Author Archives: thewineraconteur

About thewineraconteur

A non-technical wine writer, who enjoys the moment with the wine, as much as the wine. Twitter.com/WineRaconteur Instagram/thewineraconteur Facebook/ The Wine Raconteur

Champagne Day

Posted on October 22, 2015 by thewineraconteur

“I get no kick from Champagne, mere alcohol doesn’t thrill me at all,” while it is a great lyric from Cole Porter, while I enjoy his music immensely, I must disagree with the sentiment (out of context). This sung has … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Champagne | 6 Comments

A Surprise Phone Call

Posted on October 20, 2015 by thewineraconteur

Sometimes you get a left curve that you actually connect with and pop it out of the stadium. Well that is how it felt the other night. It was going to be a quiet night of maybe some writing, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Bodegas Bagordi, Cabernet Sauvignon, Charles & Charles, Columbia Valley, Garnacha, Graciano, Navardia, Rioja, Spain, Syrah, Tempranillo, Wahluke Slope, Washington | Leave a comment

A Few More Assorted Wines

Posted on October 18, 2015 by thewineraconteur

There were a few more wines that I thought I should share with you from the Culinary Extravaganza 2015. These wines were located on the International Table and were furnished through Eagle Eye Brands, and the wine was underwritten by … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Albarino, Alto Colchagua Valley, Carmenere, Chile, Croatia, Enjingi, Galicia, Germany, Grasevina, Joh. Jos. Prum, Koyle, La Ardilla, Mar de Envero Troupe, Moscato de Valencia, Mosel, Muscat of Alexandria, Rapel Valley, Rias Baixas, Riesling, Sonnenuhr, Spain, Wehlener, Welshriesling | Leave a comment

Merlot Me

Posted on October 16, 2015 by thewineraconteur

October 16 has been designated “Merlot Me” day and to be candid with you, the syntax of the wording just gnaws at me. The concept of a day to honor Merlot is great, I just have a problem with how … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Merlot | 2 Comments

“Drink Local Wine” Week

Posted on October 14, 2015 by thewineraconteur

According to the Wine Lovers Calendar the week of October 11 to 17 is the “Drink Local Wine Week.” I think that it is a noble cause and one worth paying attention to. I notice that most of the new … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chardonel, Chardonnay, Cold Hardy, Frontenac, Jackson, Michigan, Noiret, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sandhill Crane Vineyards, Seyval Blanc, Syrah, Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Vignoles | Leave a comment

The Italian Wines at the Culinary Extravaganza

Posted on October 12, 2015 by thewineraconteur

I realize that I have been going on and on about the wines that were served at the Culinary Extravaganza 2015, but I have no choice. The selection was fantastic, compared to some of the years. Some years it felt … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Bolgheri, Bonci, Buonamico Cercatoja, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Corvina, Drei Dona Tenuta la Palazza Magnificat, Emila-Romagna, Fattoria Il Lago, Gardiz, Glera, Italy, Malvasia Bianca, Marchesi Biscardo, Merlot, Molinara, Prosecco, Ripasso, Rondinella, Straw Wine, Super Tuscan, Syrah, Tenuta Argentiera, Toscana IGT, Trebbiano, Tuscany, Valpolicella, Veneto, Verdicchio, Verdicchio dei Castelli Di Jesi, Villa Donoratico, Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina | Leave a comment

French Wines at the Extravaganza

Posted on October 10, 2015 by thewineraconteur

There was just so much to enjoy at this past Culinary Extravaganza benefiting the Culinary Arts Program at Schoolcraft College. The food was delicious, think of three hours of different tapas being served, in fact there was a new tapas … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Albert Bichot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chablis, Chardonnay, Chateau Cantenac, Chateau de Rayne Vigneau, Chateau Morgues du Gres, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Costieres de Nimes, Cote d'Or, Cremant de Bourgogne, Domaine Berthet-Rayne, France, Grenache, Joseph Mellot, La Chatellenie, Les Vaucopins, Loire Valley, Merlot, Mourvedre, Pinot Noir, Saint-Emilion, Sancerre, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah | Leave a comment

Culinary Extravaganza 2015

Posted on October 8, 2015 by thewineraconteur

It was the time for the 24’Th annual celebration of food and wine to benefit Schoolcraft College students and the Culinary Arts Program. The event is held at the VisTaTech Center/Waterman Wing of Schoolcraft College, which may be the finest … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Cru Wine Company, Gamble Family Vineyard, Long Meadow Ranch Winery, Mariposa Wine Company, Merlot, Monterey County, Napa Valley, Oregon, Petite Sirah, Ranch House Red, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Seven Hills Winery, Vineyard Montage, Yountville | Leave a comment

Vin Jaune and Chateau-Chalon

Posted on October 6, 2015 by thewineraconteur

The Jura wine tasting dinner at Selden Standard was going strong, and we were getting to the main entrée. The two stars of the evening were coming, not to mention a special surprise bottle of wine. Our host Elie Boudt … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Caves Jean Bourdy, Chateau-Chalon, France, Galant des Abesses, Jura, Savagnin, Vin Jaune | 2 Comments

A Tasting of Jura Wines

Posted on October 4, 2015 by thewineraconteur

Selden Standard in Detroit had the perfect room off to the side for a private wine tasting dinner conducted by Elie Boudt of Elie Wine Company. We were going to try many offerings from Domaine Jean Bourdy from the Jura … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Caves Jean Bourdy, Chardonnay, Cotes du Jura, Cremant du Jura, France, Jura, Macvin du Jura, Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Savagnin, Trousseau | 3 Comments