterparty is at Bootsy's.

Kevin and I are part of the host committee, so he'll be there someplace. I suspect he'll be either uncorking wines or bagging them. Search him out and say hello! 

Oh, the wine this time is "Australian Red." Try to avoid the Yellow Tail and get creative. Which reminds me - <SOAPBOX> this is a tasting event, people, not an opportunity to get sloshed. There's a reason we put dump buckets on the tables. So pour a taste (1-2 oz pour), make a decision and move on. </SOAPBOX> That said, I also want you to have a great time, so have fun and be safe. Don't forget that Fetch (513.35-FETCH) can always be called for a cab.

There are, of course, rules to the game, which you can find after the jump.