Gold medals to Ferrante showcased with tastes at ice wine festival

The family-owned Ferrante Winery & Ristorante took a pair a gold medals for its ice wine in competitions this year and is showcasing them at the Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival, which continues March 10 and March 17 among a handful of area wineries. If you missed that story last week, read it at bit. ly/2H7KEDr.

Ferrante’s Vidal Blanc Ice Wine was named Best in Show and Best of Class at the American Fine Wine Competition in January.

That invitation-only event judged 850 of the finest wines produced in the country in the Wine Spectator Restaurant Lab at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

Ferrante’s ice wine also received a double Gold award at the San Francisco Chronicle wine competition on Feb. 17.

Ferrante will demonstrate the making of its Ice Wine Bellini at 1 and 3 p.m. both days and will serve its Signature Hot Toddy and Casa Hot Cocoa, all created to capitalize on its ice wine aromas of apricot and orange blossoms and flavors of honey and ripe melon.

Chef Nina Salerno will pair her Gorgonzola Prosciutto Mac and Cheese with ice wine tastes.

Admission is $6 at each winery, with a $1 discount for those bringing a canned food item for the local food bank.

Healthy and good tasting

CoreLife Eatery opens its long-awaited place at 7809 Mentor Ave., Mentor, opposite the Great Lakes Mall, in time for lunch on March 8.

Expect custom-made dishes framed around a variety of greens, grains and broth bases. Its bone broth will have been slowly simmered all day, and the chicken and beef used in its from-scratch meals are sustainably raised without hormones or antibiotics.

This will be the first of what franchisee Billy Lewis anticipates to be among 21 stores across Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Get more info at corelifeeatery.com.

South France wines

Six wines from the south of France will be featured at 6:30 p.m. March 15 in a wine tasting at Molinari’s, 8900 Mentor Ave, Mentor.

Wine expert Jerry Danalchek will lead the group through the tasting of whites, reds and roses from that region, as four snacks from the kitchen are served. It’s $30 per person in advance, with tickets arranged by calling 440974-2750.

Easy seafood

Seafood made easy is the focus for Judi Strauss in a twohour class set for 7 p.m. March 13 in the spacious kitchen at Wildwood Cultural Center, 7645 Little Mountain Road, Mentor.

You’ll taste several creations, ranging from salmon quiche to Creole jambalaya as you learn techniques to make them right every time. Recipes to take home are included.

The class is $17, with a $3 discount for Mentor residents. An additional $19 food fee is payable in cash to Strauss on class night.

Register: 440-974-5720.

Six wines from the south of France will be featured at 6:30 p.m. March 15 in a wine tasting at Molinari’s, 8900 Mentor Ave, Mentor.