The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 102

Sunday, January 26, 1997 H3 The Cincinnati Enquirer TASTE y'v ri A i' an 4 1 1 i 71 LI 1 R'lAo hop immfM 7i tM ft. uj ten POOD PMUJe f. I I mam VX), I I Gallon, All Varieties iThriftway Photo couresty of Kathleen Talbett Francis Ford Coppola added the name of Gustave Niebaum to his label. The Finnish sea captain founded the famous Inglenook estate in California's Napa Valley in 1879. Coppola makes wines you can't refuse if I iMillc Limit 1 with coupon I JL kW A 0 I and $15.00 purchase 0)1 I Limit one coupon per customer.

I) One coupon per customer. Coupon vail Sunday. January 26. through Tuesday, Ianuary28, 1997. Copyright Thriftway, 1997.

'iUL J0 L. JOHN VANKAT 1 WINE 4 1 i. St aiP 14 to 16-oz. KfiTi Select Varieties if -J I i turn of the century. Niebaum's old stone chateau is being turned into a visitor center to display the history of winemaking at the estate and Mr.

Coppola's history in filmmaking. So from one family to another from Gustave Niebaum to Francis Ford Coppola history and tradition continue in California's Napa Valley. For information on visiting the Niebaum-Coppola Winery, call 1-707-963-9099. John Vankat of Oxford edits and publishes Quarterly Pocket List of Top-Rated Wines To subscribe, call 1-800-524-1005. Send questions co The Enquirer, 312 Elm Cincinnati 45202; Varieties include: i nnuy Maia Cream or whole qold corn, cut green beans, large or medium peas, pork beans, Canned Goods mixed vegetables, carrots, rea Kianey, great nortnem, navy or kidney beans.

i WD) j) Wm 7ll s- CHOICE Film writer, director, and producer Francis Ford Coppola may be linked forever with the Godfather Don Corleone, but his activities in the wine industry deserve attention, too. Mr. Coppola sees similarities between filmmaking and wine-making, which he considers "two great art forms." Mr. Coppola's filmmaking has involved directing 19 movies, including the Godfather films that produced four of his Academy Awards. His other Oscar was for co-writing the story and screenplay for Patton.

As several of his films illustrate, Mr. Coppola is strongly interested in history and tradition. These interests carry over into his activities with wine. The Coppola wine story actually begins with Gustave Niebaum, a Finnish sea captain who founded the famous Inglenook estate in California's Napa Valley in 1879. Niebaum's goal was to produce wines rivaling the best of France.

His Inglenook estate remained in family ownership until 1964, when it was divided. In 1972, Mr. Coppola and his wife, Eleanor, began looking for a small house with a couple of acres of vineyards in Napa Valley. Three years later, they radically raised their expectations and purchased 1,600 acres of Niebaum's original Inglenook estate. The Coppolas initially focused on producing "Rubicon," a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot the same varietals that make up the world-famous French Bordeaux wines.

In the tradition of French Chateaux such as Lafite-Rothschild, the Coppolas combined names with the founder and labeled their wine "Niebaum-Coppola." The first Rubicon vintage was 1978. It and most others are still available, but the most recent release is said to be one of the best This 1991 vintage ($44) is incredibly dark, purple-red in color. Although highly pleasurable to drink today due to surprisingly moderate tannins a few years of cellaring will release more of the already attractive, complex aromas and full-bodied flavors. It's easy to picture Don Corleone enjoying this wine! The Coppolas also began producing other wines for their own table. And as production increased, they began releasing them under the label "Francis Coppola Family Wines." In 1995, the Coppolas bought the rest of the Inglenook estate, including the original stone chateau.

Thus, the Coppolas reunited Gustave Niebaum's original lands, re-establishing one of America's historically important wine estates. The Coppolas are replanting vineyards with the same root stock that Gustave Niebaum used at the yD Brand, USDA Choice Sayc $50 per Lb, svStS 15 Boneless Lb. Round steak Hard to find Wines from the "father of Godfather" do get to the Tristate but often have low availability. Of those that I've tasted, my favorite is the Gustave Niebaum Commemorative 1993 Gold Label Chardonnay "Carneros, Napa Valley" It's well-balanced, with outstanding, lingering flavors. For more oak flavor, look for the Francis Coppola Family Wines 1995 Chardonnay "Napa Valley" Red wine lovers might need to focus on the Niebaum-Coppola "Rubicon" ($38 to $81).

But some Francis Coppola Family Wines 1 994 Cabernet Franc "Napa Valley" ($20) might be available. These wines have outstanding color, nice aromas and smooth, medium-bodied taste. Barrel tasting Wine distributor Vintner Select of Cincinnati offers the opportunity to sample unre-leased vintages of some of California's most exclusive producers at a Barrel Tasting, p.m. Saturday at The Phoenix, downtown. The event includes the tasting of 24 barrel samples and 29 bottled wines and a four-course meal.

Cost is $100 in advance, $125 at the door. Buy tickets at local wine retailers or by calling 984-2404. Proceeds benefit the Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation. John Vankat 1 Harvest Fresh 10-Lb Bag Russet Potatoes Do you hs0 SMa Allsrglcs? Metals Jewelry Latex, rubber Perfumes Fragrances Men and Women between 18-65 are needed for upcoming research studies, participants will be compensated. For more information please call: The Best Choice For Low Prices.

Due to the popularity of our tow prices, we reserve the risht to limit quantities. This ad in effect Sunday, January 26 throush Tuesday, January 28, 1997 None sold to dealers. Copyrisht Thriftway, 1997. RHRC (513) 831-4054 Retd Hartman Research Center 11325 Reed Hartman Highway Cincinnati, OH 45241 1 A- -r-.