Chronic Negress

I did manage to spend an hour and a half at the Cleveland Wine Festival and was planning to go back but I entered a state of chronic mayhem that found me pulling back from a variety of commitments including a minor league baseball game, a trip back to the wine fest to sample the wines of Ohio and a dinner with one of the more imperious grand dames of the group the Negress is here to hang out with. This all started with a gang lunch with said grand dames and other babes in the organization. The Negress ate some pasta with cream sauce and tomatos and shrimp, and it’s been off to the races ever since. The Negress kept eating — hey, it’s a vacation — but much didn’t set right. Strickland’s frozen custard at the ballpark did. So did the filet mignon. But several Burning River drafts and some Shiraz probably didn’t help matters. So with gurgling belly in tow, we headed to Voinovich Park to the festival. Admission was $20 in advance and $30 at the tent. This included a plastic wine glass with a line denoting the 3 oz. tasting pour. Stopped at Fetzer, got ecotote and info on all their organic growing. Pleasant enough wines that fit in nicely with the story I am doing on value wines. Moved on to a Korbel Sweet Rose champagne that was a stunner in the same sense a bullet in the leg is a stunner. Noted Little Black Dress brands for story. Moved on to one meatball of uncertain provenance then to some wines from Macedonia. In the story’s price range and intriguing. Topper is they are coming to New Jersey soon. Talked to maker of 7 Deadly Zins. He noted that wines under $10 were likely to be financial losers for wineries. Methinks this is also true for drinkers, Three Buck Chuck notwithstanding. Went to a rain-delayed game with Indians and Reds. Sabathia pitched quite well. Noticed the Park Formerly known as the Jake that armed police roamed the concourses. Even in New York in the bad old days, I don’t remember seeing that much identifiable security. Very disturbing that only Bud Light was available at the upper deck concession stands. Like, Leinekugel anybody?  Came back to the hotel and burned the river and some shiraz before retiring. Also led some folks around the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. This will probably end up being a better weekend in hindsight. Right it’s on the bubble. Sore throat not helping.