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

Blue Rock Winery – Part Two

Posted on November 20, 2025 by thewineraconteur

The second part of a wine tasting at The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan and the tasting was conducted by Carla Jeffries who handles liaison work with the trade and media. The name Blue Rock originates from the local … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Alexander Valley, Baby Blue Red Blend, Best Barrels, Black Label, Blue Rock Winery, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Gapstone Vineyard, Malbec, Merlot, Petaluma Gap, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Syrah | Leave a comment

Blue Rock Winery – Part One

Posted on November 17, 2025 by thewineraconteur

Another wine tasting at The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan and it is always fun to encounter a new winery, at least to me, it was a new winery and the tasting was overseen by Carla Jeffries, who handles … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Alexander Valley, Baby Blue Blanc, Blue Rock Winery, California, Chardonnay, Gapstone Vineyard, Petaluma Gap, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sonoma County, Viognier | Leave a comment

A Blogging Celebration

Posted on November 14, 2025 by thewineraconteur

I started my little wine blog in May 2012, and Facebook just before that. It was strongly suggested that I get an Instagram account, which I finally did in March 2017; I guess I am slow to try new things. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Taking Coals to Newcastle

Posted on November 11, 2025 by thewineraconteur

Now most people realize that the title of this article is a useless endeavor, but I will get to that story soon enough. As I had to make a trip to my favorite wine shop The Fine Source in Livonia, … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Ardore, Bodegas Alvear, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Celani Family Wines, Insignia, Joseph Phelps, Merlot, Montilla-Moriles, Napa Valley, Pedro Ximenez, Solera 1927 | 4 Comments

The New London Chop House – Part Two

Posted on November 8, 2025 by thewineraconteur

When I was just learning to read, on the back page of The Detroit News were two columns, one by Al Blanchard and the other by “Doc” Greene. I remember that it was in Blanchard’s column that I first heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Bordeaux Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Douro, Fine Ruby Porto, France, Grand Bateau, Merlot, Port, Porto, Portugal, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cao, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, W&J Graham's | Leave a comment

The New London Chop House – Part One

Posted on November 5, 2025 by thewineraconteur

In the fabled memories of Detroit was the famed London Chop House and it was akin to the Twenty-One Club of Manhattan and The Pump Room of Chicago. All legendary and could truly be said “where the elite meet to … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Bricco Riella, Cascina Pian d'Or, Italy, Langhe, Moscato Bianco, Moscato di Asti | Leave a comment

A Day in Downtown Detroit

Posted on November 2, 2025 by thewineraconteur

It was one of those days that was going to be fun. We were going to have dinner later while we were in Downtown Detroit, and the restaurant had a dress code of proper business attire, which is fine with … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Albarino, Bodegas Agro de Bazan, Corpinnat, Etiqueta Verde, Granbazan, Grenache, Llopart Reserva Brut Rose, Metode Tradicional, Monastrell, Penedes, Pinot Noir, Rias Baixas, Spain, Val do Salnes | Leave a comment

Two Sauternes and a Barsac

Posted on October 30, 2025 by thewineraconteur

While we were officially done with the scheduled tastings at The Fine Wine Source, my Bride asked about some Sauternes wines, as the holidays will soon be upon us, and she has some ideas. And naturally this region is famous … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Barsac, Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne, Chateau Coutet, Chateau Rieussec, France, Les Carmes de Rieussec, Muscadelle, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Semillon | 5 Comments

Three Enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc Wines

Posted on October 27, 2025 by thewineraconteur

After having a delightful wine tasting of French red wines at The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan we walked into the original part of the shop and we had a chance to try three special Sauvignon Blanc wines. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Bordeaux, California, Chateau d'Yquem, Chateau d"Yquem "Y", Domaine de Chavalier, France, L'Esprit de Chavalier, Napa Valley, Oakville, Pessac-Leognan, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Stewart Cellars | Leave a comment

Another French Wine Tasting

Posted on October 24, 2025 by thewineraconteur

I truly enjoy attending wine tastings, especially at The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan. If you are a member of their wine club, you get invitations to attend wine tastings, though you must be flexible, because of the crowds. … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Rocher-Calon, Chateau Tour de Luchey, France, Merlot, Montagne-Saint-Emilion | Leave a comment