Category Archives: Dining

A Delightful Night in Farmington

Posted on April 28, 2026 by thewineraconteur

It was a night of firsts for us, as we tried a new restaurant, a wine bar and the “Big Band Goes to the Movies” at the historic Farmington Civic Theatre. The City of Farmington just recently won the Great … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Uncategorized, Wine | Tagged Barbeito, California, Historic Series, Loren Crossing, Madeira, Malvasia, Napa Valley, New York Malmsey Special Reserve, Oakville, Portugal, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, The Rare Wine Company | 1 Comment

DaVinci and Cantina Zaccagnini

Posted on April 25, 2026 by thewineraconteur

I don’t know about you, but I am constantly getting messages that I have too many photos on my phone, and as I start searching, I find another article to be written that was pushed out by other articles. Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Uncategorized, Wine | Tagged Azienda Agricola Ciccio Zaccagnini, Cantina Zaccagnini, Italy, Montepulciano, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo | 1 Comment

It Was Thirty-three Years Ago

Posted on April 22, 2026 by thewineraconteur

It is hard to believe, that it is only thirty-three years ago, that I met my Bride, though there are some days that she thinks that maybe she shouldn’t have gone to that dance. I knew it was right, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Bel Air Gloria, Cru Bourgeois, Domaines Martin, France, Haut-Medoc, Merlot | 2 Comments

Easter Sunday 2026

Posted on April 13, 2026 by thewineraconteur

In Armenian one would say Shnorhavor Surb Zatik or Happy Easter in English. We had about fifteen here for Easter dinner and alas the family is getting splintered, and plenty is from the demands of employers. Of course, when I … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Azienda Agricola Otella, Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Brut, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cain Concept, Cain Vineyard and Winery, California, California Champagne, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard, Italy, Korbel, Lombardy, Lugana, Merlot, Methode Champenoise, Missouri Hopper Vineyard, Napa Valley, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Stagecoach Vineyard, The Benchland, Trebbiano di Lugano, Truchard Atlas Peak Vineyard, Turbiana, Verdicchio | Leave a comment

Easter Eve 2026 – Part Two

Posted on April 10, 2026 by thewineraconteur

The annual gathering of all the cousins is a major event, and the crowd is growing, because of weddings, and even the announcement of a new cousin or grandchild, depending on your point of view, so the happiness will continue. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Apassimento, California, Cantine Bertoldi, Carreras Vineyard, Casa Vinicola Botter, Corvina, Dry Creek Valley, Elyse Winery, Italy, Merlot, Rosso, Sonoma County, Veneto, Zinfandel | 2 Comments

Easter Eve 2026 – Part One

Posted on April 7, 2026 by thewineraconteur

One of my cousins several years ago, realized that all the families were starting to splinter, because we all had children and some even had grandchildren and there was no singular matriarch or patriarch to keep us all together. So, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Uncategorized, Wine | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, Domaine Badet Clement, France, IGP Pays d'Oc, Josephine, Languedoc Rousillon | 6 Comments

Bahama Breeze

Posted on March 20, 2026 by thewineraconteur

My Bride and some of her girlfriends get together, along with their spouses for a dinner periodically, and I am not sure how the restaurants are selected, but we were going to Bahama Breeze. My Bride and I tried the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Kendall-Jackson, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Private Selection, Robert Mondavi, Sangiovese, Syrah, Vintner's Reserve | 3 Comments

Wine and The Velvet Fluegeltones

Posted on March 14, 2026 by thewineraconteur

When my Bride and I go with The Wine Raconteur, Jr. you just must go with the flow. One evening before the holidays, the joys of a raconteur, we met him and his wife, along with his parents, for dinner … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Agricola La Portera, Aragon, Carinena, I Piani, Italy, La Cala, Macabeo, Maccabeu, Pigato, Rolle, Sardinia, Sella & Mosca, Spain, Tardano, Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, Viura | 2 Comments

Dinner at Zingerman’s Roadhouse

Posted on March 2, 2026 by thewineraconteur

Every couple of months my Bride gets together with some of her school friends, one going back to elementary school, and the husbands all tag along. The group no longer live in the old neighborhood, so there is always logistics … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Barbeito, California, Carol Shelton, Damiano Vineyard, Historic Series, Madeira, Placer County, Savannah, Sierra Foothills, The Rare Wine Company, Tinta Negra Mole, Verdelho Madeira, Verdelho Special Reserve, Viognier, Wild Thing | 1 Comment

Dinner at Sacred Heart Major Seminary

Posted on February 18, 2026 by thewineraconteur

I have been a native Detroiter my entire life and I have never encountered this monumental structure, and it was just blocks from the original real center of power in the city, when the city was competing with New York … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Bonanza Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 9, California, Chardonnay Lot 1, Dow's, Fine Tawny Porto, Mourisco Tinto, Oporto, Portugal, Souzao, Tempranillo, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cao, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Upper Douro, Wagner Family of Wine | 2 Comments