Blends are a long and grand tradition in the wine business. Different varietals often complement each other in rewarding ways, as evidenced by the classic pairing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Bordeaux, among many examples. This week we’ll taste a Bordeaux along with three other red blends (and two whites) that show winemakers’ talents in concocting wines that are greater than the sum of their parts. Our lineup will include:

*Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc 2010 – $11.99
*Muga White Rioja 2008 – $11.99
*Hey Mambo Sultry Red 2010 – $11.99
*Pegovino Grenache/Syrah 2009 – $12.99
*Chateau de Cruzeau Bordeaux 2006 – $14.99
*Trentadue Old Patch Red 2010 – $13.99

We’ll also have a premium pour ($3 for a 2-oz. pour): Quivira Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel – $24.99

Friday’s tasting will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We’ll taste the same wines on Saturday, too, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

See you here!

This week we’ll feature wines from Vintner Select, a regional distributor of fine wines, with an emphasis on wines from Washington. That state’s wine industry continues to evolve rapidly, and is producing great Rieslings, Syrahs, Merlots, red blends and others. Brian Scott of Vintner Select will be our guest pourer, and our lineup will include:

*Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2011 – $13.99
*Vino Pinot Grigio 2010 – $13.99
*Revelry The Reveler Red 2009 – $19.99
*Boom Boom Syrah 2010 – $17.99
*Revelry Merlot 2009 – $14.99
*Sean Minor Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 – $14.99

We’ll also have a premium pour ($3 for a 2-oz. pour):  Russell Family Vineyard Paso Robles Zinfandel 2010 – $32.99

Friday’s tasting will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We’ll taste the same wines on Saturday, too, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

See you here!

This week’s wine tasting will zero in on some of the top wines that we’ve tasted recently; we’ve been itching to work them into our tasting rotation. The lineup will include:

 Cameron Hughes Lot 240 Albarino 2009 – $12.99
Humberto Canale Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2010 – $11.99
Cameron Hughes Lot 271 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2009 – $15.99
Tobin James Chateau Le Cacheflo Red 2009 – $16.99
Sebastiani Sonoma County Merlot 2007 – Was $19.99/Now $9.99
Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz 2008 – $18.99
We’ll also have a premium pour ($3 for a 2-oz. pour):  Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2010 – $28.99

Friday’s tasting will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We’ll taste the same wines on Saturday, too, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
See you here!

Ah, spring! The season for gardening, flowers, Reds baseball – and great wine! We’ll taste some terrific new wines this week that will gladden your heart in the coming months. Our host will be Kevin Isaacson of Tramonte & Sons Distributors, and our lineup will include:

*McNab Ridge French Colombard 2010 – $11.99
*Barnard Griffin Fume Blanc 2010 – $9.99
*Samantha Starr Pinot Noir 2009 – $16.99
*DiStefano Sogno Cabernet Franc 2006 – $19.99
*Carol Shelton Monga Zin 2008 – $19.99
*Runquist “1448” 2010 – $16.99

We’ll also have a premium pour ($3 for a 2-oz. pour):  Blue Rock Baby Blue Alexander Valley Red Blend 2009 – $27.99

Friday’s tasting will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We’ll taste the same wines on Saturday, too, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

See you here!

This week we’ll taste intriguing new wines from Wine Trends, a regional distributor that specializes in wines from boutique wineries around the world. Our guest host will be Craig Cracchiolo of Wine Trends, and our lineup will include:

Villa Wolf Gewurztraminer 2010 – $11.99
A to Z Rose 2011 – $10.99
Cortijo Rioja 2009 – $9.99
Zuccardi Malbec 2010 – $18.99
Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – $14.99
Royal Tokaji Mad Cuvee Late Harvest Tokaj 2009 – $19.99

We’ll also have a premium pour ($4 for a 2-oz. pour):  Scout’s Honor Napa Valley Red 2010 – $39.99

Friday’s tasting will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We’ll taste the same wines on Saturday, too, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

See you here!

This week we’re pleased to feature medal winners from the 2012 Cincinnati International Wine Festival. Our guest host will be Cindy Pilney of Ohio Valley Beer and Wine Company, and our lineup will include:

Riondo Moscato D’Asti 2010 – $14.99 (Silver)
Handcraft Chardonnay 2010 – Was $15.99/Now $10.99 (Silver)
Seaglass Pinot Noir 2010 – Was $14.99/Now $9.99 (Silver)
Blackstone Reserve Merlot 2009 – Was $17.99/Now $14.99 (Silver)
Dona Paula Malbec 2010 – Was $12.99/Now $9.99 (Gold)
Lock and Key Meritage 2009 – Was $19.99/Now $12.99 (Silver)

We’ll also have a premium pour ($2 for a 2-oz. pour):  Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Was $24.99/Now $21.99 (Silver)

Friday’s tasting will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We’ll taste the same wines on Saturday, too, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
See you here!

This week our wine tasting returns to a theme that we like to emphasize here at O’Bryan’s: wines that are good values, in this case under $15. We’ll taste six wines for $5, and we’ll also have a premium pour ($3 for a 2-oz. pour): Jeff Runquist Petite Sirah 2009. Friday’s tasting will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We’ll taste the same wines on Saturday, too, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. See you here!

Fresh off the Cincinnati International Wine Festival, we’re revved up and ready to taste some new wines! This week we’ll feature wines from around the world that are in the excellent portfolio of Vanguard Wines. Our guest host will be Denise Sullivan of Vanguard, and our lineup will include:

*The White Knight Viognier 2010 – $11.99
*Eola Hills Oregon Chardonnay 2009 – $12.99
*Simple Life Pinot Noir 2010 – $12.99
*Chateau Mas Neuf Rhone Paradox 2009 – $11.99
*Allamand Valle de Uco Malbec 2010 – $12.99
*Sivas Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 — $16.99

We’ll also have a premium pour ($4 for a 2-oz. pour):  Peter Franus Napa Valley Brandlin Vineyard Zinfandel 2009 – $36.99

Friday’s tasting will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We’ll taste the same wines on Saturday, too, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. See you here!

We know many of you will be at the Cincinnati International Wine Festival this weekend. However, we figured some of you may not make it there, and we know those folks will still want some wine to taste. So here at O’Bryan’s, we’ll commemorate medal winners from the last two festivals, and our lineup will include:

*Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – Was $19.99/Now $16.99
*Jargon Pinot Noir 2010 – Was $14.99/Now $10.99
*Hey Mambo Sultry Red 2010 – $11.99
*Josh Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Was $17.99/Now $13.99
*6^th Sense Syrah 2009 – Was $17.99/Now $13.99
*Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Was $18.99/Now $16.99
*We’ll also have a premium pour ($2 for a 2-oz. pour):  Cinnabar Mercury Rising 2009 – $21.99

Friday’s tasting will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We’ll taste the same wines on Saturday, too, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. See you here!

This week we’ll taste top sellers and other selections from the portfolio of Heidelberg Distributing, a regional distributor of fine wines. Most of these wines are currently on sale — they deliver loads of flavor and quality at a truly bargain price! Our lineup will include:

*Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2010 – Was $12.99/Now $9.99
*Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2010 – Was $15.99/Now $12.99
*Gascon Malbec 2010 – Was $14.99/Now $13.99
*Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Privada 2009 – Was $20.99/Now $15.99
*Bridlewood Red Blend – $16.99
*Tormaresca Neprica 2010 – Was $14.99/Now $10.99

We’ll also have a premium pour ($3 for a 2-oz. pour):  Stratton Lummis Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – $24.99

Friday’s tasting will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We’ll taste the same wines on Saturday, too, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. See you here!