STIFEL WINE TASTING SEASON OPENS SEPTEMBER 18
WITH SOUTH AFRICAN WINES

WHEELING, W.Va. (August 25, 2009)- - Great wine, great food and great art come together as Oglebay Institute opens its 2009-10 wine tasting season at 6:30 p.m. Friday, September 18 at the Stifel Fine Arts Center.

The evening will feature five wines from Robertson Winery, which is recognized today as one of South Africa’s leading cellars. Wines will be paired with scrumptious hors d’oeuvres, prepared by Ye Olde Alpha, and a wine expert from Indigo Wine Group will lead the tasting and discuss the vintages.

Robertson Winery is situated approximately 100 miles from Cape Town in Robertson Valley, which is bordered by the lower reaches of the Breede River to the south and by the spectacular Langeberg Mountains to the north. Blessed with a mild climate and a range of soils that have the highest pH of all wine-growing regions in South Africa, Robertson Valley provides vines with an exceptionally healthy growing medium. Unlimited sunshine tempered by prevailing sea breezes and combined with an abundant supply of mountain water feeding the Breede River, the Robertson Valley is renowned for producing excellent wines every year.

Robertson Winery selections for the September 18 tasting include three 2008 vintages- the Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Pinotage- as well as two 2009 vintages -the Chenin Blanc and Shiraz.

“The chosen wine selections offer a lot of diversity, so there is something to please every palate,” Stifel Center director Rick Morgan said.

The balance of fresh citrus and rich melon characters gives the Chardonnay a full rounded palate that combines well with the subtle creaminess and nuttiness of the gentle oak. The Pinotage boasts a deep purple rim with delicious flavors of ripe strawberry, banana, juicy plums and rich, red cherry. It was produced in an early drinking style with well-integrated wood and a soft, smooth finish. The full-bodied Gewürztraminer is rich and smooth with beautifully balanced sugar and acid and a touch of honeyed botrytis. With an appealing straw color, the Chenin Blanc features flavors of pineapple, granadilla, melon and green apple. The Shiraz shows freshly crushed black pepper aroma with hints of cinnamon and cloves on the nose with lots of brambly red berry fruit, rich mulberry and well integrated vanilla tones.

All of the wines will be discussed by guest present Kevin McDonough, regional sales manager for Indigo Wine Group for the Mid-Atlantic and Mid-West Region, based in Pittsburgh and covering 12 states. McDonough has extensive background in the beverage industry, working in some beverage management capacity in 41 states.
 
He also serves as Senior Executive Director with Mission Consulting Group, which provides consulting services to beverage suppliers and distributors of wine, beer, and spirits.   A major assignment was working with California beer wholesalers as they added new products such as wine and spirits as well as non-alcoholic drinks such as bottled water and energy drinks.

Sponsored by H.E. Neumann Co., the Oglebay Institute wine tasting season includes nine events through June. Each program has a different theme and includes a wine expert, who shares tips and information on selecting and serving wines, and a buffet of light foods. Guests always have an opportunity to purchase their favorite vintages and browse the art exhibition on display in the Hart Galleries.

Wine tasting dates for 2009-2010 are: September 18, 2009, October 16, 2009, November 20, 2009, December 11, 2009, February 12, 2010, March 19, 2010, April 16, 2010, May 14, 2010 and June 11, 2010.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Stifel Center at 304.242.7700. Payment is required at time of reservation. The Stifel Center is located at 1330 National Road, Wheeling and welcomes the public daily to art, dance and fitness classes, craft activities and ongoing art exhibitions.

These programs are presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.